Pat Covert, Author at BLADE Magazine

Knife Sharpener: Top Choices To Keep Your Edge

Buyer's Guides

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December 27, 2023

Knife Sharpener: Top Choices To Keep Your Edge

More than mere knife sharpeners, these options are complete honing systems that keep your blades razor-sharp.

Many of you probably learned to sharpen knives freestyle on a carbide, ceramic or diamond stone that required setting the proper angle by guesswork. The problem with sharpening a knife freehand is that no matter how good you are, the angle can vary with each stroke.

Fortunately, knife sharpening systems these days are so advanced they can virtually eliminate human error. Among other features, the systems allow the user to preset the blade angle and lock it in so it never varies throughout the sharpening process. Of course, systems that “lock in” sharpening angles are nothing new. However, the ways today’s angle-guide models do it not only are especially creative and user friendly, the best of them offer many other highly useful functions as well.

Before reviewing four of the latest examples, a word of advice when sharpening a knife: stop and gauge your progress as you go. It will help ensure you don’t miss a dull spot and also keep you from over sharpening/abrading, thus preserving the life of your blade.

Smith’s Edge Pro Electric Sharpener

Smith’s has gotten more into electric sharpeners lately and the Edge Pro Electric Sharpener is one of the company’s latest. It is a countertop unit with a 3-foot-tall main housing rounded at the top for gripping. It is a three-stage pull-through sharpener—right side blade, left side blade and vertical hone. The right and left side pull-through slots access coarse diamond wheels that sharpen each side of the blade via a motor turning the wheels, the end result being an angle of approximately 22 degrees. The non-electric third slot houses two crossed ceramic rods to hone and de-burr the edge. A detachable electrical cord with adapter plug is included and a rocker switch on the base cuts the unit on and off.

Sharpening with the Edge Pro is simple but some tips will make its use more efficient and hazard free. First, this is a pull-through sharpener, so do not try to push the blade through. Second, for the best edge keep the blade as close to level as possible. Last, don’t apply too much downward force—you can bog down the motor. Steady, moderate pressure works best. The hone slot removes any rough burrs and sharpens the edge. I finished the blade with a leather strop and the edge was shaving sharp.

Smith’s Edge Pro Electric Sharpener Specs
Type: Benchtop electric, slotted
Dimensions: 8.5” long, 3” wide, 3.5” tall
Main body material: Plastic
Sharpening slots: Two coarse, one fine
Grit types: Diamond coarse and ceramic fine
Carry: None; tabletop design
Weight: 1 lb., 4 ozs.
Country of origin: U.S.A.
MSRP: $32.99

Cold Steel Benchtop Knife Sharpener

The Cold Steel Benchtop Knife Sharpener is an affordable version of the variable fixed-angle sharpeners folks like to demonstrate on Instagram and Facebook. The knife is mounted blade-up* in the jaws of a clamp and the grit block sweeps across the edge horizontally. The blade is mounted at the top of the unit upside down, and the rod that holds the grit block is mounted on one long end of the base. The rod angle is adjustable from 15 to 30 degrees and is locked in by a thumbscrew on a sliding mount. To reverse the blade for sharpening the opposite edge you must remove a thumbscrew from the base and rotate the “tower” 180 degrees. There are two grit blocks, each with different diamond-coated surfaces: 300 and 600 on the coarse block, 800 and 1,000 on the fine one.

There’s a good reason for watching videos on complicated sharpeners such as these. I noticed the tower (my jargon for the sharpener’s tall main component) where it mates to the base had slack in it, allowing it to rock when sharpening. I watched two videos and saw why. When sharpening the edge with a grit block, the loose base allows you to follow the edge of the blade as the block traverses from base to tip. To hold the tower stable, use your free hand to keep the tower from tipping backward while your other hand sweeps the blade edge with the grit block. This is a bit awkward until you get the hang of it. When you finish one side of the blade, undo a thumb screw and rotate the knife 180 degrees to do the other side. Then start over again with the next finest grit until you finish with the 1,000 grit.

It seems time consuming but remember, this is a budget fixed-angle sharpener that costs less than many diamond bench stones. If you want to learn the basics, this compact sharpener is a good one. (Author’s note: The clamp jaws are wider than on the other fixed-angle sharpeners, which means it will not work with as narrow of a blade width as the others reviewed.)

Cold Steel Benchtop Knife Sharpener Specs
Type: Fixed angle, horizontal swing
Dimensions: 8” long, 5” wide, 9.75” tall
Main body material: Steel
Grit types: 300, 600, 800 and 1,000, diamond coated
Carry: Hard-shell thermoplastic case
Weight: 2 lbs.
Country of origin: China
MSRP: $129.99

Work Sharp Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener Elite

The Work Sharp Elite with the guide rod and a Tri-Brasive block is ready for action. According to the author, he snuck the Elite’s instruction pamphlet into the photo because Work Sharp does an outstanding job of providing set-up and use instructions, which is not always the case with some sharpeners.

The Work Sharp Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener Elite is an affordable, sophisticated sharpening system. It is a fixed-angle unit that operates using rods with an array of grit blocks that would make the pickiest sharpening aficionado drool: 220, 320, 400, 600 and 800, a ceramic rod for serrations, and a leather strop. That’s right, you can even strop with it. The tower clamps the blade, sets the angle of the edge you prefer, and holds the rod and grit block. It is the only sideways/horizontal blade mount of the test bunch. The Tri-Brasive grits are held in a special housing with a finger grip, three to a block—two total except for the ceramic rod and strop, which have their own smaller housings. Each housing has its own rod, making it easy to install and use. The clamp holds the knife with the blade edge facing the user. (Author’s note: This is the budget version of the Work Sharp Professional Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener, the BLADE Magazine 2023 Accessory Of The Year [page 16, September BLADE®], which has grit widths of approximately 3/4 inch like the other fixed-angle sharpeners reviewed. The Elite model has 3/8-inch-wide grit slabs that may wear out faster.)

Assembly is shockingly easy—no tools required. Once the blade is mounted in the clamp, the grit housing/rod locks into place with a magnet located under the degree-setting brace on the tower, and that sets your blade angle. The edge faces you horizontally, making it easy to gauge your progress. Simply work your way up the consecutively finer diamond grits until it’s fine ceramic and strop time, which gives the razor-sharp edge a blazing shine. The ceramic rod for serrations is a nice addition. The only thing that might give you trouble is the base can tip forward if you put too much pressure on the blade. Easy does it is the byword here. All in all, the Work Sharp Precision Knife Sharpener Elite is a breeze to set up, easy to use for blisteringly sharp results, and packs up nicely when it comes time to stow. It is a tremendous value.

