Sometimes You Want A Blade That’s Fun And Exciting Even If It Isn’t An EDC. The Buccaneer Sword From Condor Is All About Having A Good Time.
There’s a pretty good chance you’re not a pirate in the Caribbean or off the Barbary Coast. Even if you’re just a lifelong resident of a landlocked place like Kansas City or Nashville, you’ll absolutely love the new Buccaneer Sword from Condor Tool & Knife.
The massive blade is 15.5 inches in length and is made from 1075 high-carbon steel with a convex. It weighs a shade under 30 ounces so it’s a burly, heavy knife that can be used for bushcraft or for making a big show of slicing large cuts of meats. If you’re a performer, using this sword to prepare steaks for your family at the next barbecue will be remembered for years.
It all stays solid in your hand thanks to the leather-wrapped hardwood handle that is as strong as the blade and stays true while you wield this mighty sword. The included leather sheath will keep the sword safe when stored away.
The Buccaneer Sword is so much fun. If you want a showstopper, and stay on top of maintaining the high-carbon blade, you’ll have yourself a thrilling conversation piece for years to come.
With More Than A Century Of History, The Trench Knife Soldiers On As A Historical Collectible And A Modern Outdoor Knife.
The trench knife may be the ultimate weapon for close-quarters combat. With a sharp blade designed for stabbing, and a finger guard that doubles as a knuckle duster, the blade is excellent for messy, claustrophobic situations, which you would expect as it was named for the intimate and brutal trench warfare of World War I.
By the time World War II began, trench warfare was nowhere near as common as it had been previously. In turn, the trench knife evolved.
The United States issued the Mark I in 1942 and 1943 to certain special military groups like the Army Rangers and Marine Raiders. The Mark I was a newer version of WWI trench knives, including a finger guard, a stiletto blade, and a skull crusher cap built into the pommel.
However, over the course of WWII, the trench knife gave way to the combat knife. Most notable of these, the US M3 fighting knife, which was adopted in 1943. The M3 became the framework upon which more contemporary bayonets and fighting knives like the M4 and M7 were built.
Can I Own A Trench Knife Today?
That’s a complicated question to answer.
The trench knife is classified as a dangerous weapon in many states and countries for a variety of reasons. Some places prohibit them because they have double-sided blades while others focus on the knuckle dusters or the length of the blade as reasons to ban them.
Owning or carrying a trench knife is banned in numerous countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, Canada, China, and Singapore, among others.
In America, the knife is outlawed in some form in 23 states, and even among the states where it’s legal to own and/or carry, 18 of those states either only allow you to keep the knife in your home or require a permit to carry it on your person.
The only states with no permit rules for owning a trench knife are Texas, South Dakota, Indiana, South Carolina, Idaho, Hawai’i, Georgia, Arizona, and Alabama.
Modern Trench Knives
There aren’t many companies left making trench knives similar to those blades from a century ago. However, the two below are modern takes on the combat classic.
M48 Liberator Trench Knife
This is the souped-up version of the original trench knife. Everything about the Liberator is big and bold and in your face.
It starts with the 7.5-inch 2Cr13 cast stainless blade that is ground sharp on both sides. The blade has a satin finish and black oxide coating to add to its intimidating aura. The handle scales are made from a light, rugged fiberglass-reinforced nylon that provides a strong grip without adding too much weight.
And then there’s the knuckle duster tang. It both acts as a knuckle guard and an intense defense weapon. The added spikes on the handle allow you to use more force in case you are defending yourself. The knife fits into an injection-molded Vortec and nylon belt sheath that snaps shut and easily fits on your person.
It’s bad. It’s unapologetic. It’s the ultimate modern version of the trench knife.
MSRP: $79.99
Cold Steel Chaos Double Edge
A more muted version of the trench knife, the Chaos Double Edge from Cold Steel gives a modern, tactical spin on the old classic.
