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GIVING ’EM THE SLIP: Top Production Slip Joints For EDC

Pat Covert
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GIVING ’EM THE SLIP: Top Production Slip Joints For EDC

These factory slip joint folders prove the design is alive and well.

Those of us who were around long before just about every folding knife had a lock of some sort have fond memories of slip joints. These non-locking folders are still around, but you need to make Google your friend and look—not just in the U.S., but overseas—to root them out. Surprisingly, there are good ones to be had; you just have to do a little digging to find the gems. We’ve done the homework on a nice selection of fresh slip joints for BLADE® readers and present them to you now in these glossy pages.

RoseCraft Savage Creek

The gunstock folder pattern has been around for well over a century and seems to be a rite of passage for most slip joint manufacturers. Up-and-coming RoseCraft Blades has done a nice job of producing many traditional folders, and its Savage Creek Gunstock slip joint is a solid addition to its catalog. This company’s version has a 3.625-inch black Micarta handle with polished steel bolsters and a nickel silver spade escutcheon. The blade is a 2.8-inch swedge-ground D2 steel clip point with a nail nick. The gunstock handle is nicely done with a tastefully curved rise on the inside curve of the handle. MSRP on the RoseCraft Gunstock is $60.

Rosecraft Blades makes an impressive knife for the price. Its gunstock is just a tad over the 3.5-inch standard of the industry and can easily fit in the pocket to handle everyday chores. I tested its blade by cutting some paracord and found its D2 very much to my liking. I also tested it by slicing some thin-skinned leather and was also impressed. This steel has been around for many years; though it’s not true stainless, it has enough chromium content that it rarely rusts. D2 steel is a reliable steel that still finds its way on a lot of custom knives.’

Savage Creek Specs
Design: Gunstock Folder
Overall Length: 6.4”
Blade Style: Clip Point
Blade Steel: D2
Blade Length: 2.8”
Handle Material: Black Micarta
Handle Length: 3.625”
Special Features: Spade Shield
Weight: 2.7 oz.
Country of Manufacture: China
Retail Price: $60

GiantMouse Ace Farley V2

The GiantMouse Ace Farley V2 Slip Joint is everything you’d expect in a finely made pocketknife and more. I tested the colorful green canvas Micarta version with a brass bolster, which added a little color to my carry. This version is 6.375 inches fully opened and closes to 3.625 inches—very much in the standard pocketknife realm. The main body of the dark green Micarta is topped by an elliptical-base, flat-finished guard and a simple, reversible pocket clip resides at the base. The 2.75-inch Elmax stainless steel blade is a fully ground drop point with a common curved nail nick. The total weight of the knife is a svelte 2.6 ounces. MSRP is on the knife is $156.

This is a less expensive version of the Ace Farley V2 I tested in an earlier issue of BLADE, but I like the brass and green Micarta combination versus the somewhat staid titanium/carbon-fiber version. And this one is less expensive. This folder is similar in length to the previous RoseCraft, but the handle has much more girth, which offers a plusher grip and a wider blade. I tested this version on a much thicker, quarter-inch synthetic cord and it cut through nicely. It’s amazing the difference a fuller, more comfortable handle makes when slicing through tough material.

Ace Farley V2 Green Micarta Specs
Design: EDC Pocketknife
Overall Length: 6.375”
Blade Style: Drop Point
Blade Steel: Elmax
Blade Length: 2.75”
Handle Material: Green Micarta, Brass bolster
Handle Length: 3.625”
Special Features: Slip joint action w/half stops
Weight: 2.6 oz.
Country of Manufacture: China
Retail Price: $156

Giantmouse ACE Farley V2 Pocket Knife Drop Point ELMAX Stonewashed Blad

Giantmouse ACE Farley V2 Pocket Knife Drop Point ELMAX Stonewashed Blad

$195.00 $165.75
Blade HQ $165.75
Prices accurate at time of publishing. Affiliate disclosure.

White River Knife & Tool Trailhead Trapper

White River Knife & Tool entered the market in 2011 and has been a popular choice among fixed-blade users ever since. Finally, the company released its first folding knife—the Trailhead Trapper—and it was worth the wait.  My first impression of the knife was that its ample 3.1-inch S35VN stainless steel blade is all business. The knife, designed for White River by Smith & Sons Knife Company, looks like it wants to cut! The brown 4.2-inch natural burlap Micarta handle features an excellent grip, with the burlap variety offering a slightly more substantial grip than the standard smooth Micarta. The weight is 2.5 ounces, and the $258 price tag is worth every penny.

An extra inch or more of handle and blade make huge difference on a folder. There’s more blade to cut with and more handle to grip and manipulate the knife. The White River Trailhead Trapper allowed me to extend the knife’s grip much better, and the longer blade was able to separate and remove whatever I cut more easily—in this case, sausage. With more room added to the equation, every task you tackle with a longer knife is easier.

Trailhead Trapper Specs
Design: Classic Trapper
Overall Length: 7.5”
Blade Style: Clip Point
Blade Length: 3.1”
Blade Steel: S35VN
Handle Material: Natural Burlap Micarta
Handle Length: 4.2”
Special Features: Half Stop
Weight: 2.5 oz.
Country of Manufacture: U.S.A.
Retail Price: $259

White River Knives Trailhead Trapper Pocket Knife Clip Point CPM S35VN Blade Ri

White River Knives Trailhead Trapper Pocket Knife Clip Point CPM S35VN Blade Ri

$250.00
Blade HQ $250.00
Prices accurate at time of publishing. Affiliate disclosure.

Böker Coffin Ultem

We don’t get a lot of folding knives designed primarily for self-defense, so it’s good to see one enter the fray. The Böker Coffin Ultem is as purposeful as it is good-looking. The Coffin’s handle is a manageable 4.15 inches long, and you can clip it to the pocket or carry it loose in a pants pocket. The blade is 3.15 inches of premium MagnaCut stainless steel, so between that and the Ultem handle, there is no scrimping on Böker’s part. The Coffin opens the old-fashioned way, via a nail nick and a nice diagonal square texture. The length of the handle enhances the grip. This is a simple, well-made slip joint, especially for its MSRP of $285.

The designers at Böker wisely opted for a long, straight clip point blade for the Coffin to give the user more versatility outside of a pure defensive role. This adds to its usefulness in utility when cord or rope needs cutting and other roles such as meal prep in the field or on the go.  

Coffin Ultem Specs
Design: Self Defense
Overall Length: 7.3”
Blade Style: Spear Point
Blade Length: 3.15”
Blade Steel: MagnaCut
Handle Material: Ultem Thermoplastic
Handle Length: 4.15”
Special Features: See-through Ultem Handle w/ Pocketclip
Weight: 1.94 oz.
Country of Manufacture: Solingen, Germany
Retail Price: $230

Still Alive And Slippin’

Judging from our crop of slip joints, these simpler folders seem to be doing quite well in today’s cutlery market. Just the sheer variety of types and styles is impressive. Want traditional and hard-nosed? The White River Knife & Tool Trailhead Trapper and RoseCraft Blades Savage Creek Gunstock should whet your whistle. For outside the box and downright fancy, the Böker Coffin Ultem and GiantMouse V2 Green Micarta will whet it some more.

