As rugged as the mechanics who use it, this overbuilt pocket knife features a modified drop point blade that’s built from stainless steel. It’s tough enough to cut hose but still precise enough to strip wiring. Meanwhile a black corrosion resistant coating keeps the blade intact no matter what you put it through in the shop.
Blade Steel: 1.4116
Blade hardness: 55-57 HRC
Blade Thickness: 0.120” (3.0 mm)
Blade Finish: EDP
Blade Length: 2.75” (69.85 mm)
Closed: 4.125” (104.76 mm)
Open: 6.875” (174.63 mm)
Weight: 6.2 oz. (175 g)
Handle: Glass-Reinforced Polypropylene with TPR Insert
For a minimalist with an appetite for big adventure. Jesper Voxnaes’ Scandinavian backyard is filled with fjords, punctuated by mountains, and sliced by surging rivers. So when he sets out to design an outdoor knife, it’s crafted to perform. Everywhere.
Editor’s note: In addition to a good blade, one of the best survival tools you can carry is a .22 pistol. Check out our sister site GunDigest.com for the Top list of best .22 pistol options.
Keep Up on New Knives with a BLADE Magazine Subscription
Planning for a backwoods excursion? Here are four of the best hunting knife options, the fixed blade variety, presently rolling off factory lines.
As the fall outdoor season approaches, it’s important to assess your gear and decide if you need to purchase new equipment—hunting knives included. It’s time to maintain what you have or buy brand new models that will assist in camp chores and/or dressing game.
Fixed-blade hunters play an important role on the hunt as they do a lot more than just field dress. They also help prepare meals, prep firewood for cooking, and any other cutting chores that crop up.
Ontario Knife Co ADK Keene Valley Hunter
An example of one of the latest such edged tools is the ADK Keene Valley Hunter from Ontario Knife Co. The wide drop-point blade of 420HC stainless steel adapts to cutting or camp tasks easily. It offers plenty of belly to do the aforementioned chores and field dressing, too. Full-tang construction provide plenty of strength and balance. Interesting multicolor Micarta® scales supply a great grip in all weather conditions, and are highly resistant to cracking, chipping and peeling. The material’s highly stable nature and purchase qualities make it a favorite among users. The scales are tapered from the handle spine, allowing the knife to rest in your hand comfortably. The integral single guard and distinctive choil work in harmony to enable you to choke up on the handle for ever-greater cutting control and user confidence.
The best hunting knife? The deep-bellied blade of the Ontario ADK Keene Valley Hunter makes a case for it. It easily slices large cutting jobs down to size. ADK is short for the Adirondack Mountains, a range in Ontario’s home state of New York.
While 420HC is not my blade material of choice on such a knife, it has a good combination of both edge holding and ease of sharpening. Rounding out the package is a nicely sewn and riveted leather sheath that sports button-snap retention to hold the knife. Sheaths are often an area some manufacturers cut corners on to save money and hit the targeted price point, but not the ADK Keene Valley. The sheath is very nice in quality and holds the knife quite securely.
The handle feels a bit blocky but there are no crisp edges or anything to create hot spots. Micarta is one of my favorite handle materials due to its strength, light weight and color selection. It also has a nice grip-you-back quality. At 11.2 ounces the knife has a noticeable heft. The blade at its thickest is around .2 inch, which also contributes to the heavier weight but also plenty of thickness to withstand tough, unforgiving use. The flat grind thins it out nicely yet remains thick enough for strength. With its wide blade and generous belly, the knife slices really well—one of the traits to look for in a hunter.
Kizlyar Supreme Caspian
Ten inches overall, the Kizlyar Supreme Caspian features a hollow-ground blade of D2 tool steel and a handle of hornbeam wood. The classic clip-point-bowie blade never gets old and has a defined tip along with a prominent swedge. The bowie shape does equally well in the tactical and outdoor genres, a great overall pattern for both a tool and weapon. The hollow grind thins out the edge and gives the blade an extremely good bite. D2 has respectable edge-holding ability and is widely used in the production knife industry as an upgrade to lower-grade steels. It is well known for toughness and high impact resistance, which makes it an ideal inexpensive steel for outdoor knives.