The blade itself is made from SK-5 high-carbon steel and is 7.5 inches long. The full-tang construction allows for a well-weighted knife that can be used to defend or to slice through dense brush. Both sides are ground sharp and meet at a spear point so the knife can puncture as you would expect.
The handle is made from 6061 aluminum and features a pair of D ring guards, which are a newer version of the old-school knuckle duster guards that is used for the same purpose. The pommel of the knife is tapered to allow for more force when using the cap to strike.
The included sheath is made from Secure-Ex and is both Molle-Lok and Tek-Lok compatible so transporting the Double Edge will be a breeze.
Knifemakers From Around The World Share What Equipment They Can’t Live Without And How It Helps In Creating Their Knives.
There are high-quality knifemakers on every continent. We chatted with some of the world’s best makers about what equipment and tools are must-haves for them in their shop.
Bertie Rietveld
Bertie’s Legacy Roman pugio in Dragonskin damascus with a Stanhope lens just below the guard and lapis lazuli cylinders with titanium spacers in-between is spectacular even by his high standards. Overall length: 16 inches. (SharpByCoop image)
One of the world’s leading makers of art knives, South Africa’s Bertie Rietveld is known for magnificent custom daggers and fixed blades, many in his Dragonskin damascus and with a Stanhope lens at the ricasso, a peek into which reveals whatever image Bertie likes to put there—usually the Stanhope logo.
Among his knifemaking equipment that proves invaluable to building his award-winning knives are his Rosa Italian precision drill presses.
“I have three of them,” he wrote, “each one set up with a different-diameter drill bit so I don’t have to change bits. The speeds are set to match the ideal speed of each drill bit in the chuck of each machine. They are super accurate and an absolute pleasure to use when drilling small holes. Each one has a light that automatically comes on when you start the drill. They’re probably 30 years old but I have rebuilt them to their former glory.”
Next on Bertie’s list of top knifemaking machines is his Schaublin 102 plain lathe.
“It was manufactured in 1961, which makes it a year older than me!” he grinned. “I have a full set of collets and chucks for it and use it a lot to turn small pins and pivots for my folders. It’s one of those machines built in the golden area of mechanical excellence: the 1960s. I love working on it because it’s very accurate and just a solid, well-built machine.”
Third among his most valuable knifemaking machines is his Cutlermatic belt grinder, which he built about 20 years ago when he ran Batavia Engineering.
“We built some 300 of these grinders for knifemakers at the time,” he recalled. “This machine has a whole myriad of contact wheels, from 2 inch to 20 inch, and is fitted with an inverter speed control. I use it to grind all my knives and also for hundreds of other grinding jobs. It’s probably the most used machine in my shop. It has a foot pedal to change belts and also some really bright LED lights on stalks so I can see where I’m grinding.”
The fourth machine is “Shaya,” Bertie’s “famous” 500-pound Massey power hammer. It was built in 1941 and he completely rebuilt it in 2000, a process that took eight years.
“I make all my damascus on this hammer, Dragonskin, Nebula, and Fracture, as well as other laminar damascus. It is a gentle giant but packs a mean punch when at full speed. Hardly a week goes by when I don’t have two or three forging sessions.”
Murray Sterling
Murray makes nothing but folders, including slip joints, linerlocks, and lockbacks. Among the latter is this fileworked and engraved straight-edge model in mother-of-pearl.
Murray Sterling turned 93 the first day of Spring and still makes knives like he’s 39. What are the most important pieces of knifemaking equipment for the self-described “old-school machinist” on the low side of 100 who’s been making knives for over three decades?
First are his four 2×72 belt grinders. He made three of them, including one he built 25 years ago that he uses 90 percent of the time.
“I hollow grind and profile all my folders and finish all my folders with it,” he wrote. “The only other grinder I bought new was a square wheel in 1989. I only use it for 45-degree scales.”
