Knife collecting is an extremely rewarding experience for knife enthusiasts. There truly is a knife for everyone. Many increase or hold their value throughout the years, making collecting knives something to pass on to the next generation of knife collectors.
Our “Knife Of The Day” for Feb. 8 is the Seber Drop Point Model RK1150CP.
Featuring a 3-inch serrated blade of 8Cr13MoV stainless steel and a G-10 handle, the knife offers up the Rotation-Loc, a ratcheting-type mechanism that enables the blade to lock open at a variety of different angles. There’s really nothing else quite like the mechanism among folding knives.
Weight: 7 ounces. Closed length: 4.5 inches. Your price at ShopBlade: $39.99.
Spyderco’s Sage 5 Lightweight is a detour from their original Sage project in the best kind of way. Originally created as a platform to showcase unique locking mechanisms and their creators, the Sage series has helped to deliver incredible innovation into the mainstream.
In this spirit, the Sage 5 Lightweight maintains the Compression Lock™ mechanism highlighted in the original Sage 5, but pairs it with injection-molded, fiberglass-reinforced-nylon (FRN) handle scales to reduce its weight by 13 percent.
The handle’s Bi-Directional Texture™ pattern provides a secure grip. Nested, skeletonized stainless steel liners provide structural strength and a foundation for the knife’s lock mechanism.
For serious end users, the result is a lightweight, high-performance knife that offers an ultra-secure grip at a more affordable price than the original version of this design.
To ensure an ultra-smooth action, the Sage 5 Lightweight’s full-flat-ground CPM® S30V® stainless steel blade rides on a special low-friction bushing that allows for precise pivot tensioning. A reversible deep-pocket wire clip provides discreet, ambidextrous, tip-up carry, while keeping the knife readily accessible.
As is tradition with all of Spyderco’s Sage models, a portion of the sales of these knives will be donated to the National Alzheimer’s Association.
Here are eight knife shows to attend throughout the United States in November 2019.
There’s nothing quite like meeting the makers behind the knives that collectors love. Even if you don’t buy a new favorite blade (though it’s hard to resist!), you’ll learn a lot about knifemaking, gain a new appreciation for the craft and handle knives worth tens of thousands of dollars without spending tens of thousands of dollars.
What’s better than that?
NOV. 1-3 PORTLAND, OR
The 2nd Annual BLADE Show West, Oregon Convention Center. The latest in custom and factory knives, awards for same, demos, seminars and more. For more information visit bladeshowwest.com.
NOV. 1-3 PIGEON FORGE, TN
Voyles Knife Show, Smoky Mountain Convention Center, 865-908-3015 https://www.mypigeonforge.com/event/voyles-knife-show.
The 37th Annual Mt. Vernon Knife Show, Roland Lewis Community Building. Contact Nancy Hancock, Dept. BL4, 12193 Turner Dr., Mt. Vernon, IL 62864 618-242-4514 jcckc1982@ yahoo.com.
Constantly on the lookout for something that will make their knives better and stand out at the same time, many of today’s custom makers don’t hesitate to jazz up the guard.
And why not? A handsome, well-made guard adds to a knife’s looks, and, more importantly, serves as a sure safety feature in helping keep your hand where it needs to be—on the handle.
