You can also find out more about WWhen you look at modern knives, particularly tactical ones, the handles tend to be finished in either black, green or tan. There are many variations of each color, such as Ranger Green versus OD Green or Flat Dark Earth versus Desert Tan. But there are also other colors available for those who want to go beyond the tactical trifecta. Orange symbolizes safety in most situations, because it stands out from everything else, and a blaze orange color has been used by hunters for decades because the color isn’t often found in nature. On an orange knife it is perfect for the handle color or blade.
Tactical Timmy’s desire to have all colors blend and match with his outfit when taking an Instagram photo may seem odd. Desert camo means a knife with a camo or OD-style pattern. That’s great if you’re in a combat setting attempting to conceal yourself from an opposing force, but much less practical in other situations.
While it may look cool, what happens when that drab-colored knife is dropped onto sand, foliage, soft snow, or in a low-light environment where it can’t be seen because it’s blending into the background too well? If you’re more concerned about completing the task than concealment, then orange is a better option. The public’s perception of orange handles is another reason why people prefer them. If you have to use the knife around “non-knife people,” orange tends to be perceived as a benign tool rather than an intimidating weapon — we know that’s illogical, but it’s still worth remembering. Orange is associated with safety.
Whether you’re going for the safety aspect, you don’t want to misplace your knife in the field, or you simply like the color, most major knife manufacturers offer orange as an option for the handle or the blade. We’re going to take a look at a few of these high-visibility knives.
Outdoor Edge
Razor EDC 2.5
The RazorEDC is a blade-replaceable folding knife. The blades are made of Japanese 420J2 steel, which provides an excellent balance between corrosion resistant and edge retention. You can easily replace the blade when it becomes dull by pressing a button. The handle is equipped with thermoplastic rubber inserts to provide a firm grip in any situation. It is a significant upgrade from the traditional box cutters, razor knives, or sheetrock blades because they are available with a higher quality steel.
- Overall length 6 Inches
- Blade Length 2.5 Inches
- Weight: 2.5 ounces
- Blade Material Stainless Steel 420J2
- Price: $25
- URL: outdooredge.com
Pros:
- Comfortable, ergonomic handle
- It may seem odd to replace blades on an EDC, but these blades are very sharp and appear to last a long time.
- This is a good backup or alternative knife with a benign appearance.
Cons:
- People have skinned deer and dressed game with these knives, but don’t mistake it for a hard use blade for prying or batoning wood.
- The clip is designed for use by right-handed users only.
SOG
Ether FX
SOG’s Ether FX is one of those knives that’ll be a favorite with hikers, hunters, and anyone who must minimize the amount of weight that they’re carrying. This small, handy fixed blade is equipped with a sheath which looks high-tech and works best when strapped onto a backpack rather than a belt. It’s a very well-thought-out design from the perspective of a minimalist-style blade with plenty of dimples and jimping for tactile manipulation. Orange scales help to prevent it from being lost on a hiking or mountain biking trip.
- Overall length 7.1 Inches
- Blade Length 3.1 inches
- Weight: 2.1 Ounces
- Blade Material S35VN
- Handle the Material G10
- Price: $128
- URL: sogknives.com
Pros:
- S35VN is a great steel that provides edge retention and strength as well as corrosion resistance.
- This lightweight knife is incredibly rugged and capable.
- This knife is very user-friendly due to the full-length jimping on the top.
Cons:
- The blade could’ve been sharper.
- The design of the sheath is not easy to mount.
Cold Steel
Engage Clip Point
The Engage series of folding knives represents the introduction of Cold Steel’s exclusive, patent-pending Atlas Lock. The locking mechanism has been proven to be very strong and secure. The series comes in a range of steels with different blade lengths. The blade is indented on the spine to provide a comfortable grip during precision work. The glass-filled grips have a contoured ergonomic design for a comfortable grip. The pocket clips can be reversed for either left- or rights-handed use. The contrast between black and orange gives it a stylish look.
- Overall length 7.3 inch
- Blade Length 3 Inches
- Weight: 2.3 Ounces
- Blade Material 4116 Stainless Steel
- Handle the Material GFN
- Price: $80
- URL: coldsteel.com
Pros:
- Excellent performance at an affordable price
- The Atlas Lock has a smooth, intuitive operation.
- The 4116 steel is not the best, but it’s sharp, can be easily resharpened, and has a high level of rust resistance.
Cons:
- The pocket clip is a little tight. It takes a few tries to get it right. This would work better in an sheath.
- You will need to become familiar with the positioning of the Atlas Lock.
