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Gravity knives have seen a huge increase in interest and popularity around the world in the last two years. Thanks to recent innovations from a few different manufacturers, this style of knife has adapted to the ever-changing demands of knife collectors everywhere. Now you can get premium build materials and different offerings from a wide variety of companies for a price point that suits any budget. So I have compiled a list of some of my personal favorite gravity knives that are available now. Let’s jump into it.
Gravity Knives Legality and Controversy
Gravity knives are a controversial topic, to say the least. To those who are uneducated, they may seem like a terrifying “deadly weapon” akin to a switchblade. But in reality, they are simply a modern innovation on mankind's first and most useful tool. Unfortunately, this style of knife has been heavily restricted all around the world, and breaking these laws can carry some pretty heavy penalties. So I have done a bit of research to help clarify where and how these knives are restricted around the United States. However, I am not a lawyer, and this information in this article should not be taken as legitimate legal advice. You need to do your own research and come to your own conclusions if you happen to live in a restricted area.
States Where Gravity Knives Are Illegal or Heavily Restricted:
- California: Gravity knives are illegal to carry, sell, or manufacture. However, ownership in your home is generally allowed.
- Hawaii: Possession, sale, or manufacture of gravity knives is prohibited.
- Illinois: Gravity knives are illegal to possess, manufacture, or sell.
- Massachusetts: Gravity knives are considered "dangerous weapons," and their possession is heavily restricted.
- Minnesota: Gravity knives are prohibited.
- New Jersey: Gravity knives are classified as prohibited weapons, making their possession, carry, or sale illegal.
- New Mexico: Gravity knives are illegal to carry.
- New York: Gravity knives were heavily restricted until a recent court ruling; however, it's still advisable to check local laws as restrictions may apply.
- Ohio: Gravity knives are considered "deadly weapons," and restrictions may apply.
- Texas: Gravity knives are illegal to carry, though they may be owned.
- Vermont: Gravity knives are considered dangerous weapons and are illegal to carry.
- Washington, D.C.: Possession, carry, or sale of gravity knives is illegal.
States with Conditional Restrictions:
- Colorado: Gravity knives are legal to own but illegal to carry concealed unless you have a permit.
- Connecticut: Gravity knives are legal with restrictions on carry.
- Florida: Gravity knives are legal to own, but restrictions apply to concealed carry without a permit.
- Georgia: Legal with restrictions on blade length.
- Indiana: Legal to own and carry, but there may be restrictions in certain areas.
- Louisiana: Legal to own but may be restricted in some circumstances.
States Where It's Legal to Own and Carry a Gravity Knife:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Idaho
- Kentucky
- Montana
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Virginia
- Wyoming.
Key Takeaways
- Best Overall Gravity Knife is the Reate EXO Mini.
- The Bestech Knives Cricket is Best Budget Gravity Knife.
- Most Utilitarian Gravity Knife is the Reate EXO-U.
- The Reate EXO-K is Best Tactical Gravity Knife.
- Most Premium Gravity Knife is the Paragon Warlock Titanium.
- Most Customizable Gravity Knife is the Reate EXO OG Gravity Knife.
Top Picks
- Best Overall: Reate EXO Mini Drop Point Gravity Knife
- Best Budget: Bestech Knives Cricket Button Lock
- Most Utilitarian: Reate EXO-U Utility Blade Gravity Knife
- Best Tactical: Reate EXO-K Gravity Karambit Knife
- Best Premium: Paragon Warlock Folding Gravity Knife Titanium
- Most Customizable: Reate OG EXO Coping Gravity Knife
Best Overall Gravity Knife: Reate EXO Mini Drop Point Gravity Knife
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The Reate EXO Mini Gravity Knife is a descendant of the original Reate EXO Gravity knife, but it has been downsized and upgraded to include a lock switch and pocket clip to allow for safety in the pocket while carrying. The Reate EXO line of knives is fascinating to me. The way the knife functions is unique and extremely fun to play around with. To open the blade, simply unlock the pivoting handles with the lock switch, slide the back of the handle open, and tip the knife down to allow the blade to slide open. Then pinch the handles back together and your knife is now open and ready to use. The handle is milled from solid titanium with a nice micarta inlay. The blade steel is also fantastic here. The CPM-3V is an ultra tough steel that holds an edge very well. All of that makes this knife a solid contender for one of the best EDC knives and my top choice for the best overall gravity knife.
Best Budget Gravity Knife: Bestech Knives Cricket Button Lock
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Although this knife is not exactly a “true” gravity knife, it still made the cut here because of its great design and very affordable price. The Cricket by Bestech Knives is a solid button lock folding knife with great materials for a very accessible price. Like I just mentioned, this knife is a button lock knife. But it does not have any opening mechanism like a thumb stud or flipper tab. This knife completely relies on gravity and a subtle wrist flick to open. So yes, technically, it is a gravity knife, but it does not have a unique mechanism like most other gravity knives have. Why does this matter, though? Because a true gravity knife completely contains the blade within the handle similar to how an OTF knife does, making it possible to have a double edged blade in a small form factor pocket knife. The Cricket functions just like any other folding pocket knife, making it impossible to have a double-edged option. This by no means makes the cricket a bad knife; it's just one of the tradeoffs Bestech made for the sake of simplicity and price point.
