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Featured Knives

Here are BLADE Magazine’s Featured Knives of the Week. Browse through these articles to find the best knives available from both custom knifemakers and factory knives.

Click here to browse through our list of Featured Knifemakers.

Knifemaking – – Knife Collecting – – Tactical Knives – – Survival Knives
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Featured Knife: CRKT Homefront – 2016 Most Innovative Imported Design Award Winner

BLADE Staff
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Featured Knife: CRKT Homefront – 2016 Most Innovative Imported Design Award Winner

The CRKT Homefront: A Hit Before It’s Even Out the Door

What I enjoy the most about knife shows is the hidden gems I’ll find among the blades. Whether it’s a unique spin on a classic design, a different type of steel or handle material, a peanut-butter-meets-chocolate pairing of knifemaking pros or a radical new approach, nothing beats finding that diamond in the rough. The 2016 BLADE Show was no exception, and that’s where I first encountered this:

This, ladies and gentlemen, is the new Homefront from Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT), and it went down as one of my top finds at the world’s foremost knife event. Straight from the brain of Ken Onion and sporting patent pending features, I could tell this was a game changer right from the beginning. The awards ceremony at the BLADE Show proved me right. The Homefront took home the award for 2016’s Most Innovative Imported Design, and it’s not even on shelves yet.

What Makes the CRKT Homefront Special? Field Strip Technology

CRKT Ken Onion Homefront Best Knife Award Winning
“The new Field Strip Technology is great and all, but have you tried NOT burying your knife in mud?” (CRKT photo)

The Homefront is to knives what takedown rifles are to firearms. The Homefront’s wickedly simple Field Strip Technology allows the user to disassemble and reassemble the knife in mere seconds. Just flip a switch and turn a screw as shown in the video above. It’s as simple as that.

That same video shows the knife being cleared of dirt and debris in a stream after use outdoors, which is a great application of the Field Strip Technology. But you know what I’m most excited about? Pocket lint.

“The Easier a Knife is to Clean, the More Likely it is to be Cleaned”

Pocket lint is the bane of my everyday carry folders. The sorcery of fuzz, residual heat and repetitive motion that comes with slipping an EDC into the pocket can form a gooey mess we knife scientists like to call, “gunk.” (I’m sure there’s a Greek root word in there somewhere.) This gunk builds up in hard-to-reach places and eventually requires disassembly, because there’s a limit to what all those gallons of knife oil can do.

With Field Strip Technology, cleaning up no longer requires a set of tools and a magnet to find those tiny screws when they inevitably roll onto the floor. The Homefront comes apart in seconds, then reassembles just as quickly. The result is an simple-to-maintain folding knife that will last. The easier a knife is to clean, the more likely it is to be cleaned.

I fully expect CRKT to use Field Strip Technology on other models in the future. I wouldn’t put it past CRKT to come out with add-ons to the Homefront to take full advantage of this tech, such as alternative blade and handle designs. To that end, the Homefront would be more like the AR-15 of knives, where the appeal is in a platform that allows customization specific to the end user. That level of personalization is obvious in trends outside of knives, too, and the Homefront could mark the beginning of a wider evolution of the consumer knife market. If this is the bandwagon, I’m hopping on.

Where to Get the CRKT Homefront: ShopBlade.com

Ken Onion award winning knife 2016 blade show
The CRKT Homefront before and after, and before and after again, and again, and again and again. Click to order yours today from ShopBlade.com.

ShopBlade.com is one of the first outlets anywhere to carry the CRKT Homefront, and it does so with pride. Here are the specs:

  • Overall Length: 8.313 inches
  • Closed Length: 4.728 inches
  • Weight: 4.8 ounces
  • Blade Length: 3.502 inches
  • Blade Thickness: 0.133 inches
  • Blade Steel: AUS 8
  • Blade HRC: 57-58
  • Blade Finish: Brushed Steel
  • Edge: Plain
  • Handle Material: 6061 Aluminum
  • Lock: Locking Liner

Click here to order your CRKT Homefront today!

It’s a Hard-Use Knife

Joe Kertzman
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It’s a Hard-Use Knife

I don’t generally abuse knives. Though I do fish, camp, hike and ski whenever I get the chance, using knives hard and putting them away wet is pretty unusual for me. The hardest I ever used/abused a knife was out in the horse pasture, and I laugh about that.C14SBK3_Both

It had been a long day. I’m also not the “horse person” in my family. That would be my wife, and I wasn’t thrilled to be replacing fence posts, a job I’ve since become accustomed to yearly. Anyway, I was tired. Did I mention I’m an editor and writer? And I needed to cut some high-tensile electric wire (the fence was unplugged at the time—at least I had that right). I didn’t have a wire cutter on me, and the garage had to be at least 50 yards away. I pulled out my serrated Spyderco folder. The model escapes me, but it was a good knife, pocket clip, one-hand opener, lockback, the works. I figured the serrated blade could cut the wire, and cut the wire it did. The thick wire also chipped a blade serration, but it was well worth saving a trip to the garage. I cut several more wires that day with the Spyderco, and by the time I was done for the day, the blade looked like a toothless mountain model rather than a big-city blade. Oh well, there were more knives in the drawer, and that Spyderco holds a place of honor among them, though missing a few teeth.

