A two-day gun/knife show in Tulsa, OK
Know Your Knives: What is a Ring Knife?
When you think of a knife with a ring in the handle butt, a karambit probably comes to mind. Fact is, there are other knives with such a feature. In fact, some have rings at the middle and also even at the front of the handle.
Unlike karambits, in which the ring is used for quickly spinning the knife in between different grips as well as affecting the grips themselves, non-karambit versions of such knives employ the ring in utilitarian ways that are less flashy.
Examples include assisting in providing a more secure purchase on the handle, dangling the knife from a pinky to allow for full use of the hand while keeping the knife handy, attaching the knife to a keyring, or simply hanging the knife on a tool rack or elsewhere.
If your approach involves frequent intermittent knife use, interspersing it with employing your hand to grip, hold or pull the material you’re cutting or some other method all your own, then adding a ring knife to your collection might be beneficial.
Knife Of The Day XXIII: Abalone Case Peanut for Mother’s Day
NOBODY APPRECIATES A SHARP UTILITY TOOL LIKE MOM—and all the better if it’s pretty. The Case abalone peanut is just the ticket for Mom on Mother’s Day.
The swirling abalone scales are very attractive and the clip blade and scissors—all in a 2 7/8 inches-closed package that weighs in at a scant 1.2 ounces—will give Mom all the cutting and snipping power she needs on her special day.
For more information click on www.wrcase.com.
For more on the latest knives, knife legislation, knifemaking instruction, knife trends, knifemakers, what knives to buy and where and much more, subscribe to BLADE Magazine, the World’s No. 1 Knife Publication. Click here for a subscribe to BLADE Magazine.
What’s Hot in Custom Tactical Folders
Custom knife purveyor Les Robertson hot listed the SD-2 by John W. Smith with a titanium bolster and lightning-strike handle at $550. Smith’s list price for his SD-2 with a 3-inch blade of CPM-S35VN stainless and a lightning-strike carbon-fiber handle (above): $495. (photo by Chris Smith)
by Mike Haskew, BLADE® field editor
As new knifemakers enter the arena and the competition raises the bar for all concerned, trends in custom tactical folders point to more choices for you.
“The tactical folder market is without a doubt the fastest-moving, innovative sector of the custom knife market. The days of [dated blade-opening features] are rapidly coming to an end, for example,” purveyor Les Robertson opined. “Continued use of [such features] is telling potential collectors that the maker either can’t do some other kind of opener, or the maker chooses not to. Either way, collectors are moving past that. In components, most makers are moving at least to the IKBS [Ikoma Korth Bearing System], while others are using more advanced roller bearings. The days of washers being used [for the blade pivot] are also coming to a close.”
In blade steels, Robertson talked of the rise of CPM-S35VN, CTS-XHP and Bohler Uddeholm N690. Meanwhile, blade lengths may be trending back toward a smaller average length at 3.5 inches in response to collector demand for something a bit different after several years of buying blades of 4.5 inches or more. Possibly three or four years from now, he said, buyers may reverse themselves again and seek longer blades. Dedicated tactical folder buyers are also looking for flipper opening systems, and makers are responding there as well. Moreover, lightning-strike carbon-fiber handles continue to boom.
Robertson and Dave Stark of Steel Addiction Custom Knives agree that David Mosier’s work is hot. Robertson cited Mosier’s Spyro model, including titanium bolsters and a lightning-strike carbon-fiber handle at $675. Stark singled out Mosier’s Large Persian with an S35VN blade, titanium bolsters, a lightning-strike handle and $650 price tag.
“David’s knives are well designed with top-of-the-line fit and finish,” Stark remarked. “The grinds on the Persian really make it stand out. It rides well in the pocket for a large knife. Recently, David teamed up with knife designer Tashi Bharucha on a knife called the Freak. That knife is smoking hot and never lasts long on our site.”
Robertson hot listed the Dustin Turpin War Chief at $450 with a titanium bolster and carbon-fiber handle, John W. Smith’s SD-2 with a titanium bolster and lightning-strike handle at $550, and the Q36 from R.J. Martin with titanium bolsters and lightning-strike scales at $675. The Sniper Bladeworks LPC in a titanium frame is hot at $575, while the Cruze by Dave Curtiss is going fast at $575 in a titanium handle, and the Azrael from Will Zermeno with lightning-strike scales is selling well for $340. Frank Fischer’s Commander, Larry Chew’s Cujo, and Les George’s Hydra R each sport titanium frames or bolsters and are going fast at $625, $550 and $525, respectively. Other makers high on Robertson’s list include such perennials as Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© member Ken Onion, Ernest Emerson, Pete Carey, Tim Galyean, Scott Cook, Rick Hinderer and Michael Burch.