Work Sharp Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener Elite Specs
Type: Fixed angle, horizontal swing
Dimensions: 5” long, 4.5” wide, 7.25” tall
Main body material: Steel
Grit types: 220, 320, 400, 600, 800 diamond coated, ceramic and leather
Carry: Soft case
Weight: 1 lb., 8 ozs.
Country of origin: Assembled in the U.S.A. using foreign-made parts
MSRP: $139.93

Wicked Edge WE66 Obsidian

Sharpening both edges at the same time — The Wicked Edge WE66 Obsidian is the only test model that sharpened both sides of the blade in one session without flipping the knife. The blade mounts atop the tower and the swing rods and grit blocks are used in alternating right- and left-hand sweeps. Note how the guide rods are held in mounts that also set the angle.

The Wicked Edge WE66 Obsidian is another upscale, state-of-the-art fixed-angle sharpener capable of delivering mind-blowing results. What sets it apart from the others is that you sharpen both blade sides in the same session—no flipping of the knife is required. The Obsidian is the largest of the sharpening systems reviewed and has an 8×11-inch base that weighs more than the system itself.

The Obsidian uses diamond blocks with two different consecutive grits on opposing sides. There are four blocks total, two each identical because you sharpen both sides of the blade at the same time. There are two sanding-block rods with orb-shaped bases that act like ball bearings in the mounts. The bases slide on a rail to set the sharpening angle. Despite sounding complicated, it’s actually quite simple. The angle settings are very easy to read on the side of the base. The blade mounts upside down in the jaws atop the center tower and locks in place via a lever.

To use the Obsidian, mount the knife so the edge points straight up, and operate the rods and blocks with opposing hands. Once you sweep the blade with one hand you switch to the other and repeat until that grit has done its business. Sharpen with the low grit and when done rotate to the higher grit on the other side. When you’re finished with that block, replace it with the other block of a higher grit. You’ll have to provide your own strop.

Wicked Edge WE66 Obsidian Specs
Type: Fixed angle, horizontal swing
Dimensions: 11” long, 3” wide, 4” tall
Main body material: Steel
Grit types: 200, 600, 800 and 1,000, diamond coated
Weight: 2 lbs. 13 ozs.
Country of origin: U.S.A.
MSRP: $799

Due Diligence

Much of what is written here will make a lot more sense when you watch a video of the sharpener that strikes your fancy. It will make assembly easier as well.

There’s something for everyone here. If you don’t care to labor over sharpening but still want a very competent cutter, the Smith’s Edge Pro should suit you just fine. The Cold Steel Benchtop Sharpener offers fixed-angle sharpening at a budget price and is a perfect steppingstone for getting your feet wet in hi-tech sharpening. Finally, the Work Sharp Elite and Wicked Edge Obsidian are both lights-out sharpeners if you want outstanding performance. Both are truly state-of-the-art.

Editor’s note: Always practice extreme caution when working on a knife held in a clamp, vise, jig, etc., with the edge pointing up and/or toward you. When finished sharpening, remove the knife from the fixture immediately so the danger of accidental cutting is eliminated.

More Sharpening Articles:

Knife Sharpening: What’s the Best Angle?
5 Myths About Knife Sharpening
5 Leading Sharpening Rods
4 Steps to Perfect Freehand Sharpening

Tactical Fixed Blade Knife Buyer’s Guide

Pat Covert

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October 31, 2023

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Tactical Fixed Blade Knife Buyer’s Guide

These tactical fixed blade knives are set to conquer the most extreme tasks.

When the Gulf War took off in Iraq in the early 1990s, the knife industry took off, too, and a steady stream of tactical fixed blades has surfed the wave ever since.

Needless to say, there are military fixed blades aplenty in the cutlery industry with no single design or manufacturer having a chokehold on today’s market. This has given knife users an abundance of choices, from pure fighters to utility users and everything in between.

A diverse quartet of the genre includes the Condor Fighter Knife, Emerson CQC-7 Fixed Blade, KA-BAR/John Ek Commando Short Clip and Spartan Blades Harsey Fighter. To determine their strengths and weaknesses, the first order of business was a common test for penetration.

Testing

I set up a heavy-duty corrugated-board box with a 1-inch Styrofoam™ liner made for shipping frozen foods. I tested each knife by thrusting the blade into the side of the box forcefully, and then pushing it through from a standstill with the tip resting on the box. All the knives penetrated the thick, layered material with ease—not surprising considering they have either clip-point or tanto blade patterns, both adept at stabbing. There was very little differential from one model to the next. What follows is a look at each knife and how it performed other chores.

Condor Tool & Knife Fighter Knife

Condor Fighter — The author took the Condor to task batonning a length of seasoned hardwood with good effect. According to him, “This is one versatile knife that even a bushcrafter would love.”

Condor Tool & Knife specializes in bang-for-the-buck blades and the Fighter Knife is no exception. Indeed, it is the most affordable of the test group. From the side the knife appears to be pudgy but it is actually quite nimble. The clip-point blade has jimping on the rear of the spine for enhanced purchase on detail cuts.

The tan handle is hidden tang in construction with a fine stippled surface texture, an ample palm swell in the middle and a lanyard loop. The exposed steel at the butt can be used for hammering. The sheath is MOLLE compatible, injection molded and features a black leather drop loop.

The knife easily switches from combat to field chores—not surprising as the company specializes in both. The wider blade is similar to that of many field knives, as is its deep grind. Slicing 3/8-inch rappelling rope and taking curls for firestarter were a breeze. I set the blade across the end of a 15-inch piece of tough seasoned hardwood, 25/8 inches across, and drove it clean through. This is a rugged knife. The sheath is relatively unobtrusive and rides about 2 inches above the beltline.

