A week after BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® member Bob Loveless died at age 81 on Sept. 2, 2010, Los Angeles Times reporter Valerie J. Nelson wrote a lengthy story on the man who sold his first knife to the Abercrombie & Fitch sporting outfitter for $14 more than 55 years earlier.
Nelson wrote that Loveless “made some of the world’s most coveted sporting cutlery by refining knife design to high art.” These succinct words convey a glimpse of the influence this giant in the cutlery industry wielded during his lifetime. In this 50th anniversary year for BLADE®, his legacy stands tall among those who have dedicated their lives in building the knife industry to what it is today.
Bob Loveless in his shop in October 2006. (image courtesy of Aaron Merritt, grandson of Jim Merritt)
Truth is, there’s scarcely an aspect, nook or cranny of the knife business that Robert Waldorf Loveless did not touch during his lifetime. He was forthright, sometimes gruff and always prone to speak his mind. During an interview for BLADE, he once asked this writer what the tapping noise was that he heard in the background. When I responded that it was the keys clicking as I was taking notes while we talked, he bluntly asked, “Can’t you remember anything? Why can’t you just listen?”
Loveless’ Defining Designs
No matter. Loveless was articulate, extremely intelligent and deep down passionate about art in knives. Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer Bruce Voyles knew Loveless and respected him for what he was.
“The thing about Loveless is he made a knife with eye appeal,” Bruce observed. “It was different, and a lot of people don’t understand why, but it was [his use of the] natural French curve. It was the design appeal.”
True enough, Loveless was a master of design. He had actually studied briefly at the Institute of Design in Chicago in the 1950s, and was a student of the Bauhaus Movement, a cultural and artistic design wave that peaked in the mid-1930s, something of a North Star, a muse if you will. Its dictum: Form Follows Function.
Another of Loveless’s favorite designs is the sub-hilt, radiant in one of Bob’s Baby Bear fighters with mother-of-pearl scales, Naked Lady logo and Riverside, California, stamp. (Exquisiteknives.com image)
Longtime Loveless authority John Denton told reporter Nelson, “He is pretty much the Picasso of the knife world and the father of 20th century knifemaking. His design is what made him famous.”
Dave Ellis, proprietor of Exquisiteknives.com, agrees.
“Going back to the 1950s, Loveless has been instrumental in perfecting some of the more common traits found in contemporary knives,” he related. “The dropped hunter is probably Bob’s most emulated design, although the Archer chute, sub-hilt fighter and more show that Bob did not rest on his laurels. When a smaller, carry-sized fighter was called for, Loveless came up with the New York Special.”
Denton recalled the Loveless willingness to revive and reintroduce design and construction concepts that caught hold in modern times and energized new frontiers of imagination and artistry.
“He was not the first to use the tapered tang,” John explained, “but he found out about it from an old knife made in the 1850s that was given to him by Billy DuPont of the DuPont family. Loveless brought it back into the modern world with the tapered tang taking the weight out of the knife. Bob said, ‘It has to look so good you want to pick it up and feel so good you don’t want to put it down.’”
From left, Bob Loveless, John Denton and Jim Merritt in the Loveless shop in Riverside, California.
According to Denton, Loveless also brought the brass wrap handle, hidden pin, two-tone pins and half tang into play.
Design achievement crowns Bob’s career, but there was so much more to him—so much that attempting to compile a summary of his contributions would require more space than this publication might allot in another half-century.
Voyles commented, “I always liked him because he could sum up a complex subject in a sentence. He and I visited one time and I would throw out topic after topic, and he would snap back a quick response. When you left him you knew you left somebody that was phenomenally intelligent on a variety of topics, but that doesn’t mean he had social graces.”
One of Bruce’s favorite Loveless memories was Bob’s rationale during the controversy that raged within the Knifemakers’ Guild as to what truly defined a handmade knife. Loveless liked Jack Daniel’s, so Voyles and Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer Dan Delavan bought a 1.75-liter bottle of Gentleman Jack whiskey (Single Barrel wasn’t available at the time) and presented it to Loveless at his home in Riverside, California.
In an arrangement between Loveless and Schrade’s Uncle Henry Baer facilitated by A.G. Russell, Loveless sent this actual prototype to Schrade to copy and make the Schrade Loveless collaboration in the early 1970s. It has no guard, an “improved handle,” and a more pronounced belly than most of the Loveless dropped hunters of later years. The handle is burgundy Micarta®. As John Denton observed, the knife “has a magical feel from the ol’ man.” (Denton image)
“I said to him, ‘I hope you will accept this gift in the spirit in which it is intended,’” Bruce smiled. “He laughed and put the bottle on his shelf. Then we sat down and asked him what he believed to be the definition of a handmade knife. We videotaped his answer. He said, ‘I wish I had a machine that I could dump handle material, steel and pins into, and then a knife would come out the other end, boxed and ready to send to somebody. So, make your knives any way you want to. The marketplace will sort you out soon enough.’”
Simple, straightforward and wise.
Bob’s Impact On The Industry
Loveless played a pivotal role in the genesis of knifemakers’ organizations. He was a founding member of the Knifemakers’ Guild and a pioneer with the California Knifemaker’s Association. He was a staunch supporter of knife shows, bringing people to the events just with his mere presence. According to Ellis, Bob regularly attended the Guild Show, BLADE Show, Solvang Show, California Custom Knife Show and Phil Lobred’s Art Knife Invitational
Loveless also brought along younger knifemakers, working with them and offering advice. A few include Jim Merritt, D.F. Kressler, Yoshihito Aida, Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer D’ Holder and Steve Johnson. Bob’s style and artistic interpretation live on in part with the work of these incredible craftsmen.
