Quick start order: Apply to Amazon Associates first (instant approval, highest volume). Then create a ShareASale account and apply to BladeHQ and KnifeCenter in the same session. Once you have your tags, use the find-and-replace guide at the bottom of this page to update all post files at once.
Applications complete0 of 6
Tier 1 — apply first
Amazon Associates
Direct program 1–4% knives Instant approval Apply first

The highest-volume program by far — almost every knife you'll ever recommend is on Amazon. Commission rates are lower than specialty retailers (1–4% on sporting goods/tools category), but the conversion rate is higher because everyone has Prime. Important: you must generate 3 qualifying sales within 180 days of approval or the account closes. With 40+ posts linking to Amazon products this is easily achievable.

Commission rate
1–4% (knives/tools)
Cookie window
24 hours
Approval time
Instant – 1 day
Payment threshold
$10
Your affiliate tag (format: yoursite-20)
Tag saved
Apply at Amazon Associates →
Notes
BladeHQ
via ShareASale 5–7% 2–5 day approval

The best specialist knife retailer program. Higher commission than Amazon and a very high average order value — customers regularly spend $100–300 per visit. BladeHQ carries Benchmade, Spyderco, CIVIVI, Zero Tolerance, and most brands you'll feature. Step 1: Create a ShareASale account. Step 2: Search for BladeHQ in the merchant directory and apply.

Commission rate
5–7%
Cookie window
30 days
Approval time
2–5 business days
Network
ShareASale
Your ShareASale merchant ID / tracking tag
Tag saved
Go to ShareASale → BladeHQ affiliate info →
Notes
KnifeCenter
via ShareASale ~6% 2–5 day approval

One of the oldest and largest online knife retailers. Good for brands that BladeHQ may not stock or that are out of stock there. Once you have a ShareASale account from the BladeHQ application, applying to KnifeCenter is just a few additional clicks in the same dashboard.

Commission rate
~6%
Cookie window
30 days
Approval time
2–5 business days
Network
ShareASale
Your KnifeCenter tracking tag
Tag saved
Go to ShareASale →
Notes
Tier 2 — apply after launch
GPKnives
Direct program 5–8% 3–7 day approval

A well-regarded specialty retailer with competitive commissions and a strong inventory of premium brands. Direct program means no ShareASale middleman — slightly better rates as a result. Good for ZT, Hinderer, and higher-end makes that drive big commissions per sale.

Commission rate
5–8%
Cookie window
30 days
Approval time
3–7 business days
Network
Direct
Your affiliate tag
Tag saved
Apply at GPKnives →
Notes
Smoky Mountain Knife Works
via CJ Affiliate ~5% 3–5 day approval

The largest knife retailer in the US by volume. Enormous inventory — if a knife exists, they probably stock it. Useful as a fallback link when BladeHQ or KnifeCenter are out of stock on a specific model. Runs through Commission Junction (now CJ Affiliate).

Commission rate
~5%
Cookie window
14 days
Approval time
3–5 business days
Network
CJ Affiliate
Your CJ tracking tag
Tag saved
Go to CJ Affiliate →
Notes
Benchmade (direct)
via Impact Radius ~8% 5–10 day approval

Benchmade runs a direct affiliate program through Impact Radius (formerly Impact.com). The Bugout, Para 3, and 940 are among the most-recommended knives on the site — linking directly to Benchmade.com captures brand-loyal buyers who won't convert on a third-party retailer. Apply once you have a few months of traffic to show.

Commission rate
~8%
Cookie window
30 days
Approval time
5–10 business days
Network
Impact Radius
Your Impact Radius tracking tag
Tag saved
Apply at Benchmade →
Notes

Find-and-replace guide

Once approved, open each post HTML file in a text editor (VS Code, Notepad++, TextEdit) and do a global find-and-replace for each placeholder below. One pass updates every link in the entire file.

dailysteel-20 Your Amazon Associates tag (e.g. dailysteel-20)
BLADEHQ-TAG Your BladeHQ / ShareASale tracking ID
KNIFECENTER-TAG Your KnifeCenter / ShareASale tracking ID