Large Work Knife takes the authorās favorite media to task.
With camping season in full swing, itās always a good idea to have a sharp knife at your side to build a lean-to or traps and make firesticks, to name a few. The Large Work Knife by KG Handcrafted Bladeware can fill the bill. Ground from 5/32-inch A2, a tool steel known for providing a keen edge, it begged for a good testing.
Large Work Knife Edge Test
I like to start off by slicing 20-pound bond copy paper because it gives a good idea of edge profile and keenness of the edge. The knife sliced the paper smoothly with no resistance. Itās nasty sharp for sure. Though Iām not a big fan of the chisel grind and Scandi profile edge, each has its place.
The Large Work Knife excelled cutting the 8-ounce leather, providing very fine slices at the same thickness and angle.
I grabbed a piece of double-walled cardboard and commenced cutting. The edge was very aggressive and only a slight rolling of the cut pieces occurred from the Scandi profile edge. The handle made for great control. I really like it. It worked best by using a push cut.
Medium-Duty Cutting
Leather was next. The A2 blade zipped through it very fast. The edge created a nice crunching sound as it went and was very aggressive. The wrapped handle was great at controlling the width of each cut. It was fun to do but be sure to keep your fingers out of the way. Next, I skived 8-ounce leather. The blade made short work of it, providing very fine slices at the same thickness and angle.
The knife powered through 200 clean, crunching cuts of sisal rope very quickly. The handle was comfortable and provided a non-slip grip with no hot spots.
It was time to make firesticks. The knife made great curlicues. Cut depth was very manageable. It was a perfect use for the chisel grind on the correct side for a right hander. Nicely done, KG Handcrafted Bladeware! Woods seems to be the perfect medium for this blade style.
Now for my favorite, cutting sisal rope. The knife powered through 200 clean, crunching cuts very quickly. With no stopping in sight, I ended the cuts before I used up all my rope, another great medium for the chisel grind. The handle is comfortable and provided a non-slip grip with no hot spots.
Heavy-Duty Cutting
I batonned the Large Work Knife through a 1.5-inch-diameter branch. It split the first 2 inches quickly then started to drift to one side the farther down I got. The drifting could have been due to the fact it was old wood or a chisel grind. Either way, it worked with no damage to the knife whatsoever.
Thirty hard whacks into the antler put some very small chips in the fine edge an inch or so before the tip, as the author expected. When he returned to the copy paper, slicing was smooth with minimal tearing by the chip area. The knife was still nasty sharp.
Chopping deer antler to test how well a blade has been heat treated is not recommended and might void the warranty. I did it anyway. Thirty hard whacks into the antler managed to put some very small chips in the edge, as I expected it would. The fine edge will do exactly that.
Finally, I returned to the copy paper. Slicing was smooth with minimal tearing by the chip area. The knife was still nasty sharp. Job well done!
Overall Take On The Large Work Knife
This knife is well-made for EDC chores. I love the A2 steel. The handle is very comfortable.
Changes
The knife performs well for its designed purpose. I would just run the grind higher.
Large Work Knife Specs Maker: KG Handcrafted Bladeware Blade Length: 4ā Blade Material: A2 tool steel Blade Grind: Chisel Blade at Thickest: 5/32ā Blade Pattern: Semi drop point Handle Material: Waxed cotton string and resin cord wrap Weight: 6 ozs. Overall Length: 8.5ā Sheath: Oil-tanned cowhide over aluminum and KevlarĀ® Weight w/Sheath: 9 ozs. Makerās Price: $320
Inspired by Rambo’s knife, Corey Reynolds’ sawback bowie channels the genre in a copper-mai chevron pattern.
Like many boys his age, Corey Reynolds grew up watching Rambo movies. Now 43, heās been making knives about three years and decided he wanted to make a knife with a Rambo lookāand what better way to do that than with a sawback bowie?
For blade material he used copper-mai steel in a chevron pattern from Baker Forge and Tool, and for the piece de resistance configured the sawback so the copper would be exposed at the base of each tooth.
Though the way he did the teeth is mostly for looks, he said each tooth has a fairly good edge. The handle is spalted maple from Steelhead Forged Scales with spacers of copper, raindrop-clad feather damascus forged by Adam DeVille, and G-10. The guard is of a striking multi-etched material called gem bronze from Mikeās Metalworking.
Sawback Bowie Specs Maker: Corey Reynolds Blade Length: 9ā Blade Material: Copper-mai in a chevron pattern Handle Material: Spalted maple w/copper, raindrop-clad feather damascus and G-10 spacers Guard: Gem bronze Overall Length: 15ā Sheath: By the maker of leather w/ostrich leg inlay from Rayās Ostrich Leathers Makerās Price For A Similar Knife: $1,400
A reliable camping hatchet or axe can be the difference between mere survival and a truly memorable camping experience
Do any sort of camping and youāre more than aware there truly are the right tools for the job. While implements such as a bushcraft knife are an absolute must to get you out of a backwoods switch, they are, at best, only adequate for certain tasks. Chief among these is processing any amount of wood.
This, when your kit requirements allow, is where the good old camp hatchet or axe comes into play. Antiquated for large tree-felling projects nowadays, these lightweight and heavy-duty tools bring your woodcraft abilities to a new level. From facilitating more elaborate shelter-building attempts and arming you with the ability to collect a magnitude more firewood, hatches and small axes prove a godsend in the harshest environments.
Letās hack away at what goes into the best of these sometimes overlooked camping and survival tools and what presently are some of the top choices in the wilderness tools.
Camp Axes vs Hatchets
While there is no bright line from when you crossover from an axe to a hatchet, there is a generally safe rule of thumb. Axes sport enough handle to facilitate a two-handed grip, while hatchets are generally wielded with one handāhence their moniker āhand axeā. Most times too, axes boast a slightly larger and heavier head with a slighter taper. Hatchets, youāll find, have a much more pronounced taper to their heads in addition to some having other functions incorporatedāsuch as a hammer.
Given this, axes provide more striking power, thus a bit more versatility since theyāre capable of heavier work than hatchets, in addition to all the tasks the smaller tool is proficient at. Bushcraters have understood this for some time, with some favoring relatively small axes that make shelter building and wood splitting much less labor intensive. There is a tradeoff in going the axe route, howeverāno matter what, the great majority of axe options will weigh more than a hatchet.
A hatchet, aside from convenience, has some underlying benefits. Splitting wood in camp is much easier and safer with the hand axe given it’s more controllable and can function in smaller spaces. Manyāas mentionedāare tailored to the tasks of camping with multiple functions engineered into themāa tent stake puller is always nice. And even in the realm of bushcrafting, the hatchet proves nimbler than the axe on many tasksāsuch as using it to whittle wood.
Which is Right For The Wilderness?
Overall, the winner of axe vs hatchet debate when it comes to the outdoors is only something you can determine by analyzing exactly what your needs are when out in the wild.
If your outdoor plans require a deep push into the backcountry, where woodfires are a secondary source of heating and cooking, a hatchet seems more logical. The same goes for excursions where you plan to collect fuel wood immediately around your campsite, as opposed to cutting down a tree.
Conversely, if wood fires are your main source of heat and cooking, even in deeper parts of the forest, and youāre on extended trips an axe might prove more useful. Furthermore, if you are going straight up Grizzly Adams and virtually living off the land, building your own shelters, well an axe provides an advantage. Hunters too, in blind building from fallen trees, could also benefit from the extra leverage allotted by an axe.
Again, these are not hard and fast rules, simply examples of where a hatchet might trump an axe and vice versa. Using each as well as understanding your needs and capabilities in the wilderness will likely point you to making the right choice.
Best Hatchets And Camp Axes
ESEE Gibson Axe
After the ESEE Gibson Axe was made, James Gibson learned a hidden feature of his design: it has enough finesse to carve small objects. He says he sharpens pencils with it and once cleaned a trout with it as well.
The hatchet is a James Gibson design which is now offered by ESEE. A knifemaker, flintknapper, and bushcraft instructor, James originally designed the Gibson Axe for himself, something to throw into a backpack as he tramped the hills and hollers of East Tennessee. As he tweaked his design, eventually cutting out a prototype made from thin plywood, he focused on its balance and ārocker.ā
āAn axe with perfect rocker is one of the best handling axes you can handle,ā James said. āAnd I got the rocker perfect on this axe.ā
And just what is rocker?
Gibson explains itās when you take the hatchet and stand it up edge down on a straight surface. As he puts it, the bitās edge should meet the surface in the āmiddle of the blade, the cutting edge and its dead center, and the handle [butt] should touch at the same time.ā
When he showed a couple of prototypes of the axe to the folks at ESEE at a BLADE Show one year, they decided to add it to their lineup. At the time, ESEE was hearing from its customers that they wanted the company to offer an axeāand Gibsonās hatchet fit the bill.
James designed the handle to have finger grooves and a knob to secure the hand while swinging it. After the axe was made, he learned a hidden feature of his design: it has enough finesse to carve smaller objects. He says he sharpens pencils with it and once cleaned a trout with it. The result āis capable of doing some real work as well. It also has exceptional balance and you can choke up on it and use it like a knife for many applications,ā explains Shane Adams, ESEEās marketing director.
