As another superb Leo Espinoza-designed knife, the 3 Pointer from TOPS Knives makes for an excellent EDC, fishing, camping and hunting knife.
One of the main goals with this model was options for carry. Each of the three variants (skeletonized, tan canvas handle, black canvas handle) come with beta loop straps and a neck chain. This allows multiple ways for wear. There are also options for personalization.
The knife is large enough to handle a small buck (like a three-point buck, for example) as well as small game, fish and fowl. It’s a great size and design for all sorts of other uses as well.
You’ll find this fixed blade knife replacing your folder for EDC because of how light, functional and easy to carry it is.
Specs
Knife Type: Fixed Blade, Neck
Overall Length: 6.63″
Blade Length: 3.13″
Cutting Edge: 3.13″
Blade Thickness: 0.130″
Blade Steel: 1095 RC 56-58
Blade Finish: Black Traction Coating
Handle Material: Black or Tan Canvas Micarta, or Skeletonized
Spyderco’s Sage 5 Lightweight is a detour from their original Sage project in the best kind of way. Originally created as a platform to showcase unique locking mechanisms and their creators, the Sage series has helped to deliver incredible innovation into the mainstream.
In this spirit, the Sage 5 Lightweight maintains the Compression Lock™ mechanism highlighted in the original Sage 5, but pairs it with injection-molded, fiberglass-reinforced-nylon (FRN) handle scales to reduce its weight by 13 percent.
The handle’s Bi-Directional Texture™ pattern provides a secure grip. Nested, skeletonized stainless steel liners provide structural strength and a foundation for the knife’s lock mechanism.
For serious end users, the result is a lightweight, high-performance knife that offers an ultra-secure grip at a more affordable price than the original version of this design.
To ensure an ultra-smooth action, the Sage 5 Lightweight’s full-flat-ground CPM® S30V® stainless steel blade rides on a special low-friction bushing that allows for precise pivot tensioning. A reversible deep-pocket wire clip provides discreet, ambidextrous, tip-up carry, while keeping the knife readily accessible.
As is tradition with all of Spyderco’s Sage models, a portion of the sales of these knives will be donated to the National Alzheimer’s Association.
Smith’s new EdgeWork-Site knives were designed for the toughest of conditions and applications, namely those found in and around the construction industry. Tools chosen for construction work must be close to indestructible, given the jobs they’re required to do, day-in and day-out.
Here’s one great example: Smith’s EdgeWork-Site 2.7″ Hawkbill knife (available here). This tough, dependable knife features a 400-series stainless-steel blade with black stonewash finish that provides extra protection while providing a rugged look.
The razor-sharp Hawkbill-style blade is made of precision heat treated stainless steel with a 1″ serrated section to utilize the full length of the blade.
Opening the EdgeWork-Site Hawkbill knife is made extremely easy with ambidextrous thumb studs. The front handle is made of rugged glass-filled textured nylon, and the back handle is constructed with 2Crl3 steel.
The EdgeWork-Site Hawkbill knife employs a sturdy frame lock design that secures the blade open during use, and it also includes a handy pocket clip for carrying ease and convenience.
What kind of jobs can the EdgeWork-Site Hawkbill knife handle? Cutting lines, cords, and rope up to 1” in diameter; opening or breaking down any cardboard box; and taking care of virtually any chore where an extremely tough, sharp blade is needed.
Learn more about the Edgework-Site Hawkbill knife and the rest of the all-new Edgework line of knives and sharpeners at www.smithsproducts.com. Be sure to give a follow on Facebook and on Instagram.
VERY FEW BLADE PATTERNS SHARE THE STYLE AND GRACE OF THE DROP POINT.
Ever since BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® member Bob Loveless popularized the drop-point hunter, there’s been a love affair with the eloquent blade style. Hunters have embraced it—not only for its good looks, but also because of its ability to process game cleanly and efficiently. The drop-point blade also has found a presence on modern tactical knives, attesting to its abilities as an overall effective design.
We’ll stick to hunting/sporting versions and examine a diverse group of drop points from manufacturers around the world. I tested the knives for a variety of chores, including carving and slicing wood, rope and leather, as well as functions particular to a given knife.
