Best Custom Knives and Factory Knives

Best Karambits: Top Ferocious Southeast Asian Fighters (2023)

BLADE Staff

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August 14, 2023

Best Karambits: Top Ferocious Southeast Asian Fighters (2023)

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 tiger’s claw. The knife’s 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 you’re looking for a high-quality knife to keep on your person as protection, you can’t 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. It’s 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 isn’t moving once it’s 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 don’t 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 Devil’s Claw 2

The Devil’s Claw 2 by TOPS Knives is a mid-sized fixed blade designed for personal protection. It’s built on the same platform as the company’s original Devil’s 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 company’s 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 tang—very 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. There’s 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 isn’t as agile in-hand as the smaller test karambits. If you tend to manipulate a karambit, this one isn’t 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 Carey—all three saw action together in the Special Forces—and their experiences serving the USA overseas in Asia. The trio developed a fascination with the karambit during that time and it wasn’t 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. There’s also the Emerson Wave, the only opening method the Ronin Shoto has. The blade rides on Spartan’s 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 it’s not uncomfortable. Opening the blade is very similar to the Super Karambit—index 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 today’s market due to several notable features. The 3.23-inch blade is CPM MagnaCut stainless, the latest in high-performance “super steel.” It’s the most advanced steel in terms of edge holding, stain resistance and toughness. The blade opens via one of three methods—blade hole, Emerson Wave and a flipper. If you want to remove the flipper, you can do so using a T6 Torx® 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 it’s 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, it’s so lightweight and carries so well that its sheer size doesn’t even factor in. I like how your hand is seated comfortably when in the forward grip—it 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 crowned—I 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. Emerson’s 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 Outlier’s 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 Kershaw’s SpeedSafe assisted-opening mechanism designed by BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® 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.

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Piercing Pro: Picking The Best Tanto Knife (2023)

Matt Collins

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August 4, 2023

3

Piercing Pro: Picking The Best Tanto Knife (2023)

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, we’re 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.

Let’s dive right in.

Tanto Knives: Rich, Battlefield-Proven History

Japan has gifted the world with some excellent things: sushi, Godzilla, anime, the Honda Civic… 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 daishō, which translates to “big-little”.

Daishō 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 kaiken became 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.

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 Japan’s 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. (We’re going to cover both in our reviews, don’t worry).

What makes a Tanto, a Tanto?

Today, the definition of a tanto has shifted far beyond the traditional knife of 10^th-century Japan, but we’re going to start there and then we’ll 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 planes—one 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 “American tanto” designs are folding knives, and while many are for “tactical” 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 you’re 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 you’re 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 tanto’s 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 you’d 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 aren’t doing something like spoon carving, you probably won’t notice a difference in real-world use.

At the end of the day, “real-world use” for most of us is opening boxes and packaging, and slicing apart those god-awful packing straps used to hold children’s 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, it’s quite simple. All you’re doing is sharpening two edges that meet at a point. The only real pitfall is that it’s 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 don’t round over that point and you’ll 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 we’re 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, it’s 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 year’s Best Buy award at BLADE Show for sheer value. In the almost ten years since it’s 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 “Wave-Shaped Feature” 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 we’ve 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. There’s 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

You’ve 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 you’re 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 you’re leaning toward a more tactical-style knife. You can also get a version that doesn’t 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 isn’t your grandad’s 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 Spyderco’s 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 isn’t 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 can’t have a list of modern tanto knives without bringing out something from Cold Steel, the progenitors of the modern “American tanto” 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 you’re wearing gloves. It also doesn’t shred your paws like some rougher materials.

If you’re 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 Redención 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 Redención tanto is…very expensive, and worth every penny, exactly the way a custom knife should be.

If you’ve 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 Redención 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 Redención 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 you’ll find in a pocket knife.

MSRP: $300

Siam Blades Traditional Black Copper Hira Tanto

Lastly, I’m 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 don’t have to wait 18 months for your tanto to be finished and shipped. I’ve chosen the Black Copper version here, but there is a large variety available depending on what aesthetic you’re 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 we’re 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 you’ve enjoyed this brief look into that long history, and you’ve got a better idea of what your options are for picking up a tanto of your very own.

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Best Sharpening Stones To Keep Your Edge

Matt Collins

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July 28, 2023

5

Best Sharpening Stones To Keep Your Edge

Delve into the art of honing perfect cutting edges with our comprehensive guide on some of the best sharpening stones available today.

Even the most expensive, well-made knife is only as good as its edge. You can have a blade made from an alloy of adamantium, vibranium, and uru (aka, the stuff in Wolverine’s claws, Captain America’s shield, and Thor’s hammer respectively) and it still won’t matter if it isn’t sharp.

And while a hardware store pull-through sharpener can get the job done in a pinch, especially if you don’t particularly care about the longevity of your knife, the best way to sharpen any blade is with a proper sharpening stone.

Which is what we’re going to talk about today.

We’re going to go over everything you need to know about sharpening stones, including all the different varieties (oil, water, diamond, and ceramic/glass), as well as how to choose based on your sharpening experience, and what type of knife or other sharp things you’re trying to make sharper.

We’ll also discuss things like grit size, and then we’ll dive into some reviews of the best sharpening stones on the market right now. Let’s start with the basics.

Types of Sharpening Stone

Oil Stones

Oil stones are some of the cheapest sharpening stones out there, and they do alright for softer steels, particularly for lower-end EDC knives, multi-tool blades, and other similar blades. They’re called oil stones because, as you probably guessed, you use oil with them.

This keeps the blade from catching on anything as you sharpen and helps keep the removed bits of nearly-microscopic metal from clogging too badly on the stone as you move the blade across it.

Available grits are a little limited with oil stones and tend to be a bit more coarse because the stones are made from aluminum oxide or silicon carbide. This means they aren’t great for knives with a highly polished finish, or for very tough knives made of modern “super steels”.

Water Stones

Water stones are another popular option that many people turn to to get a great edge on a blade, particularly kitchen knives, hunting/butcher knives, and other hard-use knives that require a sharp edge.

They’re called water stones because, as you probably guessed, they need to be wet in order to sharpen properly.

There are both natural and synthetic options available, with most natural water stones coming from central Europe or Japan, with the latter commanding a fairly high price due to its scarcity. These natural stones come in a range of grits, so there’s one for basically every need.

Synthetic water stones are more common (and less expensive) than their natural counterparts and are what you’ll find in most budget-friendly sets. Many of these stones will be dual-grit, with a coarse and fine side to make them a little more versatile.

Synthetic stones are generally very quick to use compared to their natural counterparts, but will occasionally need to be flattened with a special lapping plate in order to maintain a level top surface. This isn’t a difficult undertaking by any means, but it is worth keeping in mind.

Diamond Plates

Diamond sharpeners, also known as diamond plates or diamond stones, are fast becoming one of the more popular options for sharpening among blade-wielding professionals and anyone who demands a high-quality edge without a lot of fussing with a sharpening stone.

Diamond plates utilize a conductive nickel base with synthetic diamonds electroplated onto the surface. This leaves us with an incredibly durable sharpening surface that is unlikely to wear out in anything other than daily professional use.

If you’re a butcher, you might wear out a couple of these plates in your lifetime.

This durability is matched by their effectiveness, as most diamond plates work very quickly, can sharpen everything from very tough high-carbon steels to cheap stainless, and will even work well on tungsten and ceramic blades.

They’re relatively affordable given how long they last, with most high-quality options coming in under $75.

Arkansas Stones

Lastly, Arkansas stones are worth mentioning because they’re often listed separately on many websites and they have some specific terms to know if you’re in the market for a sharpening stone.

As you might expect, Arkansas stones are a natural whetstone that is quarried in Arkansas (as well as Texas and Oklahoma) in the United States. This natural stone has been used since at least the 1800s as a sharpening stone and is also known as Novaculite, which comes from the Latin word for sharp knife or dagger.

Novaculite has also been quarried in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Japan, though these stones have a slightly different makeup and aren’t produced in great quantities anymore.

Many native peoples used the stone for arrowheads and other tools because of its hardness and density, and today it is a popular choice for natural whetstones. It has a long history in the US, and the first usage of the word “whetstone” was actually in reference to an Arkansas stone.

All that having been said, Arkansas stones are a great option but are really just a natural type of stone that can be used with oil or water.

