Top 10 Knives of the Decade

The premise of the “Top 10 Knives of the Decade” with those knives having been introduced no earlier than the year 2000 is a difficult task. As most knives follow trends stimulated by one significant knife (Buck Model 110 Folding Hunter, Spyderco Model C01 Worker, Kershaw Model 1510 Onion Random Task, Emerson/Benchmade Model 970 CQC7, Benchmade Model 710 Axis Lock, to name a few), many of these industry success stories run on for years, evolving and morphing until they become classics or burn themselves out. The first decade of the new millennium in the world of cutlery is one far more of the latter than the former. I have addressed this subject in a limited, conditional grouping falling quite short of a notable top ten.

William Henry Knives:

What can be said that has not already been written? Their accolades abound and rightly so. In constant pursuit for perfection, it was no surprise when Matt Conable completely overhauled his entire line of studio production masterpieces in 2005. Seeing a production advantage, he incorporated a button locking mechanism over a current industry standard Linerlock®. Being the first to utilize Hitachi’s ZDP-189 steel in an entire line of knives, Conable succeeded in not only creating some of the world’s very best knives, but also the best performers. His knives are by far the finest quality and craftsmanship of any production cutlery, and meet (many times exceed) the best custom, handmade knives. William Henry knives utilize the top materials (ZDP-189, High Contrast/High Performance Damascus, VG-5 Copper wave Damascus, Superconductor Cable, Mokume gane, Titanium, Carbon Fiber, Fossilized Ivory, Mother-of-Pearl, Exotic Hardwoods, Semiprecious ThumbStones, etc.) to create a unique hybrid all their own. Dare to compare and be amazed at what you get for the dollar.

Kai Shun:

In a fusion of Eastern and Western design traits, Kai (Kershaw) entered the kitchen cutlery arena with an impact rarely seen. Kai achieved “top of the line” status almost instantaneously by creating a brand of kitchen knives that utilized Japanese metallurgy (stainless Damascus blades and a core of VG-10) and blade geometry combined with simply elegant design. Surprisingly, the search for the latest advances in steels and technology that seemingly drives the sport knife industry is virtually unknown on the culinary side. Performance usually takes a distant second to tradition, cost consciousness, promotion, and competition from ever increasing imports from China. The Shun line has redefined the essence of what a knife should be – a cutting tool that performs even better than it looks. Continuing to push that envelope, Kai also uses a relatively new powder metal called SGS2 or SG2 developed by Takefu Special Steel Co.,Ltd. Of Echizen City, Japan. Kai uses the SG2 steel in their Shun Elite, Kramer, and Kaji lines. Phenomenal edge retention is due to an almost one micron grain size, super hardness (64-66HRC), and alloy content (C – 1.40, Si – 0.50, Mn – 0.40, P – 0.030,Cr – 15.00, Mo – 2.80, S – 0.030, V – 2.00). The most significant thing about Kai’s kitchen knives division is that they single-handedly supplanted the two German giants (Henckels and Wüsthof) for the number one spot in gourmet knife sales, simultaneously blowing the lid off the $120 Chef’s knife threshold with their Shun Classic ($150), Ken Onion ($250 & $375), Shun Elite ($275), Sur la Table’s exclusive Kramer ($425), and William Sonoma’s exclusive Kaji ($275) and Kaji Fusion ($400) lines. Finally a big fish has launched high-performance steels into the culinary community which historically has been driven by tradition, style and price.

Spyderco C10 Endura 4 & C11 Delica 4:

Spyderco, an industry innovator since 1978, is practically alone when it comes to continual improvement within their product line as exhibited with their most popular Endura and Delica models. Since their inception in 1990, this duo has continued to evolve with many subtle and major improvements, including an ambidextrous pocket clip, David Boye dent, and four different steels. Their last overhaul was in 2006 with the addition of integrated skeletonized liners (that doubled lock strength) and a 4-way pocket clip. Spyderco’s philosophy of uncompromising quality with maximum affordability has been exemplified in these models. Through ardent R&D testing and re-thinking, in and out of the box, Spyderco is the industry standard, making the hardest working and best performing knives at every price level. They are frequently copied, but rarely equaled. Creative, bold and unconventional facades paired with a brilliant design sensibility underneath. In a nutshell, this is Spyderco. This truism about Spyderco has been proven over and over again. The Endura and Delica designs are both testament. Sal has a virtual sixth sense about knife design. He intuitively understands how to shape the perimeter of a knife and how to sculpt the secondary and tertiary contours while keeping this in concert with the ergonomic architecture behind cutting power and control.

Their popularity is exemplified by the vast number of Chinese knock-offs of these models. This design typifies the ‘ClipIt Revolution’ that began in 1981 and the many inventions and innovations spawned by the creative mind of Sal Glesser (owner of Spyderco): the popularization of one-hand opening (patented & trademarked round hole in the blade), inventor of the pocket clip (thus eliminating the need for a belt sheath and used by everyone in the business), first serrated locking folder, first use of ATS34 by a US maker, first use of anodized 6066 T6 aluminum handles in a production knife, first use of G10 handles in a production knife, first to use of VG10, S60V and S30V in a production knife, popularized the idea of using custom knifemaker designs in production knives. Virtually every locking folding knife made today and in the last twenty years owes at least one design feature to Spyderco! Sal and now his son Eric still continues to push the envelope and stimulate the market.

BENCHMADE BARRAGE:

Benchmade Axis lock fans can finally embrace the assisted opening revolution. Taking their innovative and proprietary Axis® lock mechanism and combining it with a clutched coil spring (derived from their vast experience in automatic folders), the Barrage and Mini–Barrage are the first of what is sure to become an ever broadening line of assisted openers with these features from Benchmade. Greased lighting smooth and fast, this synthesized design dismisses the many previously design flawed, awkward, and ergo-resistant designs of many of the “me toos” that have followed the tidewave created by the most successful custom collaboration in cutlery history; Ken’ Onion’s ingenuity and Kershaw’s production and marketing savvy.

The above was my contribution in total to an article entitled “Top 10 Knives of the Decade – The Elite from the Most Prolific 10 Years in Cutlery History” which appeared in Knife Guide Annual 2010.