Knife Collecting

Blade Counts Count

Custom slip joints are hot again and have been for a while. Why are they so hot and how long will their popularity run this time?

“I have seen a bit of an uptick in pocketknife sales in the last couple of years,” notes custom knifemaker Stan Buzek, whose turnaround time on orders is three to four months. “I think this is due to the fact you can have both multiple- and single-blade slip joints,” as opposed to the single blades of tactical and other locking folders (though lockbacks are experiencing somewhat of a surge in sales, too).

A Bright Future Ahead For Slip Joints

Adds Johnny Stout, who has a backlog of six to eight months, “From what I’m seeing at the shows and online in the past few years, pocketknives are alive and well. I see a bright future for slip joints.”

“I have seen slip-joint groups on Facebook grow by 300 percent in the last three years,” Tracy LaRock states. “I also have a group called ‘Making Slip Joints and Lockbacks’ that has grown a lot recently, with many new slip-joint makers.”

As for his sales, Tracy says, “My books are closed but I intend to open them in early 2020 when I retire from the military. In the meantime I list available pieces in my Facebook group and on Instagram.”

Pocketknife Sales Are Up In General

“I think there’s an upswing in pocketknife sales,” Tom Ploppert agrees. “Plus, a strong economy hasn’t hurt anything.”

Tom says he continues to take orders and has no idea how far behind he is.

“I will write an order down. I do not take deposits. I will call when it’s your turn. If you commit, then we will discuss price and I will start on building it,” he says matter-of-factly.

Turnaround time notwithstanding, the exquisite slip joints by Stout, Buzek, LaRock and Ploppert are well worth the wait—though you might want to get a leg up now. The more demand increases, the longer you’ll have to bide your time until you can get your hands on one of these gems.

See More Knife Trends In KNIVES 2019

Get the KNIVES 2019 book here.

What’s the right style of automatic knife for you: OTS or OTF? There are several important considerations when it comes to choosing.

Definitions: What Is An OTS Knife? What Is An OTF Knife?

First, for the newcomers, here are some quick definitions.

OTF Knife: A type of automatic knife where the blade deploys “out the front” of the handle.

OTS Knife: A type of automatic knife where the blade deploys “out the side” of the handle.

While this may seem like a small difference, it’s not to be overlooked. The right knife is the one that fits best with your tasks and preferences, and all knife features are worth considering, no matter how insignificant they may appear at first glance.

1) Ignore The Price Tag

Interestingly, budget is not one of them, because there is a range of $50 on up to hundreds of dollars for each. There are more OTS models available on the market now simply because manufacturers choose to produce more, so selection is greater. This may also be because they are much more familiar with side-opening designs.

2) Consider Use: OTS Is Better For Utility & OTF Is Better For Defense

Most important is how you plan to use your automatic. If you need utility, an OTS is the way to go. For pure self-defense, an OTF can engage the blade quicker, because there is no maneuvering required to clear the fingers from the blade opening and readjust your grip as required by an OTS.

3) Does It Have A Safety?

Some automatics have safeties to prevent the blade from opening in the pocket or while drawing from the carry position to engaging the blade. Ouch! Yes, a safety takes a second or two more to switch an auto blade into the live position, but many feel it’s worth it.

4) How Does It Feel?

Last but not least, the tactile feel you look for in any knife, regardless whether it’s a fixed blade or folder, is always a prime factor in your selection. You won’t get this over the internet. Rather, check out auto models at your local retail store or at gun and knife shows.

There Is No Right Answer

Despite what some may tell you, there is right answer. OTF and OTS aren’t inherently good or bad choices. The right answer is, as with all things knives, the knife that does what you need it to do and that you enjoy using.

Learn More About Automatic Knives And The Law

Editor’s Note: This article is by both Abe Elias (arguing for the Scandi) and James Morgan Ayres (taking the opposite view). It is excerpted from the April 2019 issue of BLADE.

What Is A Scandi Grind?

A Scandi grind carries a single bevel that runs to zero degrees. In other words, it is a single grind only.

Unlike many other grinds, the Scandi runs to the edge with no angle change in what is also known as a zero grind. Scandi grinds have a flat section of the blade that starts at the top of the bevel and runs to the spine.

