The growth trajectory of the US knife market is robust, propelled by a range of factors including the construction sector, the surge in home cooking, and the expanding realm of outdoor activities. Fixed-blade knives retain their popularity, and there’s a noticeable uptick in the demand for everyday carry (EDC) knives. Steel maintains its dominance as the material of choice for knives. The overall market outlook is optimistic, with prevailing trends providing a solid foundation for the sustained expansion of the knife industry.

Market Size and Growth:

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  • The US knife market was valued at USD 4.01 billion in 2022.
  • Revenue is forecasted to reach USD 6.41 billion by 2030.
  • The market is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.0% from 2022 to 2030.

Sales Trends:

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  • The construction industry drives demand for retractable and folding knives.
  • Traditional Folders have decreased in popularity due the increased popularity of Everyday Carry (EDC) style knives.
  • Hand-forged and handmade knives have experienced an upswing in popularity.
  • Visual appeal in cuisines fuels the demand for kitchen knives.
  • Consumers’ shift to home cooking during and after the COVID-19 pandemic has boosted the sales of cooking tools.

Knife Types:

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  • Fixed-blade knives hold the largest market share (45.0%).
  • Folding blade knives have witnessed growing popularity, especially for Everyday Carry (EDC) styles.  This includes both manual and automatic types of knives.

Material Insights:

How To Forge a Knife With Your At-Home Forge – CastMasterEliteShop
  • Steel dominates the market, constituting over 60.0% of knives.
  • Stainless steel is preferred for its rust-resistant properties.
  • Specialty Steels such as Damascus, San Mai Damascus, and Stainless Steel Damascus have seen an upsurge in popularity among all sectors of the knife market due to their unique visual appearance and uniqueness along with their durability, and edge retention properties.

Application and Usage:

The Best Knife Bundles for Outdoor Cooking and Camping Trips – TheCookingGuild
  • The kitchen segment leads with over 45.0% share in 2021.
  • Survival Knives see increased demand due to the growing interest in camping and adventure activities.

Market Dynamics:

Upscale Food and Gear Bring Campsite Cooking Out of the Wild - The New York Times
  • Rising outdoor activities, camping, and hiking drive the demand for various types of knives.
  • The increasing number of nuclear families and kitchen remodeling projects boost knife demand.

Consumer Demographics:

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  • Over 35 million US households own outdoor or pocketknives.
  • Folding and assisted-opening knives comprise 80% of all knives sold.

Analysis Source:

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  • Knife Market Analysis, 2017 – 2030, Consumer Knives, Opportunities Beyond COVID-19 Crisis, Grand View Research, USA