A sushi knife that developed a taste for Texas brisket.
You might say Daniel O’Connor’s Black Widow leads a double life. It started as a sushi knife but when one of Daniel’s Texas pals said it looked like it would make a great brisket knife, O’Connor went with the flow, telling his friend, “It’s about whatever you want it to be.”
Based on a kiritsuke yanagi-ba sushi knife, Black Widow features a damascus of 150 layers of 1084 carbon and 15N20 nickel-alloy steels. Daniel forged the steels in a square and then forged them flat, perpendicular to the original stack. This resulted in the edges of the layers showing up in more or less straight lines, what Japanese swordsmiths call masame hada.
The accompanying image of the knife’s butt shows how the layers distorted when forged on edge. Daniel indicated he will use the pattern in the future.
Black Widow Specs Blade length: 12” Blade grind: A double urashi—double bevel w/a slight hollow on each side Handle: Bocote burl w/red fiber liners Bolster: Bog oak Overall length: 17” Sheath: Irish yew and bog oak Maker’s price for a similar knife and sheath: $1,500
The EDC fixed blade proves itself more than just a pretty face.
After finding First Degree Forge’s website, I reached out to Joshua Brown about testing one of his knives for “Spec Sheet.” He agreed and sent me his EDC Fighter. The shape really caught my eye, along with the blue-and-black handle. The grinds are symmetrical from side to side. I checked the handle for any epoxy gaps and found none, though I did find a few areas that might cause a hot spot or two while cutting.
Light Cutting Tests
I went straight to the 20-pound bond copy paper for the initial sharpness check. The EDC Fighter zipped through the material quickly and repeatedly. I had to really concentrate on moving my fingers quickly so I didn’t leave any DNA on the paper or the knife. Joshua’s blade is very sharp indeed.
I had an extra box to pull a slicing piece from. The cardboard parted quickly. I could feel some friction as I finished the cuts. It was the medium dragging on the thick blade spine, giving the cardboard a slight curl. However, there was no slowdown in cutting.
The EDC Fighter crunched its way through 190 cuts in the sisal rope.
A piece of 8-ounce leather was next. The EDC Fighter sliced it smoothly and aggressively. I could hear every crunching slice, a sound that brings a smile to my face. The handle was comfortable but felt a tad thick for my hand.
I rolled right into some skiving with the same leather. The edge crunched into the material cleanly. Overall, the EDC Fighter was quite controllable at keeping the spacing between slices even. The flat-ground blade indexed perfectly off my finger.
Heavy Cutting Tests
Whittling time! The edge produced some thick curly-cues and wanted to bite deep into the wood (there was some possible wood grain deflection). The handle made for a secure cutting grip but the steel near the choil was sharp on my skin. A little sandpaper would remove the unwanted sharpness.
Next on the menu was some baton work on a knotted pine 2×4. The large handle was comfortable and stopped any shock from transferring to my hand. The blade drove smoothly through the wood with little damage—only a little smear on the finish.
The edge produced some thick curly-cues and wanted to bite deep into the wood. The handle made for a secure cutting grip but the steel area by the choil was unnecessarily sharp on the author’s skin. A little sandpaper would remove the unwanted edge.
The sharpness test on sisal rope awaited. The EDC Fighter crunched its way through 190 cuts. I found that the thumb rest also had a sharp edge to it—again, an easy fix with sandpaper. The handle was comfy and the palm swells worked great.
The final paper slice was barely different from the first. What little problem there was mostly was caused by the paper picking up some dampness in the air. The edge remained very sharp.
Last of all was my regular semi-destructive test—whacking the edge into a whitetail deer antler. I gave the knife 30 good antler chops and didn’t hurt the edge at all. Heat-treatment grade: great!
Botton Line
The EDC Fighter is a very nice knife, comfortable to hold and an outstanding performer.
Changes
Soften the previously mentioned non-blade sharp edges where fingers or thumb meet steel.
Sate your cutting needs with the world’s latest factory knives and sharpeners.
Have an itch that only a new knife will scratch? Look no further as we’ve gathered up a slew of new factory blades fresh on the market and ready to please. There is a load of pocket and EDC options in this haul, but there are a few outdoor-angled knives and knife accessories thrown in for good measure.
