BLADE Show West hasn’t only grown to become one of the largest knife shows in the West, it’s also become a prime venue for late-season knife drops. With a bevy of new designs, CRKT has a bevy of new blades it plans to unveil to the public in Salt Lake City.
In all, the Oregon-based company will release five knives at the Salt Palace Convention Center, fittingly coming from a premiere Western knifemaker. Richard Roger’s prime gig New Mexico cattleman, but over the years has become a well-known custom maker whose designs perfectly combine clean lines, practicality, as well as eye-catching use of materials. The folder specialist’s knives are meant for use, but dang, if they aren’t pretty enough to show off.
Here’s a gander of what Rogers and CRKT have cooked up for BLADE Show West.
CRKT Q
The limited-edition Q—based on Roger’s custom knife of the same name—has everything you want in a small-batch knife—chief among them, top-notch materials. The frame lock marries a titanium handle with carbon fiber inlay with a 3.31-inch MagnaCut steel blade. The lines on the drop-point knife are positively dialed in, with the point of the blade directly aligning with the pocket clip when deployed. The blade is put into action via a kicker. Topping off the Q is a floating backspacer that adds a splash of detail and hints at the knife’s premium nature, but otherwise, the Q remains perfectly understated. MSRP: $225.
CRKT Q Compact
Dang near identical to the Q, the compact model is simply scaled down for easier EDC carry. At 4 inches closed and only 2 ounces in weight, it fits the bill as an easy-to-tote option. The materials are different from the full-sized model, with an S35VN blade and a lightweight aluminum handle with G10 inlay. As well as, the small fry is also a liner lock. MSRP: $195.
CRKT Persian
Building on a fan-favorite Rogers classic, the upgraded Persian takes all the great features of the original and cranks them up a notch. The blade’s new “harpoon Persian” shape is eye-catching, and it’s crafted from tough MagnaCut steel, known for its superior strength, wear resistance, and corrosion protection. The titanium handle is lightweight, with a cool milled pattern inspired by Richard’s custom design. Made in Italy by Lionsteel Knives, this limited-edition folding knife is a must-have for collectors. MSRP: $275.
CRKT Pup
After the success of his CEO folding knife, Richard Rogers is back with the Pup, a compact everyday carry with smooth, rounded edges that slip easily into a pocket or purse. Built for modern life, it’s unobtrusive but ready to perform. The Pup comes in two models: a flipper with IKBS™ bearings, an AUS 10 steel blade, and a glass-reinforced nylon handle, or an Italian-made slip joint with a Super Dense Twist™ Damasteel® blade and a titanium handle with carbon fiber inlay for strength and style. MSRP: $70 and $275 respectively.
The Buckhorn collaboration is about as good as it gets without going custom.
Ketuo Knives partnered with renowned custom knifemaker and designer Ken Onion, to come out with a collaboration knife unlike any other collaboration Onion has previously done.
Dubbed the Buckhorn and marketed under the Karbon Knives banner, the knife debuted at the 2024 BLADE Show in Atlanta in June, and it won the 2024 Knife Collaboration of the Year in the Knife of the Year award. And it takes partnership knives to the next level offering a bevy of top-shelf features at a price that doesn’t blow your budget.
Honestly, it’s shocking!
BUCKHORN Blade
Known to hold up against heavy usage, the blade’s S35VN steel blade is a solid choice.
Onion has outfitted the Buckhorn with a modified 3.8-inch drop-point blade constructed from S35VN stainless steel. The material is a tried-and-true high-performance blade steel that holds an edge well and be fairly easy to sharpen when the need arises. To this is applied a high, flat grind that progressively thins down, giving the folder an elegant cross-section capable of cleaving through even tough materials. Topping it off, the blade is given a nice ceramic blast finish which is subdued but also has a nice sheen to it that is rather classy and dressy. Action
Onion opted for dual thumbstuds on the Buckhorn, making the folder friendly to both lefties and righties. Additionally, a flipper tab is included, for effortless blade deployment with the flick of your index finger.
A hidden gem, Ken Onion is hidden away on the backside of the spacer.
The blade rides on a pair of caged ceramic bearings in the pivot for the ultimate smoothness in opening and closing. The flipper action is very dialed in as well. Place your index finger on the flipper and press on it for a second and you’ll feel it load up then the detent lets the blade go, and it rotates to the fully open and locked position effortlessly.
Buckhorn Handle
Very nicely textured and featuring a palm swell, the Buckhorn fits the hand just right.
The handle of the Buckhorn is really, where all the magic is.
Perhaps the most unique design trait of the handle is the palm swell machined into the middle of the handle. This is employed to help seat the knife firmly in your hand and make it easier to grip. Continuing on, there’s the eye-catching 3D checkerboard micro-milling pattern at both ends of the handle, on both sides. Even the stylish minimalist titanium pocket clip sports the same 3D micro-milling pattern on the back, providing visual continuity to the clip side of the handle.
Speaking of the pocket clip, it is held onto the handle with one Torx screw. The handle end of the clip sits in a matching cavity to prevent it from rotating, thus remain secure with one fastening point.
The pivot screw is brass colored, as is the pivot ring. Eye-catching, the tandem give the illusion of the end of a shotgun shell, which is a unique aesthetic to the Buckhorn. The brass color pops against the bead-blasted handle. The matching titanium handle spacer covers about ¾ of the handle length, and at the end of the handle, the spacer forms an integral lanyard loop.
An absouletely stunning design point, the pivot screw looks like a shotshell head. Interestingly, the other side where the torx head is looks like a fired shell with a firing pin impression.