The Mayo Clinic
Duane Weikum of EDC Knives and Steel Addiction’s Stark concurred that Tom Mayo is gaining momentum with his Doctor Death and Junior Doctor Death flippers. In titanium scales and a satin-finished CPM-154 steel blade, the Junior Doctor Death carries the maker’s price of $800, while an aftermarket mark-up reaches $995. Weikum also hot listed Mayo’s Covert and Midnight Rambler.
“Tom’s knives are in great demand,” Stark offered. “His grinds are incredible and his fit and finish are superior. I would say Tom makes the best framelock out there and sets the bar for fit and finish. Tom has incorporated the IKBS into his flippers, which makes them smooth and quick.”
Weikum said the Vanquish, Revolution and Columbian from Jeremy Marsh, ranging in prices from $600 to $2,200, exhibit quite a bit of flair. Others Weikum indicated are surging in demand include Charles Marlowe’s balisongs and folders from $650 to $2,500; the Sentry and Reptile from Korth at $800 to $3,000; Flavio Ikoma’s Guardian Angel, Avenger, Sampa, Harrier and Keydashi running from $1,500 to $3,000; the “rock-solid” Bullseye from Sal Manaro at $600 to $2,000; the ever-present Strider line at $500 to $1,500 and more per piece; and Emerson’s CQC6 and CQC7, Commander, Roadhouse, Gentleman Jim and Horseman running from $600 to $1,500 and up.
Both Neil Ostroff of True North Knives and Weikum lauded the recent contributions of Marisa Strider, wife of Mick Strider, whose popular knives include the custom PT with a blade just under 3 inches and the SJ75 Baby Hughie. Marisa and Mick make both models, which range from $800 to more than $1,000 depending on materials, with a popular variant sporting a damascus blade.
Ostroff and Stark said new models from Bob Terzuola are taking off. These include the Athena and Eagle Rock in large models, while the ATCF remains one of Terzuola’s best sellers due in part to its triple-ground blade of satin-finished CPM-154, cermat bolsters and carbon-fiber scales with red liners. (Editor’s note: According to Ostroff, cermat is a pure acrylic similar to Corian used for workbench surfaces.)
“The ATCF really identifies Bob as the godfather of the tactical folder,” Ostroff said. “An interesting note is that over the last few years, Bob has started to produce one-of-a-kind knives only to be sold off his table at shows. As one who has been his next-door table mate many times, I can attest to the fact that they’re all snapped up within a few minutes of the show opening.”
Stark praised the ATCF and its maker. “Bob’s folders are legendary. His designs are timeless and very much in demand. The ATCF and Eagle Rock are what many tactical knives are patterned after,” he observed.
SNAP To!
According to Ostroff, the Kirby Lambert SNAP folder is another fast mover, featuring the IKBS bearing system and the “screaming sharp” blades for which Lambert is known. Stark called Lambert’s SNAP flipper with an S30V blade, lightning-strike carbon-fiber bolsters and a carbon fiber handle one of Kirby’s designs with “very natural flow, blending ergonomics and functionality.” Starting at $575, the SNAP is available in a variety of materials, and the ORION, a non-flipper version of the same knife, is popular as well. Ostroff also noted significant movement in the tactical folders of Brian Fellhoelter with blades from under 3 to well over 5 inches. The dress tactical folders of Gustavo T. Cecchini have stirred up a “feeding frenzy” at $1,000 to $2,000, Ostroff added.
Stark singled out the Torrent flipper from D.B. Fraley with a hand-rubbed satin-finish CPM-154 blade and titanium body at $650; the J.L. Williams Shoreline Flipper with damascus blade and titanium scales at $1,200; the Gerry McGinnis Apex flipper at $675; Randy Doucette’s Armour flipper at $650; the Ground Fighter and new Chainsaw model from Greg Lightfoot at $550 and $600; Jens Anso’s Mofo with RWL-34 blade steel and G10 scales at $775; and the Jekyll and Hyde from Allen Elishewitz at $800.
“Greg Lightfoot is constantly changing things up,” Stark observed. “He has recently started to bring back his old-school tactical designs with a new twist such as his Talon Tip. Allen Elishewitz continues to morph from design to design, really keeping his finger on the collector’s pulse. Allen does his knives in a standard tactical model and a full-dress model using high-end materials.”
For more on the latest knives, knife legislation, knifemaking instruction, knife trends, knifemakers, what knives to buy and where and much more, subscribe to BLADE® Magazine, the World’s No. 1 Knife Publication. For subscription information click on http://www.shopblade.com/product/blade-magazine-one-year-subscripti…?r+ssfb022512#BL1SU
A Great Multi-Use Big Knife
Spartan Blades’ Horkos takes everything the author dishes out—and then some.
By MSG Kim Breed, 5th Special Forces (retired)
It is always a good sign when you enjoy the feel of a knife, and that is the way it is with the Horkos from Spartan Blades. Featuring a slim handle and nothing sharp except for the edge, it was very lively in my hand. The edge was extremely sharp out of the box.