Of course, it being ESEE, the hatchet comes in the companyās oft-used blade material: 1095 carbon steel. āItās us,ā Adams said. āWe know 1095 well.ā Itās a steel that handles all the variables of the outdoors. āYou can sharpen it with a rock if need be,ā the marketing director advises. āStones or systems, it doesnāt matter. I always like to finish on a loaded leather strop when possible.ā
Gibson Axe Specs Company: ESEE Cutting Edge: 4.5″ Head Material: 1095 carbon steel Head At Its Thickest: .25″ Handle: Micarta Weight: 1.3 lbs. Overall Length: 10.5″ Sheath: Leather MSRP: $269
Knives Of Alaska Hunter’s Hatchet
āHatchets are still one of the most useful tools a real outdoorsman can have in the fi eld,ā says Charles Allen of Knives of Alaska, āand they can save your life by enabling you to quickly make a warming fire or emergency shelter.ā The KOA Hunterās Hatchet is designed to fi ll that bill in all regards.
Charles Allen, president and owner of Knives of Alaska (KOA), knows the importance of being prepared. The Alaskan master big-game guide who has flown in the Alaskan skies professionally for almost three decades always keeps a hatchet stashed in his bush planeāand for good reason.
āWhen you look back at the old photos of the early trappers and hunters, you will see three things: a rifle, a knife, and a hatchet or tomahawk on their belts,ā he said. āHatchets are still one of the most useful tools a real outdoorsman can have in the field, and they can save your life by enabling you to quickly make a warming fire or emergency shelter.ā When consumers demanded a multi-purpose hatchet, Allen studied the designs carried by the folks who make preparedness their motto: the Boy Scouts. āI looked at the historic Boy Scoutās hatchet I grew up with and know that it is a proven design that is hard to improve on,ā he says.
But improve on the Boy Scout model he did with the KOA Hunterās Hatchet. The hickory handle remains tough yet easy on the hands. Heat-treated properly, the S7 tool steel is designed to absorb the shocks of hard blows. With a Rockwell hardness of 50-54 HRC, the edge of the Hunterās Hatchet is intended to dent if it collides with something hard, Allen says, such as bone while butchering game. And the head can be returned to a razor-sharp bite with Allenās recommended sharpening tool: a flat, fine-toothed file.
When designing the Hunterās Hatchet, Allen was sure to include a wide-enough poll so that users could pound stakes, nails and the like with it, too.
Hunter’s Hatchet Specs Company: Knives of Alaska Cutting Edge: 4.25″ Head Material: S7 tool steel Handle: American red hickory Weight: 1 lbs. Overall Length: 11″ Sheath: Leather MSRP: $169
Outdoor Edge Wooddevil
David Bloch, president and founder of Outdoor Edge, wanted a hatchet that could out-cut its class: Something small enough to carry easily but with enough heft to take down a medium-sized tree. And thus the WoodDevil was born.
David Bloch, president and founder of Outdoor Edge, wanted a hatchet that could out-cut its class: Something small enough to carry easily but with enough heft to take down a medium-sized tree.
āI looked at and tested a number of compact hatchets on the market and came to the conclusion that most full-size hatchets were too large and heavy to take on outings where weight and volume were limiting factors,ā Bloch said. āI also found that most every compact hatchet I tested, while cute in appearance, was not an effective chopping tool.ā
During outdoor treks when the quality of your tools will make or break the trip, the Outdoor Edge WoodDevil may be a guardian angel, made possible by the marriage of a combination of the right balance, a good handle and a wide cutting head.
āThe WoodDevil stands up to its name,ā David said. āWith a 4-inch cutting surface, it has the ability to cut through large diameter material with the respect of its compact size.ā Plus, its compact size makes it unobtrusive in the camping bin or pickup truck until needed for whatever taskāfrom hammering tent stakes to āslicing tinder shavings,ā he adds.
The 3Cr13 stainless steel in a Rockwell hardness of 52-54 HRC is malleable and resharpens easily, and the black oxide finish allows it to better resist corrosion. The TPR rubber handle provides a non-slip grip that soaks up the shock and vibration during use. Itās packaged in a nylon sheath retained with a fabric fastener that can hang from a belt.
Wooddevil Specs Company: Outdoor Edge Cutting Edge: 4″ Head Steel: 3Cr13 stainless Handle: Red ABS plastic with black rubberized TPR Weight: 1.2 lbs. Overall Length: 10″ Sheath: Nylon MSRP: $40
APOC Double Mukk
As Blake Pogue, product manager of CAS Iberia, tells it, the creation of the Double Mukk started with some pencil, plenty of erasing, and an idea.
āWe wanted to bring a full-tang hatchet to market with some unique features at a good price point,ā he said. Double-bit axes donāt seem as common as they used to be, but the Double Mukkās design is grounded in some very real field experience. In fact, it is a design championed by George Sears, the famed outdoor writer with the nom de plume of Nessmuk.
āGeorge Sears was an avid outdoorsman, canoe enthusiast, writer, and conservationist in the late 1800s,ā Blake said. āHe famously employed a trio of tools for woodcraft āa small folding knife, a thin-bladed belt knife and a short, double-bit hatchet.ā
Pogue said after some field testing of their own, the makers learned they didnāt need to tweak much from Nessmukās favorite design. APOC Survival Tools makes the hatchet at a forge in Dalian, China, and itās distributed by CAS Iberia. The blade is 9260 carbon steel, the same material used for swords, among others.
The double edge grants the hatchet additional versatility, as one side is flat ground for delicate carving tasks. The other side is convex ground to better slam through tough cutting jobs. Pogue recommends sharpening a hatchet with a hockey-puck-style sharpener designed for axes because it can easily follow the toolās convex edges.
āI wanted one tool that could readily build a shelter, prep a fire for a meal, and do the intricate work required to make traps like the figure four,ā he said. āIf we can accomplish those three requirements, there isnāt much else youād need but a small knife for food prep, and even then the carving side of the Double Mukk is no slouch!ā
Double Mukk Specs Company: APOC Survival Tools Cutting Edge: 2.75″ Head Material: 9260 carbon steel Head At Its Thickest: .236″ Handle: G-10 Weight: 1.5 lbs. Overall Length: 11.75″ Sheath: MOLLE compatible MSRP: $99
Halfbreed Blades CRA-01
The Halfbreed Blades CRA-01 Hatchet: Made ready for extreme hard use, this multi-purpose tool is ideally suited for MOE, CQB, Rescue, and Survival roles and tasks. Photo Source: knifecenter.com
The Halfbreed is a very heavy-duty piece. It is thick and hefty, and capable of taking a serious beating and dishing one out. This variant is finished in a dark earth color and comes with a substantial sheath that allows for secure carry adaptable to a variety of belts and packs.
Notable is how heavy the little hatchet is. It feels very nice in the hand and allows for either a low or high grip depending on the task. The grip is round in profile and consists of somewhat smooth scales. The edge out of the box was shaving sharp and easily removed hair from the arm.
The high, comfortable grip allowed for great control when scraping tinder. It also was a beast breaking bricks to make a windbreak for small fires. That said, it is not great for splitting tasks and, due to the thickness of the edge, does not bite deep for chopping. The grip is very comfy for general chores, though because the hatchet has equal weight dispersion along its length, it can fatigue your hand in use. It can be swung quite hard but there is a great deal of wasted energy in each strike because the head doesnāt carry the bulk of the forward momentum.
The dark earth finish was also the fastest to come off in heavy use. This is to be expected; however, be aware that if used heavily, the hatchet head likely will show wear far more than the other review subjects.
In terms of fire-starting ability, the CRA-01 proved mediocre as a striking tool, though it was very easy to control the direction of the sparks. Overall, it is fine for small fire-starting work and if it was what I had, I could easily make it work.
HALFBREED BLADES CRA-01 SPECS: Style: Tomahawk Head Style: Curved edge w/hammer poll Blade Material: K110 D2 tool steel Head Thickness: .31ā Blade Finish: Dark earth (available in Ranger green and black) Handle Material: G-10 Weight: 1.7 lbs. Sheath: Kydex w/safety strap, belt and PALS/MOLLE mounting options Overall Length: 9.52ā MSRP: $400+
Winkler Knives Highland Hatchet
The Winkler has a full tang with scales attached. Worrisome for fear of the handle cracking in hard testing but it held up nicely. The finish is matte and held up well. It has a durable sheath that is simple and intuitive to use.
Despite the edge angles, it bit right into most wood, easily de-limbed trees and handled very light splitting. It stood no chance of taking a large log apart, though anything under 3 inches in diameter was taken to task.
For hammering and strength testing the Winkler held up extremely well. It broke bricks in a single strike and took very little finish damage in the process. Tent stakes were easy to drive in and were barely worth a mention, as a nice part of this little hatchet is it handles just like a 4-ounce tack hammer.
The Highland is a reliable fire maker, generating a showers of sparks and getting a flame going given equal materials. The edge showed no handicap in making kindling.
SPECS: WINKLER KNIVES HIGHLAND HATCHET Style: Camp hatchet Designer: Daniel Winkler Head Profile: Hammer poll Blade Material: 80CrV2 carbon steel Blade Finish: Black oxide Head Thickness: .336ā Handle Material: Maple (laminate and walnut available) Weight: 20 ozs. Overall Length: 10 7/8ā Sheath: Lined Kydex MSRP: $550
Condor Tool & Knife Mountain Pass AXE
knifecenter.com
The Condor Tool & Knife Mountain Pass might be classified as a jungle hatchet. It has a low beard and narrow thickness that is arguably much better at cutting wet wood, vines and bamboo in fast, repeated swings. For all intents and purposes, it is a foliage tool. As such it isnāt something for heavy splitting and camp chores. It ships with a very nice sheath of brown leather.