Hogue Knives Mysto
KNIFE PATTERN: EDC DESIGNER: Jim Bruhns BLADE LENGTH: 3.4” BLADE STEEL: CPM MagnaCut stainless BLADE GRIND: Compound hollow BLADE OPENER: Thumb studs HANDLE MATERIAL: 6Al-4V titanium LOCK: ABLE Lock® POCKET CLIP: Ambidextrous, blade tip up WEIGHT: 3.5 ozs. CLOSED LENGTH: 4.4” SPECIAL FEATURES: Thumb studs and backspacers anodized red COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA MSRP: $329.95-$349.95 AVAILABLE: Now hogueinc.com/knives
Kershaw Bel Air
KNIFE PATTERN: EDC BLADE LENGTH: 3” BLADE STEEL: CPM MagnaCut stainless ROCKWELL HARDNESS: 62-64 HRC BLADE GRIND: Flat HANDLE MATERIAL: 6061-T6 aluminum BLADE OPENER: Thumb stud LOCK: DuraLock POCKET CLIP: Right/left deep carry, blade tip up WEIGHT: 2.9 ozs. CLOSED LENGTH: 4.2” COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA MSRP: $249.99 AVAILABLE: Now kershaw.kaiusa.com
Bear OPS Rancor IX
KNIFE PATTERN: EDC BLADE LENGTH: 2.75” BLADE MATERIAL: D2 tool steel BLADE GRIND: Taper HANDLE MATERIAL: Zytel BLADE OPENER: Flipper and/or thumb studs LOCK: Slidelock POCKET CLIP: Reversible, blade tip-up carry WEIGHT: 2.6 ozs. CLOSED LENGTH: 4 3/8” COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA MSRP: $100.99 AVAILABLE FOR SALE: Now bearandsoncutlery.com
Maserin Power
KNIFE PATTERN: EDC DESIGNER: Sergio Consoli BLADE LENGTH: 3.149” BLADE STEEL: N690 stainless BLADE GRIND: Flat HANDLE MATERIAL: Fat Carbon LOCK: W-Lock POCKET CLIP: Yes WEIGHT: 3.174 ozs. CLOSED LENGTH: 4.33” COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Italy MSRP: $197 AVAILABLE: April maserin.com
A.G. Russell Knives Power Ball 4
KNIFE PATTERN: EDC DESIGNER: BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® member A.G. Russell BLADE LENGTH: 3.25” BLADE MATERIAL: D2 tool steel ROCKWELL HARDNESS: 60-61 HRC BLADE GRIND: Flat sabre HANDLE MATERIAL: Blue (shown) or green G-10 BLADE OPENER: Thumb stud BLADE FINISH: Handrubbed LOCK: Design inspired by Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer Blackie Collins POCKET CLIP: Deep pocket left or right hand, blade tip up WEIGHT: 3.7 ozs. CLOSED LENGTH: 4.25” SPECIAL FEATURES: Bold G-10 colors COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: China MSRP: $135 AVAILABLE: Now agrussell.com
Fox Cutlery ATCF Original Gangster
KNIFE PATTERN: EDC DESIGNER: BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® member Bob Terzuola BLADE LENGTH: 3.54” BLADE STEEL: CPM MagnaCut stainless BLADE GRIND: Flat BLADE FINISH: Stonewashed HANDLE MATERIAL: Coarse stonewashed titanium BLADE OPENER: Thumb disc LOCK: Linerlock POCKET CLIP: One-side titanium WEIGHT: 6.34 ozs. CLOSED LENGTH: 5.04” SHEATH: Nylon pouch COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Italy AVAILABLE: May foxknives.com
Work Sharp Rolling Knife Sharpener
ABRASIVES: Discs in coarse diamond, fine diamond and ceramic GRITS: 320, 600, ceramic ANGLE GUIDE: Magnetic angle block provides four options: 15, 17, 20 and 25 degrees DIMENSIONS: 3.75” L x 2.6” W x 2.6” H BODY MATERIAL: Metal, soft touch rubber, plastic WEIGHT: 1.9 lbs. KNIFE TYPES SHARPENED: Large, small and kitchen knives and pocketknives EDGE TYPES SHARPENED: Plain SPECIAL FEATURES: Tri-axle drive system follows blade length smoothly, and Soft Touch grip adds comfort and safety COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Designed, calibrated and quality checked in Ashland, Oregon, using foreign components MSRP: $150 AVAILABLE: Now worksharptools.com
Kellam Knives Worldwide Jouni 80
KNIFE PATTERN: Puukko DESIGNER: Jouni Kellokoski BLADE LENGTH: 4 7/8” BLADE STEEL: Stainless BLADE GRIND: Scandi HANDLE MATERIAL: Arctic curly birch WEIGHT: 3.8 ozs. OVERALL LENGTH: 9.5” SPECIAL FEATURES: First 100 are numbered SHEATH: Leather dangler COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Finland MSRP: $169.98 AVAILABLE: Now KNIFE TO KNOW: The knife commemorates the 80th birthday of its designer and company headman, Jouni Kellokoski. kellamknives.com
Queen Cutlery Slipjoint Pocketknife
BLADE LENGTHS: Clip 2 5/16”, spey 2 5/64” and sheepsfoot 2” BLADE MATERIAL: 1095 carbon steel BLADE GRIND: Flat HANDLE MATERIAL: Stag PINS, SHIELD & BOLSTER: Nickel silver WEIGHT: 2.8 ozs. COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA MSRP: $93.99 AVAILABLE: Now queencutleryhistory.com
Cold Steel Caledonian
KNIFE PATTERN: EDC BLADE LENGTH: 4.25” BLADE STEEL: CPM 20CV stainless BLADE GRIND: Hollow HANDLE MATERIAL: Forged carbon fiber BLADE OPENER: Stud LOCK: Linerlock POCKET CLIP: Deep carry, blade tip up WEIGHT: 5.4 ozs. CLOSED LENGTH: 5 1/8” SPECIAL FEATURES: All titanium frame and liners COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Taiwan MSRP: $499.99 AVAILABLE: May coldsteel.com
Coast Founder’s Series Origin