Ceramic Sharpening Stones

Ceramic sharpening stones are synthetic stones made of very accurately-sized grit particles bonded together to create one contiguous block. These stones, being man-made, are incredibly precise and durable, almost on par with diamond stones, but tend to be more expensive than natural stones.

Usually, these stones are made with corundum, which is an aluminum oxide that is commonly used in sandpaper, emery boards, and industrial abrasive applications. This makes the surface very hard indeed (a 9 on the Mohs scale, where a diamond is a 10) and thus great for sharpening.

Many ultra-fine grit stones will be some kind of ceramic-based product.

Grit Size: Bigger Really Isn’t Always Better

The first consideration, after you’ve chosen the type of sharpening stone (and we’re including diamond plates and synthetic ceramics in that) is going to be grit size.

The basic thing to remember is the lower the number associated with grit size the coarser the stone. We’re going to be using the JIS standard as that is what most folks in the US and Asia will be used to (sorry for our European readers, you may have to do some conversions).

The numbering system in the JIS system comes from the number of grit particles that will fit in a certain size square, so the smaller the number, the larger the individual grit particles will be.

These grits are then organized into ranges, typically Coarse, Medium, Fine, and Extra Fine or Finishing/Polishing stones.

Coarse is anything under 1000 grit
Medium is 1000 to 3000 grit
Fine is 3000 to 5000
Extra Fine is anything above 5000

This is just a general way to look at things though, and will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some may call a 4,000-grit stone fine, and some may call it an extra fine, etc.

What you need to keep in mind is that the lower the grit, the more material you remove, so if you have a chip, rolled edge, or broken tip, then a grit of 1000 or below is appropriate. If you really need to restore an edge, pick up a coarse stone. Be careful though, as it’s easy to overdo it with these.

Most people find that a 1000- to 3000-grit stone (or dual-sided 1000 and 3000-grit combo stone) is a perfect option for keeping an edge on a pocket knife or other general sharpening tasks.

For the kitchen, I personally find that a 5000 grit is great for cleavers and butcher knives, and a 6000-8000 is great for knives with duties such as thinly slicing soft vegetables. I have a 1000/6000 grit combo stone that I find very useful for quickly restoring an edge and getting it back to where I want it.

For my woodworking chisels, I typically go from 4000 to 8000, but for finer work, I can definitely see the need to go to 10,000 and beyond for a truly polished edge, especially if you’re a better woodworker than I am (which is a low bar).

Make Sure Your Sharpening Stone is Big Enough

Most sharpening stones are standardized at around 7-inches long, and 3-inches wide which is perfect for most kitchen knives and pocket knives, but make sure you check the face dimensions so you know what you’re getting.

If you’re going to be sharpening something like a carving knife, machete, or sword, a lot of times you’ll want something a bit larger just so you can get more of the edge at once.

Well-Dressed Stones Last Longer

No, we’re not talking about putting your whetstones in a little suit. Dressing a stone refers to flattening the top surface out so that it makes even contact with the edge that you’re sharpening. Sharpening stones wear more towards the middle part of the face, which is known as “dishing”.

To correct this, stones need to be “dressed” or flattened so that they have a nice, even surface for sharpening. This is especially an issue if you use your stones a lot, or use them on lots of fairly short knives.

To fix this, a dressing plate is used to correct the issue and resurface the top of the stone. This can help your stone last much longer, and give you much more even results.

Buyer’s Guide: Best Sharpening Stones on the Market Today

Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone

First up, we have one of my go-to sharpening stones, the Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone, in particular this 1000/6000 combo stone. Sharp Pebble does a great job sourcing all its stones, and if you’re just looking to keep your kitchen knives in the right condition, this is where I’d start.

This is an aluminum oxide-based stone that offers a course and fine edge so you can quickly get a decent edge back, then polish up the edge to get something that can easily handle everything from butchering a deer to shaving depending on how much time you spend with the 6000 grit side.

It comes with a bamboo base with a non-slip bottom and a silicone—gasket? holder? grippy thing?—for the stone that keeps it from sliding around or messing up the nice bamboo base. It also includes a 20-degree angle guide to help you get the angle right.

The fact that you get two very useful grits in one stone, plus the base and angle guide makes this a great option for anyone who is making the jump to sharpening with a whetstone instead of a pull-through sharpener. If you’re looking to learn, this is a great place to start.

This, plus a strop could easily be all you ever really need if you’re just looking to keep a good edge on your EDC or home kitchen knives.

Diamond Machining Technology 8-inch DuoSharp

Stepping up a little bit, we have the DMT DuoSharp, which is a large, dual-grit diamond plate that is great for everything from pocket knives to chisels, and will likely last through a decade or more of regular use.

Because this is a diamond surface, it won’t wear away towards the middle or “dish” like an actual stone will, and it will work well without oil, allowing you to sharpen dry or with water if you prefer.

The size makes it a great option for a workshop bench, and I’ve personally used mine on everything from a rusty machete left in the bottom of a sailboat, to my chisels and other woodworking tools that required a touched up.

You can definitely use this for kitchen and pocket knives as well, and the coarse/fine stone will work well for most people. If you’re restoring old tools or putting an edge on a splitting maul or something, the extra coarse/coarse stone might be a better option for removing lots of material quickly.

Naniwa Abrasive 3,000 Grit Stone

Now we step into the world of natural sharpening stones with a Japanese stone that is a little on the expensive side, but worth every penny if you want a long-lasting stone that will be easy to use and put a great edge on any blade.

Naniwa Abrasive is a major name in natural sharpening stones, and their standard 3,000 grit stone is a great starting point for anyone looking to upgrade their sharpening game a little bit. I got one of these years ago when I wanted a good medium grit stone for my kitchen knives, and it has been a great performer.

If you’re like me and don’t really let your knives get super dull to the point where you need a 1000-grit stone, and also don’t often spend hours sharpening to a mirror finish, this is a great option for a usable, functional edge on most any knife, especially one that you actually plan to use.

Whetstone Cutlery 400/1000 Wet Block

If the blade you’re sharpening is less “master-forged Nippon steel katana” and more “machete that’s been sitting out in the woods” then you’re probably going to want a very coarse stone to get it back to a decent starting point.

For that, we like this very simple and affordable 400/1000 stone from Whetstone Cutlery. It’s cheap and cheerful, and more than capable of getting an edge back on even the dullest of knives.

The 400-grit side will remove rust and take out nicks and chips in an edge, and then the 1000-grit side will help you bring it back to something resembling a real blade edge before you start working on it with higher grits.

Unless you’re restoring old tools, you might not ever need such an aggressive stone, but having one on hand for getting that rusty plane back in working order isn’t a bad idea. And it’s cheap enough that even if you only break it out a couple of times a year, you’ll get your money’s worth.

I really enjoy restoring old Case and Victorinox knives that have been used and abused for years, and this is the perfect stone for repairing those flea market finds, even if someone has snapped the tip of the blade off while trying to use it as a screwdriver or something.

Nanohone Superbite Whetstones

Nanohone’s Superbite “Splash and Go” stones are incredibly high-quality, non-porous ceramic sharpening stones that are simple and quick to use.

They’re also incredibly expensive for a whole set of seven, with individual stones costing around $70.

Still, if you’re looking for a high-end sharpening stone set that will work on everything from your beat-up old pocket knife to your fancy Japanese kitchen knives, this is a great option. The stones themselves come in every grit from 70 microns (200 grit) to 1 micron (10,000 grit) so there’s something for every sharpening and polishing need here.

The stage and sharpening ponds are sold separately, so you can mix and match stones and get exactly what you need without spending too much money. If you enjoy sharpening itself as a hobby and want a kit that can grow as you grow your skills, this is a great option.

Tojiro Pro Finishing Whetstone

Lastly, we have this high-grit ceramic stone from the Japanese maker Tojiro. These are laser-sintered ceramic, which is great for any ultra-fine applications where you need to get a razor edge.

If you treat sharpening as part of your craft and need professional-grade tools, this is a great option whether you’re a chef, barber, woodworker, or you’re just passionate about having incredibly sharp knives.

Tojiro is primarily a maker of incredibly nice kitchen knives, so you’d probably expect them to know what they’re doing when it comes to sharpening. Their Pro line was originally made for their in-house artisans, and now they’ve made them available to the public as well.

If you want to get a great edge on any knife, particularly high-end, super steel knives, then this is a great option if you have the money to spend.

