Blade Show 2023 Picks: Three EDC Knives That Stood Out

Introduction

A few knives stood out above everything else this year, and they cover three very different niches: a folder with unusually crisp action, a fixed blade in a premium steel at a surprisingly low price, and a small folder that earned a second spot in the collection. Each one earns its place for a different reason.

QSP Swordfish: A Button Lock Done Right

The Swordfish from QSP is a button lock flipper that immediately caught attention, and not just for its looks. It runs in 14C28N steel, a favorite for its balance of edge retention and corrosion resistance, and the worn clip point blade shape is a genuine highlight of the design.

What sets this one apart is the tuning. The button lock is set very strong, to the point where a reverse flick is nearly impossible to perform, which translates into a confidently solid flipping action and an equally firm thumb stud deployment. The handle ergonomics round out a package that feels carefully dialed in.

Demko Fixed Blade in MagnaCut

The Demko fixed blade is the USA variant in MagnaCut, and the value here is hard to argue with. This example is a factory second, and the only flaw is a slight marring on one rivet, which is a remarkably minor blemish for knives that came in at under 200 dollars.

The factory edge is seriously impressive, sharp enough to be used as a cutting test benchmark. For anyone planning wet-weather or cold-weather carry, a fixed blade in MagnaCut with this kind of edge quality makes a compelling case. A new model from Demko is also on the way, worth keeping an eye on.

Baby Banter: A Second Pair of Scales Was All It Took

The Baby Banter earned a second copy purely because of a set of scales that had been on the wishlist for a while. Buying scales without a knife felt odd, so a second Baby Banter came home, and there are no regrets about that decision.

With the new scales mounted, the little knife looks and feels phenomenal. It is compact, charming, and now occupies a well-earned spot in the rotation alongside more serious blades.

How These Picks Fit an EDC Rotation

Between the three, coverage is broad: the Swordfish for refined flipping action and strong steel, the Demko fixed blade as the dedicated cold and wet weather knife, and the Baby Banter as the light, friendly pocket companion. It is a well-rounded trio rather than a case of collecting for collecting’s sake.

Conclusion

The Swordfish impresses with its button lock tuning and blade shape, the Demko fixed blade in MagnaCut offers exceptional edge quality and value, and the second Baby Banter proves that sometimes the right scales justify a second knife. All three make sense for anyone building a thoughtful everyday carry rotation.