KNIFE PATTERN: EDC DESIGNER: Doug Hutchens BLADE LENGTH: 3.35” BLADE STEEL: 9Cr18MoV stainless BLADE GRIND: Flat BLADE FINISH: Black titanium nitride BLADE OPENER: Flipper tab HANDLE MATERIAL: Stainless steel damascus LOCK: Framelock POCKET CLIP: Stainless steel, blade tip down WEIGHT: 2.4 ozs. CLOSED LENGTH: 4.5” COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: China MSRP: $99.99 AVAILABLE: Now coastportland.com
Alliance Designs EZE 2.0
KNIFE PATTERN: EDC flipper folder DESIGNER: Ray Laconico BLADE LENGTH: 3.15” BLADE STEEL: Elmax stainless BLADE GEOMETRY: Laconico’s “Angry Grind” BLADE PATTERN: Tanto HANDLE MATERIAL: Titanium integral BLADE OPENER: Flipper tab LOCK: Framelock POCKET CLIP: Blade tip up WEIGHT: 4.69 ozs. CLOSED LENGTH: 4.5” SPECIAL FEATURES: Chad Nichols Dark Ti accents COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: China MSRP: $495 AVAILABLE: Now KNIFE TO KNOW: Clever grooves at the base of the handle provide a secure grip; the integral handle design is milled from a solid block of titanium; re-engineered flipper tab with gimping. alliance-designs.com
Blackbird Products Dominator
KNIFE PATTERN: EDC DESIGNER: David McHan BLADE LENGTH: 4” BLADE MATERIAL: D2 tool steel BLADE GRIND: Hollow HANDLE MATERIAL: G-10 PIVOT: Ball bearings LOCK: PLX Bar Lock CLOSED LENGTH: 4.5” COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Assembled in USA, globally sourced components MSRP: $74.99 AVAILABLE: June blackbirdproducts.com
Bradford USA Guardian 4.2
KNIFE TYPE: Fixed blade BLADE LENGTH: 4.825” BLADE STEEL: CPM MagnaCut stainless BLADE GEOMETRY: Sabre and full-height grinds HANDLE MATERIAL: G-10, Micarta® or carbon fiber WEIGHT: 6.7 ozs. OVERALL LENGTH: 9.375” SHEATH TYPE/MATERIAL: Vertical bridle; leather COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA MSRP: $269 AVAILABLE: Now bradfordknives.com
Reate PL-XT
KNIFE PATTERN: EDC BLADE LENGTH: 3” BLADE STEEL: Nitro-V stainless BLADE FINISH: Stonewashed or black PVD HANDLE MATERIAL: Micarta® or G-10 BLADE OPENER: Thumb studs LOCK: Pivot Lock WEIGHT: 4.4 ozs. CLOSED LENGTH: 3.9” COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: China MSRPs: $112 (stonewashed) and $117 (black PVD) AVAILABLE: Now reateknives.com
Halfbreed Blades Compact Clearance Knife XL
KNIFE PATTERN: Fixed blade BLADE LENGTH: 5.11” BLADE MATERIAL: Bohler K110 D2 tool steel ROCKWELL HARDNESS: 59-60 HRC BLADE PATTERN: Spear point BLADE FINISH: Teflon coated HANDLE MATERIAL: G-10 WEIGHT: 2.32 ozs. OVERALL LENGTH: 9.29” SHEATH: Injection-molded plastic COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Comprises Australian and Taiwanese make MSRP: $245 AVAILABLE: Now halfbreedblades.com
Smith’s Eclesis Model 51394
KNIFE PATTERN: EDC flipper folder BLADE LENGTH: 3” BLADE STEEL: 3Cr13 stainless faux damascus ROCKWELL HARDNESS: 59-60 HRC BLADE PATTERN: Drop point HANDLE MATERIAL: G-10 LOCK: Framelock POCKET CLIP: Blade tip up COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Offshore MSRP: $32.99 AVAILABLE: Now smithsproducts.com
Puma SGB Hunter’s Pal
KNIFE PATTERN: Fixed-blade hunter BLADE LENGTH: 4” BLADE STEEL: 1.4116 German cutlery stainless ROCKWELL HARDNESS: 55-57 HRC, proofmarked BLADE GRIND: Flat HANDLE MATERIAL: Choice of black or white G-10, jacaranda wood, olive wood, Commando Stag, stag WEIGHT: 4.69 ozs. OVERALL LENGTH: 8” SHEATH: .1” vegetable tanned leather COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: China MSRP: $197.99 (stag) AVAILABLE: Now KNIFE TO KNOW: The knife is the Puma SGB version of, and a tribute to, the decades-old Puma GmbH Hunter’s Pal 116397. pumaknifecompanyusa.com
Ocaso The Delos
KNIFE TYPE: Gentleman’s folder DESIGNER: Kurt Merriken BLADE LENGTH: 3” BLADE STEEL: 120-layer German damascus ROCKWELL HARDNESS: HRC 60-61 BLADE GRIND: Hollow BLADE @ THICKEST: .12” BLADE PATTERN: Modified tanto BLADE FINISH: Rose pattern damascus HANDLE MATERIAL: Titanium and Fat Carbon Black Dunes or Dark Matter Blue LOCK: Framelock BLADE OPENER: Thumb stud PIVOT MATERIALS: Stainless steel caged bearings POCKET CLIP: Contoured titanium WEIGHT: 3 ozs. CLOSED LENGTH: 4” COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Italy MSRP: $524.99-$549.99 AVAILABLE: Spring ocasoknives.com
Coast SP425
SHARPENER TYPE: Diamond whetstone DESIGNER: Doug Hutchens ABRASIVE: Diamond plated onto fiberglass/nylon substrate GRITS: 400 and 600 DIMENSIONS: 9” long BODY MATERIAL: Nylon w/fiberglass fill WEIGHT: 2.1 ozs. KNIFE TYPES SHARPENED: All plain-edge models SPECIAL FEATURE: Folding sharpener COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: China MSRP: $19.99 AVAILABLE: Now coastportland.com
We put the Boker Plus Vigtig vs. Wild and Condor Tool & Knife head to head to see which come out on top in the backwoods.
