Innehållsförteckning för July 2016 från Knives Illustrated

I came to learn at a very young age that there are a lot of items we think we need to pack in, when in fact we can make most everything we need right in the field. With a good knife, folding saw, some cordage and a little know-how, you can camp in as much luxury as someone with a 75-pound backpack full of tent stakes, pot holders, fire tripod, grill, camp chair and every other kind of camp utensil imaginable. A little over a year ago I had the opportunity to take a trip down to the Amazon Jungle with my friend’s company, Bushcraft Global, where we hiked deep into the Amazon with a couple of indigenous Jacuna guides. To say that they took bushcrafting to the extreme is…

“…I WAS IMMEDIATELY DRAWN TO ITS COMPELLING PROFILE AND WELL THOUGHT OUT ERGONOMICS.” A few months ago, I was perusing Facebook and checking in on some of my favorite knife groups when I saw the new Schrade SCHF42D. I was immediately drawn to its compelling profile and well thought out ergonomics. I noticed on the side of the blade a stamp that instantly let me know that I had to test one, “Griffin Design.” Those two simple words let me know that this was designed by someone I highly admire in the knife world, Brian Griffin. If you know Brian Griffin then you know that he is not only a lover of knives, but one of the most knowledgeable knife users in the field today — making a name for…

“… A KNIFE CAN BE USED AS SECONDARY … WEAPON, BUT IN REALITY, IT’S MORE LIKELY TO BE DEPLOYED IN OTHER WAYS, MANY OF THEM NOT VERY PLEASANT.” The word “tactical” is appended to many products these days, especially knives. I think companies hope the word will impart some idea in the minds of prospective buyers that these products are somehow superior for use in critical situations. Timberline Knife & Tool is one company, however, that seems to choose its words carefully. They make sure each of their products can stand up to hard use before it is designated as part of the Timberline Tactical lineup. These tools are specifically designed with military, law enforcement and other first responders in mind — anyone who might make severe demands of a…

Known for high quality knives at an everyday man’s price, CRKT has made another great stride by adding a recognizable partnership and joining forces to produce a line of knives for an American legend in the firearms community, Ruger. With a small cadre of top designers like Bill Harsey, RMJ Tactical, Ken Steigerwalt, Robert Carter and the focus of this review, Matthew Lerch, CRKT has launched a line of knives as robust as the Ruger firearm line itself, offering something for everyone. The classic styling and flawless performance of the Matthew Lerch designed Follow-Through Compact exemplifies the highly recognizable Ruger look and reliability. Initial Impressions When I first received the Follow-Through, I was immediately taken with the diamond-checkered, glass-reinforced nylon handles that were very reminiscent of the handles of a…

With apologies to Bob Marley for cannibalizing his lyrics, it’s time to get up and stand up to prevent the erosion of knife rights. It goes with out saying that if you’re reading this, you’re a de facto supporter of the cause. But wouldn’t getting a custom knife be icing on the cake for your actions? Knife Rights 2016 Ultimate Steel™ Knives, Guns & More Spectacular is an enticing program offering supporters the opportunity to collect on some primo SWAG. Your support could garner you some of the over $200,000 in prizes. One of a kind, custom knives, firearms, and even a trip to South Africa are all on the block when you part with a small amount of coin for a worthy cause. Knife Rights lobbies for legislative actions…

#1 AUTHORS TOP PICK CRKT SAKER The CRKT Saker Bushcraft Knife excels in the woods, it’s more like what can’t it do. Build a fire or a shelter. Hunt. Forage. If you’re a Bushcrafter, this fixed blade knife will be your go-to blade. A true Scandi grind on a 1075 carbon steel blade gives you an efficient cutting tool for all tasks. Just grab hold of the walnut handle and draw it from the thick, high-quality leather sheath. When Leamington, Ontario, Canada designer Abe Elias was creating the Saker, he found that proper heat treatment and blade geometry combined with an ergonomic handle enabled longer periods of comfortable use. It’s an approach born from working with hand tools most of his life. This survival knife is a must-have blade for…