Final Thoughts on Sharpening Stones

A knife truly is only as good as its ability to cut, which makes a good quality sharpening stone (or stones) a key tool in any blade aficionado’s arsenal. Whether you carry a simple pocket knife, are passionate about cooking, or work with edged tools like chisels, planes, and axes, you need a way to achieve a good edge.

With these sharpening stones, you can get the performance out of your EDC knife you’ve always wanted, get those paper-thin slices of tomato when you’re in the kitchen, and get just the right edge on those tools at work.

Just remember to go slowly, especially at first, choose the right stone with the right grit, and you’ll have razor-sharp edges in no time.

More Sharpening Articles:

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

Fire Starter Knife: Blades Designed To Spark A Flame

Josh Wayner

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July 10, 2023

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Fire Starter Knife: Blades Designed To Spark A Flame

Fire-starter knives make sparks when you need them most.

Bushcraft skills have grown immensely in popularity in the past few years. It could be the slew of TV shows promoting survival situations or just perhaps an interest in self-sufficiency. What is true is that the knife industry is playing catch-up to the bushcrafting market, and many new products pop up that have features dedicated to keeping you alive and warm in the woods.

Fire Starting Knives

Recent years have seen an influx of knife features deemed ideal for use with another essential tool—the ferro rod striker. Ferro rods are made of ferrocerium, an alloy consisting of several base metals and magnesium. Magnesium is highly reactive and generates showers of sparks as it is scraped against steel. Think of it as a more modern version of flint. Ideally, the ferro rod is struck against a sharp, acute surface. Many people use the blade’s edge for this, though this is not recommended as dull spots can emerge quickly.

As time passed, people began sharpening the blade spines to 90 degrees, making a hard, sharp angle that is not on the cutting edge. Still, others find this feature annoying, as it is fully possible to injure your hand on a squared spine. I know because I’ve done it.

As a remedy, people started cutting in little semi-circular cutouts into the spine that still retain a square shoulder, thus allowing for safer handling when striking. Both a fully sharpened spine and the sharpened cutout are valid features; it depends on what style you prefer.

Striking the rod — Strike the rod against the sharp corner of the blade spine to create sparks and ignite the tinder. (Mary Lou Ayres image)

The smaller cutout is really just a striking feature but the fully sharpened spine can be used for a number of other ends, most notably an easy and effective means of peeling carrots, potatoes and other root vegetables for the camp kitchen. Many top fire-making knives have sharp-angled spines and cutouts ideal for striking.

Bowdrill Divits

Some bushcraft knives have bow drill divots in the grips. No less than 10 knives I’ve tested in the past year have the feature and I’ve yet to master its use.

A bow drill is a very primitive means of starting a fire with friction. It takes about forever and even then is not a guaranteed success. In terms of time management and the amount of calories used in a survival situation, I really don’t think it is worthwhile, though it’s nice that the feature is there.

The bow drill is basically a stick you press down on while at the same time you spin it with a bow (a stick with string wrapped around it) to create an ember. The idea behind a knife with a divot on the handle is it allows you to make kindling and all the tools you need to make a basic fire. You can use the knife to make the string (plant fiber), the drilling board (piece of dry wood) and bow/drill (stick).

Knives with fires started — All three knives were tested side-by-side in equal conditions to see how well they performed in making a fire. All succeeded.

BLADE® Editor Steve Shackleford asked me to test the knives in this capacity as long as it didn’t detract from the other standard knife testing. “Skip it if it’s too much,” he stated. “I don’t want to wear you out.” However, in the spirit of making the story as detailed as possible inside the 1,500-word limit, I tried the TOPS and White River knives with the handle divots to see if I could, in fact, start a fire using the bow drill.

I was unsuccessful with both but did end up getting a fire going with a cheap bow drill kit from Amazon. No matter how you slice it, using a bow drill is just a huge pain in the keister and I’d rather stick a standard lighter in every pocket of my gear and an extra one in my boot than have to resign myself to using a bow drill.

A large reason why I really didn’t like using the divot features was that they really require you to keep the knife in the sheath. Otherwise, you’re just sitting there putting pressure on a knife with the edge floating out in space. It is easy to get into a trance while using a bow drill, and I found myself not paying attention at several points—not a safe situation.

Holding the knives in their sheaths is not very comfortable as they are hard Kydex. There was no real comfortable way to put pressure on the drill while gripping the sheath. Eventually, I gave up and decided if I ever did have to use a bow drill, I’d just find another piece of wood and carve a divot with the knife instead.

White River Knife & Tool FC-PKO

The White River FC-PKO is an end-stage tool in that it can readily start fires, the author noted, but lacks the strength and blade thickness to take down anything more than sticks.

White River Knife & Tool makes excellent knives. In fact, they are some of the most well-laid out and functional I’ve tested in my time with BLADE®. I have used the company’s larger FC7 as my main deer hunting knife in camp and have, between myself and my friends, packed out no less than 50 deer with it. I was happy to review the smaller FC-PKO, sort of a little brother to the FC7.

The FC-PKO is a modified puukko style with a Scandi grind and a ring pommel. The Kydex sheath is low profile. My initial impressions were that the knife is small, thin and razor sharp. I immediately thought it would be a perfect knife for pheasant or duck. I found it a champion at cutting tinder and kindling, but not up to larger work. The knife is an end-stage tool in that it can readily start fires, but lacks the strength and blade thickness to take down anything more than sticks. You’ll need a larger tool to actually prepare the wood prior to using the FC-PKO.

As far as fire-making ability, it is a solid performer. The knife has a small notch on the spine that ignites the ferro rod easily. The edge can trim extremely fine curls of tinder. Where I ran into problems was the ring pommel. I have large hands and long fingers, so this may not be an issue to everyone, but I found my pinky largely just floating in space. I couldn’t get comfortable with the ring. That said, it is overall a great knife that will ultimately see years of service on my belt.

White River Knife & Tool FC-PKO Specs
Knife Type: Modified puukko
Blade Length: 3.7”
Blade Steel: CPM S35VN stainless
Blade Grind: Scandi
Blade at Thickest: .125”
Handle Material: Micarta® w/orange liners and bow-drill divot
Weight: 4.6 ozs.
Overall Length: 8.1”
Sheath: Black Kydex w/striker loop
Striker: Included, basic rubber grip
Country of Origin: U.S.A.
MSRP: $200

TOPS Knives Fieldcraft

TOPS Fieldcraft — The author described the Fieldcraft as “a beast of a knife that weighs nearly a pound and is built like a tank.”

The TOPS Knives Fieldcraft by Brothers of Bushcraft is a beast of a knife that weighs nearly a pound and is built like a tank. The edge is razor sharp despite the steep grind and can split medium-size firewood easily. The handle is thick and robust and you can really get a grip on it. I find large knives like this almost too much for regular use, but this one fits into the niche of being large enough for constant use and not too big to be a burden.

The knife has a striker cut in the pommel as opposed to the blade spine. That said, you can order it with a sharpened spine if you wish. I wanted to test the base model to get an idea of what the average owner would experience. If I want to add a sharp spine, I can do so on my grinder or have TOPS do it. The pommel striker is not easy to get used to—you have to find a safe direction to point the blade, which can be difficult. That said, you can leave it in the sheath for this part—just be careful not to launch it out while striking. The cutout is effective once you get used to it.

TOPS Knives Fieldcraft Specs
Knife Type: Full-size bushcrafter
Blade Length: 4.75”
Blade Steel: 154CM stainless
Blade Grind: Modified Scandi
Blade at Thickest: .19”
Handle Material: Tan canvas Micarta® w/red liners and bow-drill divot
Weight: 14 ozs.
Overall Length: 10”
Sheath: Black Kydex w/striker loop
Striker: Included, basic aluminum grip
Knife to Know: There are numerous other Fieldcraft models available in different materials and colors
Country of Origin: U.S.A.
MSRP: $295

Casström No. 10 Swedish Forest Knife

Casstrom fire starter knife — According to the author, the Casström “has everything I like and nothing I didn’t—not too big, not too small and pleasant to look at.”

The classic-looking Casström No. 10 Swedish Forest Knife is reminiscent of such Scandinavian knives as the puukko. It is not a traditional puukko but rather a somewhat modern take on the longstanding Nordic tradition of general-use fixed blades. Many American knives in the bushcraft world have a somewhat gritty, tactical feel and a somewhat industrial appearance. The No. 10 is not terribly exciting in looks but hides its function under a gentle exterior. It was my favorite knife in the review, which may surprise you. It has everything I like and nothing I didn’t—not too big, not too small and pleasant to look at.

