Big Idea Design Launches First American-Made Knife, and It’s a Dandy: ‘USA Signal’ Review

The name of the game for many businesses in 2025, not least of all knife manufacturers, has been adaptation to stay operational. An uncertain landscape of tariffs and the costs of raw materials left a looming specter of higher manufacturing costs.

One tactic to combat raising prices, at least to the degree posed by the very highest tariff rates, is to produce goods domestically. In the knife world, plenty of brands manufacture in the U.S. Big dogs like Benchmade, Leatherman, Gerber, and Kershaw have been waving that flag for years.

However, for smaller cottage brands, going domestic can be a swan dive into financial uncertainty. In August, Big Idea Design capitalized on the Pocket Fixed Blade craze and launched its first product made in the U.S., the USA Signal fixed-blade knife. Its timing couldn’t have been better. After careful testing, I believe the risk was worth it, as the USA Signal is one dandy of an outdoor-oriented knife.

In short: The USA Signal is built for outdoorsy users who want a compact, pocket-friendly fixed blade that can handle both precision tasks and hard use. It excels at slicing, stabbing, fire prep, and general camp chores thanks to its Nitro-V steel, simple ergonomics, and secure pocket-sheath setup. Ultimately, shoppers should decide if the $250 price and smaller form factor are a good fit for their needs.

Big Idea Design USA Signal Review

Design & Features

The USA Signal is made from a 7.625-inch piece of European Nitro-V steel. This steel, invented by New Jersey Steel Baron, is a modified and arguably improved version of AEB-L steel. Nitro-V is known for its high corrosion resistance as well as toughness and edge retention. The version of the knife that Big Idea sent me has natural Micarta scales for good grip and good looks.

A full four-finger knife, its overall shape is simple and amplifies its overall function. Thin and long for both precision and bull work, the spine carries a slight arc that travels from the butt to the false edge on the blade. This is complemented by the taper of the handle, leading to a choil for your index finger.

For a sheath, Big Idea did something a little special for its customers: The brand included two taco-style Kydex sheaths in the box. This allows you to switch the titanium pocket clip from one side or the other, instead of having to choose a left-hand or right-hand model when making your purchase.

First Impression

What I enjoy most about the knives Big Idea makes is that they’re not complicated. There aren’t any swooping lines or drastic changes in geometry. The USA Signal flows from tip to tail, giving you multiple positions to hold it sufficiently.

It’s also incredibly sharp. This is a feature of Nitro-V that doesn’t fade for quite a while. The false edge on the spine of the blade also makes the USA Signal easy to stab with.

Having a knife that’s both superior in slicing and stabbing is a key trait in a knife you want for outdoor use. And that false edge makes for a great place to drag a ferro rod for making a fire.

All in all, this knife is very well-rounded, but I don’t want to give it a label like “modern bushcraft knife” or something polarizing. I think it’s a work knife with precision tendencies that excels in outdoor activities.

In the Field

Of all of the pocket fixies I have used, this one is the first one that has been designed to actually sit inside your pocket. That owes to the size and design of the titanium clip on the sheath.

I tried it on my belt, and the fit was okay. But I also tried it on some MOLLE webbing on my Mountainsmith Tour EVO and was really impressed. Throughout the testing phase, I carried it either in my pocket or on my pack.

I used the USA Signal on a variety of adventures, off and on, from August to October. I found it capable of taking on just about anything I planned or encountered during field testing. It’s a great knife for starting a fire — from slicing up tinder to sparking up a flame.

Due to the sticky-slicy nature of the blade, and the corrosion-resistant properties of the steel, it came in handy for food prep as well.

Kung Fu Grip

Being that the sheath on the USA Signal is designed to go inside your pocket, the clip needs to be tight enough so that when you pull the knife out, the sheath doesn’t come with it. Fortunately, it is.

On thicker pants, or pants with a reinforced pocket for knife carry, you’re going to find it to be a bit of a challenge to get the clip to get on the fabric. But once it’s there, I can assure you, it’s not going anywhere. That said, the knife remains easy to remove and reinsert.

The Tricky Reality of ‘Going Domestic’

Even with a variety of knife brands making the products in the United States, many of which still rely on internationally sourced materials. Earlier this year, Crucible Steel — a main source of domestic steels like MagnaCut, S35VN (all the S’s actually), and others — closed. Those steels will now move from domestic production to foreign production.

Even though Nitro-V primarily comes out of New Jersey, Big Idea sourced its stock from Europe. This could owe to the availability, or to keep the overall price down. Either way, though the steel is foreign, the USA Signal can still be considered made in the USA.

Of course, the elephant in the room is price. “This knife is still $250, how is this saving money?” you might ask.

This past summer, Leatherman received backlash after releasing a line of knives that were all at the $300 mark. However, with tariffs and supply chain changes, those knives could have easily been just as expensive without the “Made in the USA” bullet point, as the cost of foreign manufacturing is being impacted as well. The same holds true with the USA Signal.

The reality is that manufacturing in the U.S. remains expensive, especially for a company like Big Idea Designs that’s just stepping into it. Machinery investment costs, supply changes, and myriad other new investments come into play.

Conclusion: Who’s It For?

When you strip away the politics behind domestic manufacturing, you’re left with a knife that is abundantly capable in the outdoors. Whether bushcrafting or backpacking, this knife checks a lot of boxes.

I love the long, slender shape of the knife. Its subtle arc and ample choil allow you to shift from brute force to precision. The false edge on the spine allows it to process both meat and wood with ease.

If you’re looking for a pocket carry fixed blade, consider the USA Signal. The $250 price is actually a steal when you look at some of the other knives in the category. Aside from the design, the manufacturing quality is well above standard.

The fact that Big Idea Design gives you two different sheaths with the knife proves the brand is attuned to its audience. This is a great belt knife for any outdoor enthusiast.