Like Peelin’ Taters
The Horkos has a finger-notch choil so you can choke up on the blade for more control. This worked perfect for slicing through plastic board. I had to move my holding hand quickly so I did not shave off part of my knuckle! It was like using a potato peeler—real smooth and fast. I went to regular cardboard and the material did not last very long under the blade’s still razor-sharp edge.
My arm wore out before the edge did on the 3/8-inch sisal rope—160 crunching cuts. Next up: the ¾-inch manila rope. I hit 50 cuts before I started to feel the edge slacken somewhat.
The finger-notch choil came in handy once again as it made whittling pine very controllable and comfortable. After I built a nice pile of curly-cues on the garage floor, I locked a piece of pine in my vise and started whacking. The Horkos chopped very well even though the balance is in mid-knife. I like a bit of blade-heavy balance for chopping. The Micarta® slabs were grippy but did not wear my hand out. There were no hot spots as all the exposed steel is softened/rounded. I like this knife.
I cut some old river cane I picked up during high water this past spring. The cane was covered with silt and sand—just what I needed to challenge the Horkos. It cut the cane with no problem and I finally managed to put a few blemishes in the very tough SpartaCoat finish.
To The Point
The edge was still holding up and it was time to work the point a little. I proceeded to stab the Horkos into and through the Yellow Pages—746 pages plus another 3/8 inch into the underlying plywood bench top. It did not damage the tip and the knife held tight in my hand.
It was time to chop the nasty ol’ seasoned oak chunk. I used the Horkos to beat and whack on the log for 15 minutes without hurting my hand, flinging wood chips all over the driveway. Using my no-mar hammer, I beat the blade into the oak. It was a bad move. The oak grabbed the blade and I had a fit trying to remove the knife from it. I marred up the hammer but not the Horkos. This is a very tough knife.
To gauge the heat treatment, I did the brass rod test. The edge flexed in both directions without chipping or deforming, a sign of excellent heat treatment.
The last step was an old edge test used mainly on forged blades—chopping into a deer antler. After a dozen or so chops, there was a small flaw in the edge. I stropped it a few times and it straightened out. The knife would still shave hair. The knife passed every test, and then some.
I Would Like To See …
… a tad more weight in the front of the knife to make it just a bit blade heavy.
Final Report
The Horkos is a great multi-use knife. Big enough for camping and handy for smaller jobs, it is an exceptional all-around knife.
SPEC CHART
Knife: Horkos
Pattern: Combat/utility fixed blade
Company: Spartan Blades
Blade Steel: CPM-S30V stainless
Blade Pattern: Drop point
Blade Finish: SpartaCoat (DLC black or ZrN flat dark earth)
Overall Length: 10 7/8”
Blade Length: 5 11/16”
Handle: Textured canvas Micarta® (green, black or tan)
Sheath: Ballistic nylon w/protective insert, MOLLE compatible
MSRP: $335 ($365 w/sheath)
For more information contact Spartan Blades, attn: Curtis Iovito, Dept. BL4, POB 620, Aberdeen, NC 28315 910-757-0035 www.spartanbladesusa.com.
For more on the latest knives, knife legislation, knifemaking instruction, knife trends, knifemakers, what knives to buy and where and much more, subscribe to BLADE Magazine, the World’s No. 1 Knife Publication.
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Knives Of Summer: Keep Those Puppies Sharp!
When you use one of our “Knives Of Summer,” you will need to sharpen that puppy. In fact, a little edge maintenance after each use—when feasible—is the best way to keep your knife sharp for the next time you need it.
GATCO’s Natural Arkansas Sharpening Kit is a great way to keep your edges keen at all times. Designed for sporting, kitchen and other knives, it features a novaculite stone mined from Arkansas. The kit includes a block-mounted 5-inch stone for sharpening, a 3-inch stone for final touch-ups, honing oil and a storage case.
For more info click on http://www.shopblade.com/gatco-natural-arkansas-sharpening-kit-80005/?r+ssfb070912.
Cool Customs: Rocco Nawrocki’s Knife For Sergeant Bunker
Marine Corps hero feted with Nawrocki knife at The Battleship Ball.
An unforgettable setting for a memorable event celebrating an American hero—all complemented by a beautiful knife by Brian “Rocco” Nawrocki—completed a tribute to USMC Sergeant Scott Bunker during last year’s 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps.
Assigned to Lima Company in 2005 during the Iraq War, Sergeant Bunker took multiple machine-gun rounds at point-blank range in house-to-house fighting, resulting in the loss of an eye, half a lung, several ribs and soft-tissue damage to his left arm. He was the guest of honor at The Battleship Ball 2025 on November 1, held on the deck of the vintage World War II Battleship USS North Carolina in Wilmington, North Carolina.
The handsome fixed blade Rocco made for Sergeant Bunker includes steel from the North Carolina for the blade and guard. The wood handle is teak from the battlewagon’s deck, along with purple heart ribbon spacers.
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