Steve Johnson worked in the Loveless shop in the early ’70s and remembers Bob fondly. “He was a true friend to those who were genuine and sincere with him,” Steve noted. Of this rare set of Loveless-Johnson daggers John Denton wrote simply, “Three really great knives.” (Denton image)
“Many a maker is in debt to Bob Loveless for the support, counsel, corrections and guidance that he gave,” Johnson said. “He was a true friend to those who were genuine and sincere with him, and the relationship that they had with him. Bob, as we know, was outspoken and quick to correct what he felt was not right or smart, which led to some loving him and others not, a bit like Ed Henry—love or hate—but both were so very good to me personally!”
Materials Maven
Loveless was an innovator in the aspect of materials as well, including 154CM stainless steel and the introduction of ATS-34 from Japan, while also popularizing Micarta® as a handle material.
Ellis commented, “Loveless pioneered the use of many of the common steels used today, especially 154CM. The shop was able to purchase such quantities that Bob could pretty much order what he wanted. The favorite handle material of the Loveless shop was green Micarta.”
Johnson remembered, “There was a stack of 154CM steel lying in the driveway at 4319 W 187th Street [the address of the Loveless shop] the day I first walked in. Bob mentioned that he was excited to get some blades done and heat treated right off. Green canvas Micarta was set in stone as the best handle material in Bob’s view. It’s still right up there on top and is used by many a maker. It’s because of Bob’s legacy that this happens.”
Global Influence
A lasting dimension of the Loveless legacy was his bridge to Japan, as well as his overtures in the European markets.
“Bob was deified to the extent that every Japanese knifemaker included his designs among their offerings,” Ellis explained. “Bob was an icon in Japan, and to this day many of the top makers in Asia have Loveless designs in their repertoires.”
Five Loveless fixed blades sport the no bolt/no pin look in ivory handles. (Exquisiteknives.com image)
Voyles commented, “Bob went over there and showed the Japanese how to make good knives. I went to Japan in 1981 or ’82, and in every factory I went to there was a picture of Bob Loveless and the factory owner. The thing was that Bob’s wife, Yoshiko, was Japanese, so he didn’t have a problem with the language barrier, and he went to Japan to show them how to make knives that appeal to Americans.”
Loveless used his connections to make things happen, and Voyles credits him with the evolution of the folding knife among Japanese manufacturers, as well as a surge in the Japanese collector market.
“Bob didn’t make folders and the Japanese wanted folders,” Bruce recalled. “He had worked on a design with Jess Horn, and Bob put Jess and Japanese collectors in touch with each other. Horn also had a series of folders that he patterned after the old Remington Bullets. When Japanese collectors discovered that, their market for vintage Remingtons went straight through the roof. Loveless sowed the seeds in the 1990s for the collectibility of vintage knives in Japan.”
Collecting Loveless
Today, a Loveless knife is a collectible phenomenon in its own right. Name the year, name the mark on the blade, name the style and the materials, it will sell for astonishing dollars. Denton has noted some models made in the 1970s that sold for $400 then and have reached the rarefied air of $100,000 or more in recent years. The power of Loveless pricing simply takes your breath away.
Bruce is quick to add that Loveless was professionally unselfish. “If you wanted to make a style of his knife in your factory, that was OK,” Bruce noted. “Just ask him.”
Circa 1955, Loveless sold his first knife to Abercrombie & Fitch for $14 (adjusted for inflation, almost $160 in today’s money). Loveless made this early model for A&F in his shop in Claymont, Delaware.
The pervasive Loveless influence stretched far and wide, from the custom knife shop to the factory.
“His designs for and collaborations with Schrade, Gerber, Lone Wolf and others, and the factory knife market in general, were significant,” Ellis recalled. “Early on the astute factories were taken by Loveless designs and made limited editions in dropped hunters and others. These days factory collaborations are quite common, and you can thank Bob Loveless if you want to give credit where it is due.”
When Sports Illustrated called Loveless for an interview in 1980 and the magazine published his words in the same edition that featured tennis superstar Bjorn Borg on the cover, the impact on the entire knife universe was transcendent. When asked why so many people considered his knives “better” than those of others, he mused, “A knife is an extension of your experience. And I’ve had more experiences than most people. There’s more character running in my veins.”
For those who knew Bob, just the knowing was an unforgettable experience. His contributions to his present and to the futures of others in the knife industry remains incalculable. And so, the longevity of a man does not reside in his years on Earth, but in the perpetual remembrance of his ideas, his workmanship and his innovative perspective on the world.
Therefore, it can be said that when Loveless left us he did not go gentle into that good night. He did not fade away. He didn’t drop the mic. He handed it to those with the foresight and the intestinal fortitude for the days to come. Now, what do we say and do? Loveless might grouse. He might gripe. But he just might also manage a grin.
A clutch player in the knifemaker’s shop, the tire hammer gives more control than other D.I.Y. power hammers.
Like a variable-speed hand drill, your backyard power hammer should be able to run slowly, at full speed or in between, depending on the task. The simplest way to guarantee it does this is to use a slipping clutch.
There are two main designs of slipping clutch. One uses a slack belt, a flywheel and pulleys. The drive pulley rotates within a slack belt. The foot pedal linkage pushes an idler wheel into the slack belt, increasing the belt tension to the point that the belt begins to turn the pulley on the flywheel.
The author modified the spring-arm-to-pitman attachment to make it adjustable. Depending on which attachment point is used, the leverage of the stroke changes.
Another design uses a tire clutch, where the foot pedal linkage pushes a drive wheel into an automobile tire, with the hub of the tire serving as the flywheel. The most common “tire hammer” design uses a similar clutch but turned the other way and connected to a linkage. Your available parts will dictate your design.
Why A Clutch
A function of the clutch is to reduce the RPM of the motor speed to get the hammer rate of beats per minute (BPM) into a safe and useful range. You want the hammer rate to generally end up between 150 and 250 BPM, though many variables change with each hammer. In general, a heavier tup (aka hammer head assembly) requires a slower BPM, whereas a lighter hammer can have a higher BPM. You do not want your hammer running faster than you can control it, nor so fast that the inherent forces tear it apart. My hammer uses a 24-inch tire and a 3-inch drive wheel for an 8:1 reduction of a 1750 RPM motor, yielding a calculated 218 BPM at full speed. Your hammer will run differently depending on your motor RPM, your drive and driven wheel diameters, and the hammer’s overall design. I rarely run my hammer full speed during general forging work, and the tire clutch gives good speed control. Full speed works acceptably well for drawing out damascus billets or breaking down large stock.