A couple of decades ago, attention started turning to the category of bushcraft knives. As usual, custom knifemakers were the ones filling the demand and leading the way. I was proud to be among them, along with such makers as Scott Gossman and others. There were those* before us but the push back then seemed more on survival knives with a tactical leaning.
After the push started, many smelled the opportunity to make money and the genre was flooded with assorted marketing schemes and people seeking their 15 minutes of fame. In all the confusion of people wanting to become famous and cash in, the true meaning of bushcraft was lost.
The thinner steel thickness on the Condor Tool & Knife Lipotes enables it to make finer curlicues than the Boker Vigtig vs. Wild. Designed by Dave Wenger and made in Germany, the Boker has an MSRP of $194.95. Joe Flowers designed the Lipotes, which is made in El Salvador. MSRP: $64.98.
A bushcraft knife is not something meant to be indestructible at all costs. It instead has always been a tool of creation. Now I see most marketing or testing related to whether the knife can be pounded through a log, a log that most likely would be unavailable if not for a chainsaw. No, the bushcraft knife started out as a tool, nimble in hand, keen in cutting and used to fabricate things in the bush, things not just to accommodate survival but to help a person thrive. In that reasonable light and practical expectation of the genre, let’s see how the Boker Plus Vigtig vs. Wild and Condor Tool & Knife Lipotes are suited to help you thrive in nature.
Boker Plus Vigtig
The Boker sports a molded Kydex sheath with an ambidextrous belt clip. The sheath holds the knife secure while still allowing for an easy draw when using a thumb push off.
The Boker’s 3.35-inch blade features a Scandinavian, aka Scandi, grind, a grind in which the major bevel is the only bevel and goes straight to zero. Executed correctly, the grind should take up at least a third of the blade’s width. If the grind is any shallower it will be too steep. Some variation on the height of the grind is due to the thickness of material. Being too steep will decrease the effectiveness of the blade to cut because the angle of the edge will plow into the work material—and when I cut with the Boker, it did just that. It is not that it won’t cut with a steep angle, it just tries to take heavier cuts as it dives. Therefore, you don’t get the thin controlled cuts as easy as a properly executed grind.
Scandi grinds are popular in bushcraft because of their amazing effectiveness carving wood. In the game area they work fine but you will often find that bone wreaks havoc on a Scandi edge. In addition, the cross profile of the blade is not optimized for processing meat. Full flat grinds process soft, malleable materials such as meat best since there is no shoulder on the blade to bind as the meat flows along the cross-section profile. On flat grinds you also have a secondary bevel, or micro bevel as some call it, and it takes hitting bone better. The Boker is a full-tang knife with a blade .16 inch thick at the thickest, somewhat thick for a bushcraft knife. A clever feature is how the spine is finished. To strike a ferro rod off the blade spine you need a crisp edge. Sharp spines are more effective at generating sparks but are not very comfortable if you need to use a pinch grip or a thumb extension on a power grip. To address the issue, the Boker has a sharp spine toward the tip and a crisp spine section near the handle.
Note how much thicker (.16 inch at the thickest) the Boker blade is than that of the Lipotes (.13 inch at the thickest).
The handle is green linen Micarta® with beefy mechanical fasteners that double as lanyard holes. For those who prefer a full grip it has good profile contouring and leaves a blocky handle from side to side. There are no hot spots while still providing control. The blade is CPM MagnaCut stainless steel and is wide for its size. With its thicker blade it batons well through small branches to make small kindling. You trade some agility for durability with a beefier blade material.
The molded Kydex sheath rides high and boasts a metal belt clip that screws on for right- or left-hand carry. The knife locks securely into the sheath yet not so much you can’t easily withdraw it.
I think the Boker has its good points. I do prefer my bushcraft knife to be more of a nimble cutting tool. Overall, if the edge were ground higher this knife would up its game substantially.
