Spring has officially sprung—goodbye darkness, hello great outdoors! Nature is (mostly) hospitable again, and we’re ready to grab it by the bunny ears. Now that fish are jumping and baseball’s back, a host of activities are on the menu once more. Time to hop into action!

All the best springtime endeavors are made even better with the right tools in your basket. For us, that means toting a lucky blade, no matter the mission. Hell, even a good spring cleaning can require some nimble knife work. Looking for the perfect pocket folder to compliment your plans? We’ve assembled a list of the best knives this side of daylight savings.

Nothing beats the Ides of March quite like sleeping under the stars. Here’s your sign to sneak away for a few sick days before the kids are home for summer. Spring welcomes back the start of camping season, a sacred time when folks trade their warm bed for a cold tent and peace. And of course, no good wilderness trek is complete without the perfect knife to whittle with.

For your campfire consideration, we present the ACE Jagt. Originally crafted for hunting (think elk, not eggs), this blade serves as an excellent outdoor companion for all manner of roughing it—adept at extended, sweeping cuts, while still narrow enough to dice through more delicate work. Made from CPM Magnacut steel, it will make quick kindling of anything at your campsite. Plus its ergonomic handle gives a secure, confident grip for ultimate ease of use by lantern light.

Spring break forever! It’s time to lace up those boots and shake off the winter blues. Lucky you, we’ve done the dirty work and picked the best knife for every brand of seasonal fun.

Raft - Grab your Neoprene booties and personal floatation device, spring is the ideal time for a rafting trip. Whether lazy river or raging rapids, don’t get caught upstream without a paddle (or knife, in this case). A solid all-in-one utility blade is ideal for cutting rope, snapping branches, or spreading peanut butter after a long day on whitewater. And it can be a true lifesaver in a rescue situation, say if one of your crew gets tangled in PFD webbing during a capsize.

ACE Biblio XL - An indispensable tool for any boating kit. The Biblio XL is your sturdy oar in heavy current, crafted to tackle tasks with nautical precision, while still compact enough to attach to belt, harness, or life vest. Available in Elmax or Vanadis steel, this wider blade is a true river monster when it comes to cutting efficiency. Its size also makes it easy to locate, keeping the folder instantly accessible even when tucked in a pocket to prevent snagging.

Build - You spent the winter drafting blueprints, now the weather’s right to bring that treefort to life. Even if your plans are more birdhouse than cabin, a solid utility knife will do wonders for any spring reno or woodworking project. An easily accessible blade gives even the most novice builder a leg up on DIY—from cutting insulation or vinyl flooring, to scoring drywall and cement board. No matter which way you work the grain, you’ll be glad to have a precision blade ready for those finer details and finishing touches.

ACE Nimbus V3 Scandi - Call it planed to perfection, our first Scandi grind blade is a finely constructed cutter with a craftsman’s touch. Boasting a traditional Scandinavian flat bevel from spine to edge, it’s both razor-sharp and precise—custom built for carving or similar tasks that require control. An innovative homage to Nordic tool knives, this knot-free masterpiece combines unparalleled performance with rugged versatility, for an impeccably finished, tinker table must-have.

Fly Fish - Rod, reel, vest, and knife—what more does a Trout bum need? April marks the start of peak fly fishing, and any angler worth their weight in bait knows the importance of a deft blade. Even before you cast, the right knife is a crucial tool for tying flies, providing aid in the delicate art of constructing nymphs, streamers, and more. Once you hit the waters, that same shank can help with everything from removing fish hooks to cutting nets to trimming leaders and tippets.

ACE REO - Perfectly streamlined and precision crafted, our ACE REO was designed from the waders up for the fishers among us. From dawn to dusk, this smooth caster is all catch, no release. You get razor sharp cutting power to filet fly line, wind knots, or wild Salmon with ease, all in a sleek tackle box staple that pairs handsomely with any bucket hat. If that doesn’t set the hook, its robust handles with diamond plate milling provide an impeccable grip to ensure minimal slippage in wet hands.

Yardwork - Ok, lawn care may not be at the top of our vernal vision board, but some cleanup and prep are necessary this time of year. Weeding, pruning, trimming—these tasks must get done! And you need the right tools for the job. When you’re tasked with some light landscaping or deep in dirt planting crops, a solid blade can make all the difference. There to help aerate, slice stalks, cut up compost, or rip open that fresh bag of fertilizer, so you can finish up quicker and get off the clock.

GMF1-XL - Named Best Fixed Blade at Blade Show Atlanta 2024, our GMF1-XL is the hefty workhorse you want with you in the fields. Its superior cutting power makes mulch out of to-do lists, soaring through errant scrub branches like loose soil. Cultivated for ultimate strength and durability, this larger version of our beloved GMF1 packs a 3.47" N690 Cobalt high-performance steel blade, ready to tackle even the toughest flowerbeds. The closest thing you’ll get to having an excavator at your hip.

Climb - Now’s your chance to take fun to new heights: Find the nearest tree or rockface and start your ascent! Be it mountaineering or bouldering local crags, any recreational climber knows the value of a trusty knife. Essential as a carabiner, a versatile blade is there to cut anchor or accessory cord, help free fingers from tape, or even chip away at loose rock. If some terrible tangle occurs, like your beard gets caught in the ATC, or rope stuck in a flake on rappel, you’ll be glad you have easy access to a sharp object.

ACE Nibbler - Free solo no more. With its space-saving size and 20CV steel blade, the Nibbler serves as a rock-solid partner for any vertical adventure. This efficient little adventurer presents the pinnacle of versatility and function, ready to clean off sketchy tat from abseil anchors or trim frayed rope, even with chalked-up hands. A lightweight, ready-for-action, go-anywhere folder built to ride effortlessly on your harness or clip securely in climbing pants—from ground level to peak.

Picnic - The extra hour of daylight presents a golden opportunity to take your dining outdoors. Whether it is a short snack after a brutal hike, or the big Cinco de Mayo BBQ, picnics are a springtime staple. Food just seems to taste better when you’re grazing on an old wool blanket fighting off bugs. And the perfect pairing for any al fresco meal? A handy knife to cut fruit, cheese, dried meats, or bread like butter.

ACE Riv or Kitchen Line - We have two choices on the menu here, depending on the size of your spread. Our ACE Riv is the ideal dinner buddy for our diners on the go—durable, compact, and ready to tear through the toughest adult Lunchable. It’s the perfect combination knife to devour any combo platter. But for those occasions where you need something larger, say to carve an Easter ham, the GiantMouse Kitchen Line has you covered. No need to bring the whole prep station, simply pack our Paring or Chef’s Knife and assume your rightful place as king of the potluck.