Knife Market Analysis & Forecast: 2025-2032

Knife Market Size and Forecast – 2025 to 2032

Knife Market is estimated to be valued at USD 2.61 Bn in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 3.55 Bn in 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5% from 2025 to 2032.

Key Takeaways

• By Product Type, Folding Knife acquired the prominent share of 23% in 2025 owing to the growing outdoor recreation & survival culture.
• By Distribution Channel, E-commerce holds the largest market share in 2025 owing to its wider product availability.
• By Region, North America dominates the overall market with an estimated share of 44% in 2025 owing to the strong outdoor & hunting culture.

Market Overview

Strong demand across outdoor, tactical, culinary, and everyday carry segments drives the knife market growth. Consumers increasingly adopt specialized knives due to their growing interest in outdoor activities, survival preparedness, and cooking. Manufacturers continue to attract both enthusiasts and professionals by innovating blade materials, improving ergonomic designs, and adding multifunctional features. E-commerce platforms expand knife accessibility, while an active collector community supports the growth of premium and custom knife segments.

Current Events and their Impact on the Knife Market

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End-user Feedback and Unmet Needs in the Knife Market

• Demand for Enhanced Durability: End users often seek knives that maintain sharpness and resist corrosion under heavy use. Many express a need for blades that last longer without frequent sharpening or replacement, especially in outdoor and tactical applications.
• Improved Ergonomics and Comfort: Users report discomfort during extended use, highlighting a need for better handle designs that reduce hand fatigue and improve grip security. Customizable handles and materials that offer both comfort and durability remain highly desired.
• More Affordable Premium Options: Consumers want access to high-quality knives at affordable prices. Many feel current premium knives are expensive, creating demand for brands to offer durable, well-designed knives that balance cost and performance.

Export Import Analysis of Knives

From November 2023 to October 2024, India exported 9,861 knife shipments, showing an 8% decline year-over-year. These exports involved 1,006 Indian exporters and 1,924 buyers, with the U.S., U.K., and UAE as the top destinations. In October 2024 alone, India shipped 743 knives—unchanged from October 2023.

Globally, China is the leading knife exporter with 300,622 shipments, followed by Vietnam (102,037) and India (80,641).

For kitchen knives, India exported 1,548 shipments from October 2023 to September 2024 via 228 exporters to 372 buyers. In September 2024, India exported 120 shipments—flat year-over-year but up 21% from August. China, India, and Brazil are the main suppliers, while Vietnam, India, and Peru are the top importers.

Segmental Insights

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Knife Market Insights, By Product Type: Folding Knife contribute the highest share of the market owing to its innovation in design & materials

Folding Knife acquired the most prominent share of 23.0% in 2025. Outdoor enthusiasts, survivalists, and everyday carry users are driving the folding knife market share as they are seeking portable and versatile tools. They choose compact knives that serve multiple purposes, from camping and hiking to routine daily use. Manufacturers respond with innovations in locking mechanisms, blade materials, and ergonomic designs to boost performance and safety. Online platforms make these knives more accessible, while an engaged collector community fuels ongoing interest in premium, tactical, and custom folding knives among a wide range of users. For instance, in July 2025, Leatherman introduced a premium line of knives featuring three fixed blades and two folding models, all designed for outdoor use. The company crafted each knife using MagnaCut steel, emphasizing durability and high performance in rugged conditions. Such innovations are positively influencing the knife market forecast.

Knife Market Insights, By Distribution Channel: E-commerce contributes the highest share of the market owing to its growth of enthusiast & niche communities

Consumers are driving the knife market through e-commerce by seeking convenient access to a wide variety of products, from everyday carry knives to high-end collector items. They use online platforms to compare features, prices, and reviews, which helps them make confident purchasing decisions. Knife brands actively engage their audiences through digital marketing, influencer collaborations, and online content. Reliable logistics and secure payment options further build trust. As a result, both large and niche knife makers use e-commerce to reach wider, more diverse markets. For instance, in April 2025, Digital marketing task force Nockta collaborated with premium culinary knife brand The Custom Chef (TCC) to upgrade and modernize TCC’s traditional eCommerce platform into a contemporary digital experience.

