Latest assisteds have all you need in swift, sharp folders.
The assisted opener appeals to many who are mechanism oriented and like to fidget with their knives. There’s something satisfying about tapping a flipper tab or nudging a thumb stud and then having spring force kick in and propel the blade open crisply and quickly. It’s sort of like an automatic but it’s not. In fact, in most areas its legality is no different than a standard one-hand folder* because you initiate the opening by manually pressing the flipper or thumb stud as opposed to releasing the blade under spring tension via a push button as done with an auto.
Kershaw Dawnstar
The flipper tab of the Kershaw Dawnstar is highly effective at deploying the blade. The large semi-circular choil is sort of unusual and adds to the knife’s distinct appearance
Kershaw was one of the first manufacturers to go all-in with assisted openers in the mid-to-late 1990s. It teamed with BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member Ken Onion to make a line of collaboration knives that incorporated Onion’s SpeedSafe assisted-opening mechanism. The knives not only were great sellers for the company, but, more importantly, helped start the assisted-opening revolution in the knife industry. Soon after, other manufacturers began producing versions of folders with mechanisms that closely mirrored the SpeedSafe for both tactical and EDC purposes.
The Dawnstar is Kershaw’s latest entry in the genre. Sporting a hawkbill blade paired with a true tactical handle offering deep, tip-up carry, it is one of the company’s more radical configurations. The hawkbill isn’t seen too widely in tactical folders, so it stands out both visually and functionally. The 3.5-inch blade is 8Cr13MoV stainless steel.
The main grind is hollow with a swedge, making the blade look a bit aggressive and also following through in use. A flipper tab deploys the blade quickly and is the only opening method. The handle is molded glass reinforced nylon (GRN) with dual skeletonized steel liners for strength. Strategically placed cutouts reduce weight. The handle is textured for a comfortable, nonslip grip.
The knife cuts best in a pulling motion, allowing the hawkbill to gather the material being cut into the blade’s curvature, not unlike pulling a zipper. The hawkbill is an aggressive pattern and goes through a variety of materials with ease. This is where the hollow grind really makes a difference. Cardboard, foam, even wire stripping—the assisted opener sails through it all. If you cut a lot of cardboard or make long, straight-line cuts in any material, the Dawnstar is for you. The handle is easy to hold onto. The large finger recess helps seat your hand.
Approximate closed length: 4.4 inches. Country of origin: China. MSRP: $54.99.
SOG Twitch III
The Twitch III is ultra-light, ultra-slim and elegant in appearance. A simple design with high function, it goes well with dress or casual clothes.
The Twitch III is the third installment in a highly successful series of assisted openers from SOG. It is a slim, stylish EDC capable of tackling a wide variety of cutting chores. It features a 3.1-inch spearpoint blade fully flat ground from 154CM stainless steel with ambidextrous thumb studs and a low-profile flipper tab for an additional opening option. A light press on the flipper and the blade pops out with authority.
The handle is lightweight yet strong aluminum, with dual steel liners providing the backbone. A subtle finger recess forms a bit of an integral guard to prevent your hand from sliding forward. A deep-carry, bayonet-style clip is affixed to the butt and positions the folder as low as possible in the pocket for ultimate concealment. The handle profile is flat and slender, making it extremely comfortable for daily pocket carry. The knife is equally at home in dress or casual clothes.
For a slim knife the Twitch III performs very well. The blade glides through various materials with surprising ease. The 154CM offers more mileage for edge retention than lesser steels such as D2, 8Cr13MoV and AUS-8. It is the type knife you can carry for a range of varied-use scenarios, from slicing steak to more mundane things such as opening mail, packages, etc.
It excels at cutting open blister packs due to its pointy tip and flat- ground blade. Performance is great and the folder carries exceptionally well, so what’s not to like? However, I would caution against prolonged use due to the slender, flat profile and slick aluminum scales. If your hand is wet or sweaty, grip retention might be an issue.
The Twitch III comes in three varieties: all-black blade and handle, natural finished aluminum with satin blade and gold TiN coated hardware, and gray aluminum handle with black blade and hardware anodized a light blue. All are great-looking EDCs and a welcome addition to your collection.
Closed length: 3.9 inches. Country of origin: China. MSRP: $79.95 for any of the three variants.
Benchmade PSK 593BK-01
Benchmade’s PSK is a high-end outdoor folder using CPM MagnaCut stainless blade steel. MagnaCut holds an edge extremely well in addition to having excellent corrosion resistance—pretty much the perfect outdoor blade material.
The brawny Benchmade PSK 593BK-01 is a rugged assisted opener engineered for survival use. It exhibits all the hallmarks of what makes applicable Benchmade knives standards in the industry: the AXIS crossbar lock mechanism and advanced materials for the handle and blade, including carbon fiber, G-10 and CPM MagnaCut stainless steel. The 3.4-inch modified drop-point blade has excellent edge retention and superior corrosion resistance—a perfect steel for a knife to carry while hiking, camping, hunting, etc.
An exposed flat area below the thumb stud that resembles a choil serves as a spot to use a ferrocerium rod for fire starting. It’s such a thoughtful touch on the PSK. The ergonomic handle incorporates forward and rear integral guards to prevent slipping and seats your hand well. Black carbon fiber bolsters are mated with black G-10 scales, with the blade DLC coated for additional corrosion resistance and a low-profile appearance—in other words, the knife is “murdered out” in mostly all black.
The ambidextrous thumb studs are anodized red for an interesting splash of color. A deep carry pocket clip positions the PSK tip up and switches to the opposite side to accommodate lefties. The AXIS Lock Assist is rock solid while remaining easy to disengage by pulling back on the studs, then rotating the blade closed. A sliding switch safety in the handle spine locks the blade closed to help prevent the knife from accidentally flying open in your pocket or during inside waistband carry.
The PSK looks great and performs even better. Grip quality is excellent; the 3D machined grooves in the handle and bolster work great at keeping your hand in place without feeling overly aggressive, and they displace water as well. The blade rockets out via the assisted opener very quick and sure, almost like an automatic.
The robust build and ergonomic grip instill user confidence in any climate. The PSK handles anything you throw at it, from slicing meat to whittling. The flat grind leaves enough cross-sectional steel on the blade to give it structural integrity, yet thins the edge down to where it has bite.
Approximate closed length: 4.6 inches. Country of origin: USA. MSRP: $450.
Editor’s note: For that matter, in the many states and jurisdictions where bans against automatics have been lifted, neither is an assisted opener’s legality any different than an auto.
Three new models are but a smattering of the boom in factory-made automatics.
When it comes to a truly original American knife, it’s hard to top the auto.
Unfairly maligned over the decades as the “weapon of street gangs” and other inaccurate smears, the knife still known to many as the switchblade is enjoying a renaissance in popularity due to the reversals of many statewide auto bans spearheaded in large part by the two leading pro-knife legislative action groups: Knife Rights and the American Knife & Tool Institute.
With autos now legal to many thousands of enthusiasts in dozens of states, one of the results has been a boom in factory-made autos by a growing number of knife companies.
CobraTec FS-3 Molon Labe
The handle of the CobraTec OTF has a Cerakote® finish and graphics with the Molon Labe—Latin for “come and take it”—text. A ramped thumb slide switch actuates the blade, which deploys and retracts with quick, crisp action.
If you’re into OTF (Out The Front) autos, Texas-based CobraTec Knives should be of interest. The small, family-owned operation offers entry-level, midgrade and high-end automatic and manual opening knives, as well as fixed blades.
Its OTFs* are a great bang for the buck. The medium FS-3 Molon Labe edition features a 3-inch clip-point blade of satin-finished D2 tool steel paired with a 4.5-inch aluminum handle. Available in either a plain or partially serrated edge, the test model is the latter. The serrations give extra cutting power through thick or fibrous materials.