Anything else is simply not a Scandi. People have tried to create a variety of variations with names like modified Scandi or Scandi vex. In actuality, there are no variations of the Scandi because such “variations” usually are other grinds that already exist.

Why The Scandi Is The Best Grind For Bushcraft Knives

Perfect wood geometry: The Scandi excels at bushcraft chores because its geometry is perfect for working with wood.

Zero grind: The fact the Scandi is ground to zero allows the edge to be as thin as possible with no change in angle. Changes in angle create extra friction. Hence, the Scandi grind meets with the least resistance possible when it enters the cutting medium.

Inertia is your friend: Another benefit of a Scandi grind is that you can achieve a thin edge and, unlike with a full flat grind, you maintain the blade weight of a saber grind. Having that bit of extra spine weight increases your ability to drive the edge forward.

Parting is such sweet sorrow: As the blade enters the cutting medium, it meets the transition point where the bevel changes to the flat. This benefit is one of the reasons why the knife can dive deep into a cut and take off huge potato-chip-like shavings.

Why The Scandi Is NOT The Best Grind For Bushcraft Knives

Geometry: The intersecting planes of the Scandi grind create a wedge. A wedge is useful for shallow woodcraft on soft woods, such as making fuzz sticks or carving spoons, and for batoning soft woods. However, the wedge creates too much resistance and drags and hangs up in deep cuts, especially in hard woods.

Not ideal for food prep: That wedge also struggles with any dense or tough material, including root vegetables, which crack rather than split, and, importantly, on meat. Try butchering any large game with a Scandi grind and you’ll quickly learn why butchers and hunting guides do not use Scandi-ground blades.

Goodbye, steel: The Scandi grind is also said to be easier to sharpen because the blade provides a guide. But, if the user follows the instructions of the advocates of Scandi, he must remove a great deal of steel, which requires hundreds of strokes on the stone. With a modicum of skill other grinds are faster and easier to sharpen.

There is a better alternative: The smooth, slim, oval profile of the convex grind offers less resistance to materials, is superior to the Scandi on all points and will do everything better.

Verdict

If your bushcraft knife needs are limited to working with wood, you’ll find a Scandi grind will help you work fast and effectively.

For tasks beyond that, you’ll likely find a convex grind is the better match.

What About The Best Knife Books?

The best books about knives are at BLADE‘s official online store, ShopBlade.com.

Without a doubt, he was one of the best custom knifemakers to ever pursue the art. He gave information, expertise and precious time freely to those who wanted to learn. He was a crack shot, spitting in death’s eye during the Korean War and walking out of literal hell to fight another day.

BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® member George Herron was many things to many people, and they will never forget the positive impact he had on their lives. The South Carolina resident was a fixture among the finest in the custom knife business for years, a winner of many awards, president of the Knifemakers’ Guild, founder of the South Carolina Association of Knifemakers and genuine friend to those he held close.

‘A Great Human Being’

“George Herron wasn’t just a great custom knifemaker,” began Bobby Branton, a custom maker who knew Herron and collected his knives for many years, “he was a great human being and a great person. You didn’t have to make knives for him to have an interest in you.”

Branton met George and his wonderful wife, affectionately known by the many who know her as “Miss Barbara,” when he was “bitten by the knife bug” and wanted to buy a few of the great maker’s knives.

“I started out as a collector and wanted to buy some John Nelson Cooper knives from a lady in a shop and found out from her that there were a number of South Carolina makers out there,” he recalled.

In his early days as a knifemaker, Branton bought the leading books on the topic by Sid Latham and David Boye. He noticed photos of some of Herron’s knives in Latham’s book and traveled to Herron’s home in Aiken and later Springfield, South Carolina.

“I called ahead of time and asked if I could stop by,” Bobby said. “I bought two knives with all the money I had. We looked around the shop and he was getting ready to go to a show. We went inside and he pulled a big deerskin off the table like a matador, and his inventory was sitting there.”

After Bobby made his first knife, he returned to Herron’s home to get a review of the effort.

