Designed by Allen Elishewitz, KA-BAR’s USA-made drop-forged EPT pairs a 2.5-inch blade with a clip-equipped sheath for easy pocket carry.
KA-BAR has expanded its line of drop-forged steel tools with the Elishewitz Pocket Tool, or EPT. Designed by veteran maker and former Force Recon Marine Allen Elishewitz, the compact fixed blade targets the growing daily carry market with a format tailored specifically for pocket carry rather than belt wear.
Built for Daily Duty
The EPT centers around a short, broad 2.5-inch drop-point blade ground flat to a 20-degree edge per side. KA-BAR crafts the knife from 0.1875-inch thick 425 high-carbon stainless steel, hardened to 56–58 HRC. The stout blade geometry offers plenty of strength for routine cutting tasks while keeping the overall footprint manageable.
Because the knife utilizes a one-piece drop-forged construction, the skeletonized handle is integral to the blade. A finger ring integrated into the butt end assists with control during use while serving as a quick-draw indexing point when pulling the knife from a pocket.
Pocket-Friendly Carry
Rather than relying on a traditional belt sheath, the EPT comes equipped with a custom USA-made sheath featuring a reversible, loop-over wire pocket clip. This setup allows the fixed blade to ride deep inside a pocket in much the same manner as a standard folding knife.
At 6.75 inches in overall length and weighing 3.2 ounces (0.2 lbs for the knife alone), the U.S.-manufactured piece delivers the structural integrity of a fixed blade without adding unnecessary bulk to a daily kit.
Elishewitz Pocket Tool (EPT) Specs Designer: Allen Elishewitz Overall Length: 6.75 in. Blade Length: 2.50 in. Blade Width: 1.70 in. Blade Thickness: 0.1875 in. Blade Steel: 425 High Carbon Stainless (56–58 HRC) Blade Type/Grind: Drop Point, Flat Grind Edge Angle: 20 degrees per side Construction: Integral drop-forged 425 stainless steel Weight: 3.2 oz. total (2.24 oz. knife weight) Sheath: USA-made sheath with reversible wire pocket clip MSRP: $78
Three options to stay keen when you’re out and about.
Active lifestyles often need specialized tools. Out hiking, camping or hunting, a workbench instrument is out of place. This is especially true for one of the most vital pieces of knife kit—sharpeners.
In recent years, the market has trended toward larger bench-mounted sharpeners that, while dynamite at extracting a precise edge, are all but impractical in the field. Out and about, a solid portable sharpener is more than worth its weight in gold. Even better, for those who take a more minimalist approach to edge-maintenance equipment, most mobile sharpeners are more than capable of serving as primary tools for bringing a knife back to life.
Given this isn’t the time of Charlemagne, this class of sharpeners should have an angle guide integral to their design, eliminating guesswork. And since they’re less elaborate, portable sharpeners should be cost-effective, as well. You do not want to spend a ton on something that might be lost. Most of all, these options should prove easy to tote around, be it in a pocket, tool pouch, vehicle glove compartment, backpack or anywhere else you want to cram one.
There are plenty of portable sharpeners available today, but in our trials, we found the following a cut above the rest.
Wicked Edge Venture Pro WE26
The Wicked Edge Venture Pro features a movable 20-degree angle guide that helps to keep your angle consistent, so that even beginners can achieve desirable results. And while not quite pocket sized, the until is perfectly proportioned for sharpening on the go.
Wicked Edge, primarily known for its high-end guide-honing systems, has recently turned its discerning eye to mobile sharpening. The result is the Venture Pro WE26. While more compact than most everything else the company offers, it is no less effective.
Starting with the build quality, Wicked Edge has constructed a system built to last. The Venture Pro’s frame is sturdy T6-6061 aluminum alloy, keeping the unit relatively light, yet extremely durable. The company holds the system together with stainless steel screws and a tension spring. And the honing surface is a double-sided diamond-coated steel plate—if you drop one, you don’t have to sweat it shattering. A cam system holds it in place and allows a painless switch between sides and grit size—500-grit diamond and a fine-grit ceramic. A plus. Yet this is only part of the sharpener’s selling points.
