Innehållsförteckning för May 2016 från Knives Illustrated

This year was a very special SHOT Show for me on a few levels. With a new knife design debuting with TOPS Knives and recently being named the new Editor of Knives Illustrated, this year held a profound level of excitement and responsibility unmatched by previous years. But the highlight this year was having my son with me. This was the first year that he was able to attend the show with me and I got to watch his expression and witness the amazement as he walked into the halls of the Sands Expo Center for the first time. It took me back to my first time attending the SHOT Show. Living vicariously through him, I was almost envious of the fresh perspective he brought with…

“…THE DOG HEAD UTILITY KNIFE IS MUCH LIKE THE USMC KA-BAR COMBAT KNIFE MADE FAMOUS IN 1942 IN WW II.” For Law Enforcement professionals, a good knife is as important as any other piece of equipment they may be required to carry. As a retired law enforcement officer, I field many questions from citizens and friends that my chosen profession gives me a particular insight into. Should I report an incident? What kind of firearm do you carry? From time to time I am also asked, what knife do you carry? What knife do you recommend I carry? Or, what is the best knife to buy? The knife I carry is the knife I know will do the job set before me. Normally, my everyday duty knife is a folding…

It was apparent from knife number one. From his first knife-making experience (making a kit knife for his father) through many successful years as part of Blind Horse knives, L.T. Wright has always created beautiful, artisan working pieces. Simple, elegant, functional tools for the outdoorsmen of today — with years of knowledge and experience behind them. In 2013, he revived L.T. Wright Handcrafted Knives. The first LTWK was the Genesis, which debuted in January of 2014, and it has been the company's most popular knife since then. With many new knives on the horizon for LTWK, I was able to procure two models from the Blade Show, which are sure to be a big hit, but first they had to make it out of the South! They are the Bushcrafter…

Taking time away from jiujitsu after an eye surgery gave San Jose native Yoni Wunderman the opportunity to begin a hobby that eventually grew to an industrious career. With an eye for detail and exacting standards it is no wonder that Compliance Edge is getting some well-earned attention from his peers and knife lovers far and wide. Compliance Edge’s purpose built knives are worth taking a look at. 1 Humble Beginnings During the time off from his eye surgery, Compliance Edge got its start in the back room of the jiujitsu academy where he trained. 2 The Challenges As with most custom makers, Yoni struggles to find the balance between time and quality. The more detail, the less time. 3 His Philosophy All of the knives he creates must exceed…

Starting 2016 on the right foot, the Knife Rights’ Wisconsin knife law reform bill passed this January. It repealed the state’s ban on switchblade (automatic) knives and removed knives from being a “weapon” or a “dangerous weapon” subject to concealed carry restrictions. It revised state preemption law to include knife law preemption, voiding local knife laws more restrictive than state law, and preventing local jurisdictions from passing future restrictions. Also precluded are criminal charges for “disorderly conduct or other inappropriate behavior” for carrying a knife unless carried with “criminal or malicious intent.” With knife law preemption, anyone traveling in Wisconsin can be assured that the law is enforced consistently throughout the state. Wisconsin is the tenth state where Knife Rights passed knife law preemption and the twelfth state where knife…

“ONE DAY, WHILE LOOKING AT THE 60-OR-SO BAYONETS AND MILITARY KNIVES IN HIS POSSESSION, IT OCCURRED TO HIM THAT HE HAD A COLLECTION.” Nestled safely in Mid-Michigan, in the private military memorabilia collection of Curt Scott, lies a collection of old bayonets worthy of any museum. I recently had the opportunity to visit with Curt and peruse his expansive collection, which was a true pleasure experiencing the history and craftsmanship displayed within. Being a big fan of antiques and anything sharp and pointy, I felt like a kid in a candy store being left with only one regret — that I didn’t have the space in this article to cover his entire collection, just a small sample. Curt and I had been talking about this collection for some time but…

“[THE AK-47 FIELD KNIFE IS] THE KIND OF KNIFE YOU WANT WHEN YOU’RE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, DEPENDENT ON YOUR GEAR, THE RESOURCES AROUND YOU AND YOUR OWN WITS.” I know what you’re thinking: “Here comes another enthusiastic review of a new knife.” The truth is that I won’t agree to review a knife unless I’m fairly certain in advance that it’s a pretty good knife that will perform well. I don’t want to waste my time or yours doing a review that’s predictably critical of a lousy blade. I’d rather show you the good stuff. I’ve had excellent experiences with Cold Steel knives long before I started writing about knives. So when I had a chance to test the company’s new AK-47 Field Knife, yes, I was enthusiastic…

