Home Authors Posts by BLADE Staff

BLADE Staff

First Look: Hogue Extrak

0

Hogue’s Newest Fixed Blade Is Visually Spectacular And Ridiculously Light. Part Of The Company’s New Line Of Hunters, The Extrak Does Far More Than Asked Of It.

Every hunter knows that a good knife is worth its weight in gold. Hogue’s newest line of hunting field knives includes the Extrak. This fixed-blade wonder is amazing for what it can do at just 1.9 total ounces. The fixed blade is made from CPM M4 Tool Steel and has a vibrant Hunter Orange Cerakote finish. The clip point has a flat grind on its cutting edge and is hardened to a 62-64 HRC.

To learn more about this new line from Hogue, take a look at the video below.

The G10 handle scales provide excellent grip but are also removable to make the knife even lighter. The included nylon blade guard does its job admirably in keeping the blade secure in transport. 

Overall this knife really is remarkable. The combination of hardness and weight alone makes it excellent for skinning hides and processing kills. It’s so light, so strong, and so versatile that it is absolutely worth the price and would make life easier for hunters of all types and skill levels.

MSRP: $189.95

Editor’s Note: This article was written by Mike Ableson.

Read More

First Look: SOG Camp Axe

0

SOG Has Made A Hatchet That’s Compact, Lightweight, And A Joy To Use For Smaller Tasks In The Backyard Or Out Camping.

The new Camp Axe from SOG is exactly as advertised. No, this axe won’t fell a 40-foot-tall tree, but if you’re looking to cut through some small brush, chop up kindling for the fire, or hammer in some tent posts, the Camp Axe can do it all with ease.

It’s small at just a shade over a pound in weight and a shade under a foot in length. This means it’s great for chopping in close quarters. The stainless blade has a black stonewashed finish and will stay sharp in the elements. 

The glass-reinforced handle is strong and can hold its own if you need a makeshift hammer to drive in a spike or a post. The included GRN safe quickly wraps around the blade and stays snugly in place so you won’t have to worry about stepping on a rogue axe late at night.

At an MSRP of $59.95, the Camp Axe feels fairly priced. This axe might not be for Paul Bunyan, but it’ll be perfect for you the next time you want to sleep under the stars.

Editor’s Note: This article was written by Mike Ableson.

Read More

First Look: Click N Cut Hunting Kit

0

A Portable Hunting Field Kit That’s Small Enough To Fit Into Your Pack And Strong Enough To Process The Spoils Of Your Hunt.

Hunting is hard. Anything that can help make the work of processing an animal easier is worth its weight in gold, and the new Click N Cut Hunting Kit from Cold Steel is 24 karat.

The kit comes with a textured handle and five interchangeable blades. It starts with a relatively standard four-inch general purpose blade which turns it into a fixed-blade knife. Additionally, there is a thing five-inch boning blade.

Where the kit really earns its stripes is with the additional attachments. A six-inch bone saw allows you to keep your hunt in manageable pieces for transport home. The four-inch skinning blade and gut hook is long enough to let you quickly skin an animal while still being strong enough to stand up to the rigors of use.

The last piece is a 3.5-inch caper blade perfect for skinning the heads of animals and acting as a perfect last tool to round out the set. The Click N Cut is the type of hunting kit that you’ll be grateful to have in your pack because it’s small, it’s tough, and it’s priced fairly.

MSRP: $99.99

Editor’s Note: This article was written by Mike Ableson.

Read More

First Look: Gerber Fuse

0

The Newest Budget EDC From Gerber Gear Is Light And Flexible. The Fuse Would Be An Excellent Knife to Handle Day-To-Day Life.

Gerber Gear’s newest EDC succeeds thanks to its construction. The Fuse has a 7Cr blade connected to a glass-filled nylon handle that makes for a strong, rigid knife. The blade is electroformed stainless, and there are additional stainless liners for even more strength. The liner lock helps keep everything secure and safe while cutting.

