Home Authors Posts by Elwood Shelton

Elwood Shelton

Vosteed Mayhem: The Compression Lock Rides Again

Elwood Shelton
-
1
Vosteed Mayhem: The Compression Lock Rides Again

A top-end offering, the Vosteed Mayhem takes a run at proven, yet challenging locking mechanism.

Prolific in its offerings, they must not sleep much over at Vosteed Knives. Yet, the company’s productivity has generally been knife buyer’s gain—at least those attracted to mid-priced fidgety options that by and large have fairly decent lines. Though, one of its latest releases should turn heads if only to see if Vosteed indeed has been able to pull off what few other companies have dared.

Christened the Mayhem (a prototype was showcased at their table at the 2023 BLADE Show), the collaboration with Rob Saniscalchi of R.S. Knifeworks boasts what the firm defines as a hybrid frame/compression lock. Some might recognize the latter aspect of the system as the same mechanism developed and used to great effect by Spyderco. The Colorado company’s patent on the mechanism ran out a few years ago, making it fair game and clone fodder. But given the tight tolerance required for the lock to operate properly, few companies have given it a run.

The Sypderco system is operated by a leaf spring wedging laterally between a ramp on the tang and a stop pin. The system was smooth and easy to operate, as well as strong as the dickens—given pressure is exerted directly down on the spring’s vertical surface, preventing potential bowing. Vosteed appears to operate almost identically, though a bit of the geometry on the blade’s lock elements differ. At arm’s length, Vosteed’s attempt appears on track, but only time and plenty of fiddling by owners will prove if the company truly got it right.

Vosteed Mayhem black and gray finishes
Photo: Instagram

As to its operation, the lock is actuated by a push button on the spine. The system allows for wrist opening, but as has been Vosteed’s OM for some time, it outfitted the Mayhem with multiple deployment options. In this case, both a thumb hole and a kicker; a pair of caged ceramic ball bearings aid in a smooth and fast deployment.

Vosteed offers the Mayhem with a couple of different options. Perhaps the imperative one is the choice between a Wharncliff or sheepsfoot blade, each coming in a 3.3-inch in length and constructed from the highly desirable M390 steel. Each blade has a compound grind, but this appears a play at aesthetics, given the thicker rear grind seems too small for practicality. The blades also feature a choil, so you can choke up, even though the titanium scale is ample enough to land all five fingers of a large hand. The scale itself is clean, with a closed rear and texturing across its back, not to mention a nice taper up to the blade to allow for a firm grip.

The other choice buyers have to make on the Mayhem is finish, with a stonewashed black PVD coating and gray satin options on the menu. The gray version is gray from top to bottom—outside a gold pivot collar—accentuating the knife’s tidy design, while the black iteration is a bit more boisterous boasting gold hardware. Note, the knife offers tip-up carry with a non-reversible titanium clip.

Vosteed Mayhem gray
Photo: Instagram

The Vosteed Mayhem is a break from what most have come to expect from the company, which has made its bones at the affordable end of the market. The new knife—no matter options—runs $250. However, if it proves well executed, most likely will find this money well spent.

Check Out More Buyer’s Guides:

Trio Of Rosecraft Blades New Releases

Elwood Shelton
-
0
Trio Of Rosecraft Blades New Releases

Rosecraft Blades expands its catalog with three new flipper-folders.

As the Rosecraft Blade crew was excited to herald during June’s BLADE Show, it has big things in store for this year. What the Tennessee designer was angling at became apparent this past month, with an interesting expansion of its catalog.

Rosecraft dropped three new knives in July, offering options in the mid to large range, all of them flipper folders. Here’s the breakdown of each.

MA-11

Rosecraft MA-11

One of two new designs from Andy Armstrong, the MA-11 is a robust tanto flipper with a tactical look, with Rosecraft stating it’s angled at military, law enforcement and first responders. However, it’s not so geeked to preclude it from EDC in milder environments. Catching the eye right off is the bulldogged nose of the 3.9-inch RPM9-steel blade, a much steeper angle than seen on a majority of factory tantos recently. The method to the madness here appears to be creating an ample prying surface, a task the relatively thick blade should prove adept at.