Condor Fighter Knife Specs
Blade length: 4.91”
Blade material: 1075 carbon steel
Blade grind: Flat w/secondary bevel
Blade finish: Black Cerakote®
Handle length: 4.83”
Handle material: Tan polypropylene
Weight: 8.82 ozs.
Overall length: 9.74”
Sheath: Tan polypropylene/leather belt strap
Country of origin: El Salvador
MSRP: $100

KA-BAR John Ek Commando Short Clip

Ka-Bar Commando Shor Clip — The Commando Short Clip tackled a 2.75-inch-diameter chub of summer sausage admirably. The blade is 5.125 inches of 1095 Cro-Van carbon steel, a time-proven KA-BAR favorite.

The John Ek Commando Short Clip is one in a series of military-type models KA-BAR Knives offers by the cutlery legend. This one is all black and a timeless, no-nonsense John Ek design. The blade is complemented by a 4.125-inch “stick” handle with scales affixed by big, fat screws, an Ek hallmark. The blade clip breaks with a slight harpoon kick, which I’m not sure Ek ever used, though it works wickedly, and there’s a short guard below the blade. The symmetrical handle has a lanyard hole at the butt. All of this is delivered with a modern, MOLLE-compatible sheath.

KA-BAR has done an admirable job picking up the John Ek banner and blending the old with the new. The Commando Short Clip’s narrow blade—1.31 inches wide—proved proficient at slicing. I tested it on paracord, 3/8-inch rappelling rope and a large round of 2.75-inch summer sausage, and it did a masterful job of tackling them all. It is a combat knife at heart and its light weight is not as skillful at tough field chores like hacking wood, but that’s not its department.

The handle is fine for small and medium hands but could be a challenge for those with large ones. The modern sheath is very well done and rides with the butt of the handle just above the waistband. Overall, this modern take on a classic leans toward a combat knife with enough utility to get you by.

KA-BAR/Ek Commando Short Clip Specs
Blade length: 5.125”
Blade material: 1095 Cro-Van carbon steel
Blade grind: Flat
Blade finish: Black powder coat
Handle length: 4.125”
Handle material: Polymer
Weight: 10.4 ozs.
Overall length: 9.25”
Sheath: Black polymer Celcon/MOLLE compatible
Country of origin: USA
MSRP: $155

Emerson Knives CQC-7

The Emerson Knives CQC-7 Fixed Blade hasn’t gotten a lot of face time because the overwhelming amount of tactical knife coverage of the company is devoted to folders. It’s the way of the world. The Emerson is the shortest of the review subjects and is also the one that tilts more toward being a pure combat knife—something its designer, martial arts specialist/custom knifemaker/cutlery entrepreneur Ernest Emerson, knows a thing or two about. The tanto blade sports a flat V-grind and a stonewashed finish. The blade has three straight grinds: the main edge, tip grind and a clipped saber grind. An Emerson Wave shape on the rear of the blade spine serves as a thumb ramp. The handle has a nice palm swell, a symmetrical dimpled texture for enhanced purchase and a lanyard hole in the butt.

The blade’s 7/16-inch edge grind was delivered wicked sharp and I took it to task slicing one of my favorites, 3/8-inch rappelling rope. The rope is extremely strong because lives depend on it. In one test I pulled the edge through three consecutive cross sections of rope. The drag on the blade was much less than I normally encounter—a pleasant surprise. It slashed the corrugated board outer layer into the Styrofoam effortlessly, and when I slowed the process down with a little more pressure, it dug through the foam as well. The sheath is a study in minimalism, but that’s what you want when concealment is at a premium.

Emerson CQC-7 Fixed Blade Specs
Blade length: 4.125”
Blade steel: 154CM stainless
Blade grind: V-grind
Blade finish: Stonewashed
Handle length: 4.625”
Handle material: Black G-10 composite
Weight: 5.86 ozs.
Overall length: 8.75”
Sheath: Black Kydex®
Country of origin: USA
MSRP: $237.95

Spartan Blades Harsey Fighter

A goodly portion of observers seem to believe the Spartan Blades Harsey Fighter is noted knifemaker Bill Harsey’s consummate work and, though he has a load of nice designs in his stable, I wouldn’t argue. It is the largest of the test knives and a blend of modern styling with traditional cues. It is the Pineland Cutlery version manufactured by KA-BAR under the Spartan label.
The clip-point blade has a fuller that butts up against the ricasso. The handle surface boasts a diagonal rib pattern for enhanced grip and an ample lanyard hole at the butt. The sheath has a fabric-fastener drop loop and retention strap. There’s also a swing-out lock at the rear guard that secures the knife in the main body of the sheath.

It’s amazing what a couple of inches in length, a couple of ounces in weight, plus an extra inch in the handle add to the versatility of a knife. That’s on average what the Harsey Fighter has over the other knives tested. This is not a knock on the others, just the advantage of having more knife.

For chopping ability I tested the blade on a thick-skinned cantaloupe. I had to chop the melon off center to clear the handle but the blade made its point in one fell swoop. The extra weight allowed me to tackle tougher chores and the added blade length made for excellent slicing and hacking. You can clear a camp with the Harsey Fighter. The comfortably sculpted handle can accommodate the largest of hands and the upper flare offers good finger protection. The sheath is very well made but the guard lock takes some getting used to and is one added step for a quick draw. All in all, the Harsey Fighter earned its mettle in spades.

Spartan Blades Harsey Fighter Specs
Blade length: 6.125”
Blade material: 1095 Cro-Van carbon steel
Blade grind: Flat
Blade finish: Black powder coat
Handle length: 5.35”
Handle material: Black G-10 composite
Weight: 11.5 ozs.
Overall length: 11.5”
Sheath: Black polymer/nylon belt loop/MOLLE compatible
Country of origin: USA
MSRP: $195

Check Out More Outdoor Knives And Tools:

Best Bushcraft Knife: When Steel Meets Woods
Best Camp Knives: Outdoor Do-Alls
Best Hatchets And Axes For Survival And Camping
Best Gut Hook Hunting Knives

Bearded Axe: Best Bashers From Here To Valhalla (2023)

Buyer's Guides

Pat Covert

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July 31, 2023

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Bearded Axe: Best Bashers From Here To Valhalla (2023)

Hot bearded axes go beyond just chopping.

All axe heads have an edge, of course, but did you know some can give you an edge over others? The bearded axe chops just like any axe, but its beard can serve field duty beyond the norm.

The bearded axe was first used by the Scandinavian Norse people (Norsemen) in the Middle Ages and was called a skeggox—skegg for beard and ox for axe. Its distinctive shape allows you to grasp the handle at the base of the head and use the edge for woodworking chores.