Next on Murray’s list is his Taft Pierce surface grinder. “This is probably the most important machine in the shop for making folders, and that’s all I make now,” he wrote.
The machine is over 50 years old and Murray bought it 20 years ago when it came available from a company his son worked for that was in the process of upgrading its machinery.
“In making folding knives, everything has to be flat,” Murray observed. “This machine is one of the best ways to achieve that. It has upgraded the quality of my folders by 100 percent. It also has a 2×72 belt attachment and, with a 60-grit belt, you can remove a lot of material fairly fast.”
Murray has four disc grinders, including two side-by-side models with 9-inch and 12-inch discs, the former with a 100-grit abrasive and the latter with a 320-grit one. Murray made the tables for the grinders 20 years ago. The motor for the 12-inch grinder is the original one from his square wheel grinder, the latter which he reoutfitted with a DC motor a couple of years after he bought it. The grinder on the fixed 45-degree table he uses for knife parts that need to be made square, such as backsprings for slip joints and lockbars.
The handiest machine in Murray’s shop is his Burgmaster drill press. He bought it in 1967 and uses it to drill 90 percent of the holes in his knives. It has six spindles, each of which runs at a different RPM.
“I can set it up with a tap drill, clearance drill, and counter bore for .080-inch screws,” he wrote. “It makes things quick and easy. I would hate to do without any of these machines. I also have a lathe and make my own bushings and pivot pins.”
Brian Tomberlin
An example of Brion’s knives is his Nagabowie—a Japanese-style blade with hamon complemented by a bowie handle.
ABS master smith Brion Tomberlin makes a lot of hidden-tang knives in his shop in Norman, Oklahoma, and a set of handle broaches he got from fellow ABS master smith John Perry are a must-have for that style of knife construction.
“They do a great job of opening up the slot for the tang in handle blocks,” Brion observed. “I bought the first two from John way back when there was a Spirit of Steel knife show in Mesquite, Texas, probably his first or second batch of them. I still use them all the time. They’re very finely crafted tools.
“Another must-have tool for me and most makers is a set of calipers. In order to get things fitted correctly, such as guards and getting the measurements on things like the depth of clips even on both sides, you need to have accurate measurements. A good knifemaker thinks in thousandths and you need to be able to accurately measure them. So, I have calipers everywhere. I’ve got to have them.”
Brion uses a Foredom tool on every knife that leaves his shop.
“It’s a super versatile tool,” he noted. “I’m sure everyone has used Dremel tools, especially the variable-speed models. But the Dremel tools wear out and I hear all the time that people keep buying them every two or so years because the tools stop working. So, save money and get the standard rotary-flex-shaft tool used in the jewelry trades. Just get a Foredom tool and you will not regret it.
“Mine is variable speed and reversible and that is what I suggest. I bought it from an old name in knifemaking supplies, Mick Koval [of Koval Supply], over twenty years ago. It’s still going strong. There is so much you can do with them and they have so many attachments. Rio Grande and Gesswein jewelry supply are knifemakers’ friends. I use this tool for guards, contouring buttcaps to match stag, polishing things, carving, etc. It has so many uses.”
Another tool Brion uses on every knife he makes is his trusty file guide.
“The shoulder filing guide or just plain file guide should be standard in every maker’s shop,” he advised. “My main one is a carbide-faced model from Riverside Machine in DeQueen, Arkansas.
“You need to get the shoulders on a blade flat in order to get the guard to fit up correctly,” Brion wrote. A file guide will do that. “Also, with the carbide faces you can use the guide with grinding belts to get the plunges even. I bought this years ago when Uncle Al [Alton Lawrence of Riverside Machine] first started making them. It has served me well. You don’t have to have the carbide faces as there are hardened steel file guides too, but pay the extra money and get the carbide—you will not regret it.”
Rounding out Brion’s top knifemaking tools are his machinist squares.