Above: Brad Millman forged the hammer-finished copper guard of his Wolftooth bowie. The 12-inch recurve blade is a san-mai construction of 360 layers of 1095 carbon and 15N20 nickel-alloy steels for the core sandwiched in a jacket of 1084 carbon steel. The bird’s-beak handle is curly Tasmanian blackwood. Overall length: 18 inches. (Caleb Royer edited image)
Above: Wayne Barrett heat-colored the shapely mild-steel crossguard of his 14.56-inch stiletto. The 10.6-inch blade is vintage butcher’s steel by F. Dick of Germany and features a classic triangular grind. The handle is Merino ram’s horn. (SharpByCoop image)
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Above: It’s easy to see how Ryan Breur’s Ball-Guard Bowie got its name. The guard is cast bronze and the handle is flamed white oak with a domed inconel pin. The blade has a sharpened clip and is forged from 80CrV2 carbon steel. (Caleb Royer edited image)
Above: A stylish guard of wrought iron helps put the finish- ing touches on an ancient-walrus-ivory bowie by ABS master smith Tad Lynch. The 11.25-inch clip-point blade is W2 tool steel—a material some leading smiths consider ideal for producing a handsome hamon—and the knife is 16.375 inches overall. (SharpByCoop image)
Above: An upturned guard with a finger ring—each of hot- blued 4340HT steel—and a ladder-pattern damascus blade of 1095 carbon and 15N20 nickel-alloy steels help complete a quillon dagger by ABS journeyman smith Paul Savage. The handle is buffalo horn. (SharpByCoop image)
Above: Black mirror accent balls cap the stainless steel quillons on ABS master smith Kyle Royer’s Maiden Voyage Stiletto. The 11.75-inch damascus blade features an extra-deep hollow grind, a fuller and a reinforced piercing tip. The sculpted, fluted handle is wrapped in 24k-gold twisted wire. Overall length: 17.5 inches. (Caleb Royer image)
Above: The handforged nickel-silver finger guard “with curls” gives a damascus bowie by David Davis a curvaceous look. The 7.25-inch blade is pattern-welded steel forged by Alabama Damascus. Blade finish: acid etched. The handle is stabilized buckeye burl and the spacers/ liners are ebony and bone. Construction: hidden tang. Overall length: 12.25 inches. (Caleb Royer image)
Above: Tyler Turner outfits his coke-bottle-pattern pocketknife with a folding swing guard of 416 stainless steel. The 4-inch blade is CPM 154 stainless steel in a hollow sabre grind and the scales are jigged bone. Closed length: 5 3/8 inches. (SharpByCoop image)
The serpentine titanium clips on Michael Zieba’s folders are finished in rose gold. (PointSeven image)Damascus trailing-point clips adorn Butch Ball’s pearl folders. (PointSeven image)
Spyderco’s first factory/custom collaboration, the C15 designed by Bob Terzuola, sported a pocket clip.A short, skeletonized clip distinguishes Lucas Burnley’s Asian folder. (PointSeven image)
Craig Camerer employs mokuti for the long, curved clip on his folder. (PointSeven image)
Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Spyderco offered its first knife with a pocket clip—and also the company’s trademarked blade opening hole—in 1981 when it introduced the Worker model. Spyderco also popularized serrations on sporting folding knives.
The fact that custom knifemakers adopted the pocket clip, as did factory knife companies everywhere, should come as no surprise. For one thing, the clip’s abilities to attach a closed folding knife to the lip of your pocket rather than having the knife bang around in the bottom of it with car keys, coins, etc., and to make it much easier to retrieve are eminently practical. In addition, Spyderco has offered many factory/custom collaborations—knives designed by custom knifemakers and then reproduced by a company, in this case Spyderco. The first of these was in the early 1990s—the C15 designed by Bob Terzuola, which, of course, also had the blade hole and a pocket clip.
Today’s custom versions of the pocket clip run the gamut, including long ones, short ones, tall ones, round, anodized ones, rose gold ones and more.
For instance, Michael Zieba won Best New Maker at the 2016 BLADE Show for his S2 standard and mini models with serpentine titanium pocket clips finished in rose gold.
Ken Onion’s folders have a short, cross-hatched pocket clip. (PointSeven image)
On the other end of the scale is Lucas Burnley’s Asian-style folder with a very short skeletonized clip, while Butch Ball offers trailing-point damascus clips on his pearl-handle folders. Craig Camerer presents a long, curved clip in mokuti on his damascus folding knife, while Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame member Ken Onion opts for a short, cross-hatched clip on one style of his folders.
These are but a few of today’s custom knifemakers who took their cue from Sal Glesser and his utilitarian pocket clip. Hey, if you’re going to emulate someone, emulate the best.
Don’t Miss Knives 2017, the World’s Greatest Knife Book
The best knives in the world can only be found in the greatest knife book on the planet. Put your order in for Knives 2017 and look forward to gorgeous full-color photos of custom knives, in-depth articles and profiles of the hottest knives from the best ‘makers.
The Kershaw Knockout offers a bigger design than most EDC, but it’s still lightweight enough to stick in a pocket. (Kershaw photo)
An Eye-Catching EDC Knife
To my eye the Kershaw Knockout is in fact a knockout. The design is sleek, flowing and graceful, with all details blending into the whole—clearly a 21st century EDC folder.