“He said, ‘That’s nice, but if you’re going to make a knife, make a knife,’” Branton smiled. “He gave me tips and mentored me.”

A Custom Knifemaker Who Gave Back

George did the same for many would be custom makers who came calling. Custom maker Wayne Hendrix worked for him in the 1980s and learned to make custom knives from the master.

“He was a heck of a teacher,” Wayne said. “I tell you right now, if I went out there and picked a maker to work for, I couldn’t have picked a better one in terms of making working knives. His designs were simple and his knives were functional. He was a very intelligent man and he had common sense to go along with it. You don’t necessarily see someone with both that often.”

At the time he started working in the shop, Wayne indicated George was considered one of the world’s top five custom makers. Herron built a reputation of outstanding quality for a fair price, and part of his legacy is that his knives were affordably priced. He sold them by the thousands.

Wayne grew close to George, not just in the knife shop but in other aspects of life as well.

“I hunted with him and painted the inside of his house after they moved to Springfield,” he smiled. “It was super cold that winter, and he had an enclosed two-car garage where we set up his shop. We were a lot alike but he was a lot smarter than I am, and I consider him to be my second daddy. I couldn’t have picked a better maker to apprentice under, and I’m still riding George Herron’s coattails.”

The Secret To The Legacy

In an era when knifemakers looked to pricing of individual units as a barometer of their profitability, George was different. He never forgot that working people needed affordable knives.

“One time a committee of Guild members came to his table,” Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer and past BLADE publisher and editor Bruce Voyles remembered, “and they told him that he was selling his knives too cheap. He said, with a few words that I can’t repeat, that he would make and sell knives the way he wanted and they could do the same. Now, George sold most of his knives for $150 to $300, and most of those have doubled or tripled in value. None of the guys on that committee could say that their knives have done that.”

Voyles lighted up describing Herron as “a man’s man, gracious, courteous, or mean as he needed to be in a given situation.”

Perhaps the best tribute anyone could provide to the life and legacy of the great George Herron was Voyles’ effort to be at the only place on Earth he wanted to be when his friend passed away.

“We were in New Orleans at Mardi Gras,” Bruce commented. “On Fat Tuesday morning the telephone rang, and it was Bobby Branton telling me that Mr. George was gone. We loaded up and went home right then so we could attend the funeral in South Carolina. There are very few people I would have done that for.”

Such an effort proves one thing for sure. George Herron, larger than life, remains with those who knew him in undiminished spirit.

Meet Your Knifemaking Heroes At BLADE Show 2019

The world’s largest knife show takes place this June in Atlanta. Learn more here.

Pistol grips aren’t only for firearms; they’re functional designs for knives, too. Here is a review of three examples.

Solid Build: ESEE Tertiary

The ESEE Tertiary is a standard push dagger design. According to ESEE, SWAT officer Lee Smith designed the knife and named it “Tertiary” because of its place in a person’s weapons system. That is, first there’s your primary firearm, then your back up and then the Tertiary, which is for hand-to-hand.

It is a double-edged knife with top blade grinds. The top grind extends a third of the blade length only. The blade profile is that of a drop point. It is important to remember that a double-edged knife is illegal in some states (one such state is Michigan). Check your local knife laws whenever you choose a knife for everyday carry (EDC).

The Tertiary is a full-tang design with the blade positioned between the index and middle fingers. It has a flat-ground blade of 1095 carbon steel with a textured powder coat and textured G-10 scales.

The knife works as expected as a push dagger. For an edge to get the job done it takes getting used to the grip, but you can do minor chores like the type you normally encounter.

After a while, though, the pressure of the post between the two fingers really starts a hot spot. For the most part, given the nature of ESEE’s push dagger, I would carry a folder to do my EDC work and leave the Tertiary concealed and out of sight.

Comfy Classic: Outdoor Edge Game Skinner

When it won the BLADE Magazine 1988 Imported Design Of-The-Year Award, the Outdoor Edge Game Skinner took the world of hunting knives by storm. It remained an Outdoor Edge mainstay ever since, and appears to have been ahead of its time.