The 5.4-inch clip-point blade of the Kizlyar Supreme Caspian provides plenty of sharpened real estate to process camp tasks and makes it a top hunting knife. Overall length: 10 inches.
The ergonomic handle features multiple finger recesses, and the butt turns down to form a pinky catch to prevent your hand from sliding rearward. The tang helps form an integral single guard, resulting in a comfortable, smart, secure handle design. Largely flat, the scales are secured via two hex-head screws. The handle edges are contoured for comfort.
The leather sheath is a riveted, sewn fold-over design. As a nice visual touch, contrasting thread is used for the stitching. The belt loop is a dangler type, allowing the hunting knife to ride a bit lower when affixed to the belt, as well as promoting greater freedom of movement to accommodate you in a seated position. Not every fixed blade has this sheath design and it is a plus in my book. To top things off, the sheath is stamped with the Kizlyar Supreme logo and website address.
The knife performs very well. It has the power to slice through various media with ease. It’s somewhat large for a hunter but does multiple cutting jobs, including camp chores and some food processing. The hornbeam scales are not stabilized so extra care might be required, such as but not limited to drying off the handle immediately after you wash the knife.
Spyderco Bow River
The FB46G Bow River is one of Spyderco‘s latest fixed blades. The design by custom knifemaker Phil Wilson is based on his experience as an avid hunter and fisherman. Spyderco has produced several of Wilson’s fixed-blade designs but those were always higher-end knives in terms of materials and price—until now.
The Spyderco Bow River is tailored for fine precision work such as field dressing and food prep in camp. It would make a great kitchen knife as well. (Spyderco image)
The Bow River is designed for the budget-minded outdoor enthusiast who demands performance and superior design in an edged field companion. Starting with the blade, 8Cr13MoV stainless steel is used for a good balance of edge holding and ease of resharpening in the field. The 4.36-inch blade is big enough to tackle most hunting chores but small enough to easily manipulate, as well as carry comfortably in a belt sheath. Wilson selected a trailing point blade design due to its generous sweeping belly that tackles slicing chores with ease. The full flat grind and distal taper enable the blade to sail through media easily.
The handle is rounded, contoured black-and-gray G-10. The alternating colored layers form a wood-grain-type pattern that is very eye-catching. The hunting knife rests in your hand comfortably and has no hot spots or crisp edges. The way the end of the handle is rounded off tucks into your palm snugly. Some with larger hands might find the handle a bit lacking but for me it’s just right. The surface finish is slick and devoid of texturing, though with the way the handle is shaped you can always get a secure hold no matter what. There is a large hole in the butt for a lanyard. The leather sheath is a sewn and riveted fold-over design with belt loop. It’s simple and executed very well, just like the Bow River. The knife fits inside the sheath well.
As for performance, it is definitely one efficient cutting tool. It is a well-designed fixed blade regardless of price. It is tailored for fine precision work such as field dressing and camp food prep. It would make a great kitchen knife as well.
Case Winkler Kyle Lamb Hunter
The Case Winkler Kyle Lamb Hunter salutes the design expertise of Daniel Winkler and military service of retired U.S. Army Sergeant Kyle Lamb. The 5-inch spear-point blade’s saber grind leaves enough material for strength—the full .195-inch thickness runs to the tip—but removes enough to thin the blade out for effective cutting. The choil and pronounced thumb rest help exert extra control when choking up on the blade. The 80CrV2 carbon steel is extremely tough and sharpens easily.
The Case Winkler Kyle Lamb Hunter serves well in outdoor or tactical settings. The 80CrV2 carbon steel blade provides the horsepower to tackle a variety of cuts. Overall length: 9.5 inches.
The black canvas Micarta® handle offers a great grip in most all weather conditions. It is rounded for comfort and has no hot spots. Two thong-tube pins secure the slabs, and there’s an extra-large oblong hole in the butt for a lanyard.
The hunting knife is a substantial tool. It has a good heft that conveys a solid feel and instills user confidence. It is equally at home as a tactical or outdoor knife because it has the features of both: great user blade shape, ergonomic handle and superior-grade materials. The blade is scary sharp out of the box. It dispatches large cutting jobs easily and quickly. Because the handle accommodates most hands very well, you can easily bear down and power through media. And when finesse is needed, you can choke up on the choil and thumb rest. The spear-point blade adapts to a wide range of tasks.
