GiantMouse Has Taken A Big Step With Their New Fixed Blade. The GMF4 Is The Company’s Biggest Blade Ever And First Camp-Style Knife.
It’s a new era for GiantMouse. The company has stepped into the world of camp knives with the new GMF4. The knife is the company’s largest blade ever and comes in multiple finishes.
The star of the show is the blade. The N690 blade is 5.65 inches long, and the overall length is 10.45 inches. The steel has a flat grind and comes in two finishes: a traditional stonewash and a PVD stonewash. The PVD version is married to a Double Black Canvas Micarta handle, and the traditional blade is meted to a Double Red Canvas Micarta handle.
The handle is sturdy. The high flat saber grind is razor sharp, and the jimping helps stabilize it when cutting. There’s been a lot of thought put into the construction of this knife. A prime example of that is the lanyard hole.
Designed for outdoorsmen and campers, the lanyard hole is placed on the front of the knife so if a branch sneaks in there and pulls at the knife, it will be pulled forward and out of your hand rather than potentially snapping back and slicing you open.
No stone has been left unturned with this knife, and it will serve any and all campers well for a very long time.
Ka-Bar Makes One Of The Most Legendary American Combat/Utility Knives. First Issued In 1942, The Knife Continues To Impress And Inspire Today.
Few knives are as beloved and inspire more contemporary blades, than the Ka-Bar USMC fighting/utility knife. Ka-Bar Knives’ designation for it is the 1219C2, aka “the Ka-Bar,” and the knife was, and still is, a high-quality combat/utility tool. Ka-Bar Knives makes the contemporary version in its factory in upstate New York.
The History Of The Ka-Bar
As America entered World War 2, the Army and Marines took issue with the old World War 1-era trench knives that were being issued to them. The handles were too bulky, the blades were too brittle, and they were expensive to make.
After trying a few stopgaps, the Army asked arms suppliers to design a new combat/utility knife. Marine officers John Davis and Howard E. America worked with the Union Cutlery Company (now Ka-Bar Knives) to design a model that took elements from an old Navy knife and civilian hunting knives to create the 1219C2. In addition to Ka-Bar, Camillus, PAL, Robeson Shuredge, Case and Ontario were among those who made a USMC fighting/utility knife or a reasonable facsimile.
The knife was first issued to elite Marine units in November, 1942 and became standard issue for all Marines by 1944. Today, the knife is manufactured for military use and marketed to civilians as a utility/hunting knife.
Modern Ka-Bar Knives
Along with the original USMC fighting/utility knife, Ka-Bar makes many different combat/utility knives. This trio is a prime example of what the company produces today.
USMC Ka-Bar Plain Edge
The knife that made the Ka-Bar name famous is as popular as ever. There’s also a serrated version, but the plain edge is the original and is a hefty, economical knife.
The 7-inch clip point blade is made from 1095 Cro-Van steel with a 20-degree flat grind and a Rockwell hardness of 56-58 HRC. At just 11.2 ounces, it’s lighter than you might expect from a knife that size, which lets it flow smoothly when slicing, and the leather handle provides a secure grip. The rigid plastic sheath is MOLLE-compatible and can be carried vertically or horizontally.
Classics are classic for a reason, and the USMC fighting/utility knife is everything you could ask from a combat/using piece.
MSRP: $128.53
Becker Combat Bowie
Melding an American bowie-style blade with Becker’s trademark ergonomic handle design and you get this sleek, all-black combat knife. It is designed for bushcraft or camping too.
The 9.25-inch blade is married to an Ultramid handle that provides a strong grip. At 17.12 ounces, it’s a bit heftier than the USMC fighting/utility, making it excellent for more heavy-duty work like trimming thicker branches and vines or cutting through medium brush. Similar to the USMC fighting/utility, the Combat Bowie is made from 1095 Cro-Van and has a Rockwell hardness of 56-58 HRC.
A heavy-duty polyester sheath is included and is MOLLE-compatible as well.
