Here are BLADE Magazine’s Featured Knives of the Week. Browse through these articles to find the best knives available from both custom knifemakers and factory knives.
The holidays are around the corner and besides spending time with family and stuffing ourselves with excellent food it is a time to give gifts and celebrate those we love. For the knife lovers in your family, whether they prefer a folder or a rugged fixed blade, now is the time to take advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. Below are BLADE’S top picks for the best knife deals this holiday season.
This article will be updated as more deals become available, so be sure to check back often.
Amazon
Of course, Amazon has a ton of deals and is worth a look daily—especially if you’re on the hunt for a knife deal.
If the knife enthusiast in you life has more exotic tastes, Blade City will like scratch their itch. The site has its Christmas deals page up and running.
Blade HQ has a number of Christmas promotionals up and running. One of the more intriguing is laser engraving for an extra $9.99 on a purchase. Also, they’re giving away Winchester Shotgun Shell knives with a purchase over $75. Pretty Sweet.
The HQ also has a number of categories to shop their deals during the holidays:
SMKWis bursting at the seams with deals, with nine pages of site busters. You’re certain to find something for the knife lover in your life—even if that happens to be yourself.
New from Sarge Knives is the SK-934, also known as the Tom Kreger Carolina Field Knife. Among the crowded field of fixed blade knives for outdoor duty, this one stands out for the little extras that come with it, along with an outstanding price point. That’s why it’s a BLADE featured knife.
That’s a bone handle for starters, polished off with red liner and brass fasteners. It adds up to a handsome look and feel.
The steel on the 3.5-inch, mirror polish blade is 440C stainless. The drop point offers plenty of room for the thumb along the spine. This increased control is important when the job gets demanding.
As a finishing touch, Sarge Knives is offering a black leather sheath with each Tom Kreger Carolina Field Knife. That’s real leather, not the plastic stuff that sometimes gets passed off as such.
Here’s the best part. The price point clocks in at only $59.95. That’s one heck of a deal.
To recap, here are the specs again:
SK-934, Tom Kreger Carolina Field Knife
Handle: White Bone with Red Liner and Brass Fasteners
The Hardcore Hardware MILF-02 Is A Heavy-Duty Folder That’s Designed For Any Challenge Users Can Throw At It.
The MILF-02 folder from Hardcore Hardware is made for hardcore users. It’s big and beefy all the way around, has a dimple-textured handle and frame for an excellent non-slip grip, and a classic drop-point-blade shape.
The hollow grind extends halfway up the blade. Blade steel is CPM S30V stainless with a PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coating. It offers a classic black color on a framelock design with a flipper tab on the blade. It’s built heavy duty but it still has to cut.
Testing The MILF-02
The first inch of the cuts of the double-walled cardboard went well until the author had to use more pressure to push the cardboard over the thickness of the blade where the hollow grind stops. Once he got used to that, it was easy to overcome the twisting.
Right off the bat, the MILF sliced 20-pound-bond copy paper smoothly. The knife’s weight made the push cuts very easy. There were no snags or hang ups and it was simple to control the width of the slices.
Next: double-walled cardboard. The first inch of the cuts went well, then I had to use more pressure to push the cardboard over the thickness of the blade where the hollow grind stops. Once I got used to hitting this spot, it was easy to overcome the twisting. There were no edge hang ups at all.
I grabbed some 8-ounce leather for some skiving. The MILF was aggressive on every cut and emitted a crunching sound each time. Control was excellent in making fine slices and the handle filled my hand.
Cutting The Hard Stuff
The author gave the 2×4 chunk 20 hard chops and the MILF bit deep on every whack. The edges of each chop were smooth.
It was time for some whittling. The folder seemed to want to bite deep into the wood. I started off with a fine curly-cue and by the end of the cut the edge was well into the wood. The MILF didn’t hesitate at all on the deeper cuts; it just kept curling the wood. It is a heavy cutter for sure.