One word of note: some might find the gimping on the thumb rest and choil a bit harsh. It does bite into flesh just a bit but that can be a good thing, especially when your hands are wet, covered in animal blood or freezing. The gimping also works well if you wear gloves. They do a great job of biting into the glove material to keep the knife positioned in your grip.
The Kydex sheath is top-notch. Instead of a typical fold-over design it is a riveted one that incorporates a phenolic spacer material. The interior is lined with a felt-type material to reduce clatter. The exterior sports a laser cutout of Lamb’s Viking Tactics logo, a very nice touch. On the reverse side is a heavy-duty metal clip that affixes the hunting knife to belts up to 2 inches wide. The knife fits firmly inside the sheath with absolutely no play and no fear of falling out whatsoever.
Cyrus Vance, Jr., Allegedly Turned Blind Eye to Weinstein Accusations
Cyrus Vance, Jr. (Image via manhattanda.org)
The Manhattan district attorney notorious for his “gravity knife” prosecutions, Cyrus Vance, Jr., is now being investigated for apparently turning a blind eye to a 2015 sexual assault allegation against disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo directed the state attorney general on Monday to review how the Manhattan district attorney, Cyrus R. Vance Jr., handled a 2015 sexual assault allegation against the movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.
Mr. Vance decided not to prosecute Mr. Weinstein even though his accuser, an Italian model, had provided police officers with a recording of Mr. Weinstein apologizing when she asked him why he had groped her breasts the day before.
Mr. Vance said at the time that there was insufficient evidence, a defense he repeated last year after an outpouring of accusations against Mr. Weinstein reopened scrutiny of the decision, and also cast light on Mr. Vance’s acceptance of campaign donations from Mr. Weinstein’s lawyers.
Noel decided he didn’t want to go to college just yet. He also knew he couldn’t move down to San Francisco and pay rent on both an apartment and a steel-working shop. “I decided I could make my shop inside a trailer,” he says. “Then I wouldn’t have to pay rent, and I could go anywhere and make knives.”
These days he drives up and down the state: to Malibu and Santa Barbara for craft shows, staying afterward to surf, or up to the Sierra, where he can ski in his off hours. Sometimes he sets up his outdoor workshop by the side of the road, opening up the trailer to turn on the propane forge and set up his belt grinder, which runs on generator power.
One wonders, though, what retirement will look like when the getting is this good at 19. Read the full article here.
Video: Make a Knife From an Artillery Shell
The videos explaining how to make knives out of [crazy thing] sure are entertaining, and they reveal where a mastery of knifemaking basics can take you. Here’s one featuring an 88mm artillery shell.
Get a look at everything that went down at the world’s largest knife show.
The 44th Annual BLADE Show in Atlanta was yet another in a historic line of three-day edge-stravaganzas of the present, past and future of an international knife industry that seems to advance daily by leaps and bounds.
The latest and best knives, knifemakers and related accessories the planet has to offer, the pioneers that laid the groundwork for what the knife community is today, the new, up-and-coming knifemakers and knife companies that hold such great promise for tomorrow, and so much more all showed their sharpest stuff June 6-8 in the Cobb Galleria Centre.
Jason Yount displays his damascus pizza cutter under the watchful eye of BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member Steve Schwarzer. Steve called it the best BLADE Show in a few years.
It was about what you would expect from the world’s largest, most important international knife event.
BLADE University provided a full slate of topics, including knife and sheath making, how to sharpen, fundamentals of blade grinding, how to etch damascus and many more. BladeSports International conducted the annual BLADE Show World Championship Cutting Competition and Blade HQ held Balicomp 2025.
Custom knifemakers and bladesmiths from around the globe displayed their wares, including members of the American Bladesmith Society, Knifemakers’ Guild and unaffiliated makers from everywhere. Meanwhile, various knife collector groups, knife rights organizations and other outfits met and discussed their favorite topic as only they can each year during the BLADE Show.
Through it all, knife enthusiasts of all stripes renewed old acquaintances, made new ones, and otherwise immersed themselves in the world’s keenest three-day weekend, capped off each night with food and beverages in The Pit, the legendary sunken lobby lounge of the host hotel, the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly.
