Indholdsfortegnelse for February 2021 i Blade

Blade|February 2021

[ READERS RESPOND ]

The Herron Ideal In my humble opinion, the hunting knives of BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® member George Herron are ideal in design (“How To Collect Custom Hunters,” part two, October BLADE®). I like his blades, handle shapes/designs and their overall size. His knives are not too heavy and feel good in the hand. I’ve hunted all my life and I don’t like a hunting knife with a blade longer than 4 inches. Personally, 3.5 inches is ideal for me. This is just an opinion and not intended to knock anyone else. Zane Blackwell, knifemaker, Eden, Texas David Steele Remembered I was absolutely delighted to read BLADE® field editor Kim Breed’s comments about his Fer-De-Lance knife and the late David Steele in a past issue of BLADE. David was a good…

4 min

Blade|February 2021

FEVER PITCH

While human temperatures ebb and flow thanks to the worldwide plague, the hottest custom makers’ hottest knives always remain at a fever pitch, including at press time in such genres as EDC, tactical, slippies, chef’s knives and more. “This past year, there was a big trend in the custom knife market toward knives that are designed for daily carry and use,” custom knife purveyor Daniel O’Malley of BladeGallery.com noted. “While many of us were stuck at home, others took the opportunity to go out into the wild for a solitary hike—even if this meant hiking through a local park. As a result, camp knives and hunters were a highlight.” Not only were they a highlight in 2020, they remain hot. O’Malley said the San Mai Viper in desert ironwood by…

8 min

Blade|February 2021

SQUARE HOUSES PART X

Editor’s note: Last time, the author covered the intricacies of the human hand, symmetry and how it applies to knife handles, materials, handle function and performance, and more. This time he covers making handles using modeling clay, the role of spacers, testing, indexing and other key aspects. At first I did a lot of experimenting with a rasp and sandpaper. Trying to develop a knife handle out of scrap wood blocks and tree limbs was slow going. As knife enthusiasts, we all know that a knife handle needs to be symmetrical so that we can use it with either hand. This is a rule in the world of knives that some teach and others use to judge quality. Initially, I tried to achieve perfectly symmetrical handles, then realized I have…

7 min

Blade|February 2021

HOW LINERLOCKS SHOULD LOCK

Many knife nuts in-the-know have certain preferences to where a brand new linerlock knife’s lock spring should hit on the tang when the blade is locked open. Some prefer it to hit in the lower third of the tang, from the linerlock side. Some prefer it to hit in the middle. One thing to remember about linerlocks is there is a break-in period for the lock. In other words, as the metal on the end of the lock spring wears to conform with the tang, it is likely that the spring will travel more toward the center of the tang—not a whole lot, just a little. Hence, it is probably best to select a linerlock knife where the spring hits on the lower third so it can compensate some following…

1 min

Blade|February 2021

EMERGENCY EDC!

There are many knives with features geared toward a specific use. At their very core, though, they are still knives. Rescue knives have added features that gear them toward the task of extracting someone from a car, or untangling him or her. Can you still use such knives for everyday carry (EDC)? I don’t see why not. As noted, at their core they are knives. In professions like emergency response personnel, firefighter and law officer I can see rescue knives covering all the bases. So, at assorted times this past month, I toted one or more of three rescue knives: the Utica Honor Rescue Blade, Spyderco Assist Salt FRN Yellow, and Hogue Knives First Response Trauma Tool Model 34760. BANG for the BUCK Right off the bat I was impressed…

8 min

Blade|February 2021

HOW TO AVOID RED NECKS

An area of concern with neck knives is the mode of carry around your neck; in other words, if the necklace does not give way if it catches on somethings, it can wring your neck—or worse. Ball chains are designed to break easily in such instances and thus are considered safe. They’re also cheap and easy to replace. A nylon, leather or other cord, on the other hand, won’t snap in two easily. The solution? A friction or other knot that will release from around your neck with sufficient tension. “Almost any knot around a loop will do the trick, though some knots may work better than others,” noted BLADE® reader Bob Seymour. In the accompanying image are two friction knots: one tied loosely with two different colors of cord…

1 min

Blade|February 2021

[ SHOW CALENDAR ]