Wild and Condor Tool & Knife Lipotes
For ease of baton work, the general rule is the cutting medium should be no wider than one-third the length of the blade. The Lipotes has a 4.15-inch blade of 14C28N stainless steel.
Let’s start with the handle on the Lipotes (among others, a lipotes is an endangered species of dolphin). It is an extended hidden tang and not a full tang—that’s right, not a full tang. Some time ago a well-known knife company introduced an extended-hidden-tang version of a knife and called it a full tang, and all the marketers and social media influencers decided to rename a feature so everyone could fall in line. If you can’t see the tang all around the knife’s handle, it isn’t a full tang.
Along with rat-tail tangs, hidden tangs have the distinct advantage of being some of the most comfortable knives in use. The steel element is totally encapsulated in the handle, allowing the maker to have full control in contouring the scales. In other words, you basically have a tang that will not interrupt how the material is shaped.
The Lipotes handle is very comfortable and the texture in the molded material provides a secure grip. As for the hidden tang extension, it can be used as a small hammering device or even a scraper.
Except for the grind, I like the overall proportions of the knife. As with the Boker, the grind doesn’t go high enough. It will still cut but the cutting would be greatly optimized if the grind were half its height taller. It performed well in its cutting tasks with power cuts, feathering and the like. However, it still missed the ease of cut and control of a higher grind. If I could, I would love to get my hands on a bunch of these blades and regrind them.
The Lipotes has a quality sheath that holds the knife nice and tight when you ramble through the woods. The leather belt loop riveted to the back won’t accommodate a wide belt.
I really like the sheath. It has a nice, deep carry. It is a molded plastic with a good friction fit. It is a bit mysterious to me as to why the belt loop is so small. Only a dress belt would fit through it. You could still run a cord through it for neck carry or a baldric. The Joe Flowers design checks off so many of the boxes for a good tool. I would have been singing its praises more with a higher grind. Instead, I am pretty much humming.
More Than Survival
To repeat, a bushcraft knife isn’t just for survival, it is a tool of creation. Often the real goal of an issue gets lost in the minutiae that results from personal gain and egos. Over the years, marketing and self-promotion have polluted bushcraft until we have lost it in a sea of books and an ocean of social media. A look at a simple tool such as a knife can really remind us of what bushcraft is about. It is about man’s will to do more than just survive. Man strives to prosper.
I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes about tools by Thomas Carlyle: “Man is a tool-using animal. Without tools he is nothing, with tools he is all.”
*Author’s note: The origins of the discussions of bushcraft can be attributed to such enthusiasts as Mors Kochanski, Larry Dean Olsen, Lofty Wiseman, Ray Mears and others.
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Some lean traditional, others modern and others “whatever’s in my pocket is fine”.
There are times when a pocketknife is essential and times when it’s not pragmatic. Though I’m guessing most BLADE readers wouldn’t be the ones who’d cause a problem, have you ever had a knife confiscated by the Transportation Security Administration? Sure, it’s in the name of world peace or whatever, but if you find yourself frequently in airports the best pocketknife might be the one you leave at home.
I’m fixing to admit a heresy: As a knife writer and knifemaker with a work-from-home day job, I don’t often carry a pocketknife. I have a small imported Benchmade on my work desk, and some of my “knife collection” is in my office, but that’s all. In my house I’ve got knives everywhere I go—kitchen, bedroom, office, outdoor shop, all over the place. I rarely carry one yet rarely go without. I also fly occasionally, so even my keychain knife has become out-of-pocket.
Let’s drill down through all the “it depends” and get to the final question: What’s the perfect pocketknife? Of course, there’s no definitive answer but there are some perspectives.
Jordan Wagner of DLT Trading
The Les George VECM is clean and ergonomic and checks the boxes for a high-end modern pocketknife: premium CPM MagnaCut stainless blade steel, titanium framelock and easy opening.
When it comes to the modern high-end folder, Jordan Wagner of DLT Trading said, “My favorite would be the Les George VECP. What sets it apart for me is Les’s tremendous attention to detail in both design and execution. His designs are clean and simple without being pedestrian, and they perform phenomenally in use. The VECP handle has fantastic ergonomics and is comfortable in multiple hand positions, while still feeling safe and locked in during use. The blade shape is functional and handsome, and his grinds tend to be extremely slicey. The VECP really hits all the buttons I look for in an EDC knife.”
Ben Petersen of Knafs
According to the author, the CIVIVI Sendy designed by Ben Peterson combines some of the best elements of traditional and modern design, including a barlow-shaped frame, choice of a clip-point (shown here) or spey pattern blade, Nitro-V stainless blade steel, a Micarta® handle, flipper tab, linerlock and the author’s favorite: a tweezers and toothpick that slides under the scales a la a Swiss Army knife.
In addition to being co-founder of Knafs, Ben Petersen also designs knives. His latest entry is a model produced under the CIVIVI brand called the Sendy. In an innovative genius kind of way, Ben combines some of the best elements of traditional and modern design. The knife comes in Nitro-V, a stainless steel that threads the fine line between ease of sharpening and edge holding. It compares favorably to the traditional carbon steel knives of old yet sharpens much easier than the newer powder-metallurgy super steels.