As the name implies, the knife is for skinning game. It combines a blade edge with a gut hook. It is a beefy specimen with a 3.25-inch blade that is 2 inches wide. A hollow grind forms the main edge. The blade is AUS-8 stainless steel. I have had plenty of good knives made of AUS-8. It all depends on the heat treat and grind.

The handle is a textured, molded Kraton. I was impressed with it. It is brawny yet still comfortable, and the textured grip along with the slight give of the rubber kept the knife steadfast in my hand no matter how slimy things got.

During testing on leather, meat and hair on hide pieces, the edge held up well. The blade belly makes slicing cuts easy to perform, helping you get in there and skin. As for the gut hook, you might as well have a zipper on the animal.

It comes with a well-built leather sheath with snap closure. Though I personally wouldn’t have much use for this knife on my belt, I would keep it with my gear until it was time to field dress game. If you see yourself using this style of knife for hunting, it is a good quality edged tool. Over the years, I have learned that many hunters have their own style of cutlery they like to use and their own way of handling it.

Multi-Functional Tool: TOPS Knives ATAX

From the get-go the TOPS Knives ATAX is one of those knives that catches your eye and maybe inspires a little pupil dilation.

The knife is designed as a multifunction tool. I have to say, though, sometimes you end up with something that does many things but never any one of them exceptionally well. Looking at the overall design, I would be more apt to see the ATAX as an ulu variant over a push dagger.

TOPS has been selling the knife for years. It is the design of the late Ron Hood. There are so many different tools involved in it that it would take a while to review each one. I will try to hit the main functions for now. The blade is quarter-inch-thick 1095 carbon steel with a powder coating. The handle is a black Micarta® affixed with screws. A saber grind forms the cutting edge, which I found too chunky for doing standard chores easily. The edge runs parallel to the grip just like on an ulu, but the grind is so thick that manipulations of the edge are difficult—not impossible but difficult. The design could be a great meat processor with a higher grind.

There are a number of ways to complete a cut with the knife, as the platform allows you a variety of holds. For instance, holding it upside down enabled me to better do things like whittling or shaving. The ATAX requires getting familiar with, and even then some using methods are more practical than others.

Taking a long period to set up your handholds and the material for cuts should be balanced with the practicality of effort toward the job being done. One of the design purposes for the knife is to attach it to a stick and use it as an axe. The thick edge serves the chopper feature well and allows the ATAX to take a beating. Still, as noted, the grind does many things but none exceptionally well.

Other tools designed into the ATAX are a range finder, clinometer, compass, bowl drill socket and wire cutter. A molded Kydex sheath with double steel clips provides Scout carry. The way the sheath operates gives me cause for concern as the method of drawing the knife from the sheath can easily result in injury if you are not paying close attention.

Unsheathing requires a rocking motion that leads with the pointed part of the curved edge. You will want to make sure everything is clear of the blade tip as it rocks free.

The design shows ingenuity and in a pinch serves as a backup tool. Would I want it as my primary knife? I would have to do some major changes to the edge geometry, as the ulu-style use is very serviceable.

See More Innovative Knives in This Book

From BLADE‘s Sister Brand, Gun Digest

What is the best concealed carry holster? Click here to get more ideas at gundigest.com.

BLADE was on the ground for the 2019 SHOT Show. Here’s a look at what’s new.

Be sure to follow BLADE on Instagram for the most up-to-date coverage and more content from the event. More videos will be posted here as they become available.

SOG

CRKT

Spyderco

KA-BAR

Boker

Buck

Al Mar

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A nifty knife from @almarknives I discovered at #ShotShow. $35 and an ultralight carry. It seems that mini knives are making quite the appearance in 2019.

A post shared by BLADE Magazine (@blade_magazine) on Jan 25, 2019 at 7:21pm PST

Turner Knife & Tool

Benchmade

Just For Fun

Whether it’s because of knife restrictions, portability or preference, these little blades aren’t too cute to cut.

• CRKT Snicker
• Camillus Heater
• KA-BAR Last Ditch
• Hogue A01 MicroSwitch

CRKT Snicker

The CRKT Snicker debuted at BLADE Show 2017 and exemplifies the growing trend of blades measuring less than 2 inches.