The framelock lockup engages the lower third of the width of the tang, so an easy lockup. It engages solidly without any movement in any direction. With a firm push of your thumb, the lock disengages allowing the blade to rotate closed.
I don’t believe you’re going to have any concerns over the lock holding or failing on this one. Ketuo did this one right!
Buckhorn Tested
Outfitted with thumbstuds and a kicker, the knife is quick into action.
In action, the Buckhorn is a very efficient cutting tool. It deploys easily and with the flat ground blade, it slices easily and effortlessly. The front section of the blade has the wedge and is the thinnest portion, sailing through various materials with ease. I like how the entire cutting edge has a graceful curve to it. Not only visually appealing, this feature allows you to make use of the entire length of the cutting edge.
S35VN is a top-performing steel and is an excellent choice for the Buckhorn. This steel will go the distance and withstand heavy usage. Also, dig the fact the ambidextrous thumb studs are positioned as far back on the blade as possible, this gets them out of the way to eliminate hanging up on material being cut. A smart move!
Then handle spacer is also titanium and forms an intergral lanyard loop at the aft of the knife.
With the handle’s ergonomic features, I felt in control of the knife at all times and found no hot spots to speak of. It just fits the hand so perfectly. This is a testament to Ken Onion’s design prowess and intimate understanding of handle design.
Final Cut
This knife is about as close as anyone will get to owning a full-blow custom knife from the man himself. At MSRP $275 and made in China, the Buckhorn is an excellent deal for what you get in return. It’s an exciting-looking design from one of the best in the game, using high-end materials with 3D machined titanium and S35VN, and a sturdy framelock. Well worth the price of admission.
Pros
Stunning overall design
Excellent materials
Crisp action
Priced right
Cons
Nice enough you may not want to carry it.
Buckhorn Specs Blade Material: S35VN Blade Angle: >60° Full Length: 8.78″ Handle Length: 4.84″ Blade Length: 3.85″ Type: Folding Blade Knife Handle Material: 6AL-4V Finishing: Bead blast & Anodizing Weight: 4.44 oz Color: Silver w/ Gold Ano Accents Designer: Ken Onion Brand: Karbon Knives Manufacturer: Ketuo Knife
Cooking a great filet mignon, ribeye or any good cut of meat is an art, so shouldn’t eating it be the same? Most of you have had a good cut of meat fall victim to a dull knife, sliding around on the plate like an ice skater on a rink, scattering peas and mashed potatoes to the wind. As blade-loving folk you know the benefits of a good cutter, so in BLADE®’s special kitchen knife issue let’s consider some of the more refined offerings in steak knives.
Best Steak Knives Specs Comparison
Knife
Blade Length (inches)
Blade Steel
Blade Pattern
Handle Material
Weight (ounces)
Overall Length
Carry
Country Of Origin
MSRP
Bradford Orwell Steak Knife
4.2
AEB-L Stainless
Clip Point
Tan Micarta®
3
8.5
Kydex Sleeve
USA
$128 ($168 with sheath)
Emerson Folding Steak Knife
3.9
154CM Stainless
Clip point
Tan/black layered Richlite
4.56
5
Blade-tip-up pocket clip
USA
$335
Sharps Bros. Meanstreak Grill & Steak Knife
5
S35VN Stainless
Clip point
Titanium
6
9.25
Black thermoplastic blade cover
USA
$110
Bradford USA Orwell Steak Knife
The author stated the Bradford USA Orwell handles and cuts like a steak knife should, adding “The level of construction and finish is very high throughout, and the Uddeholm AEB-L stainless steel blade is many cuts above that of the average steak knife.” Note the Micarta® handle with a nice palm swell for an enhanced grip and handling.
The Orwell Steak Knife from Bradford USA may look like a Webster Dictionary depiction of what a carnivore cutter should be, but there’s more than meets the eye in this upscale slicer.
The Orwell is a spinoff of the company’s Gatsby design with more handle options geared toward the tactical user and outdoorsman. The full, flat-ground, gently clipped blade has a stonewashed finish (a high polish is also optional). Handle scales on the test sample are tan Micarta®—black, camo and OD green are also available. The test Orwell was delivered with an optional black Kydex sheath.
Of the three review knives, the Orwell more closely resembles what most consider the norm among steak knives in size and configuration. Where it differs from the norm is in sheer quality of both materials and fit and finish.
For your inspection: an inexpensive, run-of-the-mill steak knife and the Bradford. Note the pleasing line and flow of the Bradford compared to lack of same in the other knife. If you’re going to spend good money on an expensive cut of meat, why not spend money on a knife you’ll enjoy eating it with?
I cooked up a black Angus ribeye steak for the occasion and took the Orwell to task. The AEB-L stainless steel blade glided through the steak effortlessly, you might say, “Like an Uddeholm steel should.” This was also aided by the fact that Orwell was the thinnest test blade.
Bradford did a superb job on the handle scales with just the right amount of palm swell for gripping, along with a high degree of finishing for overall comfort. I really had no “druthers” with the Orwell at all, and the Kydex sheath is worth the price of admission both as a protective cover in the drawer or for field use.
Orwell Steak Knife Specs Blade length: 4.2” Blade steel: AEB-L stainless Blade pattern: Clip point Handle material: Tan Micarta® Weight: 3 ozs. Overall length: 8.5” Carry: Kydex sleeve, easily converted to belt Country of origin: USA MSRP: $128 ($168 w/sheath)
Orwell Deals
Arizona Custom Knives
$95
Bradford USA
$129
Ernest Emerson Folding Steak Knife
The author used the Emerson Knives Folding Steak Knife to cut strips of steak for fajitas. The knife is not as svelte as its two test counterparts but if you eat out frequently the portability is well worth the price of admission.