Swinging the Mountain Pass allowed for fast, accurate strikes. It bit in deep with each blow and was easy to withdraw. The edge was perfect for a camp axe when it arrivedānot too sharp, not too obtuse. It handled limbs like a pro but was not up to heavy splitting. It sank in but lacked the mass to deliver sufficient splitting energy on the strikes.
A downside to hitting hard wood and other materials is Condorās profile of the grip. It is visually appealing and very functional but narrow in cross section and wide front-to-back, thus making the impact of each hit apparent in a smaller area of the hand. If the grip was even 1/16 inch wider on each side it would have been an easy favorite in this test.
As far as hard camp work it broke brick easily with one hit, took little damage and easily drove tent stakes. It is not intended for either of these roles, but it did just fine considering it lacks a hammer poll.
The Mountain Pass was not particularly good at splitting fine kindling, but it did well and was easy to strike on, if not a bit large. Putting it in this role immediately made me realize it was really not meant for the work; itās far better for clearing brush and gathering medium branches to process with a smaller tool.
The Ucon Hawk from TOPS Knives is probably the most visually striking hatchet in the evaluation, as well as the sharpest. Itās large with a wide cutting edge and deep belly. It has a long, very pointy and sharp beard and a substantial grip. It’s questionable the edge needs to be as sharp as it is; a dull knife is clearly a danger but an extremely sharp, full-size hatchet can be a hazard.
The Uconās size makes it adept for general camp tasks. However, when it came to splitting, the deep belly and sharp tips made pulling it out of a stubborn log relatively dangerous as the blade rarely penetrated all the way, thus leaving the tips exposed. If you were to put your foot on the log to apply pressure to withdraw the head, a possibility exists that you could injure your foot in the process.
That said, performance was fantastic as a camp tool and it could simply lop off branches in a single swing. The finish held up nicely and the edge stayed sharp even after hard use. It should be noted that only the TOPS and the Winkler had edges unaffected by use. The Ucon ships with a two-part sheathāone part goes over the blade and the other is a belt loop the hatchet can slip through.
For heavy-duty tasks it did well, easily passing through limbs. Splitting was possible, though the hatchet was a bit thin and grip-heavy to dive deep enough to separate a full-size piece of firewood. Breaking brick with the hammer poll was easy; it left virtually no damage to the tool. Driving tent stakes also was easy.
Making fire was a challenge in that you had to be extremely aware of where the tips of the edge were at all times. If you get in the mode where youāre striking rapidly, say if youāre cold and frustrated, you need to calm down and take your time (as you should always do when using any sharp edge). The Ucon produced the finest kindling of the bunch by scraping with its sharp edge. The hatchet needs to lose the super-pointy beardsāotherwise it is a great performer.
SPECS: TOPS KNIVES UCON HAWK Style: Camp axe Designer: Leo Espinoza Blade Material: 1095 carbon steel Blade Finish: Tumble Head Profile: Curved blade, hammer poll Head Thickness: .25ā Handle Material: Orange and Black SureTouch G-10 Weight: 1.94 lbs. Overall Length: 15ā Sheath: Black leather MSRP: $330
A.G. Russell Pocket Safety Axe
The fold-out blade shield of the Russell Pocket Safety Axe is pure wizardry, especially considering the design is well over 100 years old. You wonāt be caught saying āWhere did I put the sheath?ā with this one.
The A.G. Russell Pocket Safety Axe is a Marbleās design from circa the early 20th century. Marble took a small hatchet, 10.6 inches overall, and designed a fold-out metal shield in the handle to cover the bit in lieu of a sheath. Simply ingenious. The A.G. Russell version has a 4.5-inch 1070 spring steel head with a 2.4- inch cutting edge, and a typical old-school hammering base at the rear. The head has a distinctive three-slot mounting system Marble deemed superior to the standard oval style. The 8.8 inch handle is hickory and the whole kit and caboodle weighs 1 pound. Manufacturerās suggested retail price: $79.95.
With much of its overall weight in the head, this is a very top-heavy hatchetāwhich can work to its advantage. In the bite test on the privet log, the Pocket Safety Axe finished first simply because the business end has a lot more weight (see the side-by-side comparison image on head thicknesses). Consequently, it chopped each test material well.
The fold-out bit shield has pluses and minuses. On the upside, itās very convenient and thereās no sheath to keep up with. On the other hand, you have to pack it since thereās no belt-sheath option. Also, youāll want to wear gloves for extended use, as the hinge mechanism in the handle can dig into the inner fingers. All in all, though, the Pocket Safety Axe is a stellar performer.
SPEC CHECK: A.G. RUSSELL POCKET SAFETY AXE Cutting Edge: 2.4ā Blade Material: 1070 spring steel Head Width: 4.5ā Head Thickness: .7ā at the thickest Blade Coating: None Handle Material: Hickory Special Features: Metal blade cover in handle Carry: Pocket or pack Weight: 1 lbs. Overall Length: 10.6ā MSRP: $80
Boker Plus Escape Hawk
Designed by Australian knifemaker/ designer Peter Fegan, the Boker Plus Escape Hawk is tactical in design. Hawks are primarily used for breaching and combat but can full other chores as well. Only 9 inches overall, the Escape Hawk has a 4.75-inch head of quarter inch-thick SK5 tool steel and a 2.56- inch cutting edge. The head has enough beard to be used for carving, and the curved 7-inch handle is adorned with nicely sculpted, diagonally grooved FRN ( berglass-reinforced nylon) scales. The butt can be used for hammering. The steel is protected throughout with a powder coat. A dual-strap Kydex sheath covers the head. MSRP: $189.95.
The Boker Plus Escape Hawk is a hatchet in disguise. The small hack-itās 2.56-inch SK5 tool steel bit chopped rope in nice, clean lops, and hacked off nice-sized cedar tinder chips with ease.
Due to its small size, you wonāt be doing much breaching with the Boker Escape Hawk, but the pint-sized hack proved its worth. The SK5 steel had plenty of hack, chopping rope in nice, clean cuts, and knocking out chunks of seasoned cedar for tinder. Though the bearded bit can be used for carving, the inward slant of the handle mounting to the head impedes its effectiveness for the purpose a tad. The handle has full-length scalesāa bonus for freedom of gripāand the diagonal grooves afforded it the best purchase of the bunch. The Boker Escape Hawk is a hawk that thinks itās a hatchet.
At 11.5 inches, the Western Blackriver Long Hatchet from Camillus is, indeed, the longest of the test hack-its. It sports a 4.5-inch-wide head with a 2.5-inch chopping edge. On the back side of the head is a gimped flat edge for hammering and a sharpened diagonal slot for cutting cord. The 9.5-inch handle has 5.25-inch black checkered rubber scales, and there is a shaving slot midway between the handle and the head. A ballistic nylon sheath with a firesteel pouchāwith firesteelāis included. MSRP: $31.98.
The Western Blackriver Long Hatchet from Camillus is the batonner of the bunch. The thin bit cleaved into the tight hardwood grain like a thief in the night. Once the head was in, the final splitting was done by batonning the upper handle.
The Blackriver has the lightest head of the test group so it didnāt win the chopping wars, but its length and handle design give it a leg up on the others in some functions. The thin head is ideal for batonning, enhanced by the 4 inches of exposed steel below the bit, which can be used as a striking surface. The grip is very comfortable, the rubber scales aiding in impact absorption. The Blackriver will handle many chores around the camp, and the bonus firesteel and pouch on the sheath add value. Itās also by far the most affordable of the group.
Camillus/Wester Blackriver Long Hatchet Specs Cutting Edge: 2.5ā Blade Steel: 420 stainless Head Width: 4.5ā Head Thickness: .2ā Blade Coating: Titanium bonded Handle Material: Rubber Special Features: Firesteel included Carry: Ballistic nylon belt sheath Weight: 1 lbs. Overall Length: 11.5ā MSRP: $32
Winkler Hunter Axe LT
At only 9 inches long, the Winkler Hunter Axe LT is a small hack-it, but packs a full 19 ounces of weightāand thatās with a skeletonized handle tang. The Hunter Axe LT has a 3.5-inch-wide, bearded 80CrV2 carbon steel head with 2 inches of cutting edge, and thereās a hammering base out back. The steel thickness is a healthy .25 inch and is coated head to toe in Caswell black oxide. The scales are full-length, highly attractive curly maple. A padded Kydex sheath with nylon belt loops covers the head, and employs a shock-cord retention system for a quick draw. MSRP: $450.
The Winkler Hunter Axe LTās Kydex sheath has a bungee-style tension cord for quickly releasing the axe from its housing. The sheath as a whole is very well madeāa Daniel Winkler trademark.
The Hunter Axe LT may be short but at 19 ounces is the heaviest of the test hack-itsāa full 2 ounces more than its nearest rival. The LT almost won the bite contest but didnāt due in part to its weight being more equally distributed than the top-heavy Russell Pocket Safety Axe. The 80CrV2 steel chops extremely well and the Caswell finish is very tough. Though not a carving axe per se, the LT was our best candidate for the chore and would have performed even better with a lower grind angle on the lead edge. The price is high but the Winkler is as close to a custom as youāll getāplus, the sheath is a marvel in itself.
