Indholdsfortegnelse for December 2017 i Knives Illustrated

“SOMETIMES IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE HOW MUCH WE CAN PACK INTO A YEAR …” A lot can happen in a year. As we close the books on another great year at Knives Illustrated, I can’t help but look back with fondness at the memories that we’ve created in a relatively short time. Sometimes it is hard to believe how much we can pack into a year—it really doesn’t seem like much while we are in the thick of it, but when we look back at it all in one lump sum, it’s quite profound. Over the past year, we have traveled to the SHOT Show together, gone behind the scenes of BLADE Show, and even taken a 4,000-mile motorcycle trip to Idaho to bring you this issue’s “Behind the…

There’s a proper tool for every job. RMJ Tactical has made a name for itself through the development of modernized tomahawks designed to survive the rigors of the battlefield and provide the war-fighter with a tactical advantage. In some circumstances, a large chopping tool capable of breaking holes in walls for shooting ports or cracking locks comes as an absolute necessity. In other circumstances, carrying a full-size tomahawk is simply impractical. Enter the Utsidihi. At less than 8 inches overall and only 3.3 ounces, one could wear this blade discretely and practically anywhere. RMJ is known for creating tools that make quite the statement, but could one of the smallest blades they have produced live up to the reputation of its bigger brothers? I was willing to find out and…

Knives play an important role in our lives, and there are many out there to choose from—with a variety of types and primary uses. I know my grandfather was a big fan of the jackknife that he carried in his pocket, prepared to have it at the ready for any task. He always said he’d never be caught without a good knife on him. I believe that this thought process developed from his service in WW2 and I remember that the day we laid him to rest, his jackknife was in his pocket. So, whatever the task, no matter where you are, having a knife ready for action is imperative. Enter the Altered Beast! “ IT SURPRISINGLY HAD A BIT OF NOTICEABLE WEIGHT TO IT, AT 10 OUNCES WITHOUT THE…

Inspired by a great American classic woodcraft knife, and giving Horace Kephart his due! When it comes to knives, few have such an iconic look to them that they can be recognized with little hesitation. Most of these classic patterns were designed in the 1800s and early 1900s. Among them are the famed Nessmuk, Deweese, Roach Belly, Bowie, Hudson Bay, and various trade knife patterns. One pattern that has proven its staying power is the early-20th century Kephart design from prolific writer, outdoorsman, and librarian, Horace Kephart (1862 - 1931) of Pennsylvania. It is this legendary design that inspired the ESEE Camp-Lore PR4. The PR4 Like the other Camp-Lore series knives, the initials are used to identify the model; in this case, designer Patrick Rollins, and the size of the…

“This job and process is never simple,” says Knife Rights Director of Legislative Affairs, Todd Rathner. “After 20 years of lobbying, I’ve learned that I should never be surprised by an argument and to never count someone out because of party affiliation or their initial objection to an issue.” As Rathner and Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter will attest, there’s been plenty of activity on the Knife Rights front, even as the year is winding down. Knife Rights’ bill to mostly repeal Illinois’ switchblade ban, SB 607, was signed on August 11, 2017. It was effective immediately upon signing. The new law allows possession of automatic knives by those who have a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) Card, which allows the individual to purchase firearms and ammunition. This is not a…

There is cool, and there is tactical katana cool. Growing up in the martial arts exposed me to a lot of weapons. I was swinging swords and sticks around at a very early age. I grew up in a kung fu family, but never really cared for Chinese weapons like the broadsword or the guandao. I always secretly preferred the sword of the ninja and samurai, better known as the katana. I don't know what it is about the katana, but as a kid I always felt like it could slice right through a Chinese broadsword in battle. As an adult, I learned that wasn't possible, but that's what I thought as a kid. Either way, Wolverine used a katana to kill a lot of ninja in my old X-Men…

After a career of special operations and contracting work in hostile and diverse locations around the world, I have come to appreciate a quality knife. Now as a knifemaker, people often ask, “What did you use your knife for when you were in Special Forces?” or, “What makes a good military knife?” I almost always lean forward as though I’m going to pass along a classified tidbit and whisper into their ears, “Cutting tape, opening boxes, and removing the margins of my maps.” I do this to drive home the point that even the most elite and secretive special operators use knives for the same things that your little sister does—cutting and poking things. With that said, your intended tasks for the day should always dictate the knife you carry.…

At our recent family reunion, I was sitting with a cousin looking out at the lake when he asked me if I had ever heard of Scorpion 6 Knives. When I mentioned that I hadn’t, he told me I had to check out Shane Magnussen. He had served with Shane in Afghanistan and kept in touch with him after they returned home. Knowing that I am always on the lookout for extraordinary talent, he figured his friend would be right up my alley. He was not mistaken. 01 What’s in a name? In the U.S. Army, units and individual teams are given call signs to disguise their identities over enemy radios. The number following the call sign signifies the role within the unit. The number 6 is the command element.…

Your last line of defense may also likely be your first tool. Although I have a long history of martial arts, I also consider myself to be a practical person. I have nothing against “fighting” knives in general, I just believe that any knife should have a focus on utility as well. The truth of the matter is that you will use your knife for common everyday tasks 99.9999% of the time and the odds that you will ever use your knife for actual combat are slim to none. I have spoken with many veterans and special ops guys and almost every time I asked what they used their knives for while deployed—the answer was opening boxes and general utility or field use. This is where I think the V1…

Growing up in a small town that was a mix of manufacturing and agriculture, I was surrounded by farms on three sides and a river on the fourth. It was a magic time for a boy who liked knives. The farmers and older men would gather in certain spots and invariably a pocketknife or three would be unfolded, and sticks would be rendered to their lowest denomination. Knives were considered a tool, not a weapon, and most men and boys carried one. It was at this time of my life that I began my interest in the history of the knife and bladed tools in general. It is this love of, and research into, the history of knives from which this story comes. I invite you to take a journey…

“IT’S THEREFORE NOT SURPRISING THAT PART OF THE INSPIRATION FOR THE PATRIOT DESIGN CAME FROM A LENGTHY DISCUSSION HE HAD WITH A RETIRED GREEN BERET.” I could tell right away that he had some serious martial arts experience (I later learned that he’s a black belt in Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a combatives instructor), and that he was very focused on the practical application of everything we did. He also has a knack for asking hard questions that challenged me as an instructor. I liked that. I first met Damon Lusky about five years ago at a Martial Blade Concepts seminar I taught, right before the BLADE Show in Atlanta. At the end of the seminar, he explained that he was a custom knifemaker and asked if I’d mind…

Over the past year, I faced something that has had me thinking about all of the things I would like to do in my life. I would definitely like to go back to the Amazon jungle. I would love to backpack the Appalachian Trail. Seeing Ireland is also very high on my list. But this past summer, the most attainable and achievable was getting on my motorcycle and heading across the country. What better place to go than the TOPS Knives factory in Ucon, Idaho? Four-thousand miles, Sturgis Bike Week, Big Horn National Forest, TOPS Knives factory, Grand Tetons National Park, Crazy Horse Monument, Mount Rushmore, Harley-Davidson Museum and a ferry ride across Lake Michigan later, and I got to check this one off my list. Was it worth it?…