I normally don’t publish my nominees list before I post the results. I am this year because Nick and I are going to go through this on the podcast, I thought it would be helpful to post them here so you can read along.

Again, the rules are simple:

1) Item must be released in 2018 for the first time; variants count as new products. “Variant” is interpreted liberally.

2) Once an item is chosen for one of the big product awards (Overall Product, Best Value, Most Innovative, and Biggest Surprise…Best Company doesn’t count), it cannot win category-specific awards (such as Best Knife).

These rules serve one purpose: because I am focusing only on new stuff and products can’t “sweep” the awards I am able to highlight a lot of cool gear.

Big Categories:

Overall Product of the Year

Nominees: Massdrop x Ferrum Forge Gent, TRM Neutron, CRKT Pilar in S35VN, Nik’s Minimalist Wallet, Frelux Synergy I

Best Value

Nominees: Kershaw Atmos, CRKT Pilar in S35VN, Frelux Synergy I, Giant Mouse Iona, Spyderco Chaparral in FRN

Biggest Surprise

Nominees: Frelux Synergy I, Buck 110 Slim Pro, SOG Terminus XR, CRKT Pilar in S35VN, Knives and Tools Grailer 1

Most Innovative

Nominees: Tom Bihn Nik’s Minimalist Wallet, Hinderer Tri-Way Pivot, USB chargeable Cells

Looking for two suggestions.

Company of the Year

Nominees: Spyderco, Massdrop, Hinderer Knives, 47s, Three Rivers Manufacturing

Individual Categories:

Best Knife

Nominees: Spyderco Chaparral, Massdrop Gent, CRKT Pilar in S35VN, TRM Neutron, SOG Terminus XR

Best Light

Nominees: 47 Preon Mk. III, Surefire Stiletto, Frelux Syngery I, Fenix E16, RovyVon A2

Best Multitool

Looking for five suggestions—God multitools sucked this year.

Best Pen

Nominees: Prometheus Writes Bamboo, TWSBI ECO T

Looking for three suggestions.

Best Pack

Nominees: TAD Axiom, TAD Spectre 22L

Looking for three suggestions.

Best Accessory/Other Gear

Nominees: Massdrop Cache EDC Display Case, Takeya 18 oz. Bottle

Looking for three suggestions.

Community Categories:

Community Contributor

Looking for suggestions.

Best New Reviewer

Looking for suggestions.

Best Social Media Presence

Looking for suggestions.