Introduction: Why 2026 Is a Turning Point for Shed Knives
Every year at Shed Knives, we get better & it's not the usual "big business" stuff. This is just the reality of putting our heads down, refining our process, and building knives day after day in the United States. The 2026 Shed Knives Collection represents the largest performance jump we’ve ever made year over year, not because we added more models, but because we did the opposite.
In 2025, we offered eight different knife models, most of them available in six colors. That meant dozens of variants, more complexity, and more room for inconsistency. In 2026, we intentionally reduced the lineup to four core models and ten total variants. Fewer options. Higher standards. Better knives.
This collection is about refinement and performance increase. It’s about building fewer knives at a much higher level and preparing the company for real scale. The 2026 Collection is not a reset. It’s an acceleration.
From Variety to Precision: Why We Reduced the Lineup
Last year, Shed Knives offered the SkurLite, Skur, US Tanto, Resilience, Sheepsfoot, Tuatara, Visionary, and Momentum. That range served its purpose. It helped us learn. It helped us test. It helped us understand what customers actually carry, actually use, and actually come back to buy again.
In 2026, we made a deliberate decision to narrow our focus. We are now offering four knives: the 2026 SkurLite, Skur, US Tanto, and Journey. Three of those models are offered in three colors, resulting in ten total variants. That is extremely limited by modern standards, and it’s intentional.
Reducing the lineup allowed us to push every part of production further. Better CNC programs. Better surface finishing. Better sheath systems. Better scale ergonomics. Better consistency from knife to knife. This is how real manufacturers improve & you don’t get better by doing more variability. You get better by doing less at a higher level.
The Biggest Improvements Across the 2026 Collection
The most drastic improvements from 2025 to 2026 are in two areas: G-10 scales and Kydex sheath assembly.
In 2025, our G-10 scales were contoured in two dimensions with beveled edges. They were good. In 2026, every scaled knife now features fully 3D-contoured G-10. These scales are shaped across the face and the sides, not just knocked down on the edges. The result is better hand lock-in, better pressure distribution, and a knife that feels planted during extended use.
Our Kydex sheaths are also a major leap forward. In 2026, every sheath is CNC-milled and ambidextrous. That means consistent retention, clean edges, and the ability to configure carry without compromise. This isn’t hand-formed plastic. It’s precision-machined equipment designed to match the knife.
Beyond that, we refined the entire finishing process. Our ceramic stonewash now uses proper ceramic media instead of rocks I had been buying from Lowe's. After stonewashing, every knife goes through an ultrasonic cleaner to remove residue and debris. Laser engraving is now done in-house. Heat treat is certified and controlled. Knife blanks are milled twice, including a second 2D contour pass, so edges, holes, and profiles are perfectly clean.
Even packaging and dealer margins improved. Dealer margins increased by approximately 14% compared to last year, which strengthens the entire ecosystem and allows Shed Knives to scale responsibly.
2026 SkurLite: Minimal, Overbuilt, and Always With You
The SkurLite exists because it’s one of those rare knives that just works. It weighs 1.6 ounces, yet it’s still cut from quarter-inch-thick 154CM steel. That alone puts it in a category most lightweight knives never enter.
There are no scales on the SkurLite. That keeps it extremely thin and compact. You can carry it in a pocket, a jacket, a backpack, or a shirt pocket without thinking about it. At $125 with free U.S. shipping, it’s also the most accessible knife in the lineup.
Compared to the Skur, US Tanto, and Journey, the SkurLite is small. That’s the point. It’s the knife you carry when you don’t want excuses. It’s there when you need a blade and don’t want bulk.
2026 Skur: Still the Standard
The Skur continues to dominate sales because it hits a balance most knives miss. It’s compact, but not fragile. Thick, but still controllable. The Skur lets you get up close and personal with the blade, and people like that. It builds confidence in the work you do.
For 2026, the Skur received meaningful refinements. The triangular lanyard hole was resized to fill the pommel more cleanly. The G-10 scales now align perfectly with that geometry, creating a seamless transition from handle to tang. The result is better aesthetics and better ergonomics.
At $225, the 2026 Skur remains the backbone of the collection and a knife that customers repeatedly come back to.
US Tanto: Purpose-Built and Proven
The US Tanto is our tactical fixed blade, priced at $250. It’s one of the longest-running models in the lineup and remains unchanged in philosophy for a reason. The integrated finger stop provides protection and control, especially when working in adverse conditions or under stress.
This knife is for users who want separation between hand and blade and a profile that prioritizes strength and intent. It fills a specific role, and it fills it well.
Journey: The Highest Level Knife We’ve Ever Built
The Journey is the highest-level knife Shed Knives has ever produced. At $325, it’s intentionally exclusive. This is not an impulse purchase. This is a goal.
The Journey is what I call the "Rolex of Shed Knives." Not because of price alone, but because of what it represents. Exclusivity. Craftsmanship. Standards. When you see someone carrying a Journey, you know they take themselves seriously. They work hard. They keep their word.
This knife exists so people can set an objective, improve their life, and carry something that reflects that commitment.
A Hard Truth About Knife Production
Here’s something customers need to understand going into 2026. Shed Knives makes the best fixed blade knives for bushcraft and hunting use in the world at scale. Not one-offs. Not customs. At scale.
Other companies excel in folders, fillet knives, or machetes. That’s fine. Our niche is fixed blade, outdoor knives, and we dominate it. We build in volume for dealers and distributors while maintaining precision.
That’s not accidental. That’s the result of process discipline, tooling investment, and refusal to outsource production. If you want to understand why that matters, read Why We Refuse to Outsource Knife Production | THE SHED KNIVES BLOG #100.
Who the 2026 Collection Is Not For
The 2026 Collection is not for people looking for folding knives. It’s also not for people looking for oversized blades. This year, we are focused on smaller fixed blades under ten inches.
Getting extremely good at small components makes everything else better. Large knives will return, but not before the foundation is perfect.
What I Carry Personally
Right now, I carry the Skur most often. I like being close to the blade. I like the belly. I like how the sheath clicks. That’s just my style.
That said, in 2025 I carried the SkurLite more than any other knife. Once the 2026 SkurLite hits my hands, that may change again. And with the Journey entering the lineup, that’s another contender. With ten total variants, I could rotate one per day and never repeat in a week and a half.
Final Thoughts: Building for Scale
If you remember one thing from this blog, remember this. Shed Knives is building for scale. We are progressing faster than anyone else. We are leveling up our skills, our systems, and our capacity.
We are not selling 1,000 knives a day yet. We are not selling 1,000 a month yet. What we are doing is building the infrastructure so when that demand comes, we can handle it without compromise.
That’s what the 2026 Collection represents. Fewer knives. Better knives. Built for the long game.
If you want to follow that journey (not just the knife model), explore the 2026 Shed Knives Collection or subscribe to stay updated on releases.
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Explore the 2026 Skur here: https://shedknives.com/products/2026-skur
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:
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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