Knife Collecting

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.

World’s Hottest Knives in April BLADE®

The steel that changed knives forever, the hottest custom makers’ hottest knives, how to build an emergency shelter, Chad Nichols’ MokuTi knife material, how to recognize future knife collectibles, these and much more highlight the new April BLADE®, on most newsstands NOW.

Bill Moran’s introduction of damascus steel at the 1973 Knifemakers’ Guild Show 40 yaers ago this year is the focus of “Steel That Changed Knives Forever.” Find out from those who were there what that was like and from others how the introduction transformed the industry and continues to do so today.

If you were stranded in the woods and needed to build an emergency shelter in a short amount of time, could you do it? James Ayres shows you how in “Shelter From The Storm.”

The custom knives most in demand change at any given moment. Get the latest installment of how they’re changing and what they are in “On The Boil!” The cover knife made by Jim Burke and designed by Tashi Bharucha is one of them.

If somebody asked you what factory knives you should collect now for the future, what would be your answer? See if it gibes with those who know in “Knife Pros Reveal What To Collect.”

There’s much more—a profile of knifemaker Will Zermeno, Ray Kirk’s giveaway knife for the upcoming Arkansas Custom Knife Show, the latest in mid-tech knives, how to clean hunting knives, part two of Ed Fowler’s step-by-step how-to on sheep horn knife handles, a test of Joel Worley’s “Woodsman” brut de forge knife and much more, all in the April BLADE.

For subscription information to BLADE click on BL0413CAN_finalwww.shopblade.com/blade-magazine-one-year-subscription-us?lid=ssfbbl013113

Illustrated Guide to Types of Blades

2

Types of Blades 1Types of Blades 2

Learn about the different types of blades out there with these handy illustrated guides. They’re perfect for anyone curious about blade shapes, terminology or what to look for before buying a knife for a particular use. Just click on either image for a larger view. Types of blades covered include:

California Clip
Can Opener
Citrus Peeler
Clip
Clip-Saber
Coping
Cotton Sampler
Cuticle
Dog Grooming
Drop Point
File
Fish Scakler/Cap Lifter
Letter Opener
Long Pull
Muskrat
Pen
Pruner
Punch
Razor
Regular Pull
Saw
Screwdriver/Wire Stripper
Serrated Spay
Sheep Foot
Skate Wrench
Skinner
Spay
Spear
Typesetter
Wharncliffe

Types of bladesThis illustrated guide to types of blades is excerpted from the American Premium Guide to Knives & Razors CD. Jim Sargent’s book is ideal for anyone who collects Case knives or has an interest in knife history.

Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame Series: CRKT/A.G. Sting

CRKT/AG Russell StingWhen you talk Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© members, few carry the cache of A.G. Russell, and his Sting design reproduced by CRKT is a great way to experience his knife genius. The non-reflective, powder-coated blade of 1050 carbon steel is 3.197 inches long, and the integral handle is contoured to fit your hand.

Click here to get stung for yourself at ShopBlade.com.

Urban Survival Knife Tools

What has happened in NYC post Sandy can happen to many. In such an instance, you need tools not only that can cut but also can work as pliers, screwdrivers, can openers and much more. Enter the multi-tool.

Gerber survival toolGerber Diesel Multi-Tool

Features pliers, wire cutter, wire crimper, partially serrated knife blade and more. Click here for more on the Gerber Diesel Multi-Tool.

 

Columbia River Knife & Tool Zilla-ToolCRKT Zilla-Tool

This Columbia River Knife & Tool item sports pliers, screwdriver w/hex bits, 3-inch flipper knife blade, can opener and more. Click here for a full breakdown on the CRKT Zilla-Tool.

 

Byrd Knives Meadowlark2 SpyderEdge Rescue KnifeByrd Knives Meadowlark2 SpyderEdge Rescue Knife

The key to the Meadowlark2 is that it lacks a tip. This helps minimize damage to whomever or whatever needs to be freed from binding materials. Click here for more specs on the Meadowlark2 SpyderEdge Rescue Knife.

Deibert’s Award-Winning Mid-Bowie

ABS journeyman smith Michael Deibert took home the George Peck Award for the best knife made by a journeyman smith applicant at this year’s BLADE Show.