Note: Events with an asterisk (*) have knives and knife accessories as the main/sole focus. Events with two asterisks (**) are knifemaking seminars or symposiums, cutting competitions, auctions or other knife-related events. JANUARY JAN. 23-24 LAS VEGAS, NV Tactical Knife Invitational and Las Vegas Custom Knife Show. For more information visit https://r1promotions.com/.* JAN. 29-31 LAKELAND, FL The 43rd Annual Gator Cutlery Club Show, RP Funding Center (formerly the Lakeland Center). Contact Dan Piergallini 813-754-3908 or 813-967-1471, or visit gatorcutlery.com.* JAN. 30-31 ST. LOUIS, MO Gateway Area Knife Club Cutlery Fair, Sheet Metal Workers Hall. Contact Steve Markus 314-795-4262 smarkus@gakc.org, gakc.org, Facebook: gakc.st.louis.* FEBRUARY FEB. 26-27 LITTLE ROCK, AR Arkansas Custom Knife Show, Statehouse Convention Center. Visit artknife.com for more information.* FEB. 27-28 LEWISBURG, PA The 32nd Annual Keystone Blade Association…

4 min

Blade|February 2021

CHAIN OF TOOLS

From a conversation piece to the handiest blade available, nothing adds to the everyday carry equation better than the right keychain knife. With little notice until needed, a keychain cutter is ready for action but doesn’t weigh down the pocket or take up too much space in a purse. At Outdoor Edge, the MiniGrip, Mini-Blaze, and MiniBabe are the same knife differentiated only by color in black, blaze—an orange shade—and pink, respectively. “They’re designed to meet the needs of anyone who needs a small lightweight blade that is always within reach,” related Outdoor Edge marketing director William Morgan. “We designed these knives in three colors to cater to all knife enthusiasts. When we developed this series of knives, we noticed a gap in the market for an affordable and mostly…

8 min

Blade|February 2021

THE RUPLE I

Old School Knife Works, Bill Ruple and Moki have combined forces to produce the Ruple I Trapper limited edition, a one-blade pocketknife designed by Ruple available in a selection of natural handle materials. Sold exclusively through Old School Knife Works, the Ruple I has all the earmarks of the award-winning knife-design wizardry of its namesake. It includes a recurved clip-point blade, classic bomb shield, a half stop for operator safety, spun pins, and the seamless fit and finish between blade and backspring for which Ruple is so well known. Topping it off are the specially selected handle materials from Culpepper & Co.: a choice of amber stag, natural stag, mahogany bone or bourbon bone limited to 125 in each material. For more information contact Old School Knife Works, Dept. BL2,…

1 min

Blade|February 2021

[ COVER STORY ]

A bevy of EDC knives graces the cover of our special EDC issue: the CRKT CEO, V Nives Killabite, Hogue Knives First Response Trauma Tool, TOPS Knives Mini Tanimboca Puukko and Outdoor Edge MiniBlaze. CRKT’s CEO (page 34) is a slender Richard Rogers design with the go-to lock of many EDC folders: a linerlock. For a small EDC in damascus blade steel with a miniature tactical feel, the V Nives Killabite (page 28) fills the bill. The Mini Tanimboca Puukko (page 52) is a neck knife that doubles as a small bushcraft model thanks in part to its flat-back Scandi-ground blade. The Hogue Knives First Response Trauma Tool (page 44) is perhaps the most utilitarian in terms of EDC: a rescue knife. And finally, the Outdoor Edge MiniBlaze (page 72)…

1 min

Blade|February 2021

[ THE KNIFE I CARRY ]

“I won’t leave home without my Combat Fighter by Forged in Fire champion Tyler Hackbarth. The 100-layer go-mai damascus is 1095/15N20 layered in nickel with a 416 stainless steel outer jacket. The handle consists of black G-10 liners with a 7,500-year-old ancient bog oak bolster and carbon fiber separated by turquoise truestone and nickel silver spacers. Tyler has this beast honed to a razor sharp edge. If I get into a situation that this knife won’t handle, then I’m in very deep trouble.” Ray Garbe, Menasha, Wisconsin “I carry a Bad Monkey from Southern Grind. It has the Emerson Wave Feature for one-hand opening. The twill-weave carbon fiber handle fits my hand like a glove. It’s a neat knife.” Lee Roy Simmons, a letter via e-mail “My EDC is the…

1 min

Blade|February 2021

Tote ’em if ya’ got ’em

Once upon a time a long time ago, my idea of the perfect everyday carry knife was a Randall Model 1. Most of the guys I worked with back then carried 16- to 18-inch pangas every day. Times change. People change. I no longer carry a Randall in an inside waistband clip sheath every day, or at all, really. No doubt there are many folks today who strap on a 10-inch bowie or a USMC fighting/utility knife every morning before breakfast. To that you can add the legions who EDC a tactical folder. There are, however, many folks who prefer to carry simple pocketknives. Almost every cowboy I know carries an old school Schrade or Case stockman in the watchpocket of his Wranglers. Many other folks, some constrained by knife…