WINKLER HUNTER AXE LTSpecs Cutting Edge: 2ā Blade Material: 80CrV2 carbon steel Head Width: 3.5ā Head Thickness: .28ā Blade Coating: Caswell black oxide Handle Material: Curly maple Special Features: Skeletonized handle Carry: Kydex belt sheath w/tension release Weight: 1.9 lbs. Overall Length: 9ā MSRP: $450
Gerber Freescale Axe
Gerber has had a successful series of axes and hatchets made in Finland that feature one-piece, hollow, molded handles for lightweight, optimum strength. An example is the 23.5-inch model in its Freescale series. The forged steel head is mated permanently to a lightweight composite handle, so there is little worry the handle will come loose during use. The oblong profile handle is hollow, which shifts the balance of the axe to being head-heavy. It is very forward weighted and that is a good thing. Use gravity to your advantage as you employ the axe, allowing it to fall naturally as you guide it. A tactile gripping surface in a contrasting green graces the handle. The handle flares at the butt, allowing your bottom hand to hook into it, trapping the handle in your hand so it doesnāt go flying. The handle style reportedly is virtually indestructible during heavy use.
The forged head exhibits a nice, steep āVā profile to help bite hard and deep into wood. A primary edge bevel thins the edge some and makes resharpening easier. A black PTFE coating provides additional corrosion resistance as well as a nonstick surface. A poll is designed as a hammer.
The Freescape is among the least expensive of the review axes, though donāt discount its performance based solely on price.Ā Truth is, this axe is devastatingly effective. With each swing you can feel the forward-weighted balance power the Freescape through wood.Ā The thickness and shape of the handle are just right, allowing a secure grip with both hands.Ā Gerber includes a plastic caddy that seals the cutting edge and protects you and your belongings from being cut.Ā The caddy has a large handle to carry the axe safely, as well for hanging on a pegboard in your garage or utility shed.Ā For how it performs versus what you pay, it is an excellent value. If youāre a frequent axe user or just an occasional one, the Freescape will serve you very well.
Gerber Freescape Axe Specs Cutting Edge: 3.5″ Head Material: Stainless Steel Head At Its Thickest: N/A Handle: GFN Weight: 3.6 lbs. Overall Length: 23.5″ Sheath: Plastic, carry handle MSRP: $70
Winkler KnivesRnD Compact Axe
The tang sports a distal taper toward the handle butt of the Winkler RnD Compact to improve balance and shift weight distribution toward the head. Note the humpback in the handle.
A spike model, the RnD Compact Axe is the smallest in the Winkler Knives (WK) axe line, though that doesnāt mean itās the least capable.Ā The hatchet-like head is only 5.5 inches long.Ā The 80CrV2 carbon steel head is ā inch wide. The tang sports a distal taper toward the handle butt to improve balance and shift weight distribution toward the head. The spike is commonly found on tomahawks and does everything from prying to puncturing.Ā WK also offers a front spike option integrated into the headās main cutting edge. A black oxide finish helps resist corrosion.
The 80CrV2 offers extreme toughness and edge retention. It withstands an impressive amount of abuse yet remains easy to resharpen, even in the field. Daniel Winkler is a fan of 80CrV2 and uses it a lot for both his knives and axes.
The handle features two prominent grip positions. One is the traditional axe grip held close to the butt. A series of subtle finger grooves seats your fingers, and the butt has a birdās-beak design that hooks the handle into your hand to prevent it from sliding from your grip. A secondary close-quarters grip is below the axe head at the handleās humpbacked portion. This facilitates choking up for control in carving, whittling and using the cutting edge like a knife. The RnD feels very balanced and agile in the latter grip, one the other review axes donāt offer. The Winkler would be great at processing kindling and bushcraft chores that require more control with close-in cutting or whittling. Due to its length and weight, it would not be a primary use axe but maybe a complement to a larger model that does heavy splitting or felling chores.
A secondary close-quarters grip is just below the head of the RnD Compact at the handleās humpbacked portion. This facilitates choking up to provide control for carving, whittling and using the cutting edge like a knife.
The walnut handle looks luxurious but pay heed to where you lay it down in the woods. The walnutās color blends in well with leaf ground cover and you might lose it easily. Thread a loop of brightly colored pink, red or yellow paracord through the lanyard hole to make the handle stand out. The RnD comes in three handle materials: black MicartaĀ®, maple and walnut.
A molded form-fitting sheath of Boltaron encloses the head. A thick shock-cord-quick-release-retention device secures the sheath in place, yet releases easily and quickly. An interior felt lining facilitates the easy slipping on/off of the sheath, as well as muffling the sound. Two nylon webbing belt loops enable the RnD to ride comfortably at your side. MSRP is $815, the most expensive of the test group. WK is very well known for manufacturing excellence and attention to detail, and the RnD Compact is no exception. For a bigger axe in the same design, check out the full-size model.
Winkler KnivesRnD Compact Axe Specs Cutting Edge: 2.25″ Head Material: 80CrV2 carbon steel Head At Its Thickest: 3/8″ Handle: Walnut Weight: 1.3 lbs. Overall Length: 11″ Sheath: Boltaron MSRP: $815
TOPS Knives High ImpactĀ
The High Impactās curved cutting surface allows it to be devastatingly effective as a chopper, including sectioning the trunk of a sapling for easier handling.
The TOPS Knives High Impact is a full-sized hatchet/small axe hybrid that packs a punch. At 20 inches overall and around 3.5 pounds, it is a formidable chopping tool that can be used with two hands as a traditional axe or one handed a la a hatchet.
Starting with a backbone of .38-inch-thick 1075 carbon steel, the High Impactās main cutting edge is a little over 5 inchesāplenty of cutting surface for large and small chopping jobs alike. The Black Traction Coating creates a layer of protection against corrosion and wear. The ergonomic handle is tan MicartaĀ®, with a diagonal machined groove pattern for hand traction. Five pairs of large hex head screws fasten the Micarta scales, and there are two large brass-lined lanyard holes. The handle has a distinctive bulge that helps seat your grip, especially for one-hand use. The handle flares at the butt, creating a comfortable seat for your bottom hand when using two hands.
The first thing you notice is the High Impactās weight. Itās impressive but will take some getting used to. Once acclimated with the heft, you will discover it is also an advantage for getting momentum in your swing. And when it hits, it lives up to its name. The High Impact takes out chunks of wood with each blow. TOPS has the heat treat on the carbon steel dialed in perfectly. The 1075 retains an edge really well but sharpens easily and quickly.
The TOPS Knives High Impact is a beast. It has heft and momentum to bite deep and hard with each swing. The ergonomic handle makes it possible to use the axe with one or both hands.
I tried both grip styles.Ā With one hand, this is where the weight takes some getting used to.Ā Due to the axeās weight, one-handed use might be limited to short spells.Ā Conversely, using two hands is where the power of this beast is unleashed.Ā You can put power behind the swing and each blow is devastating.Ā You can feel the axe head bite in with each blow.Ā Itās a sure bite as well.Ā The performance with one or both hands is equally impressive.Ā Due to its weight, itās a great candidate to store in your truck or ATV.
A nicely made leather holster fastens over the head, sealing the edge. Two button-snap straps secure it, though only the one at the end needs to be undone to slide the sheath off. Note the absence of a belt loop attachment to carry the axe. Itās just too heavy. Despite the weight being a factor, the High Impact packs a serious punch and is the heavyweight champ of the test bunch. MSRP: $360. TOPS makes the axe in its factory in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
TOPS Knives High ImpactĀ Specs Cutting Edge: 5.75″ Head Material: 1075 RC 56-58 Head At Its Thickest: .38″ Handle: Tan Canvas Micarta Weight: 3.7 lbs. Overall Length: 20″ Sheath: Leather MSRP: $420
Wolf Valley Forge Camp Axe
The Wolf Valley Forge axe ate bundle after bundle of firewood like there was nothing to it.
The Wolf Valley Forge Camp Axe is in a class of its own. It came not with just a functional sling and cover, but also a small whetstone and a jar of wax by Axe Wax to help preserve it. Carrying the Camp Axe is comfortable and allows for a free hand while trekking. The handle is perfectly shaped and came with a leather strike guard.
Ike Bullington is the maker and the quality is immediately noticeable the second you unpack it. It is all properly shaped, textured and balanced for real work and has a very pleasing appearance. However, it is not a wall-hanger. The head is of a traditional profile and designed for a lifetime of work.
The edge arrived razor sharp, easily sharper than most knives. Not only that, but the edge is extremely durable and completely dispels the notion that you need a wedge-shaped splitter.
A sharp axe truly cuts the work in half and this one almost effortlessly passed through wood regardless of grain angle. In taking down bigger trunks it drove in the deepest and was the easiest to free. Chips flew with each chop and it made very short work of even the toughest test materials.
In addition to cutting wood, it was tested driving tent stakes and making kindling, which it did easily. As a camp axe it is very nice in the batoning role, and yes, you can baton an axe the same as you would a knifeāso long as you grip it high up to the head and perform the task in a safe standing position as to not deflect the blade into your knee.
Wolf Valley Forge Camp Axe Specs Cutting Edge: 4″ Head Material: 4142 Head At Its Thickest: N/A Handle: Hickory Weight: 2.5 lbs. Overall Length: 23.62″ Sheath: Leather MSRP: $375
Fox Sekira
Considering what you get, the Fox Sekira is a great axe and relatively inexpensive.Ā It handles like a traditional axe in the swing but has a crescent-profile edge that is shaped much the same as a carpentry axe, though with a longer handle. The head is wide at the cheeks and quite narrow in the blade. It splits very nicely though isnāt particularly deep-biting on each swing.Ā
The head, while substantial, isnāt overly massive and there is a large concentration of weight in the handle. The weight is distributed across the axe, which could lend to some of the increased effort in getting it to send splinters flying.
As far as general performance, the Sekira is about as good as a traditionally constructed axe gets, and lacks nothing in utility. It stayed sharp and experienced no edge chipping, even after quite a bit of heavy use. The only noticeable downside is that the handle, while comfortable and very nicely finished, is somewhat on the large side and rounded from front-to-back.