Leave it to Ernest Emerson to produce a steak knife folder. That’s his job, that’s what he does!
The blade of the Emerson Folding Steak Knife boasts an almost imperceptible clip point with a flat grind and rolls out via an ambidextrous thumb disc. The blade secures via a linerlock inside the open titanium frame. The brown layered handle slabs give the knife a rustic look, though you can go with black G-10 if you’ve got a tactical slant. An ample 2.3-inch pocket clip occupies the frame’s back side.
I devoted a portion of the ribeye to taking off approximately 1/8-inch slices for steak fajitas with the Emerson. The 154CM stainless steel blade did an admirable job of slicing, though it is slightly clumsier due to the bulk of the handle compared to, well, a fixed-blade steak knife. That’s the price you pay for portability.
If you eat out a lot and are out and about doing so, the Emerson may just be your best friend. You’ll never have to experience Sliding Steak Syndrome at a restaurant again!
Despite its size, the handle is comfortable and the Richlite scales are attractive. When you’re finished dining simply wipe the knife down with your cotton restaurant napkin, park the folder in your pocket, and go your merry way.
Folding Steak Knife Specs Blade length: 3.9” Blade steel: 154CM stainless Blade pattern: Clip point Handle material: Tan/black layered Richlite Carry: Blade-tip-up pocket clip Weight: 4.56 ozs. Closed length: 5” Country of origin: USA MSRP: $334.82
Folding Steak Knife Deals
Emerson Knives
$335
BladeHQ
$325
Sharps Bros. Meanstreak Grill & Steak Knife
The Sharps Bros. Meanstreak Grill & Steak Knife’s longer 5-inch blade offers utility outside the dinner plate. The author indicated the knife sliced ham like it was a stick of butter. The CPM S35VN stainless steel blade performed “like a house afire” on ribeye steak as well.
The Sharps Bros. Meanstreak Grill & Steak knife is futuristic in style and loaded with upscale features. For starters, the full-tang steak knife boasts a clip-point blade of CPM S35VN stainless steel with a long, angled, flat grind that looks ready to launch.
With its longer blade the Meanstreak is meant not just for cutting meat but handling other chores such as flipping steak. I tested the blade on a hefty pound-and-a-half, 5-inch-across chunk of ham and it whipped through it like it was an afterthought—and the ribeye experienced the same results.
Blade thickness varies on the review group, from thickest on the larger Sharps Bros. (middle) to the thinnest on the Bradford (right). After testing all three steak knives, the author opined that the blade thickness was not much of a factor since all three knives had much better than average blade steel, properly heat treated and professionally edged.
The longest of the blades reviewed, the Meanstreak proved the superior cutter of the pack. Realistically, the extra half inch of blade length isn’t necessary, and some may think it’s too much knife, so it’s a trade-off.
Personally, I didn’t find it burdensome.
The titanium handle is not as comfortable as Micarta grips and the Meanstreak is twice the weight of the Bradford, but it’s easier to clean. These are all preferences you need to weigh when choosing your ideal steak knife.
Meanstreak Grill & Steak Knife Specs Blade length: 5” Blade steel: S35VN stainless Blade pattern: Clip point Handle material: Titanium Weight: 6 ozs. Overall length: 9.25” Carry: Black thermoplastic blade cover Country of origin: USA MSRP: $109.95
Meanstreak Grill & Steak Knife
Sharps Bros.
$106
Final Cut
Sharps Bros. opts for an angular titanium handle that matches its futuristic styling. The Emerson is the rare folding steaker replete with linerlock and pocket clip for easy toting. Bradford carries on a more traditional approach with all the traits of a refined custom.
If you’ve been using standard house fare, the three test steak knives should be a vast improvement. All three blade steels are heat-treated and honed to a high degree by professionals who know their steels and how to get the most from them. The biggest difference between the three knives is how you plan to use them.
The Bradford excels where run-of-the-mill steak knives fail. Bradford USA has used Uddeholm AEB-L stainless steel with success for over 10 years, and like every Bradford knife I’ve tested, the fit and finish is superb. This steak knife will spoil you.
The Emerson offers you the portability a fixed blade doesn’t, and that’s important to those who eat out a lot, both at restaurants or in the wild. The company also offers a fixed-blade version of the same knife.
All three test knives go with variations on the flat grind. Emerson uses a “V” flat grind halfway up the blade with a stonewashed flat area. Sharps Bros cements the futuristic styling with a flat grind that takes off like a rocket from choil to tip, and Bradford returns to earth with a full flat grind from spine to edge.
With its longer blade, the Sharp Bros. expands its usefulness beyond the dinner table in areas like meal prep and grilling. The Crucible blade steel is the most advanced blade option I tested, not to mention the titanium scales. If you prefer a knife that goes beyond the dinner plate, the Meanstreak will go there.
Three very different knives, three very different options—choose your slice!
See how an over-the-counter Henckels survives the Breed test.
This time I decided to hit the local retail store trail for a knife just about anyone can buy anytime. Nothing tweaked my fancy till I hit a major chain store. There I found an inexpensive Henckels Everpoint 8-inch chef’s knife. Well, let’s just say I’m impressed with the quality of the Henckels. Read on and see why.
Henckels Everpoint Sharpness Test
The knife had to slice paper once more to see if the horn whacks did any harm the author could not feel. It was still slicing and dicing like in the beginning.