My tire clutch has an integral flywheel bolted to the hub. On the flywheel I welded several different nuts for attaching the pitman arm (for more on the pitman arm, see part three last issue). Each nut is a different distance from the center of the hub. This allows me to vary the length of the stroke, in my case between 6.5, 7 and 7.5 inches, based on where I connect the arm to the flywheel. Coupled with an adjustable-length pitman arm, this setup allows a degree of tuning to get the hammer hitting in a way that transfers the power directly to the workpiece with efficiency, yet in a way that doesn’t place undue stress on the hammer itself.
Choosing A Motor For Your Tire Hammer
As for motors, the size may vary a bit depending on the overall tup weight of your hammer. For most homebuilt hammer sizes, a 1 or 1.5 HP motor is plenty. My 40-pound hammer uses a 1.5 HP motor running on 110v and does not trip a standard 15-amp breaker, suggesting that 1.5 HP is more than plenty for a 40-pound head. Whether the motor runs on 110v or 220v will depend on your shop setup and what you have available, but you’d be best served either way with a motor that runs in the 1700 RPM range, not one that runs in the 3400 RPM range. There’s no need to go three phase or variable speed unless you’re already set up for either.
Doug Davis’ homemade hammer uses a series of pulleys and an idler. When you step on the treadle, the idler tightens the belt and engages the hammer.
You will need an on/off switch for your motor. To run the hammer, turn the motor on, then use the foot pedal linkage to engage the clutch.
Sourcing Dies
Most power hammers have a set of dies in between the anvil and the hammer shaft. Dies may be built in a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on how you want your hammer to move the metal. Two basic die designs are flat and crowned. Flat dies move the metal somewhat equally in all four directions, while crowned dies will draw out the length of your workpiece perpendicular to the crown on the dies. Some smiths design their hammers to accommodate various top or bottom tools, or spring swages as well.
The die attachment on Doug Davis’ power hammer is more robust on the ram-to-die connection, but time will tell how the bottom-die direct-weld works out. (Erik Greiner image)
On my personal hammer, the dies are built out of 1.5-inch square 4140 steel bar stock, heat treated and ground essentially flat, with slightly radiused corners. Some hammers are set up with dies that are interchangeable but mine is not. Full disclosure: My die attachment is one point of weakness in my design. I ultimately welded my bottom die plate straight to the anvil, and I’ve had to reinforce the top die connection and re-weld it several times. Perhaps a more skilled welder could have done better!
Creative Necessity
I can’t emphasize enough the creativity necessary to build a functioning power hammer from scrap. It’s one thing to watch a YouTube video and think, “It must be nice to have a power hammer.” It’s another thing entirely to watch the same video and try to discern how the rocker arm connects to the center post, or how the tire clutch axle is set up.
At the time of my hammer build, there was an online gallery hosted in Czechoslovakia that had hundreds of pictures of various homebuilt and factory built hammers. I couldn’t have built mine without those examples. I don’t speak Czech but the pictures tell the story well.
The author gets to test one of his favorite classic knife styles.
I have always been a fan of clip-point utility hunters such as those by Michael Presnell, especially the feel of the handle. The leather washers provide a non-slip grip, and in colder climates such a handle has a warm feel to it. Combine that with a very sharp blade and you are ready for most chores in the outdoors. How sharp is it? We shall see.
Utility Hunter Light-Duty Tasks
As always, I start with a paper slice using 20-pound bond stationery. The paper cut produces a fast assessment of sharpness. The knife sliced very fast and smooth—it even managed to get a piece of my skin in the process. It was a very sharp starting point.
Next: heavier double-walled cardboard. The clip point blade made short work of the medium. I used smooth, aggressive push cuts with the flat-ground blade. It sliced as fast as I could get my fingers out of the way.
It was on to some old, dried-out 8-ounce leather. The blade made very loud crunching noises as it cut the material. The positive grip of the handle made control very easy. The knife was extremely aggressive cutting leather. I selected a narrower piece of leather to do some skiving. The blade sliced and diced the material as fast as I could move it. It’s gratifying to hear the crunching noises, a sign of outstanding sharpness.
Utility Hunter Medium-Duty Cutting
I whittled some firesticks out of pine. The utility/hunter gave some nice fine curlicues. Control was positive and I was able to vary the depth of the cut quickly. It really excelled at the fine curlicues. I also noticed that the edge along the guard face was sharp. A quick touch up with 400-grit sandpaper knocked the edge right off.
Half-inch sisal rope was next. With a loud crunching sound the utility/hunter started cutting. After 200 noisy crunch cuts my wrist was slowing down, so it was time to stop. The edge was still sharp but I was done. The handle was very comfortable on the pressure cuts, with no hot spots on my hand.
To add an extra test medium, I grabbed an old serpentine belt for a dozen cuts. It didn’t phase the edge at all. I could hear it cutting through the belt’s cores. Still, there was no damage to the edge. Very well done, Michael.
Heavy Cutting
The last test was to assess the heat treat by whacking the edge into a white tail deer antler. After 30 whacks the edge was still in perfect shape. To prove it, I returned to the 20-pound bond paper. The knife sliced just like it did at the beginning of the test. Great heat treatment, Michael.
The knife was up for a batonning into a hackberry log. I used a dead-blow hammer to pound the blade’s spine. I split a few pieces and checked for damage. The edge was still in perfect shape and the handle and guard remained tight. The leather handle absorbed all the shock of batonning through the hackberry.