These are fat times for slip joint aficionados in the aftermarket as well. If your folder doesn’t come equipped with a pocket clip, there are plenty to be found in all sizes and types from aftermarket suppliers. Similarly, you can find leather and nylon belt sheaths for carrying your folder at the ready outside the pocket as well.

If for no other reason than simpler is better, with less to break and gum up your plans, I’ll leave you with this. A noted old-time knifemaker once left me with a piece of advice as to why he chooses to use a slip joint over any of the multitude of locks available for folding knives today. He simply said, “I know which side of the blade cuts.”

Knife Reviews:

Sub-Hilt Knives: Aesthetics And Aggression In Harmony

Pat Covert
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Sub-Hilt Knives: Aesthetics And Aggression In Harmony

The sub-hilt is at once belligerent and beautiful, adding a strange allure to the knives that sport it.

There is no consensus as to the origin of the sub-hilt knife, though most agree the sub-hilt fighter was popularized by BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member Bob Loveless in the 1970s, if not earlier. Some believe the sub-hilt design was for hunting, and that the main purpose for the added hilt was for greater leverage when a surer grip was needed. A few have even postulated the additional hilt was for use as a brace in pulling the knife out after being stabbed into bone or another hard material, a use that it would no doubt accommodate most effectively.

Gary Langley: Gentleman’s Fixed Blade

Custom maker Gary Langley’s sub-hilt fighter may be small at 9 inches overall but makes up for its size in sleek blade grinds, exquisite mother-of-pearl scales and gold inlay. Blade and overall lengths: 4.5 and 9 inches. Alice Carter did the engraving. (SharpByCoop knife image)
Custom maker Gary Langley’s sub-hilt fighter may be small at 9 inches overall but makes up for its size in sleek blade grinds, exquisite mother-of-pearl scales and gold inlay. Blade and overall lengths: 4.5 and 9 inches. Alice Carter did the engraving. (SharpByCoop knife image)

Many knife enthusiasts think of a sub-hilt fighter as being a heavier-edged companion—and in many cases it is—but custom knifemaker Gary Langley’s iteration is a little gem of a knife.

“The small Loveless-style sub-hilt fighter is 3/16-inch CPM 154 steel with a double hollow grind on a 3-inch wheel,” the Dumas, Texas, maker notes. “The heat treatment is by [Cutlery Hall-of-Famer] Paul Bos. I originally designed the knife without the rear bolster. I added it when I couldn’t source the mother-of-pearl scales long enough—and I believe it turned out even better.”

It has what might be called a 19th-century Michael Price San Francisco knife look that makes it a prime candidate for a true gentleman’s fixed blade.

Andrew Blomfield: Sub-Hilt Bowie

ABS master smith Andrew Blomfield’s sub-hilt bowie is a tour de force of explosive mosaic damascus, salt-blackened steel, brass spacers, and exquisite Australian ringed gidgee wood. Blade and overall lengths: 11 and 16 inches. (SharpByCoop knife image)
ABS master smith Andrew Blomfield’s sub-hilt bowie is a tour de force of explosive mosaic damascus, salt-blackened steel, brass spacers, and exquisite Australian ringed gidgee wood. Blade and overall lengths: 11 and 16 inches. (SharpByCoop knife image)

An ABS master smith from New South Wales, Australia, Andrew Blomfield enjoys building large knives such as bowies and daggers. “The bigger the knife the better,” he states. An example is his sub-hilt bowie.

“I feel that this knife has great flow and balance,” he begins. “The blade is an explosion mosaic pattern damascus hardened to 59 HRC. The guards and pommel are salt-blackened steel with brass spacers and the handle is a beautiful piece of Australian ringed gidgee.”

The guard’s bottom quillon curves back toward the sub-hilt to partially enclose the user’s hand a la a D-guard, but also has hints of both a C- and an S-guard to it. Very unusual!

Andrew Meers: Rose of Sharon

ABS master smith Andrew Meers calls his 16.5-inch sub-hilt fighter Bees and Flowers, due in no small part to the Rose of Sharon and bees engraving. The 12-inch blade is a damascus of 1084 carbon and 15N20 nickel-alloy steels in a mosaic pattern. Guard and furniture are 416 stainless steel. Overall length: 16.5 inches. (SharpByCoop knife image)
ABS master smith Andrew Meers calls his 16.5-inch sub-hilt fighter Bees and Flowers, due in no small part to the Rose of Sharon and bees engraving. The 12-inch blade is a damascus of 1084 carbon and 15N20 nickel-alloy steels in a mosaic pattern. Guard and furniture are 416 stainless steel. Overall length: 16.5 inches. (SharpByCoop knife image)

ABS master smith Andrew Meers of Raleigh, North Carolina, says, “I started with the sub-hilt in mind, which is a departure for me.” To say his deviation from the norm worked out well is an understatement.

“I like to incorporate Japanese influences wherever I can, and I wound up adding an integral habaki into the guard design as well,” he explains. “I wanted a blade that was able to feature a mosaic pattern, so I chose a broader shape that expands towards the point rather than tapers. The handle is a simple design to contrast the visual complexity of the guard.”

The engraving theme is of the Rose of Sharon and bees.

“The client had requested a floral theme, and we worked on the rest of the design and layout from there,” Andrew says. “The engraving was meant to complement the layout of the guard and furniture.”

Justin Harrington: A-Team

Built for an Army buddy, Justin Harrington’s superb sub-hilt fighter incorporates a masterful balance of random pattern damascus, mokumé gané and African blackwood. Blade and overall lengths: 8.5 and 13.5 inches. (SharpByCoop knife image)
Built for an Army buddy, Justin Harrington’s superb sub-hilt fighter incorporates a masterful balance of random pattern damascus, mokumé gané and African blackwood. Blade and overall lengths: 8.5 and 13.5 inches. (SharpByCoop knife image)

Justin Harrington of Clemmons, North Carolina, began smithing 18 years ago and is the owner of Cyclops Forge. Of the sub-hilt he says, “It’s the racecar of fighting knives—weight, balance, curvature, tip control and placement all are important variables to be employed to reach a harmony which is felt right away when correctly done.

“This knife started its life as a phone call from an Army A-team member who wanted a special combat retirement gift for his buddy. The three of us got together and forged a damascus billet for the knife over three days in my shop. The 8-inch recurve blade is a random-pattern damascus of 1084 and 15N20 carbon steels. The guard and sub-hilt are made from a copper-and-nickel mokumé gané I make in my shop. The handle is around 5 inches of sculpted African blackwood with a bronze pin.”

The sub-hilt has a forward lean and spoon-cupped quillon that slants toward the guard to capture the user’s index finger. The result is a handle that seems to want to grab your hand.

Cool & Sexy

Whether fighter, bowie or what have you, the sub-hilt-knife genre may be more recognizably custom than any other. From the classic Loveless Big Bear fighter to the wide array of today’s renditions, top sub-hilts are cool, sexy and in harmony with the best custom knives extant.

Read More:

Knife Steels To Watch In 2026

Pat Covert
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Knife Steels To Watch In 2026

Stainless, high-carbon, super steels, see what 2025’s shakeups mean for knife steels in 2026.