The Fuse is the type of knife that is perfect for someone with a new interest in knives or is looking for an EDC that won’t break the bank. There’s a lot to like here. The piece weighs only 2.83 ounces and you can choose between black and flat sage for the handle color.

Is this a revolutionary knife? No. Has Gerber a model that is an entry point for new knife owners? Absolutely.

MSRP: $40

Editor’s Note: This article was written by Mike Ableson.

Read More

First Look: Benchmade BK-1 Claymore

After The Massive Success Of The Original Claymore, Benchmade Has Released The BK-1 Claymore. This Knife Has A Plain Edge, Is Crazy Tough, And Opens With Authority

The original Claymore from Benchmade was a rousing success, and the new BK-1 Claymore looks to follow in its footsteps. The BK-1 features the same resilient CPM-D2 blade 60-62 HRC, only this time the blade is fully ground to a plain edge instead of a partially serrated one. The 3.6-inch blade has a cobalt black finish.

The BK-1 is just as nimble as it is tough thanks to weighing only 3.5 ounces. The molded Grivory handle provides excellent grip, and the push-button auto fires it open with confidence. This is the type of construction we’ve come to expect from Benchmade, and in the BK-1 they’ve made an exciting, worthy successor to the original Claymore.

MSRP: $230

Editor’s Note: This article was written by Mike Ableson.

Read More

First Look: GiantMouse Ace Nibbler

The New Ace Nibbler From GiantMouse Comes In Five Different Colors. This Nimble Little Folder Is Perfect For A Keychain.

The newest folder from GiantMouse is a treat. The Ace Nibbler, named for the old Tom and Jerry character Nibbles, is a small, versatile piece that is excellent as an EDC and easily fits on a lanyard, in your pocket, or on a keychain. Best of all, rather than a single version, there are numerous ways you can personalize the knife.

It starts with the handle. There are three aluminum varieties (blue, green, or red), a green canvas micarta, and a titanium version. Each style of handle is married to a different type of steel.

The aluminum knives have a satin-finished N690 blade while the green canvas micarta is married to a stonewashed 20CV blade. The titanium construction is completed by a satin-finished 20CV steel.

All versions of the Ace Nibbler come in at 2.5 ounces or less. The features continue with a liner lock on all models as well as a reversible wire clip. The wide nail nick makes it easy to open. 

The price does differ based on handle type with the aluminum varieties being the least expensive and the titanium version being the most expensive. No matter what type you purchase, this diminutive knife is more than worth it and can be a loyal EDC for years to come.

MSRP: $95-185

Editor’s Note: This article was written by Mike Ableson.

Read More

First Look: Buck 149 Hookset Breaker

Fishing Season Means Finding A High-Quality Fillet Knife You Can Trust, And The New 149 Hookset Breaker From Buck Can Handle The Abuse Of The High Seas With Ease.

Processing fish cleanly may be one of the hardest tasks you can do with a knife, and having the right equipment is so important to whether you slice off a clean filet or are left with chunks only good for a stew. The new 10-inch 149 Hookset Breaker is Buck’s newest fish fillet knife designed for use sailing the ocean or out on the lake. 

It all starts with the handle. It is glass-reinforced polypropylene with TPE rubber and provides a confident grip in all weather situations so you can slice with authority every time. The handle connects to a 5Cr15MoV blade coated in titanium for excellent corrosion resistance.

The blade is protected by an injection-molded sheath with an integrated belt loop for easy carry. The whole piece is 15.83 inches long from the tip of the blade to the butt of the handle.

MSRP: $44.99

Read More

Editor’s Note: This article was written by Mike Ableson.
Advertisement

Must Read Articles

Read this before you make a knife

Knifemaking 101 – Read This Before You Make a Knife

  by Wayne Goddard My experience has taught me that there's nothing like digging in and getting started. I've often said the hardest part of the...
how to forge damascus steel

How to Forge Damascus

Advertisement
Advertisement