When hands get wet or cold the axe has the tendency to want to rotate, which can be dangerous if youāre not holding on tight. Other than that minor issue, the Sekira is a fantastic axe that should offer years of hard-use service.
Fox Sekira Cutting Edge: 4.33″ Head Material: Carbon Steel C45 Head At Its Thickest: N/A Handle: Hickory Weight: 3.35 lbs. Overall Length: 23.62″ Sheath: Leather MSRP: $150
Editorās note: Dexter Ewing, Josh Wayner and Daniel Jackson contributed to this post.
The Karambit Is A Historic Utility and Combat Knife From Asia That Has Grown In Popularity Around The World In Recent Decades.
The karambit looks unlike any other knife. The short, swooping curve of the blade dates back nearly a millennium in Indonesia and throughout Southeast Asia. First used mainly as a tool for farming and planting rice, the karambit evolved over time into a combat knife. The curve became more pronounced and became a main weapon in pencak silat, an indigenous Indonesian martial art, and Filipino martial arts.
Legend goes that as the knife became more combat-oriented, its shape was inspired by a tigerās claw. The knifeās tight curve and finger ring allow it to stay securely in the hand in close-quarters combat.
Why Should I Use A Karambit?
The karambit today is very much a self-defense tool. Yes, it can still be used for outdoor tasks, but there are more practical blades available for such purposes. The karambit is a strong, durable combat knife used by law enforcement and militaries around the world.
If youāre looking for a high-quality knife to keep on your person as protection, you canāt get much better than the karambit. The finger ring provides a natural, secure traditional grip or reverse grip to generate more power with each swing.
The folks at Emerson Knives, Inc., have made a great video showing how to use a karambit.
Do I Need A Karambit?
Simply put: no. A karambit is a refined self-defense tool. If you live a life where life-and-death close-quarters combat is an extremely minute possibility then you can probably pass on a karambit.
Additionally, the sharp curve of the blade means it can be difficult to handle without experience or training, even with the finger ring. If it’s uncomfortable to use then don’t use it.
Best Karambits
Emerson Combat Karambit
The Combat Karambit folder by Emerson Knives, Inc., was very well received when introduced years ago. It subsequently spawned a larger version called the Super Karambit. It shares the same award-winning features of its forerunner but in a larger, more impressive format. The 3-inch blade is 154CM stainless steel and opens by either the patented Emerson Wave or an oval blade hole. Handle material is G-10 reinforced by dual titanium liners for rigidity. The handle flows seamlessly into the finger ring in the butt. There are a lot of graceful curves on this knife. Itās a feast to behold.
The handle fits my hand extremely well, instilling a high sense of security and user confidence. The Super Karambit carries nicely in a pocket though its presence is a constant reminder of just how big it is. A reverse grip feels exactly as secure as a forward one. Your hand isnāt moving once itās wrapped around this handle!
To deploy the blade using the Wave remote pocket opener, hook your finger through the finger ring, pull the handle from your pocket and let the Wave hook engage the seam of your pants pocket. Keep pulling and as the handle comes free from the pocket, the hook grabs the seam and deploys the blade open and locked. To my knowledge, this results in faster blade deployment than any other karambit.
One thing I donāt care for is the overly aggressive texturing of the G-10. I like grippy texture but this one is downright abrasive on pants fabric. It might be a good idea to take a small piece of cardboard and rub it over the handle texture to smooth it out somewhat. The knife is offered exclusively in a stonewashed blade finish and a black G-10 handle. Country of origin: USA. Closed length: 5 inches.
MSRP: $325
TOPS Devilās Claw 2
The Devilās Claw 2 by TOPS Knives is a mid-sized fixed blade designed for personal protection. Itās built on the same platform as the companyās original Devilās Claw but with an extended handle to accommodate a full grip as well as the traditional ring at the end. The 3-inch hawkbill blade is 1095 carbon steel in the companyās Black Traction Coating to help protect against corrosion, as well as provide a low profile. Overall length: 5.75 inches. Five large traction notches machined into the rest portion of the blade spine provide a non-slip grip for the thumb. The handle is blue and black G-10 with red fiber spacers at the tangāvery eye catching! The sheath is molded Kydex with loops to carry horizontally on a belt.
The DC2 is also a well-disguised utility knife. It feels agile and capable in hand. If you have jobs that require long, straight cuts, the DC2 is the answer. The angle of the blade makes it easy to use the tip to cut and score, while hiding the knife in a forward grip. The finger ring helps seat your hand during such tasks. The traction notches on the thumb rest aid with precise tasks such as wire stripping, whittling or any task that requires downward pressure on the blade.
MSRP: $165
CRKT Du Hoc
Sometimes bigger really is better, and that might be the case with the CRKT Du Hoc. This fixed blade designed by Austin McGlaun is a whopping 9.63 inches in length and 9.3 ounces in weight. McGlaun designed the knife to honor his late uncle who earned a Silver Star at Point Du Hoc.
The 5.1-inch blade is made from powder-coated SK-5 carbon steel. The G-10 handle provides an excellent grip, and the included thermoplastic sheath comes with mounting options and makes for easy transport.
MSRP: $113
Fox Knives 479
We return to folders with this piece from Fox Knives. The 479 is a large flipper that can handle whatever you throw at it. The 2.95-inch blade is made from N690Co stainless with a black Idroglider coating and a G-10 handle. The blade has been treated to 58-60 HRC, making it the hardest blade on our list.
When opened, the knife is 7.48 inches long, and it weighs 4.58 ounces. The finger ring is made from aircraft aluminum to keep weight down without sacrificing toughness. The reversible pocket clip makes for easy carry no matter where you go.
MSRP: $156
Boker Magnum Spike
At 8.25 inches overall, the Boker Magnum Spike Karambit is a full-size fixed blade. Visually, this one is quite striking! The 4-inch talon-shaped blade is 440A stainless steel coated black for corrosion protection and a low profile. A full-length swedge adds attitude.
The handle is very well executed. Multiple finger grooves aid in seating your hand comfortably. Thereās a groove on the handle spine with traction notches to securely seat your thumb and help index your grip. The tan G-10 handle features a 3D texturing pattern for an excellent non-slip grip. The edges of the G-10 are chamfered properly, further enhancing grip comfort. The finger ring has an integral spike at the end for a blunt strike option if needed. When held in the reverse grip, the spike helps form a comfortable thumb rest. A molded Kydex sheath with belt adapter promotes easy carry . Due to its large size, the Spike isnāt as agile in-hand as the smaller test karambits. If you tend to manipulate a karambit, this one isnāt for you. Due to the swedge, the blade is somewhat thin and while sharp and able to penetrate like crazy, it might be prone to bending or breaking if used for rough cutting. A smaller version with a 3-inch blade that is more hawkbill than talon, flat ground and without the spike on the ring could be more agile and more EDC friendly. Still, at an
MSRP: $73
Spartan Blades Ronin Shoto
Spartan Blades teamed up with Tu Lam of Ronin Tactics to design the Ronin Shoto, a folding karambit that is part of the company’s Field Grade line of tactical knives. The Ronin Shoto design leverages the knowledge of Lam along with Spartan Blades co-owners Curtis Iovito and Mark Careyāall three saw action together in the Special Forcesāand their experiences serving the USA overseas in Asia. The trio developed a fascination with the karambit during that time and it wasnāt until years later that their fascination manifested itself with the Ronin Shoto.
The knife adopts 2.5 inches of a tanto blade, rarely seen in karambits. For blade steel, CTS XHP premium stainless provides edge longevity and durability. Thereās also the Emerson Wave, the only opening method the Ronin Shoto has. The blade rides on Spartanās OIBBS (oil-infused bronze bushing system). The bronze washers are permanently impregnated with lubricant to ensure glassy smooth blade operation at all times. Textured G-10 slabs conceal dual stainless liners. A linerlock secures the blade in the open position. A deep carry pocket clip carries the knife comfortably. A contrasting red G-10 handle spacer adds a tasteful pop of color.
The Ronin Shoto sports a very impressive, heavy-duty build. Like the Emerson Super Karambit, the pocket presence is something you will notice, though itās not uncomfortable. Opening the blade is very similar to the Super Karambitāindex finger through the finger hole, pull and the blade opens as the knife exits the pocket, all in one continuous motion. If you prefer the reverse grip, re-orient the clip to the left side of the handle and you can still make use of the Wave.
Whereas the curved blades of standard karambits are limited in use, the short tanto of the Ronin Shoto is more utility friendly. It tackles general cutting tasks and the CTS XHP stainless steel ensures edge quality will go the distance. I wish the folder had an alternate way of deploying the blade other than just the Wave, though it is possible to place your thumb on the Wave and push on it to open the blade as you would any one-hand knife. Closed length: 5.2 inches.
MSRP: $155
Lionsteel/Emerson LE One
The Lionsteel/Emerson LE One is a collaboration between Ernest Emerson and Lionsteel. It quite possibly is the most advanced folding karambit on todayās market due to several notable features. The 3.23-inch blade is CPM MagnaCut stainless, the latest in high-performance āsuper steel.ā Itās the most advanced steel in terms of edge holding, stain resistance and toughness. The blade opens via one of three methodsāblade hole, Emerson Wave and a flipper. If you want to remove the flipper, you can do so using a T6 TorxĀ® wrench. The removable flipper is the REF (removable flipper) system, exclusive to Lionsteel.