Twenty-twenty-five saw radical change in the cutlery industry, but somehow the business of blades not only survived, in some ways, it also thrived. With new steels in the offing and despite a business environment made murky by the specter of tariffs, 2026 has several things going for it that could point to a year of continued resilience for knives.

Ironically, one of ’25’s biggest changes—the closing of Crucible Industries—did not turn out to be as debilitating as some thought it would be. While by mid-year there was no more Crucible, most of its coveted cutlery steels remained available, albeit under new manufacturer names (Knife After Crucible).

A steel processing company that came out quite well during the transition was Niagara Specialty Metals (NSM). Bob Shabala, NSM president, provided a look at the changes from an insider’s perspective.

Several sources say companies that manufacture their knives solely in the USA should experience little to no tariff-induced price increases in 2026. Case is such a company. The Crossroads Barlow features S35VN stainless blade steel and a black and tan Richlite handle. Closed length: 3.375 inches. MSRP: $118.99.
Several sources say companies that manufacture their knives solely in the USA should experience little to no tariff-induced price increases in 2026. Case is such a company. The Crossroads Barlow features S35VN stainless blade steel and a black and tan Richlite handle. Closed length: 3.375 inches. MSRP: $118.99.

“Crucible’s decline didn’t happen overnight,” he notes. “Long before the shutdown, we saw signs of trouble: inconsistent allocations, slipping ship dates and growing uncertainty around future melts. As a steel processor that lives or dies by delivery reliability, we didn’t wait. We started to order more steel from Crucible to bolster our inventory in case something happened. We also reached out to Erasteel and Carpenter Technology to gauge their interest in supplying PM [powder metallurgy] steels. We have a long history with both companies and they were receptive to our requests. In September 2024, we started placing orders with both mills, not knowing that Erasteel would eventually buy the IP [intellectual property] and trademarks of Crucible in early 2025.

“In short, Crucible’s demise raised costs in the short term but also created an opportunity for us to buy high-quality steel from multiple suppliers. We diversified melt sources, invested in grinding/laser/ti capacity and kept steel flowing. The industry will come out of this with a more resilient supply chain, and makers will see faster builds and better consistency where it counts. If you’re a one-man shop or a major brand, you can get the material and the prep you need.”

Introduction MagnaMax Steel

Dr. Larrin Thomas, metallurgist.
Dr. Larrin Thomas, metallurgist.

Dr. Larrin Thomas is an acclaimed metallurgist whose web column knifesteelnerds.com is great reading if you want to stay current with knife steels. He sees the industry’s ability to bounce back over time as key to predicting events for the coming year.

“The huge changes in the ownership among steel manufacturers for cutlery consumers were minimal, mainly because the major players had a year to settle into their comfort zones,” states Thomas, whose portfolio as a steel designer includes the uber-popular MagnaCut. “Nothing changed as far as the king-of-the-hill steel. MagnaCut, which has been the most popular stainless steel among knife consumers for over two years, remains the top choice. That could change in 2026 because MagnaCut will be joined by a sibling dubbed MagnaMax.

“MagnaCut isn’t going away—its balance of edge retention, toughness and true ‘stainlessness’ keeps it the all-around benchmark. What’s new is MagnaMax: think MagnaCut-level corrosion resistance with meaningfully higher wear resistance, so edges hang on longer in abrasive cutting. That combination is why I expect MagnaMax to be one of 2026’s headline steels, especially in EDC folders, hunting/skinning knives, and pro kitchen blades that see lots of board or hide contact. MagnaMax complements MagnaCut rather than replacing it—pick MagnaMax when maximum edge life is the priority, MagnaCut when you want the ultimate do-everything balance.”

Knife Steels To Watch

AEB-L stainless will be one of the top blade steel choices for custom folders in 2026. Terry Jellison employs it on the blades of his Hobo Knife. Scales: mammoth ivory. Liners: brass. Closed length: 4 inches. The knife is not for sale. (Jocelyn Frasier image)
AEB-L stainless will be one of the top blade steel choices for custom folders in 2026. Terry Jellison employs it on the blades of his Hobo Knife. Scales: mammoth ivory. Liners: brass. Closed length: 4 inches. The knife is not for sale. (Jocelyn Frasier image)

Despite or perhaps even because of the Crucible shakeup, manufacturers and custom makers have many steel options. Following is Larrin’s recap of the diversity of top-shelf options for 2026. First, the leading stainless steels for factory knives:

  • MagnaCut: Expanding across EDC folders, hunting knives and premium automatics as brands refresh the legacy of S30V/S35VN;
  • MagnaMax: Expect it to appear in the same knife types as MagnaCut and beyond. The appeal is simple: MagnaMax has the qualities of a stainless steel users already love (MagnaCut) but with more wear resistance for longer edge life, and;
  • LC200N and Vanax: Limited but visible in dive/fillet and salt-exposed knives where “no rust, period” is the spec.

Larrin’s top carbon steels for factory knives in ’26:

  • CPM 3V and CPM CruWear (aka NSM Wear): Factories use these steels selectively in choppers and survival/tactical fixed blades where warranty-safe toughness matters.
  • D2: The popular tool steel will persist in value lines, but you’ll see a gradual shift away from it toward tougher, easier-to-sharpen options.
    In the realm of carbon steels for custom knives, Larrin says Pop’s ProCut, a new blade material designed for use by bladesmiths, including in damascus, will shine. Its combination of nickel, tungsten and vanadium gives it high toughness and wear resistance while still being easy to forge and heat treat. It can be hardened in a 200°F window, which makes it extremely easy to heat treat. The high nickel content also makes it produce a bright layer in damascus.
    On the stainless custom side, Larrin says to watch these:
  • MagnaMax: Alongside MagnaCut and AEB-L, MagnaMax will be a go-to for customs where makers want a “set-and-forget” edge on EDC folders, hunting knives and chef’s knives. It delivers premium corrosion resistance plus a clear wear-resistance bump, which lets makers grind thin and still give customers long service intervals between sharpenings, and;
  • LC200N: It will fill a growing niche for dive knives, fillet knives, coastal EDC and pro kitchens where rust is the enemy.

Tariffs’ Affects On Knife Steel

Bear & Son is another company that manufactures its knives exclusively in the USA and that should experience little to no tariff-induced price increases in ’26. Its 11 7/8-inch White Smooth Bone Professional Fillet Knife features Sandvik 14C28N stainless blade steel. MSRP: $139.99.
Bear & Son is another company that manufactures its knives exclusively in the USA and that should experience little to no tariff-induced price increases in ’26. Its 11 7/8-inch White Smooth Bone Professional Fillet Knife features Sandvik 14C28N stainless blade steel. MSRP: $139.99.

Several sources say American consumers will see the effects of U.S. tariffs on both imported knives and/or the steel used in them in ’26—a double whammy in some cases. However, it’s too early to tell the overall impact tariffs will have on the prices American consumers will pay for imported knives. That said, enough has been done in the overall market to draw some conclusions as to what direction those numbers are heading in the knife market in general.