Sniper Bladeworks
UC Utility
The Weekender is a multi-bladed pocketknife equipped with tools to improve your weekend — or any day. It has a 3-inch clip point blade to meet your EDC needs and a 2 inch drop-point knife for smaller tasks. The Weekender folder is made in the USA to improve your lifestyle. The blades, made from CPM S30V steel will remain sharp for as long as you need it. Micarta is a durable material that offers a comfortable grip. This model is being developed in other colors and blade options.
- Overall length 7.6 inches
- Blade Length 4.3 inches
- Weight: 6.1 ounces
- Blade Material SUJ2
- Handle the Material G10
- Price: $150
- URL: sniperbladeworks.com
Pros:
- Sharp right out of the package with thin edges that are perfect for cutting.
- CPM S30V is an excellent knife steel that retains its edge well.
- Bottle openers are handy to have around.
Cons:
- It can be hard to sharpen S30V, despite its excellent quality.
- There’s no lanyard hole on this to help you secure the knife.
T. Kell Knives
Striker (Hi Viz).
Tim Kell designed this model a few years ago as a compact military fighting knife, but that doesn’t preclude it from being suitable for daily carry. Clip point is very small, so it’s easy to mistake for a drop point. This blade is incredibly balanced, and it fits the hand perfectly. The Hi Viz G10 color is featured on this version, but you can swap out any of the T. Kell scales. Marine Corps veteran, who knows what makes for a great working knife, designed and made these knives. These knives are combat-ready thanks to the proprietary heat treatment that is done in house.
- Overall length 7.8 inches
- Blade Length 3.9 Inches
- Weight: 5.8 ounces
- Blade Material 80Crv2 coated with Nickel Boron
- Handle the Material G10
- Price: $225
- URL: tkellknives.com
Pros:
- It is very light and portable.
- The balance is excellent and it works in both the forward grip and reverse grip
- 80Crv2 is a great steel that’s easy to sharpen and takes a ton of abuse.
Cons:
- It’s great for a small concealable blade, but this model should be made as a full-sized fighting knife.
- Due to the fact that these knives are made by hand and tend sell out quickly it can be difficult to find them.
Microtech Knives
Ultratech DE
The Ultratech series is the flagship of Microtech’s OTF lines of knives. This knife has an orange handle with a perfectly symmetrical, double-edged blade. The spring is designed so that it remains at rest, whether the mechanism is closed or open. This reduces wear on internal parts. This knife’s blade is made of CTS 204P, which is the steel used in many custom and high-end knives. The knife is easy to carry and its orange anodized handles make it easy for you to identify if it falls. This gives the knife a calm, rescue-like appearance until it’s automatic blade is activated.
- Overall length 8 inches
- Blade Length 3.5 inch
- Weight: 34.5 Ounces
- Blade Material CTS 204 p
- Handle the Material Aluminium
- Price: $308
- URL: microtechknives.com
Pros:
- The CTS204 P steel is a good one, and we were able to easily touch up the edges.
- Both opening and closing are extremely smooth.
- The handle is textured and contoured where it’s needed. The handle feels like a familiar handshake.
Cons:
- One side of the double-edged blade wasn’t as sharp as the other.
- The knife must be disassembled using a proprietary tool.
Spyderco
Assist Orange FRN
Spyderco’s Assist was designed for emergency/fire/rescue professionals who rely on their knives. It features a blunt tip that prevents injury when cutting someone out of a seatbelt, or any other situation. It’s mostly serrated, but the first inch of the tip is a straight edge for detailed cutting. The top of the blade has a wavy design that allows you to slide a piece rope between half-opened blade and handle, then scissor shut the blade. The safety orange FRN handles are contoured for your palm. Squeeze the blade into the handle in the closed position and a retractable, glass-breaking device will protrude from the base. Outlined in contrasting black on the handle’s spine is a shrill survival whistle.
- Overall length 8 inches
- Blade Length 3.7 Inches
- Weight: 4 Ounces
- Blade Material VG-10
- Handle the Material FRN
- Price: $172
- URL: spyderco.com
Pros:
- This model comes with a glass-breaker, a survival whistle and a unique scissors action.
- Perfect tool for vehicle emergency kits
- It’s a very safe knife for most people to handle.
Cons:
- If you don’t like serrations, you won’t like this one.
- We’d prefer a lanyard hole instead of the whistle.
Read More
Recoil Offgrid – Subscribe Free Newsletter For more like this, click here.
- New Knives – Flicker Feather & Scout Feather
- Review: Knives with Slip Joints
- Review of Camp and Field Knives
- Review of the Stroup Knives Mini TU-2
- Pocket Preparation: Small Pocket Knives
Editor’s Note: This article is a modified version of the original printed version.
The first time that RECOIL OFFGRID published a review, it was for the orange knifes.
