This week, Las Vegas isn’t only a hotbed for Blackjack, UFC and shotgun weddings; it’s the home of SHOT Show, the annual trade show for the shooting, hunting and firearms industry (SHOT stands for “Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade”). The show isn’t all guns and ammo though — it’s also a place where knifemakers reveal the blades that they’ll release over the coming year. Here are six of our favorites (so far).
Gerber Fastball

The Fastball is a somewhat tactical but mostly EDC folding knife. It’s made in the United States and uses S30V steel and an aircraft-grade aluminum handle that’s available in three colors. The Fastball is built on Gerber’s B.O.S.S. system, which uses stainless steel ball bearings to provide a super-smooth transition from closed to open, and back again. Its Wharncliffe blade is three inches long, and the knife weighs 2.7 ounces.
Benchmade 365 Outlast

The 365 Outlast is purpose-built for rescue and survival. The knife borders on multi-tool — it has two blades, one drop-point (3.59 inches long) and one that’s blunted and serrated (3.15 inches long), as well as a carbide tip glass breaker and a rescue hook. The knife uses Benchmade’s Option lock, which allows users to lock and unlock each blade separately from the other. The 365 Outlast will retail for $300.