Regional Insights

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North America Knife Market Trends

North America dominates the overall market with a share of 44%. Outdoor enthusiasts, tactical users, and home cooks drive the knife market revenue in North America by demanding high-quality knives for camping, hunting, and cooking. Everyday carry culture and interest in self-defense tools also fuel knife market growth. Local brands attract professionals and collectors by innovating with advanced materials and ergonomic designs. Quick commerce growth and active online communities increase accessibility and enhance brand visibility, further energizing the region’s vibrant knife market. For instance, in October 2024, an American Company, Rhyguan unveiled the Top-Plus converting and finishing machine, outfitting it with a fully automatic knife positioning system. The machine offers a variety of optional features, including corona treatment, IML die-cutting, dual rewinds, a semi-automatic turret rewind, and sheeting capabilities.

Asia Pacific Knife Market Trends

Outdoor recreation, hunting, and survival skills gain rising interest across Asia Pacific, driving consumers to demand durable and versatile knives. They increasingly choose folding and fixed-blade knives for camping and adventure, which expands the region’s knife market. Popular cooking shows and culinary arts inspire consumers in urban areas to seek premium kitchen knives from both traditional and modern brands, fueling growth in the culinary segment. For example, Kamaasa Shoten, a kitchenware store located in Tokyo's Kappabashi district, has introduced a new original Japanese knife called the "Jinsei Bocho," developed in partnership with mina perhonen. Such innovations across the region are accelerating the knife industry growth.

India Knife Market Trends

More consumers in India purchase knives online thanks to improved internet access and logistics. E-commerce platforms provide a wide range of options, including premium and custom knives, increasing market accessibility. As urbanization rises and cooking interest grows, Indian consumers actively seek high-quality kitchen knives, boosting demand for both traditional Indian and international brands. Apart from this, the growing introduction of kitchen tool coatings is accelerating the knife market demand. For instance, in April 2024, at the upcoming Techtextil show for technical textiles in Frankfurt, Monforts unveiled its new coaTTex coating unit, designed specifically for air knife and knife-over-roller coating applications.

United States Knife Market Trends

Outdoor and hunting culture deeply influences the U.S. market, with consumers actively demanding durable folding and fixed knives for camping, hunting, and survival. U.S. knife makers drive innovation in blade steel technology, handle ergonomics, and design, offering high-performance knives made from premium materials like titanium and carbon fiber. Brands use digital marketing and influencer reviews to educate consumers and increase purchases, further enhancing the knife market revenue across the United States.

In April 2025, a ninth-generation, family-owned cutlery brand with nearly 300 years of heritage partnered with world-renowned chef José Andrés to launch the José Andrés by Arcos Collection in the United States. This thoughtfully crafted series combines Spanish tradition with modern innovation, delivering professional-quality knives for both home cooks and culinary professionals.

Market Report Scope

Knife Market Trend

Rising Popularity of Everyday Carry (EDC) Knives

The everyday carry trend continues to gain momentum globally, with consumers prioritizing compact, versatile knives for daily tasks, self-defense, and preparedness. Manufacturers respond by designing lightweight folding knives featuring improved locking mechanisms, easy one-handed operation, and durable materials. EDC enthusiasts value multifunctional tools that blend practicality with style. This trend fuels demand for premium and custom models, supported by active online communities and influencer content that educates and inspires buyers.

In May 2025, YSMART — the team known for their popular everyday carry (EDC) products on Kickstarter — released their latest invention: BITZ. It's a tiny knife you can carry on your keychain, made with a strong tungsten blade, a magnetic quick-release system, and a high-quality titanium or brass body.

Knife Market News

• In June 2025, Opinel unveiled three National Parks No.08 knives as part of a capsule collection that supports Leave No Trace and contributes to the conservation of these stunning natural areas. Each knife features a beechwood handle and a 3.28-inch stainless steel blade.
• In May 2025, EDC brand Knafs introduced its first in-house knife Named the Knafs Little Lulu. This compact fixed-blade knife delivers impressive performance.
• In March 2025, Ueni Trading Co., Ltd. revealed the second edition of its knife collection inspired by the Ultra-Hard Blades from the popular anime Attack on Titan, appealing to both fans and cooking enthusiasts. This new release will include five distinct models, such as a Santoku knife, a bread knife, and a petty knife.
• In August 2024, British kitchen knife maker Allday Goods introduced a new pocket knife in collaboration with retailer Outsiders Store. Renowned for turning plastic waste into sustainable knives, the brand designed its latest model with a vibrant green color accented by yellow tones.

