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

“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…

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,…

EASY TO CARRY, EASY TO ACCESS THE GREAT THING ABOUT A SMALL EVERYDAY-CARRY FIXED BLADE IS THAT YOU CAN HAVE IT WITH YOU DISCREETLY ON A BELT, AROUND YOUR NECK, OR IN YOUR POCKET. It’s often easier to access than a folder, which you’re likely to fumble when you’re opening it in a hurry or under stress. Here we present a good selection of fixed blades in various shapes and sizes. I FIND MYSELF CARRYING A SMALL FIXED BLADE ALMOST EVERY DAY NOW. One of the handiest I’ve found is the Eddy 2 from Wachtman Knife & Tool. I first became acquainted with the work of Alec Wachtman last year when we ran a profile of the then-20-year-old knifemaker in Knives Illustrated. All of his designs seem to have a…

WILD GAME FROM FIELD TO FREEZER ACQUIRING YOUR OWN MEAT FOR THE TABLE REQUIRES LOTS OF WORK, FROM PRESEASON PREP TO THE HUNT ITSELF, AND, OF COURSE, CARE OF THE ANIMAL IN THE FIELD. The knife you choose to carry has to be capable of handling many chores in harsh environments. The knives we’ve selected for this section have what it takes. “THE KNIFE YOU CHOOSE TO CARRY HAS TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING MANY CHORES IN HARSH ENVIRONMENTS.” BUYER'S GUIDE 01 TOPS KNIVES TOPS MULEY SAW Overall Length: 9.13 inches Blade Length: 4.25 inches Blade Thickness: 0.13 inch Blade Steel: 154CM with tumble finish Handle Material: Tan/black G10 w/orange G10 liners Sheath Material: Leather combo or black Kydex individual Weight: 4.8 ounces, 8.1 ounces w/sheath Origin: USA Other: Part…

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:…

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…

WHEN IT’S ALL ON THE LINE HAVING A GOOD, DEPENDABLE BLADE CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU HAVE MINIMAL EQUIPMENT AND YOU’RE OUT TO SET UP A WILDERNESS CAMP. In a survival situation, your knife’s performance can mean the difference between life and death. Tilt the scale in your favor with one of the knives in this section. RAPID REVIEW CARBON STEALTH: SLEEK AND NEARLY WEIGHTLESS STORY AND PHOTOS BY JIM COBB WHEN IT COMES TO SURVIVAL GEAR, ONE OF THE MANTRAS IS THAT OUNCES ADD UP TO POUNDS, WHICH THEN ADD UP TO PAIN. Thus, any way that you can cut pack weight without sacrificing necessities is welcome. Enter the Carbon Stealth from Argali Outdoors. You’d be hard-pressed to find a lighter fixed-blade knife that is this durable…

GETTING INTO THE SWING THERE’S NOTHING LIKE AN AXE OR HATCHET FOR THE BACKYARD OR BACKWOODS WHEN YOU NEED TO TAKE CHUNKS OUT OF WOOD. With these tools, you can clear trails, limb and fell trees, split firewood, make kindling, build a shelter, and improvise everything you need in a primitive camp. Look through this section for your next chopping tool. BUYER'S GUIDE 01 WOOX WOOX FORTE SPLITTING AXE Overall Length: 22 or 28 inches Head Length: 7 ¼ inches Head Thickness: 1 ¾ inches Cutting Edge: 4 ¼ inches Head Steel: C60/1060 carbon steel Handle Material: Appalachian hickory wood, friction fit Sheath Material: Leather Origin: Italy, USA MSRP: $169 (22-inch), $189 (28-inch) WooxStore.com 02 HULTS BRUK HULTS BRUK 325-YEAR ANNIVERSARY AXE Overall Length: 15 inches Head Steel: Hand-forged Swedish…

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…

HEIGHTEN YOUR SECURITY LEVEL WITH THESE DEFENSIVE BLADES VERSATILITY IN A KNIFE IS A GOOD THING. So, why not add one more task to the list of things you want the knife you carry to perform: self-defense. Some of the knives in this section can be used for everyday chores but are also at the ready to save your life whether as a close-quarters backup weapon or as a primary weapon in places you can’t carry a firearm. Personal protection calls for serious personal choices, so please make those choices wisely. BUYER'S GUIDE 01 MICROTECH KNIVES MICROTECH SOCOM ELITE MANUAL Overall Length: 9.2 inches Closed Length: 5.2 inches Blade Length: 4 inches Blade Thickness: 0.19 inch Blade Steel: M390 Handle Material: Aluminum Locking Mechanism: Bar lock Weight: 5.4 ounces Origin:…