Kershaw's Late Year Knife Lineup Should Make Their Competition Pay Attention
The knife world gets loud when Kershaw drops a fresh lineup, and for late 2025, the buzz is bigger than ever. This collection mixes premium USA-built blades with clever updates to fan favorites—plus several rock-solid budget models for hard use in the real world. If you’re looking for new Kershaw knives in 2025, or you’re hunting for a USA-made fixed blade that can jump between EDC, hunting, and hiking, this could be your year.
Across the range, you get high-performance steel, smart ergonomic designs, and the kind of carry comfort collectors, users, and first-timers demand. Kershaw keeps pushing for quality, no matter if your priorities are slicing, camping, or tactical reliability. Ready for all the details, specs, and hands-on notes direct from Kershaw’s designers? Watch the full breakdown below, and scroll on for in-depth overviews and insights on each highlight.
The USA-Made Pack Mule: A Versatile Fixed Blade for EDC and Outdoors
Kershaw brings back USA-made fixed blades with the Pack Mule, aiming directly at the crossroads of everyday carry, hunting, and outdoor adventure. Built for the user who wants a single knife for the daily grind, weekend hikes, and prepping wild game, the Pack Mule stands out with thoughtful features and a rugged build.
Key features:
- Blade: 3.9 inches of N690 steel with a working finish means sharpness, strong edge retention, and easy touch-ups. The uncoated blade is perfect for cleaning after meat processing.
- Grind: Full flat grind delivers smooth slicing and reliable edge geometry, making it great for skinning, bushcraft, and food prep.
- Handle: Black G10 scales offer a middle-ground texture. Rounded edges keep hands comfy during long sessions, while the synthetic material resists moisture and wipes clean fast.
- Details: 90-degree spine for striking ferro rods, subtle jimping hidden in the spine for grip, removable scales (T15 screws), and a lanyard hole.
- Sheath: USA-made Kydex taco sheath offers a compact, minimal profile perfect for everyday carry. The thumb ramp helps you draw quickly, while Tek-Lok and UltiClip compatibility let you switch to left-hand carry or mount on various gear.
- Price: Around $175 for a full American build with a sheath.
The Pack Mule isn’t just a workhorse. It’s crafted to handle chores from field dressing a deer to splitting kindling or making food by the fire, all without feeling clunky in the hand or pocket. Its blend of toughness and clean lines will hook both the practical outdoorsman and the knife nerd looking for an optimal fixed blade EDC.
Why the Pack Mule Excels in Hunting and Camping
Hunting and camping demand easy-clean blades and dependable grip, especially in messy conditions. The Pack Mule’s uncoated blade resists gumming up and can be quickly wiped down, while the G10 handles stay grippy even when wet. Love striking a ferro rod for fire? The squared-off spine works perfectly. Kershaw performed real-world testing on its batoning and edge retention abilities to ensure its field chops.
Want to personalize your setup? The sheath is set up for belt carry out of the box but is ready for swaps, so you can add a Tek-Lok or UltiClip for the perfect pack or pocket carry. And with USA manufacturing at its core, you know you’re holding top-tier quality.
Bel Air Series Expansions: XL and Clip Point Variants
Kershaw’s Bel Air was the fan-favorite EDC folder of last year, and the 2025 updates make it even more accessible. Whether you found the original model a little too compact or you’ve been craving a more aggressive look, these new versions cover all the bases.
- Blade: 3.4-inch MagnaCut steel, now with a thicker blade stock. Full flat grind keeps slicing performance strong while adding a satisfying heft to the hand.
- Handle: G10 scales feel extra secure, even on larger hands, and the liners are milled to keep weight down—just 3.1 ounces.
- Ergonomics: Increased size and thickness meaningfully improve grip without alienating smaller hands.
- Price: About $165, a great value for US-made MagnaCut with robust features.
- Blade: The same original size but with an aggressive clip point profile and new black PVD (TiN) coating for a tactical look and improved corrosion resistance.
- Handle: Medium texture G10 for a more secure, grippy feel—ideal when you want more confidence in tough tasks.
- Vibe: Makes a sharp statement for those who prefer an edgier aesthetic.
- Price: Around $155.
This year’s lineup keeps the MagnaCut theme running strong. Known for its blend of toughness, stain resistance, and edge retention, it remains a top steel choice for daily carry. The Bel Air series expands its reach, offering bigger options without drifting from the lightweight, carry-anywhere focus that made the original sing.
New Launch Automatics: 22, 23, and Iridium Models
Automatics are a Kershaw specialty, and for late 2025, the Launch series gets three distinctive USA-made models. From tactical flair to sleek EDC stealth, each brings its own character.
- Blade: 3.45-inch MagnaCut in a spear point, sporting a bayonet grind and black wash finish for a tough, sporty look.
- Handle: Lightweight aluminum, with black micarta inlays for improved grip and aesthetic. Additional jimping at the pommel and end ensure a secure hold, addressing feedback on slippery aluminum.
- Weight: 3.7 ounces.
- Price: About $170, with durability and performance to justify the spend.
- Blade: 3.3-inch CPM 154 clip point, stonewash finish.
- Handle: Aluminum with grooves and chamfers, making this model super comfortable, sitting right as the “baseline” Launch auto.
- Purpose: A do-it-all US-made auto that’s equally suited for first-timers and old hands.
- Weight: Just over 3 ounces.
- Price: Roughly $150—one of the best entry-level values for a made-in-USA automatic.
- Blade: Just under 3.5-inch MagnaCut with a slightly thinner profile for improved slicing compared to Launch 22.
- Handle: G10 front scale in an all-black, stealthy style.
- Personality: Blends familiar EDC looks with tactical blackout for those who like to stay subtle.
- Price: Under $170.
All three models pack excellent snappy action that holds up to premium brands without emptying your wallet. Each is distinct: Launch 22 is tough and tactical, Launch 23 is balanced and accessible, and Launch Iridium nails EDC with style. For more in-depth looks at each automatic and how they compare, visit New knives for 2025 and KnifeCenter picks.
Budget-Friendly Kershaw Imports: Atreides, Barricade, and Raygun
Kershaw doesn’t forget users on a budget. This year’s imports offer smart performance, unique styling, and features you need—sometimes at half the cost you’d expect.
- Blade: 5.7-inch 65Mn carbon steel tanto, powder-coated for added durability.
- Aesthetic: Sci-fi inspired lines and a “faceted” spine make it ideal for batoning wood or splitting kindling.
- Handle: Mix of hard plastic at the front (for sheath retention) and soft thermoplastic rubber in grip zones. You get comfort and durability in one.
- Sheath: Reversible and Tek-Lok compatible retention strap, so lefties and righties are all set.
- Price: About $55 for a beefy, do-it-all fixed blade.
- Blade: Serrated 8Cr13MoV steel, built for rescue and EMT use. Orange handle offers high visibility.
- Features: Glass breaker and seatbelt cutter included—essential features for a dedicated rescue knife.
- Price: Just about $35, making it a reliable option that won’t break the bank.
- Blade: Sheepsfoot profile so you can handle utility tasks with ease.
- Handle: Comfortable, with a deep carry reversible pocket clip. It’s fun, it’s practical, and it comes in under $25—perfect as a gift, starter blade, or beater knife.
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Conclusion
Kershaw’s late-2025 lineup is the best answer to anyone asking what’s new and worth their dollars this year. There’s innovative design in their American-made Pack Mule and Launch autos, practical expansions for the beloved Bel Air series, and lots of thoughtful value in every import. Whether you’re eyeing the perfect fixed blade for hunting, a reliable first-time auto, or an everyday folder with extra personality, these new models deliver.