Knife Industry Wishes & Predictions: What the New Year Holds for 2026

From Pie-in-the-Sky Ideas to Likely Gear Trends: Steve Shackleford’s Annual Look Ahead.

Christmas and New Year’s are nigh, so it’s time for my holiday wishes and hoped-for predictions for 2026. Some are pie-in-the-sky, but what the heck—make mine pecan.

You teach a young person how to use a knife proficiently, safely and responsibly;
Every time a Hallmark Christmas movie comes on the power goes out;
The Federal Switchblade Act is overturned;
Every time Jingle Bells by The Singing Dogs plays the power won’t go out;
The U.S. states—28 at press time—that still have automatic knife bans repeal them;
It’s a white Christmas;
If you’ve never been to a BLADE Show, you get to attend the 45th annual rendition June 5-7 in Atlanta;
All Christmas cookies taste exactly like the best homemade chocolate chip cookie Mom ever made;
You buy a seatbelt cutter with a window breaker and place it in your car or truck for the quickest, easiest access in an emergency;
A law passes mandating that all members of Congress go without pay, on-time plane flights, etc., during government shutdowns just like every other applicable person must;
You always remember to carry a knife;
A law passes mandating that members of Congress cannot play the stock market, and that their family members, friends, proxies, etc., who do play it have their stock profits capped at the national consumer average;
Everyone learns how to properly use and sharpen a knife;
You discover an uncut, commercial-free version of your favorite Christmas movie and get the maximum enjoyment out of watching it;
Twenty-twenty-six is the hottest year on record for custom and factory knife sales;
A law passes mandating that before running for office, all candidates must score 90 or better on a test gauging their knowledge of the Constitution;
You finally get to meet and shake the hand of a knifemaker you’ve always wanted to but never met before;
Vladimir Putin gets run over by a reindeer;
The TSA allows Swiss Army knives on plane flights;
If it’s all you want, you get those two front teeth;
For knifemaking beginners, you make a knife that attracts buyers and sells for a value-appropriate price;
A law passes mandating that you must have lived at least 21 years in the USA before you can run for elected office;
You don’t put your or anyone else’s eye out with a Daisy Red Ryder BB gun;
You find and buy your grail knife;
The 190th anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo (March 6) is celebrated in grand style;
The American Bladesmith Society’s 50th anniversary in 2026 is a most rewarding one for all involved;
The observance of the 25th anniversary of 9/11 in New York City in September goes off most appropriately and without suppression/oppression from the city’s mayor;
The 250th birthday of the USA is the most rousing and satisfying of all time for all Americans, and;
Last but not least, you have the merriest Christmas and happiest New Year ever!