JOEL CHAMBLIN TWO BLADE TRAPPER BLADE LENGTH: 3.5 inches BLADE STYLES: Clip and Spay OVERALL LENGTH: 8 inches CLOSED LENGTH: 4.5 inches BLADE STEEL: CPM 1564 BLADE FINISH: Satin BOLSTERS AND LINERS: Stainless steel FRAME FINISH: Satin HANDLE MATERIAL: Blue mammoth ivory ENGRAVER: Jim Small JOEL CHAMBLIN TWO BLADE TRAPPER BLADE LENGTH: 3.25 inches BLADE STYLES: Drop Point and Wharncliffe OVERALL LENGTH: 7.5 inches CLOSED LENGTH: 4.25 inches BLADE STEEL: CPM 1564 BLADE FINISH: Satin BOLSTERS: Damasteel FRAME MATERIAL: Stainless steel FRAME FINISH: Satin HANDLE MATERIAL: File-worked black-lip pearl and 24K gold pins JOEL CHAMBLIN VERSION BLADE LENGTH: 3.375 inches OVERALL LENGTH:8 inches CLOSED LENGTH:4.625 inches BLADE STEEL:Chad Nichols Damascus BOLSTERS :Zirconium FRAME MATERIAL:Anodized gold titanium liners HANDLE MATERIAL:Shred carbon fiber OPENER:Flipper LOCK:Liner CLIP:Tip up carry COMMENTS:Clip and backspacer with…

My name is Leo Espinoza, and I have been involved in the knife industry and specifically with TOPS Knives since 1999. I have always done my best to continue growing and learning all that I can to make sure that my knives are the best in the field. There are a lot of common questions people ask me, such as “Why did you use this grind instead of that grind?” “Why these handles?” “What is this feature for?” And so on. The most common question is, “Why did you use this type of steel?” With so many good blade steels to choose from these days, how do you pick the right one? Which is more important, hardness or durability? Which is the better steel, stainless or high carbon? How well…

Dating back to the early 1600s, it is believed that the bayonet can attribute its beginnings to the region around the town of Bayonne, France — a small coastal town that was known for its cutlery. Originally designed for hunting, the “bayonnette” was “a kind of small, flat, pocket-dagger, furnished with knives; or a great knife to hang at the girdle, like a dagger,” according to Randle Cotgrave’s A Dictionarie of the French and English Tongues. Due to the inaccuracy of the single-shot firearms of the day, hunters would carry both a dagger and spear with them when hunting large or dangerous prey. Becoming One with the Rifle While it is still unclear how the dagger first came to be inserted into the bore of the musket for use as…

Have you ever heard of the “clothes horse” description? It’s an individual who prides himself on his wardrobe and makes sure he has the latest garments to fit whatever occasion arises. That’s not me, but if you took a look at my knife collection, you might pin a similar moniker on me. However, I tend to be a one-size-fits-all when it comes to the folding knives I carry. I typically find something that works well in the field, and carry it everywhere. I don’t suppose it’s a bad way to work, but sometimes, you just might want a knife that’s a little more upscale, not as aggressive looking, and would go well with a suit and tie. Enter the Spyderco Positron. A recent addition to their 2016 lineup, the Positron…

“BLADE DESIGNS OF BARK RIVER KNIVES RANGE IN SIZE FROM A 2-INCH EPK TO THE 12-INCH GRASSO BOLO III, BOTH OF WHICH ARE IN THE BUSHCRAFT SERIES.” Since 2001, Escanaba, Michigan has been home to The Bark River Knife and Tool Company, a producer of elegant knives. Owned and operated as a family enterprise by Mike Stewart, his wife Leslie and their son Jim and daughter Jackie, Bark River Knives is also the home of Blackjack Classics, Scagel and Northwoods Knives, so most of what follows also applies to all of these brands. Beginning in early 2015, knives carrying the Ambush and American Knife Company labels have been produced at the Bark River facility. Mike Stewart has a long history of producing knives and has worked with companies such as…