The deep-bellied drop point blade emerges from the smoothly contoured handle easily and strongly but doesn’t threaten to jump from your hand.
The thin handle makes for a comfortable waistband carry. Though thin, the chamfered edges of the aluminum handle made for a surprisingly comfortable grip, even after extended cutting of rope and rubber tubing. It also balances right where it should at the index finger.
The deep belly sliced everything well. The frame lock was as solid as the proverbial bank vault door. The thumb stud is machined and polished and has no rough edges. In fact there are no rough edges anyplace on this little gem.
The clip is strong but not long enough or strong enough to prevent the knife from moving in the waistband of athletic pants, which I happen to wear a lot. Like most tip-down models, the positioning of the knife when carried requires a grip shift to get to a proper cutting position.
The deep belly of the Kershaw Knockout sliced everything well, including quarter-inch hemp.
The Verdict
This is such a handsome piece of work I’m almost tempted to put aside my preference and EDC this one.
Carbon steel knives continue to be among the top factory performers.
High-performance stainless steels—CPM S30V, S35VN, S90V and 20CV, along with CPM 154, M390 and CTS 204P, to name some— rule in many corners of today’s knife market. While such steels exhibit astonishing edge-holding power and the ability to go the distance without much maintenance, the tradeoff is they can be difficult to sharpen. With the ascendance of such “super steels” you might think carbon steels would be gone for good.
Nothing could be further from the truth. While carbon steels may not attract the attention they once did, that doesn’t mean they’re no less a viable option for hunting, camping and even tactical knives. Many still prefer carbon steels over the high-performance stainless ones, and the primary reason is ease of sharpening, especially in the field. While carbon steels require a bit more maintenance, such as a light coat of oil to prevent corrosion and staining, they can give premium stainless steels a run for the money. Another factor is the all-important lower cost of carbon steels.
SANDBOX STEEL: A.G. Russell Knives Sandbox Dagger
Photo from agrussell.com
The inspiration for the Sandbox Dagger from A.G. Russell Knives comes straight from the old Camillus Marine Raider Stiletto and legendary Fairbairn-Sykes dagger, both of World War II fame. BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® member A.G. Russell’s intent was to recreate the effectiveness of the venerable dagger designs while boosting the durability of the blade, as the tapered, relatively thin blades were prone to break. Carefully studying the old combat knives, A.G. devised the Sandbox Dagger.
Most daggers fail with broken tips. The A.G. Russell Sandbox Dagger in DM1 carbon steel is redesigned to allow for more blade tip thickness. The knife survived this sideways snap-out treatment with no damage whatsoever.
Beginning with a wider blade that takes longer to taper, thus giving it more body, he discovered new ways of grinding that allowed more stock thickness to remain, enhancing lateral strength. Traditionally a weak spot for daggers, the point thickness is more considerable as well. Another A.G. idea was to offer a “varied edge angle.” Most of the blade would be sharpened at A.G.’s preferred angle of 15 degrees, but toward the tip it changes to a more obtuse angle to bolster point strength. Phil Gibbs, company design engineer, was in charge of torture testing prototypes. One of the tests he successfully performed was driving the dagger through an AK-47 magazine, with absolutely no damage to the tip, and the edge remaining very sharp.
The Sandbox Dagger from A.G. Russell is a highly functional cutting tool. It sliced up cardboard just as well as any single-edge knife would. It is razor sharp out of the box.
The 6-inch blade is DM1 steel, named in honor of bladesmith/metallurgist Dan Maragni, who assisted in its development and heat treatment for A.G. Russell Knives. It is a modified version of the 0170-6C carbon steel the old Camillus used when it made the Becker Knife & Tool line. (Today, KA-BAR makes all BK&T knives.) DM1 can sustain hard use without edge deformation or chipping, yet remains easy to resharpen.
The ergonomic handle is green, rib-textured Rucarta. The rounded handle expands toward the tang to better fit your hand. Indentations on either side give your thumb a non-slip resting place for grip retention, as well as a reference point for blade indexing. The blade is razor sharp out of the box. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP): $375.