“You have to be able to lay out lines and have them be true, everything from laying out guard slots to making sure things are 90 degrees, such as platens on grinders,” he advised. That’s where the machinist squares come into play. “You have to have them and they aren’t expensive. Making sure your layout lines are correct will help you make better knives,” Brion concluded. “Every knife shop should have them.”
Makers And Knife Aficionados From Around The Globe Are Set To Descend On Salt Lake City For Blade Show West In October.
Premier custom and factory knifemakers, a seminar on a new canister pattern technique that could revolutionize the knife industry and the 3rd Annual West Coast Flipping Championships will be but a few of the highlights of BLADE Show West Oct. 7-8 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City.
It will be the first-ever BLADE Show West in the great state of Utah. The show was held at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California, last year.
The doors will open to the public each day at 10 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. Leading custom and factory makers, knife accessory companies, suppliers of various materials, equipment, and tools to make knives and more will exhibit their latest wares for your perusal throughout the weekend.
The Stars Of Blade Show West
As with all BLADE Show events, BLADE Show West will have a state-of-the-art seminar schedule. The schedule kicks off Friday at 1 p.m. with one on how to bring your blade back from the edge of dull by Clay Allison of Wicked Edge Precision Sharpeners.
At 2:30 p.m. ABS master smith Steve Schwarzer and Ron Hardman will present 3D Printing for Canister Patterns. In this exclusive seminar for BLADE Show West, Steve and Ron will outline how 3D printing plays a role in bladesmithing and how it may affect the future of the craft in general.
It was just this past February that Steve, Ron, Ben Bannister, and Kyrie Schroetin posted test results where 3D printed designs were combined with powdered steels to lay out complex canister patterns—all in record time.
With relatively inexpensive printers, free design software, and easily sourced printing materials, 3D printing is more accessible to the general public than ever, and it’s something most anyone can do in a shop setting. Join Steve & Co. as they demonstrate how to do it, compare and contrast different methods of developing patterns, the types of metals that can be used, how to set up your own 3D print lab, and more.
ABS master smith Neels Van Den Berg of South Africa was the star of the annual meeting of the ABS at BLADE Show ’22 in Atlanta, not only earning his ABS master smith stamp but capturing the coveted B. R. Hughes Award for the best knife by a master smith applicant. Join him as he shows you how he makes knives in the design of his award winner in Symmetrical Quillon Dagger.
The gang was all there for last year’s 2nd Annual West Coast Flipping Championships and a large number are expected to compete this year in the 3rd annual rendition sponsored by Squid Industries. (group shot courtesy of Squid Industries)
Saturday’s seminars kick off with Let The Pros Critique Your Knife, the latest in the BLADE Show’s series of discussions in which some of today’s leading makers examine one knife of one or more show attendees. This time the panel consists of BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® member Bill Ruple, slip-joint maker Enrique Pena, ABS master smith/past Forged in Fire judge Jason Knight, and bladesmith Will Stelter. Shane Magnussen will follow that up with a reboot of his popular seminar, How To Texture Titanium Knife Handles.
The seminar schedule closes with a bang on show Saturday with the 3rd Annual West Coast Flipping Championships sponsored by Squid Industries. Contestants ranging in age from teenagers to 30 will show their stuff in a series of timed balisong-flipping competitions. Attendance is free to all show ticket holders.
Award Categories And Rules
At a time to be determined on show Friday, the custom knife and factory knife judging competitions will be held.
Categories in the custom knife category are: Best Slip Joint, Best Locking Folder, Best Damascus, Best Kitchen Knife, Best Bowie, Best Hunting Knife, Best Tactical Knife, Best Chopper, and Best In Show. Categories in the factory knife category are Best Folder, Best EDC, Best Hunting Knife, Best Tactical Knife, Best of the Rest, Best Non-Knife Tool, and Best In Show.
Special rules for the factory judging include:
•Best EDC is open to both folders and fixed blades.
•Best of the Rest is for any knife not covered by the other categories.