The MA-11 has a stainless steel handle with G10 front cover, nicely textured to give a bit more grip to the knife. The kicker and thumb stud on the frame lock is ample, but not so aggressive as to get in the way or initiate a premature deployment. However, when the blade is required it comes out in a snap, thanks to a ceramic ball-bearing pivot. Other notables include an ambidextrous tip-up/tip-down carry pocket clip and a lanyard loop.
MSRP: $77

Aeris Rex

Rosecraft Blades Aeris Rex

An offering by designer Hawkins Rose, an early run of the Aeris Rex proved among the best sellers at BLADE Show, according to Rosecraft. It’s easy to see why, the harpoon tanto is darkly handsome, set off with copper bolsters. Fairly sizable, with an overall length of 8 inches and 5 ounces in weight, the knife nevertheless has clean lines and looks that should make it comfortable in any setting.

Offering supreme control, the Aeris Rex—Latin for “King of the Air” or “Air King”— boasts a fairly sizable handle and the choice of Micarta or carbon fiber handles. Both options are attractive, but the latter material tacks nearly $20 on the MSRP. Again, Rosecraft outfits the knife with both a kicker and thumbstud for deployment and utilizes a ceramic ball-bearing pivot. This liner lock also has a hidden lanyard hole and is ambidextrous, with a configurable tip-up/tip-down pocket clip.
MSRP: $86 Micarta handle; $107 carbon fiber handle

Waya

Rosecraft Blades Waya

Cherokee for wolf, the Waya is perhaps the most dapper of the three new releases—yet another creation of Armstrong. The clip point presents very clean lines and a striking dark appearance, complimented by a split G10 handle—black and an off-white in the above case. Overall a classy package that cuts an executive knife’s figure.

The smallest of the releases, the Waya sports a 3.4-inch RPM9-steel blade, topped off with a black PVD coating. Again, the knife is outfitted with a flipper and thumbstud, as well as a ceramic ball-bearing pivot for fast and easy opening. The G10 handle should provide a solid purchase on the knife and comes with an ambidextrous, deep-carry, tip-up pocket clip that helps the Waya disappear into a hip pocket. There is also an OD green handle option that comes with a stonewashed blade finish.
MSRP: $74

Check Out More Buyer’s Guides:

Outdoor Edge Pivot: Light, Nimble And Affordable

Elwood Shelton
-
0
Outdoor Edge Pivot: Light, Nimble And Affordable

Oh, the Outdoor Edge Pivot is a budget option, but not one without its charms.

Traditionally outdoor focused—hence the name—Outdoor Edge has crept into other knife niches. Perhaps it’s a directive from the powers on high at Revo Brand Group (think Real Avid), who acquired the knife company in 2022. Or perhaps it’s because you can only make so many gut hooks and replaceable-blade caping knives. In either case, the company has come out with some intriguing EDC designs that are definitely budget options, but ones that get the job done.

Its most recent unveiling is the lightweight, skeletonized handled Pivot. For most knife enthusiasts, it’s difficult not to like what Outdoor Edge has offered up in the redesign of the company’s Le Hawk and Le Duck knives —particularly its price. A cool $30 ($29.99) puts the fixed blade on your beltline, giving you an edged tool you can treat like a rented mule and not shed any tears if a rough task delivers a coup de gras. Everybody needs one of those to pry away at rusty latches and strip spools of copper wire.

Pivot’s Steel

Outdoor Edge Pivot drop point

Constructed from 8Cr13Mov stainless steel, the knife was likely birthed in China—it’s one of the country’s budget stainless options. While inexpensive, the steel generally acquits itself well in wear and corrosion resistance but maybe doesn’t earn top honors in hardness (57 HRC) and edge retention. Though, 8Cr13Mov is known to be pretty forgiving in sharpening, so its edge is quickly regained. Outdoor Edge gives the Pivot’s blade an extra barrier to environmental factors with what it calls its Blackstone Coating, which also gives the knife a dark appeal.

Blade Profiles

The company offers two blade styles on the model, a drop-point and Wharncliffe both virtually the same length. The drop-point measures in at 2.5 inches, and the Wharncliffe is another .1-inch longer. In either case, married to a roughly 4-inch handle, the blade should prove fairly nimble and quite deft at most everyday tasks around the home, ranch or worksite. As mentioned, the handle is skeletonized, which cuts the Pivot’s weight down to a svelte 3.2 ounces. And Outdoor Edge applies a rubberized coat to it, giving the knife a fairly positive grip even if wet.

Where Exactly Does It Pivot?

Outdoor Edge Pivot sheath

Now we get to the name of the knife—the Pivot—which seem much more apt for a folder than a fixed blade. But there’s a method in Outdoor Edge’s madness, with it referring to the carrying system. The polypropylene sheath comes with a quick-release locking latch and a removable 360-degree rotating clip (there’s the pivot point) for easy attachment to a belt or MOLLE webbing. It’s a nice system, allowing the user to adjust the cant to their carry style, putting the blade at quick access no matter where it’s carried.