As for those who manufacture their knives in the USA, there will be little to no increase in prices, except for models that include some foreign-made parts. This is uncommon but a possibility, though for the most part, not a liability that cannot be overcome. Case, Bear & Son and others are among those that fall into this category.

The second group contains companies that do a large part of their manufacturing in the United States. Among those that fit into this group is Spyderco, which also has its “value line” of knives produced overseas. Sources say Spyderco can go with a bump in tariffs on its foreign-made knives, move all manufacturing in-house or ditch the value line entirely, though there was no indication at press time that the company will choose either of the latter two options.

Dr. Larrin Thomas says the new Pop’s ProCut blade material is designed for use by bladesmiths, including in damascus. Cliff Ivey combines it with 80CrV2 carbon steel for the damascus blade of his small hunter. Overall length: 6.25 inches. Cliff’s price for a similar knife: $450. (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Dr. Larrin Thomas says the new Pop’s ProCut blade material is designed for use by bladesmiths, including in damascus. Cliff Ivey combines it with 80CrV2 carbon steel for the damascus blade of his small hunter. Overall length: 6.25 inches. Cliff’s price for a similar knife: $450. (Jocelyn Frasier image)

Then there are American companies that produce the lion’s share of their knives overseas. CRKT is one such company. Sources indicate CRKT can work the tariff costs into existing pricing, move its manufacturing to a country that pays lower tariffs, or figure out a way to manufacture more of its knives domestically. Considering CRKT’s track record, it probably would be a mistake to underestimate the company’s ability to endure.

Bottom Line

While 2026 will have its challenges, barring any surprises, it should be relatively calmer than 2025 due to last year’s upheavals in the manufacturing sector and tariff-induced changes. Meanwhile, the cutlery industry remains healthy in both the budget, moderately priced and upscale sectors—and that is a very good sign.

More On Knife Steel:

Gent’s Knives: Classy Cutters That Are Tough As Nails

Pat Covert
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Gent’s Knives: Classy Cutters That Are Tough As Nails

Don’t let these blades’ swanky good looks lull you into thinking they aren’t up to the job. They’re not just gents, but workhorses.

Gent’s knife is a fitting name for a pocketknife that’s just downright handy. It’s a refined edged tool good to have for all types of small chores you encounter on a daily basis, from cutting cord to opening packages.

Fallkniven U2vi Virgo

The author used the Fallkniven U2Vi Virgo to score two tails of cord vertically and peel off the coating, leaving tails of bare wire ready to splice. The blade was plenty sharp and did the job well.
The author used the Fallkniven U2Vi Virgo to score two tails of cord vertically and peel off the coating, leaving tails of bare wire ready to splice. The blade was plenty sharp and did the job well.

The U2vi Virgo is the latest in a long line of Fallkniven’s “U2” models that date back to 2004. I tested Fallkniven’s first U2 and it’s been in my pocket ever since. Back then I was highly impressed with the blade and the then-new Lamellar steel, and Fallkniven has used the U2 as a platform to showcase new steels ever since. The platform has a black Grilon synthetic handle with a cutout for a lockback release. There is no pocket clip—the knife is a pure pocket rider.

I tested the Virgo around the office. One task was stripping electrical cord for splicing—first by slitting the cord up the middle, then around the perimeter, separating the two lengths. I scored the two tails of cord vertically and peeled off the coating, leaving the two tails of bare wire ready to splice. The blade was plenty sharp and did the job well. The Virgo is a featherweight folding knife you don’t know is there until you need it.

U2vi Virgo Specs
Blade length: 2.5”
Blade steel: SGPS laminate
Blade grind: Flat
Blade type: Drop point
Handle material: Black Grilon
Lock: Lockback
Carry: Pocket
Pocket clip: No
Weight: 1.4 ozs.
Closed length: 3.38”
Knife to Know: SGPS stands for Super Gold Powdered Steel
Country of origin: China
MSRP: $140

Spyderco Metropolitan Lightweight

The Spyderco Metropolitan Lightweight’s wide blade excels at prepping snacks and larger tasks, too.
The Spyderco Metropolitan Lightweight’s wide blade excels at prepping snacks and larger tasks, too.

The Metropolitan Lightweight is an all-new SLIPIT model by Spyderco, though you just might recognize it as an old friend. It was designed to fill a void between the company’s UK Pen Knife and Urban models and fit the gent’s knife size perfectly. Other than its size the Metropolitan looks identical to its fellow stablemates, from its wide blade and Spydie hole to its curvaceous, finely textured checkered scales with embossed company logo. The slipjoint action includes a notched-joint mechanism* for measured opening and closing. Those who like options will appreciate the tip-up pocket clip, reversible for southpaw carry.

The Metropolitan is not much longer than the Fallkniven Virgo but the configuration is quite different. The wider Spyderco blade is well suited for cutting food or snacks. It easily sliced up a link for summer sausage for lunch. In other words, the wider blade can tackle larger chores, something to consider if your routine calls for such. Each knife has its advantages.

Metropolitan Lightweight Specs
Knife type: Slipjoint
Blade length: 2.68”
Blade steel: M398 stainless
Blade grind: Flat
Blade pattern: Spear point
Handle material: Black FRN (fiberglass-reinforced nylon)
Carry: Pocket or wire clip; ambidextrous, tip-up
Special features: Slipjoint has a notched-joint mechanism
Weight: 1.6 ozs.
Closed length: 3.73”
Country of origin: Italy
MSRP: $110

GiantMouse Ace Farley V2

The GiantMouse Ace Farley V2 is an upscale example many enthusiasts envision when they think of a classic gent’s knife, from the satin-bolstered frame to the meticulous surfaces of the finely finished scales and understated blade.
The GiantMouse Ace Farley V2 is an upscale example many enthusiasts envision when they think of a classic gent’s knife, from the satin-bolstered frame to the meticulous surfaces of the finely finished scales and understated blade.

The GiantMouse Ace Farley V2 is a gent’s knife to the extreme. It is the upscale example many knife enthusiasts envision when they think of the genre. It has all the right stuff, from its satin-bolstered frame to the meticulous surfaces of its finely finished scales and understated blade. It smacks of the good stuff and it is. This knife is very pocketable.

The Farley V2 is a decked-out gent’s knife much the same size as the Virgo, so I tested them together. The Farley proved a very good cutter and the handle is comfortable. It is a finely finished folder. The blade action is powerful and has a half stop. You may want to wear it by the pocket clip so your friends can ask about it. It’s a shame to hide it in your pocket and deny them the pleasure of seeing such an attractive gem.

Ace Farley V2 Specs
Knife type: Slipjoint
Blade length: 3.625”
Blade steel: Elmax stainless
Blade pattern: Drop point
Handle material: Carbon fiber/titanium
Carry: Pocket or reversible wire clip
Weight: 1.9 ozs.
Closed length: 3.75”
Special features: Slipjoint outfitted w/a half stop
Country of origin: China
MSRP: $225

SOG One-Zero Automatic

The SOG One-Zero Auto has the same pull-down blade release on both sides, a boon to southpaws who often get—ahem—“left” out of the design equation. The wide cutting edge is quite utilitarian.
The SOG One-Zero Auto has the same pull-down blade release on both sides, a boon to southpaws who often get—ahem—“left” out of the design equation. The wide cutting edge is quite utilitarian.

