Check out some of the best brand-new offerings among knives, multitools and sharpeners from this year's Shooting, Hunting and Outdoors Trade Show, better known as the SHOT Show, in Las Vegas. For links to the entire 2017 Military Times New Gear Guide, click here.
Buck Knives 110 Automatic Knife
Photo Credit: Manufacturer
BUCK KNIVES 110 AUTOMATIC KNIFE
What: The 110 Folding Hunter has been an outdoors staple for more than 50 years and drove innovation in an entire category of knives. This new model looks like the iconic version with the same Macassar Ebony Dymondwood handles and brass bolsters, except the 420HC (high carbon stainless steel), 3.75-inch blade deploys with the push of a button. The blade pops out with authority; monitor finger and hand placement. Comes with leather sheath.
Note: Automatic knives, sometimes called switchblades or switch knives, are prohibited in 15 states. Check local laws before purchasing.
MSRP: $200
Online: www.buckknives.com
Buck Alpha Crosslock Model 183 (Blackout variant)
Photo Credit: Manufacturer
BUCK ALPHA CROSSLOCK MODEL 183
What: A great hunting knife with new upgrades, including better gripping features and a sturdier locking mechanism. The dual 3-inch spear point blade and a saw blade with a gut hook make fast work of field-dressing chores. Blades are 420HC stainless steel and easily open and close with one hand. Weighs 4 ounces. Nylon sheath has belt or pocket clip.
Note: The same basic knife, equipped with a black-oxide-coated, modified tanto blade becomes a "law enforcement tool" in the 183 Blackout variant. The gut hook is rephrased as an "integrated strap cutter." It does have a better G10 glass fiber laminate handle compared to anodized aluminum handle on the hunting knife.
MSRP: $75. A heftier $130 for the Blackout model.
Online: www.buckknives.com
Gerber Vital Pocket Folder
Photo Credit: Manufacturer
GERBER VITAL POCKET FOLDER
What: This is one cool game-processing tool – not so much a folding knife as a field surgical device with razor-sharp edges. Thin, sharp blades easily swap out by pushing a button – no tools necessary. Measures 6.9 inches overall and weighs just 1.3 ounces. The surgical blade is 2.8 inches. The blaze orange handle has overmolded grips.
Note: A hard plastic replacement blade case, sold separately for about $20 (sometimes less), can carry several spare blades.
MSRP: $49
Online: www.gerbergear.com
SOG Baton Q4
Photo Credit: Manufacturer
SOG BATON Q-SERIES
What: SOG's new offering transcends the classic multitool look and comes in four models. The unopened Batons are about as long as a pencil, but slightly thicker. They break open to access several basic tools.
The smallest, the Q1, has spring-assisted scissors, replaceable ballpoint pen, bottle opener and flathead screwdriver, while the slightly larger Q2 has a small, straight-edge blade, LED flashlight, bottle opener and flathead screwdriver. The larger Q3 and Q4 models are designed for tougher chores. Each features pliers, straight blades, screwdrivers, bottle openers and more. The Q4 adds a magnetic ratchet driver for the included 12-piece hex bit kit.
Note: Lengths range from 5.6 to 6.3 inches. Weight varies between 2.4 to 6 ounces.
MSRP: $54 for the Q1 up to $120 for the Q4
Online: www.sogknives.com
SOG Sync II, open and in its carrier
Photo Credit: Manufacturer photos
SOG Sync I and II
What: The Sync I and II look and behave like more standard multitools. Both are designed to be worn with the detachable base, either as a belt buckle (not recommended) or clipped on a pack strap, belt or boot for fast, easy access. The base fits belts up to 1¾ inches wide. The Sync II measures 5.8 inches when open and 3.1 inches closed. It weighs 5 ounces.
Note: Components include pliers, crimpers, scissors, three-sided file, ruler, straight blade, screwdrivers, bottle opener, gripper and soft wire cutter.
MSRP: $80 for the Sync II, $67 for the less-robust Sync I.
Online: www.sogknives.com
Chef's Choice Two-Stage Compact Knife Sharpener
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CHEF'S CHOICE TWO-STAGE COMPACT KNIFE SHARPENER
What:
Small, light and inexpensive, this Model 476is a great portable knife sharpener to add to your pack or tackle box. It quickly sharpens straight-edge knives using tungsten carbide and ceramic sharpening elements. The first stage resets the edge and sharpens, while stage two finely hones the blade or provides light touch-ups.
Note: The textured handle is just big enough to provide a secure grip.
MSRP: $7.99.
Online: www.chefschoice.com
Chef's Choice Sportsman Diamond Hone Knife Sharpener Xtreme (camo version)
Photo Credit: Manufacturer
CHEF'S CHOICE SPORTSMAN DIAMOND HONE KNIFE SHARPENER XTREME
What: As electric knife sharpeners go, this Model 317 is a portable beast, just a few inches long and weighing about 3.75 pounds. Chef'sChoice says this unit was developed with sportsmen in mind, designed to handle thicker hunting blades as well as tactical knives. It'll also sharpen your kitchen paring knife or filet knife, to include electric knife serrated blades.
During testing, the sharpener's Stage 1 diamond abrasives quickly reset the knife edge to a double-bevel, arch-shaped edge. After a little honing on Stage 2's flexible stropping and polishing disks, the blade easily passed the paper slicing test.
Note: A TrueTimber camo model comes this fall; basic black is available now.
MSRP: $99.99.
Online: www.chefschoice.com
