Knives Illustrated September - October 2020

I mentioned last issue that taking over as the editor here at Knives Illustrated was a dream job for me, and it very truly is. I love knives. I love the craftsmanship, the usefulness as man’s first tool, and just the basic feeling you get from carrying a good knife on a daily basis. But I think what I like most about this hobby (for lack of a better word) and what has made it a true obsession is the community. We’ve all been through some trying times here in 2020. Turn on any news channel or open any newspaper and a majority of what you’ll see is people being horrible to each other. To the contrary, if you look at almost any knife-related hashtag on Instagram or check out…

1. Black Beard Firestarter Whether it’s for warmth, cooking, or signaling, fire is one of the most important aspects of survival. Even if you aren’t in a survival situation, it’s nice to have a fire to sit around when you’re out in the woods. Getting that fire started can be a chore sometimes though, especially if it’s wet out, and that’s where bringing a good fire starter with you can make a difference. You can find a lot of fire-starting options out there, but I’m always on the prowl for new ones. Lately, the Black Beard rope has caught my eye. The handmade Black Beard rope fire starter is just what it sounds like: a 5.5-inch long, 1-inch diameter hunk of cotton rope that is then infused with a…

“THE MEATCRAFTER HAS THE PERFECT BLADE-TO-HANDLE RATIO AT AN OVERALL LENGTH OF 11.05 INCHES. MY FIRST IMPRESSION TAKING THIS KNIFE OUT OF THE SHEATH, I NOTED HOW COMFORTABLE IT WAS TO HANDLE WHILE BEING LIGHTWEIGHT AT ONLY 4.5 OUNCES.” Benchmade Knife Company has been building excellent hunting knives for years. Whether it’s folding knives like the Crooked River or Grizzly Ridge, or fixed blades such as the Bushcrafter or Leuku, Benchmade’s hunting and adventuring models have gained a stalwart reputation among outdoorsmen. So, when the company began working with Meateater’s Steven Rinella, it’s safe to say that it had a reputation to uphold. Benchmade was looking to design the perfect knife that could be used in the field on your hunt and all the way back to your daily kitchen…

“FORGET THE BELLS AND WHISTLES, DISCARD THE DECORATIVE, AND CARRY THIS BLADE WHEREVER YOUR ADVENTURES TAKE YOU.” A simple, yet practical design, a sure-grip handle, and always ready to enter the combat zone when needed or as a backwoods companion, the Strongarm knife from Gerber Gear is a civilian’s answer to a military man’s blade that still offers a lot of versatility. The Strongarm, featuring a full tang blade and rubberized textured grip, is at home in nearly any environment. From steamy rain forests to tree-covered woodlands to swampy bogs to the city’s concrete jungle, this knife offers all-around use for a plethora of survival, bushcraft, and self-defense applications. Not content with just believing blindly the descriptive words of the packaging, I took this military-style blade into the field, both…

Like the Strongarm itself, its accompanying sheath provides versatility no matter how and where you like to wear your blade-carrying companion. With traditional drop-leg position, horizontal belt carry at the waist, and vertical MOLLE adaptation, no matter what you wear on a daily basis (or during emergency conditions) your Strongarm will only be a hand’s length away. The belt loops are completely detachable, making fastening and removal quick and easy without needing to undo your belt. In addition, the snap-in enclosure keeps the knife from rattling when you are on the move, and the MOLLE integration allow you to take the Strongarm knife on many types of “missions” due to its ability to attach to numerous types of vests, bags, and other compatible gear. The material of the sheath is…

“NOW THAT I OWN ONE, I CAN’T IMAGINE EVER BEING WITHOUT A TRAMONTINA MACHETE.” The Tramontina machete is a bit of an enigma. It has an exotic-sounding name and is from Brazil. It also has a blade shape that reminds you of classic jungle-slashing tools you see in the movies. It has a nice-looking wooden handle. It comes with a pretty decent sheath. But you can buy it at your local big-box store for $20. What? Like most first-time Tramontina buyers, my purchase of this machete was mostly unplanned. I somehow managed to lose my faithful old Gerber machete (I know it’s hard to lose a machete, but you’ve never seen the giant mess that is my garage) and needed another one pronto to do some yardwork. I went to…