I put a 2×4 chunk in my vise and gave the wood 20 hard chops. The MILF bit deep on every whack. The edges of each chop were smooth. Lockup was still at 100 percent. The knife is a great chopper with the bigger handle and all, but the inside edges of the handle need softening. They’re a tad on the sharp side
I took the same 2×4 and used the folder to split it into smaller pieces. All it took was a light tap from a dead blow hammer and the wood split with a pop. The thicker blade worked great for this phase of the testing. Lockup was still at 100 percent.
Half-inch sisal rope was next on the slicing block. The MILF crunched through 200 clean cuts very quickly, showing no signs of slowing down. I stopped cutting to save on rope. Edge holding was excellent and the heat treatment was great.
To take the testing further, I grabbed a deer antler for some more whacking. I gave the antler 20 hard wallops and the blade edge suffered no rolling or chipping. I did manage to remove a very thin wire edge on the blade. However, the main edge was still very sharp.
I returned to the paper slice to recheck the edge. I noticed a few hang ups and found more of the wire edge still intact. Two strops on some leather and the edge was back to original sharpness. Excellent job on the heat treat!
Final Thoughts
I would soften the inside edges of the handle for a smoother grip. Beyond that, the MILF is a heavy-duty using folder that holds a great edge. It’s too big for my tastes but a cutter it is.
VERY FEW BLADE PATTERNS SHARE THE STYLE AND GRACE OF THE DROP POINT.
Ever since BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® member Bob Loveless popularized the drop-point hunter, there’s been a love affair with the eloquent blade style. Hunters have embraced it—not only for its good looks, but also because of its ability to process game cleanly and efficiently. The drop-point blade also has found a presence on modern tactical knives, attesting to its abilities as an overall effective design.
We’ll stick to hunting/sporting versions and examine a diverse group of drop points from manufacturers around the world. I tested the knives for a variety of chores, including carving and slicing wood, rope and leather, as well as functions particular to a given knife.
1.) SLICING FINE: The Puma SGB Coyote
The Puma SGB Coyote Micarta is the budget entry in our quartet. SGB blades are made in Germany, and knife assembly is done in China for cost savings. The Coyote’s 3.75-inch, 440A stainless blade has a deep hollow grind, and its 8.25-inch overall length makes it a medium-sized hunter. Handle construction is full-tang stainless steel with an upper bolster and polished black Micarta® scales that sport a Puma medallion. Weight: 6.14 ounces. A ballistic nylon belt sheath is included. MSRP: $74.99.
The only knife in the group with a hollow grind, the Coyote is geared toward fine slicing. Testing the blade on leather and rope revealed the 440A stainless steel to be more than adequate, slicing upward in pull-through strokes on harness leather and doubled-up, 3/8- inch synthetic rope in single strokes, both with ease. The blade performed equally well on flat push and pull slices on a wood table top. The handle is comfortable thanks to its nicely finished Micarta scales. I also used it to slice and dice ham to fortify some bean soup, and it handled the prep admirably.
The blade is not going to hold an edge as long as the more expensive steels and those with flat grinds—that’s just the nature of the beast. However, for its price point, it’s an outstanding value that will serve you well for skinning, food prep and medium-duty chores around the camp.
PUMA SGB COYOTE MICARTA SPECS BLADE LENGTH: 3.75”
BLADE STEEL: 440A stainless
BLADE GRIND: Hollow
HANDLE MATERIAL: Black canvas Micarta®
SPECIAL FEATURES: German-made steel
SHEATH: Ballistic nylon; belt carry
WEIGHT: 6.14 ozs.
OVERALL LENGTH: 8.25”
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Germany (blade); China (assembly)
MSRP: $74.99
2.) BUSHCRAFT BEAR: The White River Knife & Tool Ursus 45
At 9.5 inches overall, the White River Knife & Tool Ursus 45 is a large hunter and the only USA-made drop point in the test bunch. Ursus is Latin for bear, and the “45” is short for the knife’s 4.5- inch blade. The upscale CPM S35VN stainless steel blade has a deep, flat grind topped with a stonewash finish. The 5-inch black burlap Micarta® handle has screw construction, and there’s a lanyard hole in the butt. A brown leather sheath, replete with both a firesteel and loop, is included. MSRP: $250.