What’s the hardest you ever abused a knife? Need a new one, click here, or just share your story with BLADE and KnifeForums users.

Hot Outdoors and Rescue Knives from Antonini

BLADE Staff
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Hot Outdoors and Rescue Knives from Antonini

ARA XL Pro-Rescue Knife

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Steel: Hardened Aisi 440A stainless - HRC 56/58
Finishing: Satinated
Handle: Black and grey Micarta
Locking: Single frame lock (open)
Clip: Hardened Aisi 420 stainless
Fasteners: Aisi 303/304 stainless pivot and torx screws

The SOS ARA XL has a number of features important for rescue use. The blade has a slot and twin pegs to aid opening with either hand and with gloves. Cut in a "combo" blade (partially serrated), the slight curve and rounded safety tip aid in cutting on the pull and the handle includes a curved slot for cutting through ropes. Included are a seat-belt cutter, 10.3mm hole for attaching a carabiner or rope, glass-breaking nib, and a 1/4" bit holder complete with a neodymium magnet. This version has a handle made of Micarta for beauty and grip.

Click here to order this knife now.

Antonini Knives USAAll of these excellent outdoors and rescue knives are available for ordering directly from Antonini Knives USA.

As Long As We Have the Whittling Chip

Joe Kertzman
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As Long As We Have the Whittling Chip

As long as we have the Whittling Chip, then we have nothing to worry about in the knife industry. “What is the Whittling Chip?” you non-Boy-Scout, “no Eagle Scout Badge here”-type folks might ask? It’s a badge earned in Cub Scouts at the “Bear” level, and/or as a Webelos scout.whitpatch

Bear scouts and Webelos scouts may earn the privilege of carrying a pocketknife to Cub Scout functions. The objective of this award is to make Scouts aware that:

‘A Cub Scout knife is an important tool. You can do many things with its blades. The cutting blade is the one you will use most of the time. With it you can make shavings and chips and carve all kinds of things.

You must be very careful when you whittle or carve. Take good care of your knife. Always remember that a knife is a tool, not a toy. Use it with care so that you don’t hurt yourself or ruin what you are carving.’

The requirements to earn the Whittling Chip card and patch are:

  1. Complete Bear Achievement 19, Shavings and Chips
  2. Demonstrate knowledge and skill in the use of a pocketknife.
    • Close the blade with the palm of your hand.
    • Never use a knife on something that will dull or break it.
    • Be careful that you do not cut yourself or any person nearby.
    • Never use a knife to strip the bark from a tree.
    • Do not carve your initials into anything that does not belong to you.
  3. Take the Pocketknife Pledge:
    • I will treat my pocketknife with the respect due a useful tool.
    • I will always close my pocketknife and put it away when not in use.
    • I will not use my pocketknife when it might injure someone near me.
    • I promise never to throw my pocketknife for any reason.
    • I will use my pocketknife in a safe manner at all times.

Yes, as long as we have the Whittling Chip, all is well in the world of knives!

A Look at the Official BLADE Show 2016 Knives

Elwood Shelton
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A Look at the Official BLADE Show 2016 Knives

It’s a sad fact: the BLADE Show comes but once a year. There is, however, a way to enjoy this incredible event long after all the knife makers and collectors have broken camp.

Official BLADE Show knives are your opportunity to own and enjoy a piece of the “World’s Foremost Knife Show,” for years to come. Of course, if you can resist making these gems your everyday carry choice.

That is a conundrum, because the BLADE Show seeks out not only eye-catching designs from some of top makers around. But it also hunts out practical knives that can handle nearly anything its owner can dish out. These knives are the marriage of form and function.

And each one has a unique aspect to them. Not only is the show’s insignia roll marked across the blades or handle, but each is a special edition with limited runs and individually numbered. This makes each one exclusive to its owner, not to mention gives the knife the potential to accrue value as the years pass by.

Here’s a look at this year’s Official BLADE Show knives.

outrageCRKT Outrage (Run of 300 for the BLADE SHOW)

Ken Onion perhaps summed up his latest creation for CRKT the best, defining it as “Somewhere between gentlemanly and tactical.” In short, the knife is a looker and a doer.

On the aesthetic end of the Outrage is its finely textured handle, which includes lateral cuts in the aluminum that mimics corduroy. The handle of the limited run of 300 knives also features ergonomic finger cuts, to give the user a better purchase on the Outrage, thus making it more responsive.

The blade is a modified drop point — Onion describes it as a semi skinner — with a big belly and a fine point for detail work. The 3.19-inch blade is made from 8C12MoV stainless steel, which hardness helps it take a precision edge. The Outrage features a deep-pocket clip and a locking liner. And the flipper has a smooth-as-silk action, facilitated by its IKBS ball bearing pivot system.

 

Chris Reeve Knives Inkosi (Run of 25 for the BLADE SHOW)

Inkosi The Inkosi can be summed up in one word — overbuilt. Chris Reeve Knives has outdone themselves with this petite folder, outfitting it with a number of features not often found on a knife its size.