The framelock handle showcases another feature seldom seen on factory knives: no assembly screws because itās machined from one billet of aluminum. The lockbar, semi-open backspacer and finger ring are all one piece of aluminum. The handle boasts a machined crosshatch pattern with milled striations. A stainless steel wear pad screwed to the end of the lockbar results in steel-on-steel lock integrity. A deep-carry pocket clip is reversible for ambidextrous use. Handle color options are black, green, red and brown. Blade finish options are stonewashed and black coated.
A fraction over 5 inches closed, the LE One is one of the larger folding karambits. However, itās so lightweight and carries so well that its sheer size doesnāt even factor in. I like how your hand is seated comfortably when in the forward gripāit definitely feels secure. All edges and corners are rounded and chamfered properly, making the handle melt in your hand. Even the finger ring is rounded both inside and out. The thumb ramp and blade spine are crownedāI totally dig this. These areas have a rounded appearance, not flat like most other blade spines. Crowning demonstrates that a company is willing to go the extra mile to pay attention to such a minor detail. Lionsteel has detail locked down for sure!
Sharp out of the box, the blade cuts very efficiently and the flat grind pull cuts easily. The framelock engages tight, with zero blade movement in any direction. The blade tip looks different from other karambits. It appears to be dull but is not. Emersonās design eliminates the very pointy tip, which is prone to break during heavy use, by squaring it off slightly. This creates a strong tip. The Emerson Super Karambit has the same feature as well.
MSRP: $268
Kershaw Knives Outlier
Anchoring the value end of the spectrum is the Kershaw Knives Outlier. In a somewhat angular handle design, the Outlierās finger ring is integral with the handle spacer. The only karambit from Kershaw, it features a 2.6-inch blade of 8Cr13MoV stainless steel. The blade opens via Kershawās SpeedSafe assisted-opening mechanism designed by BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-FameĀ® member Ken Onion. The opening starts via a choice of an oversized thumb stud and a flipper. The handle is a glass-filled nylon polymer outfitted with a deep-carry pocket clip and a linerlock.
The Outlier feels very secure and comfortable in hand. Your grip is locked in via the large forward finger recess and finger recess at the butt just outside the finger ring. Fit and finish is top notch and an all-black tactical finish presents a subdued appearance. The 8Cr13MoV is a good middle-of-the-road steel, very comparable to AUS-8, which is popular in entry-level-to-mid-range knives. The curved blade is easy to sharpen with a rod-type sharpener and holds a decent edge.
MSRP: $72
Editor’s Note: Dexter Ewing and Mike Ableson contributed to this article.
Is your knife wish list itching to grow? Do you need the latest knife sharpener to keep your edge? We gathered up a mess of the latest and greatest knives and knife gearāboth custom and productionāto get your mouth watering and your wallet cramping.
Work Sharp Professional Precision Adjust Knife Sharpening System
SHARPENER TYPE: Angle adjustable model FEATURES: Metal construction, a digital angle indicator and seven abrasive grits for rigid, repeatable, precise sharpening SHARPENING ANGLES: 15Ā° to 30Ā° ABRASIVES: Assorted and easily interchangeable 1āx6ā abrasives: 220-, 320-, 400-, 600- and 800-grit diamond coated, a ceramic honing plate and a leather strop, and a ceramic rod for serrations HARDWARE: Non-marring V-Block Clamp™ repeatably secures the knife; weighted base provides safe, stable platform that allows rotating the knife without removing the knife or clamp; small table attachment sharpens small penknives down to a 15Ā° angle COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Parts made by a variety of offshore companies, primarily in Vietnam, and assembled, calibrated and quality checked in Ashland, Oregon MSRP: $299.95
Farid Mehr Mini K2
KNIFE TYPE: EDC folder BLADE LENGTH: 3.9ā BLADE MATERIAL: CPM 3V carbon steel BLADE GRIND: Flat KNIFE TO KNOW: Farid Mehr indicated the blade has a trademarked opening system; special ātitanium cage,ā lockbar over-travel stop HANDLE, CLIP & SPACER: Titanium PIVOT WASHERS: Phosphor bronze LOCK: Framelock LOCKBAR INSERT: D6 tool steel CLOSED LENGTH: 45/8ā MAKERāS PRICE FOR A SIMILAR KNIFE: $750
GiantMouse ACE Clyde in denim canvas Micarta
BLADE LENGTH: 3ā BLADE STEEL: CPM 20CV stainless BLADE GRIND: High flat saber BLADE AT THE THICKEST: .118ā BLADE FINISH: Satin HANDLE MATERIAL: Denim canvas Micarta BACKSPACER & THUMB STUD: Brass WEIGHT: 2.7 ozs. CLOSED LENGTH: 3.94ā COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Italy MSRP: $175
Glow Rhino The Reactor
BLADE LENGTH: 2.9ā BLADE STEEL: CPM S35VN stainless BLADE PATTERN: Drop point BLADE FINISH: Black PVD (shown) or satin HANDLE: Titanium CLIP: Deep carry LOCK: Framelock CLOSED LENGTH: 2.9ā KNIFE TO KNOW: Glow-in-the-dark XL green tritium insert in each handle side; offered in two colorsāmatte titanium and matte titanium black PVD (shown); dual prybar lanyard attachment COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: China MSRP: $199.99
A.G. Russell Power Ball C2
KNIFE TYPE: EDC folder BLADE LENGTH: 33/8ā BLADE MATERIAL: D2 tool steel ROCKWELL HARDNESS: 59-60 HRC BLADE GRIND: Flat BLADE FINISH: Stonewash BLADE PATTERN: Drop point OPENER: Flipper HANDLE MATERIAL: Green G-10 w/orange pivot ring POCKET CLIP: Deep carry design; reversible for ambidextrous blade-tip-up carry LOCK: Linerlock LINERS: Weight-reducing skeletonized steel KNIFE TO KNOW: Ball-bearing pivot; handle also available in black G-10 w/blue pivot ring; handle has hole for a lanyard WEIGHT: 3.7 ozs. CLOSED LENGTH: 4.75ā COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: China MSRP: $67.95
Australian and New Zealand Knifemaking 2023
CONTENTS: The 195 art-quality pages include 22 stories on some of Australiaās and New Zealandās best makers with bios, Q&As and images of their work; hundreds of knife and related images in all DIRECTORY: Comprehensive listings of makers, teachers, suppliers and service providers INSTRUCTION: Detailed six-page how-to on forging feather damascus, stories on Australiaās largest bladesmithing school, knife provenance and more AWARD WINNERS: List of Australian knife show award recipients from 2019 forward KNIFE TO KNOW: Includes an interactive feature with exclusive scannable codes for workshop tours, how-toās and more MSRP: Approximately $60 (includes shipping and handling at press time rate of exchange)
Patrick Brennan Celtic Fighter
BLADE LENGTH: 6.1ā BLADE STEEL: RWL-34 stainless BLADE GRIND: Flat HANDLE FRAME: 10k-gold w/Celtic knot filework HANDLE MATERIAL: 6,000-year-old bog yew GUARD & FINIAL: 10k gold w/2c VVS1 diamonds inlaid in collar OVERALL LENGTH: 10.4ā KNIFE TO KNOW: Winner of the 2023 Royal Dublin Society Craft Award
BLADE LENGTH: 1.3ā BLADE STEEL: 8Cr13MoV stainless BLADE PATTERN: Sheepsfoot HANDLE/BRACELET: Hand tied from 14.4 feet (medium) to 17 feet (large) of special reflective black nylon paracord w/a seven-strand nylon core, plus wax-coated firecord and 10-lb. monofilament fishing line SPECIAL FEATURES: Glass nylon polymer buckle w/110-decibel whistle and ferro rod; liquid-filled compass on bracelet WEIGHT: 1.8 ozs. SIZES: Medium (6.25 to 7ā) and large (7ā and larger) MSRP: $24.95
Tony Earwaker Big Ass Bowie
BLADE LENGTH: 11ā BLADE MATERIAL: 30-layer damascus of 1084 carbon and 15N20 nickel-alloy steels forged by Oblivion Blades BLADE GRIND: Full flat BLADE THICKNESS AT RICASSO: .216ā BLADE AT THE WIDEST: 1.77ā HANDLE MATERIAL: Arizona desert ironwood GUARD & HANDLE PIN: Brass OVERALL LENGTH: 16.1ā SHEATH: Belt model made by Tony Earwaker of tooled leather; includes snap strap KNIFE TO KNOW: Tony Earwaker is full member #181 of the Australian Knifemakers Guild MAKERāS PRICE FOR A SIMILAR KNIFE: $465 at press time rate of exchange
Sausageman Forge Death Watch Dagger
BLADE LENGTH: 11.5ā BLADE MATERIAL: Twist damascus BLADE GRIND: Flat BLADE THICKNESS AT RICASSO: .035ā BLADE WIDTH AT WIDEST: 1.4ā BOLSTER/GUARD: Twist damascus HANDLE: G-10 POMMEL: Mosaic damascus OVERALL LENGTH: 19.2ā MAKERāS REMARKS: āThe knife was made as my entry in the Neels van den Berg 48-hour dagger challenge, and is what I believe the Death Watch dagger from Star Wars should look like.ā MAKERāS PRICE FOR A SIMILAR KNIFE: $1,350 at press time rate of exchange
SLH Blades Sub-Hilt Fighter
BLADE LENGTH: 9ā BLADE MATERIAL: W2 tool steel ROCKWELL HARDNESS: 59-60 HRC BLADE GEOMETRY: Full flat grind; distal taper BLADE FINISH: 1500-grit by hand; includes hamon BLADE THICKNESS AT RICASSO: .275ā BLADE AT WIDEST: 1.18ā HANDLE MATERIAL: Stabilized curly blackwood GUARD MATERIAL: 416 stainless steel OVERALL LENGTH: 14.56ā SHEATH: Belt model made by Stacy Hall of tooled leather; includes snap strap MAKERāS PRICE FOR A SIMILAR KNIFE: $600 at press time rate of exchange
Gene Kimmi Dagger
BLADE LENGTH: 7.5ā BLADE MATERIAL: Canister scrap damascus and 1084 carbon powdered steel BLADE GEOMETRY: A diamond grind, that is, four flat grinds HANDLE MATERIAL: Dark desert ironwood w/black G-10 pin GUARD: Slotted C-type made of same material as the blade OVERALL LENGTH: 12.75ā KNIFE TO KNOW: Gene Kimmi is an ABS apprentice smith MAKERāS PRICE FOR A SIMILAR KNIFE: $1,250 MAKER: Gene Kimmi, Everest, Kansas, [email protected] (Jocelyn Frasier image)
If you need a heavy-duty folder, the Cold Steel Engage can accommodate.