The knife is sized just right to handle most cutting tasks and still be compact enough for comfortable carry. The handle has a Cerakote® finish and graphics with the Molon Labe—Ancient Greek for “come and take it”—text. A deep carry, reversible/ambidextrous pocket clip held by a large screw doubles as a glass breaker. A ramped thumb slide switch actuates the blade, which deploys and retracts with quick, crisp action.
A ramped thumb slide switch actuates the blade, which deploys and retracts with quick, crisp action.
D2 is known for toughness, edge holding and ease of resharpening. It’s been a popular choice for custom knifemakers for years and has become widely adopted in the production industry as an alternative to low-grade stainless steel, offering the enhanced edge retention at a nominal price increase, if any. The belly of the modified clip point blade has excellent slicing abilities.
Medford Knife & Tool MERC-1
The MERC-1 has a symmetrical dagger-style blade of CPM S45VN stainless for enhanced edge holding.
If you think the Medford Knife & Tool MERC-1 is like all the other OTFs on the market, you’re wrong. The 3.75-inch blade comes in either a double-edge dagger style or Medford’s single-edge Praetorian-style drop point, each in CPM S45VN stainless.
Sporting two sets of fullers, the dagger test blade is loaded with attitude. The 5-inch handle is hard anodized aluminum. A sturdy, wide, deep-carry pocket clip is affixed to the end of the handle by a large screw and has a glassbreaker point.
One of the more interesting facts about the MERC-1 is there are no handle assembly screws. How is this done? The top handle cover slides onto the body via a tongue and channel system. The large clip screw fastens the two together, preventing unwanted movement of the top cover. The no-screws approach provides a visually streamlined, cleaner look than most.
Note the MERC-1 blade’s dual fullers (page 44), reducing weight as well as giving the knife a double dose of attitude.
The MERC-1 is a solid performer. Blade deployment and retraction are quick with a solid feel. The sliding button requires some force to push and pull but once you get used to it, it’s no problem. This is done by design to prevent inadvertent blade movement.
The knife does well at general cutting but needs a bit of pushing to get through some tasks. Dagger blades are more for thrusting and penetration. One thing is certain, the MERC-1’s is definitely cool looking! (Author’s note: the knife for this review is an earlier version with a hex-bolt machining pattern on the handle. The pattern has been changed to a series of chevron lines and an engraving of a crossbow.) The MERC-1 is Medford’s first attempt at an OTF and an excellent one at that.
Vero Engineering/Pro-Tech Synapse
The Synapse handle is a half-and-half hybrid construction style, with a black Micarta® presentation side and the opposite side (right) hard-coat-anodized T6-6061 aluminum alloy for strength, light weight and minimal mass. A stylish milled titanium pocket clip carries the closed knife blade tip up in the pocket.
Pro-Tech Knives has teamed with Vero Engineering to produce a collaborative auto: the Pro-Tech Synapse. The framelock design features all advanced materials in a no-nonsense folder ideal for EDC. It’s especially notable for the infusion of Pro-Tech’s trademark ultra-snappy automatic opening action.
The 3.2-inch drop-point blade is flat-ground CPM MagnaCut stainless steel, which is known for its edge holding and corrosion resistance. The drop point shape provides plenty of blade belly.
The handle is a half-and-half hybrid construction style, with a black Micarta presentation side and the opposite side hard-coat-anodized T6-6061 aluminum alloy for strength, light weight and minimal mass. A stylish milled titanium pocket clip carries the closed knife tip up in the pocket. Another nice touch is the firing button, which sits inside a milled cavity to help prevent accidental blade deployment.
The Synapse’s drop-point blade of CPM MagnaCut stainless is conducive to a wide range of tasks. The blade action is quick and snappy as with all Pro-Tech autos.
With a closed length of 4.1 inches, the Synapse is neither too big nor too small. The large finger groove helps lock your grip onto the handle effectively, allowing a more secure grip with or without gloves.
The blade has an aggressive bite to it and the curve of the belly makes slicing almost effortless. The Synapse is a great working folder.
*Editor’s Note: According to CobraTec, its OTFs have a built-in safety feature that prevents the blade from fully deploying if anything is obstructing its path. Once in “safety mode” the blade must be reset by pulling it all the way into its locked position, making it fully functional again.
We put production tactical knives to the test to see which ones come out as best in class.
Originally conceived for law enforcement and military and rescue personnel, tactical knives quickly found their way into the hands of those looking for a heavy-duty edged tool robust enough to withstand extreme use and abuse—and to do so without falling apart.
Modern tactical knives are some of the most refined and precisely manufactured of cutters in terms of ergonomics, edge holding and price points, and the market is saturated with all the big names producing them in almost all price ranges.
No matter the mission, one of these sharp tactical knives can cut it.
Originally conceived for law enforcement and military and rescue personnel, tactical knives quickly found their way into the hands of those looking for a heavy-duty edged tool robust enough to withstand extreme use and abuse—and to do so without falling apart. Modern tactical knives are some of the most refined and precisely manufactured of cutters in terms of ergonomics, edge holding and price points, and the market is saturated with all the big names producing them in most all price ranges.
What Is A Tactical Knife?
Exactly what constitutes a tactical knife has been addressed in BLADE®, other knife magazines—one of which was even called Tactical Knives—KnifeForums and other knife discussion forums, social media, books, the national media and elsewhere. Some originally described it, and still do, as a folding or fixed-blade knife with a non-glare blade and black synthetic handle ideal for any number of utility purposes, including combat. There are other qualifications but these three seem to universally apply to tactical knives.
The Wall Street Journal
even referred to the Buck Metro keychain knife as a tactical knife.
As for who the father of tactical knives is, that is a question guaranteed to spark healthy debates. Some say custom knifemaker Bob Terzuola made the first tactical folding knife, while others say custom knifemaker Ernest Emerson did. Some say any number of other makers made the first one. The argument even can be made that the original popularizer of the term is Greg Walker, editor of the now-defunct Fighting Knives magazine, who wrote extensively about tactical knives during FK’s run in the 1990s. Some say the original tactical knife is the Buck 110 folding hunter, which was introduced in 1964 and used by many American GIs in the Vietnam War. Of course, if Glesser’s definition holds true, then the first knife fashioned by early man from a bone, rock, obsidian or what have you many millennia ago is the original tactical knife.
Whatever the case, tactical knives have been hot for over two decades with no end in sight. Observers have predicted the end of the tactical knife phenomenon any number of times, with the knife and its spinoffs enjoying almost as many popularity spikes as the predictions of its demise. About the only thing that seems certain about tactical knives is that such forecasts will continue until one of them actually comes true.
Then again, who really knows anything for sure when the subject is tactical knives?
Best Tactical Knives Specs Comparison
Knife
Blade Length (inches)
Overall Length (inches)
Weight (ounces)
Blade Steel
Handle Material
MSRP
CRKT Septimo
3.62
8.19
8Cr13MoV
$70
Halfbreed Blades CCK-03 Tuhon Raptor
3.94
7.79
3.53
Bohler K110
G10
3.15
Fallkniven R2 Scout
8.625
5.2
440 Stainless Steel
Zytel
$35
Bear Edge Brisk 1.0
3.82
8.93
6.54
CPM-Cru-Wear
G10
$325
Benchmade Adamas
3.82
8.93
6.54
CPM-Cru-Wear
G10
$325
CobraTec Special Ops
3.75
8.625
5.9
M390
Titanium
$500
Maserin 920/TP Tactical
3.582
8.26
440C Stainless steel
Anodized Aluminum
~$165
Hogue Deka Manual
3.25
7.5
2.3
CPM 20CV Stainless Steel
G10
$195
CRKT Septimo
In a pinch, the Ve serration of the CRKT
Septimo can be used to strip electrical
wire. Doing it this way a ords great cutting
control, thus increasing user safety.