1.) SLICING FINE: The Puma SGB Coyote
The Puma SGB Coyote Micarta is the budget entry in our quartet. SGB blades are made in Germany, and knife assembly is done in China for cost savings. The Coyote’s 3.75-inch, 440A stainless blade has a deep hollow grind, and its 8.25-inch overall length makes it a medium-sized hunter. Handle construction is full-tang stainless steel with an upper bolster and polished black Micarta® scales that sport a Puma medallion. Weight: 6.14 ounces. A ballistic nylon belt sheath is included. MSRP: $74.99.
The only knife in the group with a hollow grind, the Coyote is geared toward fine slicing. Testing the blade on leather and rope revealed the 440A stainless steel to be more than adequate, slicing upward in pull-through strokes on harness leather and doubled-up, 3/8- inch synthetic rope in single strokes, both with ease. The blade performed equally well on flat push and pull slices on a wood table top. The handle is comfortable thanks to its nicely finished Micarta scales. I also used it to slice and dice ham to fortify some bean soup, and it handled the prep admirably.
The blade is not going to hold an edge as long as the more expensive steels and those with flat grinds—that’s just the nature of the beast. However, for its price point, it’s an outstanding value that will serve you well for skinning, food prep and medium-duty chores around the camp.
PUMA SGB COYOTE MICARTA SPECS BLADE LENGTH: 3.75”
BLADE STEEL: 440A stainless
BLADE GRIND: Hollow
HANDLE MATERIAL: Black canvas Micarta®
SPECIAL FEATURES: German-made steel
SHEATH: Ballistic nylon; belt carry
WEIGHT: 6.14 ozs.
OVERALL LENGTH: 8.25”
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Germany (blade); China (assembly)
MSRP: $74.99
2.) BUSHCRAFT BEAR: The White River Knife & Tool Ursus 45
At 9.5 inches overall, the White River Knife & Tool Ursus 45 is a large hunter and the only USA-made drop point in the test bunch. Ursus is Latin for bear, and the “45” is short for the knife’s 4.5- inch blade. The upscale CPM S35VN stainless steel blade has a deep, flat grind topped with a stonewash finish. The 5-inch black burlap Micarta® handle has screw construction, and there’s a lanyard hole in the butt. A brown leather sheath, replete with both a firesteel and loop, is included. MSRP: $250.
The 45 is a bushcraft knife and makes no bones about it. It screamed to be batoned, and I obliged by battering it through some well-seasoned oak firewood across a roughly 3.5-inch span. The edge of the premium S35VN blade was hardly fazed—this is darned tough steel!—and it also performed well debarking, slicing and digging into some dense boxwood. The blade spine threw sparks off the firesteel surprisingly well. (I find that most prefer tool steel for this function.) It had plenty of firepower. The scales were plenty grippy, and the finger guard and palm swell in the handle made for a strong, secure grip.
It would be hard to find any criticisms about the 45 because it does what it’s supposed to do without complaint. In addition, its price point is well in line with a bushcraft fixed blade with premium steel and above-average fit and finish.
WHITE RIVER KNIFE & TOOL URSUS 45 SPECS
BLADE LENGTH: 4.5”
BLADE STEEL: CPM S35VN stainless
BLADE GRIND: Flat
HANDLE MATERIAL: Black burlap Micarta®
SPECIAL FEATURES: Stonewash finish; firesteel
SHEATH: Brown leather belt sheath w/ firesteel loop
WEIGHT: 8.19 ozs.
OVERALL LENGTH: 9.5”
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
MSRP: $250
3.) HIGH-END CONVEX: The Fallkniven SK2L Embla
The Fallkniven SK2L Embla is the first of our two higher-end factory drop points.
Made in Sweden, the 8.31-inch Embla derives its ovate, barrel-handled styling from the Scandinavian puukko. It also has a short, stainless steel guard. The 3.94-inch blade is Fallkniven’s laminated CoS stainless steel and is more indicative of the common drop-point style— with the exception of having a convex blade grind. The 4.38-inch handle has a hidden tang and desert ironwood scales sandwiched between a stainless guard and buttcap. A logo emblem rides at center. Manufactured in Japan, the Embla weighs 6.3 ounces and comes with a black leather dangler-style belt sheath. MSRP: $449.95.