The Sendy’s overall profile resembles a traditional barlow, with straight lines and a butt end wider than the tip. The blade comes in both spey and clip-point patterns. Also thrown in are more contemporary features such as a front flipper tab, linerlock, ceramic bearings, and a deep-carry, reversible pocket clip. However, what really sends this one over the top for me is the inclusion of tweezers and a toothpick that slide under the scales in the traditional Swiss Army knife configuration. Ben successfully combined modern and traditional elements into a very versatile, user-friendly pocketknife.
Goldie Russell Of A.G. Russell
A pocketknife that appeals to the author is the Skinny Brute from A.G. Russell Knives, a traditional lockback in CPM S35VN stainless blade steel. There’s a choice of carbon fiber (2.6 ounces and $135 MSRP) or green G-10 (2.9 ounces and $99 MSRP) for the “skinny”—a half-inch thick at the swell—handle. Blade and closed lengths: 3.25 and 4 1/8 inches. Country of origin: China.
I reached out to BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® member Goldie Russell, who with her late husband, Cutlery Hall-of-Famer A.G. Russell, basically invented mail-order knife catalogs. Over the years the A.G. Russell Knives brand has marketed a huge variety of pocketknives and fixed blades, domestic and imported. The current catalog includes some interesting designs that blend modern and traditional sensibilities. One that appeals to me is the Skinny Brute, a traditional lockback in modern materials.
“A.G. designed the Brute in the 1970s,” Goldie began. “He and handmade knifemaker W.C. ‘Bill’ Davis perfected A.G.’s idea that by using Micarta® a folder could be made without metal liners. The result of that collaboration was the A.G. Russell Brute. At some point in the late 1970s, A.G. stopped offering them. In the early 1990s, we began to work with Bill again and for a number of years they were again made by hand in the U.S.A. For over five decades our customers have loved the profile, the deep nail mark for one-handed opening, the weight and the rest of the features of the design. Now, after many years, it is back, with a handle that is just a little thinner.”
Joe Culpepper of Culpepper & Co.
Joe Culpepper of Culpepper & Co. and Old School Knife Works is a fan of the Case/BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member Tony Bose collaboration swayback jack, as well as other swayback patterns, in either single- or double-blade configurations. (Old School Knife Works image)
When it comes to the traditional pocketknife, Joe Culpepper of Culpepper & Co. handle material supplies and Old School Knife Works is a fan of the Case/Cutlery Hall-of-Famer Tony Bose collaboration swayback jack, as well as other swayback patterns, in either single- or double-blade configurations. “I think the design is simple, clean and elegant, and,” Joe stressed, “jigged bone is a must!”
What’s In Your Pocket?
Even among industry insiders, not everyone has the same preferences or shares the same opinions on what makes a perfect pocketknife. Some lean more traditional, others more modern and others more “whatever’s in my pocket is fine.” No matter your preference, buy all the knives you can afford and carry them as often as you can. After all, you never know—the “perfect” pocketknife may just be the one you have on you when you need it most.
BLADE Show Texas makes the “impossible” look easy.
“BLADE, it seems, has done the impossible—having a successful knife show in Texas!” exclaimed Bill Ruple, BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® member and “The Maestro” of custom slipjoint knifemakers. “All of the South Texas Slipjoint Cartel guys had excellent sales. I can’t wait till BLADE Atlanta!”
The fact Bill brought 10 knives to the 3rd Annual BLADE Show Texas in the Fort Worth Convention Center and sold them all pronto would seem sufficient to bear out his observation, but selling out is pretty much routine for the big friendly Texan. No, it was more than just brisk knife sales that made the third rendition of the show February 23-24 so appealing. It was also the number of people—and agreeable people at that—attending.
“The attendance at the show was off the chart,” noted exhibiting knifemaker Roger Green, who sold six of the eight knives he brought—including four push daggers to one customer—and happily entertained a number of selfie requests from show patrons. “It seems both days were equally busy.”
Most of the factory and custom knife winners proudly display their trophies after the award presentation at the Hilton Hotel Fort Worth. From left: Phil Jacob; Harvey Dean; Mark Winburn; Evan Nicolaides (ESNYX); Jason Knight (behind Nicolaides); Princeton Wong; Jared Oeser; Jim Rodebaugh; Mike Quesenberry (behind Rodebaugh); Karis Fisher; Les George; Allen Elishewitz; David Deng (Reate); Joe Vero (Vero Engineering); Anthony Marfione (Heretic); Franco de Souza (behind Marfione and Ramm holding up his three awards); Peyton Ramm; and Tim Robertson.
The atmosphere in and around the show itself impressed ABS master smith Brion Tomberlin. “I like that this show is more laid back than BLADE Atlanta. It’s easy to get to. We stayed at a nice hotel with decent room rates. There are plenty of restaurants within easy walking distance. It’s a good set up,” he wrote. “It is a big show with a small show feel, if that makes sense.” The show hall indeed was bigger, with an additional 100 exhibitors over the previous year bringing the total to more than 400, plus an additional 28,000 square feet of space. Added Brion, “More space is good.”