•Best Non-Knife Tool, as its name suggests, must be for any non-knife tool.
Special rules for the custom judging include:
•Best Locking Folder is for any folder that locks, including linerlocks, lockbacks, etc.
•Best Chopper includes any edged tool that excels at chopping, including but not limited to competition cutters, kukris, cleavers, hatchets, tomahawks, axes, etc.
Special rules for both custom and factory include:
•Best Hunting Knife and Best Tactical Knife are open to both folders and fixed blades.
All award winners will receive trophies and coverage in the BLADE Show West recap edition of BLADE®. The winners will be announced at 8 p.m. on show Friday at the BLADE Show Awards After Party presented by Black Rifle Coffee. (See the show program and/or the show staff at the show for the party’s location.)
New Venue For Blade Show West
Tobin Hill will be among a strong contingent of exhibiting slip-joint makers. His folding-guard hunter features CPM 154 stainless blade steel in a hollow grind and an amber stag handle. His price for a similar knife: $2,500. (SharpByCoop image)
Many outstanding restaurants and watering holes are within easy walking distance of the Salt Palace Convention Center, a venue that is cutting edge in terms of exhibitor space and other amenities. The area is also home to an energetic nightlife scene, national parks, museums, and other attractions.
Meanwhile, there will be raffles and giveaways, vintage custom and factory knives on display, knife swapping galore, old friends renewing acquaintances, and new friends making new ones—all at BLADE Show West 2022.
Friday, October 7 1-to-2 p.m. BACK FROM THE EDGE OF DULL—Meeting Room 150: Maintaining a keen edge on your knife requires sharpening on a regular basis. However, that isn’t always done and the edge may go almost completely dull as a result. According to Clay Allison of Wicked Edge Precision Sharpeners, his company has the tools to bring your blade back from the edge of dull. Let him show you how. 2:30-to-4 p.m. 3D PRINTING FOR CANISTER PATTERNS—Meeting Room 150: Learn how to leverage 3D Printer Technology to make canister damascus patterns. ABS master smith Steve Schwarzer and Ron Hardman show you how to use this game-changing advancement to forge patterns that were previously unthinkable—and all on a budget, too. 4:30-to-5:30 p.m. SYMMETRICAL QUILLON DAGGER 101—Meeting Room 150: ABS Master Smith Neels Van Den Berg takes you through the making of a Symmetrical Quillon Dagger, including design, proportions, aesthetics, materials, fluting and finally the entire production process, sharing useful tips and tricks to save you time, money and frustration.
Saturday, October 8 1-to-2 p.m. LET THE PROS CRITIQUE YOUR KNIFE—Meeting Room 150: Award-winning knifemakers share their decades of knowledge and experience in critiquing your custom knife. Jason Knight, Enrique Pena, Bill Ruple, and Will Stelter go over your knife and tell you what is good about it, what is not and how you can make it better. This will be a limited-seating event. Bring one knife only. Questions from attendees will be entertained throughout. 3-to-4 p.m. HOW TO TEXTURE TITANIUM KNIFE HANDLES—Meeting Room 150: Shane Magnussen of Scorpion 6 Knives covers the use of a 2×72 grinder to sculpt various patterns and textures on materials such as titanium, steel, and other alloys. He will cover the setup and techniques of sculpting freehand or by using a fixture, provide the information needed to safely use and select a grinder for sculpting, and outline the mechanics of varying angles, wheel size and abrasive belt options, and how they influence the finished look of the materials. 4-to-6 p.m. 3rd ANNUAL West Coast Flipping Championships—Meeting Room 150: Hosted by Squid Industries, the championships will feature head-to-head live blade flipping in an elimination bracket-style competition.
This Beautiful Little Folder From Browning Is A Modern Take On A Classic Style, And It’s Done Well.