What really grabs attention is that the Venture Pro is a railed angle guide. The system is slick, essentially allowing you to pull your knife through, while the guide maintains a consistent 20-degree angle over the entirety of the sharpening surface. This element of the system deserves mention in and of itself. It is molded from a thermoplastic blend of POM (Delrin) and PTFE (Teflon), the result is a slick surface that all but guarantees a smooth stroke on each pass. The guide is removable and has a storage position on the rear of the sharpener for easy storage in a more compact configuration. The final perk, the unit includes a leather strop and a built-in guide on the rear side, so you can hone a blade to a mirror finish.
The Venture Pro features both 500-grit diamond stone and ceramic honing surface, as well as a leather strop. Wicked Edge sells other grits and different angled guides, to tailor the system to your knives.
The Venture Pro definitely isn’t pocket-sized, but it is small enough to be considered portable. Its size is a plus in this respect; it’s large enough to tackle a wide range of knife types and sizes. I found the system easy to master over the course of several sharpening sessions with pocketknives, tactical folders, kitchen knives and even scissors. The routine is simple: place the blade into the guide as far up to the tang as possible, draw the knife through while moving forward and repeat on the other side. The angle guide slides so easily across the frame of the sharpener that it almost feels like it’s not even there.
Given that the 500-grit side is diamond, I did not have to apply a ton of pressure to achieve the desired results. And, if you’re sure of your freehand skills, the guide can be removed to speed up the process.
At home, at camp or anywhere, the Venture Pro works every time to provide you with a guaranteed sharp edge. As a bonus, several other plates with different grit sizes are available as well as different angle guides (15, 17 and 25 degrees), in case you have a particular system you want to adhere to. No matter what, this made-in-the-U.S.A. sharpener has an edge.
Venture Pro Specs Frame Material: T6-6061 Aluminum Alloy Sharpening Material: 500-grit diamond stone, ceramic hone and leather strop Weight: 10 oz. Sharpening Surface: 8.25” Features: Continuous 20-degree angle guide, integral handle Country Of Origin: U.S.A. MSRP: $189
Spyderco Sharpmaker
Absolutely time tested, the Sharpmaker has been a honing mainstay for a spell—namely because it works so well. Very simple in design, the portable sharpener features course and fine grain sharpening rods that can be set for a 20-degree edge and simply requires a downward stroke to do their business.
Spyderco’s model 204 Sharpmaker is a versatile, made in the U.S.A. sharpener and could be a primary sharpener on its own. But it’s how it breaks down, with all its hones nestled in the base, and the cover snaps over all of it, fully encasing the stowed sharpener that makes it a top choice for a portable sharpener.
The Sharpmaker utilizes two pairs of alumina ceramic rods—medium grit (brown) and fine grit (white)—held in the plastic base at a 20-degree angle, forming a “V” shape. The proper way to use this is to hold your knife to where the blade is perpendicular to the tabletop and then, starting at the blade tang end, place the blade onto the home and, in one motion, travel down the hone and at the same time pull the blade toward you. Gentle pressure is generally all that is required to achieve a sharp edge. As an added safety precaution, Spyderco includes two brass protection rods that prevent cutting your hand while holding the base.
The Sharpmaker’s design allows you to sharpen on any flat surface—tabletop, workbench, desk or even the tailgate of a pickup truck. Making the tool extremely convenient, the alumina ceramic rods do not require lubrication with oil or water. Though they do require occasional cleaning. The rods darken over time due to swarf collecting on the surface. Scotch-Brite pads and powder sink cleaner make quick work of this fouling and restore the sharpening surface. Another cool feature of the Sharpmaker is the two grooves on the bottom of the base. This allows you to set any two matching hones into the base, with their flat sides up for a makeshift bench stone.
The Spyderco Sharpmaker 204 is the best sharpener to use with serrated knives, as it is easy to set up, easy to use and doesn’t use oil or water for lubrication. The points of the triangular-shaped hones capture each tooth in the serration pattern effectively.
The triangular shape of the hones was done on purpose and is a brilliant design. When you set up the honing where the flat sides face each other, the Sharpmaker effectively sharpens plain-edge blades. Rotate the hones so that the points face each other, and the Sharpmaker easily addresses serrated knives.
How well does the Sharpmaker work? Simply put—very well. It’s a must-have if you own any serrated knives, but as I said earlier, it will work just as well on plain-edge blades. The sharpener is easy to set up and easy to use. There’s no mess since you don’t use fluid for lubrication, and it breaks down into an ultra-compact form factor that stows easily.