First was the 20-pound-bond-copy-paper slice. The knife was very sharp and aggressive slicing the paper. I had to take care not to skin parts of my finger off. As fast as I could move, I could slice the paper. The knife was off to a great start.
Henckels Everpoint Food Prep
The knife sliced the tomatoes fast without mushing them and produced very thin slices.
Now to use the Everpoint for its intended purpose: food preparation. I picked some cherry tomatoes and the last yellow squash from the garden. The knife sliced the tomatoes fast without mushing them. I could get very thin slices. The same went for the yellow squash. The knife was light in hand and well balanced.
Henckels Everpoint Medium Duty Tests
The Henckels surprised the author by making 200 crunching cuts in the sisal rope, and the knife was ready for more.
The rest of the test was to see how far the knife would go before the edge failed. Getting my technique down with some single-walled cardboard, the chef’s knife sailed through it aggressively with no problems. Very nice!
Next was some whittling on pine. The Henckels gave me some very smooth curlicues. I was surprised at how controllable the knife was, from very fine shavings to deep bites with heavy pieces. It’s a lot different whittling with an 8-inch chef’s knife but it came through with flying colors.
Skiving 8-ounce leather was next. The knife crunched aggressively with every cut, rendering very thin slices and one close call on my finger. The leather was no challenge at all. It was still fun to do quickly and I didn’t need to apply much pressure.
Henckels Everpoint Heavy Duty Tests
The Everpoint chopped the 2×4 very well. The balanced blade and comfortable handle made it a pleasure to use. The author whacked the wood “pretty hard” but could see or feel no damage to the edge.
It was time to move into the big leagues by chopping into part of a 2×4. The Everpoint chopped very well. The balanced blade and comfortable handle made it a pleasure. I was whacking pretty hard into the wood but I could see or feel no damage to the edge.
All knives have to cut sisal rope. No exceptions. The Henckels surprised me by going for 200 crunching cuts and was ready for more. The plastic scales were extremely comfortable. The knife floated in my hand on every cut. Heat treatment grade: excellent.
I returned to the paper slice to see if the edge had slowed down any. Nope, it sliced just as fast as before. This chef’s knife cuts!
All right, with such a thin blade I figured an antler chop should knock the edge down a bit. Dang, it proved me wrong. Thirty hard whacks into the whitetail horn and there was no edge damage whatsoever. I’m impressed. The knife had to slice paper once more to see if the horn did some harm I could not feel. It was still slicing and dicing like in the beginning. Outstanding!
Final Cut
This chef’s knife really impressed me—low price with top end performance.
Everpoint 8” Specs Blade Length: 8” Blade Steel: Stainless Blade Grind: Flat Blade @Thickest: .09” Blade Width: 1.75” Blade Finish: Satin Handle: Black plastic Rivets: Stainless Construction: Full tang Weight: 7 ozs. Overall Length: 13.25” Country of Origin: India MSRP: $14.88
Autumn is here and, unlike the weather, knifemakers show no signs of cooling down. If anything, factory and custom makers are as hot as ever with a ton of new knives hitting the market. We picked out 12 great-looking recent drops certain to carve a place into your heart.
Jess Hoffman Donegal
Knife pattern: Skinner Blade length: 4” Blade steel: AEB-L stainless Blade grind: Full flat Handle material: Camel bone Overall length: 8.25” Sheath: Leather Maker’s price for a similar knife and sheath: $230 Maker’s remarks: “My Donegal is a cross between a Nessmuk and a Canadian belt knife. It’s available in three different overall sizes: 8.25, 6.75 and 5.75 inches.” Maker: Jess Hoffman, jhoffmanknives.com (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Kyle Royer Damascene Hunter
Knife type: Fixed blade Blade length: 5” Blade material: Ladder-pattern damascus of 1084 carbon and 15N20 nickel-alloy steels Blade grind: Flat w/convex edge Handle: Sculpted blackwood w/texturing Bolster: Damascene-covered guard w/24k gold and gun bluing Overall length: 9.25” Maker’s price for a similar knife: $9,500 Maker’s remarks: “This piece is particularly special as it’s the first gold overlay I’ve done using hundreds of tiny 24k-gold wires. Additionally, it has a beautifully textured blackwood handle.” Maker: Kyle Royer, kyleroyerknives.com (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Bear & Son Cutlery Farmhand
Blade length: 3 5/8” Blade steel: 440 stainless Blade pattern: Drop point Blade opener: Nail nick Handle material: Aluminum, bone and rosewood (shown) options Pocket clip: Yes Lock: Lockback Weight: 1.1 ozs. Closed length: 2.75” Knife to know: Handle color options include black, blue, orange, purple, red and white smooth bone, and brown rosewood Country of origin: USA MSRP: $37.49 to $51.99 Company: Bear & Son Cutlery, www.bearandsoncutlery.com
Craig Brosman Hunter
Blade length: 2.75” Blade steel: RWL 34 stainless Blade grind: Hollow Blade pattern: Drop point Blade finish: Mirror polished Handle material: European red stag and Westinghouse Micarta® liners; w/hole for lanyard Construction: Tapered tang Bolster/guard: 416 stainless Overall length: 6 9/16” Sheath: Leather pouch w/clip by Aaron Sybrant Maker’s price for a similar knife & sheath: $550 Maker: Craig Brosman, (SharpByCoop image)