Final Cut
This is a high-performance knife that is very comfortable to use. It is a great companion for the field.I softened the edge on the front of the guard. It was a tad sharp for my sidewinder grip.
Presnell Utility Hunter Specs Maker: Michael Presnell Blade length: 4.25” Blade material: Forged 52100 carbon steel Blade grind: Flat Blade pattern: Clip point Blade @ thickest: 5/32” Handle: G-10 spacers, stacked leather washers, stag buttcap Guard: Brass Weight: 6 ozs. Overall length: 85/8” Sheath: 6-oz. leather pouch belt model Weight w/sheath: 8.5 ozs. Maker’s price for a similar knife: $330
From kitchen to camp and beyond, these puppies will perform.
Christmas may have passed and all your presents have been unwrapped, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start building out your wish list for the coming year. We’re here to help with a slew of new knives—and non-knives—that are certain to tantalize and tempt. From production options full of pomp and customs cutting one-of-a-kind profiles, there’s something for knife lover.
Greiner Chef’s Knife
Blade length: 10” Blade material: 80CrV2 carbon steel w/forged finish Blade grind: Flat Handle material: Double-stabilized karelian birch Overall length: 14.5” Maker’s price for a similar knife: $600 Maker: Erik Greiner, greinerblades.com (SharpByCoop image)
Franklin Bread Knife
Blade length: 9.25” Blade material: 52100 carbon steel Handle material: Hawaiian koa Overall length: 14” Maker’s price for a similar knife: $575 Knife to know: Also comes in a set of three that includes chef’s and paring knives w/a price of $1,750 for the entire set; Thomas Franklin is an ABS apprentice smith Maker: Thomas Franklin (Jfrasierphotography.com)
Spyderco Petty
Designer: ABS master smith Murray Carter Blade length: 4.64” Blade steel: CTS BD1N stainless Blade grind: Full-flat Blade @ thickest: .068” Handle design: Wa style (octagonal) Handle material: Black polypropylene Weight: 1.8 ozs. Overall length: 8.87” Knife to know: The Petty is part of Spyderco’s Minarai Series; meaning “to look and learn,” minarai is the Japanese way of describing the role of an apprentice Country of origin: Japan Company: Spyderco, spyderco.com
Morakniv Rombo
Model: Camp chef’s knife Blade length: 3.86” Blade steel: Swedish stainless Blade grind: Flat Blade @ thickest: .09” Blade finish: Two-tone Handle material: Wood Weight: 5.5 ozs. Overall length: 8” Country of origin: Sweden Knife to know: Designed for right-hand use MSRP: $230 (at press time rate of exchange) Company: Morakniv, industrialrev.com
Spartan Blades Poros
Designer: Curtis Iovito Knife type: Flipper folder Blade length: 3.75” Blade steel: 154CM stainless Rockwell hardness: 58-60 HRC Blade grind: Flat Blade @ thickest: .125” Blade finish: Black titanium nitride coating Blade pattern: Drop point Pivot action: Ikoma Korth Bearing System (IKBS) Handle material: Carbon fiber/G-10 composite Lock: Linerlock Pocket clip: Deep carry Hardware & liner: Stainless steel w/black electro-deposit powder coating Weight: 5.3 ozs. Closed length: 4.25” Country of origin: USA MSRP: $190 Company: Spartan Blades, spartanbladesusa.com
Cold Steel The Republic
Knife type: Bushcraft fixed blade Blade length: 5” Blade steel: CPM S35VN stainless Rockwell hardness: 58-60 HRC Blade @ thickest: .1535” Blade finish: Corrosion resistant/no-glare Ionbond Blade pattern: Drop point Handle material: Micarta® w/single integral guard and lanyard hole Knife to know: Handle is removable for customization based on situation/undertaking; spine gimping for extra control Weight: 8.4 ozs. Overall length: 10” Sheath: Leather pouch MSRP: $269.99 Country of origin: USA Company: Cold Steel, coldsteel.com
WE Knife Zonda
Pattern: Flipper folder Blade length: 4.04” Blade steel: CPM 20CV stainless Blade finish: Stonewashed Blade @ thickest: .13” Handle material: Black titanium w/flamed titanium inlay Pocket clip: Right-hand, blade-tip-up carry Lock: Framelock Closed length: 4.85” Country of origin: China MSRP: $480 Company: WE Knife, weknife.com
Halfbreed Blades MILF-03PS
Blade length: 3.54” Blade steel: CPM S30V stainless Rockwell hardness: 59-60 HRC Blade grind: Hollow Blade @ thickest: .19” Blade finish: PVD coat Blade pattern: Tanto Handle material: G-10 Washers: Phosphor bronze Weight: 7.34 ozs. Closed length: 5.51” Handle @ thickest: .59” Country of origin: Australian and Taiwanese make MSRP: $280 Company: Halfbreed Blades, halfbreedblades.com.au
Pattern: Slicer Blade length: 11.8” Blade material: San-mai construction of 410 stainless steel, nickel and 52100 carbon steel forged by Brook Turner Rockwell hardness: 62 HRC Blade grind: Flat/convex Blade thickness @ ricasso: .118” Blade @ widest: 1.496” Handle material: Coolabah burl Bolster/guard: African blackwood Overall length: 18.5” Maker: Marc Stewart, Mark Josef Knives, marcjosefknives.com.au (Rod Hoare image)
TOPS Knives El Pionero
Designer: Ed Calderon Blade length: 3.38” Blade material: 1095 carbon steel Blade @ thickest: .09” Blade finish: Tumble Handle material: Tan canvas Micarta® w/finger divot that aids in blade orientation, etc. Weight: 2.9 ozs. Overall length: 7.63” Sheath: Black Kydex Weight w/sheath: 4.1 ozs. Knife to know: The El Pionero is a “paring knife-esque design”; Ed Calderon (edsmanifesto.com) worked as a counter-narcotics officer in Mexico and more recently as a trainer and “guru in the tactical space” Country of origin: USA MSRP: $220 Company: TOPS Knives, topsknives.com
Dr. Jim Lucie: A Bladesmith’s Life & Legacy
What it’s about: ABS journeyman smith Dr. Jim Lucie had a unique background: he served as the personal physician for, and learned about knifemaking from, the man recognized as the grandfather of custom knives—BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® member William Scagel. The author, Stephanie Lucie, is Lucie’s youngest of four daughters. She paints a picture of her father like no other, from childhood to adulthood, his bladesmithing mentors and friends, the many stories written about him and much more. Format: 9.25 x 12.5-inch hardback, limited to 1,500 copies in the first edition, over 300 color photos, including more than 200 knives Lucie made, and over 100 pictures of his life and accomplishments. MSRP: $120 Contact:jimluciebook.com
A Ken Onion design, the Kershaw Leek has cut a commanding profile.
