BEST UTILITY KNIFE (TIE)
Chris Reeve Pacific $309
Looking for a knife to see you through the apocalyptic times to come? This fearsome object was designed by Bill Harsey and is made by Chris Reeve Knives. The Pacific has a 6-inch blade of S30V steel, finished with Gun-Kote, with cutting teeth at its base. It comes with a tactical ballistic nylon sheath. The canvas Micarta handle is the best I have ever groped; you grab it and it grabs back. The serrations are designed for rope but can even cut steel straps on shipping pallets. · 208-375-0367 · chris reeve.com

SOG Mini Vulcan $140
This is a super little knife. Its 3-inch blade, with a recurved edge, is made of VG10 steel and is held open by the SOG Arc-Lock, which can withstand 1,100 pounds of force before it quits. The glass-reinforced Zytel handle is ergonomic and can be cleaned out with a hose or thrown in a stream. You can get the Vulcan so sharp it will make your hair stand on end, and the edge will stay that way. Come to think of it, your hair may stay that way too. · 425-771-6230 · sogknives.com

BEST HUNTING KNIFE (TIE)

DiamondBlade Monarch I Folding Knife $395
Last year, DiamondBlade introduced a line of knives with blades made of D2, a die-forming steel subjected to a tempering process called Friction Forging. The blades are sharper, and hold an edge better, than anything. On the Monarch 1 -- a 3 3/8-inch banana skinner blade in a folder that's strong, yet light -- the hinge is massive, and the handle is large. The pocket clip is recessed into black Micarta handle slabs and held in place by the hinge. This is the best folding knife I know of for working on game. 800-221-6873. diamondbladeknives.com

Cabela's Bell & Carlson Gator $90 (ALSO WINS BEST VALUE AWARD!)
Here is the result of a collaboration between Cabela's, which supplied the idea; Gerber, which made the blade; and Bell & Carlson, the rifle stockmaker, which turned out the handles. The 4-inch blades, in drop-point and gutting-hook style, are made of S30V steel, which combines the virtues of stainless (hard to rust) and tool steel (holds an edge and sharpens easily). An ergonomic marvel, the handle comes in Coyote and black-and-gray speckle. You can spend more for something prettier, but you won't find anything better. This gets the Best Value award, too: a good working knife for only $90. · 800-237-4444 · cabelas.com

OTHER TESTER PICKS
Browning Escalade $80
Just the right size for field dressing a deer, this 3½-inch-blade drop point is a handsome little knife. I'm not a fan of 440C steel, which is what's used here, but it did just fine, taking and holding an extremely good edge. The handle is box elder burl, and the sheath is good leather. • browning.com

Buck Gen-5 Skinner $140
Buck does not agree that one size fits all, so the company offers this little skinner for those who believe that technique trumps size. The curved 3-inch blade is made of 154CM steel. It is tempered very hard and holds an edge forever. The hilt is brass; the handle scales are checkered rosewood. • buckknives.com

BEST VALUE, UTILITY
Gerber E-Z Out DPSF $67
The DPSF weighs practically nothing and will ride in your pocket unnoticed until you want to cut something. Then it will cut practically anything. The 3½-inch S30V blade is half serrated and half plain edge. It locks open and is available in a black or satin finish. • gerbergear.com

Puma Damascus $80
Damascus steel is beautiful, but it's also expensive, unless it's the Damascus you'll find in this elegant folder. There are 78 layers, forged in Japan and fashioned into a 2½-inch blade that sharpens with ease. Choose either a Thule wood or Kraton handle. • coastcutlery.com