The Embla is the only knife in the group with a convex grind. I’ve mentioned how impressive the company’s laminated CoS stainless steel is in these pages before, and the Embla’s blade didn’t disappoint. I tested it by debarking and slicing into some tough, green, 3-inch-diameter boxwood. It dug in as if it wanted to be there. It also bit into some seasoned oak with equal gusto. The desert ironwood handle is attractive and comfortable, and the sheath is top-shelf.
Many bushcrafters prefer this traditional handle design and use it to great effect. The stainless steel guard, though not deep, is a welcome addition to the handle. The Embla ain’t cheap but it’s first-class from stem to stern. Fallkniven has filled the high-end niche by backing the knife with superb quality.
FALLKNIVEN SK2L EMBLA SPECS
BLADE LENGTH: 3.94”
BLADE STEEL: Laminated CoS stainless
BLADE GRIND: Convex
HANDLE MATERIAL: Desert ironwood
SPECIAL FEATURES: Puukko handle design; convex edge
SHEATH: Black leather belt model w/ dangler
WEIGHT: 6.3 ozs.
OVERALL LENGTH: 8.31”
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Japan
MSRP: $449.95
4.) SAVORY STEEL: The Boker Integral II Stag
As the name implies, the Boker Integral II Stag features a one-piece design and a handle of an attractive, deep stag. The steel is 440C stainless steel—not unusual in Europe, where its manufacture is a high art. The blade is 4.65 inches long, with a flat grind from edge to spine. The handle design has a deep index finger detent below the solo front bolster. The knife comes with a black leather belt sheath. Weight: 8.47 ounces. Overall length: 9.45 inches. MSRP: $449.
The knife is 100 percent Solingen made, and its overall fit and finish reflect this fact. Real or imagined, integrals have a special feel about them. There’s a “oneness” in the tactile feel between hand and knife.
Any preconceived notions I might have had about the blade’s 440C steel were dispelled when I tested it cutting and carving wood, as well as slicing 3/8-inch rappelling rope. In one test, I laid down three lengths of the rope side by side on a flat wood surface and did a pull-through slice immediately followed by a push- through stroke. Only moderate pressure was needed, and the slices were clean as a whistle. The stag handle is comfortable and finely finished—as it should be at this knife’s upper-end price tag.
Will the Integral II’s steel hold an edge as long as a high-end powdered steel? Probably not. It is more a knife to savor than a knife to beat the hell out of, and it does “savoring” in spades. For those who prefer—and can afford—a beautifully crafted knife, this is one you’ll enjoy using.
BOKER INTEGRAL II STAG SPECS
BLADE LENGTH: 4.65”
BLADE STEEL: 440C stainless
BLADE GRIND: Flat
HANDLE MATERIAL: Deer stag
SPECIAL FEATURES: Integral design
SHEATH: Black leather belt model WEIGHT: 8.47 ozs.
OVERALL LENGTH: 9.45”
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Germany MSRP: $449
Editor’s note: Loveless always referred to the knife as a dropped hunter because the point of the blade dropped below the plane of the blade’s spine. Somewhere along the way, knife writers and those in the knife community started calling it a drop-point hunter or simply a drop point, and the name stuck.
Raffir Wood is stabilized fine-grained wood. The stabilization process is a specially developed high-pressure resin treatment. After this process the material is stronger, more durable and obtains deeper grain patterns.
Our Raffir Fossils are real Ice Age mammoth fossils that are preserved with a similar process. These rare and special materials are made useful with the stabilization process.
Finally, Raffir Composites are plant fibers or metals that are cast in a deep colored 3D resin matrix. The finished materials are hybrids with unique structures from the untreated material plus mechanical benefits from the durable resins.
Fossil
Using Raffir Materials
Raffir materials are most often used for fine handles. However, this is far from the only application.
They are also used for accessories, jewelry, inlays, musical instruments, pool cues, fishing rods and more. Actually, they work well in most small- and medium-sized quality products. Use them where you want that extra edge to your products.
Uranium Scales
About Raffir
Raffir is taking a new approach to material design. Every day we strive to take something traditional and practical and turn it into an art form.
Usually, our costumers already make very appealing quality products, both as fine crafts and industrial high-end goods. So at first we have to ask ourselves: How can Raffir materials help our customers make even better products? Surely, they have to stand out from all the rest. They have to be more special, more beautiful, have a better story – simply be more appealing to the customers, all the while still meeting the requirements for strength, durability, machinability and safety.
Composite
This leads us to a whole variety of new materials. Every time we start a new project we want to create something original. To help us do that we even create entirely new manufacturing methods.
Careful selection is another way of insuring a high quality. Therefore, we use a lot of efforts on product development. Actually, for every product we put on the market there are about 10 more on our R&D shelves. And every time we launch a new product we set the bar a little bit higher. Thereby we ensure better and better products for our customers.
The Kershaw Leek has been the standard in EDC knives for years. This new copper design adds another chapter to its storied history.
The popular Leek gets a next-level upgrade with CPM 154 blade steel and genuine copper handle scales. Denser than steel, this Leek’s copper handle gives it some comfortable weight. Over time the handles will patina so that each copper Leek has its own unique look.
The Leek has been called the ideal EDC. With its 3-inch blade, it’s a good-sized knife, but not too big. The slim design makes it easy to carry, and its razor-sharp blade of high-performance CPM 154 means it can take care of a world of cutting tasks.
A must-have addition to your Leek collection
Made in the USA
CPM 154 powdered metallurgy steel has uniform distribution of carbides to take and hold an excellent edge; good corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and toughness
Stonewashed finish helps hide use scratches
Genuine copper handles will patina over time for a unique finish
SpeedSafe® assisted opening with convenient flipper
Note: As of this writing, the Hogue K320 is so new that the photos haven’t been released yet. However, BLADE is able to give you this preview of what is sure to be an outstanding knife. Learn more here.
Hogue Knives has partnered together with SIG SAUER® to deliver a full line of quality SIG® branded knives. A highlight knife from the partnership is the K320. It’s designed to pair with the SIG SAUER P320 as a full duty, tactical knife. The P320 stands as a leader in SIG’s premier pistol line, and the K320 duly embodies the same precision manufacturing standards, prevailing as the pistol’s trustworthy companion.
The knife boasts a robust blade of CPM S30V premium steel, chosen for its excellent edge retention and leading corrosion resistant properties. Each blade is finished from the same exact vendor as SIG SAUER firearms in Black or Coyote PVD. The blade provides a high grind profile and keen edge.
A Nylon 12 polymer frame matches the same composition and color concentrations as the P320 pistol. The blade gently falls into the frame with precision clearance and minimal leak points for debris. The K320’s frame isn’t cored out, resulting in increased overall strength as well as a uniform balance between the blade and frame.
This knife is geared towards the tactical user. A triangular window is utilized for low profile deployment allowing the thumb to glide across the blade surface for ease of action, as well as matching the aesthetic of the triangular magazine release on the P320 pistol.
Manual models house an ABLE Lock™ mechanism, slightly recessed into the polymer surface for minimal interference and swift action. Automatics offer immediate deployment via button lock spring mechanism. The knife is finished with an ambidextrous pocket clip with machined louvres that can be positioned in a tip up or down, right or left hand configuration.
The K320 is made in the USA and is available in a wide range of variations to match specific models from the SIG P320 line, including the P320 Nitron, P320 X5 LEGION, and the P320 M17. The MSRP ranges from $149.95 – $179.95.
BLADE
• Styles: Drop Point or Tanto with Tactile Deployment Window
• Thickness: 0.125”
• Material: CPM S30V Stainless Steel
• Hardness: 58-61 HRC
• Treatment: Cryogenically Heat Treated
• Finish: Black or Coyote PVD
• High Grind Profile – Hand Honed Edge (M17 variations include partial serrations)
FEATURES
• SIG SAUER® Firearm Match: P320, P320 Nitron, P320 M17, P320 X5 LEGION
• Locking Mechanisms: Push Button Lock (Automatic) or ABLE Lock™ (Manual)
• Frame: Nylon 12 Polymer with P320 texture (same exact polymer and texture as SIG P320 pistol frame)
• Pocket Clip: Stainless Steel Ambidextrous – Right or Left Handed, Tip Up or Down Carry; Includes machined louvres to assist with quick retrieval
• Triangular Lanyard Hole
