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.
The Pocket Locket is considered one of the most flexible engraving platforms of all time. This is just one example of the versatility of Joe Kious’s design, and it’s a stunner.
Grapes of Wrath – Stephen Olszewski
Art knives don’t get much more complex yet graceful as Stephen Olszewski’s Grapes of Wrath.
“To this day, I have not seen another art knife with as many flowing lines, curves, carving and piercing of the steel in such a masterful way,” Michael Donato, of KnifePurveyor.com, told BLADE.
Time Machine – Van Barnett
This steampunk-inspired piece sits at the intersection of knives and luxury watches. As a result, the Time Machine caught the attention of those outside of the usual crowd.
“It also brought much-needed new collectors to the custom knife world,” Donato said.
Luna – Arpad Bojtos
Words won’t do justice to the interplay between the handle, blade and sheath in this mixed media masterpiece. This is the art knife’s art knife.
Goblin Folder – Jim Schmidt
Many imitators followed Jim Schmidt’s lead after the Goblin Folder hit the scene, shaping faces into pommels. It’s proof that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
See More Art Knives
Art knives litter the pages of Knives 2018, and they’re all in full color. Get a terrific price on the world’s greatest knife book at ShopBlade.com.
Mardi Meshejian forged the 4-inch blade of his Tactical Razor in a Gordian’s Knot damascus of 1095 and 15N20 carbon steels. The choil has a deep cutout not only as a design element but also to lock onto the detent when the knife is closed. The folder has no clip but Mardi said he can include one on a custom order. (Chuck Ward knife image)
ABS journeyman smith Mardi Meshejian has always been known for pushing the envelope, and he has done it again with his Tactical Razor.
Drawing on the worlds of both fantasy and utility, Mardi arrived at his razor-style linerlock. “I wanted to do it a little bit on the crazy side, so I went with a tactical razor and amped it up some,” he explained.
Mardi said he’s been making quite a few razors of late—not your standard shaving model but a little beefier for EDC use. “I make them thicker for everyday cutting chores,” though at a list price of $1,600, this one is on the showpiece side of the equation.
He fashioned the damascus for the blade in a “Gordian’s Knot” pattern. He forged four bars of twist—two to the left and two to the right—put in a square forge weld and twisted it again. That’s why there are so many layers of twist in it. The handle is a twist pattern of titanium damascus.
Mardi employed a very steep hollow blade grind for both looks and utility. As he noted, “The grind gives a keen edge and digs deep into the damascus and reveals the twist pattern.”
See More Incredible Knife Photos
Gorgeous, full-color photos line the pages of Knives 2018, the world’s greatest knife book. Get a hot deal at ShopBlade.com.
When the calendar flips over to a new year, the steel is sure to follow. Here are six factory folders debuting this year.
Spyderco Hanan
Brad Southard designed this 2.9-ounce folder named after the Hebrew word for “gracious gift.”
Here’s a spec illustration from Spyderco:
Spyderco Parata
Automotive engineer Paul Alexander designed this folder with a big-bellied, VG-10 blade.
The specs:
CRKT Raikiri
“When you want a sword, but need an EDC,” is how CRKT describes this latest addition to sport Field Strip tech.
Blade Length: 3.759″ (95.48 mm)
Blade Length: 3.759″ (95.48 mm)
Blade Edge: Plain Edge
Blade Steel: 1.4116 SS
Blade Finish: Satin Finish
Blade Thickness: 0.134″ (3.4 mm)
Closed Length: 5.112″ (129.84 mm)
Weight: 5.0 oz
Handle: ADC12 Aluminium; Casting
Style: Folding Knife w/Locking Liner
Overall Length: 8.938″ (227.03 mm)
CRKT Offbeat
Originally designed in the 1970s by Pat and Wes Crawford, this creation makes its factory debut in 2018. True to its name, it sports the Crawford Lockback.
Blade Length: 3.522″ (89.46 mm)
Blade Edge: Plain Edge
Blade Steel: 8Cr13MoV
Blade Finish: Satin Finish
Blade Thickness: 0.109″ (2.77 mm)
Closed Length: 4.483″ (113.87 mm)
Weight: 2.9 oz
Handle: 2Cr13; Brush Finish
Style: Folding Knife w/Lockback
Overall Length: 8.0” (203.2 mm)
Benchmade Vector
The blue-class Vector offers something for flipper fans, but with the twist of Benchmade’s AXIS® Assist tech.