7 min

Blade|February 2021

Knifemaking Loses Its Best Friend

Tony Bose, the man perhaps most responsible for the rebirth of the slip joint/pocketknife genre in today’s custom knives, BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall Of Fame® member, loving husband and father, and friend to scores in the knife industry, passed away November 22. He was 75. Slip joints like the saddlehorn trapper, Lanny’s Clip, Zulu Spear, the Arkansas Hunter and more always will be associated with Tony, all made in his Wilfred Works knife shop in Shelburn, Indiana. He shared more patterns with more makers than perhaps any knifemaker who ever lived. He remains a mentor to the world’s leading makers and others who simply called him friend (see sidebar). Things didn’t come easy from the get go for the man who referred to himself as “Old Dog.” Born in 1946,…

5 min

Blade|February 2021

TRULY OUTSTANDING SHEATHS

Knives without sheaths seem to be a real sticking point with some collectors, so when you come across knives with truly outstanding sheaths, it’s always a welcome sight. A few of those welcome sights appear on this and the facing page. 1 Black and white ebony serve as the materials for the sheath and handle of Tom Buckner’s chef’s knife. The 8-inch blade has an SG2 stainless core in between 15 layers of a nickel/stainless damascus. 2 Pictavia leather from Perth, Scotland, comprises the sheath for Lord Scott S. Dickison’s fixed blade. Blade steel is by HHH Damascus and the handle is 5,000-year-old Irish bog oak. 3 A cross-tie sheath by Francesca Wilburn complements James Fleming’s Permafrost bowie. The 7.75-inch blade is a mosaic damascus of 1084 carbon and 15N20…

2 min

Blade|February 2021

KNIVES OF A FEATHER

A good knife testifies to the old saying that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. After all, a blade is abandoned without its hilt and a handle is pointless without whetted steel. It’s the combination of parts that makes the knife. When it comes to the sharp end of craftsmanship, two artisans who exemplify it oh so well via collaboration are bladesmith Kevin Casey and Russian in-lay artist Konstantin Pushkarev. Despite vast differences in language, culture and distance—5,000 miles of it—Pushkarev and the Wyoming-based Casey have joined to create some most striking and exquisite knives. Holding a Casey-Pushkarev knife feels like art met purpose with steel and wood. Oscillating strokes of silver, slate and midnight black fan down a 9-inch blade of feather-pattern damascus steelel into…

7 min

Blade|February 2021

[ WHERE TO GET ’EM ]

FEVER PITCH p. 12 Wess Barnhill 5846 Meadows Run, Spotsylvania, VA 22551 Contact: 540-582-8758, wess.barnhill@gmail.com, wessbarnhillknives.com; Tashi Bharucha, https://www.instagram.com/tashibharucha/; BladeGallery.com, attn: D. O’Malley, Dept. BL2, 107 Central Way, Kirkland, WA 98033 425-889-5980 www.bladegallery.com; CAS/Sobral Brothers, casknives.com; Andrew and John Demko, info@andrewdemko.com, demkoknives.com; Kamil Dlugosz, info@polishcustomknives.com, polishcustomknives.com; Exquisite Knives, attn: Dave Ellis, Dept. BL2, 770 Sycamore Ave., Ste. 122, Box 451, Vista, CA 92083 760-945-7177 exquisiteknives@gmail.com; www.exquisiteknives.com; Knifepurveyor.com; Sam Lurquin Hameau Du Bois, Hoyaux 10, 7133 Buvrinnes Belgique, Binches, BELGIUM Contact: 0032-478-349-051, knifespirit@hotmail.com, samuel-lurquin.com; Oleksii Nesterenko, contact@toolsforgents.com, toolsforgents.com; Luis Pina, https://www.instagram.com/c.luispinaknives/; Steve Randall 3438 Oak Ridge Cir., Lincolnton, NC 28092 Contact: 704-472-4957, steve@ksrblades.com, ksrblades.com; Robertson Custom Cutlery, customknives@comcast.net, www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com; Scott Sawby 480 Snowberry Ln, Sandpoint, ID 83864 Contact: 208-263-4253, scotmar3@gmail.com, sawbycustomknives.com; Steel Addiction Custom Knives, Dept. BL2, attn: Dave Stark, 2058…

3 min

Blade|February 2021

WACHT OUT FOR Wachtman!