The mix of show patrons was all over the board. Diane Carver of Fox Cutlery in the factory section indicated about 75 percent were sophisticated knife enthusiasts “willing to purchase expensive knives.” Set up in the custom section, Tomberlin broke it down even more: “About 10 percent were seasoned collectors and enthusiasts and about 30 percent were buyers who know what they want and come for the latest trends. Sixty percent were newbies who want to see what a knife show is all about.”
The seasoned buyers and those who know what they want no doubt helped make it a successful show for many exhibitors. In addition to Ruple a number sold out, Duane Dwyer and Bobby House among them, Fox Cutlery and Pro-Tech reported brisk sales and many did more than well enough to return. Among them was Burt Flanagan, who in addition to selling his award-winning slippies also sold three heat-treating ovens in his role representing Paragon Industries. Tomberlin brought five knives and sold two, a mix from high end to lower price. “Not a fantastic show for me sales wise but not horrible, either,” he observed. ABS master smith Harvey Dean sold his slicing knife, winner of Best Kitchen Knife, for $6,400 and took four other orders in the four-figure range. Smiled Harvey, “A lot of those orders will develop into more down the line.”
Swords were hot at the Valiant Armoury booth.
NEW AWARDS
To open up the custom and factory knife judging segments to more knife styles and contestants, show officials made several improvements.
To provide an award avenue for tomahawks, swords, innovative designs and other “specialty pieces,” the category of Best of the Rest was added to both the custom and factory segments. Also in the factory segment, the categories of Best American Made and Best Imported were added, with Best Tactical being dropped.
Finally, in an effort to recognize knives that came within a whisker of winning but were edged out for one reason or another, a new award called Best Contender was introduced to the custom segment, with three makers earning the new honor. For the list of all the award winners, see sidebars.
SEE YOU THERE! All in all, it was a most rewarding show for most everyone who came. Next year’s show will return to the Fort Worth Convention Center March 7-8. See you there, partner.
There’s a lanky breed of factory folder fueling consumer demand, and several notable entries in the genre are turning heads. Accomplished designers have teamed with knife companies to meld form and function with select materials to accomplish a sleek, majestic look exhibiting comfortable carry and easy deployment.
CRKT Stylus
The lightweight aluminum handle of the CRKT Stylus features a ridge line that brings a dimension of safety, preventing the knife from twisting in your hand. The 3.18-inch blade is 12C27 stainless steel. Country of origin: USA. MSRP: $75.
The high-powered combination of BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® member Ken Onion and Columbia River Knife & Tool has resulted in the Stylus, tailor made for a man or woman on the move who appreciates quality attributes in an EDC knife with great aesthetics.
“The Stylus is made to tackle just about any EDC task you can throw at it,” related Doug Flagg, CRKT vice president of marketing and innovation. “Boxes and letters are, of course, no match, but the blade has some paring knife characteristics so that it excels at peeling and even piercing tasks as well.”
Flagg has carried a Stylus for months and attests to its ability to make short work of straps, clam packaging and even a steak. “We went lean with the Stylus to balance form and function, really,” he added. “It’s lightweight, so it’s easy to carry, but it also has a certain panache that makes a statement any time you pull it out of your pocket.”
The lightweight handle combines strength with minimal weight. Texture adds purchase and control with a ridge line that brings a dimension of safety, preventing the knife from twisting in your hand. Fine 12C27 stainless blade steel and assisted opening with the Ikoma Korth Bearing System (IKBS) add to user enjoyment.
Designed by BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® member Ken Onion, the CRKT Stylus features an assisted opening blade and a linerlock, and opens and closes via the Ikoma Korth Bearing System (IKBS). Pocket clip: stainless steel. Closed length: 4.15 inches.
According to Flagg, Onion wanted to create a simple, streamlined pocketknife that could act as sort of an office EDC to be carried in a shirt pocket, fifth pocket or standard pants pocket. “Across the knife world, Ken noticed a movement toward cleaner, leaner, more simplified designs that were a different approach compared to his typically large and more flowing knives,” Flagg concluded. “With the Stylus he was really trying to emulate that and have some fun with something new and unique.”
Coast Products Founder Series
The LX500 in the Coast Founder’s Series is a design by Todd Ernst and David Goldman. The 2.85-inch tanto blade is flat-ground 9Cr18MoV stainless steel and the handle comes in a choice of black (shown here) or green canvas Micarta®, aluminum and titanium. The deep-carry, rollover-style pocket clip is reversible.
The Founder’s Series from Coast Products is a design collaboration between Todd Ernst and David Goldman, and it hit the mark with the intent to produce an elegant executive knife. “Based on feedback from customers and when looking at our offering, we wanted to design something that would not necessarily look like a knife when in a shirt or pocket,” explained Doug Hutchens, Coast sales operations manager.
“A knife designed to flip open must have a combination of correct geometry, minimal weight in the blade, and ball bearings at the pivot to create minimal friction to facilitate easy flipping,” Hutchens noted. “The tanto blade style is also popular and provides good looks. Then, without sacrificing strength in the frame, we designed the Micarta®, aluminum and titanium handle choices to keep weight at a minimum.”