CRKT is among the industry leaders in production tacticals that strike an outstanding balance between affordability and the most modern of designs. What’s more, the company has a great reputation for offering the biggest bang for the buck. Among its many forward-thinking designs is the Septimo tactical folder.
Jeremy Valdez of Olalla, Washington, is an Army veteran who served with the 7th Special Forces. The primary inspiration for the Septimo—the name means seventh in Spanish, an homage to Jeremy’s brothers in the 7th—came from his tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2009. While there, he was aboard a helicopter when it crashed. The knife Valdez had on him at the time proved ineffective at cutting through various materials during the exit from the chopper carcass. Soon after, he set out to design a tactical folder that could fulfill multiple roles as a backup weapon and cutting and rescue tool. The Septimo is the result.
Jeremy’s design for CRKT has a 3.6- inch tanto blade of 8Cr13MoV stainless steel with a black oxide coating to bolster corrosion resistance and reduce glare. While it may seem you can thumb the blade open by the oblong hole, it actually is difficult to do so, which is why the blade has a flipper tab opener. A flick of your index finger is all it takes to deploy the blade quickly. The action is very smooth.
The blade’s most noticeable feature is the single large Ve serration close to the tang. The serration’s large tooth helps gather and hold the material in as it’s being cut, so it provides a lot of control. It severs webbing, cord, string, paracord, small diameter tubing and most anything else that fits inside it.
The Septimo blade’s most noticeable feature is the single large Ve serration. The large tooth helps gather and
hold material in as it’s being cut, so it provides a lot of control. It severs webbing, cord, string, paracord, small
diameter tubing and anything else that fi ts inside it. Country of origin: China. (CRKT image)
The ergonomic handle has T-6 6061 aluminum scales with textured TPR (thermoplastic rubber) inlays for grip enhancement. Two stainless steel liners provide the knife’s backbone. The linerlock engages securely. The clip is mounted to carry the closed knife blade tip up and as deep as possible in the pocket. Multiple grooves provide comfortable placement to wrap your fingers around the handle. A solid steel spacer anchors the rear of the handle and includes a lanyard hole. The Septimo is an ideal tactical folder for those in law enforcement and the military. Thanks to its distinctly angled tip, the tanto blade has a great reputation for penetration power.
Septimo Deals
CRKT.com
Halfbreed Blades CCK-03 Tuhon Raptor
The Halfbreed Blades CCK-03 Tuhon Raptor Tactical Knife.
The Halfbreed Blades CCK (Compact Clearance Knife) series was developed as low-profile bladeware for fast-access self-defense situations. Designed for discreet carry, the series shares a common handle design but with varied blade patterns. The handle is very slender and features a ring at the end, which accommodates an index finger to lock in your grip. The top of the ring has an indentation to seat the thumb comfortably, as well as aid in applying downward pressure on the blade. The CCK-03 Tuhon Raptor is one of the most distinctively shaped blades in the series.
Designed by Special Operations CQC instructor Jared Wihongi, the blade is designed to be implemented in multiple ways, including to trap and hook. The talon-shaped tip has a devastatingly e effective ability to slash as well as thrust, with its slight hook implementing a gathering action. The main and top edges offer options for slashing in either direction. While most of the blade is sharp all the way around, a portion is unsharpened to incorporate a feature called a live edge identifier. It can be seen as a raised protrusion on the handle. You can use it to index the knife, that is, determine by the feel which way the blade is oriented.
The talon-like tip of the Halfbreed Blades Tuhon Raptor acts as your own personal claw. The curved edge grabs and feeds on the material to be cut—as in slicing a section of air hose lengthwise—thus amplifying the force applied.
At 8 inches overall and sporting a 3.94-inch blade, the Tuhon Raptor has plenty of length to get the job done while remaining compact in nature. The D2 blade steel boasts a balance of toughness, edge holding and value pricing. The knife comes in three hues: black, desert tan and OD green. Each color permeates the knife with matching G-10 handle overlays. The injection-molded plastic sheath corresponds in color to match the knife. It is a single-column design molded as one piece, not halves riveted together. The sheath is MOLLE compatible and there’s a Blade-Tech Tek Lok for those who prefer belt carry. The knife locks into the sheath very securely—no worries about it falling out accidentally. It locks with a firm and deliberate push.
Unlike the other two test pieces, the Tuhon Raptor is a single-purpose modern tactical knife. It is meant for self-defense and not as a utility tool. The handle design is not conducive for lengthy cutting in a traditional grip. However, in a pinch it can be used as a scoring tool or even to open packages and mail. Nonetheless, if you want to use the knife for self-defense, you should not subject it to any sort of utility use to preserve the sharpness of the edge.
Fallkniven’s R2 Scout is a smaller knife designed for users with littler hands, or for folks who just prefer a somewhat undersized blade. Meanwhile, it’s a myth that smaller knives cannot function as tactical tools. Smaller knives are just as capable, or maybe even more so, as their larger counterparts for certain tactical tasks. They can be just as strong as well.
At only 3.1 inches long, the R2’s drop point blade is .196-inch thick, which is quite thick for a short blade. The thickness is intentional to give the knife strength to withstand heavy-duty tasks. The blade’s ELMAX Swedish stainless particle steel is known for superb edge holding, and its Scandi grind descends straight down to a sharp edge. This is known as a zero edge because there is an absence of a cutting-edge bevel. What results is a blade that’s very sharp and easy to maintain.
The Fallkniven R2 Scout’s extra-thick blade enables it to tackle tougher tasks such as baton work easily. The extra thickness works as a wedge to split wood quickly. Country of origin: Sweden. The zero-grind edge of the Fallkniven R2 Scout has excellent bite and is great for whittling tasks that require the ultimate in sharpness.
The sheath of the R2 carries well on the belt and has the freedom to move when you sit down or snag it on something. (Fallkniven image)
The handle is Thermorun, a sturdy, grippy plastic with rubber-like properties. It has a coarse textured finish on the sides, which does a great job at preventing the handle from slipping out of your hand in adverse conditions. The sheath is equally well thought out, too. Molded of Zytel, it incorporates a webbing belt loop and an imaginative locking system that holds the knife securely. Activate the lock and the knife is guarded against accidental loss. You also can choose not to activate the lock, as the sheath otherwise holds the knife via an ever-present spring detent.
The sheath carries well on the belt and has freedom to move in case you sit down or snag it on something. The R2 is a workhorse of a compact fixed blade. The zero-grind edge has an incredibly aggressive bite. The blade is well suited for camp chores, food prep and carving/whittling utility jobs. As thick as the blade is, don’t be afraid to use it hard. Dig right in with it without worrying about the blade tip breaking or the blade bending. It withstands batonning well. Full-tang construction lends it a nice balance. Since the tang protrudes a bit through the handle butt, you can use it as a crushing tool. I found the texture of the handle to be just right; it gives a great grip in all conditions.
The Bear Edge Brisk 1.0 tactical fixed blade features a 4⅞-inch modified drop-point blade of 440A stainless steel with a black-epoxy-type coating. The cutting edge is partially serrated to power through tough materials. The ergonomic handle is stainless steel with a soft touch coating for grip comfort. Five oblong holes through the full tang and handle provide additional grip traction, as well as lighten the load. A large forward finger recess aids in indexing your grip, and the dropped-butt design helps seat your fingers and prevent your hand from sliding backward off the handle. The lower integral guard and choil allow you to employ a choke grip for precise cutting tasks. The knife has a folder counterpart in the Brisk 1.0 series, which, along with the slimmed-down handles, explains why the fixed blade sports a folder look.