Designer: Benchmade
Mechanism: AXIS® Assist flipper
Action: Assisted-opening
Blade Length: 3.60″ (9.14cm)
Blade Thickness: 0.100″ (2.540mm)
Open Length: 8.42″ (21.39cm)
Closed Length: 4.82″ (12.24cm)
Blade Steel: CPM-S30V (58-60 HRC)
Handle Thickness: 0.60″ (15.240mm)
Weight: 4.11oz. (116.52g)
Blade Edge: Plain
Blade Finish/Color: Satin
Blade Style/Shape: Spear-point
Clip Type: Standard
Clip Position: Tip-Up
Glass Breaker: No
Handle Material: Black Contoured G10
Lanyard Hole: Yes
MOLLE Compatible: No
Sheath Type: No
Benchmade Foray
On the other end of the Benchmade spectrum, the gold-class Foray uses Damasteel and a mother of pearl inlay for an art knife feel with the heart of an EDC.
Designed by Leo Espinoza, the El Chappo cleaver from TOPS Knives features a 6-inch blade of 1095 carbon steel in an acid-rain finish.
If you want a handy outdoor blade for camp chores, skinning or a compact tool with enhanced chopping power, check out today’s ever-growing cache of cleavers.
Designed by Leo Espinoza, the El Chappo cleaver from TOPS Knives (above) features a 6-inch blade of 1095 carbon steel in an acid-rain finish. Rockwell hardness: 56-58 HRC. Handle: black canvas Micarta. Weight: 16 ounces. Overall length: 10.9 inches. Sheath: black Kydex.
White River Knife & Tool is the latest outfit to join the chop party with its new Clever Camp Cleaver.
White River Knife & Tool is the latest cutlery company to join the party with its new Clever Camp Cleaver. Featuring a 5.5-inch blade of premium CPM S35VN stainless steel, the camp tool comes with a Micarta handle and a heavy-duty leather sheath. Weight: 9.2 ounces. Overall length: 10.25 inches. MSRP: $230.
The CL1-Cleaver is one of the latest models in ESEE’s Expat Knives line. The 1095 carbon steel blade is 3.25 inches at its widest and 3/16 inch at its thickest.
The CL1-Cleaver is one of the latest models in ESEE’s Expat Knives line. The 1095 carbon steel blade is 3.25 inches at its widest and 3/16 inch at its thickest. Haft: black G-10. Finish: black oxide, tumbled. Weight: 25.5 ounces. Overall length: 11.5 inches. MSRP: $276.50 (includes a leather sheath).
The Reaver Cleaver from Zombie Tools is a full-tang chopping machine with an 18-inch blade of 5160 carbon steel in a Rockwell hardness of 55 HRC.
The Reaver Cleaver from Zombie Tools is a full-tang chopping machine with an 18-inch blade of 5160 carbon steel in a Rockwell hardness of 55 HRC. Weight: 3 pounds, 10 ounces. Overall length: 31 inches. MSRP: $374.95.
The Quest Custom Knives Custom Kutzu 2.2 Flipper is a micro-cleaver flipper folder with a 2-inch blade of CPM 154 stainless steel.
The Quest Custom Knives Custom Kutzu 2.2 Flipper is a micro-cleaver flipper folder with a 2-inch blade of CPM 154 stainless steel and a sculpted titanium 6Al-4V frame and pocket clip. Closed length: 3 inches.
Michael Zieba’s cleaver sports the iconic brass-knuckle-guard handle taken from an original example of one of the most famous blades of World War I—the Trench Knife. (SharpByCoop image)Learn how to make knives with Murray Carter with this terrific knifemaking book. Only $7!
Michael Zieba’s cleaver sports the iconic brass-knuckle-guard handle taken from an original example one of the most famous blades of World War I—the Trench Knife. Zieba custom made the cleaver for Chris Wallace, aka “Flavor God,” a maker of seasonings who is big on the Internet. Zieba met Wallace on Instagram. Wallace supplied him with the original U.S. Mark 1 Trench Knife from his knife collection.
Zieba modified the knife’s iconic handle and integrated it into the cleaver blade, which is 52100 ball-bearing steel forged in a san-mai construction. He achieved the blue and gold patina with water and vinegar. “Sometimes you get blue or you may get another color. It depends,” he said. “You never know how it will come out. It’s just a reaction to the metal.”
The cleaver is one solid piece with a skull-crusher pommel. The square holes in the blade are for aesthetics. Zieba has done the blades with egg-shaped and round holes as well.
Brilliant red jasper caps off the grip of Bill Duff’s miniature dagger. (Caleb Royer image)
One of the better ways to celebrate Old Rock Day (you do celebrate, don’t you?) is with a custom knife sporting a handle of anything stony or fossilized.
What is Old Rock Day?
Celebrated on Jan. 7, Old Rock Day salutes rocks of all kinds. In some locales, children are encouraged to discover their first “pet rock,” and festivities may include painting and decorating the “faces” of rocks. Some gather attractive pebbles and stones to make original pieces of jewelry. Some build rock gardens, and some towns and villages hold competitions for the best-looking rock garden.
BLADE has You Covered on Old Rock Day
To avoid getting your Old Rock Day off to a rocky start, we recommend you check out some stone-cool knife handles made of rocks and fossilized materials. You may not get your rocks off, but, if you love knives like we do, you will most definitely rock on.
Jerry McClure outfits his Little Mama Folder with a handle of green nephrite jade. (Caleb Royer image)Mastodon ivory comprises the grip of a Tony Hughes bowie in a 9.5-inch blade of Turkish twist damascus. (Caleb Royer image)Bruce Bingenheimer’s BingaLor folders have handles of mammoth ivory. (Caleb Royer image)Sodalite stone caps off Bertie Rietveld’s Pinnacle dagger in nebula damascus. (SharpByCoop image)The Protégé by Johnny Stout boasts mammoth ivory scales and fileworked titanium liners. (Caleb Royer image)Ancient walrus ivory in a forged integral frame rocks the Slim Bad Fighter by David Lisch. (Caleb Royer image)Don Hanson opts for fossil ivory on his clip-point bowie with handsome hamon. (Caleb Royer image)
See More Beautiful Knife Photos
Knives 2018 features full-color photos of the world’s best custom knives. It’s THE book for knife collectors, knifemakers and anyone interested in functional art.
Follow the Rambo knives through the first four movies with these photos. If you want to step back in time even further, download the June 1983 issue of BLADE.
One (the Bowie knife) is primarily for combat, while the other (the Rambo knife) a survival knife. One was carried by a real person, the other by a fictional character. Both sparked explosive marketing in their respective heydays and were often emulated. Both were carried by men who were larger than life. Perhaps most telling, they continue to spark in-depth conversation long after their debuts.
The Rambo Knife: Built for Survival, then Combat
The second Rambo movie also features a survival knife, known as The Mission, designed and made once again by Jimmy Lile, but the viewer sees less survival use of the tool and more killing. Abe Elias comments on how Rambo’s female guide shows fear when she sees Rambo’s knife. Intuitively she senses that the knife isn’t a tool but a weapon. This reproduction is from Italy.
When we say “Rambo knife,” we first think of the Jimmy Lile-designed survival knives that were used in First Blood (1982) and Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985). But there were four movies in the series, and in Rambo III (1988) John Rambo actually carried a bowie designed by Gil Hibben. In Rambo (2008), the fourth and final movie, a chopper-machete made by Hibben was Rambo’s blade of choice.
The fourth Rambo movie is the most like “First Blood” in tone. The violence is harder to watch, the remote, distant explosions giving way to up-close-and-personal eviscerations and decapitations, all done with a chopper-machete made by Gil Hibben. (Cory Sorensen image; knife from the Randy Rousseau collection)
Survival authority, knife and tool designer, and writer Abe Elias mentioned that in the first movie we actually see Rambo open up the hollow-handled knife and use the items inside. He sews up his own wounds with the fishing line and uses the knife to make traps and kill a boar. He has a compass on the inner side of the butt cap, and can break glass with the outer side. The sawteeth on the spine can be used in woodcraft. The ends of the crossguard are Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers.