Sharpmaker Specs Frame Material: ABS plastic base Sharpening Material: Alumina ceramic stones Weight: 1.4 lbs. Sharpening Surface: 7” Features: Plain edge and serrated sharpening surfaces Country Of Origin: U.S.A. MSRP: $127
Benchmade Guided Field Sharpener
The Benchmade Guided Field Sharpener packs a lot into a small and affordable system. In addition to an integral angle guide, the system includes a diamond-infused sharpening plate, ceramic honing rods and a leather strop.
The Benchmade Guided Field Sharpener is the ultimate compact sharpener that is packed with so many features that you must use it to believe it. The unit is manufactured for Benchmade by Work Sharp, so it comes with a pedigree of a company that knows a thing or two about sharp cutting edges.
What you get with the Guided Field Sharpener (GFS) are coarse and fine diamond-coated sharpening plates held onto the body using rare-earth magnets. You also get a fine-grit ceramic rod for quick touch-ups. This rod has two sharpening surfaces—regular and ribbed, which are for more aggressive honing. You also get a smaller diameter ceramic rod, which addresses serrations. On top of all this, the unit has two sets of integral angle guides set permanently at 20 degrees. Finally, at one end of the sharpener frame is a leather strip for the final polishing of your edge. Folks, what you have right here is a comprehensive sharpening system in a pocket-sized form factor.
While the Guided Field Sharpener works very well on folding hunters, tactical folders, multi-bladed pocketknives and some smaller fixed blades, it also handles larger blades, such as kitchen knives, as well. You must be mindful when working with a larger blade on a smaller sharpener and move the blade more efficiently to cover the entire cutting edge in one stroke.
The Benchmade Guided Field Sharpener is made by Work Sharp and was designed as a comprehensive compact sharpener to take with everywhere. Aside from its accoutrements, one of the more desirable features of the tool is its lightweight, coming in at less than 5 ounces.
Using GFS is simple, you lay your blade onto the angle guide, then hold the handle steady and move the blade across the surface of the plate. You do need to remain conscious of your angle, as the guide only starts you at the right incline. Generally, you’ll start with the diamond hone to establish the edge, followed by the fine grit to define it. Finally, a few swipes on the ceramic rod, along with a finish on the leather strip, result in a hair-popping sharp edge.
Overall, the Benchmade sharpener is sized perfectly for everything from a rucksack to a coat pocket. It’s a powerful tool in a compact package, and a value. To this, it’s worth noting that the GFS is assembled in the U.S.A. from foreign and domestic components.
Guided Field Sharpener Specs Frame Material: Polymer Sharpening Material: Diamond plates, ceramic rods and leather strop Weight: 4.7 oz. Sharpening Surface: 6.87” Features: Integral 20-degree angle guide Country Of Origin: Assembled in U.S.A. from domestic and foreign components MSRP: $50
Timeless and iconic, it remains practical and complementary to other options today.
The novaculite sharpening stone is a wonder of nature. Almost pure microcrystalline quartz in content, this dense, fine-grained rock was formed from 318 to 416 million years ago during the Devonian and Mississippian periods in ancient seabeds and later pushed toward the surface with the peaks of the Ouachita Mountains of western and central Arkansas. Massive sedimentary layers ranging from 250 to 900 feet thick produced the stone, which takes its name from the Latin novacula, meaning “sharp knife” or “razor.”
From there, the stone was destined for a rendezvous with the knife blade, rendering a sharp edge that gets the job done and holding a place in working knife history dating back centuries.
The novaculite deposits in Arkansas were formed 318 to 416 million years ago and it takes plenty of mechanical muscle to push around the material. The deposits run from 200- to 900-feet thick, in turn the operations are substantial. And while the weathered novaculite is somewhat bland to the eye, once broken up the beauty of the natural material shines through. (Images courtesy of Chis Stillian)
Today, however, there is a bit of … well … friction as some may claim modern synthetic stones are eclipsing or at least competing with novaculite for some nebulous title of “best.” Synthetic stones often offer faster sharpening and convenience, while novaculite is valued for its refined finish and traditional appeal. Truth is that each has its place, and novaculite was and is a key participant in the knife-sharpening exercise.
“It gives a razor-sharp, polished edge with smooth feedback that many prefer over synthetics,” explained Chris Stillian, owner of Natural Whetstone, LLC. The company was founded by close friend David Davenport two decades ago, and when David passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic, Chris and his father, Shawn, kept the central Arkansas company going.