It was knife heaven on steroids.
BLADE Show Sales
The BLADE Show has always been unlike any other knife event and this year’s rendition was no exception. Attendance ebbed and flowed Friday and Saturday, and Sunday was its usual slow-to-middling self. While some exhibitors raved about the attendance and sales, some said both seemed off from last year.
Jordan Berthelot discusses next-level damascus etching while Greyson Weltyk shows a student a result of the process during one of many BLADE University classes.
One reason for the differences in observations may have to do with the sheer size of the show hall as opposed to the smaller size of the adjoining Baller Room. The show hall is so large that waves of attendees seemed to gravitate like flocks of birds from one side to the other, constantly in search of the latest, coolest knives. As a result, one area that was flooded with patrons for a while might be somewhat devoid of them minutes later. By contrast, the smaller Baller Room seemed to have fairly steady traffic throughout.
Another factor has to do with the exhibitors themselves. As with any business, those who are constantly on the go, looking to make deals or offering giveaways are usually the ones who experience the most success. Smiling faces and engaging, upbeat demeanors sell knives. Those who stand or, worse yet, sit behind their tables with their arms folded waiting for something to happen usually have a long if not endless wait.
Custom knife purveyor Michael Donato was constantly on the move, talking and probing for those who wanted to buy and/or sell knives. He said his company, KnifePurveyor.com, had its best show ever in 24 years of BLADE Shows.
John Horrigan’s 16.5-inch Kings Dagger features Gorgon flower damascus, petersite, a red agate, and 24k-gold engraving with a ruby, diamond, sapphire and emerald inset in the crown. John’s price for a similar knife: $14,500. (Jocelyn Frasier image)
“Many of my colleagues shared with me how well they had done at the show as well,” he noted.
Matt Bando of Demko Knives was stoked about Demko’s performance.
“We brought the largest number of knives we have ever brought to a show and sold out faster than any other,” he noted. “All of our USA models were sold by 2 p.m. Friday. There seemed to be a lot of people at the show and every year it seems to grow.”
Demko is one of those exhibitors who employs giveaways to drive sales and create enthusiasm.
“We had a large turnout for our giveaway on Saturday. We gave away five different packages. For the main giveaway, we gave a USA-made titanium AD20 in 3V. A young man entered his younger brother into the raffle and ended up winning his first Demko knife. Great story. “We were blown away and pumped.”
Two blade enthusiasts try out/talk knives at the McNees Knives booth.
Custom knifemaker Rhidian Gatrill not only won for Best Miniature in the custom knife judging competition but, along with Jeremy Yelle, also captured Best Collaboration. “Rhid” exhibited 13 knives, two of which were miniatures, and sold all but one.
“Most sold within the first few hours on Friday but the others sold slowly through Saturday and my minis within the last hours of the show Sunday,” he wrote. Still, he said he thought the buying was slower than last year, which was his first year exhibiting at the BLADE Show.
Vince Evans specializes in high-end historical swords and knives. He brought four swords and sold two, both on Friday.
“Most of my clientele are interested in historical pieces,” he stated. “Swords are a more limited field as some collectors don’t have the room to collect and/or display larger pieces.” Vince indicated the show seemed slower than last year and that a few regular local attendees did not come. “Friday and Saturday seemed fairly busy,” he wrote, adding that on a scale of 1 to 10, Friday and Saturday were “about a 7” and Sunday “about a 2.”
The VK-Zame—aka Shark—in M398 stainless steel and titanium was among the knives Poikilo Blade debuted at the BLADE Show. MSRP: $580-$600. Available to the public: August/September. (Poikilo Blade image)
Gregarious Cutlery Hall-of-Famer Steve Schwarzer was pleased. “I had a great show, sold most of my carved pieces and took several orders,” he commented. “It was the best show in a few years. It was very busy.”
As usual, the South Texas Slipjoint Cartel boys all seemed to do well, including sellouts by Tanner Couch and Toby Hill, the latter who sold all 11 of the knives he displayed. Bobby House only brought three knives but sold them all by early Friday afternoon. He indicated his most-sought-after knife was a high-end Cutlery Hall-of-Famer Bill-Ruple-design Ax Handle with wasp nest damascus bolsters and shield that went for $2,800 to a French buyer. The other two buyers were Americans, the latter being Arizona Custom Knives.
