Walking through the busy halls of Moscow's Household Expo once again proved why this fair is such a vital gateway to the CIS outdoor gear market.
At Hall 11, Booth 11B905, our folding knives attracted the strongest attention from Russian and Central Asian buyers — confirming that knives remain the centerpiece of distributor demand.
We showcased folding knives fully compliant with CIS regulations — blade length under 90mm, no automatic opening, and non-reflective finishes — while delivering premium performance and distinctive designs.
Folding knives on display at Household Expo 2025 in Moscow
Why Folding Knives Stood Out
Distributors examined knives with meticulous care — testing blade action, grip ergonomics, and even disassembling samples to check construction quality.
Because of this strict buyer scrutiny, our knives gained strong recognition for:
- Material Integrity: Certified steel grades with lab-verified hardness.
- Distinctive Aesthetics: Acid-washed, stonewashed, and anodized handles.
- Cold-Weather Adaptation: Ergonomic grips tested down to -30°C.
These features not only ensure reliability but also give retailers higher markup potential with designs that stand out in local stores.
CIS Market Expectations for Knives
Conversations at the expo reinforced three non-negotiable demands:
-
Authenticity of Materials
- Third-party verified steel
- Certificates available onsite
-
All-Season Functionality Temperature Rating Performance -30°C to 45°C Full reliability Below -30°C Slight grip reduction -
Regulatory Compliance
- Blade length < 90mm
- No automatic opening mechanisms
- Non-reflective coatings accepted
Customization: The Key to Larger Knife Orders
OEM customization sparked the most interest.
One Kazakh buyer even tripled their order volume after reviewing personalized knife mockups.
Knife customization options we presented include:
- Laser Engraving (logos or Cyrillic text, min. 500 pcs)
- Handle Color Anodizing (from 1,000 pcs)
- Custom Mold Development (from 5,000 pcs)
Business negotiation with one of Russia’s largest online and offline retailers during Household Expo 2025 in Moscow.
Popular CIS requests included:
- Cyrillic lettering on blades or handles
- Winter camouflage designs
- Local compliance marks
Our Moscow team supports distributors with:
- Design Adaptation — cultural fit + technical drawings adjustment
- Logistics Simplification — customs paperwork + multi-country consolidation
- Market Testing — small batch runs + retailer feedback collection
Exhibiting distributors in discussion at the Wintools booth.
Conclusion
Household Expo 2025 clearly showed that folding knives are the strongest growth driver in the CIS outdoor gear market.
While tactical pens and shovels added diversity, knives were the true highlight — durable, compliant, and customizable to local buyer preferences.
📍 Thank you to everyone who visited us at Hall 11, Booth 11B905 — your insights will shape the next stage of Wintools’ development.
📧 Contact us for catalogs, samples, or follow-up discussions on knife OEM projects.