Most would agree the Outdoor Edge Pivot isn’t the Superman of EDC knives, nor the one somebody pulls out for bragging rights. But for a blade to use and abuse on your day’s dirtiest jobs, well it pretty well fits the bill.

More On Fixed Blades:

Spartan Poros: Sleek And Economic Flipper

Elwood Shelton
-
2
Spartan Poros: Sleek And Economic Flipper

Priced right and darkly attractive, the Spartan Poros offers a work-a-day option.

It’s been a big year for the folder end of Spartan Blade’s catalog. In June, the North Carolina manufacturer took home Manufacturing Quality accolades from the 2023 BLADE Show Knife of the Year awards. For the record, it was an artistically executed Harsey Folder that earned the company the honor. Now, the company has further expanded this end of its offerings with a wicked-looking flipper, home-cooked by one of Spartan’s founding fathers.

Shake hands with the Spartan Poros, a full-sized option with plenty of versatility baked into the package. The piece was designed by company co-founder Curtis Iovito, who has several standalone designs spotting the firm’s lineup, including Alala, Formido and Zelos, among others. The Poros appears to share a lot of the same lines and design points of auto Zelos, particularly in handle ergonomics. Though, the new knife has much more (pardon the pun) Spartan aesthetics than its predecessor, casting it into a much more work-a-day role.

As to the tale of the tape, the drop-point knife sports a 3.75-inch blade that boasts an understated swedge running nearly its entire length. This adds a bit of character to the otherwise very liner overall blade design. Spartan uses 154CM stainless steel for the blade (58-60 HRC), applies a flat grind and finishes it with Black Titanium Nitride Coating (TiN) for added protection and dark good looks. The knife is a flipper-only affair, with a relative demure kicker that gets the blade into the action. IKBS bearings make it fast opening and give the knife a bit of snap when deploying.

Spartan Poros OD Green G-10

Spartan offers a trio of handle options, each nicely complimenting the blade—black or OD green G-10 or black carbon fiber-G-10 composite. In both cases, the handle adds to the overall sleek looks of the Poros. The liner lock’s aggressively textures the scale but keeps comfort in mind significantly chamfering the edges of the handle so its fairly sharp design wouldn’t tend to bite or create hot spots. Spartan tops it off with a reversible loop over clip with its signature Spartan arrow. Note, the company supplies a steel tab to fill the recess opposite to the side the clip is installed to maintain the overall continuity of the handle.

At 5.4 ounces, the Poros certainly won’t weigh down its carrier. And classified as “Field Grade” by Spartan, the knife comes in at the lower end of the company’s price range. In this case, Spartan lists it at $180 for the G-10 models and $190 for the carbon fiber-G-10 composite model.

Spartan Poros Specs

Designer: Curtis Iovito
Blade Length: 3.75”
Blade Thickness: 0.125”
Overall Length: 9.0”
Blade Steel: 154CM Stainless Steel
Blade Hardness:  58-60 HRC
Blade Style: Folding-Drop Point-Flat ground
Blade Finish: Black Titanium Nitride Coating (TiN)
Frame: Liner lock with black or OG Gree G10 scales, black carbon fiber-G-10 composite scales
Weight: 0.330 LBS
MSRP: $180 G-10 scales; $190 carbon-fiber-G-10 scales

Read More On Folders:

GiantMouse Kitchen Knives: Cooking Up Something New

Elwood Shelton
-
0
GiantMouse Kitchen Knives: Cooking Up Something New

GiantMouse takes a stab at the culinary world with a kitchen knife line.

EDC knives of a variety of stripes have been GiantMouse’s bread and butter, helping the Danish-design concern kick a solid toehold into the knife industry. This success somewhat culminated earlier this month in Atlanta, with the company’s GMX earning Knife-Of-The-Year® accolades at the 2023 BLADE Show. This trophy in hand is a pretty good indicator you’re doing things right. But, GiantMouse is far from living off past achievements.

In fact, it has a new vista in sight—kitchen knives.

Following a well-trod recent trend in knife manufacturing, GiantMouse is dipping its toe into the culinary end of the pool with the introduction of four kitchen knives. While this drop might prove unexpected to some, the expansion is something the company said has been in the works for nearly two years now. At least, that’s been the personal testing period of designers Jens Ansø and Jesper Voxnaes (Vox), refining the minutia of the knives. So, how did it shake out?