Billy Pearce Hunter
Blade length: 5.1” Blade material: 1075 carbon steel Blade grind: “V” Blade thickness @ricasso: .177” Blade @widest: 1.18” Blade pattern: Clip point Handle: Bocote wood Spacer: G-10 Guard & pin: 416 stainless steel Overall length: 9.64” Knife to know: Billy Pearce is an apprentice smith in the American Bladesmith Society Maker’s price for a similar knife: Contact maker for info Maker: Billy Pearce, (Rod Hoare image)
RMJ Tactical Lady Death
Knife pattern: Classic trench knife Blade length: 9 5/8” Blade material: CPM 3V carbon steel Rockwell hardness: 60-61 HRC Blade @thickest: 3/16” Blade finish: Cobalt Cerakote® Handle: Checkered Dirty Olive G-10 Handle hardware: Grade 5 titanium anodized bronze Weight: 18.3 ozs. Overall length: 15” Sheath: Brown leather w/green canvas inlay; ambidextrous and wears on a belt or attached to PALS webbing Knife to know: Double-edged blade w/long fuller; knuckle-duster-style handle; pommel pronounced for use as a hammer Country of origin: USA MSRP: $975 Company: RMJ Tactical, www.rmjtactical.com
GiantMouse Carryology Sonoma V2 Auxikko
Knife type: EDC folder Blade length: 3.425” Blade steel: Elmax stainless Rockwell hardness: 60 HRC Blade @thickest: .138” Blade finish: Satin Lock: Linerlock Pivot hardware: Ball bearings Handle material: Titanium laser engraved w/the Carryology Auxikko pattern Backspacer: Aluminum anodized orange w/built-in hole for a lanyard Pocket clip: Wire, deep carry, reversible Weight: 3.8 ozs. Closed length: 4.5” Knife to know: Limited edition of 400 numbered pieces Country of origin: Made by Reate in China MSRP: $295 Company: GiantMouse, giantmouse.com
Gary Martindale Loveless Chute Knife Repro
Blade length: 4.25” Blade steel: CPM 154 stainless Blade grind: Hollow Handle: Amber stag Bolster/crossguard: 416 stainless Overall length: 9” Sheath: Basketweave-leather belt pouch w/snap Maker’s price for a similar knife: Contact maker for info Maker: Gary Martindale, (SharpByCoop image)
Grimdog Blades Australia Draugr Mk III
Knife type: Military utility Blade length: 4.9” Blade material: Thyssenkrupp 80CrV2 carbon steel Blade grind: Flat sabre Blade thickness @ricasso: .138” Blade finish: Cerakote® H190 Armour Black Handle material: Olive green G-10 Overall length: 10.47” Maker’s price for a similar knife: Contact maker for info Knife to know: Christian Holm is a member of the Australian Knifemakers Guild Maker: Grimdog Blades Australia, (Rod Hoare image)
Liam Walle Bird & Trout
Knife type: Fixed blade Blade length: 3.6” Blade materials: Crushed W’s damascus of 1084 carbon and 15N20 nickel-alloy steels Blade grind: Flat Handle: Pōhutakawa wood w/domed brass pin Guard/bolster: Antiqued bronze Overall length: 7.6” Maker’s price for a similar knife: $750 at press-time exchange rate Maker: Liam Walle, liamvallaknives.com (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Cold Steel Full Metal Atlas
Knife type: EDC folder Blade length: 3.5” Blade steel: CPM S35VN stainless Blade grind: High saber Blade pattern: Drop point Blade opener: Thumb stud Lock: Atlas® Lock Handle: Textured titanium Weight: 3.8 ozs. Closed length: 5 7/8” Knife to know: Knife comes in all-black (shown) or standard stonewashed finishes; handle includes a single finger groove w/integral guard Country of origin: Taiwan MSRP: $229.99 Company: Cold Steel, www.coldsteel.com
Halfbreed Blades MIK-03P Gen-2 K340
Knife type: Fixed blade Blade length: 5.31” Blade steel: K340 ISODUR Rockwell hardness: 59-60 HRC Blade @thickest: .25” Blade pattern: Modified drop point Blade finish: PVD coated Construction: One-piece full tang Handle: G-10 Weight: 11.14 ozs. Overall length: 10.43” Sheath: Injection-molded plastic w/belt & PALS/MOLLE mounting Knife to know: MIK stands for Medium Infantry Knife MSRP: $212 at press-time exchange rate Company: Halfbreed Blades, halfbreedblades.com.au
Four hot hatchets pack more punch for their size than most.
There’s a good reason hatchets have always been a staple of camp tools. They pack more punch for their size than just about anything else you can put in your hand. Sure, an axe can outperform its smaller sibling but can be both size and weight prohibitive on many outings. Saws are lighter but their blades can break, leaving you empty-handed without a hatchet in the wings.
CAS Iberia APOC Hundr
The CAS Iberia/APOC Hundr’s bearded hatchet head shaved bark off a wooden shaft via push cuts.
The CAS Iberia APOC Hundr gets its name from the Old Norse word meaning hound in reference to man’s best friend. It is a bearded-style hatchet with a main handle and head of quarter-inch-thick 9260 carbon steel. Quarter-inch-thick smooth black G-10 scales bring the handle’s overall thickness to three quarters of an inch. The sheath is a black thermoplastic unit that slides open-backed over the hatchet head and is secured by two nylon straps that snap into place.
CAS Iberia/APOC Hundr Hatchet Blade material: 9260 carbon steel Cutting edge: 3.75” Head length: 4.65” Head @ thickest: .235” Handle material: G-10 composite Design feature: Bearded style Weight: 1 lb., 7 ozs. Overall length: 12” Carry: Black synthetic sheath, MOLLE compatible, snap on Country of origin: China MSRP: $89
SOG Camp Axe
Hatchets take a ton of abuse, requiring sharpening from time to time. The author uses a fine-grit Eze-Lap diamond stone to touch up the edge of the SOG Camp Axe.