While the knife has an overall tactical appearance and feel, it seems better suited to outdoor use. Why? The blade grind is hollow. Most tactical fixed blades have a flat grind to leave more steel in the cross-section, therefore increasing lateral strength. And then there’s the slim handle. For a tactical fixed blade, the handle needs to be wider to accommodate a secure grip. The thin handle doesn’t feel that secure in-hand, so I would be hesitant to use it for tactical tasks. While the slim handle minimizes weight and bulk, making the knife carry on a belt very easily, it’s just not geared toward a hard-use environment most tactical fixed blades must tackle.
The partially serrated 440A stainless steel blade of the Bear Edge Brisk 1.0 eats through tough and fibrous materials with ease.
As for the blade, it slices easily. The edge was extremely sharp out of the box and had the right amount of bite that I prefer, though it won’t last long due to its lower-end 440A stainless. It’s just not a steel known for edge holding. Conversely, it’s easy to sharpen in the field because it’s not wear resistant. Hence, if you prefer stainless blades for outdoor leisure activities and don’t want to fool with the extra care of carbon steel blades, consider the Brisk 1.0. The serrations are equally as sharp and eat through fibrous materials with ease. Those who love partially serrated blades will enjoy their versatility with cutting tasks. Plus, it saves you from carrying a separate serrated knife.
The knife includes a ballistic nylon belt sheath with button-snap closure. It’s a basic style sheath, nothing to get excited about. It just does the job.
The Benchmade Adamas is a stout, full-on, all-in tactical folder that oozes brawn and might in appearance and has the muscle to back it up. Knifemaker Shane Sibert designed the Adamas series and is known for heavy-duty tactical folders and fixed blades. The original comes in a larger size with a 3.7-inch blade, but customers started asking for a more pocket friendly, scaled-down version. Enter the Benchmade 273GY-1 Mini Adamas. With a blade of 3.25 inches and at 4.35 inches closed, the Mini Adamas is probably the toughest small folder you’ll ever meet.
The drop-point blade is CPM Cru-Wear tool steel to go the distance in edge holding and toughness—two important factors in tactical knives. The blade has a fuller milled in on both sides and sports dual conical-shaped thumb studs for easy one-hand opening. The tank-like handle comes in a choice of black or OD green G-10. The design incorporates three holes and milled grooves to enhance grip and aesthetics.
The Axis™ Lock provides the ultimate in blade lockup while being easy to disengage and close. Integral forward and rear lower guards prevent your hand from sliding off, and a deep-carry pocket clip positions the knife blade tip up. Additional screw holes permit relocating the clip to accommodate southpaws.
The Mini Adamas is a good chunk and larger and wider than other mini folders. Compared with its bigger brother, the 275 Adamas, it’s scaled down. Still, it carries better in the pocket and is easy to deploy. The Axis Lock has a longstanding reputation as one of the best locks on the market, and Benchmade has it dialed in with being ultra-solid yet easy to operate—even for novices. If you like the Adamas design but say the regular size is too big for EDC, the 273 is for you.
The Benchmade Mini Adamas is easy to control for finer cutting tasks like stripping wires. The edge geometry of the CPM Cru-Wear blade from the factory is spot on.
A common complaint about mini folders is when you reduce the size, it changes the in-hand dynamics from the original. Not so much here. There’s still plenty to hold onto! The same cutting power and durability is present, and the boxy handle shape is still comfortable in-hand, more so than you expect—which is a good thing. It is a good working folder and/or tailored for hiking, camping and other outdoor activities.
Cru-Wear goes the distance and is a perfect choice for such a knife. It isn’t stainless so you will have to take some care of it, even though it has a Cerakote coating. The tungsten gray Cerakote has some sparkle to it, is kind of reminiscent of Teflon-coated cookware, and goes well with the black G-10 handle. Don’t be fooled, this mini is definitely mighty.
Adamas Deals
Amazon
$320
CobraTec Special Ops
CobraTec Special Ops
Special Ops Specs Blade Length: 3.75″ Overall Length: 8.625″ Weight: 5.9 oz. Blade Steel: M390 Handle Material: Titanium MSRP: $500
Pros
Durable Blade Design
Smooth Flipper Action
Aesthetically Unique
Cons
Handle Could Be Better
I would have to put the CobraTec Special Ops in the large folder category. It’s built like a tank. The blade is stout, with a well-executed grind. It’s thick enough to have plenty of strength for hard use yet fine enough to create a keen cutting edge. It is definitely not a folding pry bar.
The knife has a blade thumb hole and a flipper for opening. The thumb hole is a little too close to the scale for me. Having the hole so close prevented me from opening the blade smoothly; I just couldn’t get a comfortable angle on it. On the other hand, the flipper is so smooth it’s like that first sip of a good coffee in the morning. I just love the fast, crisp action.
CobraTec takes advantage of the titanium handle by using a framelock system. As the blade opens, the locking bar slides over smooth and easy for a bank-vault action. The dimensions and finish are down pat on the framelock. Sometimes on framelocks you find the lock binds a bit. Not on the CobraTec—everything seems to flow on the knife’s action.
The flipper action on the Special Ops is smooth. “One of the reasons CobraTec has such a smooth action is they don’t skimp on the flipper,” the author noted. “You can easily get a purchase on it and it is large enough to follow through on the action.”
Handle fit is spot on. As for the texturing, it is a milled CNC design. I understand the urge to look different and have appealing aesthetics but the most important thing should be ergonomics. I am not saying the knife is painful to hold but it isn’t like a broken-in pair of house slippers, either. At this price range, grabbing the handle should give me shivers. If the handle ergonomics were as sweet as the action, I would be a new fan boy. The pocket clip is too tight. A large blade provides plenty of length for penetration. The knife is a solid build so there is no reason why you can’t expect faithful service from it for a lifetime.
I would call the Maserin 920/TP Tactical a small boot knife or even a modern dagger. It has a dagger blade profile with one side a combination serrated/razor and the other a false edge. Keep in mind dual-edged blades are illegal in some areas, so know your local laws before you decide to sharpen the second side.
The guard is integral to the handle. A mechanical system fastens the aluminum scales to the blade. The 920/TP is not a full-tang knife. Maserin screws the scales to a short tang and then uses spacers at the back, somewhat like a folder. A through-handle construction such as this does not lend the knife to extreme hard use. The 440C stainless blade steel is tolerant of close-to-the-body carry without getting rusty, and the heavy blade coating helps resist rust.
The construction of the 920/TP lacks a full tang and uses a through handle design like some folders. Observed the author, “I would not pick this design for tough use.”
A molded Kydex sheath accommodates MOLLE and horizontal or vertical belt carry. The sheath was so tight that I struggled to pull the knife out. I’m not a strongman competitor and I don’t want to have to work that hard. After repeated drawing, unsheathing the knife did become manageable. I would say the grip is good and serviceable. Overall, the knife is light and nimble but is not built to abuse. I think it would make a good 4:30 or vest carry.
Hogue Deka Manual
Positioned here at 10:30 to the pivot, an Ambidextrous Bar Lock Enhanced (ABLE) mechanism secures the Deka blade open. Simple to use and very convenient, the lock matches up well with the thumb stud blade opener.
According to Hogue, the Deka Manual is one of its more popular folders. It’s easy to see why, since without missing any points on style it maintains a straightforward user design. CNC-milled G-10 scales with a “V” design are basic in nature yet effective in helping gain a solid hold. An Ambidextrous Bar Lock Enhanced (ABLE) mechanism secures the blade open. Simple to use and very convenient, the lock matches up well with the thumb stud blade opener. You can pull back the lock and give the knife a decent flick to open it as well.
I would like to spend some time on the blade. Aesthetically, the wharncliffe pattern the company uses isn’t my cup of tea, though I must say the design has plenty of utility and for that reason alone has appeal. Hogue uses a compound angle grind. At the base, the edge starts out following one angle and then takes a crisp but slight upward angle. Wharncliffe tips give plenty of engagement to manipulate the point during cuts. Add the gimping on the thumb ramp and you can control the force you drive into the cut.