I really like the mid-sized EDC knives because of the wide range of uses. Both light and heavy chores are easily completed without carrying multiples of knives. The clip-point EDC by Wachtman Knife & Tool is such a tool. The 80CrV2 carbon steel is one of my favorite materials for blades. For this evaluation we started light and worked up to hard media. Slicing 20-pound bond paper for a quick check on edge sharpness, the EDC smoothly sliced its way into the medium and did so loudly. I used a push motion and just let the edge cut. There was one tear but that was my fault for catching the paper in the sharpening notch. Next up: single-walled cardboard. The knife was very aggressive in slicing the material—no hang ups,…

3 min

Blade|February 2021

Edmund, Fuzzie and Covid

An irrepressible soul from the small burgh (population 368) of Goshen, Virginia, Edmund Davidson is known for his offeat personality and fixed blades in an integral construction that are as solid as the Rock of Gibraltar. Many call him “Fuzzie,” aka Fuzzie D, which is also the name he has given his ponytail and that he uses as a kind of third person reference to himself. Ergo, if you talk to Edmund, you also talk to Fuzzie—and vice versa. I know, kind of dubious, but it’s about the only way I know to put it. Anyhow, when word got out Edmund had contracted Covid-19, the reaction on social media was one of deep concern, and understandably so—especially when it turned out Edmund’s case was so serious they had to move…

3 min

Blade|February 2021

WIN A KNIFE!

Tell us what knife you carry. Add a little history or an anecdote. Try to include a photograph—if digital, at least 600 KB but no larger than 2 MB—of you with your knife. We will publish your comments in an upcoming “The Knife I Carry.” Your name will then be entered in a drawing to win a free, high-quality, namebrand knife. The drawing will be May 15. Mail to: BLADE®, 5600 W. Grande Market Dr., Ste. 100, Appleton, WI 54913, or e-mail steve@blademag.com. If you send your entry by e-mail, please include your physical mailing address in case you win the knife.…

1 min

Blade|February 2021

HALLMARK OF EDC

Few folding knife locks perform as well for everyday carry (EDC) as the linerlock. Constructed properly, the linerlock is easy to open and, especially on a knife that includes a blade opener and a pocket clip, is a snap to carry, deploy, open and close, all with one hand—an EDC hallmark. Designed by award-winning knifemaker Richard Rogers, the CEO Bamboo linerlock folder is one of the more slender knives from CRKT. It’s an unobtrusive folder that won’t weigh you down and is ideal for dress suit carry. In fact, it can carry attached to a shirt pocket a la a ballpoint pen. It blends well with the office crowd, as it is a low profile design that will not raise eyebrows. Just over 3 inches long, the blade is 8Cr13MoV…

8 min

Blade|February 2021

WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT TONY

“It was probably 15 years ago I approached Tony’s table at the BLADE Show. Our conversation went like this: ‘Hi Tony, I just wanted to let you know that that saddlehorn trapper of yours is my favorite knife ever.’ Tony replied, ‘That’s the knife that made me famous!’ We talked a while about his knives and I left to go back to my table. After the show I received a package from Tony. Inside were two different-size saddlehorn trapper patterns. He had hand ground them! That’s the kind of guy Tony was. He was a kind, generous gentleman, always willing to share his vast knowledge of knives.”—knifemaker Bill Ruple “I guess I’m not different than most people. I had Tony on a pedestal until we became friends. The first time…

3 min

Blade|February 2021

RIGHT NECKS TO YOU

Neck knives are an oft-overlooked segment of the EDC market, due in most part to folders dominating the genre. Some users, however, prefer a neck knife over the more complicated mechanics of folders because it is less likely to break down, offers quick access, and has that strong tactile feel a fixed blade offers. Meanwhile, neck knives today are more diverse than ever, offering a multitude of options. SPEC CHECK TOPS Knives Mini Tanimboca Puukko BLADE LENGTH: 1.75” BLADE MATERIAL: 1095 high carbon steel BLADE PATTERN: Drop point HANDLE MATERIAL: Black Micarta® SPECIAL FEATURES: Sheath also has loop for belt carry WEIGHT: 1.28 ozs. OVERALL LENGTH: 4” SHEATH: Brown leather COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA MSRP: $110 RESCUE NECKER The Boker Plus Rescue Kiridashi gets the “rescue” label by offering a…

7 min

Blade|February 2021

[ SHORT CUTS ]