The Baller Room buzzed all three days.
“I thought attendance was up on Friday and Saturday,” he wrote, giving Friday a 7 rating. “Friday attendance was the people wanting to buy custom knives. They are there to get the first shot at our custom builds. Saturday attendance is more for entertainment purposes. They want to look and see all types of knives, but they have funds to buy also.”
He gave the Saturday attendance an 8, concluding, “Overall, it was one of the best shows that I have been involved in. Great job by the BLADE Show crew!”
BLADE Show Treasures
A highlight of all BLADE Shows is you never know what unusual old knife or sword, new knife introduction, mechanism or material, or other notable hidden treasure may turn up.
“I always enjoy seeing what the antique dealers bring to the show,” Evans wrote. “I purchased an antique quillon dagger for research and a future replication project.”
It’s easy to get mesmerized by knives at the BLADE Show, here at the table of Alex Hossom (left).
An antique also caught the eye of knifemaker David Kramp, who sold 10 of 12 knives and won Best New Maker in the custom knife judging.
“There was a French knife from the 1830s that was very intriguing,” he wrote. “I’m very much looking forward to that potential build with a fellow maker.”
Winner of Best Damascus in the custom knife judging, Gabe Fletcher came across a product that piqued his interest. “The Gator Skin Blade Coating from Baker Forge seems very interesting,” he wrote. “I picked some up to try on my damascus.”
Both Kramp and knifemaker Jared Oeser were gobsmacked by Gatrill’s lockback whittler automatic that won Best Collaboration in the show’s custom knife judging competition.
Conducted by Blade HQ, Balicomp 2025 drew a packed house on show Saturday.
“I’m not ready to make something like it yet but that auto slipjoint was impressive,” Kramp observed. Oeser, who brought 14 knives and sold out by Saturday afternoon, chimed in, “One thing that stood out to me was Rhidian’s automatic lockback whittler. I’m gonna have to try [making one like] that.”
Next Up: BLADE Show West
It was indeed another BLADE Show for the ages. Speaking of which, next year’s show will return to the Cobb Galleria June 5-7. For more information, visit bladeshow.com. Meanwhile, it’s not too late to make plans to attend BLADE Show West Oct. 10-11 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah (bladeshowwest.com). See you there!
Women are leading the rise of knife throwing across the country and the world.
As an accessible and affordable hobby, knife throwing is seeing a surge in development and an astounding cultural impact. Since my first knife-throwing tournament over 30 years ago, the sport has steadily grown. One of the largest gatherings of knife throwers began in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, guided by knife designer and champion thrower Joseph “Brokenfeather” Darrah. Now known as Brokenfeatherpallooza, it has evolved into a top national event.
The Quaker State event isn’t alone in rallying throwers in the spirit of camaraderie and friendly competition. The Columbia City, Indiana-based Dangerfest—led by online knife-throwing sensation Brandon “Danger” Dillon—has become a mainstay on the throwing circuit.
It’s unsurprising these major events have taken root where they have, given throwing’s deep roots in the region. Michigan is among knife throwing’s historic epicenters, thanks in large part to BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame® member Harry K. McEvoy. As a result, the state has long been home to devoted McEvoy and Tru Balance knife enthusiasts. During my time at the helm of the Tru Balance Knife Company, I met countless throwers—many of them members of a group known as the Michigan Blade Throwers. This group held frequent tournaments and became a driving force in the regional throwing community. From this large and passionate collective emerged a group of women who would soon redefine knife throwing in Michigan and beyond.
Among the attractions women have found in knife throwing is empowerment, stress relief and camaraderie, according to the author.
Birth Of A Movement
In 2015, Kelly Grove launched Women With Knives (WWK), igniting the world’s largest women-only knife-throwing league. What began as informal backyard sessions with her husband, Jeff, quickly evolved into a grassroots movement. Long before entering the competitive circuit in 2019, Kelly was already building the sport. In 2018, she organized her first league event, the Gung-Throw, which later became the now-iconic Battle of the Blade Maidens. Kelly’s influence extends even further. A founding member of the Michigan Blade Throwers, she helped establish the state’s first Throwstorm Tournament in 2020. Recognizing the importance of preserving and growing the community she had created, she converted WWK into a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization in 2021.
