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Elwood Shelton

WE Knife Marries Top-Notch Design with Superior Materials

In creating a superior knife two factors must mesh seamlessly — design and material. WE Knife has covered both bases again and again in nearly two decades of manufacturing.

The knife maker has whipped up some pretty striking blades over the years, turning an eye to both function and ergonomics. And it has executed them with some of the most resilient and desirable material available today.

Durable Titanium, rugged CPM-S35VN steel, modern ceramics — the company’s knives are built to go the distance — then some. The gallery below showcases two examples of WE’s precision knife making. And it doesn’t take much study of the Model 601 and 604 to see that the manufacturer strives to live up to its goal to “create the world’s strongest, enduring quality, sharpest knives.”

Model 601

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The 601 has been one of WE’s cornerstone knives, for good reasons. Not only is the folder outfitted with a rugged titanium handle and a CPM-S35VN steel blade (renowned for its strength), it also features a top-notch design. The handle is ergonomically shaped to better fit in the palm and gives the user more control over the knife. The blade is easily accessible with the knife’s ceramic ball bearing enabling a smooth and fast action. And the titanium handle features a titanium clip, to always keep the knife at the ready.

Mac Gray & Co.’s Timeless Mako Folder

mako-folder
There is an enduring quality to Mac Gray & Co.’s designs. One has the idea that 100 years from now, the California company’s knives will continue be as stylish and eye-catching as they were the day they were purchased. It is certainly the case with Mac Gray’s Mako Folder.

The flowing lines and seamless appearance of this classy little folder makes it as hard to ignore as a seductive wink. But the Mako isn’t all good looks. Beneath its seductive façade lies a workhorse, more than ready to pull its weight in any duty it’s called upon.

To that end, Mac Gray has ensured the Mako will have a long life, lining the handle with 6AL4V Titanium. The material adds incredible strength and durability to the knife, at the same tick keeping it a lightweight companion, ready to be toted everyday.

The 3.5-inch blade, which boasts a saber grind, is made of 154 stainless steel, which is renowned for its toughness and edge retention. These qualities are primarily due to the steel’s high-carbon content and the addition of molybdenum. To top it all off, Mac Gray has included an attractive thumbscrew on the modified drop point blade for quick opening — a feature which will win fans among both righties and lefties as it is ambidextrous.

Mac Gray allows a certain amount of customization when it comes to the 8.5-inch Mako. Customers have the choice of Micarta or G-10 for the handle material and can choose from five colors (red, bone, black, OD Green or pink). The Mako comes with a stainless steel clip, emblazoned with Mac Gray’s name. The standard configuration is right side, tip down; but the company will tailor the clip to the customer’s carry style upon order.

The folder has a linerlock style locking mechanism, which prevents the blade from closing on a user’s hand. It has ¼-inch pivot with a bronze pivot bushing to ensure smooth operation. And, like all of Mac Gray’s knives, the Mako comes with a lifetime guarantee.

That last feature — the guarantee — might be among the most important of any when it comes to the folder. Because, with its timeless lines and top-notch function, it is almost certain that will be the length of time it’s carried.

Mako Folder Specs
Overall Length: 8.5 inches
Blade Length: 3.5 inches
Handle Length: 5 inches
Blade: Modified drop point
Blade material: CPM 154 Stainless Steel
Grind: Saber
Lock: Linerlock
Liner Material: Titanium
Handle Material: Micarta or G-10
Other features: Ambidextrous thumbscrew, stainless steel variable clip
Website: www.mgcknives.com

Keep Your Edge with the Work Sharp Guided Sharpening System

Keep your edge with the Work Sharp Guided Sharpening System.
Keep your edge with the Work Sharp Guided Sharpening System.

Next to a knife on their wish list, knife owners and collectors are typically on the hunt for one thing — a superior sharpening system.

Finding the right solution to handle a wide spectrum of blade styles, grinds and material is more difficult than it sounds. As most knife aficionados know, what draws a sharp edge on one blade may struggle on another.

That’s what makes the Work Sharp Guided Sharpening System so exciting. This niffy and elegant sharpener has been designed to put a razor’s edge on every knife you own — from flat grinds to serrated blades.

At the heart of the sharpener is Work Sharp’s Pivot-Response system that allows the abrasive surface to follow the curve of the knife. This innovative feature permits the sharpening surface to tilt with the camber of the blade, thus allowing liner strokes to apply an edge. This takes much of the guesswork out of sharpening the entirety of a knife, making the process faster, easier and more precise.

The Pivot-Response, however, can be locked if a more traditional sharpening platform is desired. This makes the Guided Sharpening System ideal for novices and experts alike.

Making the system almost fool proof is the Angle-Guided Bench Sharpener. These guides — set at 17 and 20 degrees — are designed to ensure the proper angle is taken on each pass, thus guaranteeing a dynamite cutting edge.

Work Sharp Guided Sharpening System includes coarse and fine diamond plates, a three-position ceramic rod for honing, and two small diameter ceramic rods for serrations.

Work Sharp has also aimed to make this sharpener a life-long addition to your knife maintenance kit with a 42-year warranty.

Photo Gallery: Five Hot Folders and Automatic Knives from Kershaw and ZT

Over the years Kershaw and Zero Tolerance  have come up with sharp designs that almost always surpass expectations. Whether it is a handy general-use folder or a fixed blade with a tactical flair, the brands’ knives not only look good, but also perform.

Kershaw and Zero Tolerance both also waste little time resting on their laurels, leading the way in cutting-edge innovation. And the brands have continued to do so recently with a slew of new knives certain to get enthusiasts, well, enthused. Here is a look at three sweet automatic knives from Kershaw and two manual folders from Zero Tolerance that cut to the quick of top-notch engineering.

Kershaw Launch 1

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Kershaw has gotten back into the automatic knife game this year with the Launch Series. The first in the line, the Launch 1, offers an ergonomic handle crafted from billet aluminum. This material keeps the knife light and allowed Kershaw to install a goodly sized blade. The 3.4-inch blade is composed of rugged CPM 154 steel — BlackWash™ finished — known to hold a superior edge. The Launch 1 has a snappy blade deployment and is sans a safety. Instead, a recessed push button reduces the chance of an accidental deployment. With a reversible pocket clip, the knife can be configured for righties and lefties. MSRP: $149.


Outstanding Knife Resources

Knives

Knives 2015, 35th Edition

Blade Presents the Best of Knife Throwing

Fighting Folders DVD

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