The SOG One-Zero Automatic is noticeably larger than the other three test knives but is a high-stepping gent’s knife in its own right. It drips with refinement and its technical features are every bit as impressive. First off, it fires its premium-steel blade with authority. An easy, indiscriminate pull-down thumb release deploys the blade from either side—a bonus for lefties. Finally, the killer frosted aluminum handle reeks of class, replete with a stamped chrome clip.

You might call the One-Zero Auto a gent’s fighter, but it’s much more usable thanks to the grind midway up the blade as opposed to a pure dagger style—and the blade is stout. There’s nothing flimsy about the knife; it is rock solid from stem to stern. If you need protection and a nice amount of utility to go with it, the One-Zero Auto will serve you well.

One-Zero Auto Specs
Knife type: Automatic
Blade length: 3.1”
Blade steel: S35VN stainless
Blade pattern: Drop point
Handle material: Satin-finished aluminum
Carry: Stamped chrome pocket clip
Weight: 3.3 ozs.
Closed length: 4.7”
Special features: Auto equipped with pull-down thumb release
Country of origin: USA
MSRP: $300

*Editor’s note: Though the Spyderco Metropolitan Lightweight’s notched-joint mechanism operates similarly to a half stop, it is not a half stop. “The best way to think of it is a back lock with a fixed backspring instead of a rocker,” Spyderco’s Michael Janich explained. “Now, take the locking lug and round off the corners so it ‘snags’ more than a slipjoint but doesn’t mechanically lock. A half stop is a flat spot on the tang of a slipjoint that creates a stop midway through the blade’s closing arc as a safety feature so the blade doesn’t snap shut too aggressively.”

More Knife Reviews:

Affordable Chef’s Knives: Options That Are A Cut Above The Rest

Pat Covert
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Affordable Chef’s Knives: Options That Are A Cut Above The Rest

Consider four large kitchen knives, all under $80 each.

As you get older and entertain bigger gatherings, do you find yourself wanting to improve your culinary chops?

A little more blade may be just what you need to sharpen your prep time so you can spend more time enjoying your food than getting it to the table. Larger and more focused kitchen tools can indeed improve your efficiency and your proficiency as a gourmet chef as well.

The focus here is on large and/or specialized kitchen knives, specifically the different types and what they can do to make your job easier and your cooking better, each for under $80. Large cooking knives vary widely and we’re going to show you four variations. Keep in mind, most kitchen knives aren’t just for cutting meat but are for preparing fruit, vegetables and other items such as breading or crusts, too.

Utica Meat Dad Chef’s Knife

The Utica Meat Dad Chef’s Knife is for large cuts of meat, fruits and vegetables. It took half-inch medallions off a plump pork tenderloin for the sauté pan.
The Utica Meat Dad Chef’s Knife is for large cuts of meat, fruits and vegetables. It took half-inch medallions off a plump pork tenderloin for the sauté pan.

Meat Dad Chef’s Knife Specs
Blade length: 7.54”
Blade steel: 440C stainless
Blade finish: Food Safe Black PVD
Handle material: Orange G-10
Weight: 17”
Overall length: 12.5”
Country of origin: USA
MSRP: $74.99

The Utica Meat Dad Chef’s Knife is a whopper with a blade belly 2.25 inches deep for carving the big stuff when needed and everyday slicing and dicing as well. The beefy orange G-10 handle helps maintain control on the wieldy blade for it all.

Though the test’s two chef’s knives—the Fox Knives Meat Slicer being the other—have meat in their names, they facilitate a much wider variety of meal prep tasks, including the slicing, dicing and mincing of a wide range of vegetables and other fare.

The Meat Dad is large enough to tackle a watermelon in a straight cut.
The Meat Dad is large enough to tackle a watermelon in a straight cut.

The Utica is large for a chef’s knife so we tested it on some heathy chores, such as cutting a nice, plump pork tenderloin into fat medallions for a tasty sauté. We also tried the Meat Dad out on a watermelon and, thanks to the stout blade, sliced it straight as an arrow from top to bottom. Sometimes you just need a large knife and the Utica tackles those requirements quite well.

Fox Meat Slicer Knife

Like many typical chef’s knives, the Fox Meat Slicer is capable of many functions. Wrote the author: “I used the knife for slicing small brown portobello mushrooms to add to an omelet. Note the sharp, crisp cuts—a sign the mushrooms were not prepared by an ordinary kitchen knife.”
Like many typical chef’s knives, the Fox Meat Slicer is capable of many functions. Wrote the author: “I used the knife for slicing small brown portobello mushrooms to add to an omelet. Note the sharp, crisp cuts—a sign the mushrooms were not prepared by an ordinary kitchen knife.”

Meat Slicer Specs
Blade length: 7.8”
Blade steel: UNI X59CrMoV15 stainless
Blade finish: Fine satin
Handle material: Black PP synthetic
Weight: 3.75 ozs.
Overall length: 12.4”
Country of origin: Italy
MSRP: $36.94

All chef’s knives are relatively long but not all have blades that can be tiring to use. The Fox Meat Slicer Knife is a much trimmer, more svelte example. A large Italian cutlery company with an impressive presence in the USA, Fox offers a strong group of knives in its Due Cigni Coltellerie line.

One of the group is the Meat Slicer, a long chef’s knife with a slim profile sporting an extended, slender drop-point blade only .12-inch thick. It comes with a gently curved handle that has just enough drop at the base to protect your fingers during use.

The Meat Slicer is more adept at less cumbersome tasks of both the meat and vegetable variety. We first used it on a couple of smoked sausage links, cutting roughly 3/16-inch slices down the length of each for an omelet. The knife performed quickly and with ease.

The Fox Meat Slicer is excellent for most meals that don’t require cutting thick slabs of meat or large fruit and vegetables. It made quick work prepping smoked sausage.
The Fox Meat Slicer is excellent for most meals that don’t require cutting thick slabs of meat or large fruit and vegetables. It made quick work prepping smoked sausage.

To add a little flavor, we turned to some portobello mushrooms. Taking a handful, I trimmed the stems off and sliced them up one by one in a jiffy. The German steel performed very well and the handle was the most comfortable of the test lot.

A.G. Russell 6-inch Boning Knife

The A.G. Russell relieved the chicken breast of its hard-shell-bone understructure pronto. “Fowl such as chickens retain their juices and flavor much better when cooked on the bone,” the author noted. “Here the chicken breast is removed, sliced and ready to eat.”
The A.G. Russell relieved the chicken breast of its hard-shell-bone understructure pronto. “Fowl such as chickens retain their juices and flavor much better when cooked on the bone,” the author noted. “Here the chicken breast is removed, sliced and ready to eat.”

Boning Knife Specs
Blade length: 6”
Blade steel: Molybdenum-vanadium stainless
Handle material: Fiberglass-reinforced polypropylene
Bolsters: Stainless steel
Weight: 3.8 ozs.
Overall length: 10.6”
Country of origin: Italy
MSRP: $42.95

The A.G. Russell 6-inch Boning Knife just might be your go-to counter slicer for a myriad of kitchen duties. While its name is designated for separating meat from bones, the A.G. Russell can perform a myriad of duties such as trimming, slicing and dicing both meat and veggies. Some even clean their afternoon catch with it as it is closely related to a fish knife. The blade is super thin and the piece is very lightweight.

