Introducing the KnifeNews Dealers’ Choice Awards for the Best of 2016

Presented by: Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpeners


KnifeNews is proud to announce the first annual KnifeNews Dealers’ Choice Awards to celebrate the best new production knives of 2016.

In July, we asked KnifeNews readers which pocket knives should never be discontinued and the result was our countdown of the Top 25 Indispensable Pocket Knives. This time, we’re turning to qualified knife dealers to find out what new knives are the best of the best in 2016.

ws-ad-500x100

At SHOT Show and the IWA Outdoor Classics, hundreds of new knives were unveiled. But, unless you’re a knife dealer or can afford to spend tens of thousands of dollars on production knives, it’s impossible to familiarize yourselves with them all.

Knife dealers are in the unique position to both evaluate knives and interact with end-users. Hundreds of new products pass through dealers’ hands, and they hear the praise or complaints from their customers.

KnifeNews chose to survey knife dealers for their opinions because they have the most comprehensive and informed perspective – plus they’re some of the biggest knife knuts out there.

The KnifeNews Dealers’ Choice Awards will recognize extraordinary achievement in 10 categories to cover a wide scope of 2016’s factory knife releases (see schedule below). The winner of each category will be determined by votes cast by qualified knife dealers.

If you’ve been wondering what the very best knives of 2016 are, following the KnifeNews Dealers’ Choice Awards is a great way to find out. We’re kicking things off next Friday, November 11th by announcing the Winner of the Best New Tactical Fixed Blade of 2016.


AWARDS SCHEDULE

Best New Tactical Fixed Blade:
Top 4 Contenders
CRKT Clever Girl (WINNER)
Friday, November 11th

Best New Outdoor Fixed Blade:
Top 4 Contenders
Mora Garberg (WINNER)
Saturday, November 12th

Best New Fixed Blade for EDC:
Top 4 Contenders
TOPS C.U.T. 4.0 (WINNER)
Sunday, November 13th

Best Knife Upgrade:
Top 5 Contenders
Benchmade G-10 Griptilian (WINNER)
Monday, November 14th

Best New Automatic Knife:
Top 4 Contenders
Kershaw Launch 6 (WINNER)
Tuesday, November 15th

Best New Assisted-Opening Folder:
Top 4 Contenders
Benchmade 490 Amicus (WINNER)
Wednesday, November 16th

Best New Value Folder (MSRP under $100):
Top 4 Contenders
Cold Steel Pro-Lite (WINNER)
Thursday, November 17th

Best New Manual Folder:
Top 5 Contenders
Zero Tolerance 0456 (WINNER)
Friday, November 18th

Most Innovative New Knife:
Top 3 Contenders
CRKT Homefront (WINNER)
Saturday, November 19th

Best Overall New for 2016 Lineup:
Top 5 Contenders

Benchmade Knife Company (WINNER)
Sunday, November 20th