The SOG Camp Axe is the most modern looking entry and second bearded-style hatchet of the test bunch. Its 5-inch-long head is the longest of the review pieces, too. The head is attached by four Phillips-head screws to a black, ovate GRN (glass-reinforced nylon) handle, and an aluminum collar adds strength. The poll is a healthy .6 inch thick and the main handle is ribbed for added purchase. A minimalist blade cover has a strap that wraps around the back side of the hatchet head and, in a clever touch, hooks horizontally over the SOG logo on the opposite side.
SOG Camp Axe Specs Blade steel: 2Cr13 stainless Cutting edge: 3.1” Head length: 5” Head @ thickest: .6” Blade coating: Bright finish w/dark recess Handle material: GRN (glass-reinforced nylon) Design feature: Added poll thickness Weight: 16.1 ozs. Overall length: 11.5” Carry: Molded nylon sheath Country of origin: China MSRP: $68.69
Schrade Bedrock Axe
Hatchets such as the Schrade Bedrock can be used to point pegs for securing tents. Protective eyewear is recommended when the chips start flying. The author prefers gloves for a more comfortable grip, especially during extended use.
Dubbed the Bedrock Axe, Schrade’s entry has the test group’s largest poll, measuring 1.75 by .75 inch. Six-and-a-half inches of the handle is a grippy, black, hard rubber overmold. It is the heftiest of the review hatchets at 1 pound, 8.6 ounces. The black polyester sheath has a fabric-fastener flap at the rear.
Schrade Bedrock Axe Blade steel: 3Cr13MoV stainless Cutting edge: 3.5” Head length: 4.7” Head @ thickest: .79” Blade coating: Satin/black oxide Handle material: Black overmold Design feature: Thick poll Weight: 1 lb., 8.6 ozs. Overall length: 11.75” Carry: Black polyester/fabric-fastener sheath Country of origin: China MSRP: $39.99
Winkler Knives Highland Hatchet
The Winkler Knives Highland Hatchet proved a workhorse when it came to splitting wood both free-hand and with a baton. The head has a nice wedge shape for getting down to business.
The Winkler Knives Highland Hatchet has all the period visual trappings of Daniel Winkler’s full-blown custom work, though is made via the stock removal method only instead of mostly being forged. While it may be the smallest hatchet of the test bunch, it has the heart of a ram. The maple handle tapers gently toward the base and a lanyard hole. A heat-formed black Kydex sheath with two black nylon drop loops slips over the hatchet head and secures by a heavy-duty elastic rod that wraps around the sheath.
Winkler Knives Highland Hatchet Blade material: 80CrV2 carbon steel Cutting edge: 2.55” Head length: 4.8” Head @ thickest: .3” Blade finish: Black Caswell Handle material: Maple Sharp stuff: Period design Weight: 1 lb., 5 ozs. Overall length: 11” Carry: Kydex sheath, nylon straps MSRP: $550 Country of origin: USA
Testing Hatchets
The thicker the poll the easier it is to perform functions like hammering tent pegs. It also adds more weight behind the swing of the hatchet when chopping. The test group offers a selection of poll thicknesses and heights.
I started by checking out the hatchets’ bite with swinging overhand chops on a 14-inch-wide-by-12-inch-deep crosscut slice of seasoned oak. I took each hatchet and buried the upper blade into the cross-grain of the stump, and they all stood up on their own. From there I worked the edge at alternate angles with each hatchet to get an idea of its bite. None of the candidates gave any resistance and all averaged cuts of ¾-to-1-inch deep. I repeated the alternate cuts on a length of 2-inch-diameter green oak tree limb and got similar results with all the subjects.
I tested the hatchets on specific tasks such as pointing stakes, shaving bark and baton work, and the exercises brought out the differences in their dimensions and configurations. For instance, the two bearded hatchets—the SOG and CAS Iberia/APOC—excelled at shaving bark. The ability to grip them behind the blade to direct them simply makes shaving with precision much easier. The Schrade Bedrock, with its large, thin blade, edged out its brethren in pointing stakes.
The CAS Iberia/APOC (top) and SOG are the bearded type. The longer drop on the bottom front edge allows you to grip the handle and use it to shave or carve wood with precision.
The hatchets with thicker polls, the SOG and Schrade, did better at hammering tent stakes due to their ease of target acquisition and scope of impact. The Winkler Highland Hatchet excelled at baton work, its wedge shape and streamlined profile ideal for the task. The individual advantages along with the size of the hatchet can be priorities in choosing the right one for your needs. Keep in mind, however, just because I called out certain models as excelling at specific tasks, such as pointing stakes, doesn’t mean the others won’t serve you to some degree.
Hatchet Carry
The review hatchets offer four different takes on sheathing, from the minimalist SOG at bottom right to the top shelf Winkler Kydex version (second from right).
The sheaths range from the premium one provided with the Winkler Knives Highland Hatchet to the minimalist one accompanying the avante garde SOG Camp Axe. In my days of extended trips in the wild I preferred to pack-carry a hatchet, but some may like it on the belt, and the SOG can accommodate you there. Hatchets are typically made to take abuse but are relatively easy to sharpen, either with a bench stone around the shop or a portable sharpener in the field or on the trail.