The variety of handle materials makes buyers checking out the Founder’s Series feel like kids in a candy store. Hutchens noted that each material is attractive, strong and designed to give the customer variety in aesthetics. “That’s so they can choose the style that they like best,” he said. “Another customization was the pin color in the end of the knife handle, which was designed to be visible when carried in a pocket. At purchase, we provide two pin color options for the customer to further choose their own styling. The red pin is a nod to the red Coast ring trademark, which you’ll find on most every Coast product.”
The LX502 iteration in the Coast Founder’s Series sports a blackened blade that secures via a linerlock and a stonewashed titanium handle. The red pin in the handle butt is a nod to the red Coast ring trademark found on most every company product. Closed length: 4.25 inches. Country of origin: China. MSRP: $49.99.
Thin but mighty, the Founder’s Series is up to the rigor of daily use. Hutchens commented, “All knife design is a compromise with purpose. The length of the handle allows the butt of the knife to be captured by the user’s palm easily and quickly. Because of this there is no need for large finger grooves or guard projections. Lock it into your palm and it is very secure in your hand.”
Spyderco Ikuchi
The Ikuchi is a mythical Japanese sea monster, and the Spyderco knife of the same name and its flat-ground blade of CPM S30V stainless steel is built to weather whatever your everyday cutting needs may be. Blade and closed lengths: 3.26 and 4.35 inches.
Paul Alexander and the Spyderco design team have created a long, lean gem in the Ikuchi, distinctive with its scalpel-like blade boasting the company’s trademark hole. Alexander looked at a number of traditional knife patterns while scheming the Ikuchi, including the Texas toothpick and French laguiole.
“The Ikuchi design came from two distinct drivers,” Paul remarked. “First, I wanted to explore some designs based on more traditional patterns, but evolving and modernizing. Second, I wanted to create a piece with decidedly different blade geometry than the other collaboration pieces I’ve done with Spyderco. On the latter front, I was looking to design a pocketknife with a much narrower/shorter blade and width/height.
“I decided to take the narrow blade concept to the extreme, working to conceal the entire blade width within the handle scales when closed. The idea was that a knife this size would inherently take up a minimal amount of pocket space, strongly feature the handle shape, and create designs unique among Spyderco offerings.”
The thin nature of the Ikuchi handle makes the knife responsive in your hand while maximizing a user-friendly experience. Alexander explained, “The thin handle, without any features to lock any fingers into a set location, makes the knife more grip agnostic and easily repositionable in the hand. But thin handles can cause some difficulty for folks that may have limited hand dexterity, or lost some of it.
In addition to its Japanese name, the Spyderco Ikuchi combines elements of the Texas toothpick and French laguiole for a truly international design. Handle: carbon fiber/G-10 laminate. Lock: Compression. Country of origin: Taiwan. MSRP: $244.
Both are true of the Ikuchi, but seeing as it’s meant for EDC and light-duty tasks, I don’t find myself overly concerned when using the knife appropriately and responsibly. The handle material was Spyderco’s call but I admit I’m a sucker for carbon fiber scales, and the textured, peel-ply carbon fiber [Spyderco uses] is a great blend of aesthetics and grip without adding much mass.”
Spartan Blades Spartan-Nemec
Also available in sculpted carbon fiber and a blackened blade, the Spartan-Nemec has a stainless steel pocket clip that’s deep carry and ambidextrous. Lock: linerlock. Closed length: 4.5 inches.
Czech designer Ondrej Nemec joined Spartan Blades to produce the Spartan-Nemec folder, intended to be practical and versatile in the EDC role, a tool for any common job. Compact and easy to carry in a pocket, the Spartan-Nemec is a snap to deploy and makes light work of cutting boxes, envelopes or tape.
Nemec grew up in his father’s workshop, and Ondrej’s steady commitment to quality knives led to the founding of his Acta Non Verba knife company over 10 years ago. “The knives he designed in the past are similar to the quality and size of Spartan models, making him a good fit for Spartan while bringing a new flair to what we do,” related Curtis Iovito, company president.
Looking good always helps says Iovito of the smart, lean lines of the Spartan-Nemec. He adds that the knife incorporates features such as a secure locking mechanism, comfortable grip, and ambidextrous design for easy use by both southpaws and right-handers. “The biggest advantage of the design is that it stays out of your way when in the pocket,” Curtis smiled.
User ergonomics guided the Nemec design, making it ideal for quick and precise handling. The length of the handle contributes to stability and ease of control. In combination, the design elements produce an efficient everyday tool that can act as a backup in special circumstances, too.
“Although made with everyday tasks in mind, the knife boasts sufficient length to serve as a viable defensive tool in emergency situations,” Iovito indicated. “This contributed to our decision to incorporate a flipper mechanism facilitated by caged bearings and a strategically positioned flipper tab, ensuring readiness for such scenarios.”
Iovito also notes that the Spartan-Nemec’s inspiration was a “larger counterpart,” the KA-BAR Ek Models 4 and 5. “Originating from KA-BAR, this larger knife has been scaled down to create our folding version tailored for everyday carry,” he said. “While the concept of a penknife is not groundbreaking, we are confident that our rendition stands out as a well-crafted and reliable tool.”