“The stones wear very slowly,” Chris continued. “Some last decades because they’re 99 percent plus pure quartz with no fillers. They’re natural, made in the USA and work great for chefs, woodworkers and knife users.”
Danny Kirschman founded Dan’s Whetstone Company, Inc., in Pearcy, Arkansas, in 1976, and his son Steve is currently CEO of the family venture. His roots in novaculite are long and deep. “The erosion-resistant quartz formations of the Ouachitas produced the finest and rarest natural abrasive in the world,” he offered. “Danny Kirschman’s opinion and what we share with others is that the one thing that sets novaculite products apart from other sharpeners is their unique crystalline structure. The novaculite stones wear less aggressively than most manmade abrasives due to the natural bonding of the crystals.”
Best Steel For Novaculite
Dan Kirschman, by the company’s largest saw, spent his formative years as a mining engineer, until his hobby of cutting and polishing novaculite developed into a full-time business. Dan’s Whetstones now has a 500-acre quarry and manufactures more than 300 different products from the stone. (Images courtesy of Dan’s Whetstone)
Both Stillian and Kirschman agree that the disadvantages of novaculite usage lie in cutting speed and other aspects. Chris commented, “It cuts slower than diamond or water stones, so it’s better for refining edges than heavy profiling. It needs oil instead of water, can glaze if not cleaned and doesn’t bite hard on modern super steels. Top grades cost more because the dense material is rare.”
Steve added, “The most common complaint is their low abrasion rate. Because the stones are exceptionally hard and dense, they remove material much more slowly than synthetic stones. They are best suited for maintaining an already sharp edge rather than ‘hogging off’ metal to repair chips or reprofile a blade. There is no truly coarse Arkansas stone. Even the soft Arkansas is relatively fine compared to a coarse synthetic stone. Novaculite is composed of quartz, which has a Mohs hardness of around 7. While this is harder than standard carbon steel, it is softer than the vanadium and chromium carbides found in modern, high-alloy super steels.”
Further, since Arkansas stone is a natural product, every stone is unique and may exhibit internal flaws, cracks or variable grit. Oil is required to keep metal particles, or swarf, from clogging the pores, which leads to a bit more cleanup. Lubrication keeps the stone from “loading” with metal, which can reduce its effectiveness.
Similar to many sharpening systems, Arkansas stones of different grit sizes are used in conjunction. On the right is a soft stone with a courser grit, good for raising a burr and initial honing. On the left is hard stone, used for final edge polishing and day-to-day maintenance. (Image courtesy of Chris Stillian)
Novaculite works best with simple carbon and low-alloy stainless steels like 1095, O-1, 440C and A2. Since such steels are commonly found on hunting, working, kitchen, bushcraft/survival and everyday slipjoint and fixed-blade knives, a broad area of application exists. High vanadium super steels such as S35VN, M390, CPM-3V and others—often seen in premium chefs’ knives and high-end custom knives—are best served with diamond stones, for example, because their carbides are harder than the quartz in novaculite.
Reviving Arkansas Rock
Even the casual observer can, therefore, discern the proper employment of the novaculite sharpening stone with the blade steel that will produce the best results. One giant of the knife industry recognized the value of the Arkansas stone years ago and built a catalog empire on its sturdy reputation.
The late BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame® member A.G. Russell began selling Arkansas sharpening stones in the mid-1960s after moving his family back home to northwest Arkansas from Marin County, California. During the move, he discovered that his whetstones had gotten lost in transit.
Novaculite is microcrystalline quartz in structure and while it can seem extremely smooth to the naked eye, at the microscopic level the formation’s cutting properties become evident. On the left is ultra-fine black stone at 5000x magnification and the right hard Arkansas stone at 2500x magnification. (Image courtesy of Dan’s Whetstones)
“He tried to buy replacements in local hardware stores, but none stocked them,” remembered A.G.’s wife and fellow hall-of-famer Goldie Russell, who runs the company today. “Having lived in Hot Springs, Arkansas, for a while when he was a teenager, A.G. knew that the only deposit of novaculite was in that area. A.G. went to Hot Springs and found someone who was cutting stones. He purchased stones and began selling them to local hardware stores.”
From there, A.G. bought ads in magazines, particularly Guns & Ammo and The American Rifleman. Soon enough, he became a supplier to Brownells, a major gun retailer, capitalizing on the mutual affinity of gun enthusiasts for knives. Together with the magazine effort and his own sales acumen, Russell re-energized the popularity of the Arkansas stone.