“I forged this knife after a long look at many historical and modern bowies. After a few rough sketches I lit the forge, heated a hefty piece of 1095 and let the hammer fall. I tried to come up with something as original as possible, yet maintain the flavor of the bowie. Even though the bowie inspired this particular knife, it is a bit shorter, though I don’t consider it a ‘small knife.’ For this reason I call it the ‘Mid-Bowie.’”—Michael Deibert

Knife Name: Mid-Bowie

Maker: Michael Deibert

Award: George Peck Award for the best knife submitted by an ABS journeyman smith applicant

Blade Material: 1095 carbon steel

Blade Length: 8.5”

Handle: Stabilized spalted maple

Special Features: Guard and pin are both cold-blued mild steel; a slender clip extends the majority of the blade length

Overall Length: 13”

Maker’s List Price For a Similar Piece: $400

Click here for a full list of award recipients from the 2012 BLADE Show.

A Few Great Everyday Carry Knives

Best everyday carry knives

No. 1 for knife enthusiast Nick Morgan is the Chris Reeve Sebenza. “The tolerances are so much better on Chris Reeve knives than any other production knives, and you’ll find just about perfect fit and finish on every model. I love the blade and handle shapes, and the plain, simple looks are beautiful,” he said.

The Spyderco Sage2 is second on Morgan’s list. “I love the deep-carry wire clip—for my money the best clip in the industry,” he stated. “The profile of the titanium Sage2 is thinner than the carbon fiber Sage1, so using and carrying it is noticeably nicer.”

Morgan said the Benchmade 940 is a blast to play with due to the AXIS lock. “It’s super easy to open and close, and it’s fast!” he emphasized. “The reverse tanto blade shape is my favorite. For cutting, whittling and stabbing, it’s strong, sharp and great looking. It’s the best knife to sit in front of the TV and flip open/closed hundreds of times.”

Next on Morgan’s list is the DPx HEST 2.0, “a knife that can survive heavy-duty use day after day. I love the functional blade shape and, at 3.25 inches, it’s big enough for 99 percent of my cutting tasks while not being too big that it scares people when I use it in public. It locks up solidly like the Sebenza and I love the extra features—bottle opener, wire stripper and glass breaker/skull crusher, the latter which is really nicely executed. My favorite feature is the bayonet clip—it buries so deep in the pocket that nobody suspects I’ve got a knife on me.”

Last on Morgan’s list is what he terms the “best-bang-for-the-buck” knife: the Large Buck Vantage Pro. “It has a great blade and handle shape, I love the flipper, it has top quality blade steel [CPM S30V] and handle material, an excellent deep-carry bayonet clip, it’s USA made and has a nice, slim profile. Best of all,” he added, “it’s less than half the cost of every other knife on my list.”

For more EDC knives, check out this selection at ShopBlade.com.

Today’s Troop Knife Favorites

Before you can answer the question of what the most popular knives are among the U.S. military in Afghanistan, you must first answer such questions as: What are the knives used for? Which knives do the job and are the best buys for the money? Which knives are most available? There are other questions, but these are good starting points.

According to those interviewed, knives are used mostly for cutting boxes, tape, rope and 550 cord, small-gauge metal wire, prying things open, cutting the clothes of fellow soldiers to administer to wounds, and so on. “[I used a knife in combat] the last time I was deployed, but to cut open mortar ‘tootsie-roll’ cartridge carriers, not to disembowel the enemy,” one soldier observed. “The occasions where a knife is used to directly defend against or attack the enemy are notable in that they are the exception instead of the rule.”

“[Knives] are used literally every mission for combat-related tasks such as prepping vehicles, aircraft, fighting positions, flex cuffs, etc.,” one veteran said. Meanwhile, though it is not exactly a common occurrence, Curtis Iovito of Spartan Blades indicated knives are used in hand-to-hand combat more in Afghanistan than you might think.

Visit the Spartan Blades website to check out knives designed for military purposes.

Advertisement

Must Read Articles

Read this before you make a knife

Knifemaking 101 – Read This Before You Make a Knife

  by Wayne Goddard My experience has taught me that there's nothing like digging in and getting started. I've often said the hardest part of the...
how to forge damascus steel

How to Forge Damascus

Advertisement
Advertisement