The knife has a smooth grip—be careful if you’re not wearing gloves, it can get a tad slippery—and a plain, graceful blade. The angle of the spine is sharpened but not so aggressively that it would risk injury. It is not a particularly thick blade but can handle some medium-to-small splitting work if you’re careful, and makes kindling and scrapes tinder well. The knife strikes easily anywhere on the spine and offers a great deal of control. Of note, the sheath is leather and has a ferro rod with a matching green/black Micarta® grip. As a set the knife and rod look very nice together. The rod was also the easiest to hold onto thanks to it having the largest grip area.

Casström No. 10 Swedish Forest Knife Specs
Knife Type: General-purpose Scandi
Blade Length: 3.75”
Blade Steel: Sandvik 14C28N stainless
Blade Grind: Full flat
Blade at Thickest: .13”
Handle Material: Green/black Micarta® w/black liners
Weight: 5.75 ozs.
Overall Length: 8.6”
Sheath: Black leather w/striker loop
Striker: Included, matching green/black Micarta handle
Knife to Know: According to the author, the knife has the most user-friendly sheath of the test bunch
Country of Origin: Sweden
MSRP: Approximately $200

Fire Starter Knife Final Cut

Starting a fire can be a challenge, especially in adverse conditions. Considering just how cheap common lighters and survival matches are, knives like the ones in this article should probably not be your primary means of starting a fire in an emergency. These knives are capable tools that provide a level of redundancy to your kit in some very good, non-obtrusive ways. The base-level skills needed to start a fire can be obtained with each of these knives with relative ease, but you will still need to make sure to have the skills necessary to maintain a fire in the wilderness.

Always be sure that you are not making a bad situation worse with fire, and make sure you’re not using a knife under less-than-ideal conditions. If you have a lighter or matches, use them first, especially in the dark.

More Wilderness Knives:

Best Bushcraft Knife: When Steel Meets The Woods
BEST SURVIVAL KNIFE: These 10 Blades Could Save Your Skin
Last-Ditch Survival Kits
Is The Scandi Grind The Best For Bushcraft Knives?

Dagger: Custom And Production Buyer’s Guide (2023)

Les Robertson

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June 20, 2023

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Dagger: Custom And Production Buyer’s Guide (2023)

Daggers have a colorful past and a collectible present.

Early in history, warriors concluded they needed a stabbing weapon they could carry because using a sword, club or spear was not always convenient or practical. Daggers were developed to fill that role.

The exact origin of the word dagger has yet to be discovered. It is believed to come from the old French daque or old Italian daga. Dagger gained acceptance during the 14th century when knives with blades that come to a very sharp point became consistently distinguishable from swords.

In peacetime, daggers were often made from expensive materials and worn in ornate sheaths as part of formal dress. Doing so indicated status and wealth. However, daggers weren’t always for the wealthy.

Since daggers are stabbing weapons, they could also be made from bone or antler. This gave those who could not afford items made from metal an effective self-defense tool.

Daggers For Self-Defense

Out of necessity, those who wore a knife in America in the 1800s would usually choose what today we call a bowie. Not only was this knife imposing when worn, it was also large enough to perform the day’s chores while the West was settled. As America became more civilized and cities became more commonplace, the days of wearing such a large knife in public became less acceptable. Self-defense was still at a premium, and small firearms and daggers replaced the large knife. A dagger had to be used at very close range to be effective. No wonder revolvers grew in popularity as the defensive weapon of choice.

Iconic Styles Of Daggers

Trench Knife

During World War I, close-quarters combat was a significant part of trench warfare, where enemy soldiers would fight in tight and narrow quarters in attempts to capture trenches. The best-known dagger of World War I is the 1918 knuckle knife. American weapons inventor Maj. Eugene McNary of the Air Expeditionary Force designed the knuckle knife. He incorporated the same spear-point blade design as the French M1916 Trench Dagger. In addition, McNary added the knuckles and skull crusher point on the handle butt to increase the knife’s lethality. The Landers, Frary & Clark Co. of New Britain, Connecticut, manufactured the knuckle knife. The handle is marked “U.S. 1918” and is maker-marked “L.F.&C.”

Push Dagger

The push dagger is designed primarily as a last-resort weapon for close-quarters defense. While not generally utilized as a primary weapon, it does allow the user to carry it concealed and employ it one-handed, giving him the ability to manipulate the push dagger with one hand while using his off hand to help defend himself. The blade of a push dagger is shorter and broader than that of a standard dagger. In addition, the handle is longer horizontally/wider and thicker to give the user more leverage for pushing.

F-S DAGGER

No dagger developed during World War II carries more lore or recognition than the one designed and developed by William Fairbairn and Eric Sykes. The Fairbairn-Sykes dagger can be used for slashing cuts. However, its acutely tapered and sharply pointed blade led the knife to be described as a stiletto, a weapon primarily designed for thrusting. In addition, the knife was configured for surprise attacks, with its slender blade quickly penetrating the ribcage. From 1940 to 1943, Fairbairn and Sykes developed three different patterns of the dagger.

Final Cut

In September 1983, I started taking the U.S. Army Infantry Officers Basic Course at Ft. Benning, Georgia. Traveling with me was the dagger I received as a present from my wife for being commissioned a second lieutenant.

Because of the knife’s reputation during the Vietnam War, it was a factory dagger I had wanted. I was excited to go on the first training exercise so I could finally put my knife through its paces. After cutting some 550 cord, I stuck my dagger in a tree while I tied the knot. I pulled the knife from the tree to find I had only a handle in my hand. I felt shocked, disappointed and angry all at the same time, as this legendary dagger was anything but. Upon closer inspection, I saw that the knife’s tang was 1 inch long and secured by glue in the handle.

The lessons I learned that day were a) don’t believe the hype and b) only use daggers with full tangs. Please note that the custom knives featured in this article all have full tangs. The plus side to the catastrophic failure of my factory dagger is it made me realize I must research my future knife purchases more carefully.

In April 1984, I bought my first custom knife. I never purchased or used a factory knife again. When it comes to an infantryman and his knife, compromise elsewhere!

Custom Dagger Buyer’s Guide

Les Geroge: Model 1918 Trench Knife

U.S. Marine Corps veteran/custom knifemaker Les George has a fondness for classic U.S. military knives. In 2018, he created his version of the 1918 trench knife. Except for the cast brass handle, Les updated the materials, including a 6.75-inch blade of CPM S35VN stainless steel and a titanium tang nut, both of which have a black Cerakote® finish. As of this writing, he planned to do another limited run of the knife.

Model 1918 Trench Knife Specs
Maker: Les George
Blade Length: 6.75”
Blade Steel: CPM S35VN stainless
Blade Finish: Black Cerakote®
Handle Material: Cast brass w/titanium tang nut
Overall Length: 11.5”
Sheath: Made by George of leather
Maker’s Price: $425 (SharpByCoop knife image; image of Les George by Ronald S. Smith)

Paul McDanie:l Mako Push Dagger

Custom knifemaker Paul McDaniel incorporates all the above-mentioned traits of the push dager in his Mako Push Dagger. The 3-inch double-edge blade is 80CrV2 carbon steel and has a fuller. The 3.75-inch handle is black, textured G-10. The accompanying custom-made Kydex sheath features multiple attachment points.

Mako Push Dagger Specs
Maker: Paul McDaniel
Blade Length: 3” w/full double edge
Blade Material: 80CrV2 carbon steel
Blade Finish: Black Cerakote®
Handle Material: Textured black G-10
Handle Width: 3.75”
Overall Length: 5.25”
Sheath: Made by McDaniel of Kydex w/leather straps
Maker’s Price: $365 (Robertson’s Custom Cutlery image)

Brent Sandow: Fairbairn-Sykes Dagger

Maker Brent Sandow of New Zealand builds all three F-S dagger variants. The featured one has a 6.75-inch blade of D2 tool steel, a stainless steel guard, and a checkered handle. All the metal parts feature a flat-black Gun-Kote™ finish. In addition, Brent has slightly modified the knife by adding scalloping to the guard. The scalloping allows the user to index the knife. Indexing helps the user by providing a locating mark to help control the blade while maneuvering it*.

A version of the F-S dagger by maker Piotr Gosciniak of Poland sports a slightly shorter blade with a fuller down the center. Contrary to popular belief, a fuller is not a “blood groove.” Instead, it is a feature that reduces the knife’s weight and stiffens the blade. At the same time, it can help the maker provide a knife with enhanced balance. Piotr’s dagger features a 6.3-inch blade of 80CrV2 in black Cerakote. The black G-10 handle is laser-cut to enhance grip. For additional control, the knife has a scalloped guard.

