Right now, we're living through a bit of a Golden Age of pocket knives. There are more options — and good ones, at that — than there ever have been before. A lot of the credit for this abundance of solid cutting tools is owed to a voracious and loyal community, some spectacular and dedicated brands and (perhaps most of all) a handful of influential designers.
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Kershaw Leek Read More -
CRKT Homefront Read More
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Kershaw Blur Read More
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CRKT Stylus Read More
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Zero Tolerance 0350 Read More
Among the latter group, Ken Onion is one of the most recognized. Designing knives out of Kaneohe, Hawaii, Onion has had a tremendously positive impact on the everyday carry and outdoor gear worlds, thanks to his development of iconic designs, creation of innovative technologies and the strong relationship he's built with some of the biggest brand names around. Even with his abundance of offerings, however, some stand above the rest. And that's what you'll find here: the best knives designed by Ken Onion — which you can buy, of course.
Kershaw Leek
- Blade Length: 3.00 inches
- Steel: Sandvik 14C28N
- Handle Material: Aluminum
- Lock: Liner
- Deployment: SpeedSafe Flipper
Ken Onion's most talked about, recognizable and approachable knife (thanks to its relatively low price point), Kershaw's Leek has achieved a legendary status all its own. In fact, on Blade HQ alone, there are a whopping 52 different versions, many of which are still in stock and available to buy. A knife doesn't see that much variation if it isn't a time-tested, fan-favorite design. And while the name of this blade is certainly playful — the Leek-Onion connection — there's also a lot to love about it from a functionality and design standpoint.
For starters, the curved silhouette of the handle set against the sharp point of its modified Wharncliffe blade is unmistakable — helping this knife easily stand out, even among the countless other folding pocket knives on the market. That blade shape, however, offers even more in its utility. Its long belly makes it ideal for slicing, and the sharp point allows for near-pinpoint accuracy (which is sometimes necessary to start a good cut in tough materials). And that rounded handle is ergonomic without being too hefty. Furthermore, the Leek features the Ken Onion-designed SpeedSafe system — a spring-assisted deployment that makes opening the knife easier than snapping one's fingers.
CRKT Homefront
- Blade Length: 3.50 inches
- Steel: AUS-8
- Handle Material: Aluminum
- Lock: Liner
- Deployment: Flipper, Spring-Assisted
The CRKT Homefront puts one of Onion's notable innovations on full display: Field Strip Technology. What that means is that this knife can be taken apart almost entirely without the need for any tools whatsoever (it can be done entirely with one's bare hands). For outdoor and more punishing usage, this design is invaluable, as it allows the user to better clean and maintain their blade when away from one's workshop or garage.
Of course, that's just one of the many things to love about this knife. It also has a striking WWII-inspired design, an easily maintained AUS-8 steel blade, a reliable liner lock and a spring-assisted opening (not SpeedSafe, as that's owned by Kershaw, but similar). And that's all in a package that measures up at 8.125 inches total — making this a slightly larger knife than most EDC offerings, but not one that's too big to carry daily, especially if you have bigger hands.
Kershaw Blur
- Blade Length: 3.375 inches
- Steel: Sandvik 14C28N
- Handle Material: Aluminum, Trac-Tec Inserts
- Lock: Liner
- Deployment: SpeedSafe Flipper
While not quite as widely available as the Leek (the Blur has 27 available styles on Blade HQ to the Leek's 52), Kershaw's Blur is still among Ken Onion's most recognizable designs. Judging its silhouette, you can readily pick out some of Onion's design hallmarks. For instance, like the Leek, the Blur has a similarly downward-pointing tip mated to a rounded, ergonomic handle.
Of course, not everything is the same. This one comes with a grippier handle, courtesy of its Trac-Tec inserts, which makes this knife better when it comes to leverage and working in less-than-ideal conditions (e.g. when things get wet), and it's a good deal bigger — it has a wider handle and measures up at 7.875 inches overall. This combination of factors, plus the tactical inspiration clear in the design, has made this knife a longtime favorite for knife enthusiasts everywhere.
CRKT Stylus
- Blade Length: 3.18 inches
- Steel: Sandvik 12C27
- Handle Material: Aluminum
- Lock: Liner
- Deployment: Flipper, Spring-Assisted
Proof that Ken Onion's knife designing skills aren't one-note, the CRKT Stylus is a stylistic departure. With its slim silhouette, it more closely resembles a pen knife (hence the name) or stiletto (although it is decidedly not a switchblade). That slender figure also makes this a superb option for everyday carry.
