Innehållsförteckning för November 2022 från Knives Illustrated

Hidden away in what was once an automotive garage in the community of Bonner, Montana—a small town just east of Missoula—is the plain-front (there is no sign revealing what’s inside) workshop of one of the most famous, nay legendary, knife companies in the country. Ruana Knife Works, Inc., founded in 1938 by the late Rudolph H. “Rudy” Ruana, has produced some of the finest blades on the landscape. Many people collect the knives known to have been crafted decades ago by Ruana, and it is not unusual to hear knife aficionados refer to those originals as “a Rudy.” “RUANA KNIFE WORKS, INC., FOUNDED IN 1938 BY THE LATE RUDOLPH H. ‘RUDY’ RUANA, HAS PRODUCED SOME OF THE FINEST BLADES ON THE LANDSCAPE.” Decades ago, on a vacation trip to Alaska…

“…IF YOU’RE SOMEONE WHO WANTS…SOMETHING PREMIUM QUALITY THAT’S TUNED JUST FOR YOU, THEN THE HANDCRAFTED, USA-MADE, AMERICAN SERVICE KNIFE IS JUST WHAT YOU NEED.” Are you a fan of the classic Swiss Army Knife (SAK) but always wanted something a little more heavy-duty; maybe something with better steel? How about getting to pick the tools that come on your knife rather than just choosing preselected features that were never quite what you wanted or needed? Well friend, if that’s you then it’s time you met the American Service Knife (ASK), a new project from Medford Knife & Tool. There are people who have been modifying Swiss Army Knives for ages, but they aren’t really designed to be user-configured. You need some tools, a bit of know-how, and some skill to…

I saw this bit of wisdom posted on social media not too long ago: “If an old dude ever gives you advice while cutting an apple with a pocketknife and eating pieces right off the blade, you should probably take it.” There’s probably more truth there than is found in most of the things that get posted online. But, let me ask you a question. What sort of knife do you picture him holding? If I were a betting man, I’d say you’re not imagining some sort of ultra-tactical, automatic knife with a black blade. Instead, it is probably a well-worn, traditional-style pocketknife, right? Now, don’t get me wrong. I love the military-styled folders as much as the next person. But there’s just something about an old-fashioned slip-joint knife, something…

“BASICS ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THIS CLASS, WHERE CUTTING YOURSELF COULD BE DETRIMENTAL AND POSSIBLY CLASS- AND TRIP-ENDING.” It has been said that a knife is the number one tool most people would choose if they had only one piece of gear. A knife is a tool that can be used to make things you need, including other tools to improve many situations. Training knife skills should be done under the watchful eyes of skilled professionals and parents if you’re in a parent-child class. KNIFE TRAINING Randall’s Adventure & Training offers several wilderness skills classes with a wide variety of choices. The school has deep roots in the Peruvian Amazon, teaching multi-day jungle survival classes. In 2009, the school held its first stateside class in Fort Payne, Alabama.…

You don’t know what challenges the day will bring. But when you have a knife in your pocket, you walk with confidence knowing that you have a tool necessary to handle many of those challenges. Whether you’re carrying a classy custom, a traditional slip joint, a large tactical blade, or a lightweight folder that you barely notice, you can tackle jobs at home or at work, make on-the-go repairs, improvise items you need, prepare and eat a meal, and, if things get critical, have a way to survive life-threatening situations.…

Some knife companies develop loyal groups of devotees. Maybe it starts with one or two knives that, through their form or function, simply suit the users’ needs more closely. Maybe it’s a particular style that catches the eye. No doubt consistent quality plays a big role, and word of mouth is perhaps the best reputation enhancer as everyone wants to play with the “cool kids.” I’ve become a dedicated follower of GiantMouse knives over the last couple of years. It started with the small company’s GMF1-P fixed blade and continued with the Nimbus V2 folder. Now I’m working with two more: the GMF3 fixed blade and the ACE Corta folder. That’s four out of four so far that I’m going to hold onto with a vengeance, lest family and friends…

REVIEW “AS A STAND-ALONE WILDERNESS TOOL, THIS HATCHET UNDENIABLY HAS THE POTENTIAL TO GET YOUR CAMP MADE AND ASSIST IN SELF-RESCUE…” After a week in the woods of Alabama followed by a week in South America with the Gränsfors Bruk Mini Belt Hatchet, seeing is believing! I finally got a chance to try out a good quality belt hatchet from what some people consider to be the best company out there for axes and hatchets. Gränsfors Bruk, founded in 1902, currently has 30 employees who manufacture and sell axes, with 80% of those axes being exported to 22 countries. After doing my research, I found much information on Gränsfors Bruk. The roots of Gränsfors Mini Belt Hatchet go back many thousands of years. In the old days in Europe, it…

When it comes to choosing a new EDC knife, it often requires making tough decisions. Recently, I whittled my choices down to two new CRKT Butte models: one with D2 steel and G10 scales and the other with S35VN steel and carbon fiber scales. Which would be the better choice? I’ve been in the market for a lightweight, everyday carry blade for quite a while. What makes the most sense to me for an everyday carry is something versatile enough to tackle any mundane task that arises, as well as something tailored to your particular lifestyle. If you’re in the trades, your everyday carry needs are going to be different than a carpet-walking office guy’s. Or if you’re like me, you want your blade to be so light and comfortable…