Most Utilitarian Gravity Knife: Reate EXO-U Utility Blade Gravity Knife
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The Reate EXO-U is probably my favorite knife on this list. This knife is similar to the Reate EXO-Mini that I chose as the best overall gravity knife. However, it has a few key differences that I personally really like but to some could be considered major downsides. The first is the replaceable razor blade system. Unlike the EXO-Mini, the EXO-U allows you to swap out your blade for any utility blade you can find at any hardware store. And it doesn’t require any additional tools to do it. The innovative spring lock makes the blade swap process crazy fast and easy for anyone to do. The EXO-U has the same gravity slide mechanisms the other EXO knives have. But this time, the handle is milled from lightweight aluminum and features a wide range of vibrant color options to suit any loadout.
Best Tactical Gravity Knife: Reate EXO-K Gravity Karambit Knife
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You are probably noticing a pattern here. Reate does make a lot of the industry’s best gravity knives, and here comes another recommendation for a great tactical gravity knife for Reate. The EXO-K is a Karambit-style gravity knife that has a crazy unique opening mechanism similar to the other EXO knives but slightly different. The blade swings open and as the gravity pulls on the blade, the blade will fold out and lock into position as you close the handle together. With practice, you will be able to deploy the blade incredibly fast, which makes this a great choice if you are looking for a pocket-sized Karambit knife. Additionally, the EXO-K comes with a trainer that has a dull edge that allows you to practice with the knife safely. The EXO-K is also pretty affordable compared to the other offerings from Reate. Because of the aluminum handles and the more affordable Bohler N690 steel, the price point is easily accessible for those who want a high-quality Karambit knife.
Best Premium Gravity Knife: Paragon Warlock Folding Gravity Knife Titanium
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If you are shopping around for a show-stopping premium knife to add to your collection, then the Paragon Warlock is the knife for you. This is a premium version of the base model Warlock that has been upgraded with a solid titanium handle, hardware, and adorned with intricate and eye-catching textures and finished off with a bright gold anodized finish. This is truly the “Lamborghini” of gravity knives. And the price reflects that. Coming in at $770 USD, it secures a spot for one of the more expensive pocket knives on the market. If you value extremely well made and innovative products manufactured in the USA, then you’re going to need to take a look at this. The opening and closing mechanism is unique, especially compared to the other models on this list. To open or close the knife, simply squeeze down on the pivot button and the handles will separate from the middle. Allow the blade to swing freely out of the handle, to lock the blade in place, let go of the pivot button when the blade is fully open, and the blade will lock into place, allowing you to use it for whatever you need. Repeat these steps to close the blade safely. Because the Warlock has this unique opening mechanism, it allows it to have a sharp, double-edged dagger style blade because it is 100% self-contained when closed. This knife is a beast and not for the faint of heart. But it is sure to make any die-hard knife collector chuckle when wielding it in hand.
Most Customizable Gravity Knife: Reate OG EXO Coping Gravity Knife
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I know, I know, another Reate EXO Knife. This is the OG but better. This is pretty much the exact same as the very first Reate EXO knife but much improved, now with the added safety lock that the original lacked. You can now take this knife anywhere with you in the pocket without any worry about it opening on accident. However, it still does not have a pocket clip, which is a pretty major downside, considering many of the other Reate EXO knives do. The big difference here is that you get two separate blades you can change out to suit whatever you need it for on a day-to-day basis. Both blades are made from ELMAX steel and give you the choice between a reverse tanto and a regular tanto blade. The Reverse tanto blade is more suited for utility purposes, and the tanto blade is much better for self-defense or tactical uses. Whichever blade you choose, you are getting a fantastic gravity knife that lit a fire in the knife industry. And with its recent design improvements, it’s better than ever. If you are looking for a solid gravity knife you can customize, this is it.
How To Choose The Best Gravity Knife
To choose the best gravity knife for you, it comes down to personal preference, legality, and obviously budget. I have made a list of a few of my favorite gravity knives that span a wide range of prices and intended use cases. There's some solid budget-priced options like the Reate EXO-U and the Bestech Cricket and some eye-catching premium USA-made options from Paragon Knives. The trick is just to decide what you are going to use the knife for, what price is right for you, and simply which one you like the most.
Why Trust Us
I’ve had the opportunity to work behind the scenes for many EDC knife brands and distributors during the past four years. I’ve carried, tested, handled, and purchased many knives from basically every brand on the market. I have extensive experience in EDC pocket knives especially, since that is what I carry mainly on a day-to-day basis. I’ve distilled my personal experience and preferencesinto a solid list of many great budget EDC knives that I would trust day in and day out. I will never recommend any knife that I haven't either personally carried or have some form of hands on experience with.
Final Thoughts
My personal preferences may vary from yours, but I do believe that this list is a great starting point for anyone looking to buy their first gravity knife. The important thing to remember is that buying a gravity knife can be confusing but it really doesn't need to be. Just find a knife that fits in your budget range and appeals to you and your lifestyle and try it out. It really is hard to buy a bad knife in today’s market. There are so many good options out there, from so many great knife makers.
FAQ’s
Question: What is a gravity knife?
Answer: A gravity knife is simply a knife that opens using the force of gravity instead of a manual thumb stud, flipper, or push button pocket knife.
Question: Are gravity knives any good?
Answer: There are many gravity knives that are extremely well made (including the Remette Swordfish), with high-end materials and great attention to detail. So by every metric, yes, there are very good gravity knives out there right now. The real question is are they any good for EDC, or are they just novelty items? That comes down to your personal preference and whether or not you’d feel comfortable carrying one day in and day out.
