Best Knife Trends of 2016
- Titanium handles (& assoc beads, skulls)
- Novel, unknown steels (no longer boring AUS-8 or 440C)
- Return of carbon steel
- Slipjoints, small classic pocket knives
- Custom knives
- Rise of the knife collector
Look out for: Raw, in-the-original-form handles; anodised handles/spines, clips/beads/accessories
(titanium, return of carbon steel (compare w/ mechanical watches), slipjoints still retains popularity (new small custom makers propelled by ease of internet)
Click to read on about the latest:
Aerospace Stuff: Titanium Metal
Titanium, a high-tech aerospace metal known for its exceptional strength yet lightweight properties, having the highest strength-to-density ratio of any metallic element. It also has excellent corrosion resistance. These properties make titanium an ideal material for knife handles – lightweight, tough, and able to withstand environmental exposure/heavy use.
Over the years we have seen its emergence in the consumer market, being particularly popular for camping (e.g. stoves, tent pegs, utensils). Of course, there has been an increase in popularity in the use of titanium in knife-making, particularly for handles and liners.
Back to Basics: Carbon Steel
Carbon steel used to be the knife steel, most prominent in straight razors. The lower cost and rust-resistance of stainless steel did see a shift in the knife industry towards stainless steel, but a resurgence of carbon steel has been up and coming in recent times.
Easy to sharpen and being hard steel, the only downside to carbon steel was that it rusted easily. Stainless steel offers both rust resistance and a lower cost, but arguably carbon steel cuts better.
These are some of the trends in the knife industry, what other knife trends have you seen?