It’s sometimes called a carving axe for its propensity for de-barking, shaving and notching wood, and other chores like slicing cord and rope—even serving as an ulu to prepare food. Not all bearded axes are made specifically for carving wood, however, as you’re about to find out.

CRKT James Williams Skeggox

Bearded Axe CRKT — The CRKT Skeggox shaved bark and rendered nice shavings while debarking and pointing the tip of a hardwood stake. The SK5 carbon steel bit into the hardwood quite well and the handle scales offered a comfortable grip.

Columbia River Knife & Tool and martial artist/Japanese sword guru James Williams dipped back in time and chose the original Norse namesake for his design. The CRKT Skeggox is one of the larger two test axes.

The drop in the beard from the top of the inner curve to the bottom edge is 3.25 inches. The 11-inch handle has a lanyard loop at the base. The sheath features a black nylon keeper strap with a thermoplastic buckle to prevent slippage from the sheath. CRKT includes additional hardware for belt or MOLLE carry.

The SK5 carbon steel of the axe head has been compared to U.S.-produced 1084 and 1095 carbon steels, which typically fare well-working wood in the wild. I tested it for carving and immediately liked the deep drop and the “50 miles of elbow room” between the handle and the rear of the beard. I de-barked and pointed a fat hardwood tent peg, and the more I used the bearded blade the better my control got for taking off long shavings. This was in part due to the low profile of the quarter-inch steel and the nice bite of the high carbon alloy.

The Skeggox is also a good all-around chopper for firewood and clearing small trees. The sheath is economical and the option of belt or MOLLE carry is welcome. Better yet, it is the most affordable of the review axes and money well spent.

James Williams Skeggox Specs
Head Width: 4.874”
Blade Edge: 5”
Blade Material: SK-5 carbon steel (Japan)
Blade Thickness: .25”
Blade Finish: Black powder coat
Handle Material: Black FRN polymer
Weight: 26 ozs.
Overall Length: 13”
Sheath: Black thermoplastic
Country of Origin: Taiwan
MSRP: $113

Doublestar/Outlier Kodiak Camp Axe

Bearded Axe Kodiak — The author removed the splitter attachment from the Outlier Kodiak Camp Axe to clear the way for using the blade for debarking and shaving wood. He used the longer, lower portion of the double-edged blade and was impressed with the performance of the 52100 carbon steel.

The Outlier (formerly Doublestar) Kodiak Camp Axe is the second of the larger test axes and comes with a twist. The axe head has a removable steel splitter attachment installed, specifically made for cleaving wood. It is also notable in that the blade edge has two grinds.

The beard drop is 2.5 inches. The handle scales are sumptuous at a half-inch thick each. The sheath covers the axe head and splitter until it reaches the widened rear of the splitter used for hammering. The front has a nylon belly strap with a thermoplastic buckle to secure the axe head.

The splitter increases weight, blocks access to the beard for slicing and shaving, and is too unwieldy for my tastes for finesse work. I removed it, reducing axe weight by 8 ounces and making the Kodiak much easier to manipulate. I thought the two angles of edge might make a difference in cutting surface—and I’m sure they would—but the longer, lower edge turned out to be all I needed for de-barking and shaving long slivers. The 52100 carbon steel cut like a house afire, slicing wood and ¾-inch rappelling rope with ease.

It was a different axe altogether without the splitter and more in line with the other text axes. The only recommendation I’d have is that Outlier offer the same axe with a full, single-edged head to increase the coverage of the edge. Other than that, it’s a beast.

Kodiak Camp Axe Specs
Head Width: 5.25”
Blade Edge: Varied
Blade Material: 52100 carbon steel
Blade Thickness: .25”
Blade Finish: Parkerized black
Handle Material: Green G-10 composite w/orange liners
Special Features: Splitter attachment
Weight: 40 ozs. (including splitter)
Overall Length: 13.125”
Sheath: Black thermoplastic
Country of Origin: U.S.A.
MSRP: $319

Halfbreed Compact Rescue Axe

Bearded Axe Halfbreed — The Halfbreed Compact Rescue Axe shaved wood and sliced rappelling rope with flying colors. The axe head steel is the thickest of the test group.

The Halfbreed Compact Rescue Axe is the smallest of our bearded array yet is also the most overbuilt. It makes up for its smaller size with the thick axe head steel. There’s a nice palm swell at the lower grip area and a big finger groove at the top of the handle.

It has a beard drop of 1.5 inches. Out back is a 2-inch spike. The rear spine has gimping to enhance grip. The sheath offers full coverage and a keeper loop rolls under the bit to further secure the axe head. It has a mounted MOLLE-compatible plate, or you can swap it out with an optional DOTS Tek-Lok style attachment for belt carry.

While testing the Halfbreed I had to remind myself it is indeed a compact rescue axe. While all the other review subjects are geared for outdoor use, this small overbuilt wonder is more for city work. That said, the large finger groove at the top of the handle is custom-made for carving and slicing just as bearded axes were intended. I tested the little axe and it shaved bark, took off shavings, and sliced rappelling rope just fine, but its thick steel and superior weight-for-size ratio really shine when hacking and bashing. I have no doubt it would earn its stars as a close-quarters hawk.

I gave the spike a run on a pane of 3/16-inch door glass and it obliged, shattering it with gusto. The ample grip, with its added gimping, makes for excellent purchase, and the sheath—overbuilt like the axe—is the most comprehensive of the lot. In a nutshell, the Halfbreed is a handy axe—and a bulldog at that!

Compact Rescue Axe Specs
Head Width: 4.5”
Blade Edge: 2.55”
Blade Material: Bohler K110 (D2) tool steel
Blade Thickness: .31”
Blade Finish: Black Teflon coating
Handle Material: Black G-10 composite
Special Features: Faceted spike, gimping
Weight: 25.07 ozs.
Overall Length: 9.52”
Sheath: Black Kydex, MOLLE compatible
Country of Origin: Australia
MSRP: $310

Maserin Knives Mantis

Bearded Axe Mantis — The unusual axe head of the Maserin Mantis offers full knuckle protection and then some. Note that the Mantis has a pair of upper scales just for the purpose of using the axe for shaving and slicing.

Maserin Knives may be giving us a glimpse into the future with its new, strikingly stylish Mantis. It is a small axe and you’ll notice the steep tool steel blade is quite lengthy for its size. In fact, the blade exceeds the width of the axe head—a bit unusual in a working axe.

