We Launched a Knife Collection: The 12 New Outdoor Life Knives

Outdoor Life

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Outdoor Life just came out with a new line of knives that range from modern folders to traditional pocket knives. I’ve been using the Lockback to open boxes and even butcher turkeys. Here’s a look at it and the other knives in the collection.

Lockback Specs and Key Features

See It

Blade Steel: 8CR13MOV
Design: Lockback
Thumb studs
Tip up, deep carry pocket clip (not reversible)
Cocobolo covers
Stainless steel bolsters
Outdoor Life logo inlay
Open Length: 7 inches
Blade Length: 2.75 inches
Made in China
Price: $30

I’m not sure there’s a more classic pocket knife design than a clip point lockback. Outdoors people have been carrying them for years because they work. It’s the perfect blend of a robust locking mechanism and a blade shape that offers good piercing with plenty of belly. The OL version uses thumb studs for deployment and it has a pocket clip.

The knife uses 8CR13MOV, which is the Chinese version of AUS-8. Dr. Larrin Thomas did some testing on 8CR13MOV and found that the edge retention is better than AEB-L. Its toughness is surprisingly competitive with Maganacut. Thomas rates the roughness at a 6 and Magnacut at a 7. So you’re getting an affordable and reliable knife with a classic design featuring Outdoor Life.

Other Knives in the Collection

Classic OL Cover Knives

There are two knives that have Outdoor Life covers from 1942 printed on them. They are multi-bladed slip joints and come in a wood box with the cover printed on it too.

Modern Folders

Flippers and even a crossbar lock can be found on the more modern knives in the OL collection. These range in price from $40 to $140 and they all wear D2 blades.

Utility Ax

Some jobs call for an ax and others call for a saw. The Utility Axe has you covered in both cases because it’s an ax with saw in the handle. It also has a ferro rod in the ax’s sheath.