Of course, it still bears several of the hallmarks that make this a clear Onion offering, including its reliable and approachable Sandvik steel blade, a spring-assisted deployment (paired with Flavio Ikoma's nigh-legendary IKBS ball-bearing system), a subtle-yet-effective skeletonized flipper on the back of the blade and a lightweight aluminum handle. If you like Ken Onion but want a knife that's a bit more discreet than some of his other designs, trust in the Stylus.
Zero Tolerance 0350
- Blade Length: 3.25 inches
- Steel: CPM S30V
- Handle Material: G-10
- Lock: Liner
- Deployment: SpeedSafe Flipper
As you may have noticed, many of Ken Onion's most significant designs are actually pretty budget-friendly knives. And that's definitely a part of the maker's charm — he can make solid, sturdy, reliable knives without using high-end materials. However, that doesn't mean he doesn't exist in that arena, as well.
A much larger knife than most of his other designs — and one that's decidedly more tactical-inspired — the Zero Tolerance 0350 was made to be easily opened even when wearing gloves (like you might in the field). It's also ambidextrous, thanks largely to the SpeedSafe deployment and four-position pocket clip. This one also has the benefit of being USA-made, which has likely had an impact on its status as a fan-favorite in the hunting, outdoors and military communities. There are also several other versions of this knife available on Blade HQ.
CRKT Chanceinhell
- Blade Length: 12.00 inches
- Steel: 65Mn Carbon Steel
- Handle Material: GRN w/ Rubber Overlay
- Lock: N/A (Fixed Blade)
- Deployment: N/A (Fixed Blade)
Definitively a departure from his usual EDC and folding knife designs, CRKT's Chanceinhell is Ken Onion's take on another legendary blade, the machete. And while a first glance might have you thinking this is an absurdly large knife, the silhouette is actually a bit misleading — the blade measures up at 12 inches, but the handle is only 5.88 inches. That means this longer-bladed forest-clearing cutter is easily hefted one-handed.
The GRN handle is also perforated, with five holes that go straight through that are the perfect size for weaving paracord through — another must-have survival tool (alongside a blade, of course) — and creating a more grippy handle. You can also use those holes to string a lanyard through to keep the blade more secure around your wrist. This is all to say: CRKT's Chanceinhell machete proves Ken Onion's expertise extends to bushcraft and survival tools, as well.
Honorable Mention: Work Sharp Ken Onion Knife Sharpener Tool
What's the most important part of a knife? The blade, obviously. But having a knife with a dull blade can be frustrating and even dangerous. And nobody likely knows that better than a master knifemaker like Ken Onion. That's probably why he partnered with Work Sharp to create the Ken Onion Knife Sharpener Tool, which took one of the top spots on our guide to knife sharpeners. While it's not a knife itself, it will allow you to keep all of your knives — EDC, outdoor, kitchen or otherwise — razor-sharp and ready to go at any moment.
While it looks like an imposing piece of heavy machinery, it's actually really simple to use, which adds to its overall value. Once set up, all you really have to do is plug it in, turn it on and get to sharpening. You can also customize the angle of your blade from 15-30 degrees, the motor has variable speeds and it's fairly compact, making it easier to store between uses.
Who Is Ken Onion?
A member of the American Knifemakers Guild, Ken Onion is the youngest-ever inductee into the Blade Magazine Hall of Fame, an honor he acquired all the way back in 2008. He's also worked extensively designing knives for both Kershaw (and its upscale sibling brand, Zero Tolerance) and CRKT, two of the biggest EDC knife brands on the planet. Furthermore, he runs his own custom business, making one-offs and special editions of some of his most beloved knives (some of which can be seen at Arizona Custom Knives), and he's had a partnership with Work Sharp, one of the most trusted knife maintenance brands around.
As if that's not enough, his impact also extends beyond just designing knives. He's also had a hand in the creation of several impactful technologies, knife-related tools, storage systems and more. These include Kershaw's SpeedSafe spring-assisted deployment system, CRKT's Field Strip Technology, the Quikut Knife Sharpener and the Cryovac knife storage system.
Put simply, Ken Onion is one of the most prolific and influential craftspersons in the everyday carry and outdoor industries. He's been so significant and impactful, in fact, that his status as one of knifemaking's greats will likely extend on well past his natural life, likely for generations and generations to come..
Gear Patrol spoke with Ken Onion about his knifemaking philosophies back in 2018 — read our interview here.