MSRP: $178.61
Combat Kukri
This knife may have “combat” in the name, but its bread and butter is decimating small trees and vines. The kukri is smaller than a standard machete and is more finite in its cutting. That doesn’t mean that this blade can’t flex its muscle and chew through almost any brush you put in front of it.
This knife may have “combat” in the name, but its bread and butter is decimating small trees and vines. The kukri is smaller than a standard machete and is more finite in its cutting. That doesn’t mean that this blade can’t flex its muscle and chew through almost any brush you put in front of it.
At just under 16 ounces, it’s relatively lightweight yet robust.
If you’re buying it you’re most likely looking for a high-quality outdoors knife, and this kukri is it. The 1095 Cro-Van will need to be maintained to get the best out of it over time, but that comes with the territory of owning good knives. This knife will make a great companion working through the bush while camping or while cutting through bushes in the backyard.
The Gerber Mark II Is One Of The Most Famous Combat Knives Ever Issued To The American Military. First Introduced In 1966, It Still Endures Today.
When it comes to military knives, few are as universally beloved as the Gerber Mark II. First issued for use by U.S. service personnel in the Vietnam War in 1966, the knife has stayed in production since with the exception of 2000-2008.
The Mark II was successful due largely to its well-designed blade and lightweight. The blade is 6.5 inches long, and contemporary versions of it are made from 420 HC stainless steel. The handle is made from die-cast aluminum which helps keep the weight to just eight ounces.
What Makes The Gerber Mark II Special?
The Mark II stands out thanks to its blade design. There are many combat knives and bayonets, such as the M7 and M9, that are modeled after the classic dagger or spear point. The Mark II also has a double-edged spear point blade but with one massive exception: the wasp waist.
The wasp-waisted blade has a narrower section of steel, akin to how a wasp’s body narrows at its waist. On the Mark II, this narrower section comes toward the guard, and the edge on both sides has small serrations. Not the deepest you’ll find on a knife, the serrations are still there to cut.
Very few modern combat knives have the wasp waist (other famous American models like the M7, USMC fighting utility knife, and M9 don’t have it), and it is the visual signature of the Mark II.
Can I Buy A Gerber Mark II Today?
Yes, you can, but it’s not so straightforward. Gerber is, of course, still in business and thriving, but go to its website and you won’t find a Mark II for sale. There are other serrated tactical knives but no Mark II.
To purchase a Mark II today you’ll have to either go to sites like ebay or retailers such as Knifecenter, Smoky Mountain Knife Works, etc. Other makers offer knives similar to the Mark II, but if you want the real deal you’ll have to dig a little bit to purchase one yourself.
However, the ones of recent make that are available are reasonably priced at right around $100-$115.
A Good Work Knife Is Worth Its Weight In Gold. These Half-Dozen Blades All Excel At Something Outdoors From Gardening To Felling Trees.
Serious work knives are going to be fixed blades. Strength is something that can’t be sacrificed, and while many folders are incredibly rigid, they have mechanisms and moving parts that can and do become worn or damaged with hard use.
Modern folders are great knives. However, once mud, grit, sand, and the unexpected rock an inch underground comes into play, they tend to fail. Few folders are strong enough long-term for use as a trowel—fewer still can be safely batonned through wood. On the merit of ergonomics alone, the folder is usually slab-sided in profile and isn’t comfortable to hold for long periods, nor does it allow for easy cleaning. As such, the fixed blade is superior when the woodchips or dirt need to fly.
Defining work knives is merited by the individual task at hand. Some of the knives featured herein are not suitable to assume the role of another. Specialization is the name of the game and the knife you need for splitting wood is far different than one for working the ground. The main characteristic, across the board, is that these knives simply must hold up for their intended role and be at least serviceable in others should the need arise.
The test knives were all put to heavy use during an exterior cleanup, pulling up rotten posts, planting vegetables and bulbs, cutting down saplings and small trees, starting fires, making kindling, opening fertilizer and feed bags, and all sorts of things you would use a knife for in routine outdoor chores. They were exposed to rain, soil and, on occasion, cleaning supplies. I evaluated the edges and finishes for how well they cut and the handles for how well they felt in the hand after extended use.
Case Winkler Recurve Utility No. 6
The Case No. 6 was perfect for slicing straps on hay bales, removing small limbs and cutting various hoses and line.
A collaboration between Case and Winkler Knives, the Case Winkler Recurve Utility No. 6 is large, beefy, well-made, and very, very sharp. It arrived with a much finer edge than most Winkler designs, which made it all the more interesting when compared to the other Winkler knife in this article.
One of this issue’s cover knives, the No. 6 is not machete size but is big and heavily built. The deep belly and recurve result in a wide, rounded curve up to the tip, with about an inch-and-a-half of front-facing edge to the point. It is excellent at digging but not great at penetrating materials.
Where the knife really excels is in deep, long cuts. The recurve shape and handle angle make it want to sink right in. It can be batonned through wood around 2.5 inches in diameter with ease, can make tinder and is great at striking. The knife comes with a leather sheath that includes a polymer clip for a Zippo mini lighter. This is probably the only downside to this overall fantastic knife—the polymer clip isn’t strong enough to keep the lighter firmly in place and it can and does fall out.
In terms of general utility, I used the No. 6 hard and heavily for just about every task I could think of in the yard/garden. It chops well for a standard-sized knife and takes down medium branches as well as a small saw. It wants to work and, due to its shape, is simply useful and never got into a place where it was too much or too little. Overall, it is a fantastic work knife that should last you a lifetime.
MSRP: $430.99
Winkler Knives Drop Point Crusher
As a medium chore cutter, the Winkler Drop Point Crusher was great and easy to carry. The glass breaker/striker pommel is wickedly effective.
A classically styled working knife, the Winkler Knives Drop Point Crusher is a rugged gentleman’s knife with an appearance that doesn’t immediately give away its abilities. It was the only test knife with a wood grip but this never became an issue despite it being the most organic in composition. It was, like the others, exposed to rain, sap, dirt and dried wood. In addition, and thanks to the glass breaker/striker pommel, it was also used to bust down rotten posts and break glass out of a damaged windowpane.
It is a lightweight knife and easy to carry all day long. While Winkler makes knives for some of the most tactical dudes in the world, this one doesn’t draw that sort of attention in the slightest. It looks old, like something your granddad may have carried while hunting, and most people just look past it.
As an heirloom-quality knife it is hard to want to use it, but like all the Winkler blades I have looked at over the years, it wears nicely and simply gains character. For basic work the knife is great at everything but is just a bit thin for heavy batonning, though it can be used to split smaller pieces.
As a work tool, it is firmly in the everyday use category but like the Earth Skills knife is best set aside for heavy work. This is the knife I ended up wearing the most and using for the greatest number of tasks as it was so effortless to carry.
MSRP: $375
Condor Tool & Knife Woodbuster
The Woodbuster split firewood easily.
The Condor Tool & Knife Woodbuster is the biggest knife I’ve tested for BLADE®. Because of the knife’s name, I decided it best to use it on as much wood as possible, from taking down branches to dropping small trees. Designed by Joe Flowers, it sailed through things like they were hardly there. It approaches machete size, though it is heavy and the energy you need to get it moving is wasted on small brush.
I chopped firewood and reduced sections of trunk 12 inches wide into firewood with the Woodbuster. It can be batonned with surety and is great in that it has no real tip, so you don’t risk catching your hand or fingers if the blade sticks in the wood. It chops as well or better than a camp axe and with less physical effort in preparing firewood.
In taking down trees care is needed, but it is as good as an axe on anything under a foot across, which isn’t small by any stretch. The Woodbuster is 100 percent a working knife and is easy to become proficient with.
The only downside is the grip, which is rather round in profile. Smaller hands may have a hard time with it. The grip is also a bit smooth, though not all that noticeable if you wear work gloves. It becomes a bit hard to hold when wet and can roll in the hand after repeated strikes. This isn’t a serious problem, just something to be aware of.
MSRP: $171.58
KA-BAR Jarosz Camp Turok
The Camp Turok is a large knife that can handle branches, cutting chores, and light chopping.
The KA-BAR Jarosz Camp Turok is large but not as beefy as the Woodbuster, and much lighter. With the exception of heavy wood cutting and batonning, it performs most outdoor tasks. The blade is thick but draws to a relatively fine point.
Designed by Jesse Jarosz, the Turok is a great general-purpose outdoor tool in that it’s easily maintained and stays sharp when handling chores. It’s a bit too large for EDC and is, like the Woodbuster, something you will want to carry until you don’t; it’s an overt item.
It is, however, the test tool that has the most utility for the price and the broadest range of uses. The only thing I don’t like is the grip—too smooth for my taste and slippery when wet. However, the scales are removable, making the knife easy to clean and maintain.
MSRP: $129.69
Benchmade 162 Bushcrafter
The handy Benchmade 162 Bushcrafter is eminently useful for most outdoor work, and easy to carry and maintain. Designed by Shane Sibert, it arrived with a very sharp edge, though more notable was the grip profile. It’s a relatively small knife and the handle is unusually shaped, almost like a dog bone in geometry, and is very easy to get a firm, solid grip on. It can’t really be used for chopping large materials but is exceptional for fine work. It’s great at making fire and excellent in the garden and for pruning.
While billed as a bushcraft blade, it’s really a fine everyday knife and graciously civilian in appearance. It doesn’t look tactical at all and won’t draw attention anywhere from the farmer’s market to the barnyard. It held up exceptionally well and maintained a sharp edge in use.
It was used like the others to open feed and fertilizer bags and to cut cord and roots. The only downside is the sheath. While aesthetically pleasing, it has a suede feel and once wet tends to stay wet for a long time.
MSRP: $260
TOPS Knives Earth Skills Knife
The Earth Skills knife was at home in the garden and far more effective than a trowel at getting though tough roots.
The Earth Skills Knife from TOPS Knives is large and has a very atypical profile. Matt Graham designed it as a type of survival knife, though not necessarily a heavy-duty one. It is quite thin and has a generous Scandi grind, making it absolutely wonderful for working the earth, cutting through rooted soil to plant new bulbs or vegetables, and light work like cutting branches and digging up old wire netting. It’s great as a close work tool and for preparing food but has little value for hard-use tasks.
The edge geometry and thin spine are not suitable for batonning, though the blade is great scraping tinder and striking on a rod. Because of these special features, the knife is at home in the garden or camp in that it likely won’t be used for initial setup, but rather for cutting food, root vegetables, harvesting forage and as a light machete. The grip is very comfortable but quite large. The blade stayed very sharp through testing and accomplished tasks easily with minimal wear.
This Quartet Of Knives, Inspired By The Parang Of The Malay Archipelago In Southeast Asia Are Tough, Rugged Fixed Blades.
There’s something about large blades with an Eastern flair, an exotic look, and that offer devastating function. They generally are built stouter and able to complete multiple hard-use tasks beyond those of a machete. Such knives clear vines and weedy vegetation, take out small saplings, and split wood for campfires. They are equal parts tool and, if necessary, weapon.
Condor Tool & Knife Pack Golok
Batoning the Condor Tool & Knife Pack Golok is easy. The convex edge bites right in and tackles the task with gusto.
Originating in the Malay Archipelago, the golok is used primarily in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Varying in size and weight, it is typically anywhere from 10 to 20 inches long. Often shorter and heavier than machetes, the golok is used for bush and branch cutting. Cutting edges tend to be convex, preventing the blade from being stuck in green wood. Carbon steel is often the preferred blade material, usually with a softer temper for ease of sharpening.
A good modern production example is the Condor Tool & Knife Pack Golok. The 11-inch upswept blade is 1075 carbon steel with a convex edge great at not sticking in green wood. The handle curves down near the butt and flares out a bit to prevent the knife from sliding out of your hand while chopping. The rich brown appearance of the walnut handle material elevates the Pack Golok’s appearance. Three large brass rivets secure the walnut slabs to the tang. A thong tube provides a hole for a lanyard. The overall length is 17 inches, long enough to tackle heavy work but not too long for belt carry or easy storage.
In use, the Pack Golok feels very sturdy and comfortable. The large diameter of the rounded walnut handle turns down a bit to help keep your hand in place. The generous diameter makes the handle easy to grip and fills the hand nicely. You feel in control of the knife at all times.
The solid convex grind puts a maximum amount of meat behind the edge for durability and helps resist chipping and rolling through heavy chopping. The edge is very sharp and easy to maintain so the knife serves well in the field.
The Pack Golok performs like a larger knife without being one. Of the test bunch, it’s the best chopper. It also excels at baton work. Conversely, it works just as well for finer tasks such as whittling.
The leather sheath is extremely well done. It features two button snap closures to secure the knife. Unsheathe it by simultaneously lifting the handle and pulling it out. There’s a large loop for belt carry.
MSRP: $107
DPx Gear HEFT 12 Chop
Chopping is what the DPx Gear HEFT 12 Chop does. It’s like an axe—swing up, let gravity take the blade down and it strikes with plenty of inertia. Chopping is almost fun with the HEFT 12.
DPx Gear’s HEFT 12 Chop is a serious piece of kit. Robert Young Pelton, aka RYP, is the founder of DPx Gear, a noted journalist, and a documentary film director who spent considerable time in Iraq and elsewhere covering various conflicts. Based on the parang, which also is a favorite in the Malay Archipelago, the HEFT 12 Chop is optimized for cutting woody growth. Sporting a sweet-spot belly for chopping and forward-weighted balance, the parang is a multi-use cutting tool that can be quite handy in the wilderness.
In the HEFT 12 Chop, RYP wanted a tool that would serve as a machete, hatchet, and large survival knife all rolled into one. As a result, one knife can be carried instead of several. This is especially beneficial on long treks—the old “less is more” maxim.
The 12.5-inch blade is flat-ground D2 tool steel, a proven and highly consistent performer for hunting and survival knives. A black mil-spec blade coating enhances corrosion resistance and low reflectivity. The green G-10 handle is 3D machined and contoured for comfort with no hot spots to speak of. The grip turns down and flares out somewhat to act as a catch and prevent the hand from sliding backward. Three large Torx-head screws fasten the G-10 slabs to the full tang. There’s also a lanyard hole in the exposed tang. A single guard keeps the hand from sliding forward.
At 18.6 inches overall, the HEFT 12 Chop is a formidable cutting tool. Made in Italy by Lionsteel, it looks great with the black blade and OD green handle. When you lift the HEFT 12 Chop, you immediately notice the heavy blade-forward balance. This enhances chopping, building momentum, and using gravity to your advantage as you swing the blade. If you go into it with all muscle, trust me, you will get tired. Relax and let gravity do the job.
Rest the guard on your hand as if you are choking up and let the handle pivot a bit in your paw for additional power. A semi-loose grip works best—or at least it did for me. As you chop you can feel the power with each blow and where the blade’s sweet spot is (just behind the angled tip). The HEFT 12 takes out smaller and thinner vegetation with abandon—a testament to RYP’s design vision.
This is a wonderful blade for baton work. You can use the length for leverage as you pound the spine. The full flat grind is like a wedge, splitting wood effectively and quickly. The HEFT 12 Chop does not come with a sheath. It’s a bit on the pricey side but the design is backed by RYP’s years of real-world experience.
MSRP: $375
APOC Chop House
The APOC Chop House is a good chopper, though the author indicated the handle does raise some hot spots. Wearing gloves is a way around that.
Boasting a flared reverse-tanto-style tip, the Chop House from APOC Survival Tools is based on the dao, which originated in China as a single-edge sword primarily used for slashing and chopping. The blade’s moderate curvature and angular tip are effective for thrusting. A 12.75-inch blade and overall length of 18 inches puts the Chop House right in the middle of machete territory. It boasts 9260 carbon blade steel, full-tang construction, and a black G-10 handle. A black oxide coating reduces glare and enhances rust protection.
Featuring 3D-machined and contoured facets, the handle is certainly one of the knife’s most interesting elements. Three sets of Torx®-head screws fasten the G-10 slabs to the tang. A prominent finger groove trails a recessed grip area, and the handle flares out to create a catch for your hand, stopping rearward sliding.
An integral double guard provides additional protection. Wrap your hand around the handle and feel your fingers nestle in and lock into place. Depending on your hand size, you might feel some hot spots around the palm. In fact, those with bigger hands might find the grip objectionable.
The Chop House feels agile and has more of a neutral balance than the rest of the test bunch. As a result, it excels more at such machete tasks as cutting tall weeds, grass, vines and maybe taking out the occasional sapling. To be an effective chopper, the balance must bias toward blade-heavy, something the Chop House does not do. It has a balance more typical of a standard machete. This isn’t bad, it just means carefully selecting what you use it for.
The factory edge did not last long out of the box and I wound up resharpening the blade to my liking. It might be wise to apply your own edge before putting the knife to use as well.
MSRP: $159
Fox Knives Parang
Don’t let the Fox Parang’s short length fool you. It chops quite well, with plenty of bite to the blade.
The Fox Knives Military Division (FKMD) Parang is an outstanding example of a compact fixed blade that serves as a chopping, camp, and kitchen knife while remaining easy to manipulate and carry. Taking design cues from the traditional parang with the forward-weighted feature, the 7-inch blade has a bulbous, rounded tip great for slicing and as a skinning knife if need be.
The N690 stainless blade steel has a layer of black Cerakote® for additional corrosion protection. N690 is higher-end steel that exhibits an excellent balance of edge holding, corrosion resistance, and sharpening ease.
The ergonomic handle is Forprene, a molded thermoplastic tacky to the touch. Several large scallops on the grip section accommodate the user’s fingers comfortably. Along with the main groove, the largest scallop seats the index finger. This locks in your grip and the rest of the fingers fall naturally into place. The tang has a choil and gimping ahead of it to promote a secure choke-up grip for finer cutting tasks that require additional control. Though the handle is boxy, the edges are rounded to soften things up.
In action, the Parang—one of this issue’s cover knives—is impressive. As a chopper, the blade bites in deep and hard. The flat grind and excellent edge quality out of the box help make this possible. The Fox entry can give some larger knives a serious run for the money in terms of chopping effectiveness. When you choke up, tasks that require control like whittling are as easy as chopping. The knife feels comfortable and balanced in the choke-up grip. The large blade belly slices very well and the grip is no slip.
The Forprene handle mitigates some shock from impact when chopping. Its slightly tacky quality makes for a good grip with wet, dry, hot, or cold hands. Some may think the handle material looks cheap but the Forprene offers function rather than aesthetics—crucial when considering an outdoor blade for hard work. I wear gloves when using big fixed blades and even with gloves, the Forprene still felt very secure.
The Parang seems the most useful of the review models as it serves well as a chopper/camp and kitchen knife. If you stash a chopper in your vehicle, the compact length makes it ideal for the role. You can do the same with the other test knives but their additional length may pose an issue.
A very nicely made ballistic nylon sheath with Kydex liners for rigidity and protection from blade puncture comes standard. A wide dual-snap retention strap fastens around the handle. A smaller strap secures the knife at an additional point below the main retention straps.
This might seem redundant but when wearing the Parang on your belt in the wilds, you don’t want it to exit accidentally! A loop accommodates a variety of belt widths. There are MOLLE attachment points and a leg tie, too.
One drawback: the sheath is OD green and the Forprene handle is tan. I’d prefer the handle color to match the sheath. An aluminum box with a snap-on lid that contains common assorted survival items is included.
Few Patterns Are As Stunning And Audacious As Daggers And Fighters. These Four Makers From Around The World Show What Elite Craftsmen Are Creating Today.