It’s no wonder why the Kershaw Leek is such a phenomenal EDC folding knife. It has all the right elements that knife users crave—style, sturdy construction, premium materials, an impressive selection and is priced right.
The Leek is essentially the bigger brother of Kershaw’s Chive, answering the call from knife fanatics for a larger option of this Ken Onion design. And the petite option doesn’t disappoint.
We’ll examine why it’s been a popular seller for Kershaw, explore some popular variants and find out why this isn’t your garden-variety EDC knife.
Kershaw Leek Blade
The Leek’s blade measures 3 inches and is made from Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel, making it great at holding an edge. However, it’s the blade’s profile that demands attention. It’s a modified clip point and the profile tapers down to almost a needle tip. This is both a good and bad thing, which I will go into in depth later.
A born cutter, the Leek’s modified clip point blade made quick work of nearly any task set in front of it. Photos by Marty Stanfield, Marty Stanfield Photography
The hollow grind of the blade thins it down nicely to where the blade takes a smart, sharp edge easily. Dual thumb studs are present, but do not function as traditional thumb studs. Instead, they are used only for a positive stop in the open position.
Kershaw Leek Handle
The handle is a slender, elongated shape that favors daily carry due to its thin profile. The handle itself measures 4 inches, bringing the overall length of the Leek to 7 inches when open.
The handle sports a nice, comfortable chamfer all the way around making gripping it easier and presenting fewer hot spots. A large, steel pocket clip can be affixed to the handle to carry the Leek in the tip-up or tip-down position, whatever you wish to do. The clip holds the Leek securely in your pocket, and it can be removed as well should you desire to carry it in the bottom of your pocket.
A movable clip allows the Leek to be carried tip-up or tip-down. Photos by Marty Stanfield, Marty Stanfield Photography
The base Leek (model 1660) has a handle of bead-blasted stainless steel with a matching bead-blasted blade. The Leek is available with a variety of handle finishes, from several colors of anodized aluminum to black PVD-coated, Blackwash and carbon fiber, to name a few.
As for the lock, it’s a frame lock that engages the blade tang positively, securing it in the open position. Very solid and easy to operate when you’re ready to stash the blade.
Testing The Leek
For this review, Kershaw sent me several of their popular selling Leek models for closer examination. I have the 1660 base model Leek with a bead blast finish on the blade and handle. The 1660OR is a liner lock and has orange-anodized aluminum handles. The Leek is available in an array of anodized aluminum colors. Speaking of colors, there’s also the very unique 1660VIB which is a high polish 1660 with the addition of a rainbow titanium coating. And finally, we have the high-tech 1660CF liner lock which features futuristic carbon fiber handles and upgraded blade steel to CPM154 for higher performance cutting and longer edge retention
My pick of this bunch is the 1660CF, given there’s a lot going on with this particular model. You get the benefit of the unique look and the lightweight of the carbon fiber, combined with the high-end blade steel. The 1660CF carries very well due to the reduced mass compared with the regular 1660 Leek framelock.
The Leek’s frame lock is sturdy and easy to manipulate. Photos by Marty Stanfield, Marty Stanfield Photography
Structurally speaking, the base model 1660 Leek frame lock has a very rock-solid lockup. It’s very hard to defeat and only closes when you deliberately command it to. It actually makes a good work knife as long as you use it as a cutting tool and nothing else that it wasn’t designed for (more on this in a bit).
Performance-wise, the Leek—across the board regardless of the blade steel or handle configuration—is definitely a slicer. The blade stock is very thin and when it is ground, it is attenuated even more.
Right out of the box, the leek has a lot of bite. It goes through thicker stuff like cardboard very easily. The tip being acute, makes for an excellent scoring tool as well. The Leek excels at being an all-around EDC cutter.
The blade opens fast, with the press of the exposed flipper tab on the blade spine, Kershaw’s Speed Safe assisted opening technology takes over and powers the blade to the fully open and locked position. It’s easy to see why the Leek remains a popular Kershaw model after all these years, it simply works well and is a good-looking design.
Leek Sticky Points
Two of the most common failures I have seen in the Leek are where folks misuse the knife as well as the sliding safety breaking.
While the blade is an accomplished cutter, it’s thin enough the tip is easily damaged when used to pry. Photos by Marty Stanfield, Marty Stanfield Photography
Because the tip of the blade is pointy, it’s a weak spot with the knife. Where you get into trouble is when you use the tip to pry, even lightly. This either results in a bend or break off entirely. This is a cutting tool, not a pry tool or screwdriver.
Each Leek also comes with a sliding safety that, when the blade is closed, you slide over the tip of the blade to physically block it from coming out of the handle. There is a hex screw on the backside you use your thumb to move and this moves the safety. Sometimes the safety can slide on its own while the blade is open; when you go to close the blade it comes down on the safety tab. If done hard enough this will cause the safety to break, as it is plastic. The nice part, the tab is replaceable.
Final Cut
Other than these points, the Leek is a proven EDC knife. It’s rather compact, slender, and doesn’t garner unwanted attention. It’s worth a look if you’re in the market for a blade that balances looks and performance.