At first blush—and without a knife-in-hand, tomato-dicing torture test—not too shabby. The four-knife line appears attractively utilitarian, nice enough to show off along with your next dinner party. But the knives aren’t so pretty as to scare you off from actually using them in your day-to-day culinary adventures. At arm’s length, it’s difficult to discuss ergonomics, balance and performance. However, GiantMouse doesn’t appear to have to broken any of the major kitchen-knife rules, attempting to displace function for novel form. Though, the slightly hooking heel on the larger knives might prove a sore point—pun intended—for some.

The line, at present, includes:

  • Santoku
  • Chef
  • Carving
  • Paring
GiantMouse Kitchen Knives in a line

Essentially, GiantMouse has homed in on the basic food prep tools every kitchen requires. The knives are sold individually and as a set; there’s a branded bamboo magnetic knife bar available, as well. And, in the company’s announcement, it certainly sounds as if it has designs to continue expanding into more corners of the culinary arts. No hint on what that might include.

As to the Italian-made knives themselves, GiantMouse has opted for Nitro-B for the blade steel and given them an unstated satin finish. Having grown in popularity in recent years, high-nitrogen steel (.21% in the case of Nitro-B) has spurred its share of debates as well. Sufficed to say, it should thrive in a kitchen environment if for no other reason than its corrosion resistance. To top it off, the blades are stamped with a tirade of the company’s murine logo—jaunty, to say the least.

To this, the company has outfitted the knives with green micarta handles, which should prove popular. Generally providing an excellent gripping surface, even when wet, GiantMouse has further enhanced it with a run of three serrations at the midpoint to provide a bit more purchase.

As for price, expect to drop $95 to get into GiantMouse’s paring knife at the low end and $175 for the chef or santoku at the high end.

GiantMouse Kitchen Knives Specs:

GiantMouse Chef Knife


Chef Knife
Blade Length: 8.375″ (212.725mm)
Weight: 6.9oz (195.612g)
Overall Length: 13.125″ (333.4mm)
Steel: Nitro B
Blade Thickness: .1125″ (2.875mm)
Finish: Satin
Handle: Green Micarta
MSRP: $175

GiantMouse Santoku

Santoku
Blade Length: 6.75″ (171.45mm)
Weight: 6.8oz (192.777g)
Overall Length: 11.4″ (289.56mm)
Steel: Nitro B
Blade Thickness: .1125″ (2.875mm)
Finish: Satin
Handle: Green Micarta
MSRP: $175

GiantMouse Carving Knife

Carving Knife
Blade Length: 5.58″ (141.732mm)
Weight: 4.6oz (130.408g)
Overall Length: 9.75″ (247.65mm)
Steel: Nitro B
Blade Thickness: .116″ (2.87mm)
Finish: Satin
Handle: Green Micarta
MSRP: $125

GiantMouse Paring Knife

Paring Knife
Blade Length: 4.2″ (106.68mm)
Weight: 2.6oz (73.708g)
Overall Length: 8.250″ (209.55mm)
Steel: Nitro B
Blade Thickness: 0.0675″ (1.71mm)
Finish: Satin
Handle: Green Micarta
MSRP: $95

Read More

Work Sharp Professional Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener Released

Elwood Shelton
-
0
Work Sharp Professional Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener Released

The Work Sharp Professional Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener is upgraded to ensure the utmost consistancy and sharpness.

No doubt, if you take keeping your knives sharp you’ve caught wind of Work Sharp. The purveyors of precision sharping systems, the company has opened razor-sharp edges to the everyman—not just those who’ve mastered the whetstone. Recently, the company has taken its honing system a step further.

Shake hands with the Professional Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener.

The sharpener takes what most are familiar with in a Work Sharp system and enhances it in nearly every conceivable way to live up to its ‘professional’ moniker. Its design is very reminiscent of the Work Sharp Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener, however, the upgrades of the Profession command a much steeper price than the earlier iteration. At present, the company list’s an MSRP of $299.95—not cheap, for sure. But Work Sharp gives serious knife aficionados plenty of reasons to pony up the cash.

First and foremost is the Professional Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener’s all-metal construction. While perhaps one of the less flashy aspects of the adjustable sharpener, it forms a solid foundation to ensure the utmost precision and repeatability in applying an edge to a knife. And honestly, compared to other metal-frame sharpening systems, the Professional Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener actually comes in as a deal. To this, Work Sharp adds a V-Block Clamp that quickly, securely and repeatably secures your knife during the sharpening process. Furthermore, a weighted base provides a safe and stable platform that allows rotating the knife without removing the knife or clamp.