The 45 is a bushcraft knife and makes no bones about it. It screamed to be batoned, and I obliged by battering it through some well-seasoned oak firewood across a roughly 3.5-inch span. The edge of the premium S35VN blade was hardly fazed—this is darned tough steel!—and it also performed well debarking, slicing and digging into some dense boxwood. The blade spine threw sparks off the firesteel surprisingly well. (I find that most prefer tool steel for this function.) It had plenty of firepower. The scales were plenty grippy, and the finger guard and palm swell in the handle made for a strong, secure grip.
It would be hard to find any criticisms about the 45 because it does what it’s supposed to do without complaint. In addition, its price point is well in line with a bushcraft fixed blade with premium steel and above-average fit and finish.
WHITE RIVER KNIFE & TOOL URSUS 45 SPECS
BLADE LENGTH: 4.5”
BLADE STEEL: CPM S35VN stainless
BLADE GRIND: Flat
HANDLE MATERIAL: Black burlap Micarta®
SPECIAL FEATURES: Stonewash finish; firesteel
SHEATH: Brown leather belt sheath w/ firesteel loop
WEIGHT: 8.19 ozs.
OVERALL LENGTH: 9.5”
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
MSRP: $250
3.) HIGH-END CONVEX: The Fallkniven SK2L Embla
The Fallkniven SK2L Embla is the first of our two higher-end factory drop points.
Made in Sweden, the 8.31-inch Embla derives its ovate, barrel-handled styling from the Scandinavian puukko. It also has a short, stainless steel guard. The 3.94-inch blade is Fallkniven’s laminated CoS stainless steel and is more indicative of the common drop-point style— with the exception of having a convex blade grind. The 4.38-inch handle has a hidden tang and desert ironwood scales sandwiched between a stainless guard and buttcap. A logo emblem rides at center. Manufactured in Japan, the Embla weighs 6.3 ounces and comes with a black leather dangler-style belt sheath. MSRP: $449.95.
The Embla is the only knife in the group with a convex grind. I’ve mentioned how impressive the company’s laminated CoS stainless steel is in these pages before, and the Embla’s blade didn’t disappoint. I tested it by debarking and slicing into some tough, green, 3-inch-diameter boxwood. It dug in as if it wanted to be there. It also bit into some seasoned oak with equal gusto. The desert ironwood handle is attractive and comfortable, and the sheath is top-shelf.
Many bushcrafters prefer this traditional handle design and use it to great effect. The stainless steel guard, though not deep, is a welcome addition to the handle. The Embla ain’t cheap but it’s first-class from stem to stern. Fallkniven has filled the high-end niche by backing the knife with superb quality.
FALLKNIVEN SK2L EMBLA SPECS
BLADE LENGTH: 3.94”
BLADE STEEL: Laminated CoS stainless
BLADE GRIND: Convex
HANDLE MATERIAL: Desert ironwood
SPECIAL FEATURES: Puukko handle design; convex edge
SHEATH: Black leather belt model w/ dangler
WEIGHT: 6.3 ozs.
OVERALL LENGTH: 8.31”
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Japan
MSRP: $449.95
4.) SAVORY STEEL: The Boker Integral II Stag
As the name implies, the Boker Integral II Stag features a one-piece design and a handle of an attractive, deep stag. The steel is 440C stainless steel—not unusual in Europe, where its manufacture is a high art. The blade is 4.65 inches long, with a flat grind from edge to spine. The handle design has a deep index finger detent below the solo front bolster. The knife comes with a black leather belt sheath. Weight: 8.47 ounces. Overall length: 9.45 inches. MSRP: $449.
The knife is 100 percent Solingen made, and its overall fit and finish reflect this fact. Real or imagined, integrals have a special feel about them. There’s a “oneness” in the tactile feel between hand and knife.
Any preconceived notions I might have had about the blade’s 440C steel were dispelled when I tested it cutting and carving wood, as well as slicing 3/8-inch rappelling rope. In one test, I laid down three lengths of the rope side by side on a flat wood surface and did a pull-through slice immediately followed by a push- through stroke. Only moderate pressure was needed, and the slices were clean as a whistle. The stag handle is comfortable and finely finished—as it should be at this knife’s upper-end price tag.