Final Cut
Options abound in the hatchet world and those on a budget should have no trouble finding competent fare in the category. The Winkler may seem pricey but once you try it you’ll appreciate its rock solid construction and extraordinary fit and finish. You’ll never be caught saying, “They don’t make ’em like that anymore.” The best news is there is enough diversity in the category that you can choose a hatchet to fit both your needs and budget, and that’s always a good thing.
Top knife observers decipher the best custom huntering knives ever made.
It’s an ongoing discussion, or maybe a debate, slightly contentious but always cordial. When the question is pondered regarding who made the best custom hunting knives ever, a few names quickly come to mind.
Of course, there is no right or wrong answer. It’s a matter of interpretation, fit and finish, design, form and function, and the feel of the knife in the hand when it’s time to get down to the business of skinning and dressing game. Each respected and well-traveled knifemaker and observer consulted below can tell the stories that back up his top few. But in the end there is no doubt. Each of these revered custom makers and/or bladesmiths has got game. It’s proven in their work.
Bruce Voyles’ Take
BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member and knife auctioneer Bruce Voyles accompanied his fellow Cutlery Hall of Famer, the legendary George Herron, on a few hunting trips and experienced his work in the field.
Among the top hunting knives BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member George Herron made are the Model 6 (top) and the Model 3 skinner, aka Little Dude (bottom). The Model 6 sports a 4-inch blade and 9-inch overall length. Blade and overall lengths for the Little Dude: 2.75 and 6.75 inches. Respective blade steel, handle material and construction on each knife are ATS-34 stainless, curly maple and tapered tang. (Jay Mealing knife image)
“George was a fantastic hunter,” Bruce remembered. “When a group of us would go with him, we might kill three deer in a four-day morning and afternoon hunt, but he could get eight if he wanted to.”
Bruce tells the story of an Outdoor Writers Association hunt Herron organized after an invitation from a South Carolina country gentleman that George had helped change a tire. It seems the man owned a large tract of land, and in return for Herron’s kindness he was allowed to hunt deer on the property.
“When we got to that plantation, every guide there was carrying a George Herron knife,” Bruce commented. “The thing about George’s knives is that when you held one and used it, you were using a knife made by a man who had been there. He made tremendous skinning knives, and the balance and feel in the hand are unsurpassed. The balance, shape of the handle, and minor nuances of the tilt of the blade, its thinness, and the tapered tang set Herron knives apart.”
According to BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member Bruce Voyles, the knives of Cutlery Hall-of-Famer Bill Moran feel like an extension of your hand. Mr. Moran’s engraved gentleman’s hunter in damascus and with one of his iconic moon logo sheaths is representative of Bruce’s sentiment. (Eric Eggly/PointSeven image)
According to Voyles, the knives of Herron, Jerry Fisk and Cutlery Hall-of-Famer Bill Moran feel like an extension of the hand. Herron also made knives that were affordable for a hunter to purchase. Since he put many knives in the hunters’ hands because of a reasonable price point, the praise of his work in the shop spread far and wide. Today, there are several quality custom knifemakers contending for recognition, and they include Ralph Smith, Larry Page and Wayne Hendrix to name just a trio, Bruce says.
“Wayne was one of the guys who trained in George’s shop, and while we were hunting he had his own shop set up on the grounds making knives to sell directly to hunters,” he noted. “He was a guide in South Carolina and approaches making hunting knives the same way George did. He’s the closest to George’s knives now.”
Jim Sornberger’s Take
Cutlery Hall-of-Fame knifemaker Jim Sornberger remembers the days years ago when names such as Harry Morseth and Cutlery Hall-of-Famers Bo Randall and Rudy Ruana were synonymous with excellence in hunting knife craftsmanship. He also mentions the fine work of Corbet Sigman and other contemporaries of the 1960s and ’70s.
“The first new model A.G. Russell made when he acquired Morseth Knives from Harry Morseth was the Model 1, also known as the Ozark Hunter,” Tom Krein noted. “It is a drop-point camp and hunting knife with a 3.5-inch blade, hidden tang, nice guard, and thin-shaped Micarta® handle that make the knife extremely light.” This version sports a stacked leather and fiber spacer handle with a stag butt. (Nordic Knives image)
“It goes back to when I was a kid and my uncle had a gun store in Redding, California,” Jim said. “Those names were famous, and I met Harry Morseth in the ’50s. His Cascade Skinner was my favorite hunting knife for many years with a great handle shape in leather or stag for a good grip and a guard, which is really important in a good hunting knife because you’ve got to hang onto an animal or fish if you’re working and you can’t afford to have the knife slip in your hand. The blades were laminated Brusletto steel from Norway, and the knives came with a safety sheath. Mine was copper-lined leather in the shape of the knife, and later models had a fiber material liner inside.”
Sornberger also mentions Cutlery Hall-of-Famer Gil Hibben, Ruffin Johnson and Clay Gault as makers of outstanding hunting knives. However, trying to identify custom makers that are in that rarefied air with the masters these days requires some reflection. “It’s tough because a lot of guys follow trends nowadays and they find it’s cheaper and faster to make a knife without a guard,” he opined. “Randy Lee has been around a long time and still makes a lot of good using knives. Dave Pitt in Redding, California, does as well, and that’s hunting country. Randy has a stubby little hunter with a 3.25-inch blade and nice guard, and that’s plenty of knife for most hunting applications.”
Tom Krein’s Take
Veteran knifemaker Tom Krein is upfront with his thoughts on the best maker of hunting knives.