The Deka was razor sharp out of the box. A straight angle on the back of the blade allows you to put some power into a cut without the material trying to run along the blade.
The Deka has a deep carry, ambidextrous pocket clip that carries the knife tip up. I would like to see a sturdier clip but it does its job, and I had not experienced any issues with it as of press time. Sometimes the simple designs stand out most because they are solid users. I think the Hogue is a user-driven knife, unlike many knives that are popular for their Gucci factor. It comes in more colors than black but since there’s a black one it can be tactical.
Amazon
$176
Editor’s Note: Steve Shackleford and Abe Elias contributed to this report.
Cut like a Viking with some top factory interpretations of an ancient design.
When knife fans think Vikings and Viking blades, the seax is at or near the top of the list. The seax (pronounced sax) blade shape originated in northern Europe from late Roman to early medieval times and was used widely by the Germanic tribes.
Seax means knife or cutting tool, both of which aptly describe the useful blade shape that is equally at home as a tool or a weapon. Typical uses include but are not limited to food preparation, general cutting, carving and more. Medieval warriors entered battle carrying swords, axes and the seax as a back-up. It was a very well-rounded knife design that played a prominent role in daily life.
Typical seax construction included forged carbon steel blades paired with wood, bone or antler handles. The handle often was adorned with decorative carvings or inlays. In size, the knife ranged from small utility models to swords and everything in between. It also was a symbol of status and identity. Today the seax comes in a wide range of materials, sizes, price ranges and more.
A leading example is the TOPS Knives Storm Vector. Featuring a 12.6-inch blade of 1095 carbon steel and an 18.25-inch overall length, the Storm Vector is the largest seax of the test bunch. It’s an intriguing twist of seax meets machete that results in an interesting cutting tool. Done right, 1095 can hold an edge quite well but is also very easy to sharpen in the field, a major selling point. A Sniper Gray coating protects the blade from stains and corrosion and provides a subdued, tactical look.
The ergonomic handle is black Micarta®. Blue liners give a subtle pop of color to an otherwise dark knife. The handle’s curve, prominent finger grooves and expanded butt all help to make the knife feel as if it were molded to your hand. The Micarta corners are rounded for more comfort.
Make no mistake, this isn’t a lightweight. The blade is a quarter inch at the thickest and the knife tips the scales at a healthy 24 ounces. The side-break Kydex sheath has a button snap/strap closure to secure the knife, and a neat dangler belt loop allows the sheath to swing freely and not bind up on vegetation. Overall sheath quality: excellent.
Designed by TOPS Knives headman Leo Espinoza—inset holding one at BLADE Show West—the Storm Vector handles baton work like, well, a Viking. (image of Espinoza by BLADE® staff)
The Storm Vector especially excels at chopping. It has the weight to support it, as well as superior handle ergonomics. My hand felt very secure throughout testing; never did I feel as if I were losing control of the knife. TOPS has superb handle ergonomics on many of its larger fixed blades. Rounded, contoured Micarta edges make the handle comfortable to hold, even for extended periods.
TOPS excels at making superb outdoor knives and the Storm Vector is testament to this. It offers excellent fit and finish. If you want a heavy-duty chopper you can throw around and not have to worry about durability, the Storm Vector is it.
CAS Iberia Legacy Arms Witham Seax
The CAS Iberia Legacy Arms Witham Seax feels agile in hand and can easily chop small saplings with ease.
Based on a 10th-century seax design and at 17.25 inches overall, the Legacy Arms Witham Seax from CAS Iberia is pretty impressive size wise. The 12-inch blade offers plenty of edged real estate paired with a simple handle sporting minimal adornment.
The 5160 carbon steel blade is flat ground with a convex edge for razor sharpness. A forward guard at the tang is inlaid with what appears to be copper diamond shapes. The motif carries over to the steel buttcap, which boasts the same adornment. The brushed finish of the guard and buttcap complements the blade’s satin finish, rounding out the knife’s overall appearance nicely.
The wood handle is wrapped with leather for a luxurious vibe. It definitely is comfortable to hold. The double-stitched leather sheath is dyed a light brown and features two horizontal carry belt loops. The sheath is pretty basic but is all that’s needed to protect the blade.
The Witham’s double-stitched leather sheath is dyed a light brown and features two horizontal carry belt loops.
The Witham Seax is very well made. The quality of finishing is superb and the cutting edge was reasonably sharp out of the box, though I was able to improve it using a coarse-grit diamond sharpening rod. The 5160 sharpens quickly and easily. The fit of both the guard and buttcap to the tang is excellent.
This is a slender, agile knife. It feels great. It is a bit blade heavy but not so much that it can be employed as a dedicated chopper. While it handles chopping well, I would opt for a design that is more blade heavy and also a more ergonomic handle. That being said, the Witham Seax shines as a general cutting tool. The blade has great bite and the 5160 responds well to steeling or stropping, something you can do easily in the field to prolong a sharp edge. The inlaid edges of the guard are a nice visual touch as well. This is as much a collector piece as it is a user.
Condor Tool & Knife Norse Dragon Seax
Decorative laser etching adorns both sides of the handle of the Condor Norse Dragon Seax, with the same motif carried onto both sides of the classy, well-made leather sheath.
The Condor Tool & Knife Norse Dragon Seax features a broken back seax blade design with an angled tip reminiscent of today’s reverse tanto pattern. The 7-inch blade is 1095 and features a two-tone finish—the bevels are satin finished and the flats sport the natural darkened finish a blade exhibits emerging from heat treatment.
The simple handle design is durable hickory with a single brass spacer where the handle meets the tang, accenting the handsome overall look. Decorative laser etching adorns both sides of the handle, with the same motif carried onto both sides of the classy, well-made leather sheath. At 11.7 inches overall, the Condor entry can tackle a wide variety of chores both indoor and out.
The Norse Dragon Seax does well on a variety of media thanks to its Scandi-like grind and easy-to-sharpen 1095 carbon steel.
The Norse Dragon Seax has great blade geometry, enabling it to sail through various materials with ease. The edge out of the box wasn’t quite keen enough but I was able to fine tune it with my arsenal of sharpening equipment very quickly. Once I got the edge to my liking, the Norse Dragon tackled cutting chores with aplomb. The hickory handle is comfortable, though possibly could be a bit thicker to make it easier to grip for folks with larger hands.
This knife is not a chopper. It lacks the mass and blade length as well as handle ergonomics for the activity. However, for a tool that slices and dices, this is it. As long as you limit it to cutting only, you should have no issues. In fact, it is a highly capable cutter that would find a good home in any fixed blade fan’s collection.
Emerson Knives Seax
Thanks to a conventional double “V” grind, whittling is no problem with the Emerson Seax Fixed Blade. The Wave design at the end of the ramp helps identify the knife as an Emerson.
Emerson Knives, Inc., has folding and fixed-blade versions of the seax, the latter which is the entry for this review. It is more toward the tactical side, as most of Emerson’s knife line is. Ten inches overall, it sports the company’s superb signature grip ergonomics.
The handle curves encourage firm, non-slip purchase and the chamfer of the G-10 scales checks the comfort box. The handle surface is textured and sports a series of well-placed golf-ball-like dimples that further enhance purchase.
The spine thumb ramp terminates in another Emerson signature design, the Wave. Normally used on the company’s folders to assist in opening the blade, the thumb ramp/Wave allows you not only to lock in your grip but also to exert downward pressure to make cuts. One look and it’s an Emerson design for sure, so the thumb ramp/Wave serves as a visual identifier as well.
The 4.8-inch blade boasts a conventional double “V” grind, though the chisel cutting edge bevel is single sided only. The 154CM stainless steel holds an edge very well and is fairly easy to sharpen. The fold-over, taco-style Kydex sheath is drilled to accept a Blade-Tech Tek-Lok or similar belt attachment. The sheath is basic but a quality make and functions well.
