The BLADE Show 2025 Knife Of The Year® Award Winners

The BLADE Show, held annually in Atlanta, Georgia, is the world’s largest knife event, a Mecca for enthusiasts, collectors, and industry professionals. Each year, the anticipation builds for the prestigious Knife Of The Year® Awards, recognizing outstanding innovation, design, and craftsmanship in the world of factory-made knives. The 2025 show, which took place from June 6-8, did not disappoint, with a formidable field of entries vying for top honors.

A panel of expert judges, drawing from diverse backgrounds within the knife industry, faced the challenging task of selecting the best of the best. The competition was incredibly tight, with several categories even yielding “Contender” finishers, a testament to the exceptionally high quality of this year’s production knives.

Be sure to check out our full video coverage of the show above, then let’s delve into the remarkable blades that earned the coveted titles of Knife Of The Year® for 2025:

BLADE Magazine Overall Knife Of The Year® & Imported Fixed Blade Of The Year®: UG Tools Tiny

German manufacturer Utsch & Gierse made an indelible mark this year with their innovative “Tiny” fixed blade, clinching both the overall and imported fixed blade awards. The defining feature of the Tiny is its handle, meticulously crafted from a single piece of hollow, 3D-printed titanium, a testament to cutting-edge manufacturing and thoughtful design.

American-Made Fixed Blade Of The Year®: Benchmade Dacian

It came as no surprise to many that the Benchmade Dacian took home the award for American-Made Fixed Blade. This handsome EDC (Everyday Carry) fixed blade has been generating buzz since its initial reveal, and its ergonomic design and robust construction make it a clear winner in its category.

Best Imported Folder: Vero Avid 1

Vero Engineering has been steadily building a reputation for producing high-quality and distinctive knives, and their hard work paid off with the Vero Avid 1 earning the Best Imported Folder award. This mid-sized EDC knife impressed judges with its refined aesthetics and smooth functionality, solidifying Vero’s place in the competitive production knife scene.

Best Imported Folder Contender: Anso of Denmark Toko

While the Vero Avid 1 took the top spot, the competition in the Best Imported Folder category was fierce. The Anso of Denmark Toko earned the “contender” recognition, signifying its exceptional design and quality that brought it nearly to par with the winner. Jens Anso’s design prowess is evident in the Toko, making it a highly regarded folder even without the top award.

American-Made Folding Knife Of The Year®: Heretic Knives Wraith Auto V.4

Automatic knives have seen a significant surge in popularity, and the Wraith Auto V.4 from Heretic Knives stands as a prime example of their continued excellence. This “haunting” design captured the American-Made Folding Knife of the Year, showcasing Heretic’s commitment to striking aesthetics and reliable automatic action.

Most Innovative Imported Design: Work Sharp RMX Reverse Tanto

Work Sharp, renowned for their sharpening tools, made an impressive debut in the folding knife market with their RMX Reverse Tanto, winning the Most Innovative Imported Design. The RMX is truly groundbreaking with a unique pivot system that allows seamless switching between manual and automatic deployments, and an integral cast magnesium alloy handle.

Most Innovative American Design: Sleeping Tiger Tigress

Stepping straight out of a futuristic action movie, the Sleeping Tiger Tigress earned the Most Innovative American Design award. This watch-like accessory cleverly launches a puck into the user’s hand, which then deploys a small, self-defense hawkbill blade with a simple press, showcasing a bold and original approach to personal defense tools.

Best Buy Of The Year®: QSP Knife Glyde Lock Penguin

Proving that quality doesn’t always come with a hefty price tag, the QSP Knife Glyde Lock Penguin was crowned the Best Buy Of The Year®. This knife impressed with its exceptional value, featuring QSP’s “Glyde Lock,” an Axis-like crossbar mechanism, at a remarkably accessible price point, making high-quality action available to a wider audience.

Knife Collaboration Of The Year: Shirogorov Knives/Charles Marlowe RKMP

At the high end of the spectrum, the collaboration between Shirogorov Knives and custom maker Charles Marlowe resulted in the RKMP, securing the Knife Collaboration Of The Year. This extremely luxe, high-end production folder is a masterclass in design and execution, bringing together the distinct styles of two renowned entities.

Knife Collaboration Of The Year Contender: Lionsteel/Emerson LEOne Mid

The collaboration category was another hotly contested field, with the Lionsteel/Emerson LEOne Mid earning the “contender” title. This partnership brought together Lionsteel’s renowned manufacturing capabilities with Emerson’s iconic design philosophy, resulting in a robust and highly functional mid-sized karambit that resonated strongly with the judges.

Investor/Collector Knife Of The Year®: Shirogorov Knives Stellar-BCD

Shirogorov Knives had a stellar showing at BLADE Show 2025, with their Stellar-BCD taking home the Investor/Collector Knife Of The Year® award. While knives may not always be the most traditional investment, the Stellar-BCD undoubtedly makes for a truly captivating and valuable addition to any high-end collection, combining exquisite craftsmanship with undeniable appeal.

Automatic Knife Of The Year: Zero Tolerance Knives 0556

In the dedicated automatic knife category, the Zero Tolerance Knives 0556 emerged victorious. This slim and precisely engineered automatic showcased the brand’s commitment to producing high-end knives with flawless action, solidifying its position as a top contender in the automatic market.

Kitchen Knife Of The Year®: Kai USA Shun Shiranami

Beyond tactical and everyday carry, the world of kitchen cutlery also received its due recognition. The Kai USA Shun Shiranami was honored as the Kitchen Knife Of The Year®, a testament to its superior cutting performance, ergonomic design, and beautiful aesthetic that elevates the culinary experience.

Manufacturing Quality Award: Shirogorov Knives

Beyond individual knife awards, Shirogorov Knives was also recognized with the Manufacturing Quality Award, a significant achievement that speaks to their consistent excellence in production. Their dedication to precision, fit, and finish across their entire lineup is clearly evident and highly regarded within the industry.

Knife Accessory Of The Year: Ulticlip APH Clip

Often overlooked but crucial for functionality, the Knife Accessory Of The Year was awarded to the Ulticlip APH Clip. This innovative clip design offers enhanced versatility and retention, proving that even small components can significantly impact a knife’s overall utility and user experience.

The BLADE Show 2025 Knife Of The Year® Awards once again highlighted the incredible talent, innovation, and dedication within the knife industry. Congratulations to all the winners for their outstanding contributions! We look forward to seeing what next year’s show brings.