“The frequency of A.G.’s ad in magazines and then the offering of these stones in the A.G. Russell Catalog of Knives was very important in making these stones readily available nationwide through the late 1960s and the 1970s,” observed Goldie. “There is still a large quantity of the small stones that he had cut during those years in our inventory. That is how he started what became A.G. Russell Knives.”
It’s a misnomer Arkansas stone’s hardness corresponds to its color. Similar colors can be noted in different grades, as the coloration is purely a matter of trace mineralization in the stones. (Image courtesy of Chris Stillian)
Novaculite stones, therefore, maintain their place in the practical and the historical aspects of the knife industry, and their relevance is not likely to fade. Those who are familiar with their capabilities remain loyal. They appreciate the investment of time and effort required to bring out that razor-sharp edge, and there is something timeless and reaffirming in the process.
Novaculite Grades
The stones themselves are available in four major grades. “Users should be aware that color is not the determining factor in grading novaculite,” explained Kirschman. “Some users have been defining whetstone grades by color, but the same colors may be seen in more than one grade. Color is caused by trace minerals that are dispersed through the rock during sedimentary formation more than 350 million years ago and subsequent geological activity.”
The major grades of novaculite include the following:
Soft Arkansas: The most popular all-purpose stone often used by wood carvers, sportsmen, butchers, commercial knife sharpeners and even housewives who desire keen, polished edge in a minimum of time.
Hard Arkansas: A fine grit stone good for everyday maintenance and popular among woodcrafters and the dental industry.
Translucent and True Hard Arkansas: An extra fine stone with a glassy feel and used in industrial applications requiring an extremely fine polish. It appears in a variety of colors.
Black Arkansas: Sometimes referred to as “surgical black” stone, the finest grade abrasive available today, delivering a mirror polish.
Among the most critical factors of using natural stones to sharpen knives is using honing oil. Oil keeps metal particles, or swarf, from clogging the stone’s natural pores, thus reducing its effectiveness. (Image courtesy of Chris Stillian)
The proper method of sharpening with a novaculite stone involves preparation and practice. “It’s an oil stone, so put a few drops of honing oil on it,” advised Stillian. “Hold a consistent angle, 15 to 20 degrees for most knives, use light to moderate pressure, and take smooth strokes. Start on soft or hard if the edge is dull, and finish on black or translucent. Raise a burr, then lighten pressure. Clean with soap or solvent to avoid glazing. Strop afterward for extra keenness, if you like.”
Those About To Rock
According to Chris, consistent purchasers and users include enthusiasts, woodworkers and chefs who “keep buying them for the feel, longevity and heritage. Synthetics rule high-volume work, but real Arkansas novaculite—especially the rare translucent and black grades—still sell at a premium to people who want the genuine article.”
Steve sees emerging interest as well. “The rising D.I.Y. (do it yourself) sharpening culture is a major driver,” he commented, “with the hobbyist segment now accounting for nearly 35 percent of total whetstone sales worldwide. Online tutorials and a deeper appreciation for craftsmanship have fueled this demand. Sustainability is a driver, as well. Modern consumers increasingly view natural stones as a “green” alternative to synthetics.
“Niche premium positioning, even while high-end market saturation is slowing growth in North America to about 4 percent, means natural stones remain a staple for professional chefs who prefer them for maintaining blade integrity,” Steve concluded. “And technological integration means that manufacturers are now developing beginner-friendly kits and instructional digital content to tap into 62 percent of home users who are interested in traditional sharpening but lack confidence in the technique.”
The future presents an atmosphere of coexistence among the Novaculite and synthetic options. The global whetstone market topped $457 million in value in 2024 and is expected to reach $677 million within eight years. Natural stone demand should stay steady, supported by its faithful and traditional users while welcoming explorers to these Ouachita wonders.
The popular pattern offers a complex combination of material and motif.
The variations on damascus steel themes are endless. The possibilities are tempered only by the maker’s time at the forge and his or her desire to create.
Among these many variations, one pattern has recently captured the spotlight. These days, feather damascus is trending and custom makers are producing knives that turn heads, captivating buyers with the intricate layering that produces hard steel intertwined with the look of the light and wispy. Feather damascus offers a medium of both performance and artistic expression that influences every aspect of the maker’s creativity.