To help enhance purchase, the handle surface of the Emerson Seax Fixed Blade is textured with well-placed golf-ball-like dimples. The fold-over, taco-style Kydex sheath is drilled to accept a Blade-Tech Tek-Lok or similar belt attachment.
Though the knife has a tactical design and feel, don’t let that discourage you from using it in outdoor or general settings. First and foremost, it is a great all-around cutting tool. The straight edge easily cuts cardboard, hose, plastic sheeting and foam, and more. It also handles whittling well, with the chisel-ground edge biting into wood aggressively and deeply.
One of the things I have always loved about Emerson knives is the company’s expert application of handle ergonomics. I’ve yet to use an Emerson handle I don’t like. In addition to enhancing purchase, the handle dimples help displace moisture, providing an excellent grip even with wet hands. Emerson builds knives meant for hard use, so don’t fear putting the knife through its paces. It is built for the long haul and won’t let you down.
What better knife to carry daily than one explicitly designed to save lives?
Why rescue knives as EDC? It’s more like “why not?” Life presents situations you don’t expect—an accident happens and there you are, right in the middle of it. It is therefore very important to be and stay prepared. Having a rescue knife within close reach can help when you need it most.
But who really carries a rescue knife daily? If you are a fireman, EMT or in law enforcement, it’s an easy answer. Remember the be and stay prepared motto. Even if not in a save-and-serve profession, you can have a rescue knife with you for times you need it most.
Victorinox Rescue Tool
It probably is no surprise that Victorinox makes a rescue knife. The company is well known for fashioning super handy pocketknives with all sorts of onboard tools that make work, play and life easier and more convenient—and in this case, safer, too.
The Victorinox Rescue Tool comes with a special saw that will cut through laminated vehicle glass such as the kind used for windshields. The author said the saw grabbed on the pull stroke. “The saw possibly would have better results if the windshield were shattered first,” he noted, “but I couldn’t locate any shattered windshields on any of the test vehicles.”
At about 4.4 inches closed, the Victorinox Rescue Tool has a frame based on the largest knife the company makes. This is definitely not a pocketknife! It comes with a high quality sewn and riveted nylon sheath (more on it later).
As with most Swiss Army knives, the Rescue Tool sports a variety of on-board tools: a partially serrated 3⅛-inch main blade with hole opener; bottle opener; flathead and Phillips screwdrivers; a combination can opener and small flathead screwdriver; a 3.25-inch semi-curved, fully serrated blade for cutting seatbelts; a specially designed 3.25-inch pull saw for cutting shatterproof glass; and a glass breaker. The latter two are removable. The polyamide scales come in high-visibility yellow for easy location in low light conditions, and the scales glow in the dark after being charged up by sunlight or artificial light. Fit and finish on the Rescue Tool is standard for Victorinox—perfect out of the box. The blades and tools are finished nicely in a full polish except for the saw blade, which is satin finished. Opening and closing action is smooth. The main partially serrated blade locks open via a linerlock as well.
The seatbelt cutter is extremely effective. The rounded, dull blade tip extends slightly beyond the handle butt so you can deploy the blade with or without gloves. Work the blade under the seatbelt and, with one swift motion, pull and the blade slices clean through. The serration pattern is similar to one you might see on a steak knife, with evenly spaced teeth—simple yet very effective and extremely sharp out of the box.
The fully serrated blunt tipped seatbelt cutter blade of the Victorinox works exceptionally well. It has plenty of aggressive bite to cleave through seatbelts in a hurry.
The partially serrated main blade is easy to deploy via the hole opener. The blade is unlike most if not all other partially serrated non-Victorinox patterns. The front 70 percent of the edge is serrated and the balance closest to the tang is plain for finer cutting. The serrations are more rounded at the tips than on the seatbelt cutter, presumably to allow the blade to cut evenly like a plain edge. I tested it on food, cardboard and manila rope, and it cut smoothly and aggressively.
Now for the disappointing part—the glass breaker. It was not effective at all. I could not get a side car window to shatter no matter how hard I hit it. I presume the failure is due to the breaker point being too big. In my experience, the most effective glass breakers are the ones that come to a point and are made of carbide, as with the balance of the review knives. The glass saw is effective, though it grabs a bit too much on the pull stroke. However, when I adjusted the pressure it worked. Country of origin: Switzerland. MSRP: $115.
SOG Escape 2.0 ATK
The SOG Escape 2.0 ATK is the updated version of the original SOG Escape, a multipurpose rescue folder targeted at the serve and save pros. It features a 3.4-inch blade of AUS-8 stainless steel PVD coated black, a partially serrated edge, anodized aluminum handle, integrated/replaceable seatbelt/line cutter, and glass breaker. The blade sports ambidextrous thumb studs and a flipper for one-hand opening. The edge is serrated to tackle a plethora of cutting chores. The clip point shape is adaptable to a wide range of tasks and the defined point is great for scoring. The serrations provide extra slicing power when the going gets tough.
The author uses the SOG Escape 2.0 ATK to shatter a car window, both prior to (inset) and after the fact. Inset into the handle spacer, the glass breaker quickly shattered the side glass with a concentrated pop to the window’s lower corner.
The handle is cast aluminum with stainless steel liners. It comes in two colors: high visibility orange and OD green. The integrated slot at the butt houses a blade for cutting seatbelts, line and string without opening the knife. A glass breaker in the handle spacer quickly shatters side car windows. The breaker works very well. It quickly shattered the side glass with a concentrated pop to the lower corner of the window. The pocket clip is a fold-over, deep carry model. A spare seatbelt/line cutter blade stows safely beneath the textured panel handle inlay. Back out the two small Phillips screws securing the cover and you will see the blade underneath—it is simple to swap out. Country of origin: China. MSRP: $54.95.
Kershaw Drivetrain
Kershaw’s Drivetrain rescue knife looks like any standard EDC linerlock folder. It has a stylish handle coupled with a very utility friendly blade—but that’s where the similarity ends. The presentation side of the handle butt boasts an integrated seatbelt cutter that folds out. A glass breaker is inserted into the end of the handle spacer. The 3.2-inch clip point blade has ambidextrous thumb studs and a flipper for one-hand opening enhanced by the company’s SpeedSafe assist mechanism. The blade is D2 tool steel for augmented edge holding and wear resistance, especially for the price point. The stonewash finish is attractive and hides scratches.
The author indicated the fold-out locking seatbelt cutter of the Kershaw Drivetrain is the best of the test bunch. It’s a wide hook with a blunt tip leading edge for safety. Rest the handle spine on the seatbelt and pull. The handle guides the cutter to the belt and it cleaves very easily.
The handle is molded glass reinforced nylon with double stainless steel liners. The scales are textured and contoured for a nonslip, comfortable grip with no hot spots. The seatbelt cutter easily deploys with one hand and a separate linerlock holds it in place. When closed, the cutter is concealed within the lines of the handle profile and doesn’t get in the way. A steel pocket clip carries the closed knife blade tip up.
The blade is very utility friendly, from opening boxes and mail to cutting cardboard and plastic sheeting. Once locked open, it is extremely secure with no play.
The Kershaw glass breaker works very well. Situated at the end of the handle, a quick strike with it to the lower corner of the vehicle side window did the job.
The seatbelt cutter works well. The hook tip is dull and rounded so you can work it under the seatbelt without inadvertently cutting yourself or the accident victim. The blade is ground on both sides to enhance sharpness. For best results, make your pull cut at an angle in relation to the seatbelt. Also, resting the handle spine on the seatbelt is a great way to “aim” the cutter. It bites in better that way and, when you feel it engage, give the handle a quick tug and it cleaves through effortlessly. It is a surprisingly effective seatbelt cutter! The glass breaker works very well, too. Country of origin: U.S. design, prototype and quality control, Chinese manufacture. MSRP: $69.59.