“But wait, there’s more!” as the TV guy says. The Mantis has four (two sets) of scales: one at the top for carving comfort and the other on the lower portion of the handle for grip. At the base of the straight top scale the direction of the handle switches to an outward curve, and the exposed part on the handle has three lightening holes—plus there’s a lanyard hole and a spike on the base. The sheath fits the axe head only and butts against the top scale, and there’s a belt loop stitched to the back. It’s minimalism at its finest.

The Mantis has the longest beard drop of all the test axes at 3.75 inches and is the only one that offers full hand protection. The blade curve stands apart in that it is virtually symmetrical from end to end. It’s shape and full knuckle protection begged me to try it as an ulu for slicing, so I laid down some 3/8-inch rappelling rope and went at it. The Mantis sliced just like an ulu, taking off clean sections of rope. It performed even better when I reversed the grip with the handle facing away from me so it didn’t hit me in the belly. Voila! Instant ulu.

The Mantis shaved bark and carved off curls quite well and the full finger protection was welcome. It’s the lightest of the axes reviewed, which could put it at a disadvantage to the others when weight is a factor. You won’t be batonning this axe either because the top scales would block it from going past the front portion of the head. That said, there’s plenty to like about the Mantis’s utility value and its forward-thinking styling!

Mantis Specs
Head Width: 3.75”
Blade Edge: 4.527”
Blade Material: D2 tool steel
Blade Finish: Stonewashed
Blade Thickness: .326”
Handle Material: Black G-10 composite
Special Feature: Futuristic design
Weight: 20.23 ozs.
Overall Length: 11.02”
Sheath: Black Kydex
Country of Origin: Italy
MSRP: $216

More Axes, Hatchets And Tomahawks:

Best Hatchets For Survival And Camping
Best Tomahawks: Our Top Hawks For Backwoods To Battlefields
Wicked Breacher: Ben Seward’s SWAT Axe
Awesome Axes for Chopping Wood Like a True Lumberjack

Shop Dump: TOMMY “BUBBA” CROUCH

Knifemaking

Pat Covert

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June 7, 2023

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Part of the Texas Slipjoint Cartel, Bubba Crouch shares the tools with witch he crafts his creations.

Tommy “Bubba” Crouch is a Texan through and through. In fact, he lives only minutes from Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer Bill Ruple, who has mentored more slip-joint knifemakers than a little bit. Crouch is one of those pupils and was also the spark in naming a merry band of talented custom makers who studied under Ruple the South Texas Slipjoint Cartel.

Crouch employs his Harig 618 automatic surface grinder for bringing parts to thicknesses pre-heat treat and for clean-up post-heat treat.

“Bill Ruple and I were sitting around one day in his shop and we were just talking about knives and such,” Bubba recalls. “We were talking about our bladesmithing friends in the Montana Mafia, so we came up with the name South Texas Slipjoint Cartel. It was mainly just to mess with our Montana knifemaking friends who’d formed such a group. We decided to make it an LLC. Our group has done many donation knives for charity events. It mainly consists of friends sharing techniques and better ways to do things. I have been blessed to have Bill Ruple five miles away and he has helped me tremendously. Other members sharing their knowledge have also been something that helped me personally.”

It can be truly said that Bubba is all cowboy and all hat. He grew up ranching, spent time on the competitive roping circuit, and even had a stint driving a cattle truck. He took up knifemaking in 2009 and credits his apprenticeship under Ruple as the key to where he is today.

Bubba uses The Outlaw grinder with the Moen platen (above) for grinding blades exclusively. “Both work well together,” he observes.

First Crouch calls out his milling machine. “The Bridgeport Mill is an adjustable speed head that I use for milling integrals, liners, relieving liners and spinning center handle pins,” he notes. As for shop grinders, he has a plethora. “My automatic surface grinder is a Harig 618. This machine I use for bringing parts to thicknesses pre-heat treat and for clean up after heat treat. The Outlaw grinder with the Moen platen is used for grinding blades only. Both work well together,” he observes. “The Northridge grinder I use for roughing out and shaping parts.

“My green grinder is made by Enrique Pena and is a great piece of equipment. The wheel and platen flip around and the back side can be used as a loose belt. The horizontal grinder is an AMK and is a necessity for making slip joints, in my opinion.”

For his main disc grinder setup, Crouch uses a Hardcore model for cutting blade tangs and fitting handle material into the liners. The flat disc is homemade for thinning and flattening handle material.

Last but not least on the grinder front Bubba lists his disc grinders. “My main disc setup came from Hardcore and is used on cutting in the tang on the blade and for fitting handle material into the liners,” Bubba explains. “The flat disc is homemade and used for thinning and flattening handle material.”

He has two ovens for heat treating. “My heat-treat ovens are both newer models. The Paragon Pro is a great oven that gets to tip really quickly,” he notes. “The Evenheat has been a great addition and is very accurate.”

Bubba also keeps two pantographs in his shop. “The first is an Alexander 1B that I use for inlays and cutting shields. It’s an older machine from the early 1880s,” he states. “The second pantograph is a Gorton P1-2. I use this machine for engraving my name into the blades.”

He also keeps another specialty machine for shop duty. “The Oliver drill point thinner has been converted with a table and a cupped stone to cut nail nicks in the blades,” Crouch advises, wrapping up with something no maker can do without: “The workbench came from Sam’s Wholesale Club and I have three of them—very well built for the money.”

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Emerson Whiskey Co.: Bowies ‘N Bourbon At BLADE Show

BLADE Show

Pat Covert

-

May 24, 2023

0

Emerson Whiskey Co.: Bowies ‘N Bourbon At BLADE Show

Ernest Emerson to debut Emerson Whiskey Co. and the Whiskey Knife at BLADE Show ’23.

A perennial favorite at the BLADE Show, Ernest Emerson of Emerson Knives, Inc., has chosen this year’s event to introduce the Emerson Whiskey Co., along with two limited-edition commemorative knives to celebrate the launch.
Ernest said he chose BLADE Show ’23 for the new-company-and-knife premiere partly due to the many fond memories of sipping adult beverages with friends, customers and associates at shows in general. And what bigger and better knife show for the debut than the world’s biggest and best, the BLADE Show?

