Knives Illustrated March/April 2023

“See, you did it all by yourself.” We’ve said that many times to our kids to voice our pride and boost their confidence as they’ve reached milestones in their growth, whether it was the first time they tied their shoes or rode a bike without us racing along holding on to the back of the seat. As adults, part of the allure of knives, I think, is that they are tools that give us the ability to handle little jobs that, in turn, give us the confidence to tackle life’s bigger challenges. Whether it’s something as simple as opening a package or cutting a string, knives provide us with a certain satisfaction in knowing that we’re capable and handy, that we can accomplish useful things all by ourselves. In this…

1. Boker Plus Shovel M1874 I know knives, axes, and even machetes are probably sexier tools, but a good shovel is an invaluable tool around camp or tucked away in your truck or Jeep. Whether digging catholes, drainage trenches or fire pits, or clearing your campsite, it’ll do jobs that your other tools can’t— while still doing a lot of the chopping and cutting that they can. I’ve tried all sorts of folding shovels, and have a good bit of time spent with a military tri-fold entrenching tool, but I always come back to a fixed-handle shovel. The old military styles with the wooden handle are my preference, as the straight handles also let you use the shovel edges like an axe or machete to chop roots and branches, clear…

Have you ever spotted a knife, say in a catalog or on a website, and you just can’t get it out of your head? Maybe it’s the blade profile that catches your eye. Or the handle is shaped just right and seems perfect for your hand. Whatever it is, that knife is never far from your mind. That’s what happened to me the first time I came across the Sparrow. I stumbled upon it while searching for something else and knew in an instant I had to get my hands on one. However, as is all too often the case when it comes to being a knife collector, my wants at the time exceeded the size of my wallet. So, I had to bide my time for a bit until…

“THE BIT WAS VERY SHARP FROM THE BEGINNING AND THAT WAS A WELCOME FEATURE THAT YOU DON’T FIND ON INFERIOR AXES AND HATCHETS.” New, up-and-coming companies in the edged-tool industry tend to get lots of attention as if they have somehow reinvented the cutting edge. But what about the companies that turn out quality products based on more traditional designs and have done so consistently well over many years? Hults Bruk is one of those companies that keeps providing top products that perform year after year with little fanfare. How long have the people there been doing it? This Swedish axe company has been in business since 1697. How’s that for longevity? I figured they must be doing something right, so I decided to find out for myself. On looking…

T wo legends in the outdoors industry, Robert Young Pelton and William W. Harsey, came together to create a knife to honor a hero, Army Special Forces and CIA paramilitary legend Billy Waugh. Robert once asked Billy, “Which knives did you use [during your service], and what did you wish you had?” The answer was an Army-issued, stainless steel folding pocketknife called the DEMO. Thus, it seemed only fitting that the Pelton-Harsey knife collaboration would feature a knife by the same name. RYP DESIGN RYP Design is a newer venture for which Robert Young Pelton partners up with designers and legends to create products that are unique, ranging from books to graphic novels, and knives to survival designs. Robert recruited another Special Forces legend, William W. Harsey, to honor a…

Playing in the great outdoors can generate a terrific hunger, whether you’re hunting, fishing, camping, canoeing or hiking. You probably won’t be able to take a drawer full of blades with you for your camp kitchen, so you’ll probably keep portability in mind when selecting your knives. And because the menu can change from steaks on the grill to the catch of the day, to the traditional hot dogs and beans, you’ll want the few knives you bring to be as versatile as possible.…