From there, Work Sharp has included a digital angle indicator, which many DIYers will heave a sigh of relief. Not that the old manually adjustable scales on the frame aren’t usable, but bringing angle adjustment into the digital age makes for much quicker corrections and more consistent blade to blade. The system allows for adjustments from 15 to 30 degrees, which covers a major swath of steel most knife owners are likely to encounter. Adding to this, the system comes with a full assortment of honing plats, including 220, 320, 400, 600 and 800 grit diamond, a ceramic honing plate and a leather strop. Essentially, it’s equipped to go from reapplying an edge to taking it to a mirrored polish. A note, if you sharpen a lot and often, don’t worry about if you wear the grit down on the plates. These are user-replaceable, so the integrity of the system itself is safeguarded for a lifetime of use.

Of other notables of the Professional Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener, it comes with a small knife attachment and includes a 3-year warranty. The device is certainly angled at knife pros—sharpening services, makers and shops. But for a serious knife owner who never wants to lose his edge, the system might be a dream come true.

Read More About Sharpeners:

Mastersmith Lin Rhea Honored As Arkansas Living Treasure

Elwood Shelton
-
0
Mastersmith Lin Rhea Honored As Arkansas Living Treasure

Master bladesmith Lin Rhea was recently recognized as an Arkansas Living Treasure by the Arkansas Arts Council.

Knifemaker, blacksmith, teacher … Lin Rhea has many titles. Hang another one on the master craftsman—living treasure.

That honor was bestowed upon him by the folks in his home state with Rhea recently being named the Arkansas Arts Council’s 2023 Arkansas Living Treasure. The annual award—chosen through a panel of independent judges—recognizes masters of traditional crafts and folk art in the state, of which Arkansas has a rich and wide-ranging tradition. Since the award’s inception in 2002, it has honored craftsmen (and women) from basket makers to log-cabin carpenters. Given Rhea’s propensity for traditional knifemaking and blacksmithing techniques, the Arkansas native fits right in the honor roll.

“Lin Rhea is an outstanding addition to the Arkansas Living Treasure program,” Mike Mills, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, said in a news release. “He has contributed so much to the rich creative culture of Arkansas.”

Rhea is the second bladesmith to earn Arkansas Living Treasure recognition. In 2007, James R. Cook of Nashville, Ark., was recognized for his contributions to the craft.

Rhea has been a blasdsmith for more than 20 years and earned his master bladesmith rating through the American. Bladesmithing Society. He studied the craft at the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing, centered at Arkansas’ Old Washington State Park. And he is known as an avid and expert historian of the state’s knifemaking tradition.

Along those lines, he presented the finer points of James Black and his creation—the Bowie Knife—at the 2023 BLADE Show Texas. The seminar not only delved into the technological advancements Black introduced to knifemaking but the ethical considerations of reproducing his work. This is a hot-button topic, given Black never signed his work.

Despite rooting himself in the traditional aspect of knifemaking, Rhea also has a keen eye for advancing the craft. Perhaps one of his more notable endeavors to this end is his X-Rhea knife, which he set out as a personal challenge to create a knife—handle and all—from a single piece of steel. As always, he turned to two tools to complete the task—fire and steel.

“Moreover, I wanted it to look good and be comfortable and as structurally sound as any good knife should be, without being overly heavy,” Rhea said in a 2021 BLADE Magazine article he authored on the genesis of the X-Rhea Knife.

As for being recognized as an Arkansas Living Treasure, Rhea admits to being quite humbled.

“I’ve gone back and looked at other videos the museum (Historic Arkansas Museum) has produced of the other Living Treasures and I know one or two of them personally, and I’ve known them for quite some time,” Rhea said, in an Arkansas Times article, “But to be associated with that group is quite an honor.”

Rhea will be honored with a reception 4-7 p.m. June 17 at Little Rock’s Historic Arkansas Museum. This coincides with the reopening of the museum’s Knife Gallery, which displays several of Rhea’s creations.

Read Up On Knife History:

12345Page 3 of 5
Advertisement

Must Read Articles

Read this before you make a knife

Knifemaking 101 – Read This Before You Make a Knife

Wayne Goddard -
  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...
forged in fire knifemaking tv show

8 Things You May Not Know About “Forged in Fire”

how to forge damascus steel

How to Forge Damascus

James Huse ordered a custom sheath by No Surrender Holsters for his BBQ knife.

How to Create Damascus Patterns

Why Are Switchblades Illegal?

Advertisement
Advertisement
BladeMag.com
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter