The New Andromeda From Artisan Cutlery Is A Gorgeous, Sturdy Folding Knife That Works Just As Good As It Looks.
Made in collaboration with Ray Laconico, the Andromeda from Artisan Cutlery is a gem. The folder features a 3.42-inch M390 stainless steel drop point blade with a stonewash finish treated to a durable 59-61 HRC.
The handle is where the Andromeda visually shines. The entire construction is made from gray titanium for a sleek, clean look, but it is the single piece of blue & black fat carbon on the side opposite the clip that makes the knife stand out.
The key feature on the knife is the deployment method. There’s a traditional dual-sided thumb stud and an inset button lock for one-handed deployment making the Andromeda one of the first Artisan models to feature it.
The Wharncliffe Is An Interesting Blade Design With A Captivating History. Over The Years It’s Grown Into A Desirable EDC Blade. These Five Wharncliffes Stand Out From The Pack.
There aren’t many blade styles like the wharncliffe. The wharncliffe stands out from many other blade designs thanks to its long, straight cutting edge and spine that tapers to the point. This allows for a variety of shapes of wharncliffe blades, with some being more squared off with a sharp taper and others being more rounded with a more gentle taper.
Regardless of the taper or size of the blade, the wharncliffe has grown into a beloved blade that has evolved to meet the needs of knife lovers over the last 200 years.
Where Does The Name Wharncliffe Come From?
If you guessed that it was named for a person you’d be correct, or at least almost correct. The name for the blade dates back to the 1820s and British Colonel James Archibald Stuart-Wortley-Mackenzie, the first Lord of Wharncliffe.
One night, while having dinner with his cousin, Archdeacon Corbett, Wharncliffe was lamenting how staid and tired the cutlery industry in Britain had become. The two then worked on a new type of knife to present to the Joseph Rodgers & Sons cutlery company in Sheffield, the epicenter of the cutlery trade in the UK.
Rodgers liked the blade so much that the company put it into production and named it the wharncliffe in the Lord’s honor.
What Is The Wharncliffe Used For?
The wharncliffe initially was used mainly as a whittling knife. The long, straight edge made it perfect for long strokes on a piece of wood. Over time, the blade has evolved with the rest of the knife industry and is now a quality all-rounder EDC. The straight edge is excellent at transferring energy from the hand into the material being cut. Not great at puncturing, it’s very good at most other cutting tasks.
5 Wharncliffes You Should Look Into Buying
Today, the wharncliffe has become a standard blade design by makers around the world. These are five that you should take a look at.
Spyderco Salt 2
Few companies have dived deeper into wharncliffes than Spyderco. The Salt 2 is a prime example of how the company has smartly developed the blade style, although there are many knives on the company’s roster that utilize it as well.
The ergonomic green FRN handle makes this knife easy to use, especially considering how it was designed to be used near water. The H-1 steel is highly corrosion resistant, which makes this knife the perfect choice to use near water. You can choose between a plain edge and a serrated edge, and the lockback keeps everything secure even when drenched.
Spyderco is beloved because of the quality of its knives, and the Salt 2 shows many things the company can do.
MSRP: $124.25
CRKT Inara
A simple, elegant design from Richard Rogers, the CRKT Inara is a perfect example of a quality, affordable wharncliffe EDC.
The framelock is strong. The deployment is smooth. The G-10 stands firm even in extreme conditions. This little flipper really does it all and looks good while doing it. The stonewashed 8Cr14MoV stainless blade is 2.78 inches long and the whole construction weighs just 1.8 ounces.
A small, nimble knife, the Inara showcases why the wharncliffe has become a regular EDC blade.
MSRP: $56
Emerson Knives P-Sark
If the last knife was for day-to-day use, the Emerson Knives P-Sark is for the most extreme situations. This is the standard issue knife for U.S. Navy Rescue Teams, according to Emerson Knives. It’s a thick, beefy blade designed to extract people in severe situations.
The 3.5-inch blade is made from 154CM stainless steel with a chisel grind. The G-10 handle is waterproof and perfect for the type of intense moments this knife was built for. The blade comes in both black and stonewashed varieties.
Sure, this could be used as an EDC, but this knife is designed for much more than just opening boxes and stripping wires, and is priced accordingly. If you want a strong, physical knife, then this is the one for you, but you’ll be able to find good EDC wharncliffes at more affordable prices.
MSRP: $226.95
Kershaw Leek
Kershaw has them all, and it’s no surprise that it offers a solid EDC wharncliffe. The Leek line of knives runs 16 deep, but we are concentrating on the original.
The whole construction is stainless steel with a 3-inch blade made from 14C28N stainless steel. The Ken Onion-designed knife is a sleek, sturdy flipper held in place with a framelock. At 3 ounces it’s a bit heavier than some of the other knives on this list, which is good because it helps the piece feel better in the hand and more secure in use.
The assisted-opening flipper, the tip lock to keep it secure when closed, and the reversible pocket clip are all features on the knife that elevate it from just a good knife to a high-quality EDC.
MSRP: $79.99
Cold Steel Tuff Lite
Small. Tough. Durable. Three ways to describe the Tuff Lite from Cold Steel. This little wharncliffe is a rugged little beast. Made from Japanese AUS-8A stainless steel, the Tuff Lite’s blade is just 2.5 inches long with a relatively squared-off tip that makes it perfect for deep cutting tasks.
The handle is made from Griv-Ex which, when paired with Cold Steel’s Tri-Ad lock, provides a rock-hard construction when deployed. This is the most affordable knife on our list, but it may be the highest value thanks to how the knife was put together.
MSRP: $40.99
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Bowie Beauties: Three Quality Factory Bowie Knives
The Author Got To Spend A Weekend Making A Custom Knife With Legendary Maker Bob Terzuola
Over 30 years ago when I was just getting into the knife collecting hobby, I was at a gun shop on Long Island. I noticed the knife in the salesperson’s pocket and asked if I could see it. It was a custom Bob Terzuola.
I had my own Spyderco Terzuola factory/custom reproduction that recently had been introduced and I was amazed to see and handle a custom Terzuola for the first time. I thought to myself that someday I would own a custom Terzuola. Little did I know that one day I’d have a chance to make my own custom knife with Bob as well.
In the course of my “collecting career” I managed to get one Terzuola—to say the least. Now I have around 75 Terzuola knives! During this journey, I’ve met Bob many times and we’ve become friends. He’s a truly remarkable person who’s been making knives for over 40 years. More than just a knifemaker, he is an artisan, inventor, and craftsman, too. In addition, he has plenty of interesting stories to tell.
This past fall, Bob and his wife, Susan, were in Chicago and we met for dinner. It was around my 50th birthday (which, coincidentally, I share with Susan). As a gift, Bob invited me to come to his shop near San Diego to make my own knife.
So in March I flew to San Diego to spend a few days with Bob at his storied “Knife Camp.” I was a bit nervous. I don’t really have any knifemaking or even machinery type experience. My family came along with me—my daughter loves Bob’s dogs, while my wife enjoyed the local botanical gardens with Susan, who is an artist and a master gardener.
Who Is Bob Terzuola?
Bob’s knifemaking journey began in Central America. In the late 1960s, he served in the Peace Corps in Panama. After completing his service, Bob settled in Guatemala, where he managed a jade company. It was there, in the late 1970s, when Bob began to first make knives, mostly for military operatives in Central America. In 1984 he returned to the USA and set up shop in Santa Fe, where things really took off.
Bob is often referred to as the “father of the tactical folder” and is best known for his ATCF (Advanced Technology Combat Folder) model, which was released in 1985. Wanting to create a discrete yet robust, functional, and easily deployable knife, Bob was one of the first custom knifemakers to use titanium, pocket clips, and G-10.
He was among the first makers to use a thumb disc and have parts laser cut. Bob is also credited with being the first custom maker to do a knife collaboration with Spyderco. Made in 1989, the knife was the Spyderco C15, which held patents for being the first U.S.-made factory knife using premium steel and G-10, along with a linerlock.
Bob Terzuola’s Shop
Bob shows the author how to grind.
When you first walk into Bob’s shop, you’re immediately struck by how neat and organized it is. As far as equipment, he has all that’s required with over a dozen machines including a band saw, milling machine, grinders, drill presses, and blasting cabinets.
More than the equipment, though, Bob’s shop is like a history of his knifemaking. The shop is dotted with mementos of his career, gifts from customers, letters of praise, awards, and trinkets from over the years. There’s also a collection of police patches from all over the world, along with hats and photos. On one bench he even has an artillery shell. Of course, the C15 Spyderco knife patent is on display as well.
Knifemaking With Bob
Using the lathe, Bob helps the author trim the pivot barrel to the proper length.
Time to make a knife! We decided to go with a 3-inch tanto folder, which is one of my favorite overall configurations. Bob suggested basing it on his Mini Athena model. He already had two handle liners cut out that we could use. I had to do the rest.
He explained the basics of operating the machines and got me to work right away. Within 45 minutes of pulling into his driveway, I was using a bandsaw to cut a blade profile drawn on a sheet of MagnaCut steel. Then I was drilling the pivot and screw holes in liners, countersinking holes, and smoothing out edges.
Things got quite serious when Bob had me “practice” taking the blades out of the heat treat oven. It’s pretty crucial to not drop the blades, which are heated to 1900° each when removed from the oven. Oh, and you read right, I did say “blades” as Bob had me cut two in case I screwed one up at some point. Fortunately I didn’t drop the blades after the heat treat, so that was a relief.
Next, I picked out my scale material. I like Micarta® so green canvas Micarta was an easy choice for me. Bob gave me a sheet of the material and off to the bandsaw I went. Same for the backspacer, for which I used some yellow/white Micarta for a bit of contrast.
The next day a lot of time was spent cutting the lockbar—Bob set up the milling machine for me—smoothing out the scales, adjusting stop pin placement, and putting the handles together many times to make sure everything fit just right.
Of course, all the work was made a bit easier and more efficient by using the tools that Bob has made, often even invented, over the years. His shop is filled with a plethora of tools, devices, holders, clamps, and more, many of which he’s designed and made himself to make his knifemaking process more reliable and efficient.
Next came the grinding, probably what many think of as the hardest and scariest part of making a knife. One of the first things Bob said to me when I arrived at Knife Camp was, “We can always take more away but we can’t put things back.” I think that nowhere is this truer in the knifemaking process than in grinding a blade. If you make a big mistake here, there’s no fixing it. Obviously, there is a practiced art to this. I seemed to do OK on the grinding part—until I wasn’t.
Overall, I ground the blade well but got sloppy on one of my final passes. I started a bit too soon and ground some of the area near the detent hole. When we put the knife together, it was pretty clear that the mistake had implications. Basically, there was no detent. It was pretty disappointing, but then we remembered the second blade I cut in the beginning. Clearly, Bob had been thinking ahead.
Finishing My Blade
The finished knife is based on one of Bob’s Mini Athena models sporting a 3-inch tanto blade of MagnaCut stainless steel and a green canvas Micarta® handle with pocket clip.
On day three I got to work grinding the second blade and managed to not repeat my mistake of the day previous. Then I sandblasted the blade. After that, I began the process of putting the knife together, taking it apart, tweaking it a bit, putting it back together, all over and over again until it worked just right. Finally, the action, lockup, and centering were good. Bob sharpened the knife for me and it was done.
I don’t know that I’ll ever be a knifemaker but I made a knife, and I love it!
Over the years, I’ve gained a lot of knowledge about knives but to actually make one was something else entirely. The amount of planning and work, especially detail work, that goes into a handmade knife is truly remarkable. Being guided by and watching a master like Bob made my experience even more remarkable. He knows what works well functionally and artistically. He thinks several steps ahead and takes the time with each detail. That’s why his knives are highly desirable.
Thank you again Bob—and Susan—for your hospitality and for making this opportunity happen.
The Missoula-based brand brings its legendary ruggedness, MagnaCut steel, and precision engineering to the everyday carry market.
For nearly six years, Montana Knife Company has been synonymous with hard-use fixed blades. Master Bladesmith Josh Smith—who at one time was the youngest person to earn his master smith stamp from the American Bladesmith Society—started the company in a two-car garage with a single goal: build the best hunting knife on the market. It’s difficult to argue he’s done anything other than exactly that, and in the process has earned the absolute trust of the outdoor community.
While the Missoula-based brand is deeply rooted in its hunting heritage, it has steadily built a full slate of options for hard work and everyday carry. Now, MKC is bringing its uncompromising standards to the EDC world with its first-ever folding knife: The Montana.
This highly versatile liner lock folder features a drop-point blade sized just right to handle everything from stripping wire on the job site to gutting a cutthroat trout at the creek.
“Five years of scaling our manufacturing right here in Montana made our first folder possible,” Smith said. “People will see a liner lock knife that weighs less than three ounces and is engineered to a thousandth of an inch, built to fit in any pocket and operate without service for years. But what matters most is that The Montana is built to be used and handed down just like every other knife we make.”
True to the brand’s premium manufacturing ethos, the knife features a working stonewash MagnaCut blade and durable G10 handle scales. Weighing a nimble 2.84 ounces, it delivers workhorse capability in a pocket-friendly footprint.
The Montana drops exclusively on the company’s website on June 4 at 7 p.m. MDT. Quantities will be limited, so expect a fast sellout.
The M-1 Folding Pocketknife From MECHFORCE Takes A Licking And Keeps On Cutting No Matter What’s In Front Of It.
Most people don’t like carrying a thick knife. They already have enough stuff without a bulky folder blocking access to the other goodies in their pockets.
I really like the blade thinness of the M-1 folder by MECHFORCE. Add a deep-set pocket clip and the M-1 is low profile when attached to the lip of your pocket. Meanwhile, the handle feels great.
The blade is a classic drop-point shape and cuts like … well, let’s see!
M-1 Folder Takes On Paper And More
The M-1 sliced the 20-pound bond copy paper smoothly and quickly.
Twenty-pound bond copy paper is the first way to test the factory edge. The M-1 sliced the stationery smoothly and quickly. I put a few nicks in my fingernail by moving too slow. I could hear every slice in the paper. Very sharp!
On to double-walled cardboard. The blade bound a tad at the bottom of the cut and during withdrawal. The thicker slice is where I noticed the binding. Thinner slices were not a challenge. It sliced the cardboard fast overall.
I used some plastic board for the next medium. The M-1 sailed through every slice. It was easy to control the width of the cut. I like the shape of this handle a lot. It really gives me control with my sidewinder cutting style.
The M-1 bit into 8-ounce leather and did so with gusto. I could hear the aggressive sounds of the edge biting through the material—this is very addictive to do as you crunch away. The knife would excel at skinning game.
I did some skiving to check the control of the depth of the cut. There were no issues whatsoever on the leather—super thin cuttings every time. The flat grind really helped in cut-depth control.
Pushing The M-1 Folder
The M-1 Folder wore the author’s wrist out after 250 crunching cuts of half-inch sisal rope.
Next up: half-inch sisal rope—time to use more pressure on the M-1. The knife wore my wrist out after 250 crunching cuts. It still had more bite but I was done for the day on rope cutting. The knife gave me no hot spots and I found zero sharp areas on the handle. It was very comfortable with pressure cutting. Excellent work, MECHFORCE!
To give the edge a heavy workout, I grabbed an old whitetail antler and gave it 30 whacks. I expected to see a few small chips in the edge but none showed. The edge was still sharp with no snags, sure signs of tough steel and excellent heat treatment.
I switched back to slicing 20-pound bond paper to see if the edge was still field ready. It sliced cleanly throughout to the end of the testing.
The M-1 comes with a maintenance kit that includes how-to instructions, two sets of replacement adhesive strips, take-down wrench and a bandage. It’s well thought out.
Final Thoughts
Not much to say here—maybe add some skateboard tape inserts for a no-slip grip. The M-1 is a high-performance knife that takes a licking and keeps on cutting. It makes a great pocket addition.
M-1 Folder Knife Specs
Knife style: Flipper folder Blade length: 3.5 inches Blade steel: M390 stainless Blade thickness at thickest: ⅛ inches Blade grind: Full flat Blade finish: Matte Blade pattern: Drop point Handle frame: 6Al4V titanium Handle inserts: Mars Valley carbon fiber Pocket clip: Deep set Lock: Framelock Weight: 5 ounces Closed length: 4-11/16 inches Knife to know: Features hidden-screw design Country of origin: Partially made in the USA MSRP: $385
Two New Exclusive Versions Of The Kershaw Misdirect Look Fantastic And Show An Evolution For The Popular EDC Folder.
Exclusive to kershawknives.com, the two new variants of the Misdirect are visually stunning and built to last. Both versions are made from S35VN steel and PVD-coated handles.
The Misdirect above features a BlackWash reverse tanto blade and bronze handle. The one at the bottom of the article has a spear point blade and blue handle.
The all-stainless construction is rugged and feels great in the hand. The assisted-opening flipping mechanism deploys the blade quickly and smoothly, and a frame lock holds everything in place. The is 2.9 inches in length, and, when deployed, the 2.9-ounce knife is just under seven inches long.
Both versions are beautiful, minimalist knives. The difference comes down to taste in knives. The blue version is a better puncturing tool with the spear point, and the bronze version has all the versatility that comes with a reverse tanto.
Only available in limited qualities, both knives are priced fairly for the quality and style.
Originally A Karambit, The New Provoke EDC From CRKT Takes The Kinematic Technology Into The Realm Of More Casual Knives.
Do you love Joe Caswell’s innovative Kinematic deployment system but don’t need a knife as aggressive as the CRKT Provoke? Say hello to the newest knife in the line: the Provoke EDC.
The knife takes all the best parts of the original Provoke but with one more casual, but massive difference: a drop point blade–the first in the line to veer from the karambit design.
Provoke EDC Blade
The drop point is just 2.56 inches long, but it really makes its money thanks to its thickness. It’s .27 inches thick, 22-percent thicker than the blade on the original Provoke and more than twice the girth of any of CRKT’s seven most-popular pocketknives.
This makes for a knife adept at heavy work, be it batoning wood or slicing through rope or even prying open anything short of a manhole cover.
At 3.6 ounces and 4.66 inches when closed, it’s light and easy to carry. The flush-mounted clip keeps it invisible in your pocket and quick to pop out. When deployed, the knife is 7.25 inches and is easy to control thanks to the handle. The handle is molded, similar to the original Provoke, so hot spots are non-existent as it sits flush in the hand when cutting.
Kinematic Action
The one-of-a-kind kinematic action is unlike any other deployment system on the market today. When released it’s fast-moving, smooth, and keeps that thick blade securely in place. It’s nearly impossible to flex the blade when deployed, a sign of a strong lock.
The action is powered by two pivoting arms connected to both the handle and the back of the blade. When released the arms swing forward, sending the blade out and locking it in place.
It is a dynamic system and is an excellent fidget, however, it may be a bit cumbersome for those with smaller hands. Since the handle was originally designed for a karambit, which is traditionally deployed in a reverse grip, it could be tricky to securely hold when trying to deploy the knife one-handed. To some, this might not prove as intuitive as a flipper or folder.
Other Provoke EDC Features
Beyond the blade, the most noticeable feature of the knife is its brilliant blue handle. The anodized aluminum visually pops and perfectly complements the satin-finished blade. And, since it’s aluminum, it is lightweight and can hold up to pretty much anything you can throw at it.
Overall, the Provoke EDC is a fresh take on everyday carry and is going to appeal to knife lovers looking for something that stands out.