“I have shared many whiskey toasts and shots with my friends in the knife community over the years,” he notes. “In fact, at many shows it seemed like I spent more time talking about whiskey than about knives.”

Emerson Whiskey is a straight bourbon whiskey, which Ernest said must meet stricter standards than other types of whiskey. One of the requirements is that to be called straight bourbon it must be aged at least two years in virgin, charred, white oak barrels. “The best bourbon sweet spot for aging is four to five years,” he explains, “which produces the best combination of smooth flavor, mellow color and unique taste. Older-aged bourbons can—and many times do—pick up more of the tannins from the barrels and, as a result, sometimes require an additional charcoal filtering process to settle down the taste. When it is bottled, it cannot be less than 80 proof.

“The best and most unique tastes are from what is called a ‘single barrel’ run, where the finished bottled bourbon or whiskey comes from a single barrel [cask] and is not blended with any other barrels. Our bourbon is one which we handpicked and tasted out of dozens of barrels before we all agreed that we had found the one that we deemed the best.” As Percy Sledge sings in Take Time To Know Her, “It’s not an overnight thing.”

Emerson and his family spent over two years bringing the effort to fruition. “I must say, this involved a lot of dead-ends and quite a number of not-so-good whiskeys—and then, finally the stars aligned and it was all truly worth the effort. We found it,” Ernest recalls. “This Kentucky straight bourbon is distilled at a legacy distillery located in the heart of bourbon country—Owensboro, Kentucky. Aged for four years in new, white oak, charred barrels, this whiskey has all the delectable tastes and charm so sought after by all bourbon enthusiasts.” The first offering will be a single barrel run with each bottle individually hand signed and serialized by Ernest.

Special-Edition Emerson Whiskey Knife

At the BLADE Show, Emerson also will release two limited-edition versions of an all-new design he has dubbed “the Whiskey Knife.” There will be a custom edition, handmade by Ernest in his custom shop, limited to only 20 pieces. There also will be a production version in a limited run of 80 units. The knives will be serial numbered 001-100 starting with the custom versions and continuing through the production run.

Knife and Tags — The Whiskey Knife custom edition features long single backspacers. They are color keyed in gold anodizing to match the liners, pivot screw and thumb disc.

The linerlock design of the Whiskey Knife is instantly recognizable as an Emerson with many of the design traits he developed for his tactical knives over the years. Fully extended the knife is 8.4 inches with 3.5 inches of the total in a blade of 154CM stainless steel with a classic clip-point bowie look.

“The design needed to be a workingman’s knife suitable for a variety of tasks, and the bowie-style-blade design ties it back to the roots of historical American culture. After all,” Ernest grins, “what could be more American than Kentucky bourbon and a bowie knife?” The folder’s handle reinforces the theme. “The scales are made from the charred oak barrel staves, which have been fully stabilized,” he notes. “On the custom knives, the titanium liners and backspacers are hand polished and anodized to a beautiful golden hue, along with the titanium pivot screw and thumb disc. The front handle scale features ‘The Emerson Whiskey Co.’ brand burned into its surface.”

Emerson Whiskey Knife — All 100 issues of the Whiskey Knife are serialized on the blade just below the thumb stud, and correspond with the special copper tags on both the bottle and knife.

The production version is the same model and same size as the first 20 custom knives. “The key difference is that the blades are not hand ground and the liners not highly polished,” Ernest qualifies. “The specs for the production knife are the same as the custom knife, except that they do not have the solid titanium backspacer and the .09-inch-thick titanium on the lock side.”

Blade ‘N Bourbon Package

Emerson will offer two special packages featuring a bottle and knife—one with the custom model and the other the production version. “The custom package is a matched set limited to only 20 offerings serialized 001-020,” Ernest explains. “It consists of the handmade edition of the Whiskey Knife paired with a serialized, matched bottle of Emerson Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The handles are handcrafted white oak, fully stabilized and made from the origin barrel of the Emerson whiskey. Both knife and whiskey come with engraved copper plaques hand stamped by me to memorialize this beautiful and stunning pairing of fine cutlery and superb Kentucky Straight Bourbon.” Price for the custom package is $1,375.

Whiskey and Knife — Everything ties together in the Emerson Whiskey production package, from the copper tags to the serial number on the blade, and Ernest’s signature and issue number on the bottle.

There will be 80 production packages available, serialized 021-100. “Each of these knives is also hand signed by me, making it a true signature series to match the hand signed bottle that it is partnered with,” Ernest says. “They also feature the copper engraved and hand stamped tag certifying its unique pairing to the corresponding knife model.” The price for the production package is $499.

The BLADE Show always has a few twists. Is there an Emerson Whiskey on the rocks with a twist of lime.

Read More About The Blade Show:

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2022 Blade Show Custom Knife Award Winners
BLADE Show West 2022: A Salt Lake Surprise
2023 BLADE Show Texas Factory And Custom Award Winners

Best Neck Knife: Options To Yoke Up With (2023)

Buyer's Guides

Pat Covert

-

April 3, 2023

2

Best Neck Knife: Options To Yoke Up With (2023)

Carrying A Concealed Yet Capable And Easy-To-Access Knife, These Neck Knife Options Won’t Leave You Dangling.

Neck knives are often overlooked as a form of everyday carry, which is surprising since they offer so many advantages. Neckers, as they’re slang-fully called, excel at concealment* as they are easily covered by a shirt or jacket, and, because they’re uncommon EDCs, offer an element of surprise.

While neck knives frequently may be thought of as tools of self-defense, they also offer utility aplenty. In addition, with a fixed-blade neck knife—like all fixers—you simply snatch it from its sheath and you’re ready to go.

Condor Tool & Knife Carlitos Neck Knife

Condor Tool & Knife’s Carlitos Neck Knife is small and lightweight, its weight primarily reduced by its skeletonized design, with only a paracord wrap to add load to its black carbon steel mass.

The blade is gimped on the lower spine for added grip. The handle is cord-wrapped with a braided lanyard at the base, handy for releasing the knife from the sheath. The grommets at the sheath’s base can take paracord or ball chain for neckwear.

MSRP: $43

Outdoor Edge LeHawk

The Outdoor Edge LeHawk, designed by knifemaker Jerry Hossom, is the largest of the test knives. The blade has a swedge grind and fine gimping along the spine.