Mako Push Dagger Specs
Maker: Paul McDaniel
Blade Length: 3” w/full double edge
Blade Material: 80CrV2 carbon steel
Blade Finish: Black Cerakote®
Handle Material: Textured black G-10
Handle Width: 3.75”
Overall Length: 5.25”
Sheath: Made by McDaniel of Kydex w/leather straps
Maker’s Price: $365 (Robertson’s Custom Cutlery image)

Piotr Gosciniak: Dagger

The texture of the black Micarta® handle enhances grip, particularly in a wet environment. The fuller reduces the blade’s weight while at the same time improves its strength. The thumb cutout provides extra stability during use.

Dagger Specs
Maker: Piotr Gosciniak
Blade Length: 6.3”
Blade Material: 80CrV2 carbon steel
Blade Finish: Black Cerakote®
Handle Material: Laser-cut-textured black G-10
Overall Length: 11.5”
Sheath: Made by Gosciniak of Kydex
Maker’s Price: $425 (Piotr Gosciniak images)

Walter Brend: SF Dagger

The SF Dagger by Walter Brend features an 8-inch blade of D2 tool steel with a satin finish and Walter’s impeccable grind lines. Handle: black Micarta®. Guard: stainless steel. Special features: Full-tang construction, double edge, thong hole and a skullcrusher pommel. Overall length: 12.75 inches.

SF Dagger Specs
Maker: Walter Brend
Blade Length: 7”
Blade Steel: CTS XHP stainless
Blade Finish: Satin
Handle Material: Black Micarta®
Guard Material: Stainless steel
Overall Length: 12”
Sheath: Custom-made of leather
Maker’s Price: $2,800 (Robertson’s Custom Cutlery image)

Production Dagger Buyer’s Guide

Winkler Tactical Dagger

This tactical dagger from Winkler was designed for the military by people in the military. It isn’t a show knife for people looking to cosplay as their favorite action star. This is the real deal.

The 5.5-inch blade is 3/16-inch-thick 80CrV2 carbon steel with a black oxide Caswell finish and has a Rockwell hardness of 59-60 HRC. The blade is made for combat and will handle the abuse you throw at it. Both edges are ground to a razor edge.

A tapered tang runs through the entirety of the wasp sculpted canvas laminate handle to give you a strong, sturdy grip. The piece comes with a custom-lined Kydex sheath for secure carry. Made in the USA, the knife is an absolute winner.
WK Defense Dagger Specs
Maker: Winkler
Blade Length: 4.25″
Blade Steel: 80CrV2
Blade Finish: Black oxide no-glare finish
Handle Material: Black Canvas Laminate, Camo G10, Maple, Walnut, WASP
Overall Length: 8
Sheath: Lined Boltaron® Sheath
Maker’s Price: $325

Spartan Les George V14 Dagger

Designed by award-winning knifemaker Les George, the V14 from Spartan Blades is about as high quality as it gets. A Marine veteran, Les knows what is needed from a dagger and puts it all into this one.

The V14 has a beefy 6.75-inch blade of symmetrically ground CPM S35VN stainless steel heat-treated to a Rockwell hardness of 58-60 HRC that provides great edge retention and durability. The handle is 3D-contoured black G-10 that wraps a full tang to provide a strong grip. This knife isn’t going anywhere in your hand, and the blade’s not going to snap in two when deployed. The Kydex sheath is MOLLE compatible.

George V1-14 Dagger
Maker: Spartan Blades
Blade Length: 6 3/4″
Blade Steel: CPM S45VN
Blade Finish: SpartaCoat – PVD – Tungsten DLC (Black) or ZrN (Flat Dark Earth)
Handle Material: 3D Contoured G10, Black or Green
Overall Length: 11 1/2″
Sheath: Kydex Sheath
Maker’s Price: $495

Blackside Customs P7 Dagger

This piece from Blackside Customs is the smallest of the three knives on our list but no less functional.

The 3.5-inch blade is CTS-XHP stainless steel with an OD green Cerakote® finish. The smaller size makes the P7 more feasible as an EDC if you prefer your standard carry to be a fixed blade. The G-10 grips are double-riveted to the tang for a comfortable grip when deployed.

The Kydex sheath lets you carry the knife easily and discreetly. The smaller blade means a lower weight. At just 3.5 ounces, almost three times lighter than the heaviest knife on this list, the P7 is a sleek piece that moves with grace and ease.

Phase 7 Dagger Specs
Maker: Blackside Customs
Blade Length: 3.5″
Blade Steel: CTS-XHP
Blade Finish: Black Cerakote®
Handle Material: Black G10
Overall Length: 7.35″
Sheath: Kydex Sheath w/ BSC Titanium Tag
Maker’s Price: $290

TOPS Knives I Stick

The commendable quality of the TOPS Knives I Stick lies in its ability to live up to its advertised purpose. It excels in the task of sticking objects securely, and credit is due to the TOPS team for their rare commitment to truthful advertising.

The I Stick embodies the original intent behind the push dagger’s design, which is to protect the wielder by swiftly striking those who pose a threat. Possessing a generous blade length and an impressive thickness that instills a sensation of being able to puncture a shipping container, it undeniably proves its efficacy in defensive scenarios.

Featuring sharp edges on both sides, it surpasses the 3.5-inch blade measurement that could attract the attention of law enforcement officers seeking to find fault. Consequently, it may not be the ideal choice for individuals residing in states with stringent knife regulations. However, if you find yourself in a state with fewer restrictions or if you possess a weapons carry permit, the TOPS Knives I Stick presents itself as a formidable contender.

*Editor’s note: Though meant to be inferred from the author’s description, we might add that indexing enables the user to know by feel how the blade is oriented during use, an invaluable feature in situations where the user cannot see the blade for whatever reason.

I Stick
Maker: TOPS Knives
Blade Length: 3.50″
Blade Steel: 1075 RC 56-58
Blade Finish: Black Traction Coating
Handle Material: Black Canvas Micarta
Overall Length: 5.63″
Sheath: Black Kydex
Maker’s Price: $210

Editor’s Note: Michael Ableson contributed to this post.

Read More

The M7 Bayonet: From Combat To The Campsite
Utility Knives: A Worker’s Best Friend
Gravity Knives: What You Need To Know

Rothman Knives Gentleman’s Trapper Review

Msg Kim Breed (ret.)

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June 19, 2023

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Rothman Knives Gentleman’s Trapper Review

Don’t let its throwback good looks fool you, Rothman’s Gentleman’s Trapper has serious EDC chops.

The original EDC knife is a pocketknife. It used to be a right of passage when you were allowed to have a hand-me-down knife in your front pocket. I received mine at the ripe old age of 5. I used it to sharpen pencils and crayons and for whittling.

After a few years and a few cuts on my fingers, I progressed to skinning and cleaning fish. The knife never left my front pocket. I carried it to school for daily uses. It also made quite a few trips in the washing machine and dryer. My mom would have a fit every time she heard it thumping in the dryer. Of course, the laws have changed now and the younger generation has found other things to entertain themselves. For me, my old pocketknife is retired.

Mike Rothman’s Gentleman’s Trapper would make a great pocket filler. It walks and talks perfectly. But how well does it cut? Let’s see.

Gentleman’s Trapper Sharpness Test

Twenty-pound bond copy paper provided the first test. The slip joint sliced it cleanly and effortlessly. The edge is very fine, so control was easy. It’s a nasty-sharp knife for sure—I could hear the blade slicing aggressively.

Light Duty Cutting With The Gentleman’s Trapper

Cutting cardboard — After dispatching single-walled cardboard with the Rothman knife, the author only had to use a tad more pressure on the push cut to zip through double-walled cardboard.

On to single-walled cardboard. The Gentleman’s Trapper made short work of it. In fact, it was very addictive slicing the cardboard. The blade made smooth, straight cuts with no deflection of the material. Very sharp indeed!

Next I found a piece of double-walled cardboard to try. I only had to use a tad more pressure on the push cut to zip through it. I could hear every cut again. The knife is a very forceful cardboard cutter.

Gentleman’s Trapper skins leather — The thin blade made skiving leather simple, producing super thin slices repeatedly.

