New Knife Day: Six Folders and Utility Knives Worth a Close Look

Introduction

A fresh batch of releases landed all at once, and the range here is unusually wide: two ambidextrous utility knives, several crossbar and button lock folders, a large folding chef’s knife, and a brass-scaled brute. Different brands, different designs, different price points. Some are easy recommendations, others come with a real caveat, so here is a straightforward rundown of what each one does well and where it falls short.

CJRB Utility Knives

CJRB has a pair of utility knives currently on Kickstarter, and the core idea is genuinely clever. Both are ambidextrous: the blade can be reversed, letting left- and right-handed users run the same tool with the button on the same working side. The blades that make this possible have holes in the middle, and the mechanism offers multiple stopping points with a satisfying, almost fidget-toy quality when you work it.

Build quality is solid too. One version appears to be stainless steel rather than the aluminum it resembles, and the other is titanium. Both feel sturdy, compact, and easy to carry.

The catch is a big one, though. Those holed blades are not standard and are hard to find in most stores. The knives themselves function very well, but unless you have reliable access to replacement blades in your area, this may be one to hold off on. For many buyers, that availability problem could be the deal breaker.

Kaiser Sub-Three

The Sub-Three is a well-executed knife with great action and a good feel in hand. It uses a clutch lock, which means an adjustable crossbar, a feature that is genuinely appealing on its own.

The problem is context. Kaiser already makes excellent crossbar lock knives, and models like the Drop Bear feel more complete, with reversible clip capability and a wider range of material options. The Sub-Three does not offer much that those existing knives do not already deliver, and some of them may even come in at a lower price.

As a standalone knife it is very good. If it arrived as a gift, most owners would be delighted. The honest question is simply why you would choose it over a Kaiser folder that already fills the same role better. It is a phenomenal meh: excellent craftsmanship, questionable necessity.

QSP Banish

The Banish is something a little different. It is a small knife, just a 2.3 inch blade, with a fairly unusual swept-back handle shape that pushes itself into your hand and creates a surprising amount of tip control. Paired with a worn clip or sheepsfoot-style blade, it works remarkably well.

QSP has nailed the button lock here. The detent feels excellent, the blade launches nicely, and the front flipper works smoothly, though the small handle makes thumb access a bit tight. Reverse flicking is arguably the better opening method. It is also friendly for two-handed use, and its approachable look tends to win over people who are not usual knife enthusiasts.

One missed opportunity: washers out of the box with bearings included separately would remove any intimidation around the drop-shut action. That said, complaints are few. It is different enough to establish itself, and it could easily become a popular pocket knife this year. The only real question is whether, at this size and price, you would rather carry a dedicated utility blade holder instead.

Kaiser Momo

From the smallest knife of the group to the biggest before the brass monster below it: the Momo, with a 4.18 inch blade, is a big folding chef’s knife in spirit, and it is a lot of fun.

The action is excellent, as expected from something this large running on bearings, and the material mix is interesting: a titanium bolster, aluminum scales, a steel liner lock, and a milled titanium clip. The result feels slicy and food-prep oriented, a genre where genuinely great large folders are rare.

There are nitpicks. The pocket clip sits too high on the handle, where the hand is more likely to feel it; placing it lower would let it disappear into the ergonomics. And this is an expensive way to get a folding chef’s knife. But if you want something large and slicy that is still a bit more reasonable to carry than a cleaver, the Momo could be exactly your ticket.

Kaiser Sheep Dog (Brass)

The brass Sheep Dog is the definition of a chunky folder, thanks to solid brass scales, with steel inserts around the pivot for strength and a secondary piece that houses the button spring. The functionality is phenomenal, which is no surprise given how consistently good Kaiser’s button locks are.

The blade is CPM 3V, and that is worth celebrating. Very few brands make folding knives in this steel, which is a shame because it is exceptionally tough and, in practice, has shown no corrosion issues even in very humid conditions where steels like D2 rust readily.

This is absolutely a premium knife, and the weight is part of the deal. You have to know you will love it and accept that it will weigh down your pocket. If that sounds like a feature rather than a bug, the ergonomics offer multiple grip points, the cutting geometry is very slicy, and the worn clip-style design has been a long-running favorite for the brand.

Vosteed Daxon

The Daxon is a feast for the eyes, and one of the best looking knives to show up recently. The titanium blackwash finish paired with a blackwashed M390 blade, in what looks like a worn clip or slight sheepsfoot profile, gives it a look that you either love or do not. For what it is worth, blackwash is the one to pick; the plain titanium version reads as fairly bland by comparison.

Vosteed’s crossbar lock execution has become genuinely excellent, and the Daxon benefits fully: superb action, a well-integrated front flipper with easy purchase, and thumb studs that are done just as well. Premium versions arrive in sealed plastic containers with spare Omega springs, a patch, a cleaning rag, and a sticker, a nice touch for the price tier.

This is a knife that has already been covered thoroughly elsewhere, and the consensus holds up: it is very, very good. If you shop in the premium market and the dark theme appeals to you, it is an easy shortlist candidate. Availability can be an issue with this brand, so if it is in stock, do not wait long.

Overall Buying Advice

If forced to pick one knife of the lot, the Daxon is the standout. It is well done all around, and the handle cutout keeps it secure in hand even when wet, which inspires real confidence. Beyond that pick, the right choice depends entirely on your priorities: the CJRB utility knives only make sense if you can source their proprietary blades, the Sub-Three is hard to justify over other Kaiser crossbar locks, the Banish is a charming small carry, the Momo suits lovers of large slicy folders, and the brass Sheep Dog is for buyers who want maximum presence and premium steel.

Conclusion

This batch covers a wide spectrum, from an ambidextrous utility tool to a brass heavyweight, and not every release earns an unqualified recommendation. The Banish and the Daxon are the strongest all-around performers, the Momo and brass Sheep Dog serve specific tastes brilliantly, and the CJRB pair and Sub-Three each carry a caveat worth weighing before buying. Match the knife to the job it needs to do, and any of these can be a satisfying pick.