I have always liked Cold Steel knives. Theyāre made tough and Iāve never had a problem with edge retention on one. The Cold Steel Engage keeps this tradition going. The overall feel of the locking folder is on the larger size but this comes in handy when using pressure on cuts.
Cold Steel Engage Light Cutting
I went with single-walled cardboard for the first slicing test. The Engage quickly shredded the material into nice strips. It was smooth slicing and very controllable. The large frame provides a positive grip.
The handleās integral single guard, single finger groove and birdās-beak butt combine for a sound, secure grip.
Second on the list was plastic board. Again, the knife sliced very quickly and easily. The hollow-ground blade curled the plastic board a bit but that is to be expected. The handle made it easy to control each cut.
The locking folder made the skiving of 8-ounce leather fast and easy to control the cuts.
For finer work I picked out a strip of 8-ounce leather to skive. The Engage made the skiving fast and easy to control the cuts. I was just slower than the knife could skive. A nice crunching sound resonated with each cut. The Engage is very aggressive cutting leather.
Cold Steel Engage Heavy-Duty Tasks
It was time to whittle. The Engage made impressive curlicues in the pine. Making firesticks was a breeze. Whether deep or shallow cuts, the curlicues kept curling along. (Itās a lot of fun to make firesticks.)
Making firesticks was a breeze.
Taking a seasoned branch, I whacked the Engage into it with a dead-blow hammer. Since the branch was all twisted and knotted, I had to whack the blade’s spine hard repeatedly. Finally, I got the wood split into quarters. The folderās Atlas Lock was still 100 percent secureātough stuff!
Edge Toughness
It was time for my favorite cutting medium: half-inch sisal rope. Iām getting sluggish at getting my fingers out of the way and had two nicks on my fingernail within the first 20 cuts. I had to slow down! The Engage, on the other hand, crunched 225 times and showed no signs of slowing down. This is one sharp blade for sure.
After whacking the whitetail deer antler 30 times, the author found no edge damage. The heat treatment is spot on.
To take the Engage one step further, I pulled out an old whitetail deer antler. After whacking the horn 30 times, I looked for any edge damage. There was none to be found. The heat treatment is spot on. Excellent job!
Edge Retention
For a final test I turned to the paper slice. The 20-pound bond copier paper parted quickly with no snagging. Man, this knife holds an edge! It zipped through the paper like it was nothing.
The knife has a short stainless steel pocket clip. Note the ridges on the slide of the Atlas Lock for enhanced purchase.
Overall Take
This is one very sharp folder. If you like them full-sized, the Engage is a match.
Possible Improvements
Some thumb notches on the blade spine would aid in finer cutting tasks.
Cold Steel Engage Specs: Knife Type: Utility locking folder Blade Length: 3.5ā Blade Steel: CPM S30VN stainless Blade Grind: Hollow Blade Pattern: Clip point Blade Openers: Dual thumb studs Lock: Atlas Lock Handle: G-10 Handle Design: Integral single guard w/single finger groove and birdās-beak butt Lanyard Hole: Yes Pocket Clip: Short stainless steel design Liners: Stainless steel Closed Length: 45/6ā Weight: 7 ozs. Country of Origin: Taiwan MSRP: $169.95
Nothing cuts as wicked a profile as a tanto knife.
The tanto is one of the most iconic and recognizable knife designs to ever forged, and today you can find it being made all over the world. From pocket folders to heavy fixed blades, there are a lot of Tantos to choose from.
Today, weāre going to go over everything you need to know about the tanto, from its history and modern usage to the best modern examples you can add to your collection.
Letās dive right in.
Tanto Knives: Rich, Battlefield-Proven History
Japan has gifted the world with some excellent things: sushi, Godzilla, anime, the Honda Civicā¦ list goes on. Perhaps some of the most iconic pieces of Japanese culture to spread around the world though are its blade designs.
The katana is probably the most famous in terms of combat-focused designs, but a close second is the beloved tanto. A very core idea of many sword-based Japanese martial arts is the idea of daishÅ, which translates to ābig-littleā.
DaishÅ essentially just means having one long sword, and one short sword or long knife to accompany it. Traditionally, the larger sword would often be left outside when entering a palace or other government building, or a temple, and the shorter weapon would be carried inside, tucked through a sash.
The Sidearm of Choice Before Pistols
Originally conceived as a sidearm to be paired with a long sword, the tanto was first carried primarily by Samurai alongside a tachi, the precursor to the katana most of us are familiar with from modern popular culture.
Over time, the tanto become more widespread, and a smaller version known as a kaikenbecame popular as a self-defense tool for women. Over several hundred years, the tanto became shorter and thicker, and closer to the blade we know today.
Photo: Wikipedia
Though eventually replaced in serious warfare by the wakizashi (functionally just a shorter katana, though with some design differences) the tanto remained popular for ceremonial usage and became a matter of pride and expression to wear or own in later years.
The tanto then saw a resurgence in the years leading up to WWII, as they were viewed as more traditional by the Imperial Court. Following Japanās defeat, limits on sword forging caused a decline in all traditional Japanese sword-making.
In the 1960s, American and European obsession with Japanese martial arts (spurred on by excellent films such as 7 Samurai, Yojimbo, and others) lead to a resurgence of the tanto, particularly as a combat-focused knife shape.
Today, the iconic tanto tip is found on traditional full-length fixed blades, as well as more modern folding pocket knives designed for tactical/defensive use. Plenty of manufacturers make tanto-tipped knives, as well as smiths making excellent traditional tantos. (Weāre going to cover both in our reviews, donāt worry).
What makes a Tanto, a Tanto?
Today, the definition of a tanto has shifted far beyond the traditional knife of 10th-century Japan, but weāre going to start there and then weāll talk about the more modern incarnation where we see tanto tips added to a variety of EDC and tactical knives.
Traditional Tanto Blades
Originally, the tanto was more what we would call a short sword, or perhaps a long dagger, and was worn by samurai. It was very much a weapon to begin with, but become a more ornate and ceremonial piece over the years as weapon designs evolved.
The traditional tanto was a single or double-edged dagger with a length of around 6-12 inches and was designed primarily for stabbing. It was forged with very flat sides, and some were left short with an extra thick cross-section to aid in piercing armor.
Modern Tanto Blades
The more modern interpretation of the tanto is heavily influenced by American tactical knife designs and proves more common outside of Japan. Traditional blades are still made (and beautiful) but less practical for the modern world.
A variety of American and European knife makers now produce tanto-inspired knives with a very angular tip with the iconic sharply-upswept blade tip, essentially leaving you with two cutting planesāone parallel to the spine of the knife, and one at a 45-degree(ish) angle to the spine angling up towards the tip.
Most of these modern āAmerican tantoā designs are folding knives, and while many are for ātacticalā or defensive use, the tanto blade shape has become increasingly popular for EDC knives as well.
Pros of the Tanto Design
Piercing: Piercing, piercing, piercing. The shape of the tanto is optimized for stabbing and piercing, and it excels in those contexts.
Whether youāre a pre-Edo period Samurai trying to slip a blade between (or through) segments of your opponent’s armor, or a frustrated office worker attempting to poke your way into some plastic clamshell packaging, the tanto is ideal for putting a hole in something.
We see similar knives used for leather work around the world, and with good reason. The tanto is great for putting a hole in tough material.
Draw Cuts: Modern American tantos are also great for draw cuts and slices, particularly when youāre working with something on a flat surface like a cutting board. The dual edge geometry makes short work of many slicing tasks.
You can also (carefully) use that second point where the two edges meet like a chisel for shaving wood, scraping a sticker, etc. This makes for a very handy EDC.
Defense: Lastly, as a defensive tool, tantos excel because of their narrow, piercing point. This point easily defeats heavy clothing and makes for an effective means of defense in skilled hands.
Many knife-based martial arts focus on stabbing strikes as the most effective fight-enders, and the tanto fits that training paradigm very well, while still being perfectly capable of slashing.
Cons of the Tanto Design
Cutting Edge: The tantoās main drawback, besides additional time and care needed when sharpening, is the fact that you lose some usable blade edge by having essentially two edges, one parallel to the spine and one swept forward and upwards.
In practical use, this means you have less effective blade length for certain tasks, around 20% less than youād have with an equivalent-length drop or clip-point blade. To compensate, tanto blades intended for EDC are usually a bit longer than a similar knife with a different point.
All of this can be adjusted for, and as long as you arenāt doing something like spoon carving, you probably wonāt notice a difference in real-world use.