Ethan Kolar of Plummer, Idaho, describes his interest in feather damascus as “chaotic flow.” He explains, “The pattern’s center seam, where the jagged W’s converge, creates a flow in the blade which really adds to the overall confluence of the knife as well as creating a controlled chaos as the pattern explodes from the center filling out the blade.”
Kolar enjoys the hint of “jaggedness” and the center line that ties the blade together, and in the making of his feather damascus, his focus lies in test etching every restack from the forge. He sees the pattern in many different forms with the observation that “a pattern is not right or wrong but more of what the maker envisions and creates and what is right to him for his knife.”
The folding dagger Ethan composed includes a 3-inch feather damascus blade of 1084 and 15N20 steels with an engraved gold inlay and scroll worked 416 stainless steel window frame fitted with exhibition-grade white-lip mother of pearl. Liners are 15N20 file-worked and nitre blued, while the backbar of 416 stainless is engraved and sports delicate file work. Its overall length is 7 inches.
“Most of the inspiration I have while making damascus comes from envisioning my final product,” Ethan remarked, “what engraving will go with it, the handle embellishment, and a lot to do with the overall color of the knife, deciding whether the pattern will be brighter or darker.”
Steel On Fire
Winning Best Damascus at the 2025 BLADE Show West, Trevor Morgan’s “Torrent of Fire” chef’s knife includes a 9.25-inch blade of 1084 and 15N20 in a mix of W’s and straight layers with a fat core of 15N20. The knife’s overall length is 14.2 inches, and the handle is dark red tiger’s blood amboyna burl with a splash of sapwood for contrast. (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Another contemporary artisan exploring the feather damascus pattern is ABS journeyman smith Trevor Morgan. Having attended the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing in Texarkana, Texas, in 2020, his goal with each feather damascus blade is to make the pattern “pop.” To achieve that look, his hand follows an artistic eye.
“Contrast, for sure, really makes any pattern cool,” said Trevor, “especially feather or mosaic damascus, larger pieces of dark and bright steel, gradients and that kind of thing. Also, out-of-the-ordinary stuff like feather [damascus] can be really cool to look at. Symmetry is always great with a feather pattern because it’s pretty easy to notice when something is out of whack with a feather due to the defined center. Complexity is also great. If it’s hard to figure out, all the better.”
According to Morgan, a resident of Apple Valley, California, the feather pattern can be challenging due to the hot-cut process, which puts enormous stress on the billet in somewhat weird ways and causes every forge weld to want to split open. The problem, however, can be mitigated by mig welding all the way around the seams. But this is his least favorite method of achieving the integrity of the billet because it requires grinding away the welds, wasting material and consuming time.
Trevor’s inspiration for feather damascus pieces comes from the world around him. “It’s places and people,” he commented, “from nature and the endeavor to make something organic and as lifelike as possible in steel. I regularly get swept up in the general zeitgeist surrounding the making of complex patterns. I see something on social media or somewhere, and I think, ‘Man, that’s really awesome! I’d love to try to make something like that.’ Then comes the real creative part, where I just get an idea of something that might look really cool and put it together.”
Morgan’s method is readily revealed in his featured piece, named “Torrent of Fire.” The knife includes a 9.25-inch blade of 1084 and 15N20 in a mix of W’s and straight layers with a fat core of 15N20. The knife’s overall length is 14.2 inches, and the handle is dark red tiger’s blood amboyna burl with a splash of sapwood for contrast.
Organic Appeal
Splitting the billet down the center to maintain symmetry is among the trickiest aspects of feather damascus to Steve Randall. He nails it on his frame-handle hunter, with the axis of the pattern fountaining from the mastodon scales in a balanced and spectacular fashion. (SharpByCoop image)
Feather damascus has been a staple steel for ABS master smith Steve Randall for some time. He seeks a continual flow of the steel from the handle to the tip, and oriented so that the handle appears to actually hold a feather. “I was attracted to the feather pattern because of it’s a very cool, organic look,” he advised. “Like a snowflake, there are no two exactly the same. I’ve been forging feather damascus for at least seven years, and I’ve made several bowies and hunters.”
Randall, of Estancia, New Mexico, presents his feather damascus piece with frame-handle construction, showcasing mastodon scales with an overall length of 9½ inches and a blade of 4¾ inches. “Feather damascus is a more challenging pattern,” he said. “My tricks are patience and concentration. There are many welds involved in the pattern, which can contribute to cold shuts, which can destroy hours of hard work. The trickiest part is splitting the billet right down the middle and maintaining symmetry.”