To start off, the Inkosi has a large pivot — a first for the company on one of its small knives — which makes the knife as solid as a rock when open. It also features oversized washers, which eliminates nearly all the play in the blade and increases its lateral strength. And finally, the knife has a ceramic ball end lock that virtually ensures the Inkosi stays open once the blade is deployed. The 2.8-inch blade has a hollow grind, a design choice that helps add life to the knife, given it more readily maintains its edge after repeated sharpenings.

Chris Reeve has taken the Inkosi’s resiliency to the next level with the handle and clip material, opting for lightweight and robust titanium. Uniquely, the BLADE Show logo and run number appear on the handle. And Chris Reeve has made the knife easy to manipulate, giving it a pronounced thumb stud. The Inkosi not only has the makings of a fine and functional knife, but it has looks to boot. Truly, this limited run of 25 knives for the BLADE Show is attractively Spartan.

 

Phrike Spartan Blades Phrike (Made upon order)

Named for the Greek goddess of horror, the Phrike has everything to send chills down a knife aficionado’s spine — in a good way. It is tactical, yet attractive and as an Official BLADE Show knife, exclusive.

Only available at ShopBlade.com, each one is made upon order at Spartan Blade’s North Carolina manufacturing facility. But there are some special features that come from buying the BLADE Show Phrike. It comes outfitted with a carbon-fiber handle only found on this special edition.

And, of course, it comes with the BLADE Show logo and serial number roll marked on the blade. The 4.25-inch blade itself is a swedged drop point, giving it a robust aft for heavy-duty jobs that winnows down to a fine tip for precision work. The Phrike comes with a nylon sheath and is completely made in America. And while it has the ability to tackle any job put under its edge, it is truly made to be a collector’s knife.

Mac Gray & Co.’s Timeless Mako Folder

Elwood Shelton
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Mac Gray & Co.’s Timeless Mako Folder

mako-folder
There is an enduring quality to Mac Gray & Co.’s designs. One has the idea that 100 years from now, the California company’s knives will continue be as stylish and eye-catching as they were the day they were purchased. It is certainly the case with Mac Gray’s Mako Folder.

The flowing lines and seamless appearance of this classy little folder makes it as hard to ignore as a seductive wink. But the Mako isn’t all good looks. Beneath its seductive façade lies a workhorse, more than ready to pull its weight in any duty it’s called upon.

To that end, Mac Gray has ensured the Mako will have a long life, lining the handle with 6AL4V Titanium. The material adds incredible strength and durability to the knife, at the same tick keeping it a lightweight companion, ready to be toted everyday.

The 3.5-inch blade, which boasts a saber grind, is made of 154 stainless steel, which is renowned for its toughness and edge retention. These qualities are primarily due to the steel’s high-carbon content and the addition of molybdenum. To top it all off, Mac Gray has included an attractive thumbscrew on the modified drop point blade for quick opening — a feature which will win fans among both righties and lefties as it is ambidextrous.

Mac Gray allows a certain amount of customization when it comes to the 8.5-inch Mako. Customers have the choice of Micarta or G-10 for the handle material and can choose from five colors (red, bone, black, OD Green or pink). The Mako comes with a stainless steel clip, emblazoned with Mac Gray’s name. The standard configuration is right side, tip down; but the company will tailor the clip to the customer’s carry style upon order.

The folder has a linerlock style locking mechanism, which prevents the blade from closing on a user’s hand. It has ¼-inch pivot with a bronze pivot bushing to ensure smooth operation. And, like all of Mac Gray’s knives, the Mako comes with a lifetime guarantee.

That last feature — the guarantee — might be among the most important of any when it comes to the folder. Because, with its timeless lines and top-notch function, it is almost certain that will be the length of time it’s carried.

Mako Folder Specs
Overall Length: 8.5 inches
Blade Length: 3.5 inches
Handle Length: 5 inches
Blade: Modified drop point
Blade material: CPM 154 Stainless Steel
Grind: Saber
Lock: Linerlock
Liner Material: Titanium
Handle Material: Micarta or G-10
Other features: Ambidextrous thumbscrew, stainless steel variable clip
Website: www.mgcknives.com

Military Knives

Joe Kertzman
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Military Knives

It’s nice to do something you know is right, and even better when the intentions are pure, and that’s exactly what BLADE® did four years ago with its December 2010 issue. Since then, every December issue, including the upcoming December 2013 BLADE, has been and will continue to be devoted entirely to our fighting men and women in the military.

It was an idea hatched four years ago in an editorial meeting. The staff had two questions: What could BLADE do that no other knife magazine does?; and How can we honor soldiers fighting for our freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan?V9527

Here are a couple of our first December military issues.

I was and am extremely proud of the fact that we’re able to set aside a single issue each year and devote it to the military. It’s the very definition of freedom. The December issue will hit newsstands and subscribers’ doorsteps on September 10th, 2013. Please look for it and help us support our troops. I can’t think of anything more honorable than that.

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