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Is Your Spyderco a Spyder-Clone? A Guide to Buying Authentic Knives
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items As an Everyday Carry (EDC) enthusiast, I love collecting and using high-quality pocket knives. But the market is flooded with fakes, often called 'clones,' that look almost identical to the real thing. They use cheap steel that won't hold an edge and...
The PM2 is arguably the most popular and most cloned EDC knife in the world. Its perfect ergonomics, slicey blade, and amazing compression lock are legendary. Fakes look similar but have gritty actions and use terrible steel that dulls instantly. Whe...
Spyderco Paramilitary 2
The king of lightweight knives. The Bugout is so popular it's a primary target for counterfeiters. A genuine Bugout uses high-quality steel and feels solid despite weighing less than 2 ounces.
Benchmade Bugout Knife
An absolute icon of EDC designed by Warren Osborne. The unique reverse-tanto blade shape and slim profile make it a classic. It’s been popular for 20+ years, so there are tons of fakes out there.
Benchmade 940 Osborne AXIS Lock Knife
This is the smaller, more pocket-friendly version of the Paramilitary 2. It has all the same great features and is just as heavily cloned. Perfect for anyone in an area with blade length restrictions.
Spyderco Para 3 Knife - Premium Compression Lock
The "grail" knife for many collectors. Famous for its bank-vault lockup and hydraulic smooth action. Fakes of these are getting better, so you should only buy from an authorized dealer or direct from CRK.
Chris Reeve Sebenza 31 Knife
Microtech is the standard for "Out-The-Front" automatic knives. Clones are everywhere and have weak springs that fail quickly, which is a major safety and reliability issue. Go to the source or an authorized retailer like Blade HQ for these.
Microtech Ultratech OTF Knives
A sleek, titanium frame lock flipper that is a fan favorite. It's known for its incredible "drop-shut" action. A real ZT is a beautiful piece of engineering.
ZT 0450 - Zero Tolerance Knives
Instead of risking $200 on a fake, you can spend under $60 on this amazing real knife. The Elementum has a buttery-smooth action and is a perfect example of the incredible quality coming from brands like Civivi.
CIVIVI Elementum II Button Lock Knife Black G-10 (3" Black SW) C18062P-1
Another community-favorite budget knife. The sheepsfoot blade is incredibly useful for everyday tasks, and it comes in a ton of different handle materials. An amazing value and a fantastic first "real" knife.
QSP Penguin Knife
Often called the "Bugout killer," the Deka is an incredible American-made knife. It's lightweight, has great ergonomics, and often comes with premium Magnacut steel for a very competitive price.
Hogue Deka Knives
An insanely popular button-lock flipper with an addictively snappy action. The Malibu is so sought-after that it's often sold out, leading people toward sketchy dealers. Be patient and buy from a real one.
Protech Malibu Knives - Manual Folding Flipper Knives
The undisputed king of EDC fixed blades. It's made from tough-as-nails 1095 steel and is backed by ESEE's legendary lifetime, no-questions-asked warranty. It's small enough to carry daily but can handle serious work.
ESEE Izula-II
A more premium EDC fixed blade choice. The Guardian3 has fantastic ergonomics that make it feel like an extension of your hand, and it comes in a variety of high-performance steels like Magnacut.
Guardian 3 - Bradford Knives
Designed by Danish knife-making legends Anso and Vox, this is a small knife that feels incredibly robust and well-made. A fantastic choice for a compact, high-quality, and stylish folder.
GiantMouse Vox/Anso Riv Liner Lock Knife Green Micarta
With a focus on minimalist design, The Carter is a popular choice for the modern EDC enthusiast. It's a simple, reliable, and very handsome knife that's built for daily use.
The James Brand The Carter - Slide-Lock Folding Knife