As for price, the MSRP for the base 1660 Leek is $115. The 1660OR orange handle Leek is $105. And the Carbon Fiber 1660 CF runs $190. In the scheme of things, not bad pricing for USA-made EDC folding knife—particularly with an Onion pedigree!
Known for his custom kitchen knives, here are the tools Dmitriy Popov relies upon to craft his creations.
“I am not going to score any originality points for naming my belt grinder as the most important tool in the shop,” Dmitriy Popov begins with a smile. “I have had the pleasure of using a wide variety of grinders and the Wilmont TAG 101 is my favorite. Chris Williams, who builds it, is a knifemaker himself and it shows in the product. Also, Chris is only a message away in case you may need anything, not that you have to worry about it too much the way this machine is built.
Popov’s 15-kilogram Anyang power hammer “gets the job done in no time.”
“I have a large variety of tooling accessories that I use with the grinder—radius platens, flat platens, rotary plates, large and small wheels, as well as a surface-grinding attachment. I run the grinder off a dedicated Genesis VFD [Variable Frequency Drive], which enables me to control the speed.
“Next up is my Toolmex 1-horsepower disk sander,” Dmitriy continues. “It took me a little while to get to know this machine and to incorporate it into my workflow—but these days I would struggle to make a knife without it. My sander is hooked up to yet another VFD, which is shared between the disk sander and my second belt grinder through a switch. I can slow it right down and change the rotation direction.
“I primarily use a disk sander for two purposes. First, to thin out the knife behind the edge. I do this very carefully with the aid of water cooling in order not to generate any heat that would negatively impact heat treatment. Secondly, I use it to shape facets on my knife handles, which are mostly wa [Japanese-style octagonal] handles these days.”
His power hammer is a real game-changer.
“I used to hate forging as tendinitis in my elbow would flare right up and would take weeks to settle,” he explains. Before Popov moved his shop to a rural area, getting a power hammer was not an option due to the noise level it generates. “Needless to say is how much easier, quicker and more pleasurable my forging experience is now,” he writes. “The hammer is only a 15-kilogram Anyang but it gets the job done in no time.”
Dmitriy does his own heat treating with a Paragon KM24 Pro Heat Treat oven. “Quite a high-ticket item this one,” he notes, “a three-zone 415V/3P/15A unit which reaches temperatures of 1,100° C/2,012 F° in just 15 minutes. It has super precise temperature control front to back, which is so crucial for me in order to be able to squeeze out the most of each steel I work with.
When selecting his milling machine, Dmitriy wanted something solid and with enough vertical clearance. As a result, he opted for the Optimum MH28V. He also fitted it out with an Optimum DRO (Digital Readout at top left) and a motorized slide table.
“My milling machine is definitely underutilized in my workshop. When selecting the mill, I wanted something solid and with enough vertical clearance. The Optimum MH28V fit the bill. Machine and tooling is not cheap and I use it only for a couple operations, but it is a real time saver.”
Last but not least, Dmitriy expounds the virtues of his large workbenches.
Dmitriy Popov specializes in custom kitchen knives such as his Honyaki Sujihiki Sakimaru in an 11.8-inch blade of differentially heat-treated W2 tool steel with hamon. The handle is stabilized spalted tamarind and ironwood. (SharpByCoop knife image)
“This seems simple but if you make knives, you know that you will end up using any horizontal surface available to you. I would say that one-third of my workshop floorspace (page 45) is taken up with workbenches which allow me to work on multiple projects at the same time, and stay organized and productive. I found that yellow-tongue flooring panel is a great workbench surface, and frames can either be built from timber or, alternatively, metal warehouse framing can be purchased from any hardware shop or Costco.”
The Tomahawk Is One Of The Most Popular Survival Tools Today. This Dozen Stands Out From The Pack.
The tomahawk has been used for centuries as a hand weapon in battle and a tool for everything from chopping wood to processing animals. In modern times, it has evolved into an all-around survival tool used by military and civilians alike.
The parallels between the use of the tomahawk in the 18th century and that of the modern battlefield are numerous and worth consideration. It turns out the reasons behind the tomahawk’s popularity in the woods of Colonial America are often the same reasons they are popular with U.S. troops and backwoodsmen today.
Tomahawk History
The word tomahawk is a variation of the Algonquian word tomahac (also spelled in English multiple ways), which means “to strike.” It was a term that was used originally for any striking weapon, from wooden clubs to axes made of stone.
In 1608, Capt. John Smith of Jamestown, Virginiawas the first person to record the word in English, mentioning it was used to describe the hatchets carried by his men. Axes and clubs were symbols of power and status for native cultures going back centuries.
This, combined with the numerous advantages held by the metal tomahawk over its stone predecessors, made the European-fashioned metal tomahawks popular trade items with the local tribes. As trade increased, new forms evolved to meet the demands of the market, and tomahawks with pipes, spikes and hammers were traded by the thousands.
Carl Russell, author of Firearms, Traps & Tools of the Mountain Men, speculates that, as the classic trade ‘hawk’ became the norm with Native tribes, newer, less pragmatic forms evolved to fill the warrior status niche.
Tomahawk Uses
The Dragon Tomahawk is 20.5 inches overall, with a 4-inch cutting surface of damascus and a curly maple handle. The head is wrought iron and 1018 mild steel forged into a “W’s” pattern, and the blade steel is 1080, 15N20 and 201 series nickel forged together to create Bill’s Dragon’s Breath pattern. (SharpByCoop image)
The tomahawk is a true multi-purpose tool. With it one can dress game, chop wood, and clear brush. Choking up on the handle, the user can use it much like a knife. The length of the handle gives the blade tremendous velocity and force as well, making it a formidable weapon. These attributes were not lost on the Western frontiersmen who often adopted the tools and lifestyles of the Native tribes.