Knives with attitude always have been popular among many makers and cutlery enthusiasts, and, if you’ve ever been to a BLADE Show, chances are you’ve seen some eye-popping examples. Many have in-your-face themes, with daggers and fighters getting lots of love among them.
Wardog Fighter By Samuel Lurquin
The Wardog Fighter by Samuel Lurquin includes a handsome leather pouch sheath with logo by Jeremy Guillaume, a sandblasted-then-blued blade, a tight-waisted bird’s beak handle, and a dog tag with appropriate verbiage and logo. Overall length: 12.8 inches.
If Samuel Lurquin’s Wardog Fighter looks familiar, that’s because it is—it served as one of three cover knives for the June BLADE®. However, due to space requirements, we were unable to give the knife its just due in that issue, so we correct that oversight here.
Sam is an ABS master smith from Belgium who makes bullet-proof tactical fixed blades ticketed for extreme “rough ’n tumble” use beyond the call of duty. Sam’s English is somewhat limited, so we turned to Dave Ellis, proprietor of Exquisite Knives, who specializes in upscale cutlery from around the world. Dave is California’s first ABS master smith who has since retired from hammering steel to become a purveyor of fine custom knives. Dave’s overview of the Wardog is insightful.
“Sam’s combat knife was designed to be very concealable, nothing flashy that sticks out! Twenty years discussing the needs of end users helped him design a knife to be used hard in the field,” Dave observes. “Rather than taking credit for the knife’s design, Sam instead deferred to the many experts when it came to ergonomics, concealment, and design to ultimately come up with this sleek fighter.”
The beefy clip-point blade is 7.5 inches to go with the 5.3-inch black G-10 handle.
“I asked Sam if he considered this to be the perfect combat/field knife,” Dave states. “His response was quite sincere. He said, ‘There’s never just one perfect knife.’ Use dictates the design of each piece, and this design Sam hopes is one that he could stake his own life on. This is very important to Lurquin—that if all else fails, his knife will prevail.”
Dave explained the Wardog’s finish process: “The blade was sand blasted then cold gun blued. The bluing produced a forced rusting [patina] that Sam removes with steel wool. The blade is stonewashed for the final finish, one that will stand up to hard use.”
Sam designed the thick, all leather sheath and had his friend, Jeremy Guillaume of 8 Ball Leather, make it. “It’s double welted and has double latches to keep the knife secured on many media—belts, backpacks and the like,” Dave concludes. “Sam felt that Kydex is too noisy, thus the use of leather.”
Commando Dagger By Joe Israel
Joe Israel offers his Commando Dagger with the smaller Shrike EDC knife. A big fan of the Fairbairn-Sykes dagger of World War II fame, Joe patterned the handle on that of the F-S classic. The Kydex sheaths are by Harry Savage.
One of this issue’s cover knives, Joe Israel’s Commando Dagger is born out of Joe’s intense fondness for the armed forces knives with a double edge.
“I’m inspired by all the great military daggers like the Case V-42, Fairbairn-Sykes, Gerber Mark II—these knives have always fascinated me,” he observes. “I wanted to create something both beautiful and a bit sinister which, after all, is what I think daggers are.”
Though very stylish, Joe’s knife is meant to be used.
“For the Commando Dagger, I start with 3/16-inch CPM 154 stock that I flat grind by hand and heat treat myself, including a liquid nitrogen cryo. The blade is 6 inches long and the overall length is 11 inches,” he states. “It’s then hand sanded to 3,000 grit and mirror polished.”
The blade is sharpened on both sides. If the curvaceous handle smacks of a certain famous World War II combat knife, it is purely intentional.
“I always loved the shape of the Fairbairn-Sykes handles and I try to emulate their elegant shape in my Commando Dagger,” he comments. “The knife is full tang with a brass guard that I pin and solder in place old-school style.” The scales are black linen Micarta® with blood-red G-10 liners secured with brass pins.