Utica’s Honor Rescue Knife
Utica’s Honor Rescue Knife is the least expensive of the test group. It packs a few features normally found on rescue knives, such as the integrated seatbelt cutter, glass breaker and a partially serrated, modified tanto blade. The 3-inch stainless steel blade’s partial serrations help rip through thicker materials. A two-tone finish adds character, with the bevels and spine black oxide coated and the flats satin finished. A flipper tab provides ambidextrous opening, and the blade rides effortlessly on bearings for ultra smooth action. The handle is aluminum with double stainless steel liners providing the backbone. A linerlock holds the blade open securely. A seatbelt cutter slot in the handle butt has two sharpened blades held in the scissor position to cleave seatbelts with a firm pull. The steel back spacer has an extended portion that tapers to a point, which serves as the glass breaker.
The Utica tanto blade’s partial serrations help rip through thicker materials.
Like with the Victorinox Rescue Tool, the glass breaker on the Utica test model was ineffective. The point rounded off due to multiple hits to a side window and did not shatter it. The breaker needs a carbide point. A deep carry clip positions the closed knife blade tip down. Cost and feature wise, the Honor Rescue Knife is a great option without breaking the bank. Country of origin: China. MSRP: $32.97.
Final Cut
A final thought: Some prefer having a rescue knife for emergencies only as opposed to having one for both work and emergencies. You can get away with a relatively inexpensive rescue knife if you preserve it for emergency use exclusively. (Some high-end rescue knives cost as much as regular tactical folders, that is, several hundred dollars.) There’s nothing wrong with an inexpensive rescue knife as long as the manufacturing quality is there, the blade lock holds and the blade is sharp. If you are adept at doing so, sharpen the blade first before stowing it away; this way you know the blade is very sharp. And since you won’t be using it as an EDC, the sharp edge will be preserved. This works well if you have multiple vehicles in your family that you wish to outfit with rescue knives.
Where To Keep Your Rescue Knife
Keeping a rescue knife in your vehicle is a great idea as it can help free you and others should you have an accident or happen upon one. However, give careful thought to where you stow the knife.
The author keeps his Hogue Trauma rescue folder in the sheath wrapped around the lower portion of the seatbelt anchor in between the seat and door of his truck.
Most assume a glovebox is a safe place and while not a wrong choice, it is a poor one. Why? For one, in an accident your seatbelt may not release because of the tension; in essence, you’re strapped to the driver’s seat and cannot lean over to access the glovebox. Worse, the vehicle could be upside down or on its side. In other words, have the knife placed securely within arm’s length.
I keep a Benchmade Auto Triage inside the sunglass holder in the roof of my car, just above the inside rearview mirror. It is secured shut with a latch so it won’t pop open on impact. I can easily reach it and remove it from the holder with my right hand. In my truck I keep a Hogue Trauma rescue folder in the sheath wrapped around the lower portion of the seatbelt anchor in between the seat and the door. It’s just enough room for me to access the knife with the door shut, and the knife is secured in that position and won’t move.
The worst place to keep the knife is in the center console cupholder. While it’s convenient to access, if you get rear ended or t-boned, the knife will go airborne and land way out of reach. Some vehicles may have a center console storage/armrest in the middle. Yeah, mine in each vehicle is a clutter catchall for receipts and other junk, but it’s another ideal location because the armrest lid latches shut and is within arm’s reach.
Find out why the Spartan Blades Clandestina took home Blade Knife of the Year, thanks to its standout tactical design, top-tier materials, and unbeatable performance.
A deadly beauty, Spartan Blades’ Clandestina packages the best of both worlds. Yup, it’s a looker, but dang if it isn’t engineered to inflict damage.
The dueling personalities of the BLADE Knife of the Year aren’t surprising, given who cooked up this wicked fixed blade. Bill Harsey has built his reputation on designing robust outdoor and tactical knives.
Photos by Marty Stanfield, Marty Stanfield Photography
A favorite of Army Special Forces and figures such as Col. Rex Applegate, Harsey work also has a certain lethal aesthetic to it as well. But even with operators enamored with his work, Harsey’s Spartan project has an appeal beyond serving in foreign conflicts.
Spartan Clandestina Specs
Knife Type: Fixed Blade Type: Spear Point Blade length: 5.5 Blade steel: CPM MagnaCut Blade grind: Flat ground Handle material: Canvas Micarta Black and Camo Blade Hardness: 61-63 HRC Overall length: 10 3/16” Sheath type and material: MOLLE and Kydex options Special features: Available in Black and FDE PVD Coating, Double Deep Cryogenic Treatment MSRP:
Pros
Superior Ergonomics
Premium Blade Material
Sheath Options
Cons
Large For Everyday Carry
High Price Point
Niche Design
Spartan Clandestina Handle
Oddly enough for a knife review, I’m going to start at the handle. There’s a method in this madness, given this feature is what gives the Clandestina its edge.
The canvas Micarta handle is slim in profile, even understated, yet sports big-league features.
Photos by Marty Stanfield, Marty Stanfield Photography
Boasting two-finger grooves leverage the use of the middle finger to help stabilize the knife in the user’s grip and help lock it in for security. The double guard is somewhat subtle but does its job very well.
The entire handle is rounded and therefore, extremely comfortable to hold. No hot spots or harsh angles to get in the way. Overall outstanding ergonomics make the knife one with the hand. In brief, it’s pure Harsey all the way.
Micarta itself was an excellent choice for the tactical fixed blade—it’s lightweight yet strong. Comprised of fabric saturated in phenolic resin, it is also impact-resistant and fluid-resistant.
These attributes were engineered in the Clandestina with combat in adverse conditions in mind. Yet, the everyday user benefits, given it’s a robust system that should last a lifetime. Not to mention, the Micarta is available in a multitude of colors, besides my black and camo.
Spartan Clandestina Blade
From the understated to the obvious—the knife’s nefarious.
At 5.5 inches long and sporting a spear-point profile, the Clandestina was designed for more than opening boxes. A testament to this was Spartan opting for premium CPM Magnacut stainless steel.
Photos by Marty Stanfield, Marty Stanfield Photography
Know for its capability of long-term edge retention, the metal makes the ready to slash or perforate with ease. Again, this material also has superior corrosion resistance, adding to the overall hardiness of the knife.
The blade is flat ground and the factory edge right out of the box is outstanding. I found nothing needed to be done to improve the edge, I just took it out of the box and put it right to work!
While larger than most folks’ carry option, the blade length isn’t over the top. I found it nearly perfect for belt carry, hitting an elusive sweet spot many fixed-blades miss.
Spartan Clandestina Sheath
Sheath-wise, there are two options – form-fitting Kydex or a tried and true ballistic nylon. The sample knife shipped to me with the latter.
Photos by Marty Stanfield, Marty Stanfield Photography
I found the sheath is very well made, with double sewn edges and a button snap retention strap to hold the e knife in. A large belt loop allows the use of various widths of belts to be used.
Should you opt for Kydex, the sheath is of a riveted construction with a belt loop attachment. The form-fitting sheath locks up around the integral guard of the handle. There are two MOLLE straps that also double as belt loops.
Testing The Spartan Clandestina
Putting the Clandestina to work is nothing short of an excellent experience.
All of Harsey’s tactical fixed blade design expertise comes into play here, and you quickly realize you have a piece of serious bladeware in your possession. It makes slicing cuts with brash confidence thanks to the excellent factory edge coupled with the flat grind.
Photos by Marty Stanfield, Marty Stanfield Photography
The blade thickness tapers down progressively to the tip, allowing it to have the ability to do some serious piercing without being too thin where accidental breakage can occur. The overall blade profile is somewhat dagger-like, as you will notice.