While he describes the feather damascus forging process as complicated and labor-intensive, Steve sees the payoff in the harmony of the pattern and its related materials in the finished knife. “I always try to complement it with the best handle materials I have available,” he reasoned. “I prefer stag or ivory. If using wood, I avoid busy patterns and colors. I draw inspiration from many other makers. There are so many accomplished makers who produce a variety of feather patterns. It is one of my favorite patterns to forge because it can really accent the flow of the blade and give it a great overall look.”
Movement And Flow
While David Lisch doesn’t feel he’s hit the limits of his Mountain Man folder, the style of knife is striking with its feather damascus blade set in stag-tip handle. Copper hardware and pivot give the knife its antediluvian look, while the flowing pattern of the blade anchors it in modern forge techniques. (David Lisch image)
It took a single demonstration by the great master smith Harvey Dean to convince David Lisch, who earned his ABS journeyman stamp in 2009 and his master stamp six years later, to try the feather pattern. “I was always attracted to feather damascus,” he remembered, “but around 2008 I had the chance to see Harvey Dean demonstrate it at an event at Josh Smith’s, and I went right home and made the tools needed and gave it a go. I’ve been making feather damascus since his demo, and my hat is off to Harvey.”
For David, the making of feather damascus is challenging, but he says book matching the blocks really helps with the constant flow of the pattern. Sometimes, he says, makers will intentionally disrupt the flow by spinning one block one way and one the other to enhance the look. If it is done intentionally, he advises, there is no wrong way to stack the blocks. Forging all begins with the initial stack, and David starts with a 12- to 15-pound billet, acknowledging that the pattern can be wasteful in material. He tries not to go too far or stop too short in the forging process and offers that sometimes less is actually more.
“I love feather damascus because it looks different from maker to maker,” added Lisch. “I like a feather with movement and flow, not too bold and not way too fine, something that is easy to look at. For me, the more the pattern follows the forging, the more I like it. The center should lift up into the bolster or ricasso, showing that the blade was forged rather than running off the blade under the ricasso, showing it was just ground into a shape that disrupts the flow.”
Lisch gained a measure of popularity with his Mountain Man 2 folder, and the pictured knife is an example of what he describes as a “deep dive” into the style while using stag tips. “I set out trying to create my own version of one of the oldest knife designs in America,” he remarked, “and I believe I did just OK. But I’m not finished. So far, I’ve made several versions of the folder and have taken it even further with help from my friend and mentor [master smith] Mike Vagnino.”
Lisch had brought together his feather damascus touch and innovative design composition by introducing a clocking adjustable pivot that he has incorporated into a slipjoint, linerlock, lockback and flipper, all in the Mountain Man style with bronze, copper, stag and, of course, feather damascus. He has yet to reach the outer limits of his Mountain Man creativity and says that more will come in due time.
A USA-made tribute to a quarter millennium of American freedom, limited to just 250 numbered pieces.
As the United States approaches its semiquincentennial, SOG Knives is marking the milestone with a highly exclusive tribute to American grit. The company has unveiled its 250th Anniversary Limited Edition SEAL FX Fixed Blade, a commemorative tool that honors a quarter-millennium of history, sacrifice, and resolve.
True to its heritage, this special edition is forged and assembled entirely in the USA. True to its name, production is strictly capped at just 250 individually numbered pieces, making it a true collector’s item.
Beneath the commemorative engraving lies a serious tool designed for professional use. The knife features a capable 4.3-inch blade forged from premium S35VN steel, known for its excellent edge retention and toughness. The handle is crafted from a durable glass-reinforced nylon, paired with an ambidextrous Kydex sheath that offers versatile mounting options for any loadout.
Whether it is destined for a display case or a survival kit, the 250th Anniversary SEAL FX is built to stand the test of time. It serves as a functional symbol of the values that have shaped the nation for 250 years. The limited-edition blade retails for $250. Given the low production run, interested collectors should act quickly.
SEAL FX SPECS Overall Length: 9.20″ Blade Length: 4.30″ Weight: 7.20 oz Blade Thickness: .19″ Product Family: SEAL Product Type: Fixed Blade Country of Origin: U.S.A. Finish: Black Cerakote Edge Type: Straight Blade Steel Type: CPM S35VN Blade Shape: Tanto Handle Material: Glass Reinforced Nylon Handle Color: Black Hardness: Rc. 58-60 Sheath Material: Kydex Sheath Color: Black MSRP: $250
Three highly coveted firearms modified by the Cutlery Hall of Fame® legend—including his “de-fanged” Colt Commanders—head to Rock Island Auction.