Will the Integral II’s steel hold an edge as long as a high-end powdered steel? Probably not. It is more a knife to savor than a knife to beat the hell out of, and it does “savoring” in spades. For those who prefer—and can afford—a beautifully crafted knife, this is one you’ll enjoy using.
BOKER INTEGRAL II STAG SPECS
BLADE LENGTH: 4.65”
BLADE STEEL: 440C stainless
BLADE GRIND: Flat
HANDLE MATERIAL: Deer stag
SPECIAL FEATURES: Integral design
SHEATH: Black leather belt model WEIGHT: 8.47 ozs.
OVERALL LENGTH: 9.45”
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Germany MSRP: $449
Editor’s note: Loveless always referred to the knife as a dropped hunter because the point of the blade dropped below the plane of the blade’s spine. Somewhere along the way, knife writers and those in the knife community started calling it a drop-point hunter or simply a drop point, and the name stuck.
Cold Steel’s Newest Fixed-Blade EDC Is A Multi-Purpose Tool That Is Perfect If You’re Looking For A Knife That Works Just As Well In The Kitchen As It Does In The Forest.
Sometimes you want an EDC that’s a bit beefier than a folder or a multi-tool. The Cold Steel Razor-Tek is a high-quality piece that can slice through branches like it can a cucumber.
This four-inch variety, one of three models to carry the Razor-Tek name, is made from 4116 steel and has an included sheath that can be carried on your neck or belt or lashed to your pack. The textured GFN scales on the handle allow for a confident grip and will stay secure in your hand.
Unlike the larger Razor-Tek models (one has a five-inch blade and the other a 6.5-inch blade), the four-inch is not a recurve and instead features a plain-edged clip point blade.
Overall, the entire knife is just eight inches which makes it great for cutting in close quarters and nimble enough to work precisely when fine slices are needed. And best of all, it comes at an affordable price that will keep your wallet happy.
MSRP: $59.99
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Mike Ableson.
This Quartet Of Knives, Inspired By The Parang Of The Malay Archipelago In Southeast Asia Are Tough, Rugged Fixed Blades.
There’s something about large blades with an Eastern flair, an exotic look, and that offer devastating function. They generally are built stouter and able to complete multiple hard-use tasks beyond those of a machete. Such knives clear vines and weedy vegetation, take out small saplings, and split wood for campfires. They are equal parts tool and, if necessary, weapon.
Condor Tool & Knife Pack Golok
Batoning the Condor Tool & Knife Pack Golok is easy. The convex edge bites right in and tackles the task with gusto.
Originating in the Malay Archipelago, the golok is used primarily in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Varying in size and weight, it is typically anywhere from 10 to 20 inches long. Often shorter and heavier than machetes, the golok is used for bush and branch cutting. Cutting edges tend to be convex, preventing the blade from being stuck in green wood. Carbon steel is often the preferred blade material, usually with a softer temper for ease of sharpening.
A good modern production example is the Condor Tool & Knife Pack Golok. The 11-inch upswept blade is 1075 carbon steel with a convex edge great at not sticking in green wood. The handle curves down near the butt and flares out a bit to prevent the knife from sliding out of your hand while chopping. The rich brown appearance of the walnut handle material elevates the Pack Golok’s appearance. Three large brass rivets secure the walnut slabs to the tang. A thong tube provides a hole for a lanyard. The overall length is 17 inches, long enough to tackle heavy work but not too long for belt carry or easy storage.
In use, the Pack Golok feels very sturdy and comfortable. The large diameter of the rounded walnut handle turns down a bit to help keep your hand in place. The generous diameter makes the handle easy to grip and fills the hand nicely. You feel in control of the knife at all times.
The solid convex grind puts a maximum amount of meat behind the edge for durability and helps resist chipping and rolling through heavy chopping. The edge is very sharp and easy to maintain so the knife serves well in the field.
The Pack Golok performs like a larger knife without being one. Of the test bunch, it’s the best chopper. It also excels at baton work. Conversely, it works just as well for finer tasks such as whittling.