“I actually worked for Bob Dozier and A.G. Russell from the mid-1990s to 2001, and honestly this is a tough one. We all use hunting knives differently in the field and for different things, but I would put Bob Dozier forward. He grew up hunting in the bayous and providing for his family, [and] he has a lot of experience making knives. He is an exceptional craftsman, and in the 1980s I feel one of the pioneers in the style of distilling everything down to make hunting knives easier to make and get them in everybody’s hands.”
Award-winning bladesmith Jerry Fisk’s Sendero hunter served as Tom Krein’s inspiration to make knives. (Eric Eggly/PointSeven image)
Krein likes the reasonable price point of a Dozier hunting knife and the attributes that characterize the maker’s outstanding work: a full tang, thinly ground blade, Micarta® handle, and often a Kydex sheath system for safety. “Dozier’s knives check all my boxes,” he related. “The Dozier Personal with a 2-inch blade works great on game, and an investment of $300 will get you a fine Dozier knife.”
Tom also has seen the Morseth line continue with A.G Russell and has tremendous respect for the maker’s legacy. “The first new model A.G. made when he acquired Morseth Knives from Harry was the Model 1, also known as the Ozark Hunter,” Krein noted. “It is a drop-point camp and hunting knife with a 3.5-inch blade, hidden tang, nice guard, and thin-shaped Micarta® handle that make the knife extremely light.”
Tom tips his hat to custom knifemaker Brian Goode, whose hunters and skinners are gaining notice, while he also acknowledges the great work of Jerry Fisk, whose Sendero served as Krein’s own inspiration to begin making knives. And then there’s the geometry and thinness of the blade in ABS master smith James Rodebaugh’s hunting knives that Krein calls “beautiful work.”
James Rodebaugh’s Take
Speaking of Rodebaugh, his thoughts on the best maker of hunting knives include George Herron, whose work he describes as “superb,” and two more greats, D. E. Henry and Cutlery Hall-of-Famer Jimmy Lile. “The first knife I ever owned was a Lile hunter, and he made one heck of a hunting knife,” James remarked. “That knife was my primary hunter before I even started making knives, and it did all I ever asked of it.”
ABS master smith James Rodebaugh is high on the work of Missouri-based maker Jason Coy and ABS master smiths Jason Knight and Adam DesRosiers. Adam’s clip-point hunter in damascus and stag is a stunner. (SharpByCoop image)
According to Rodebaugh, edge geometry is critical in a hunting knife, along with the design and profile of the handle and proper Rockwell hardness. Each of these characteristics is essential, and the Lile knife was “about as perfect as I’ve ever held, and I’ve dressed well north of 300 animals, not counting small game.”
Rodebaugh’s own knives are reflections of his hunting experience. He has been lauded for the field performance of his Raised Swedge Hunter, which some refer to as a harpoon point, that was actually inspired by a Marble’s hunter design. He has been making the Outfitter hunting knife for about 15 years, forging the blades in batches of five with O1 tool steel hardened to a Rockwell of 60-61 HRC, and a Micarta handle with a palm swell for added comfort.
James has been impressed recently with the work of Missouri-based maker Jason Coy and ABS master smiths Adam DesRosiers and Jason Knight. “Jason saw my raised swedge years ago and asked to use it, and I said ‘absolutely!’ Nobody has probably designed a ‘new’ blade in the last 1,000 years or so. Adam has worked with it as well, and now everybody in the country produces that design feature.”
Of Course, Bob Loveless
The names of custom makers past and present conjure images of their outstanding hunting knives. But no story on the topic would be complete without mention of Cutlery Hall-of-Famer Bob Loveless. While some have said Loveless was a fine maker, some have also said his fit and finish were reasonably good—not great. Nonetheless, the thing about Loveless was his eye for design.
According to BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member Jim Sornberger, Randy Lee has been around a long time and still makes a lot of good using knives. An example is his drop point with an amber-spacer look reminiscent of the My Knife by BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member D’ Holder, a pretty fair maker of hunting knives in his own right. (SharpByCoop image)
“Loveless went to design school,” Voyles explained. “He made a knife with eye appeal. It was different, and a lot of people don’t understand why, but it was the natural French curve. It was the design. People say Loveless made the perfect hunting knife because of the drop point, and to me it doesn’t work as good as one of George Herron’s knives.”
Sornberger knew Loveless well. “Bob was a good friend and signed for me to get into the Guild,” Jim began. “I think Bob found a universal handle shape that he used on all his knives, and it was a combination of a good kitchen knife and all with a guard except for a couple of models he made later on. All fit well in the hand. Bob got a lot of publicity. He could sell snow to Eskimos.”
Krein sees the Loveless drop point as iconic. “But there is a difference with the variance in game animals from squirrels to rabbits to deer, elk and moose. So best at what? I personally think the Loveless drop point is a fine design, but I wouldn’t take it into the woods,” he observed. “It’s just bigger than I like, and I like hidden tangs for hunting knives.”
Rodebaugh reminds that Loveless is a giant among custom knifemakers, and his hunters are noteworthy to say the least. “I met Bob many years ago and didn’t live far from him in California,” James recalled. “He made a good knife, and the drop point had a lot of impact on the industry, but contemporary with Bob were guys like Herron that produced excellent knives. Loveless made a solid working knife and took that to great heights through pretty good marketing, along with his popularizing of ATS-34 stainless blade steel.”
All hunters have a favorite knife, a trusted companion in the field that is handy, dependable, and built for the jobs encountered. While discussing the topic of just who might be the best custom maker of hunting knives is a never-ending exercise, suffice it to say that hunters are fortunate to find such steadfast companion tools when they are needed most.
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