Kelly officially retired from competitive throwing and league leadership in 2023 but continues to guide WWK as a member of its Board of Directors. Upon stepping down, Kelly appointed Dawn Solomon as Chair and Executive Director of WWK. Under Dawn’s leadership, WWK continues to set record-breaking benchmarks for women’s participation in competitive knife throwing.
Dawn, who entered the sport in 2019, is a dedicated competitor and a member of the Michigan Blade Throwers. Together with her husband, Tim, she operates MBT Range, the largest outdoor throwing range in Michigan. MBT has grown into a hub for seasoned athletes and newcomers alike.
Most women’s knife throwing organizations began as grassroots endeavors. The inspiration of WWK, for instance, came in founder Kelly Grove’s backyard in informal throwing sessions with her husband.
Membership in the WWK is diverse. Teachers, nurses, small business owners, corporate executives, stay-at-home moms, retirees and more fill its ranks. This includes throwers of all ages, ethnicities, fitness levels, abilities and disabilities. All find a place within the league.
The attraction of knife throwing is as distinct as WWK’s members. For some, it’s a release of daily stress; for others, a confidence booster. For practically all, slinging steel is a way to forge lasting friendships. Adding to the escapism knife throwing allows, each member adopts a unique alias. These are proudly displayed on league T-shirts—adding an element of fun, freedom and identity to the experience.
At its core, WWK empowers women by teaching the art of knife throwing while fostering strength, confidence and community. Whether members aspire to compete in sanctioned events or simply want to unleash their inner warrior in a supportive environment, the organization offers a place to belong.
More than holding their own, women have become among the top competitors in all ranks of knife throwing competitions.
Today, WWK continues to thrive under the guidance of a dedicated Board of Directors and leadership team who share Kelly and Dawn’s mission. Together, they travel the country competing, coaching and championing the sport—ensuring knife throwing continues to grow and welcomes new women into the community.
Live Nationwide
Women have also stepped forward to lead major tournaments across the country. One such event is Blades Out Or Bust (BOOBS), founded by Jessica Gold McClain. A longtime supporter and advocate of the sport, Jessica—also known as “Goldi Lox”—sponsors at least two tournaments annually near her home in Bastrop, Texas.
For Jessica, the passion for knife throwing began in her teenage years. She spent countless hours honing her skills in a friend’s backyard before eventually setting up her own target at home. When she began competing, she was often the only or part of a handful of women at most events.
After a five-year hiatus from the sport, the seed was planted for what would become a powerful new community. In 2019, Jessica founded the Bladed Sisterhood with a bold vision: to unite women around the globe who share a passion for blades. This small idea has grown into a thriving international network where women connect, learn and celebrate knife, tomahawk and axe throwing.
Michigan is among the knife throwing epicenters and, as the author points out, is the home to WWK and other women-focused knife throwing organizations. (Felicia Mulder image)
The organization’s dream is ambitious—to see these disciplines recognized worldwide, including as Olympic events. Until then, the Bladed Sisterhood continues building a community that inspires women, celebrates skill and honors tradition.
While women like Kelly and Jessica built strong foundations at home, others were already taking knife throwing onto the world stage.
Throwing Goes Global
One of those women is Melody Emel, a multi-award-winning champion with more than two decades of experience in the sport. After attending stunt school, Melody developed a deep interest in Western arts, which naturally led her to knife throwing.
Far from an American endeavor, knife throwing has become a global phenomenon and has seen a large influx of women throwers worldwide. (Dawn Soloman image)
Following multiple first- and second-place finishes in major tournaments, Melody founded Blade Aces in Las Vegas to serve and grow the local throwing community. In 2015, she traveled to Europe to compete in the Eurothrowers World Championships for the first time, marking a significant milestone in her international career.
Melody’s passion for both throwing and teaching continues to drive her involvement in events around the world. She actively supports competitions that empower women and raise funds for breast cancer awareness and other causes dedicated to uplifting women.
From backyard grassroots to the global stage of professional competition, women have redefined the sport. With a growing international network and a dedicated leadership, the future of female knife throwing is certain.