Browning is known around the world for their high-quality firearms, but they are also a fine maker of knives. The new Timber is a contemporary version of a classic folding pocketknife. Elegant and smooth to use, this knife is a perfect EDC and will satisfy a first-time knife buyer or a seasoned collector.
The Timber features a 2.75-inch modified drop point blade made from Sandvik 12C27 stainless with a satin finish and stainless steel bolsters. The handle scales are a rich, vibrant burled wood, and the whole thing secures via a lockback when deployed. The blade opens with a nail nick.
Classics are classics for a reason; they never go out of style and are always in demand. The Browning Timber is a new addition to the EDC world and a worthy addition at that.
When It Comes To Beautiful Custom Knives, Few Are Doing It As Well As Dawson Knives. This Fixed Blade Shows Everything The Maker Can Do.
A knife doesn’t just need to be a showpiece. A knife doesn’t just need to be a utilitarian tool. The Dawson Chief perfectly blends the two into a piece that could be mounted in a case or used out on a hunt.
The knife is a behemoth. At 10 ounces in weight with a 5.25-inch blade, the Chief is anything but dainty. The blade can attack almost anything. Made from a CPM MagnaCut stainless powder steel, its heat treated to a rugged 60-61 HRC and can hold an edge like a champ.
The finger choil and thumb ramp allow for maximum control and smooth cutting strokes when in use. You can choose between a G10 or carbon fiber handle. Both provide a secure grip and won’t warp. No stone was left unturned in the design of this knife.
Visually it’s beautiful thanks to the two-tone Specter finish. The custom hybrid leather/Kydex sheath is just as tough as the blade and allows you to carry the Chief on your belt line or on a pack. Everything together makes for the total package when it comes to a fixed blade.
The Reverse Tanto Is One Of The Most Interesting Blade Designs. By Putting A Spin On A Classic Pattern, The Reverse Tanto Stands Out From The Pack.
In general terms, a knife profile isn’t something that seems like it should be reversed. The American tanto blade pattern, commonly seen on modern tactical and combat knives, is a modified version of the somewhat longer and more flowing traditional Japanese tanto. While there are variations, the American tanto blade features a hard angle in the belly curve up to the shallow, chisel-ground tip.
A reverse tanto profile keeps the hard angle of the tanto profile but moves it to the spine, thus “reversing” the conventional tanto style. This edge profile doesn’t usually have as harsh of an angle on the spine; on a tanto the tip usually curves up, akin to the larger katana profile. By flipping the edge over, the tip is brought into a straighter line with the hand and offers a good deal more stabbing ability.
An interesting point is that, at least in my direct experience, the reverse tanto is much better at cutting and stabbing tasks than the tanto. Profile matters a great deal in this case. The reverse tanto can be thought of as a very muted bowie in that it has a narrow tip and smooth edge, yet a good height to the spine; the tip can get into a medium easily and the rest follows with minimal effort.
An American tanto profile’s chisel-type tip has a more severe geometry that doesn’t easily lend itself to going through materials or fine cutting work. The area on an American tanto that usually takes the most damage is the tip angle itself. Not only that but, thanks to the severe angles, it is difficult to keep sharp.
The reverse tanto offers an easily maintainable edge and fine tip while having the strength of a larger blade. This allows the profile to be ground quite thin and remain very strong. The reverse tanto folders in this article are some of the lightest I’ve ever tested, and they cut far above their weight class.
Leatherman Skeletool KBX
Leatherman Skeletool KBX
The Leatherman Skeletool KBX is the smallest knife in the test—so small it could probably ride on a key ring. It is the only serrated knife of the test bunch. Despite being so small, the KBX offers a wide degree of general utility. It is not a heavy cutter like a few in this review. It is neither comfortable enough nor large enough to commit to hard use. It is instead something of a mini multi-tool suitable for the most basic use. It has an integrated bottle opener, which is a very nice touch—and it works!
