Kershaw Junkyard Dog II Folding Knife with Composite Blade

They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but this knife is evidence otherwise. The Kershaw Junkyard Dog II is an iteration of customer knifemaker Tim Galyean's popular Junkyard Dog and it pulls out some new tricks.

Like a real junkyard dog, the JYD II is intimidating and packs a big bite. Featuring a hefty 3.6-inch blade that's built for heavy-duty use, the knife is also just small enough to make a great EDC while handling some of the more nuanced tasks.

One of the first things you'll notice on the knife is the outstanding composite blade that uses high-carbon high-chromium D2 steel for the edge and a durable Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel for the spine. This composite blade helps reduce the cost and gives it a nice pop. The pattern on the blade is the two steels blended together with a copper accent.

The handle of the JYD II is nothing to scoff at either. Built with lightweight G-10 scales, the handle is extremely strong with enough grip to keep the knife from slipping in wet conditions.

Using Kershaw's flipper-opening system, the JYD II engages easily with either hand and the roll of a wrist before locking in place with a study liner lock.

Anyone looking for a large folder that won't take a huge bite out of their wallet would be hard-pressed to find something better than the fierce Junkyard Dog II.