“It serves a niche for those looking for a small blade that will tackle a variety of tasks and is a solid performer for CRKT,” explained company spokesperson Mike May. “Ease of use and ‘approachability’ are two key factors that make blades of this size popular. In areas with strict knife laws, the sub-2-inch blade can also help alleviate any concerns. In the case of the Snicker, its style and ergonomics make it an attractive small knife for consumer pockets as well.”

• Blade Length: 1.846″ (46.89 mm)
• Blade Edge: Plain
• Blade Steel: 420J2, HRC 50-52
• Blade Finish: Stonewash
• Blade Thickness: 0.106″ (2.69 mm)
• Closed Length: 2.938″ (74.63 mm)
• Weight: 2.3 oz
• Handle: Injection Molded Glass Reinforced Nylon
• Style: Folding Knife w/Locking Liner
• Overall Length: 4.688″ (119.08 mm)

Camillus Heater

When Camillus launched the Heater in 2015, the idea was much the same.

“It has and continues to be an extremely popular model since it debuted,” noted Sam Dodge, Camillus senior brand manager. “We can attribute this to two factors: function and convenience. We find that people are purchasing a knife for different jobs or tasks. The fact that the knife comes in a slightly smaller package makes it more convenient to [store].

“There are still purists that will have ‘one knife to rule them all,’ but more and more we see that people want a knife for each activity.”

• Blade Treatment: Carbonitride Titanium
• Blade Color: Black
• Blade Edge: Smooth
• Blade Grind: Hollow
• Blade Style: Spear
• Fixed Blade
• Handle Color: Black
• Hand Orientation: Left and Right
• Includes: Chain, Molded Sheath, Clip
• Handle material: Stainless Steel + Paracord
• Main Blade Material: 440
• Rockwell Hardness: HRC54
• Lifetime Warranty

KA-BAR Last Ditch

The KA-BAR Last Ditch, commonly worn as a neck knife or laced into a boot, hit the shelves in 2008 and has been a top seller ever since.

“I think two of the biggest reasons why knives with blades under 2 inches are popular is due to concealability and ease of carry,” said Joe Bradley, KA-BAR sales and digital content manager. “Many folks don’t like to draw attention, and sometimes even an exposed pocket clips will do that. Small blades offer a tremendous blend of being lightweight with a small footprint.”

• Overall Length: 3.625″
• Blade Length: 1.625″
• Blade Material: 9Cr18MoV
• Hardness: 58-59 RC
• Blade Style: Wharncliffe
• Blade Grind: Flat
• Finish: Black
• Edge Type: Plain
• Handle Length: 2.00″
• Handle Material: Stainless Steel
• Color: Black
• Weight: 2.40 oz.
• Sheath: Molded Polymer
• Knife Type: Fixed Blade

Hogue A01 MicroSwitch

The A01 MicroSwitch has been a hit since it was widely distributed in autumn 2017.

“It has been difficult to keep it in stock since its release,” he said. “It is the smallest knife in the Hogue Knives line, and there has been tremendous interest in it. It moves briskly at trade shows, through dealers and over our retail website.”

Crook considers many factors that weigh in on the wave of popularity in small knives. Among these is the company’s location in California, where he says anything larger in an automatic is illegal.

• Blade Length: 1.95″
• Overall Length: 5.8”
• Closed Length: 3.85”
• Weight: 2.7oz
• Mechanism: Automatic Button Deployment with Manual Safety
• Handle Material (Frame): 6061-T6 Anodized Aluminum
• Pocket Clip: Stainless Steel Ambidextrous Tip Up Carry
• Blade Style: Drop Point
• Blade Thickness: 0.12”
• Blade Material: CPM154 Stainless Steel
• Blade Hardness: RC 57-59
• Blade Treatment: Cryogenically Treated
• Blade Finish: Tumbled Finish

The World’s Greatest Knife Book

The KNIVES annual book is back and better than ever. Here’s what you can expect:

• 320 pages
• Beautiful, full-color photos of knives and accessories
• Comprehensive directory of custom knifemakers
• In-depth features about knife collecting and making knives
• Examples of the latest trends in knife designs and knifemaking materials
• Edited by Joe Kertzman

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