The entire concept was based on a pilot survival knife for Air Force pilots and Army helicopter pilots, the intent being that if they were shot down, they would have what they needed to survive in one tool. The sawtooth spines, for example, were for cutting through the acrylic canopies on the downed aircraft.
Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer Gil Hibben designed the knife for “Rambo III” with input from Sylvester Stallone. While Rambo’s knives in the first two movies were survival knives, this was definitely a bowie—a massive one, with an 11 7/8-inch blade. (Cory Sorensen image; knife from the Randy Rousseau collection)The main character of Rambo does not have a first name in the book “First Blood” by David Morrell. The movie gives Rambo the first name of John.
By Rambo III, Gil Hibben had designed an actual bowie for Sylvester Stallone to use in his penultimate appearance as John Rambo. In actuality, the pilot survival knife is said to be based on the Bowie, so there always was a strong connection between the knives. The Hibben version has a 3¾-inch cutout running parallel to the spine, which mainly serves to lighten the 11 7/8-inch blade. Rambo loses the knife but keeps the sheath that he’ll later convert to fit his machete in Rambo, the final in the series.
Elias reminds us that Rambo didn’t kill with the knife in First Blood. He did some serious damage, but not with the knife.
After First Blood, the other three movies seem more caricatures, building a legacy around a fictional character who already was larger than life, symbolized by the knives getting less survival-centric and increasingly combat focused.
Similarly, historians often surmise that James Bowie may have only participated in one knife fight, a duel-turned-melee that left him with multiple gunshot wounds and stabbings.
He is believed thereafter to have worn a large sheathed knife, bolstering his reputation as a fighter and frontiersman. He held a leading role in the Texas Revolution, and stories built him into a folk hero.
Rambo Knife: Marketing Drove Design Changes
Hollow-handled survival knives were already in existence prior to Jimmy Lile’s Rambo knife, but it wasn’t until First Blood that their popularity took off.
Elias remembers the mid-to-late `80s as a time when the survival industry as we know it was just coming into its own, but it still wasn’t commercialized. There were military surplus stores, but there weren’t countless companies selling survival foods and gear. There were very few items that had been capitalized on as “survival” and specialized for that intent. Knives were one of those items, and so the Rambo knife was a hit with both adults and kids.
But then a funny thing happened. Manufacturers began producing hefty bushcraft knives that could stand up to any type of abuse, but often couldn’t cut. So, it became necessary for a survival knife to be “indestructible.”
Well, if you repeatedly baton a hollow-handled knife into a 16-inch log of seasoned hardwood, it won’t hold up. But that was never the intent, and Elias reiterated that it’s rare that you’d baton logs of seasoned wood in a survival situation. It’s far more likely that you’d be making feather sticks, cutting twigs off bigger downed branches and otherwise working with smaller wood for deadfall traps, spears for fishing and roasting small game, and the like.
Bowie Knife: Marketing Drove Manufacturing
The history of the Bowie design is murky, but by the 1830s a longer, thinner Bowie with a longer false edge but less pronounced clip was being shipped from Sheffield, England. They were often etched or stamped with slogans such as “Americans Never Surrender.” The English were able to hide the originating location of the knives by operating works named after American cities, and thus stamping their blades with NY or other U.S. designations.
For the Bowie, it was the increased reliability of larger-caliber revolvers that killed the craze. Knife fights became a less likely proposition.
Larger than Life
If the knives aren’t fantasy enough, the stories around them fill in any gaps.
For instance, in Rambo III, Rambo partners with the mujahideen to defeat the Russian Army in Afghanistan in order to free his captured commander.
Meanwhile, we have stories of James Bowie wiping out Indian raiding parties during an expedition to find the San Saba silver mine, joining the Texas militia, and furthering his fighting prowess in at least two battles of the Texas Revolution.
Legends Die Hard
The most enduring story of James Bowie’s demise is that he fell ill at the Alamo and could no longer lead his volunteers. He is said to have died in his bed after unloading his pistols into the advancing Mexicans.
The cinematic John Rambo lives on. The literary Rambo—well, you’ll just have to immerse yourself in the book to find out.
Keep Learning About Knife Designs
The history of knife design is the history of the knives themselves. Learn more about enduring knife designs in 101 Knife Designs, by renowned knifemaker Murray Carter. It’s available here at ShopBlade.com.
