Knife Gift Guide 2025 

If you’re anything like me, the holidays came straight out of left field and slapped you in the face with a dead fish. Yesterday, it was the dead of summer. Today, I’m raking leaves and I hear the ominous voice of Mariah Carey in the cool autumn breeze. I don’t know where 2025 went, but whether we like it or not, it’s gift shopping time. 

Below, I’ve curated a list of great knives for every enthusiast and every budget. Let’s jump right in! 

In this article:

• Best Stocking Stuffers 
• Best Under $50 
• Best Under $100 
• Best Under $200 
• Best Splurge-Worthy 
• Best for Him 
• Best for Her
• Best for New Knife Owners
• Customer Favorites 
• Treat Yo Self Knives 
• Still need help?

Best Stocking Stuffers

You don’t want to put useless junk in that sock, but you also don’t want to break the bank.  

Benchmade Blue Lube – Keep that pivot gliding smooth! 

Work Sharp Guided Filed Sharpener – Sharpen every knife in their collection! 

CRKT Wu Pocket Driver – For odd jobs, tuning, and more! 

Best Under $50

"Good knives are all expensive," people say. Well, people are wrong, and I present the knives below as evidence. 

Cold Steel SRK – Beloved by the military, and a camping/outdoor classic! 

Nagao Higonokami – Hand-forged in Japan since 1891! 

Sencut Slybolt – A crossbar lock for under $50? In this economy? 

Best Under $100 

You love the person and want to get something nice, but also want some budget leftover for the rest of the family. I’ve got you covered. 

Rivery Mfg. Zero – If you’re shopping for me, the author, get me this one. 

Buck 110 – This will last a lifetime. Just ask anyone over the age of 60. 

Vosteed Porcupine – A crisp action, a slicey blade, and a comfy handle. Perfection. 

Best Under $200 

You need to say "I trust you, and you’re worth getting something extra fancy for," and these knives are the perfect way to say it. 

Pro-Tech Duke 2 – EDC automatic named after a feisty chihuahua. For real, look it up! 

Kershaw Bel-Air – There’s smooth, then there’s silky, and then there’s the Bel-Air. 

Gerber Strongarm Camp – USA-made with MagnaCut is usually twice this price. 

Best Splurge-Worthy 

For whoever deserves the cream of the crop and really wants an S-Tier knife this year. 

Benchmade Mini Crooked River – It cuts even better than it looks! 

Leatherman ARC – I’ve carried it for two years, it’s the best multitool in the world. 

Spyderco Paramilitary 2 Salt – New texture, new steel, same great knife! 

Best for Him 

He’s got callouses on his hands, a worn and sweaty ball cap that’s "still good enough," and will tell anyone who will listen about the Battle of Midway. 

Microtech Combat Troodon – John Wick uses this knife. Trust me, he wants one. 

Chaves Redencion X-Lock – It’s made to collect scratches, and look good doing it! 

CIVIVI Buster FG – It’s big, it’s bad, and he’s going to love it! 

Best for Her 

She’s a QUEEN. Her pockets may be criminally shallow, but that doesn’t stop her from getting it done. 

KNAFS Lander 3 – Big enough to use, but small enough to carry! 

Guardian Tactical GTX-025 – She doesn’t dislike OTF’s, she just hasn’t tried this one yet! 

Benchmade Mini Bugout – Built like a tank, but weighs less than 2oz.!

Best for New Knife Owners 

Someone doesn’t carry a knife, and it shows. It’s time to fix that. 

Hogue Mysto – Simple, intuitive, with all the details covered! 

CJRB Pyrite – The first knife of many Blade HQ employees! 

Victorniox Swiss Army Knife – A great first step for any age! 

Customer Favorites 

The knife nerds really vibed with these ones this year. 

Boker KalashniCob – Yes, it looks like corn, and you know you love it. 

Reate EXO-Mini – Gravity knives are cool and this one might be the cool-est. 

CIVIVI Headbanger – Bigger is badder, and badder it better! That’s how that works, right?

 

Treat Yo Self Knives 

You’ve been working hard, and if there’s anyone who needs to know that you love them, it’s you. 

Boker Mermaid – A mythical creature with ability to make anyone smile! 

TOPS El Pionero – A combat knife based off a guy named Ed’s mom’s EDC. Yup. 

Fox Defcon 5 Zulu – Admit it, you saw these and said "heck yeah" under your breath. 

Still need help? 

Check out our whole Holiday Gift Guide we’ve built for 2025 if you need more inspiration. Then, if you’re still lost, I’m here to help. I have a vested interest in every knife nerd having their dreams come true this year, so if you need help with your specific case and budget, email me at [email protected]. I pledge to personally assist every single person who emails me looking for help knife shopping from now until the express shipping deadline of Friday, December 21.  

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good knife!