For over a century, Mora Knives of Sweden has been producing light, sharp, dependable tools for hard work, with affordability and quality being their strong points. The first factory was founded on the outskirts of Mora, Sweden in 1891. It combined the benefits of hand-forged blades and industrial manufacturing. The result was a knife with a grip-friendly handle and a very sharp and robust blade. Today, the knives from Mora are known for their high quality and also recognized as a national symbol of Sweden. Specs The Mora Garberg blade is made from high-grade Swedish 14C28N stainless steel that is heat treated to make it even stronger and more durable. The Garberg blade has a Scandinavian grind profile, which is a single, large V-shaped grind that makes it easy to…

I recently had the chance to talk shop with Former Active Duty Special Forces Operator turned high end knife maker, Curtis Iovito. Since retiring from putting it all on the line so we can stay the land of the free, Curtis has been in the development, marketing and program management of tactical gear. In that time, he also designed and made custom knives for his brothers still down range. Curtis combined his love of knife making, military experience and knowledge of the tactical equipment market to form Spartan Blades, LLC in 2008 with a singular mission: Provide the modern warrior and outdoorsman with a knife that is not based on what the new tacticool fad is, but rather a knife designed to be highly functional, made from only premium materials…

“… BLADE THICKNESS AND DESIGN MAKE THE KNIFE … CAPABLE OF PREPARING FOOD OR PROCESSING GAME …” Participants in numerous outdoor activities use edged tools. A knife may be used to slice tomatoes, cut vines, split wood, or process game. But whatever the use, there is no denying that a sharp blade is indispensable. Depending on the surroundings, the knife may be a large fixed blade model or a convenient folding knife. It would not be unreasonable to have two knives of different types available, but in many instances one knife must suffice. The Buck Selkirk Model 863 is just such a knife. Before addressing the capability of this fine knife, it is appropriate to address the country of origin, China. This author is of such an age that WW…

Finding an unusual or unique knife style isn’t that difficult, since there are so many custom makers in the industry, and you can find someone that will make just about anything you want. But when it comes to production knives, the diversity of styles narrows down quite a bit, and you soon find yourself swimming in a sea of “black blades” — especially where fixed-blade knives are concerned. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got several black-coated 1095 blades myself, but I do like to change it up every now and then as far as the visual aspect goes, as well as the steel type. That’s why I was intrigued by KA-BAR’s Snody Big Boss, which was designed in conjunction with Mike Snody for mass production. The two things that really…

Thou shall not covet. It’s the last of the top 10 no-no’s. With this month’s selection of custom knives, we’re going to make a sinner out of you. We’ve got something to stir everyone’s prurient interests. Seductive daggers, curvaceous engravings, the allure of clean Japanese lines and the ardent pattern of a Damascus blade, we’ve got something to satisfy whatever it is you desire. If you’re passionate about blades, you’re going to stare at these photos for hours with mouth agape. The great news is that the objects of your desires are well with in your reach. By now you’ve gotten your refund back from your friends at the IRS, and we can’t think of better way to use it than to invest in precious metal. SPECIFICATIONS KNIFE STYLE: Dagger…

Proving that desire and research can bring a dream to realization, Daniel Pica of Screech Owl Knives has made a career of making high quality knives with amazing appeal in the small town of Pittsboro, NC. With clean lines, striking color combinations and eye catching handle scale materials, Screech Owl Knives creates knives that beg to be used, but could easily make their place in any high-end collection. 1 Form and Function Pica found his love of knives as a lifelong hunter and outdoorsman, but it was the custom knife his uncle gave him for his college graduation that showed him that they could be art as well. 2 The Challenges I’m sure most makers would agree that keeping the shop clean is a never-ending struggle, but with Pica he…