The A.G. Russell got the most tedious work out of the foursome due to the nature of the beast. Fortunately, chickens go through extensive steps of processing before average folk ever set eyes on them. Whether fried, barbecued or roasted, the best way to keep a chicken breast moist is with the skin, breast meat and bone structure cooked together.

After cooking the bird, use the sharp cutting tip to cut the area around the breast skin so it can be removed with the meat. Next, peel the skin back and slowly work the blade between meat and bone structure and slowly use the fingers of your other hand to peel the entire breast off with the skin on. Slice and eat!

The A.G. Russell Boning Knife has a thin, sharp blade very much akin to a fish knife and can be used for other types of work around the kitchen. The author used the razor-sharp blade to cut off the tails of shrimp for a cocktail.
The A.G. Russell Boning Knife has a thin, sharp blade very much akin to a fish knife and can be used for other types of work around the kitchen. The author used the razor-sharp blade to cut off the tails of shrimp for a cocktail.

The Boning Knife, like the others, is handy in other ways as well. You can slice small veggies and fruits, trim fat and do all sorts of clean-up chores to make food more presentable.

Ontario Old Hickory 76 7-inch Cleaver

Cutting thick carrots across the grain can be tough on many kitchen knives but was easy for the Ontario Old Hickory 76 Cleaver.
Cutting thick carrots across the grain can be tough on many kitchen knives but was easy for the Ontario Old Hickory 76 Cleaver.

Old Hickory 76 Cleaver Specs
Blade length: 7.5”
Blade material: 1075 carbon steel
Blade grind: Flat bevel
Blade finish: Brushed
Handle material: Wood
Weight: 10 ozs.
Overall length: 12”
Country of origin: USA
MSRP: $30.50

We’ve saved the big gun for last: the Ontario Old Hickory 76 7-inch Cleaver. There’s something to be said for the simple, matter-of-fact Old Hickory edged tools. Maybe it’s the “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” attitude—and I like it! The blade has a horizontal pattern pressed into it, a hole for hanging in the upper lead edge, and an Ontario Knife Co., Tru Edge, Made In U.S.A., sword logo stamp in the top center. The blade climbs upward toward the tip at its spine and the cutting edge has a gentle curve to it.

When you need a heavy hand and finesse is no object, the cleaver will get the job done. We used it for cutting some tough-as-nails carrots with no problem. The same went for hard sausage. There’s no sense in dulling a sharp knife blade on hard, tough foods when a cleaver can cut them with haste and look for its next challenge.

Chubs of hard summer sausage are what the Old Hickory 76 lives for.
Chubs of hard summer sausage are what the Old Hickory 76 lives for.

Old Hickory blades are the kind of “git ’er done” kitchen knives and tools that take your tough challenges on their back and never cry uncle. My family grew up with Old Hickory blades and I recommend keeping them around the kitchen when tough times call for tough tools.

Final Cut

There you have it—four different ways to make your kitchen more useful without breaking the bank. If you’re ready to expand your culinary universe, look no further than these useful, able kitchen helpers.

More Kitchen Knives:

Best Scissor Sharpeners: Where To Find Your Edge

Pat Covert
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Best Scissor Sharpeners: Where To Find Your Edge

Consider three cool tools to keep your scissors shearing sharp.

I sharpen knives frequently but must admit I’m a loathsome scissors sharpener. It’s not like I’ve never sharpened scissors but only when I had to and never in an organized way.

However, when my editor gave me an assignment on scissors sharpeners, I took it as a personal challenge to mend my ways—and off I went. What follows is a primer on scissors sharpening using three different systems.

Before starting, there are a few obvious things to point out.

The most obvious is the fact that there are two blades to sharpen instead of one. Second, the two blade edges are sharpened to oppose each other. Third, most scissors are made for righthanders and can give lefthanders fits, especially models with asymmetrical handles. Some southpaws have more trouble than others, and if you are among them you might seek out companies that either offer lefthanded models, such as Fiskars, or those that specialize in such products, like Lefty’s Left Hand Store. My brother’s lefthanded and he’s never bought any lefty scissors. Instead, he simply buys and uses symmetrical right-hand-only models.

Simple handheld or desktop scissors sharpeners are the way to go if you want to keep a decent edge with very little hassle and time consumption.

I tested two affordable versions: the AccuSharp ShearSharp Scissors Sharpener and the Smith’s V-Slot Knife & Scissors Sharpener. The pistol-grip-looking units appear similar at first but are actually quite different. The text and graphics on the back side of the cards the sharpeners are mounted on is very helpful, though if you’re like me you will need reading glasses to decipher them.

AccuSharp ShearSharp Scissors Sharpener

The AccuSharp ShearSharp Scissors Sharpener puts an edge on the blade bevels one side at a time. Here the blades are opened with one side resting on the flat work surface having the blade bevel sharpened. Note the other blade is off the surface. Once the first blade is done, the scissors are flipped and the second blade is sharpened in the same manner. (Covert image)
The AccuSharp ShearSharp Scissors Sharpener puts an edge on the blade bevels one side at a time. Here the blades are opened with one side resting on the flat work surface having the blade bevel sharpened. Note the other blade is off the surface. Once the first blade is done, the scissors are flipped and the second blade is sharpened in the same manner. (Covert image)

AccuSharp ShearSharp Scissors Sharpener
Size: 5.5 x 2.4 inches
Type: Hand-held, single sharpening blade
Abrasive: Tungsten carbide
Handle length: 5.6 inches
Handle material: Plastic
Country of origin: USA
MSRP: $9.59

The AccuSharp ShearSharp has a grip with a guard for knuckle protection and there’s a slot on the fore-end with a tungsten-carbide-metal sharpener for running down the blade bevel, sharpening it in the process. Open the scissors and lay the blades, one at a time, face-up to the sharpening medium. The rear blade—the one not being sharpened—hangs off the table or you can put it on a raised platform such as a wood block or book.

A hand-held design, the AccuSharp ShearSharp Scissors Sharpener addresses the blade bevels one at a time. You’ll need your reading glasses for these instructions, too!
A hand-held design, the AccuSharp ShearSharp Scissors Sharpener addresses the blade bevels one at a time. You’ll need your reading glasses for these instructions, too!

The ShearSharp metal sharpener is canted to the angle of the bevel and runs down the blade from base to tip, rear to front. Accusharp recommends two to three passes of the sharpener, then flip the scissors over and do the same to the second blade. As with all three test units, keep an eye on your progress as scissors come in all phases of disrepair.