The handle is downright comfortable. It allows the user to obtain a secure grip at all times, instilling and promoting user confidence. Thanks to the dual finger grooves, these allow the slender handle to have such a great grip quality. Locking your grip on the handle, it feels very stable and unlikely to rotate.
Furthermore, when you grip the handle and allow your thumb to rest on the blade spine, you can feel how secure this choke grip is and the knife is very controllable in this grip. Whittling and wire stripping are two such tasks that this grip facilitates. Simply put, the Spartan HARSEY Clandestina is built for use.
Short Cut
It’s definitely not a toy! Use it with confidence and use it hard. Spartan Blades’ craftsmanship skills are highly rated consistently, with each knife they turn out. You cannot go wrong with choosing the Clandestine.
No matter how you slice it, three top tomato knives turn the trick.
Nothing beats homegrown tomatoes and tomato sandwiches, or just simply enjoying them as they are, sliced up with all their juicy goodness. Who doesn’t love a ripe and ready tomato?
Cutting tomatoes requires a very sharp knife. Besides writing for this fine publication, I also have another side hustle of running a sharpening service. I get asked all the time, “How do I know when it is time to have my kitchen knives sharpened?” I always answer with the tomato test. If your knife cannot slice a tomato cleanly without squashing it, then it is time for a sharpening.
Tomatoes have a firm exterior and a squishy/liquid interior. A sharp knife is mandatory to break through the firm exterior. If your knife is dull, it won’t bite right into the exterior but instead will squash it, thus squeezing out the juice and ruining a good slice of succulent tomato.
Sure, any sharp kitchen knife will slice tomatoes and do a fine job of it. But there are specially designed tomato knives that take the work out of perfect slicing. If you do a lot of meal prep involving tomatoes, then you might want to procure one of the following tomato-slicing knives for the occasion.
Case Tomato Slicer
The Case works effortlessly due to the thinness of the blade coupled with the serrations.
Case Tomato Slicer Blade Length: 5.5″ Overall Length: 9.25″ Blade Material: Tru-Sharp Stainless Handle Material: Walnut Country of Origin: USA MSRP: $39
Pros
Hightly effective for tomatoes
Durable and attractive Construction
Effortless cutting
Cons
Limited to specific tasks
The 5½-inch Tomato Slicer from Case is a highly effective tomato knife. It is specifically designed to make quick work of processing tomatoes without damaging them. The 5½-inch blade is slender and has a trailing-point shape. It is hollow ground, fully serrated and Tru-Sharp stainless steel (420 HC stainless). The handle is walnut and features triple-rivet construction for strength and durability. It is a nice-looking knife and part of a larger household cutlery family Case offers with the same blade and handle materials.
Performance wise the knife excels. The serrations cut smoothly but have an aggressive bite that help break cleanly through the tomato’s firm skin. The hollow grind and slender blade aid in sailing through the fruit without collapsing it. The knife is quite effortless in action. Due to the slender, almost minimalist blade width I would limit use of the knife to tomatoes and other similar fruits like grapes and kiwi. It is sort of a specific-use knife and not one you generally grab when you need to cut something in the kitchen. It is more like a hybrid knife. It has a serrated edge but cuts clean and smooth similar to a plain edge knife. MSRP: $38.99. Country of origin: USA.
Amazon
$34
Knife Center
$47
Lemans
$35
Kershaw Utility Knife
The thin blade stock gives the Kershaw Utility Knife great bite and slices very easily. The contoured handle adds a high degree of comfort and control.
Kershaw Utility Knife Specs Blade Length: 6″ Overall Length: 10.6″ Blade Material: DIN 1.4116 Handle Material: Polypropylene Country of Origin: China MSRP: $21
Pros
Versatile for light-to-medium tasks
Comfortable and Secure Grip
Affordable
Cons
Not made for tough tasks
Very basic design
The Kershaw 6-inch Utility Knife is designed to be a “do-it-all” knife in the kitchen for light-to-medium-duty food prep tasks, and can handle meats, fruits and vegetables with no problem. One look at this knife and the word “basic” comes to mind. It is just a no-frills kitchen knife and I say that not in a negative light but rather a positive one. Sometimes simple is the way to go; it is the most direct way.
The 6-inch blade is DIN 1.4116 stainless steel in a nice brushed-satin finish. The handle has an expanded front section that not only acts as a finger stop but also is shaped in a way that promotes using the pinch grip for more precise control for detail cutting. The handle profile is rounded so it sits in your grip nicely and comfortably with no hot spots to speak of. The material is molded polypropylene and sports a slight texturing to aid in grip retention. As an added bonus, the knife comes with a molded plastic slip sheath to protect the blade when not in use. Because of this, the knife can be stored in a backpack for a camping trip, a drawer of your RV or a kitchen drawer, all without worry of edge damage or accidental cuts.
Due to the very thin blade stock (.057 inch at the thickest), the Kershaw slices tomatoes with surgical precision. The edge bites into the skin and glides right through with very little resistance. The blade is somewhat flexible but not as much as, say, a fillet knife. You are still able to flex the blade a bit, so I would not tackle any tough cutting with it and certainly not torque the handle. The blade shape is adaptable to all sorts of food prep tasks, from meats to vegetables to fruits.
The size is perfect to accompany a larger chef’s knife, for those tasks for which an 8-inch chef’s knife is too big and a paring knife is too small. The major selling points are the basic design, thin blade stock, rounded handle and price. MSRP: $20.99. Country of origin: China.
Amazon
$21
Knife Center
$21
Kershaw
$21
Gerber ComplEATUtility Knife
The Gerber ComplEAT Utility Knife has more aggressive serrations than the Case Tomato Slicer, slices tomatoes well and doubles as a bread knife.
Gerber ComplEAT Specs Blade Length: 6″ Overall Length: 10″ Blade Material: 4116 German stainless stee Handle Material: Glass-filled polypropylene Country of Origin: China MSRP: $35
Pros
Multi-use versatility
Serrated blade stays sharp
Ergonomics are great
Cons
Constructed of basic materials
The serrated Gerber ComplEAT 6-inch Utility Knife will handle meats, produce and bread. It’s the perfect complement to the other two models—chef’s and paring knives—in the company’s ComplEAT series.
The 6-inch blade is German 4116 stainless steel for affordability and stain resistance. Commonly used in pocketknives, the sheepsfoot blade is utility friendly. The full flat grind thins the serrations down well without being fragile and gives the edge its bite. A stonewash finish seals the micro pores in the steel to prevent rust from forming easily.
The handle is dual molded, with a hard plastic outer frame and inlays of a softer, grippier rubber-like material. The inlays are inset some to provide an innovative finger groove of sorts that allows you to obtain good handle traction, as your fingers and thumb can rest inside it, helping you to control the knife at all times. Additionally, there is a forward pinch grip/recessed area on both sides of the handle for exact control. The handle perimeter features multifaceted chamfers that not only reduce hot spots but also make the handle feel slimmer by removing bulk. An oblong hole accepts a lanyard or simply serves to hang the knife on a peg, nail or hook when not in use.
The handle color is interesting. Gerber calls it Baltic Haze and is a matte light green with dark green rubber inlays. It is more appealing than standard black and fits in well with the outdoor theme. A matching plastic slip sheath protects the blade and is safe to carry in a backpack.
The ComplEAT handles tomatoes similarly to the Case Tomato Slicer. The serrations allow the blade to immediately bite into the tomato skin and help the edge to remain sharp over time. Unlike the Case, the ComplEAT can be used for other foods, too—cucumbers, onions, chicken, pork, beef and even as a bread knife, including bagels, baguettes and such. It is a true multi-use performer. If you need one knife to tackle a variety of food for camping, it might be the one as the evenly spaced serrations cut smoothly. If you prefer infrequent sharpening, the serrations are for you. Why? The serrations’ scallops are sharp and are protected by the teeth.
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