Notable Knife Brands

When shopping for knives, you may not realize which brands are known for quality. Use this as your short guide to a few of today's best-selling, notable knife brands.

Leatherman

The brand famous for its pioneering pocket survival tools originated in 1984 with founder Timothy Leatherman. Expanding on the idea of the Swiss army knife, Leatherman added a pair of needle-nosed pliers, and his innovation swept the industry. The Leatherman company sells many versions of its survival tool today, even knives that fit onto a key chain.

Buck

H.H. Buck and Son was founded in San Diego in 1947 by Al Buck. His father Hoyt, a blacksmith apprentice, first devised a stronger, tempered steel knife in 1902 from worn out file blades. Hoyt's knives were used during World War II, inspiring his son to expand the operations. The folding lock-blade knife, introduced by Buck in 1964, made the company an industry leader. Today, the Buck brand remains committed to producing innovative products with reliable quality.

Boker

Boker knives are a venerable brand that originated in 17th century Germany. The original name of Boeker was changed to Boker when the company's founder, Herman Boeker, moved to New York City in 1837. Today, Boker sells a variety of knives, including knives made from ceramics, titanium and high-tech synthetics.

A.G. Russell

A.G. Russell brand knives, founded in 1964, famously carry the strongest guarantee in the industry. Their customized knives are guaranteed to perform to the satisfaction of the customer -- period. A. G. Russell stands squarely behind that promise.

These are just a few of the quality brands on the market. Others such as Ka-Bar, Anza, Moki and Beretta are noted for their commitment to quality, too. Finding the right brand is no more than a mouse-click away.