Bob Loveless Colt “Old Smoothie” Lightweight Commander semi-automatic pistol with scrimshawed ivory grips, drop-point Loveless Knife and sheath. Rock Island Auction image
While the late Bob Loveless secured his legacy as a titan of the cutlery world, the BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame® member also brought his legendary eye for utility to the firearms world. His knives remain some of the most desirable, coveted custom creations on the planet, but a rare trio of his personal, customized handguns are now heading to the auction block at Rock Island Auction in the company’s June 27 American Sale (now live online). The selection highlights how the master craftsman applied his famous Bauhaus-inspired design ethos to custom gunsmithing.
Bob Loveless Colt “Old Smoothie” Combat Commander semi-automatic pistol with relief carved ivory grips. Rock Island Auction image
The lineup features two Colt Commander pistols that Loveless thoroughly “de-fanged,” a signature modification process where he systematically bobbed the hammers, radiused the frames and smoothed away every sharp edge that could gouge a shooter’s hand. The first is a c. 1980 Lightweight Commander, featuring his electro-penciled initials, custom Browning cuts on the slide, and smooth ivory grips scrimshawed with nude artistry. This rare piece is housed in a custom hardwood case alongside a matching 2004 Loveless drop-point hunting knife. It is joined by a scarcer steel-framed Combat Commander variant, a platform Loveless rarely altered because he felt the extra weight defeated the purpose of a carry gun, making this particular build exceptionally rare.
Bob Loveless Smith & Wesson Model 41 semi-automatic pistol with case and signed photographs. Rock Island Auction image
Rounding out the trio is an extensively reworked Smith & Wesson Model 41 target pistol, believed to be one of only 70 ever built by Loveless. This highly modified rimfire pistol features a shortened barrel with a custom vented rib, an exposed hammer conversion, a checked gold-washed backstrap with a lanyard loop, and his personal initials electro-penciled on the slide. Complete with signed photographs of Loveless, a custom leather holster and a glass-topped display case, the group offers collectors a rare look at how one of the greatest knifemakers of all time refined factory firearms into high art.
Read More On Bob Loveless:
Bob Loveless: The Icon’s Indelible Mark On The Knife Industry
Texas-based maker gives his take on the Randall Model 19.
It’s safe to say Adam Williams has had a lifelong love affair with Randall Made Knives.
“I’ve been drawn to Randall Made Knives and their designs since my grandmother gave me a copy of the 1973 edition of The Gun Digest Book of Knives and saw my first image of a Randall knife. I was around 11 or 12,” he wrote.
Little did this matriarch know where her gift was going to lead her grandson. Eventually, the Texas-based maker said he worked for the legendary company when a chance trip to Randall’s headquarters in Orlando, Florida, for a stock sale developed into a whole lot more.
“While there, I asked if they ever hired. They told me they were actually hiring right now and would need me to start within two weeks,” Williams related. “I rode back to Tampa and asked my now wife if she’d be open to moving to Orlando, and without hesitation, she said, ‘Let’s do it.’ I showed up for my first day at Randall Made Knives expecting to sweep floors. Instead, they handed me a piece of steel stamped Randall Made, Orlando, Florida and told me to start grinding. I couldn’t believe it.”
Given this history, it’s little surprise Williams finds Randall a wellspring of inspiration in his own creations. His 10.63-inch Silverado hunting knife is one such example. The blade style is modeled after the stout design of the Randall Model 19—also known as the Bushmaster.
Adam Williams
Williams gives the classic all-purpose design his own twist, forming the ample 6-inch blade from Baker Forge Raindrop copper go mai and outfitting it with an azure hunk of fossilized walrus ivory. He finishes it all off with a nickel silver guard and butt cap. Despite his familiarity with Randall’s design language, his Silverado presented challenges, particularly in venturing into new materials.
“This was my first time using Cu Mai, and thus my main challenge with this knife. It was also my first time using Gator Piss etch,” Williams said. “Jordan Berthelot of JB Blades provided plenty of tips regarding the etch. This coupled with multiple re-sanding, re-buffing and re-etching, I finally got the finish I was looking for on the blade.”
Rare materials, excellent execution and legendary inspiration—it’s likely Randall’s namesake, Bo, would have approved of Williams’ work.
