2026 JOURNEY IS IN PRODUCTION: Our Highest-Level Drop Point to Date | THE SHED KNIVES BLOG #106

January 5, 2026

Introduction: Why the Journey Exists

The 2026 Journey exists because refinement matters more than size.

The Journey was created as a more refined, updated, and optimized version of the 2025 Shed Knives Visionary. At their core, the Visionary and the Journey are the same platform. The difference is scale, focus, and execution. The Journey is the smaller, cleaner evolution of the Visionary, designed to deliver the same performance mindset in a package that actually makes sense for daily carry and real-world use.

Big blades are impressive. They photograph well. They feel powerful in the hand. But over time, we noticed a clear reality: most people do not need to carry a large blade every day. What they do need is a fixed blade that carries clean, feels controlled, and still performs when it matters. That realization pushed us toward smaller knives without compromising quality or capability. The Journey is the result of that decision.

Production has officially started, and the Journey represents the highest level knife we have ever released.

From Visionary to Journey: Same Platform, Higher Focus

2026 Shed Knives Journey fixed blade knife with drop point blade, CNC G-10 scales, and ivory liners, 100% USA made

The Visionary was designed for people with big ideas. The Journey is designed for people who execute.

A visionary can see ten different paths. A journey is choosing one path and committing fully to it. That concept directly influenced the design of this knife. The Visionary was intentionally scaled down to become the Journey, not to reduce performance, but to sharpen it.

The Journey is a clean drop point knife sized for real use. It carries well in an EDC setting, works close to the hand, and still holds its own in the field. This is not a compromise blade. It is a focused blade.

That focus is what makes the 2026 Journey special.

What “The Rolex of Shed Knives” Actually Means

When I say the Journey is the Rolex of Shed Knives, I am not talking about hype. I am talking about standards.

To me, that phrase comes down to three things: exclusivity, craftsmanship, and who the knife is built for.

We are not planning on selling a large quantity of Journeys. The first batch will be ten knives since this knife is meant to be exclusive. It is meant to be something you earn, not something you casually pick up.

From a craftsmanship standpoint, the 2026 Journey carries the highest level of machining, contouring, and finishing we have ever put into a knife. Every surface was designed, tested, adjusted, and refined.

And finally, this knife is built for top performers. It is for individuals who take themselves seriously, who value quality, and who want a knife that stands out without trying to.

The Journey is absolutely stunning. It is a good-looking knife, but more importantly, it is built with purpose.

Steel, Grind, and Why Sharper Always Wins

Although the 2026 Journey is currently in prototype form, the testing behind it is not new. We have spent years testing the same steel, the same grinds, and the same heat treat process that the Journey uses.

The blade is made from quarter-inch-thick 154CM steel and heat treated to 58 Rockwell. That hardness is ideal for a fixed blade that needs to balance edge retention, toughness, and ease of maintenance.

One key change we made on the Journey was thinning the flat grind slightly. That decision allows the blade to take a sharper edge during belt sanding and improves cutting performance without sacrificing strength. A thinner edge at the cutting surface simply performs better, and a sharper knife is always a better knife.

The drop point geometry was also carefully refined. The edge remains flat where it should, rises into a usable belly, and terminates in a strong, clean tip. This blade looks right because it is right.

The Most Advanced Scales We’ve Ever Produced

The 2026 Journey features the most aggressive CNC-contoured scales we have ever made.

These scales took an incredible amount of time to design and program. The three-dimensional contouring is intentional, not decorative. The handle locks your hand into place, giving you control without hotspots.

The ivory white G-10 liners remain, adding contrast and reinforcing the premium feel of the knife. Even the triangular lanyard hole was shaped to complement the pommel instead of interrupting it.

Every detail was considered, refined, and approved only when it met our highest standards.

Control Features That Separate Good from Great

The Journey includes more jimping than any other knife we currently produce. The jimping is evenly spaced, functional, and sized at one-eighth inch. That added traction matters during controlled cuts and close-in work.

The sharpening choil measures a quarter inch, allowing proper sharpening without damaging the edge geometry over time. Combined with the finger groove in the handle, the knife naturally pulls your grip forward, keeping the blade exactly where you want it.

This is a knife designed to be used deliberately.

Size, Intent, and Who the Journey Is NOT For

The Journey is not a big knife. In fact, it has one of the smallest handles we have ever produced.

While the scale length is similar to the Skur, the finger notch limits how many fingers can sit behind it. This design forces precision. It is a knife meant to be used up close, not swung around.

This knife is not for people who do not take the outdoors seriously. It is not for people who want oversized blades for the sake of size. It is not for people who treat knives as accessories.

Well, who is the 2026 Shed Knives Journey for?

The Journey is for absolute winners. It is for people who care about quality, who value refinement, and who want a knife that represents progression, discipline, and execution.

100% USA Made, From Start to Finish

The Journey is 100% USA made, without exceptions.

All CNC milling is done in-house. All programming is done from our own team. The G-10 is sourced from Ohio. The steel comes from New York. The Kydex comes from Pennsylvania.

American CNC milling produces better fit, better finish, and tighter tolerances. That is why we refuse to outsource production and why Shed Knives continues to level up while others cut corners.

If you want deeper insight into that philosophy, read:

Production Status and Release Timing

Production has officially started.

We are currently milling blade blanks, machining grinds, and producing G-10 scales using our Tormach 770M three-axis CNC machine. Laser engraving, heat treatment in our Evenheat oven, Kydex sheath production, final assembly, and boxing are next.

The initial batch will consist of ten knives. Release is approximately two weeks out (release by end of January 2026).

Final Thoughts: Why the Journey Matters

No one told me customers were ready for a knife at this level. Yet every time we raise the bar, people respond positively. They want better. They want more. They want knives that stand apart.

The Journey exists because Shed Knives enthusiasts demand more than what the knife market offers. Anyone can make a drop point. Very few can make one at this level.

The Journey is refined. It is exclusive, uncompromising, and it represents the next step forward for Shed Knives.

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Explore the 2026 Collection here: https://shedknives.com/products/2026-collection

Know another outdoor enthusiast who may find value in this blog? Feel free to share the link of this blog with them so we can continue to educate & encourage our fellow outdoor & knife enthusiasts. Thank you for your support. - WJB

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About The Author:

W. Jack Billings - CEO & Founder, Shed Knives shedknives.com

Jack Billings is the 21 year old CEO and Founder of Shed Knives, a rising manufacturer of high-quality fixed blade bushcraft knives. With over 5 years of experience as a knife maker, he has developed a reputation for crafting durable, reliable knives that are designed for outdoor enthusiasts and bushcrafters alike. Jack started making knives at the age of 13 and has been refining his craft ever since.

In addition to his expertise in knife making, Jack has a High School Degree from POLYTECH High School, where he studied Automotive Technology and obtained his ASE Certification. He is also a content creator for Shed Knives and has reached the eyes of over 1,000,000 people on Shed Knives platforms across the world through his work.

When he's not working on knives, Jack enjoys exploring the outdoors and has a passion for bushcraft. He also has a passion for the automotive world and enjoys learning about new technologies and advancements. Additionally, he has a great interest in language and is studying Spanish, German, Russian, and Arabic.

Jack's personal mission is to constantly improve himself, his products, and his processes in order to stay ahead of the rapidly changing interests of the knife industry and to surpass the competition. He takes great pride in American manufacturing and is committed to contributing to the growth of the world knife industry through his work.

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