The leather sheath is extremely well done. It features two button snap closures to secure the knife. Unsheathe it by simultaneously lifting the handle and pulling it out. There’s a large loop for belt carry.
MSRP: $107
DPx Gear HEFT 12 Chop
Chopping is what the DPx Gear HEFT 12 Chop does. It’s like an axe—swing up, let gravity take the blade down and it strikes with plenty of inertia. Chopping is almost fun with the HEFT 12.
DPx Gear’s HEFT 12 Chop is a serious piece of kit. Robert Young Pelton, aka RYP, is the founder of DPx Gear, a noted journalist, and a documentary film director who spent considerable time in Iraq and elsewhere covering various conflicts. Based on the parang, which also is a favorite in the Malay Archipelago, the HEFT 12 Chop is optimized for cutting woody growth. Sporting a sweet-spot belly for chopping and forward-weighted balance, the parang is a multi-use cutting tool that can be quite handy in the wilderness.
In the HEFT 12 Chop, RYP wanted a tool that would serve as a machete, hatchet, and large survival knife all rolled into one. As a result, one knife can be carried instead of several. This is especially beneficial on long treks—the old “less is more” maxim.
The 12.5-inch blade is flat-ground D2 tool steel, a proven and highly consistent performer for hunting and survival knives. A black mil-spec blade coating enhances corrosion resistance and low reflectivity. The green G-10 handle is 3D machined and contoured for comfort with no hot spots to speak of. The grip turns down and flares out somewhat to act as a catch and prevent the hand from sliding backward. Three large Torx-head screws fasten the G-10 slabs to the full tang. There’s also a lanyard hole in the exposed tang. A single guard keeps the hand from sliding forward.
At 18.6 inches overall, the HEFT 12 Chop is a formidable cutting tool. Made in Italy by Lionsteel, it looks great with the black blade and OD green handle. When you lift the HEFT 12 Chop, you immediately notice the heavy blade-forward balance. This enhances chopping, building momentum, and using gravity to your advantage as you swing the blade. If you go into it with all muscle, trust me, you will get tired. Relax and let gravity do the job.
Rest the guard on your hand as if you are choking up and let the handle pivot a bit in your paw for additional power. A semi-loose grip works best—or at least it did for me. As you chop you can feel the power with each blow and where the blade’s sweet spot is (just behind the angled tip). The HEFT 12 takes out smaller and thinner vegetation with abandon—a testament to RYP’s design vision.
This is a wonderful blade for baton work. You can use the length for leverage as you pound the spine. The full flat grind is like a wedge, splitting wood effectively and quickly. The HEFT 12 Chop does not come with a sheath. It’s a bit on the pricey side but the design is backed by RYP’s years of real-world experience.
MSRP: $375
APOC Chop House
The APOC Chop House is a good chopper, though the author indicated the handle does raise some hot spots. Wearing gloves is a way around that.
Boasting a flared reverse-tanto-style tip, the Chop House from APOC Survival Tools is based on the dao, which originated in China as a single-edge sword primarily used for slashing and chopping. The blade’s moderate curvature and angular tip are effective for thrusting. A 12.75-inch blade and overall length of 18 inches puts the Chop House right in the middle of machete territory. It boasts 9260 carbon blade steel, full-tang construction, and a black G-10 handle. A black oxide coating reduces glare and enhances rust protection.
Featuring 3D-machined and contoured facets, the handle is certainly one of the knife’s most interesting elements. Three sets of Torx®-head screws fasten the G-10 slabs to the tang. A prominent finger groove trails a recessed grip area, and the handle flares out to create a catch for your hand, stopping rearward sliding.
An integral double guard provides additional protection. Wrap your hand around the handle and feel your fingers nestle in and lock into place. Depending on your hand size, you might feel some hot spots around the palm. In fact, those with bigger hands might find the grip objectionable.
The Chop House feels agile and has more of a neutral balance than the rest of the test bunch. As a result, it excels more at such machete tasks as cutting tall weeds, grass, vines and maybe taking out the occasional sapling. To be an effective chopper, the balance must bias toward blade-heavy, something the Chop House does not do. It has a balance more typical of a standard machete. This isn’t bad, it just means carefully selecting what you use it for.