Cold Steel is Sold Cold Steel, among the leading specialty knife companies over the past 40 years, has been purchased by GSM Outdoors. According to its website (gsmoutdoors.com), GSM specializes in innovative outdoor products such as Stealth Cam, Wild-view, Epic Action Cameras, Walker’s, Cyclops Lighting, Maestro Game Calls and more. It is based in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. Founded by Lynn Thompson in 1980, Cold Steel was among the first, if not the first, company to reproduce the American tanto blade pattern made famous by custom knifemaker Bob Lum. Based in Ventura, California, the company specialized in Asian-style blades early on and expanded into other areas of fixed blades and folders. It is known for its San Mai III® steel and the Tri-Ad™ locking mechanism, among others. Custom…

4 min

Blade|February 2021

WHERE TO NET ’EM

A.G. Russell Knives, Inc.www.agrussell.comag@agrussell.com Adams Intl Knifeworks - AIKwww.adamsknifeworks.comadamsknifeworks.com@gmail.comAutomatic & Customized KnifeSpecialists Admiral Steelwww.admiralsteel.comterry@admiralsteel.comWidest Range of Stock for Blade Needs. Alaska - Northern Kniveswww.northernknives.comA Real Store & Working Knife Shop! American Edgewww.americanedgeknives.cominfo@americanedgeknives.com320-393-2792We have A Knife For Every Life Artknives.comwww.artknives.comfred@fredeisenleather.com Andre de Villierswww.advtactical.co.zaFacebook - Andre de Villiersadv44sales@gmail.comButcher SOB folders. Arizona Custom Kniveswww.arizonacustomknives.comsharptalk@arizonacustomknives.comLargest selection in the world of new and consigned knives on the internet.Let us help you find the perfect knife. Dozier Knives and Arkansas Made Dozier, Inc.www.dozierknives.cominfo@dozierknives.com BladeGallery.comwww.bladegallery.comwww.bladeconnection.comwww.epicedge.com BladeOps, LLCwww.bladeops.comtrevor@bladeops.com Bob Dozier Kniveswww.dozierknives.cominfo@dozierknives.com Buckeye Engravingwww.BuckeyeEngraving.comMake Your MarkManufacturer of Custom Hand Stamps, Dies and Brands CRKTwww.crkt.cominfo@crkt.com Culpepper & Co., Inc.www.knifehandles.comwww.oldschoolknifeworks.comwww.stingrayproducts.cominfo@culpepperco.com Cutlery Specialtieswww.restorationproduct.comdennis13@aol.comRenaissance Micro-CrystallineWax/Polish, Dennis Blaine Emerson Kniveswww.emersonknives.cominfo@emersonknives.com Hawkins Knife Making Supplieswww.hawkinsknifemakingsupplies.comradeh@bellsouth.net J. Bruce Voyles Knife Auctionswww.jbrucevoyles.comknifeauctions@gmail.comEmail us to be put on the auction notification list. Jantz Supplywww.knifemaking.comjantz@jantzusa.comQuality knifemaking supplies for over…

2 min

Blade|February 2021

[ WHAT’S NEW ]

SPEC CHART KNIFE NAME: Micrathena Nessmuk BLADE LENGTH: 3.25” BLADE STEEL: CPM 154 stainless HANDLE: Tiger maple HANDLE PINS: Black Micarta® LINERS: Grey G-10 OVERALL LENGTH: 7” MAKER’S PRICE: $400 MAKER: Tony Cetani 409-616-9620 Instagram/Facebook: @hourglassknives/Hourglass Knives SPEC CHART MODEL NAME: Kukrax Pak Axe EDGE LENGTH: 6” BLADE MATERIAL: 1075 carbon steel BLADE THICKNESS: .177” BLADE FINISH: Black traction powder coating HANDLE: Walnut CONSTRUCTION: Full-tang integral WEIGHT: 25.8 ozs. SHEATH: Handcrafted leather OVERALL LENGTH: 15.75” COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: El Salvador KNIFE TO KNOW: The Kukrax is a combination of a kukri and an axe MSRP: $239.95 COMPANY: Pearson Industries, attn: F. Pearson, Dept. BL2, 5007 Sawyer Rd., Signal Mountain, TN 37377 423-653-1157 fredtpearson@gmail.com, kukrax.com SPEC CHART KNIFE NAME: Sambar stag bowie BLADE LENGTH: 10” BLADE MATERIAL: 5160 carbon steel ROCKWELL…

4 min