The 3.3-inch handle is grippy with a kicked-up bird’s-beak butt to prevent slippage. The sheath wears around a neck via a length of provided cord or carries on a belt.

MSRP: $35

TOPS Knives Sneaky Pete Mini

The TOPS Knives Sneaky Pete Mini resembles a scaled-down tactical knife. In fact, it is a miniaturized version of the company’s larger Sneaky Pete introduced in 2018.

The blade’s recurved edge flows into a 3.5-inch skeletonized handle. The entire knife is carbon steel. Delivered with a sheath and ball chain necklace, the Mini also has a carabiner clip for dangler carry. The skeletonized construction makes for a very slim package.

MSRP: $115

WE Knives OSS Dagger

The WE Knives OSS Dagger is derived from the famed Fairbairn-Sykes/OSS daggers of World War II, though did you know there were variants this small? They were made for concealment for clandestine operations and called lapel, sleeve and thumb daggers, and it is from these that the WE version is derived. (And, of course, “WE” does not stand for the W.E. of William Ewart Fairbairn.)

The double-ground blade has one edge sharpened and a tapered fuller. The back side of the blade is flat. Essentially an integral design of stainless steel, the handle has inlays for improved grip. The knife is delivered with a black sheath and ball-chain necklace.

MSRP: $105

Boker Plus Rescue Kiridashi

Boker Neck Knife — The Boker Plus Rescue Kiridashi is the total package. In addition to the neck knife and black Kydex sheath, Boker includes a ball chain necklace and optional bolt-on Kydex belt loop.

The Boker Plus Rescue Kiridashi gets the “rescue” label by offering a large gut-hook-style web cutter. (For more on the latest rescue knives, see page 44). The blade has the flat edge of a kiridashi but is hollow ground on both sides to enhance slicing capabilities. The handle—the blade and handle length overlap—has a large index finger hole for a sure grip. A black Kydex sheath, black ball chain and bolt-on Kydex belt loop are included.

With its large wharncliffe blade, the knife proved to be a beast. I tested it on leather and 3/8-inch synthetic rappelling rope and it whipped through both with ease. The ring in the short handle enhances grip, making the index finger your main purchase point. Watch out for that gut hook webbing cutter, however, as it’s awfully close to the thumb rest. I tried the hook on seat belt webbing as well. In my experience, though gut-hook-style webbing cutters don’t perform as well as serrated blades, the Rescue Kiridashi will do the job in the heat of the moment.

MSRP: $45

Bradford Knives’ G-Necker

Bradford Neck Knife — The G-Necker’s thick quarter-inch-plus steel is unusual on a neck knife but Bradford puts it to good use. Note how the blade tapers while the handle retains the full thickness for a comfortable grip.

Bradford Knives’ G-Necker eschews radical curves for more classic lines that give it the look of a standard small fixed blade. It departs from the norm, however, by flexing its muscle with top-shelf Elmax stainless steel in a graceful, flat ground drop point blade. The handle, thick enough to forgo a cord wrap or scales, has two triangulate holes to lighten the load. We tested the blackwash version—other finishes are available. Bradford provides a black Kydex sheath and ball chain necklace.

The quarter-inch-plus-thick handle is unusual among neck knives. However, if you think it might be a bit clumsy, that’s not the case. Bradford has struck a balance by keeping the steel’s thickness on the handle but tapering it on the blade for better slicing.

The Elmax steel cut like a house afire, taking off super crisp cuts on harness leather and whipping through 3/8-inch rope with ease. The handle rests in the palm nicely and the notched gimping on the thumb rest enhances grip. Handles with no scales or padding don’t bode well for long term use as those that have them, but if you’re using the Bradford G-Necker for quick chores, you’ll have no worries.

MSRP: $99

Condor Tool & Knife Kickback

Condor Tool & Knife designed the Kickback for both urban and field duty. The straight-back blade has a swedge grind for enhanced penetration, giving it a tactical feel, while its deep belly makes it at home in the field. The steel has a black traction coat stem to stern and there’s a large finger hole in the base. A nicely done tan paracord wrap with a knotted pull completes the handle. Condor provides a black Kydex sheath with ball chain for neck carry.

The blade did an excellent job of slicing through harness leather, which bodes well for the knife’s potential use as a skinner. I also found the swedge ground point adept at penetrating and boring into leather. Due to its light weight and short blade, the Kickback wasn’t quite as good at cutting 3/8-inch rope as at least one other of the test knives, but it gets the job done. The cord-wrapped handle is very comfortable. I found the ring at the base a bit tight for my pinkie finger but it works well for hanging the knife on a lanyard.

MSRP: $35

TOPS Knives Mini Tanimboca Puukko

Tops Neck Knife — The TOPS Mini Tanimboca Puukko is an excellent little necker for fire prep. It cut fine wood slivers and curlicues for tinder, and the blade spine threw righteous sparks off a ferro rod.

The Mini Tanimboca Puukko by TOPS Knives makes no bones about its mission: It’s basically a small bushcraft knife. It is a full-tang design with a flat-back Scandi-ground blade. The little necker’s handle features comfortably plump black linen Micarta® scales with a large tube lanyard hole in the butt. At 1.28 ounces it’s the lightest of the test group and deviates from the rest in its uncommon top-loading brown leather neck sheath, which wears on a belt, too. The knife is also the smallest of the review neckers and, indeed, the most distinctive.

As noted, the Mini Tanimboca is a field knife. While it will cut leather strips and can saw its way through 3/8-inch rope, it really excels at fire prep. I tested it for taking fine shavings from a boxwood block and stick of pine, and it dug in with gusto and precision. I then tested the blade spine on a small ferro rod and it threw sparks like a champ. The blade tip bores holes in leather with accuracy. The tiny knife makes an excellent companion to its larger sibling, the TOPS Tanimboca Puukko.

MSRP: $110

Securing Your Lanyard

Neck knife lanyard — Two friction knots for neck knife “necklaces”: one tied loosely with two different colors of cord for clarity, and below it the same knot tightened up more neatly on a leather lanyard. (Bob Seymour image)

An area of concern with neck knives is the mode of carry around your neck; in other words, if the necklace does not give way if it catches on somethings, it can wring your neck—or worse.

Ball chains are designed to break easily in such instances and thus are considered safe. They’re also cheap and easy to replace. A nylon, leather or other cord, on the other hand, won’t snap in two easily. The solution? A friction or other knot that will release from around your neck with sufficient tension.

