One of Kershaw’s Best New Knives Gets a Premium Tactical Redux

This USA-made cutting tool was already a standout among the brand’s recent releases, but this upgrade makes it even better.

Kershaw Bel Air Clip Point EDC Knife closed closeup

By Sean Tirman

Published May 21, 2025

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It’s easy to think of EDC knives as one-trick ponies. A minimalist knife will always be a minimalist knife, and a tactical one remains tactical. But a few small tweaks can sometimes completely change the vibe of an everyday carry cutting tool.

One of the biggest EDC knifemaking brands in the business is here to prove precisely that with the Kershaw Bel Air Clip Point. Initially, a fairly refined, urbane knife, this version takes the model in a much more aggressive, tactical direction.

Kershaw Bel Air Clip Point EDC Knife — While this Bel-Air retains the original’s spirit, it gets a more aggressive, tactical boost to its styling.

More tactical, still practical

In its relatively short life span, the Kershaw Bel Air has already seen numerous configurations, the most recent of which was a high-end carbon fiber version. But they’ve all been fairly stylistically similar.

By contrast, the Bel Air Clip Point takes a sharp, new direction. One of the most significant changes, obviously, is the blade shape.

Instead of a gentle reverse tanto (practically a drop point), this one gets an aggressive clip point. The blade (and pocket clip) also receives a stone-washed finish, adding to its tactical styling.

The other major change is in its handle. Instead of standard aluminum or refined marbled carbon fiber, this one boasts Micarta — a material renowned for its durability and stability, which is common in tactical knives.

While these changes could make it feel like a completely different knife, it retains much of the original’s highlights.

Kershaw Bel Air Clip Point EDC Knife blade closeup — The clip point blade shape makes this knife an even more adept piercing tool.

All that remains

Lovers of the original Bel Air need not fret; this version is still a part of the family, even if it is a bit of a black sheep (more like dark horse, am I right?). It maintains the same 7.25-inch length (and 3.05-inch blade).

It also retains the model’s signature DuraLock, Kershaw’s take on a crossbar locking mechanism, and dual thumb stud deployment. That makes it both extremely strong and secure, as well as ambidextrous and, therefore, convenient. (The deep-carry pocket clip is also reversible, adding to its ambidexterity.)

Fans of the pointy end of knives can also breathe easy; this configuration still has a MagnaCut super-steel blade. It’s one of the chief features of this model family, and I, for one, am happy to see it return.

This knife is also still made in the USA, meaning you can count on its craftsmanship, just as with other USA-made Kershaw knives.