A-R-RMY, SIR! Case Hambone
Photo source: knifecenter.com
Knifemaker Daniel Winkler and U.S. Army veteran Clint Romesha (page ??) designed the Case Hambone to be a “do-all” field knife for field dressing, batonning wood, preparing food and more. Hambone was the nickname of the legendary U.S. Army pack mule Hamilton T. Bone. Hambone was based at Fort Carson, Colorado, as part of the pack mule program and served from 1943-56, including two combat missions during World War II—the same base Romesha operated from during his military career.
Is it tactical or outdoor? How about both? The Case Hambone is a heavy-duty fixed blade of 80CrV2 carbon steel that will serve either function very well. The flat-ground blade slices easily.
Hambone the knife embodies the hardworking spirit of Hambone the pack mule. The 80CrV2 carbon steel is tough and holds an edge. The trailing point/skinner blade is 4.75 inches with a full flat grind and generous belly that facilitate chores like slicing and chopping/batonning. Handle material options are black canvas Micarta®, curly maple and black textured rubber. The finger-grooved handle with a bird’s-beak butt and integral guard ensures a secure grip in most conditions.
The eight stars engraved on the handle spine memorialize Romesha’s eight teammates who gave their lives during the Battle of Kamdesh in Afghanistan (page ??). The exposed blade tang can be employed as a hammer or glass breaker. The felt-lined Kydex sheath promotes sure knife retention and easy deployment equally well. Rather than having a typical fold-over or sandwich construction, the sheath uses a Micarta spacer to separate its Kydex halves. The OD green Kydex features black overlay with a star laser cut into it to symbolize the Army’s colors and logo.
The eight stars on the blade spine of the Case/Winkler Hambone memorialize the eight men who were part ofArmy Staff Sgt. Clint Romesha’s Cavalry unit who perished during a 2009 battle with Afghan rebels. Along with Daniel Winkler, Romesha designed the Hambone.
The Hambone’s deep blade belly is great for cutting meats and vegetables. The blade is fairly thick up to the tip, which makes it strong for heavy use and abuse. The handle is quite comfortable, providing ample blade control at all times, even with wet hands. The Micarta material is an excellent choice for an all-around user.
The only downside might be the weight. Some may find the knife too heavy on a belt, but, then again, the weight is one of the contributing factors to its cutting power. MSRPs: $325.99 (black canvas Micarta), $333.99 (curly maple) and $342.99 (textured rubber).
TACTICAL CLASSIC: Steel Will Barghest
The Steel Will Barghest has all the hallmarks of a great tactical folder. The test model’s modified clip-point blade of 3.5 inches is full-flat ground from D2 tool steel, a favorite among production companies and custom makers for its toughness and ease of sharpening. The blade opens via a flipper or ambidextrous thumb studs, and the swedge grind adds a bit of attitude. The action is quick, smooth and precise, with the blade riding on a pair of phosphor bronze washers.
The Barghest and its D2 tool steel blade is the latest tactical folder from Steel Will. It comes in two sizes and two blade finishes, and features flipper opening as well as dual thumb studs. It’s a rugged EDC folder at a great MSRP ($84.99 and $89.99)
The handle is a study in the perfect tactical folder design well suited for prolonged use regardless of the elements. The integral guard prevents your hand from slipping forward, and the handle gracefully curves and expands slightly at the midsection to fill your palm nicely without feeling too unwieldy. The blade secures via a linerlock, and dual steel liners provide rigidity. Black G-10 scales feature a series of machined grooves that enhance your grip with or without gloves. A pronounced chamfer on the edges of the scales makes the Barghest feel very comfortable, eliminating any hot spots. A fold-over steel pocket clip carries the knife deep in a pocket. Steel Will also offers a second clip for lefties—just switch clips. The G-10 handle spacer sports large traction notches, and is slightly oversized to make the notches stand out.
The Steel Will Barghest and its D2 blade packs the punch to get tough cutting jobs accomplished and still hold an edge very well.
The Barghest offers what I like in a tactical folder. The blade shape and size is ideal for many cutting tasks, not too small nor too large, and has plenty of bite to power through a variety of tough materials. D2 is a time-proven steel that withstands abuse yet is easy to maintain.
The only negative I see is the pocket clip. Yes, it is a positive as well, but not everyone likes the deep-carry feature, as no part of the handle sticks above the pocket to grab onto. Hence, you must fish around a bit to grab the knife. Hey, you can’t please everyone! MSRPs: $84.99 (3.5-inch blade) and $89.99 (4-inch blade).
STOUT as it is SOLID: Condor Tool & Knife Blue Havoc
condortk.com
The Condor Tool & Knife Blue Havoc features a 5.5-inch drop-point blade of 1075 carbon steel mated to two-tone black-and-blue paper Micarta scales and a black phenolic bolster. The knife is a handful, a beast that can tackle any cutting task at camp or, in a pinch, use for combat. It is stout as it is solid. The satin-finished blade’s full flat grind is aces in cutting efficiency. A series of traction notches filed into the blade spine provide optimal positioning for applying downward pressure for tougher cutting tasks.
The Condor Tool & Knife Blue Havoc and its beastly blade of 1075 carbon steel can tackle most any camp cutting task.
The handle sports a generous palm swell that fills your grip comfortably, is non-slip and offers precise blade control. Micarta is an excellent choice for using knives because it is strong yet lightweight. It is impervious to most fluids and isn’t affected by weather changes, humidity, heat or most any external factor that would cause integrity issues. Plus, it comes in a myriad of hues to please the pickiest knife enthusiast. The dual-color Micarta® layers show through, adding an exciting visual texture, more so than any solid color Micarta can offer. Integral front and rear guards prevent unwanted hand movement in either direction, and the front guard enables you to choke up to exercise control for precise cutting. As big as the knife is, it’s important that it be able to tackle finer cutting as well, especially in a camp or survival scenario.
The Condor Tool & Knife Havoc is an edged tool to take on your next camping trip. Its droppoint blade and ergonomic handle are ideal for a variety of cutting tasks.
The Blue Havoc’s sheath materials are an unusual mix: molded Kydex and a leather belt loop. Most Kydex sheaths usually have either a Kydex belt loop or some sort of quick-release attachment, such as a Blade-Tech Tek-Lok. The reason Condor went with the leather belt loop on a Kydex sheath is to allow you to remount the belt loop in the event the sheath orientation must be reversed to accommodate left-hand/side-body carry. Simply remove/replace two screws to dismount/remount the loop. Also, the leather allows the entire sheath to move on your belt to a degree to prevent the knife from being caught up in bushes, branches, etc.
Condor’s catalog states the Blue Havoc can be used in either a tactical or outdoor setting, though due to its appearance, the knife is probably better suited for outdoor use. Moreover, the drop-point blade shape makes it a great camp utility knife for food prep or field dressing/skinning tasks. The 1075 carbon steel resharpens very well, which helps at the campsite. MSRP: $134.98.
STILL RELEVANT
Carbon steel is alive and well at a time when super steels are all the rage. It remains the steel of choice of many hardcore knife users, not only for the lower cost but primarily for the ease of sharpening. It may require a bit more maintenance than stainless, but carbon steel is still relevant and here to stay.
Our “Knife Of The Day” for Feb. 8 is the Seber Drop Point Model RK1150CP.
Above: A stylish guard of wrought iron helps put the finish- ing touches on an ancient-walrus-ivory bowie by ABS master smith Tad Lynch. The 11.25-inch clip-point blade is W2 tool steel—a material some leading smiths consider ideal for producing a handsome hamon—and the knife is 16.375 inches overall. (SharpByCoop image)
Above: An upturned guard with a finger ring—each of hot- blued 4340HT steel—and a ladder-pattern damascus blade of 1095 carbon and 15N20 nickel-alloy steels help complete a quillon dagger by ABS journeyman smith Paul Savage. The handle is buffalo horn. (SharpByCoop image)
Above: Black mirror accent balls cap the stainless steel quillons on ABS master smith Kyle Royer’s Maiden Voyage Stiletto. The 11.75-inch damascus blade features an extra-deep hollow grind, a fuller and a reinforced piercing tip. The sculpted, fluted handle is wrapped in 24k-gold twisted wire. Overall length: 17.5 inches. (Caleb Royer image)