At the end of the day, āreal-world useā for most of us is opening boxes and packaging, and slicing apart those god-awful packing straps used to hold childrenās toys in display boxes. And the tanto excels at all those tasks.
How The Hell Do You Sharpen a Tanto?
Sharpening a tanto may look a bit scary, but once you break the process down, itās quite simple. All youāre doing is sharpening two edges that meet at a point. The only real pitfall is that itās easy to round over the point where the forward edge and the edge parallel to the spine meet.
To avoid this, be mindful of that meeting point, and stop your sharpening stroke on or before it. Then, when sharpening the forward edge, rotate the blade and sharpen it in much the same way you would a chisel.
Just be careful not to pull through the point where the two edges meet so you donāt round over that point and youāll be good to go. Beyond that, it’s just like sharpening any other knife.
10 Ten Knives with Tanto Blades: EDC, Fixed Blades, and Folders
CIVIVI Elementum Tanto
The CIVIVI Elementum has become something of a modern classic in the EDC knife world. Since its release a few years ago has gone on to become one of the most popular pocket knives around.
There is a nearly limitless amount of blade and handle combinations out there now, but weāre going to focus on this excellent tanto blade with a copper handle.
At its core, this is still the same Elementum knife aficionados are already familiar with (a simple, dependable liner-lock flipper folder) but outfitted with a tanto blade that makes piercing tasks a cinch, without compromising on slicing performance.
Basically, itās everything you need in an EDC knife for regular daily tasks, and it comes with a gussied-up stonewashed tanto blade and a lovely hand-polished copper handle that adds a touch of class and elegance to this very affordable knife.
The Elementum tanto is also available in a button lock version and features a 2.96-inch blade made of D2 steel.
MSRP: $80
Kershaw Emerson CQC-7K
Ernest Emerson has brought much success to Kershaw with his designs. Back in 2014 he hit it out of the park again with the Emerson CQC-7k, which won that yearās Best Buy award at BLADE Show for sheer value. In the almost ten years since itās held its own as one of the best EDC options out there.
It features the iconic Emerson Wave that facilitates blade deployment by simply pulling it from the pocket and hooking the āWave-Shaped Featureā on the pocket on the way out (sort of an inverted kicker).
It also features an ambidextrous thumb disk that doubles as a comfortable place to press your thumb when doing fiddly work. The scales are nicely-textured G10, and the handle features a stainless frame lock that is one of the more secure weāve tested (read: beat the hell out of).
The one thing to look out for is the blade steel. I would suggest spending an extra few bucks on the D2 stainless version and avoiding the 8cr14Mov version. Thereās no reason to spend more than $40 on a knife with bottom-tier blade steel like that in this day and age.
You can get five gas station knives for that price and be better off.
The Emerson CQC-7K has a D2 blade that is 3.25-inches long.
MSRP: Starting at $74
Benchmade Bailout
Youāve heard of the Bugout, surely. Now meet its newer, slightly-tacticooler cousin, the Bailout (one of my favorite knives of the past several years).
As you can surely imagine, the Bailout is a bit of a riff on the Bugout most of us knife fans know and love, but with some notable changes. Our favorite version is the CPM-M4 model which features woodland green anodized aluminum handles.
CPM-M4 is a great steel, which you would expect from Benchmade, and the knife itself is the perfect length to straddle the line between EDC knife and tactical folder. It also features a lanyard loop if youāre one of those people who like lanyard loops, and more interestingly a micro glass breaker.
How often do you need to break a car window in an emergency? Probably not very often, but it is nice to have it if youāre leaning toward a more tactical-style knife. You can also get a version that doesnāt have the glass breaker or the aluminum handles if you want to save a bit.
The Bailout features a 3.4-inches, CPM-M4 blade.
MSRP: $129
Ontario Ti-22 Equinox
Ontario Knife Co. is one of the most criminally underrated makers out there. Everything in its catalog is smartly designed and intended to excel in real-world conditions. That includes the Ti-22 Equinox.
It features, as the name suggests, a full titanium handle and an S35VN blade coated black to inhibit rust and corrosion in difficult environments. S35VN is a premium steel that holds an edge incredibly well, and the lightweight titanium handle is as robust as you could ever want.
The action is flippy and fidget-friendly, and the handle feels comfortable during extended use. The blade slices paper right out of the box, and comes to a sharp angle where the forward edge meets the primary cutting edge, giving you plenty of piercing power.
Draw cuts, slicing, and even some camp kitchen prep were easy and straightforward, and the knife handled being carried on a sailboat for a week without showing any signs of rust. All in all, a great EDC that again toes the line towards the more tactical/defensive side of things.
The Ti-22 has an S35VN blade that is 3.03-inches long.
MSRP: $138
Case Kinzua
Case Knives made a flipper! Several actually, with the Kinzua being part of the first line of Modern Everyday Carry Knives to come from this iconic brand.
This isnāt your grandadās Case knife, though we love some of those old three-blade traditional babies as much as anyone. These are incredibly modern designs for a modern audience that expects things like one-handed opening, a frame lock, and a deep-carry pocket clip.
In addition to all that, the Kinzua (named for a scenic forestry area in Allegheny County, PA) features an S35VN blade and faceted anodized aluminum handles that are a joy to hold. The flipper tab is nicely contoured, and the knife opens and closes smoothly.
The tip is a now-familiar American tanto and is great for piercing pesky packages, or anything else you might need to poke a hole into during your daily life.
MSRP: $179
Spyderco Paramilitary 2 Tanto
The Spyderco Paramilitary 2 (or PM2) is beloved in the EDC community, and it’s not hard to figure out why.
It features a polished washer pivot system that is very smooth to open and close, features Spydercoās iconic compression lock, and now, for the first time, comes with a tanto blade.
That blade is made of CPM-S30V steel, one of the best you can get in a pocket knife at this price range. Sharpening isnāt too difficult, and the edge will last you a very long time, even with aggressive daily use battering away as you slice open Amazon boxes (or whatever).
The PM2 has fine-textured G-10 handle scales out of the box, but you and your trusty screwdriver can pop those off and replace them with any one of roughly ten bazillion aftermarket options. Companies like Flytanium keep PM2 owners well-supplied with choices.
MSRP: $246
The Spyderco PM2 Tanto features a 3.44-inch blade made of CPM-S30V steel.
Cold Steel Recon Tanto
Of course, we canāt have a list of modern tanto knives without bringing out something from Cold Steel, the progenitors of the modern āAmerican tantoā that is the most accurate description of most of the knives on this list.
Their Recon Tanto is our first fixed blade on this list and is positioned as a tactical/rescue blade. The incredibly robust SK5 steel used in the blade is a common for hard-use tools like machetes and survival knives, particularly military ones.
The grip is made with Kray-Ex, which is designed to maintain good friction in the hand at all times, even if your hands are wet or youāre wearing gloves. It also doesnāt shred your paws like some rougher materials.
If youāre looking for a more tactical tanto that can handle everything from camp tasks to self-defense, this is a great option that is a bit heavy, but bomb-proof and reliable.
The Recon Tanto has a 7-inch SK5 high-carbon steel blade.
MSRP: Starting at $70
Chaves RedenciĆ³n Street Tanto
Ramon Chaves is a custom knife maker that has made a name for himself as one of the premier designers of tough, hard-wearing, but still stylish blades. His RedenciĆ³n tanto isā¦very expensive, and worth every penny, exactly the way a custom knife should be.
If youāve got the cash and you like the look of it, especially if you enjoy the artisan nature of a custom knife, go buy that.
For those of us with slightly less to spend, Reate has put out a production version of the RedenciĆ³n that comes with a slightly more obtainable street price and is considerably easier to find in stock.
Ramon works hard, but it’s always going to take longer to produce a custom knife than a production knife coming from a factory with purpose-built tooling. The RedenciĆ³n Street is a great way to get your hands on the design, without waiting months for the custom version.
The Street Tanto is an incredibly well-built framelock folder with an aggressive piercing tip. Despite a 3.63-inch blade length, the whole thing weighs in at just over 6oz thanks to the titanium handle design (which you can get in about two dozen different colors).
The blade is made from the fabulous Bohler M390 steel, one of the best youāll find in a pocket knife.
MSRP: $300
Siam Blades Traditional Black Copper Hira Tanto
Lastly, Iām throwing in a little treat for the two or three of you reading this who came here looking for traditional, no-fooling, tantos made the old way. Siam Blades is a traditional blacksmith shop located in Thailand, but they have Japanese-trained smiths that create blades using traditional methods.
For most people, this is going to be a good balance of value and authenticity. A traditional tanto made in Japan will probably run you about three times what this one does. The Black Copper Hira tanto is made to a similar standard, in the same traditional way, and is as beautiful as it is functional.
Best of all, they have stock ready to ship, so you donāt have to wait 18 months for your tanto to be finished and shipped. Iāve chosen the Black Copper version here, but there is a large variety available depending on what aesthetic youāre going after.
The blade itself is made of extremely durable high-carbon SK5 steel (very common in machetes, and battle-ready sword reproductions) and is 9.5-inches long.
MSRP: $820
Final Thoughts on Tanto Knives
The tanto is an iconic design, whether weāre talking about the traditional Japanese original or the modern American remix. This knife shape has stuck around for a thousand years for a reason.
Today, most production tantos are more in the American style at least as far as the tip goes, but this battle-tested design has its roots going back much farther. I hope youāve enjoyed this brief look into that long history, and youāve got a better idea of what your options are for picking up a tanto of your very own.