It was time for the leather slice and skiving. The trapper zipped through the leather quickly, so I had to use my knuckles as a stop to keep the piece together so it wouldn’t turn into a pile of pieces. The thin blade made skiving simple, producing super thin slices repeatedly. The stag handle worked perfectly providing a positive grip cutting the leather.

Heavy-Duty Cutting Duty

Whittling was up next. The thin blade produced some of the finest curly-cues I’ve seen. I changed the angle of cut for a deeper bite. I could see and feel the blade flex as deeper bites ensued. It was a very weird sensation, to say the least. I just moved the contact surface closer to the bolsters.

Gentleman’s Trapper whittling — In the whittling test, the author changed the angle of cut for a deeper bite. He could see and feel the edge flex as deeper bites ensued.

Half-inch sisal rope beckoned. I was looking forward to this one. Dang, this trapper performs—273 crunching cuts and the edge was barely sliding! It was easy to cut with and the handle was comfortable with a tight grip. The insides of the liners are a bit sharp but there were no hot spots. Wow!

I returned to the 20-pound bond paper to see if the edge was affected by all the testing. Nope—same clean slices in the material, a sign of great heat treatment.

Knife tested vs antlers — The author whacked the blade 30 times into the antler with no edge damage at all. The edge would still pull hair and the knife was as tight as when the author started, still walking and talking.

I was compelled to do a warranty-breaking test just to see how tough the Gentleman’s Trapper is. Where was the deer antler? I whacked the blade 30 times into the antler expecting to see some minor edge damage. There was no damage at all! The edge would still pull hair and the knife was as tight as when I started, still walking and talking.

Overall Impression Of Rothman’s Work

I was impressed with the performance of the blade considering how thin it is. Excellent workmanship!

Does Anything Need To Change?

Soften the exposed inside edges of the liners. That’s all, folks!

Gentleman’s Trapper Specs:
Knife Type: Slip joint/pocketknife
Maker: Mike Rothman
Blade Length: 3”
Blade Steel: Damasteel damascus in an Ægir pattern
Blade Grind: Hollow
Blade Pattern: Clip point
Blade Thickness: Tapers on the spine from 1/8” above the ricasso to .039” at the tip; the edge is even thinner than the latter
Handle: Sambar stag w/shield of same material as the blade
Handle at the Thickest: .5”
Liners: Fileworked of 410 stainless steel
Bolsters: 416 stainless steel
Backspring: CPM 154 stainless steel
Weight: 3.5 ozs.
Closed Length: 4”
Knife to know: There is a seamless fit of blade to backspring in the open position
Extras: Comes in black zippered pouch w/Rothman’s company name over shape of the state of New York
Maker’s price: $750

Best Gentleman Knife: Top Lookers And Doers (2023)

BLADE Staff

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June 13, 2023

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Best Gentleman Knife: Top Lookers And Doers (2023)

Today’s gent’s knives are what they are instead of what they used to be.

In years past, there was a genre of knife small, fancy and unobtrusive. It went by gent’s knife or Sunday-go-to-meeting knife, the latter where the hard-working sodbuster was laid down on the day of rest for something to better match the formal Sunday duds. Loosely defined, that knife consisted of fancier materials and a blade less than 3 inches long

However, the argument can be made that today’s gent’s knives are exclusively gent’s knives no more. According to officials of the knife companies that make them, all kinds of people spring for the knives popularly known as gent’s knives. There are sub genres, and their popularity is growing.

Take, for instance, A.G. Russell Knives, whose customers tend to gravitate not toward EDCs or tactical knives but smaller gent’s-type knives.

“In the past year or so, we are seeing an increase in interest in these smaller knives that can be carried unobtrusively, both with pocket clips and without,” the team at A.G. Russell wrote in an e-mail. The knives worn with the Sunday best tend to be more traditional, according to the company’s spokespeople. It’s a subcategory of small knives that sport a sharp appearance that includes premium handle materials. Added the Russell team, “A great gent’s knife is not too large, has an elegance about it, but still performs well.”

A.G. Russell Knives Vest Pocket Semi-Skinner

Bob Loveless introduced A.G. Russell to the semi-skinner blade shape and Russell fell in love with it, pairing it with a sparkling carbon-fiber handle in the Vest Pocket Semi-Skinner.

For an example of a piece that represents the new generation of gent’s knife, look no further than the A.G. Russell Vest PocketSemi-Skinner. Designed by the late company founder and BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame member® A.G. Russell, the knife is a mix between classic design and contemporary materials—the latter being a carbon-fiber handle and premium CPM S35VN stainless blade steel.

The heart of the knife is the bigger-than-it-should-be semi-skinner blade. As the company website noted, A.G. loved the semi-skinner blade, a pattern he credited Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer Bob Loveless for introducing to him. “A.G. saw the need for a small, lightweight pocket knife that would sit comfortable in any pocket, especially vest pockets, and the opportunity to create one with the blade he liked so much,” the site explains.

It is a blade shape that excels with work done at the tip, which is critical for a smaller knife.

“A good gent’s knife is really good at detail work,” the site notes,“in which blade and tip control are very important.” As a result, the Vest Pocket’s blade is at ground and boasts a thin edge geometry ideal for slicing cuts.

The stainless steel bolster is also critical to the design, as it covers the squared-off heel of the blade that connects with the lockbar. Unprotected, the heel could wear away at the fine fabrics of a vest pocket, for instance.

A.G.’s sketch of the knife (pictured below) was scanned into a CAD program in March 2018. Un-fortunately, he didn’t get to see the knife in production, as the iconic knife entrepreneur passed away in October of the same year before the design could be fully realized.

A.G. Russell Knives Vest Pocket Semi-Skinner Specs:
Designer: A.G. Russell
Blade Length: 2.53”
Blade Steel: CPM S35VN stainless
Blade Grind: Flat
Handle Material: Carbon fiber
Pocket Clip: None
Bolsters: Stainless steel
Lock: Lockback
Weight: 2.5 ozs.
Closed Length: 3.125”
Country Of Origin: China
MSRP: $100

Maserin Knives Turtle

Some of the more notable features of the Turtle by Maserin Knives are the pivot pin with its concentric lines and the skeletonized titanium clip anodized blue.

No discussion of gent’s knives would be complete without mentioning the classic designs that hail from all over the globe. Take for example the Turtle, a timeless design Maserin injected with traditional materials and refinement throughout.

In 2006, Italian knifemaker Claudio Volpato designed a small knife with a blade under 2 inches and sent the prototype to Maserin. “We industrialized it,” recalled Claudia Maserin, along with her two brothers owner of Maserin, and the Turtle was born. “ The knife is still popular considering we first showed it long ago. The best handles are ebony and briarwood, and the damascus blade version is still very appreciated.”

Some of the small knife’s more notable features are the pivot pin with its concentric lines, and the skeletonized titanium clip anodized blue. Part of the goal was to take classic materials and transform them “We looked for elegant and traditional materials,” Claudia explained, “wooden handles like ebony and olive.”

Realizing that some women were gravitating to the Turtle because of its small size, Maserin officials handled the knife in pink giraffe bone several years ago. “We don’t design a knife thinking of final users in terms of gender but in projecting elegant knives,” Claudia stated. “We know they can be perfect both for women and men.”

Early versions of the blade were at ground of 440C stainless steel. Now, they are N690 stainless. The result is a knifes mall enough to slip into the small pocket of a pair of jeans and that opens easily one-handed.

“Our gent’s knife is good for everyday carry,” Claudia maintained. “You can open an envelope, a parcel, cut a fruit. It is the knife you need when you find yourself saying ‘If I had a knife …’

Maserin Knives Turtle Specs:
Designer: Claudio Volpato
Blade Length: 1.56”
Blade Steel: N690 stainless or stainless damascus
Blade Grind: Flat
Handle Material: Woods of bocote, briar, ebony, olive or walnut
Pocket Clip: Skeletonized titanium anodized blue
Lock: Linerlock
Weight: 2.05 ozs.
Closed Length: 2.5”
Country Of Origin: Italy
MSRP: Depending on options, from about $77 to $19

Spyderco Pochi

Like many small Spyderco knives, the Pochi is designed to offer large cutting power in a small package. “The dog tail rotates out to create a pinky shelf,” Joyce Laituri noted of the extension on the butt, “adding length to the handle for a better grip.”

