Benchmade 581 Barrage Knife

It’s not exactly a switchblade, but it’s as close as you’re going to get while staying on the right side of the law. The Benchmade 581 Barrage Knife ($220-$235) offers an AXIS Assist locking mechanism that helps you get the blade out in a hurry when it’s needed — such as when fighting off rival gang members angry flocks of chickens — and a reversible pocket clip to keep it handy. Available with a plain, ComboEdge, or black-coated blade.

Gerber Venture Knife

Knives don’t need to do a bunch of different things to be useful — they just need to do one thing really well. The Gerber Venture Knife ($75) adheres to this mantra by limiting its design to a polished titanium handle and a three and a half inch serrated blade that’s ready when you need it thanks to the Venture’s FAST spring-assisted opening mechanism.

Escort Carbon Fiber Daggers

Knowing you absolutely don’t need something does not make it any easier to rationalize not buying it. The fifteenth pair of sneakers, a nuke proof phone case and these Escort Carbon Fiber Daggers all fit into that category. No man has a serious need for a carbon fiber dagger (unless you’re Jack Bauer, Sam Fisher or James Bond), but that doesn’t mean we don’t want all three of these any less. Made of, you guessed it, 100% carbon fiber, each stabbing weapon is incredibly light (the lightest weighs under an ounce and the heaviest is just over an ounce) and durable. They’re also 100% “Made in the good ol’ US of A” and are a much better use of the magical fiber than replacing the hood on a Civic. Plus, they look cool… even if you don’t ever actually have to stab someone with them. $65+

The Mantis BK-2B Bottleneck Knife

The Mantis BK-2B Bottleneck Knife is a collaboration between Mantis Knives and Hawk Designs. It boasts a bottle opener and a 50-state legal butterfly knife and it will attach effortlessly to your keyring with its integral handle/latch configuration. The bottle opener can be accessed and used while the knife is still attached to the keyring, so there’s no worry about forgetting your keys or your knife because they’re attached for life (or at least until you have to go through airport security).

Warren Thomas Strider SMF

An upgraded version of the framelock folding knives used by the Marines, Warren Thomas’ Strider SMF sports hi-tech materials including carbon fiber and satin-finished titanium.

Carbide Utility Score

Striker’s Carbide Utility Score features a v-shaped carbide tip with aggressive crosscut file for scribing deep and wide cut; it’s also safe, letting you cut toxic fiber cement with minimal dust.

Gerber Epic Knife

Woods Monkey has a helpful review up of Gerber’s Epic; despite the name, it’s actually a compact (yet sturdy) knife with a semi-serrated 3.4″ blade, larger finger choil, and bottle opener.

Transformer Xi 12-in-1

Swiss+Tech’s Transformer Xi 12-in-1 does double duty in your pocket as a key ring and a multitool; it includes 6 screwdrivers, an LED flashlight, dual worklights, and a straight edge.

Les Voorhies Mini X3 CPM-154

Mini X3 key chain knives - 3.15” O.A.L. (1.25” cutting edge), chisel ground on the right side, 1/16” thick CPM154, The entire knife is blasted with crushed Garnet and the bevel is ground to a 400 grit finish.

The Etowah Edge & Tool Pry Knife

Etowah Edge and Tool Pry Knife. They are made of D2 tool steel, are 3” OAL, have black oxide finish with a right hand grind. Comes with a cord lanyard, kydex sheath and ball chain.