“Almost any knot around a loop will do the trick, though some knots may work better than others,” noted BLADE® reader Bob Seymour. In the accompanying image are two friction knots: one tied loosely with two different colors of cord for clarity, and below it the same knot tightened up more neatly on a leather lanyard. Note that the loop prevents the knobby end of the cord from catching during release.

Experiment with different materials and knots and test them to see if they will release with sufficient tension. The key is to arrive at a knot that does not release too easily and one that won’t release at all. If in doubt, trash the cord and use a ball chain.

*Be sure to check the laws concerning concealed knife carry in your area.

Read More

Shop Dump: Burt Flanagan

Knifemaking

Pat Covert

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March 27, 2023

1

A Disciple Of Bill Ruple, Burt Flanagan Has Been Making Knives For Nearly A Decade And Crafts Some Of The Finest Slip Joints In The Lone Star State.

Burt Flanagan has been making knives part-time since 2015 and also is a member of the South Texas Slipjoint Cartel of understudies of Cutlery Hall-of-Famer Bill Ruple. Burt’s father was a knifemaker before him but due to extenuating circumstances—he lost his equipment in a robbery—he never achieved the heights he could have.

Flanagan’s mother passed away in 2014 and shortly thereafter a Fedex package from Burt’s father arrived at the door. Inside Burt was shocked to find a 2×72 grinder and called his dad to find out about the gift. His father told him his mother had always supported his interest in wanting to make knives, and through the proceeds from her life insurance policy he knew she’d want to help Burt get started.

In no time Flanagan was grinding away at becoming a highly respected knifemaker. He had a chance to meet Ruple at a Johnny Stout hammer-in in South Texas and—long story short—the legend invited him down to learn how to make slip joints. He did so with his dad in tow and the three have all been great friends since.

Burt also credits The Knifemakers’ Guild for its guidance and is now a member of the organization’s board of directors. When not making knives he works full time for Paragon Industries, makers of fine heat-treating ovens, as the company’s knife industry manager.

Inside Burt Flanagan’s Shop

Burt Flanagan caled down Tony Bose’s Back Pocket model, giving it a 3.25-inch blade of CPM 154 stainless steel and antique Westinghouse Micarta® scales with an abalone shield. (Mitchell Cohen knife image)

The shop tour begins with a piece of equipment Burt knows quite well.

“I am a very blessed man to have a career in the knife industry with Paragon Industries. I would never endorse something that I did not believe in,” Burt states. “My Paragon Pro will reach 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit in six minutes. You may think that’s not possible but it’s true. I will tell you that this is most likely the most important single piece of equipment in my shop because this is where it all starts. The heart of the blade is in the hardness, and my Paragon Pro is the ultimate. When I first got my Paragon oven it immediately cut my heat-treating time by two-thirds over a conventional brick-type oven that took over an hour to reach 1,925 degrees. This is to heat treat CPM 154 stainless steel, which I use pretty much exclusively for my blades, along with carbon steel damascus.

“An absolute must for a slip-joint maker is a surface grinder and I use a DoAll D-8. I was taught that two of the most important things in slip-joint making at a high level are for your parts to be flat and perpendicular. The D-8 takes care of the flat part of the equation. I surface grind my blades and springs to within one-half-of-one-thousandth of an inch with this machine. There are many different quality brands of surface grinders available from old to new. Mine happens to be an older model that has been restored and is in great condition. It weighs close to 5,000 pounds and is a hydraulic two-axis automatic beast that can get the job done.”

Big Tools For Big Jobs

Burt indicates the Moen Turbo Platen eliminates the belt-bump factor during grinding while also blowing a tremendous amount of air over the work, cutting down the heat on the blade big-time.

Next up Burt extols the virtues of his Oliver of Adrian drill point thinner machine.

“I’ve found it to be true that the first thing a dealer, collector or purveyor—as well as many knowledgeable customers—look at in a custom pocketknife is the nail nick. A proper nail nick, no matter what the method used, should have needle sharp points and be thin and consistent throughout. This machine is the beans as we say here in Texas,” Burt explains, “and allows the maker to properly place the nail nick just before assembly. It is equipped with a built-in diamond dresser with a lever that keeps the 5-inch stone sharp all the time. Although there are many ways to cut a nail nick, most makers say this machine arguably does the best job.

“As with a nail nick there are numerous ways to inlay a shield on a pocketknife. I believe the most versatile way is the pantograph. Mine is a Gorton P1-2 model, which has been restored to almost new condition by the pantograph guru, Tim Robertson. There are many different makes and models that work great. These machines are the predecessor to the CNC machines of today. Gorton machines were made from the mid-’60s up to the early ’90s. My machine was made in the mid-’80s. These machines are capable of doing so much more than just shields; it enables the maker to create just about anything your mind can imagine. I believe we are only beginning to explore what is possible with these machines in the knife world.”

Lastly, Burt highlights his Moen Turbo Platen.

“Jerry Moen continues to change knifemaking for the better,” Flanagan praises. “This great tool virtually takes away the belt-bump factor while blowing a tremendous amount of air over your work, cutting down the heat on your blade big-time. It also greatly reduces the amount of belts necessary to achieve the same finish. I actually use three-to-four grits to accomplish a mirror finish. An LED light kit makes it even better.”

Read More

Pat Covert

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Part of the Texas Slipjoint Cartel, Bubba Crouch shares the tools with witch he crafts his creations.

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Ernest Emerson to debut Emerson Whiskey Co. and the Whiskey Knife at BLADE Show ’23.

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Blade ‘N Bourbon Package

Carrying A Concealed Yet Capable And Easy-To-Access Knife, These Neck Knife Options Won’t Leave You Dangling.

Condor Tool & Knife Carlitos Neck Knife

Outdoor Edge LeHawk

TOPS Knives Sneaky Pete Mini

WE Knives OSS Dagger

Boker Plus Rescue Kiridashi

Bradford Knives’ G-Necker

Condor Tool & Knife Kickback

TOPS Knives Mini Tanimboca Puukko

Securing Your Lanyard

A Disciple Of Bill Ruple, Burt Flanagan Has Been Making Knives For Nearly A Decade And Crafts Some Of The Finest Slip Joints In The Lone Star State.

Inside Burt Flanagan’s Shop

Big Tools For Big Jobs

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