Rigid definitions of a gent’s knife don’t quite cut it in Joyce Laituri’s book. The Spyderco spokesperson met a knife enthusiast at a knife show out to acquire some knives. The man towered well over 6 feet and was “built like an NFL linebacker, with paws like a bear,” she recounted. Though he appeared gentle-manly, a blade under 3 inches would be too small for him.

“In today’s industry,” Laituri began,“there is a broader view of what constitutes a dress knife. Is it its size, cost, function, materials, appearance? That definition is unique to each knife carrier.”

For some, a gent’s knife may be a small, elegant knife. Others, Laituri points out, decide that the most gentlemanly knife they can carry on their wedding day is a 5-inch folder or even a Spyderco Military model. The company eschews the term gent’s knives for prestige knives, Laituri said, in order to better describe the breadth of people who carry such edged tools. Meanwhile, a Spyderco knife that has attracted knife carriers for a whole slew of reasons is the Pochi, a flipper-folder collaboration with Japanese custom knifemaker Kazuyuki Sakurai.

“There is a market for anyone look-ing for the non-traditional,” Laituri said,“and the Pochi has been well received—surprisingly so—because it is so different from traditional pocketknives.

Some Pochi users, she added, like the design because they find it both charming and functional. Others are attracted to its upswept blade hollow ground from high-end CPM S45VN stainless steel. Some, attracted to the zoomorphism of the design, carry it because they like dogs, Laituri said.

Pochi, which roughly translates to the most common name for a dog in Japanese, has all the essential canine elements, resembling something like a pug on the go. Like many small Spyderco knives, Laituri said the Pochi is designed to bring large cutting power in a small package. “ The dog tail rotates out to create a pinky shelf,” Laituri noted, “adding length to the handle for a better grip.”

Spyderco Pochi Specs:
Designer: Kazuyuki Sakurai
Blade Length: 1.58”
Blade Steel: CPM S45VN stainless
Blade Grind: Hollow
Handle Material: Titanium
Pocket Clip: Titanium anodized blue;closed knife carries blade tip up
Lock: R.I.L. (Reeve Integral Lock)WEIGHT:1.7 ozs.
Closed Length: 2.6”
Country Of Origin: Taiwan
MSRP: $270

Bear & Son’s Bold Action

The Bear OPS Bold Action 14 comes in a wealth of different colors thanks to the anodization of its aluminum handle.

According to Matt Griffey of Bear &Son Cutlery, the world of gent’s knives has been changing and part of that has been due to the evolving nature of the workplace.

“We see less manufacturing professionals and more office setting careers,” he said. “Gentleman’s knives t the workforce movement and the lifestyles that come with it—accounting, computer techs, engineers and so on—with the knife having a small or slim physique and constructed from higher quality materials.”

At the same time, Griffey notes some of the slim knives are growing in size, and in the forefront of that change has been the increase in autos.

“Automatic knives have always intrigued both the traditional and modern knife enthusiast,” Griffey wrote, “and to-day more states are approving the daily carry and ownership of these types of knives.”

Trying to comply with many of the new auto laws, Bear & Son introduced the BearOPS Bold Action 14. The result is a knife available in a selection of color choices with its anodized aluminum handles and also the Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel blade, all made at Bear’s plant in Alabama.

Aluminum is a lightweight, low-maintenance material and 14C28 has a reputation of being corrosion resistant, durable and “an awesome performance steel”—essential features on a knife with a smaller blade and plenty of tasks to do.

“The Bold Action 14’s typical use would be common cutting chores around the office/home like opening small packages, cutting cordage and opening envelopes,”Griffey said, noting the knife can handle bigger tasks, too.

Meanwhile, expect more gent’s knives—or whatever you want to call the small fancy folders—in the future

“There is a market space for gentleman’s knives,” Griffey said. “Today, there are a lot of different choices and we’re lucky to and so many knife designers pushing the limits with materials, sizes and overall de-sign in the category.

Bear & Son’s Bold Action Specs:
Designer: N/A
Blade Length: 1.75″
Blade Steel: 14C28N Sandvik
Blade Grind: Hollow
Handle Material: Stainless Steel
Pocket Clip: Reversable
Bolsters: N/A
Lock: Auto
Weight: .14 oz
Closed Length: 2.50″
Country Of Origin: USA
MSRP: $140

CRKT Pilar

Designed by Danish knifemaker Jesper Voxnaes of Vox Knives, the size and blade shape of the CRKT Pilar are well matched for heavy cutting jobs. The handle is very comfortable and secure in the hand.

How could CRKT and Voxnaes make the knife even better? The answer is to offer a new larger version for 2019. The Pilar II offers the same performance and ergonomic advantages as the original, including robust framelock construction with an all-steel handle. The 2.6-inch blade is 8Cr13MoV stainless steel and offers a great balance of edge holding and maintenance ease. It is the Chinese equivalent of the Japanese-made AUS- 8. Due to the increase in size and blade mass, the Pilar II features a flipper, something the Pilar lacks.

Voxnaes is known internationally for his straightforward designs with a nod to utility and outdoor applications. Originally he made prototypes of the Pilar in two versions: one with a flipper tab and one without. “With lots of people asking for a flipper version, it was an easy fix,” Jesper notes. The blade rides on Teflon washers and flips open nicely without the use of pivot bearings. It also sports an oblong hole for ambidextrous opening.

The stainless steel handle supplies heft and a solid backbone. The grip’s edges are chamfered, offering comfort and eliminating hot spots or general discomfort. A solid steel spacer adds handle strength. A steel pocket clip carries the knife tip up or down for right-hand carry only. If you prefer half-and-half-type handle construction with your framelock folder—that is, each handle side comes in a different material, in this case stainless steel and lightweight G-10—the Pilar II is so equipped. The G-10 offers a bit more weight savings plus a nice grippy texture. The all-steel-handle version has weight-saving pocket reliefs milled into the inside of the scale.

“At first it may seem we simply upscaled the original Pilar design, but the knife was actually redesigned from scratch to make the ergonomics feel perfect,” Jesper concludes.
Don’t let the gent’s knife label for the large Pilar fool you. It’s a knife that isn’t afraid to get down and dirty with its rugged build and utility-friendly blade shape. Like its little brother, the large Pilar is easy to carry and rides securely in a pocket. The choil indexes your grip and the rest of your fingers fall naturally around the handle. Due to the handle shape and size, those with larger hands may find the knife too small.

However, for those whose hands are filled nicely by the grip, the large Pilar is very comfortable to hold.

CRKT Pilar Specs:
Designer: Jesper Voxnaes
Blade Length: 2.40″
Blade Steel: 8Cr13MoV
Blade Grind: Plain
Handle Material: Stainless Steel
Pocket Clip: Stainless Steel
Bolsters: N/A
Lock: Frame Lock
Weight: 4.20 oz.
Closed Length: 3.53″
Country Of Origin: China
MSRP: $39

Fallkniven FH9 MOP

The Fallkniven FH9MOP is dressed to the nines with a mother-of-pearl handle accented by abalone and a mirror-polished blade. This is the knife you want to carry to dressy social functions, as the handle treatment sets the tone for an upscale outing or maybe even church on Sundays. According to Peter Hjortberger, Fallkniven president, the design is based on a folding hunter and a traditional lockback system.

Employing Fallkniven’s best blade material, a laminated 3G powder steel with a Super Gold steel core with a Rockwell hardness of 62 HRC, the FH9MOP is built for use. The 2.5-inch drop-point blade is neither too small nor too large. The knife is by far the best looking of the test bunch. The pearl handle and abalone accents create a stunning visual effect.

Structurally, the FH9MOP is built quite solid with dual stainless steel liners, steel bolsters and a steel handle spacer. Inlaid Fallkniven logo shields in the handle cap things off, and the blade sports a nail nick on each side for easy ambidextrous opening. A nice suede slip sheath protects the knife from rubbing up against keys, coins, etc., in your pocket.

The blade came out of the box razor sharp. I had no problem using it to open mail, cut stray threads, or any other similar gent’s knife duty. It is too beautiful a knife for the same jobs as a tactical folder, so use would be limited.

It sure is an eye-catcher, though. For a model more suited for general utility needs, step down to the standard FH9, which gives you the same blade steel but with the more work-friendly Micarta® handle material. Either way, the knives are sharpened pocket jewelry at its best.