This adoption became even more apparent as the frontiersmen went to war. They employed the same guerrilla warfare tactics used by the Native tribes, and they carried the tomahawks so prized by them. One equipment list for volunteers into the American militias mentions “a sword or tomahawk” as a required item right along with a rifle, powder, and lead.
Tomahawk In The 21st Century
This rich history would be enough to secure the tomahawk’s place among the iconic tools and weapons of American history, but the story does not stop there.
Peter LaGana, founder of the American Tomahawk Company, was famous for his tomahawk made popular during the Vietnam War. Also privately purchased by soldiers, it proved a valuable tool and weapon in the jungles of Southeast Asia.
The true rebirth of the tomahawk, however, would be brought about by the Global War on Terrorism after the attacks on 9/11. Some members of the Special Operations community began carrying tomahawks as part of Col. John Mulholland’s Joint Special Operations Task Force, also known as Task Force Dagger, when only 300 Americans were in Afghanistan on the hunt for Osama Bin Laden.
The number of soldiers carrying tomahawks increased throughout the next decade of war, but why? The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq were asymmetric wars that had more in common with the guerrilla fighting of frontier America. The tomahawk once again served as a valuable tool and weapon in this environment.
Our 12 Best Tomahawks For 2023
The modern tomahawk comes in all shapes and sizes with all sorts of uses and included features. These are a dozen across a variety of price points that show what the modern hawk is designed to do and how companies are getting creative with them.
Browning Shock’ N Awe
The Browning Shock ‘N Awe is a compact tomahawk that packs a big punch. Despite its small size, it still has the heft to be a very effective chopper.
The Shock ‘N Awe is 10.5 inches overall. The head is 2.75 inches and offers a curved penetration spike for light breaching. The head, spike, and handle are forged from one piece of 1055 high carbon steel and covered in a black epoxy coating for corrosion resistance and low glare.
The handle is in a traditional Japanese style with a hand-wrapped overlapping cord. It looks great and it seems a perfect match for this size of hawk. The 3D nature of the wrap segments creates alternating ridges that help provide an ultra-secure grip in all conditions. The exposed pommel terminates in a skull-crusher shape.
The Shock ’N Awe comes with a molded polymer sheath with MOLLE-compatible attachment provisions. The sheath encases the entire head and spike which pivots into and out of the sheath. A locking tab that pivots down over the spike end of the sheath prevents the sheath halves from separating, effectively locking the hawk into the sheath.
The hawk gets into tight places easier and is more maneuverable than larger models. It’s easier to carry as well. It easily takes down small saplings and de-limbs them as well. The Shock ’N Awe would be great for splitting kindling, including via a baton.
The spike is pointy but not so much that it can break off. It penetrates wood and other materials effectively, and can be used for digging as well. It opened up a good-sized hole in plywood when used in a rocking motion after penetration.
The RMJ Tactical Knight Hawk is an excellent chopper.
ABS master smith Jason Knight and RMJ Tactical co-designed the Tactical Knight Hawk to handle a variety of jobs, not just chopping. It’s 14.5 inches long and feels agile in the hand with a weight of 23 ounces. The cutting edge is 2.875 inches, and the blade is made from 80CRV2. Blade thickness: .275 inch. The handle is 3D-machined black G-10 riveted/permanently attached to the tang.
There is a slight downward turn to the cutting edge that accentuates power, which is in contrast to most hawks where the edge is parallel to the handle. As a result, the cutting edge engages and shears more effectively after impact. This is one reason why the Knight Hawk isn’t head heavy like many hawks, yet can outchop many of them.
This translates to extended use without wearing you out. By the same token, being agile in hand suits it for tasks few hawks are adept at, such as whittling and making fuzz sticks.
The spike is the shortest one of all the hawks tested, though that does not mean it is the least effective. Resembling a fat knife blade rather than a true spike, it sports a semi-sharpened edge at the bottom. The spine tapers down slightly but leaves more than enough material for tip strength and to withstand heavy penetration strikes.
The Knight Hawk is practically bulletproof, devastatingly effective, and a pleasure to use. It comes in a choice of three Cerakote® color options: Savage Steel , OD Green, and Desert Tan.
Measuring 19 inches overall, the Cold Steel War Hawk features a head of drop-forged 1055 carbon steel for toughness and a textured polypropylene handle. The partial tang is inset into the handle and secured by two large bolts, and you can replace it easily should it break.
The wide, bearded axe head excels at chopping and cutting. The tang area just behind the head has a few finger grooves for choking up for whittling or more precise cuts. The double-ground spike has a distinctive tanto-ish shape for maximum penetration and power. The spike is ground on top and bottom to remove material for enhanced penetration.
The handle is comfortable, and the texturing promotes good grip traction in various conditions. The sheath is a clever double-articulated design that encases most of the head. The sheath has two pivots—one at the spike end, the other at the beard end. The sheath is secure and doesn’t fall off. The only negative is there is no belt-attachment provision. Consequently, the War Hawk is ideal for storing in your truck for camping expeditions.
With the tanto-tip-beveled spike, the War Hawk had great penetration through plywood. In order for it to be an effective chopping/breaching tool, there must be zero flex in the handle. If Cold Steel went to a hickory wood handle it would improve the War Hawk’s performance. As is, it might make a great throwing tomahawk.
The spike of the SOG Survival Hawk works well and achieved good penetration into plywood.
A little over a foot long, the Survival Hawk is compact enough to tote around while camping. The head is cast from 2Cr carbon steel with a cutting edge of 3 inches and a distinctive spike on the opposite end. The spike is not only designed for penetration, but the slot can be used to pull nails or bend wire. When held in the icepick grip with the head pointed toward the ground, the Survival Hawk can be employed as a hammer.
For added versatility, a fire-starting ferrocerium rod screws into the handle butt. The glass-reinforced-nylon-handle material is lightweight while the full-tang design promotes strength and superb balance. The gripping area of the handle is wrapped with paracord for comfort. The exposed portion of the tang in between the paracord handle and the head has a series of traction notches. Grip the area tightly up against the head to carve or whittle with extra control.