Smith’s V-Slot Knife & Scissors Sharpener

The bevels are sharpened when pushing the scissors blade tips simultaneously into the respective V-slots of the Smith’s unit. The diagonally mounted ceramic rod sharpens both blades at the same time. (Covert image)
The bevels are sharpened when pushing the scissors blade tips simultaneously into the respective V-slots of the Smith’s unit. The diagonally mounted ceramic rod sharpens both blades at the same time. (Covert image)

Smith’s V-Slot Knife & Scissors Sharpener
Size: 6.75 x 2.74 inches
Type: Hand-held, two sharpening blades
Abrasive: Ceramic
Handle length: 6.75 inches
Handle material: Plastic
Country of origin: USA
MSRP: $9.99

Smith’s V-Slot Knife & Scissors Sharpener is a bit more sophisticated with great finger protection, and is easier to use. Inside the handle is a slot that holds a 1,000-grit ceramic rod angled to sharpen the two scissors bevels at the same time. The bevels are sharpened when pushing the scissors blade tips into the respective V-slots simultaneously. (Smith’s recommends not sharpening by pulling the blades out.)

You may need your reading glasses to decipher the instructions for the Smith’s V-Slot Knife & Scissors Sharpener.
You may need your reading glasses to decipher the instructions for the Smith’s V-Slot Knife & Scissors Sharpener.

Two to three passes is usually enough for blades of average dullness, more if needed. Once again, stopping to gauge your progress is your friend. An added benefit with the Smith’s sharpener is you can sharpen both right- and left-handed scissors depending on which side of the handle slot you use, and it’s conveniently noted on the sides of the unit itself.

Spyderco Golden Stone

Starting at the top, slide the blade’s beveled edge down the length of the Golden Stone, gradually working the edge toward the tip. Once the edge is sharp, give the opposite blade the same treatment.
Starting at the top, slide the blade’s beveled edge down the length of the Golden Stone, gradually working the edge toward the tip. Once the edge is sharp, give the opposite blade the same treatment.

Spyderco Golden Stone Sharpener
Size: 7.2 x 3 inches
Type: Desktop sharpener
Abrasive: Alumina
Handle: None
Carry: Suede leather pouch
Country of origin: USA
MSRP: $210

I have become very familiar with the Spyderco Golden Stone sharpener over the years and have included it in several articles, though not for sharpening scissors. Spyderco knives are well known for their premier out-of-the-box sharpness, and company founder and BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member Sal Glesser is a long-time guru on the topic, including today on YouTube.

The Golden Stone is a Glesser design that enables you to sharpen knives in many ways and at different angles, and even serrated blades. Spyderco uses alumina (aluminum oxide) for the Golden Stone’s material and other of its sharpeners, and claims the resulting models do not require oil or water for surface sharpening. Check out Spyderco’s YouTube sharpening videos for a myriad of ways to sharpen the company’s knives.

Designed by Spyderco founder Sal Glesser, the Spyderco Golden Stone is an odd triangular ceramic sharpener fit for many uses—one of which is sharpening scissors. For sharpening, position the suede pouch that carries the Golden Stone on a flat base to provide a non-slip surface. (Covert image)
Designed by Spyderco founder Sal Glesser, the Spyderco Golden Stone is an odd triangular ceramic sharpener fit for many uses—one of which is sharpening scissors. For sharpening, position the suede pouch that carries the Golden Stone on a flat base to provide a non-slip surface. (Covert image)

To start with the Golden Stone, use the accompanying suede pouch as a non-slip surface on a flat base. Employ the stone’s rough triangular shape with the long side sideways and vertically. Grip the short side of the triangle with the long vertical side to your right, forming the sharpening platform. Now you’re ready to sharpen the first blade bevel.

Open the scissors wide and position the top of the base of the bevel grind over the high point of the sharpener, and slide it toward the low end as you slowly pull toward you.

It’s like sharpening a knife where you start at one end and slowly slide the tip toward the opposite end as you go—you’re just putting an edge on the bevel instead. Spyderco recommends eight to 10 passes but, once again, use your judgment depending on the condition of the scissors. Once you’re pleased with the bevel on the first blade, flip the scissors over and repeat the process on the second blade. When done you can remove any burr on the edges of the two blades by opening and closing the scissors a few times.

Conclusion

Both handheld units did a good job of sharpening the bevels, and though I prefer a ceramic sharpening rod just because you can better “feel” it rubbing against the bevel, there was no noticeable difference in the results. These two sharpeners are capable of putting a very decent edge on your scissors.

Fiskars is one of the few major companies that manufactures scissors specifically for lefthanders, and is known for such radically asymmetrical designs as these two. The red pair is for lefties.
Fiskars is one of the few major companies that manufactures scissors specifically for lefthanders, and is known for such radically asymmetrical designs as these two. The red pair is for lefties.

The end result of my efforts with the Golden Stone paid off with two razor-sharp beveled edges on the scissors blades. Spyderco doesn’t assign numbers to the grits on its sharpening media, but the best I can tell the white alumina like that used on the Golden Stone is in the fine, 2,000-grit range.

Where To Find Your Edge

Is all the cost, time and increased degree of skill required by the Spyderco Golden Stone worth it? That’s up to you and what your expectations of your scissors are. There are folks whose livelihoods depend on scissors, others that just want to get the mail out the door and scads of people in-between. Choose your sharpener!

More Sharpening Articles:

Combat Legacy: Modern Military Knives [Field-Tested]

Pat Covert
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Combat Legacy: Modern Military Knives [Field-Tested]

Contemporary armed forces styles are chips off the old block.

While U.S. troops have long had a choice of carrying alternative knives as opposed to military issued ones, nothing prepared them for the explosion of choices that came with the modern tactical boom of the early-to-mid 1990s.

While the newly minted cutters were mostly of the folding knife variety, fixed blades also benefitted from the vast improvements in tactical designs and materials that shook the cutlery industry. That boom continues almost 35 years later as the tactical segment and its many spinoffs are still the largest chunk of the sporting knife market.

Many military knives have been issued over the years as the various branches, both main and special, selected their own. Large fixed blades and bayonets were common and outsourced to manufacturers along the way. Even though they may differ in size and modifications, the four review knives all have roots in military history.

SOG BAR15T Tanto Bayonet

Two SOG bayonet offerings: the BAR15T Tanto and BAR15C Clip Point. The test tanto has a more than serviceable 5 inches of cutting edge.
Two SOG bayonet offerings: the BAR15T Tanto and BAR15C Clip Point. The test tanto has a more than serviceable 5 inches of cutting edge.

Pros

  • Powerful Chopper
  • Strong Tip Design
  • Ergonomic Handle

Cons

  • Heavy And Bulky
  • Not Ideal For Finesse Tasks

BAR15T Tanto Bayonet Specs
Blade Length: 7.1”
Blade Steel: AUS-8 stainless
Handle Length: 5.1”
Handle Material: Black G-10
Overall Length: 12.2”
Sheath: Black Kydex
Country of origin: China
MSRP: $79.95

The SOG BAR15T is a big boy. True to modern tanto form, the blade is clipped from the frontal blade grind to the upper tip. The black-traction-coated blade’s main edge is flat ground and 5.2 inches long, with a quarter-inch grind to enhance penetration along the spine. The 4.8-inch handle includes a straight guard and pommel with hardware for mounting as a bayonet, with a hidden-tang main grip of black G-10 done up in a series of curved grooves on its top surface and angled pyramids along the sides. The BAR15T checks in at 19.2 ounces and is delivered with a MOLLE adaptable drop sheath, which includes black nylon and leather belt fittings.