Fallkniven FH9 MOP Specs:
Designer: N/A
Blade Length: 2.6″
Blade Steel: 3G
Blade Grind: Plain
Handle Material: Mother Of Pearl
Pocket Clip: None
Bolsters: Steel
Lock: Lockback
Weight: 3.35 oz.
Closed Length: 3.625″
Country Of Origin: Sweden
MSRP: $540

GiantMouse ACE Nibbler

GiantMouse Gent Knife — Designed by custom knifemakers Jesper Vox and Jens Anso, the Nibbler holds fast via a reversible wire clip.

“A great gent’s knife is a fully functioning tool that stands strong in the ‘looks and class’ department,” explained Jim Wirth of GiantMouse. “It’s a knife that is capable of cutting tasks but also for social events, Sunday church or a Thursday evening cocktail.”

GiantMouse makes a bold statement among gent’s knives with the Nibbler, a compact, efficient folder that Wirth says works as a great EDC in areas and situations where size matters. “Although the Nibbler is small, it packs a serious punch,” he pointed out. “Our definition of a gentleman’s knife is a knife that you can EDC in almost any environment, from the church to the office so to speak, a knife that does not raise eyebrows but will be welcomed when put to use. This could very well be the modern definition of this type of knife.”

The Nibbler is bound to fill the bill for that light-cutting job and to exude a positive image. “It’s inspired by the fictional character Nibbles ‘Tuffy’ Mouse from the hit cartoon series Tom and Jerry,” Jim explained. “Nibbles may be small but he sure is mighty, just like our new ACE Nibbler, a petite folder that packs a serious punch and doesn’t lack in the fun department, either.”

Wirth concludes that both men and women will find the Nibbler a great choice for EDC. “We don’t think that making a pink handle on a knife will make it more suitable for women,” he reasoned. “We don’t believe in designing specifically for a gender; all our knives are equally suited for men or women.”

GiantMouse ACE Nibbler Specs:
Designer: Jens Anso, Jesper Voxnaes
Blade Length: 2″
Blade Steel: N690
Blade Grind: Plain
Handle Material: Alunimum
Pocket Clip: Wire
Bolsters: N/A
Lock: Liner Lock
Weight: 2 oz.
Closed Length: 2.76″
Country Of Origin: China
MSRP: $95

Pro-Tech Newport

ProTech Gent Knife — The thoughtfully designed deep carry clip and the thin, lightweight nature of the Pro-Tech Newport 3405 make it a good choice for wearing dress slacks, as it won’t tear up the pocket or be heavy enough to make it sag.

At Pro-Tech, Dave Wattenberg takes pride in the Newport, a gent’s knife that exudes personality. “It’s our thinnest and lightest full-size auto,” he commented. “It packs three inches of S35VN steel for all your EDC tasks into a precision-machined aircraft-aluminum frame that is only .38 inch thick.

The thoughtfully designed deep carry clip and the thin, light carry of the Newport make it a great choice for someone wearing a nice trouser or dress slacks, as it won’t tear up the pocket or be heavy enough to make it sag.”

Dave is excited about the versatility of the Newport, its swift deployment, unobtrusive profile, and variety when it comes to materials while running the gamut from EDC to investor/collector-grade presentations.

“From solid aluminum handle/stonewash base models all the way to investor customs, there’s a Newport model to suit just about any taste and budget,” he remarked. “Pro-Tech is well known, of course, for superior coil-spring-action auto knives, and while the Newport is no exception to this, users will find the action controlled, smooth and satisfying—not the huge snap of one of the tactical response series, but a more gentlemanly switchblade action.”

Pro-Tech Newport Specs:
Designer: N/A
Blade Length: 3″
Blade Steel: S35-VN
Blade Grind: Plain
Handle Material: Aluminum
Pocket Clip: Tip-Up
Bolsters: N/A
Lock: Auto
Weight: 2 oz.
Closed Length: 4.125″
Country Of Origin: USA
MSRP: $240

Sandrin Torino

Sandrin Gent Knife — The polyhedral tungsten carbide blade of the Sandrin Torino is designed to retain its razor-sharp edge far beyond that of steel blades in Sandrin’s “StaySharp Technology.”

The Sandrin Torino exemplifies the ideals of the gent’s knife, and Sandrin’s Rob Bianchin says he knows why. “The Torino is exceptionally lightweight at only 2.29 ounces,” he remarked. “It’s pretty easy to forget that you have it in your pocket. The lightweight characteristics are deceiving as the blade performance exceeds that of a steel knife for edge retention. For anyone who can appreciate metallurgy, the polyhedral tungsten carbide blade is a state-of-the-art super metal and was not thought possible just a few years ago.”

According to Rob, the entire Sandrin knife experience is centered around the blade material. Polyhedral tungsten carbide is not steel. Instead, according to Sandrin, it is an engineered “super metal” invented and patented for blades by Sandrin director Alessandro Colombatto. “Tungsten carbide can be used for cutting steel or for wear parts that undergo extraordinary stress and corrosion,” Bianchin added. “Polyhedral tungsten carbide has advantages over steel, such as consistent molecular structure. It cannot rust and typically is in the 71 [HRC] Rockwell hardness range* or higher.”

The polyhedral tungsten carbide blade lends itself nicely to the Torino gent’s knife presentation, and Rob sees a natural fit. “In my view, the definition of a gent’s knife has evolved with the times and includes knives of quality that are also effective cutting instruments and not just for show. The Torino can be carried and used daily but is also a point of conversation as it is still exceedingly rare to own a knife made from new metal.”

The appeal of the Torino once again embraces the spectrum of potential users—both men and women, factory or office workers. “Gender is not a design consideration,” Rob said. “The Torino is suited for men or women. Men are the predominant consumers of pocketknives, but I suppose in today’s world the industry should call such knives a ladies’ or gentlemen’s folder.”

Sandrin Torino Specs:
Designer: N/A
Blade Length: 2.95″
Blade Steel: HRC71
Blade Grind: Plain
Handle Material: G-10
Pocket Clip: Titanium
Bolsters: N/A
Lock: Recoil
Weight: 2.29 oz
Closed Length: 4″
Country Of Origin: Italy
MSRP: $260

Case Black Sea Dichrolam Tear Drop

Case Gent Knife — The Case Tear Drop Black Sea Dichrolam spear-point blade is designed with a strong tip for piercing, which comes in handy for such gent’s knife jobs as opening mail, packages and the like.

Case has long been a star performer in the manufacture and presentation of gent’s knives, and the company continues the tradition with the Black Sea Dichrolam Tear Drop, a beauty with a composite handle material that mimics the luster of an opal gemstone. Fitting nicely within the spectrum of gent’s knives, the Black Sea Dichrolam Tear Drop brings excitement to the Case fan base.

“Based on our interactions with knife enthusiasts at consumer events, our Classic Case folding patterns like the tear drop are considered by many as a ‘Sunday-go-to-meeting knife,’” commented Fred Feightner, Case director of marketing communications. “But more modern knives are more and more often carried and considered to be a ‘gentleman’s knife.’ The definition lies in the eye of the beholder.”

With the new tear drop entry, Case has bridged any perceived gap between men and women as far as carrying a dressy, functional knife. “We’ve definitely seen an uptick in people carrying Case pocketknives over recent years,” Fred continued, “and they realize that a good, sharp knife is handy to have on your person for all kinds of reasons, from hiking and camping to doing detail work that’s done by hand. Whether kept in a pocket, purse or hanging on a carabiner, a pocketknife is a must have for most any person.”

For occasions when an unobtrusive EDC knife is in the mix, Case fashioned the Black Sea Dichrolam Tear Drop. “Our tear drop pattern has a single spear-shaped blade,” Fred related. “The long, sharp edge can cover everything from cutting threads on clothing to gathering fruit or nuts outdoors. The tip adds functionality for tasks like piercing through a clam shell package or scoring leather to fashion a sheath.”

Case’s tear drops, particularly the Black Sea Dichrolam, perform as excellent light-duty tools, according to Fred. The slim design and small “form factor” make them great for close-up and close-in work, handy little EDC knives that are not only up to the tasks a gent’s knife is meant to perform, but easy on the eyes as well.

Case Black Sea Dichrolam Tear Drop Specs:
Designer: John Blazy
Blade Length: 2.44″
Blade Steel: Trusharp Surgical Steel
Blade Grind: Plain
Handle Material: Dichrolam Composite Laminate
Pocket Clip: None
Bolsters: N/A
Lock: Slip Joint
Weight: 1.4 oz.
Closed Length: 3.63″
Country Of Origin: USA
MSRP: $106

Editor’s Note: Dainel Jackson, Dexture and Mike Haskew contributed to this post.

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