Updated December 3, 2024 11:41PM

It can help you prep food, start a fire, fix a broken piece of equipment, open a bottle, even start a fire: If there’s one thing you should never leave home without, it’s your knife. We tested 2016’s crop to pick the best knives of the year in three categories: fixed blade, multitool, and folder.
White River Knife and Tool Knucklehead

Leatherman Signal

Spyderco Native 5


Trying to decide what kind of knife is right for you? There’s no one right answer—it depends on how and where you’re going to use it. Consider your options with our guide to choosing a knife.