Joe supplies his knives with no-frills, all-business black Kydex sheaths, and also offers them in leather. “Harry Savage makes the sheaths for the daggers and he’s just great to work with,” the maker opines. “His work is always top-notch. The small knife in the picture accompanying this story is my Shrike EDC. It’s available in a variety of steels and handle materials. I offer Kydex and leather sheaths for my other knives, too.”
The Toothpick By Matthew Roberts
Matt Roberts chose ladder-pattern damascus for his Toothpick dagger because it complements the symmetrical blade profile, and the coffin-handle design for its simplicity and flowing lines.
Matthew Roberts is an ABS journeyman smith with a passion for forging.
“I modeled the Toothpick after the Gold Rush daggers and Arkansas toothpicks of the 19th century,” he explains. “I have no knowledge whatsoever of historical knives and their dimensions. I made this because it looks vicious. Utility was an afterthought for this build.
“I forged the blade from 15N20 and 80CrV2 steels,” he continues. “I chose ladder-pattern damascus because it complements the symmetrical profile. The blade geometry is very acute with a full distal taper—the point is ground to near zero.” The Toothpick has a 7.25-inch blade length and is 12 inches overall. The blade is 1.2 inches wide at the widest and has about a .165-inch maximum thickness.
Matt chose a coffin handle design for its simplicity and flowing lines. The radius of the handle profile mirrors the blade profile. The handle material is African blackwood that Matt faceted heavily.
“Blackwood seemed to be an appropriate choice because I wanted the blade to be the focus of the piece,” he notes. “Also, blackwood is a very heavy wood which helped bring the point of balance well into the handle.” The guard and spacer are 416 stainless. The spacer fluting is mirror polished.
Matt chose a simple sheath to reflect the clean lines of his dagger. “It’s buffalo hide over bridle leather,” he states. “The hide has a matte finish and is very soft.”
Coffin Dagger By Julian Sacco
Julian Sacco’s Coffin Dagger features a W2 tool steel blade made via the stock-removal method and an unusual smoky hamon he chose for an “ominous feel.” The African blackwood handle is configured in what the maker calls an “old-school-coffin” style.
Julian Sacco’s dagger redefines the word sleek—and that only begins to describe the distinctiveness of his take-down-construction Coffin Dagger.
“The inspiration for this piece came from seeing a lot of other makers do coffin-style bowie knives,” Julian relates. “I felt a shape like a coffin would fit really well on this dagger, as it’s an entirely mirrored piece all the way around. Essentially I wanted it to have an old look and feel to it and I think the coffin style fit that profile perfectly.”
The blade is ultra-slim and has a notable hamon.
“The blade is W2 tool steel and is done in the stock removal method,” he notes. “I don’t have much experience with hamons but, as per the theme of this dagger, I tried to create a smoky pattern to give it an ominous feel.” The knife has a 7-inch cutting edge and is 13 inches overall. “I wanted this to be more of a nimble and easy maneuvering piece,” Julian states, “somewhat like a stiletto dagger, but not quite.”
The grip’s modified wasp waist exudes creativity as well.
“The handle is shaped entirely to look like an old-school-style coffin, which I think it resembles quite well. I wanted to have an aggressive look to the overall construction, which is why I shaped the pommel with such sharp lines,” he remarks. “To match the guard I kept those similar shapes and lines on the outside while smoothing the areas that would be gripped in order to make it comfortable for the user. The brass pommel and guard were an excellent choice as I knew they would patina in a way that would fit the overall rustic look and feel I was going for, while the African blackwood handle complemented that look exactly how I hoped it would. It perfectly fits the profile of an old coffin with its rich lines and bold grain, tying the entire theme of the piece together.”
Awards Were Given Out In Nine Different Custom Knife Categories Including Best In Show At BLADE Show West In Salt Lake City.
Dozens of makers entered knives in competition across eight different custom knife categories. The skill on display was tremendous, and numerous knives wowed the judges. However, these were the blades that stood out from the crowd and took home the awards. All images are SharpByCoop Images.