The factory edge did not last long out of the box and I wound up resharpening the blade to my liking. It might be wise to apply your own edge before putting the knife to use as well.
MSRP: $159
Fox Knives Parang
Don’t let the Fox Parang’s short length fool you. It chops quite well, with plenty of bite to the blade.
The Fox Knives Military Division (FKMD) Parang is an outstanding example of a compact fixed blade that serves as a chopping, camp, and kitchen knife while remaining easy to manipulate and carry. Taking design cues from the traditional parang with the forward-weighted feature, the 7-inch blade has a bulbous, rounded tip great for slicing and as a skinning knife if need be.
The N690 stainless blade steel has a layer of black Cerakote® for additional corrosion protection. N690 is higher-end steel that exhibits an excellent balance of edge holding, corrosion resistance, and sharpening ease.
The ergonomic handle is Forprene, a molded thermoplastic tacky to the touch. Several large scallops on the grip section accommodate the user’s fingers comfortably. Along with the main groove, the largest scallop seats the index finger. This locks in your grip and the rest of the fingers fall naturally into place. The tang has a choil and gimping ahead of it to promote a secure choke-up grip for finer cutting tasks that require additional control. Though the handle is boxy, the edges are rounded to soften things up.
In action, the Parang—one of this issue’s cover knives—is impressive. As a chopper, the blade bites in deep and hard. The flat grind and excellent edge quality out of the box help make this possible. The Fox entry can give some larger knives a serious run for the money in terms of chopping effectiveness. When you choke up, tasks that require control like whittling are as easy as chopping. The knife feels comfortable and balanced in the choke-up grip. The large blade belly slices very well and the grip is no slip.
The Forprene handle mitigates some shock from impact when chopping. Its slightly tacky quality makes for a good grip with wet, dry, hot, or cold hands. Some may think the handle material looks cheap but the Forprene offers function rather than aesthetics—crucial when considering an outdoor blade for hard work. I wear gloves when using big fixed blades and even with gloves, the Forprene still felt very secure.
The Parang seems the most useful of the review models as it serves well as a chopper/camp and kitchen knife. If you stash a chopper in your vehicle, the compact length makes it ideal for the role. You can do the same with the other test knives but their additional length may pose an issue.
A very nicely made ballistic nylon sheath with Kydex liners for rigidity and protection from blade puncture comes standard. A wide dual-snap retention strap fastens around the handle. A smaller strap secures the knife at an additional point below the main retention straps.
This might seem redundant but when wearing the Parang on your belt in the wilds, you don’t want it to exit accidentally! A loop accommodates a variety of belt widths. There are MOLLE attachment points and a leg tie, too.
One drawback: the sheath is OD green and the Forprene handle is tan. I’d prefer the handle color to match the sheath. An aluminum box with a snap-on lid that contains common assorted survival items is included.
Congratulations to Michael Vagnino for winning the 2014 Wooden Sword award, given out to one custom knifemaker each year on page 7 of the KNIVES annual book. The yearly prize (no trophy, just recognition via top placement and imagery in the book) is awarded to a knifemaker for his or her work that stands out from the thousands of images that pour in annually for consideration.
As noted in the book where his innovative knives are pictured:
“Michael Vagnino has busied himself most recently with “Convertible Lock-Back Push Daggers.” Yes, that’s correct, he’s fashioning handmade knives that convert from a lock-back fixed-blade position to a locked push dagger and back again. The models shown here sport 3.875-inch blades, one in CPM-154 stainless steel and the other Wootz steel, the former combined with an antique tortoise shell handle, and the latter in black-lip mother-of-pearl. The maker engraved the 416 stainless steel bolsters, and since the push daggers covert to fixed blades, Paul Long sheaths were necessary as fashionable carry options.
For all he has brought to the knifemaking table the past few years, his innovation, talent, all-around good vibes, and for these particularly striking examples of his work, the Knives 2014 Wooden Sword Award goes to Michael Vagnino. Congratulations, Michael, and keep up the good work.”