CAS Iberia/APOC Smatchet

With its wicked 9.7-inch blade, the CAS Iberia/APOC Wallace Smatchet is loaded for bear. British and American forces used the original version of the knife to maximum effect during World War II.
With its wicked 9.7-inch blade, the CAS Iberia/APOC Wallace Smatchet is loaded for bear. British and American forces used the original version of the knife to maximum effect during World War II.

Pros

  • Exceptional Chopping Power
  • Comfortable Handle
  • Battle-Ready Design

Cons

  • Overkill For Light Tasks
  • Difficult To Carry

Smatchet Specs
Blade Length: 9.7”
Blade Material: D2 tool steel
Blade Finish: Titanium coated
Handle Length: 6”
Handle Material: Black G-10
Overall Length: 15.5”
Sheath: Black Kydex belt mount
Country of origin: China
MSRP: $175

Designed by Mike Wallace, the CAS Iberia/APOC Smatchet is by far the largest, and most ususual, of the review bunch. The smatchet is not new and is best known for seeing action in World War II as a close combat fixed blade for British and American special forces. The Wallace Smatchet’s abbreviated, double-ground blade has a matte titanium coating. An ample finger-grooved handle can easily accommodate large and/or gloved mitts and is flared at the base for excellent purchase. Weight is a hefty 1 pound, 10 ounces. The knife is delivered with a MOLLE compatible drop sheath with steel and black nylon fittings.

The KA-BAR Dust II

The KA-BAR Dust II tackled synthetic rappelling rope and stiff waxed cotton lariat rope. The full-ground D2 tool steel blade was no worse for wear and ready for more.
The KA-BAR Dust II tackled synthetic rappelling rope and stiff waxed cotton lariat rope. The full-ground D2 tool steel blade was no worse for wear and ready for more.

Pros

  • Compact And Lightweight
  • Good Edge Retention
  • Versatile Utility

Cons

  • Light-Duty Only
  • Basic Construction

Dust II Specs
Blade Length: 5.2”
Blade Material: D2 tool steel
Handle Length: 4.79”
Handle Material: Green glass-filled nylon
Overall Length: 9.58”
Sheath: Black, molded hard plastic
Country of origin: Taiwan
MSRP: $138.49

The KA-BAR Dust II, a down-sized version of its larger brother the Dust I, is better configured for light utility. It has a very staid, flat-ground, gently clipped, black-coated blade. The hidden-tang handle hasn’t a sumptous curve to its name and is arrow straight with wraparound grooving on three quarters of its surface. The handle has a hint of a guard top and bottom, the epitomy of understated good taste. It comes with a black, MOLLE-adaptable, hard-plastic belt sheath.

Montana Knife Co. Model V24

The Montana Knife Co. V24 stiletto turned out to be a little carnivore during testing. After doing stab tests on a chub of summer sausage proved a walk in the park, the author turned the slim 4-inch CPM MagnaCut blade to taking off slices of the meat. Note the clean edge work on the sausage casings.
The Montana Knife Co. V24 stiletto turned out to be a little carnivore during testing. After doing stab tests on a chub of summer sausage proved a walk in the park, the author turned the slim 4-inch CPM MagnaCut blade to taking off slices of the meat. Note the clean edge work on the sausage casings.

Pros

  • Exceptional Penetration
  • Smooth Slicing
  • Near-Custom Quality

Cons

  • Purpose-Built Design
  • Less Robust For Batoning Or Chopping

V24 Specs
Blade Length: 4.25”
Blade Steel: CPM MagnaCut stainless
Blade Finish: Black Cerakote®
Handle Length: 5”
Handle Material: OD green G-10
Overall Length: 9.25”
Sheath: Black Kydex w/UltiClip
Country of origin: USA
MSRP: $475

Complete with thumbprint ricasso, the Montana Knife Co. Model V24 is a tribute to the V-42 stiletto used during World War II by the First Special Service Force, father of today’s U.S. Special Forces. This exqusite send-up was designed by MKC President/CEO Josh Smith, who, when he was all of 11 years old, began studying bladesmithing under ABS master smith Rick Dunkerley. The dagger-style blade is double ground and the hourglass handle boasts horizontal machined striations and guard art. The steel is gimped along the sides of the guard and curved base. The knife weighs 4.47 ounces and carries in a black belt sheath with an UltiClip 3.3 mounted on the front.

Testing Modern Military Knives

The review knives are very diverse and the two largest, the Smatchet and BAR15T, are definitely in the same playing field. I took their blades to task with a large, mature cantaloupe. The heavy Smatchet—all 26 ounces—had no probem hacking and slicing, and the fat handle made it easy to guide the big blade with no twisting or wobbling. On the battlefield this would be a formidable knife—as if its appearance alone weren’t enough to send the enemy heading for the hills.

The BAR15T is a load at just over a foot long with well over a pound of heft, and while not an easy tote it overshadows the EDC factor with sheer power. The beauty of the knife lies in its almost half-foot-long cutting edge and all that weight behind it. Tantos as a rule give up cutting edge to accommodate the wicked, pointy tip, and the shorter the blade the less edge there is for work.

It’s a black synthetic sheath party with the review knives. All are Kydex except the hard molded plastic of the KA-BAR.
It’s a black synthetic sheath party with the review knives. All are Kydex except the hard molded plastic of the KA-BAR.

I tested the knife by cleaving the cantaloupe in large chunks and taking off 1-inch strips in push cuts, pull cuts and vertical slices. The blade length proved a real benefit when making cuts evenly and the weight added to making strokes effortless, not to mention plenty of handle for gripping and guiding the knife. If you want a tad smoother cutting edge, I suggest checking out the SOG BAR15C Clip Point without the tanto’s notched tip.

The KA-BAR Dust II is sized for light duty around the camp or trail where a large fixed blade would tend to drag you down. Not to demean it, but this would be an ideal first fixed blade for a youngster to learn the ropes with—it’s a serious knife without being too bulky and is comfortable in the hand.

The BAR15T is well suited for heavier chores as well as lighter cantaloupe assignments. The ample handle helps as well.
The BAR15T is well suited for heavier chores as well as lighter cantaloupe assignments. The ample handle helps as well.

I used it to cut two types of rope that can be tougher on a blade than standard fare—3/8-inch synthetic rappelling rope and 1/4-inch stiff, twisted and waxed lariat cable—both of which can dull an edge pronto. I started with the rappelling rope, quickly taking off approximate inch lengths and then switching to the tough lariat cable. After slicing a couple of feet of each rope, the cuts were clean and the blade steel was ready for more.

The MKC V24 is about as tactical as a knife gets and about as close to being a custom as a factory model can be. In fact, I’ve owned customs that weren’t as well made. I started by stabbing the blade into a fat, 2-inch chub of summer sausage to check for penetration. The exercise was way too easy. Since stilettos primarily do two things—stab and slice—I did a slicing exercise on the sausage. Taking off roughly quarter-inch slices, the blade performed effortlessly, needing only a modicum of pressure to cleave off several clean lengths. The handle offered plenty of length and a level of comfort even a surgeon would love.

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