Analyst Opinion (Expert Opinion)

• The knife market is undergoing a profound transformation driven by consumer sophistication and technological innovation, positioning it far beyond its traditional utility role. The surge in everyday carry (EDC) culture exemplifies this shift—Benchmade’s 2024 sales report highlighted a 35% year-over-year increase in premium folding knives, clearly indicating that consumers now demand not just functionality, but craftsmanship and brand prestige. Moreover, the rise of niche online communities, such as the r/knifeclub subreddit with over 1.7 million members, has created highly informed buyers who prioritize blade steel innovation and ergonomic design.
• The tactical and survival segments, often overlooked, are gaining momentum as geopolitical instability and natural disaster awareness grow. Spyderco’s limited-edition survival knife sold out within hours in early 2025, underscoring that consumers seek specialized, reliable tools over mass-market options. This is not a passing fad; it reflects a deeper preparedness mindset that manufacturers must embrace with authentic product development and transparent marketing.
• However, the market faces regulatory challenges, especially in North America and Europe, where evolving knife laws create friction in consumer adoption and cross-border sales. Brands like CRKT have successfully navigated these by designing compliant models featuring blade lengths and locking mechanisms tailored to legal nuances, setting a benchmark others should follow.

Market Segmentation

• By Product Type
  • Retractable Knife
  • Fixed Knife
  • Snap-off Knife
  • Safety Knife
  • Folding Knife
  • Specialty Knife
  • Carpet Knife
  • Hobby Knife
  • Others
• By Distribution Channel
  • Home Center & Hardware
  • Mass Retail
  • E-commerce
  • Others
• By Geography
  • North America
    • U.S.
    • Canada
  • Latin America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Mexico
    • Rest of Latin America
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • U.K.
    • Spain
    • France
    • Italy
    • Russia
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • Australia
    • South Korea
    • ASEAN
    • Rest of Asia Pacific
  • Middle East
    • GCC Countries
    • Israel
    • Rest of Middle East
  • Africa
    • South Africa
    • North Africa
    • Central Africa
• Key Players Insights
  • Olfa Corporation
  • Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
  • Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
  • Irwin Industrial Tools
  • Workpro
  • DeWalt
  • Pacific Handy Cutter Inc.
  • Hyde Tools Inc.
  • Craftsman
  • S. Blade Manufacturing Co. Inc.
  • Roberts Consolidated Industries, Inc.
  • E.P. Co., Inc.
  • Apex Tool Group, LLC
  • Fiskars Group
  • Klein Tools, Inc.

Sources

Primary Research Interviews

• Interviews with knife manufacturers, distributors, and retail buyers
• Discussions with outdoor gear retailers and culinary experts
• Surveys of end-users including hunters, chefs, and everyday carry enthusiasts

Databases

• Global Trade Atlas (GTA)
• ImportGenius Customs Data
• Manufacturer sales and inventory databases
• Online retail sales platforms data

Magazines

• Blade Magazine
• Outdoor Life
• Knife World
• Survival Quarterly

Journals

• Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance
• International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics
• Journal of Culinary Science & Technology

Newspapers

• The New York Times (Lifestyle and product reviews sections)
• The Guardian (Outdoor and survival gear features)
• The Wall Street Journal (Consumer goods and retail trends)

Associations

• American Knife & Tool Institute (AKTI)
• Knifemakers’ Guild
• Outdoor Industry Association (OIA)

Public Domain Sources

• Patent filings related to knife innovations
• Government trade and customs records
• Legal databases detailing knife regulations by region
• Consumer product safety commission reports

Proprietary Elements

• CMI Data Analytics Tool, and Proprietary CMI Existing Repository of information for last 8 years