Knives Illustrated January/February 2023 (Buyer's Guide)

“What’s so special about that knife?” she asked. “What will it do that all the other knives you absolutely needed won’t do?” To be honest, of course, that new one I wanted really wouldn’t do anything that much better than ones I already owned, other than to provide a needed recharge of my enthusiasm back to the happy-Steve green level on the internal meter. New knives have a way to inspire me, to lift my spirits more than most inanimate objects. They stimulate the imagination with thoughts of the adventures that lie ahead. And with that new knife, yes, you’d better believe I’ll be ready for those adventures. I have many nice knives. None of them will ever make it on display at an art exhibit, but they’re quality blades…

1. Benchmade 317-1 Weekender Benchmade’s 317-1 Weekender is the company’s latest entry into the modern slip-joint field. While it is a multi-blade model, this isn’t your granddad’s old Stockman. The 317-1 Weekender features a 3-inch clip-point main blade, and a 2-inch drop-point utility blade along with a spine-mounted cap lifter. The blades are of CPM-S30V steel and the handle scales are Micarta. It’s a little bit of a canoe-pattern slip joint with some Swiss Army utility mixed in, but with high-quality modern materials and ergonomics. The Weekender is a great EDC choice for folks who don’t need any tactical features or a locking blade. It’s also a great option for people living in areas that restrict locking blades. SPECS: Benchmade 317-1 Weekender • Blade Length: 2.97/1.97 inches • Blade Thickness:…

“THE PURPOSE BEHIND THE TRY STICK IS TO PRACTICE AND DEMONSTRATE THE SKILLFUL USE OF THE KNIFE AS A WOOD CARVING TOOL, AS WELL AS TO LEARN THE PRACTICAL OPERATIONS THAT MAY BE USED IN WILDERNESS LIVING. SOME OF THE CARVING OPERATIONS MAY BE OF VERY PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS; OTHERS ARE MEANT TO TAX THE SKILL OF THE CARVER AND SOME MAY BE USED FOR DECORATIVE PURPOSES.”—MORS KOCHANSKI THE TRY STICK Notches and several knife operations are used in bushcraft/woodcraft/campcraft, making projects like traps, friction fire, basket weaving, structure, and whistle building possible. A Try Stick is a practice stick whereupon notches are carved as a teaching aid. The number of notches varies depending on the diagram or photos one tries to emulate. The late bushcraft and survival expert Mors Kochanski…

I DOUBT MANY WOULD ARGUE THAT THE FOLDING KNIFE WAS ONE OF THE GREATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE HISTORY OF BLADED TOOLS. When designed well and executed properly, the folder allows the user to carry a sharp knife just about anywhere without having to bother with belt sheaths and what not. This isn’t just convenient; it also leads to fewer trips to the Human Resources office at work. Over the years, makers have devised a number of ways to open and secure the blade, some fairly simple and others decidedly unique and elaborate. Assuming you’re buying a knife to use rather than one that’s simply purchased for looks, the mechanisms used in the design should factor into your buying decision. If a knife is awkward or clumsy to open and close,…

LET’S GET SOMETHING OUT OF THE WAY, RIGHT UP FRONT. TACTICAL, AS THE TERM IS USED IN THE KNIFE INDUSTRY, IS REALLY NOTHING MORE THAN A MARKETING TERM. As a very general rule of thumb, it refers to knives that have a distinctive military appearance. Manufacturers began using the term because it called to mind hard men pulling off impossible missions. While the majority of buyers might face nothing more dangerous than a weekend camping trip, there’s still something to be said for buying high-quality knives that are meant to be used and abused. WHAT MAKES A KNIFE TACTICAL? As it is generally understood, a tactical knife is one that is designed for rough use but that also has defense capabilities. If we’re being honest, virtually any knife could be…

ALWAYS WITH YOU, ALWAYS USEFUL IT’S WITH YOU ALL THE TIME AND IT GIVES YOU CONFIDENCE THAT YOU CAN TACKLE ANY CHALLENGE YOU’LL FACE DURING THE DAY. An everyday carry knife resides quietly in a pocket, yet stands ready to open packages, make immediate repairs, improvise solutions to problems large and small, and, in a pinch, encourage a hoodlum to make a hasty retreat. BUYER'S GUIDE 01 GERBER GEAR GERBER SAVVY Overall Length: 8 inches Closed Length: 4.5 inches Blade Thickness: 0.12 inch Blade Steel: CPM 20CV Handle Material: Carbon fiber Locking Mechanism: Bar lock Weight: 3 ounces Origin: USA MSRP: $250 GerberGear.com COLUMBIA RIVER KNIFE & TOOL HAS PRODUCED VARIOUS VERSIONS OF LUCAS BURNLEY’S SQUID FRAME-LOCK FOLDER OVER THE YEARS. Models have varied in size, blade steel, and handle…