The size of the piece is the best part and also the worst. As an EDC knife, it is somewhat small. However, for the right person wanting a low-profile knife, this one fits the bill. For basic work like opening boxes, cutting string, or just popping open a cold one, it’s great.
MSRP: $39.95
Benchmade Mini Osborne
Benchmade Mini Osborne
The Benchmade Mini Osborne is a perfect EDC folder. Not only is it extremely lightweight, it’s comfortable in the hand for medium tasks. The AXIS® lock is easy to operate. Closing the knife is not a challenge, though it is something of a two-hand operation in that you must pull back on the lock and then fold the blade down. Locked open it is very strong and has no flex or movement when working.
The Benchmade is probably the best balance of weight to cutting ability in the review. Consequently, it is also relatively costly. Benchmade has an understandable reputation as a top brand and this little folder demonstrates that a knife can be light, comfortable, and very sharp. It is great for domestic and simple chores and can be used to make kindling and spark. Like the Skeletool, it is really too small to be anything other than a light-duty blade.
MSRP: $210
Krudo Vice BA
Krudo Vice BA
The Vice BA (Bad Attitude) folder from Krudo is the largest knife in the test and the heaviest. There is a substantial difference between it and the other test models in terms of cutting ability and the size of materials it can digest. The Krudo has a large disc/thumb rest atop the spine, not only for ease of opening but also as a place to apply downward pressure for cutting. This alone puts the knife in a different category altogether in that it can break down medium sticks, and can even be used to hack off medium limbs. It excels at making tinder and has a thick blade and strong lock mechanism. It is easy to strike with as well.
The knife’s size is both a benefit and a downfall. It’s the toughest in the test but also meaty enough that you are aware of it in your pocket most of the time. If you’re in the woods or on the job site, the Vice BA would be a welcome friend and easy to use constantly.
MSRP: $244
Kershaw Lithium
Kershaw Lithium
The Kershaw Lithium is the only assisted opener in the bunch. It has a large amount of utility for the moderate cost and is a great EDC knife that offers a keen, clean edge and a very sharp point. The knife is heavy in the blade and comfortable in the grip.
It cuts quite well and can be worked with for extended periods of time comfortably, unlike the two smaller test knives. It has a matte finish, isn’t flashy, and offers nothing to immediately catch the prying eye of a passerby.
The tip can punch through most common materials and there’s enough mass to the blade that it can slash as well. As far as general utility, it can spark and is useful for making kindling and dealing with minor twigs and branches. It lacks true chopping power but like the others will work given the necessity.
MSRP: $51.99
Artisan Cygnus ATZ
Artisan Cygnus ATZ
The Artisan Cygnus ATZ arrived very, very sharp and with a most aggressive tip design. The blade is slender and light and lacks forward mass. As a result, it lends itself well for use in a stabbing motion, easily penetrating many materials. However, the grip is geometric and somewhat angular, thus making repeated stabs somewhat uncomfortable. It is a thin blade and shouldn’t be used to pry (a use most knives shouldn’t be put to in the first place).
While quite visually appealing, the ATZ takes up more space than all but the Krudo. The Artisan offers the best cutting ability of the bunch in general slicing. In the course of testing it maintained an edge very easily and the tip proved strong despite being thin.
While not designed as an outdoor knife or for preparing kindling, it sparks nicely. If you spend most of your time in town, this one is a bit flashier than the rest but still isn’t outside the realm of daily use, and likely won’t draw much attention from snooping eyes.
MSRP: $85.99
The reverse tanto excels at domestic cutting tasks. All the test folders would make fine EDCs, my preference being the Benchmade in terms of weight to size. You really can’t go wrong with any of the review knives as long as you keep the end use to a realistic setting. Don’t try to make any of these knives your primary outdoor tool. There are better knife styles for such use, though the reverse tanto works if it’s all you have.
Editor’s note: Bob Lum is credited by many with designing the original custom American tanto, while Cold Steel popularized the blade pattern in the factory knife industry.