The head is all black but the grind bevels are satin finished, creating a striking visual contrast. At 19.5 ounces the Survival Hawk has the weight it needs to deal effective chopping blows. Given its light weight and compact length, don’t expect it to tackle heavy/extended chopping tasks, as you’ll end up having to use more arm power. It actually works pretty well and bit hard into saplings. If you need a hawk for chopping on an as-needed basis, then this is an ideal one to consider.
The Survival Hawk comes with a sturdy ballistic nylon sheath with a stiff inner liner and sports sewn and riveted construction. A button-snap flap closure secures the sheath around the head. A large nylon webbing loop provides easy belt attachment.
The spike works well, and the notch in the center serves as a nail puller. However, the spike might penetrate better without it. Nonetheless, it achieved decent penetration into plywood. However, just like with the head, the spike would also be more effective if the handle were longer for extra leverage for a more powerful swing. Conversely, the Survival Hawk is still loaded with useful features.
The holes are not just for aesthetics on the Spyderco Warrior Hawk. Designer Laci Szabo indicated the top hole can be used to create a leash similar to that used on ice axes, and a chain can be attached to the hole at the end of the handle so the hawk can double as a hook.
Laci Szabo, United States Marine Corps veteran and New Mexico police officer who served as a breacher on SWAT teams, designed an urban multi-tool to fill the bill. The result is the Spyderco Warrior Hawk, a striking modern design with an angular blade and Spyderco’s signature cutout holes.
The Warrior Hawk is designed to punch out tires, break vehicle windows, cut cables, and handle prying tasks. The apex of the angle ground into the cutting edge of the head concentrates the power of the swing while preventing the material from binding up on the edge.
The holes are not just for aesthetics. Szabo indicated that the top hole can be used to create a leash similar to that used on ice axes, and a chain can be attached to the bottom hole so the hawk can double as a hook.
Szabo wanted a handle different from existing tomahawk designs, so he configured the G-10 handle to resemble that of a conventional hammer. He said the overbuilt design consists of D2 tool steel that’s .3 inches thick, a material that can be heat treated to a high Rockwell hardness yet still has “wear resistance and pry ability,” according to Spyderco.
The challenge for Ryan Johnson in designing the Jenny Wren for CRKT was to make a pint-sized version of a tomahawk. The original version made by Johnson’s RMJ Tactical saw use by special operations forces starting in 2010. Meanwhile, the design also makes for a great outdoor tool.
When CRKT began offering its version of the Jenny Wren, the idea was to fill a need for people heading outdoors that were looking for durable and innovative axe designs.
One of the most notable features is the sharpened edge running across the top of the head. While it was originally designed to maximize slicing cuts, the edge also reduces drag. “It’s the material that is not in the way that makes a difference with this design,” Johnson said.
The ambidextrous sheath allows multiple modes of carry, including a belt, sling or attachment to a MOLLE system. “Everyone tends to forget the importance of the scabbard,” Johnson observed. “If you can’t carry it, you can’t use it. In the case of a tomahawk it’s important to have a safe way to carry it multiple ways.”
Designed by Jared Wihongi, this hawk features a Maori-inspired tribal motif on the head. The tomahawk-like patiti was a weapon of choice for Maori warriors in New Zealand shortly after they first began arming themselves with metal tools long ago, and the head design harkens back to that time.
The satin-finished 420 stainless head showcases the design well. At .25 inches thick, and coming it at 26.4 ounces, the hawk has the heft and size to make quick work chopping through most material. A semi-sharpened edge on the spike end allows for a moderately precise puncturing tool as well.
At 13 inches in length, it’s long enough to get a good whack without exerting your arm too much. The hawk features a paracord-wrapped polymer/composite handle, and where the head meets the handle is reinforced for sturdiness.
Daniel Winkler is tight-lipped when it comes to the teams and units he works with. His Winkler Knives Wild Bill tomahawk was designed with the help of Kevin Holland, Navy SEAL and U.S. Army Special Operations veteran
The axe was named after William “Wild Bill” Donovan, who was head of the precursor to the CIA, the Office of Strategic Services, during World War II.
The hawk is both a tool and art considering the craftsmanship that went into it. It starts with the flat-ground 80CrV2 blade with a black Caswell finish for improved corrosion resistance. The tapered-tang design ends at the integral spike at the butt of the axe, which works well to crush and pry. It’s not the best puncturing tool as it is unsharpened.
The 13.25-inch maple wood handle is wrapped in black cord for most of the top half of the handle for better grip, especially when choking up on the axe for precise slicing. The 22.2 ounces are distributed well, making for a great swing every time.
Wild Bill AxeSpecs Blade Material: 80CrV2 with black Caswell finish Overall Length: 13.25 inches Edge Length: 2.25 inches Weight: 22.2 ounces Handle Material: Maple Wood with Black Cord MSRP: $600
The Estwing Black Eagle Tomahawk feels much more like a tool than a hawk. The rubberized grip absorbs shock and is very comfortable. You can’t choke up on the head like you can some other hawks, though you could add some paracord for the purpose.
The Black Eagle is the epitome of durability. It’s not flashy and has the company’s logo deeply embossed on the tang. The balance is incorrect for throwing but that’s not really the Black Eagle’s role. It is a demolition tool, plain and simple. The head is dimensioned correctly for the same feel as swinging a hammer.
It has a raised equator from its high points, can be used to punch into various materials, and is very easy to withdraw. It can go through just about anything despite the fact it is not sharp on the corners and the tip is more or less rounded off.
In wet, grimy conditions it performed extremely well and goes through wood easily, both in destroying wood structures and splitting firewood. The hawk punches through sheet metal with ease. If you’re looking for a hawk that is less showpiece and more hard-working tool, this is your best bet.
At $600 the Winkler Combat Axe is not just a big chunk of change, it’s also an incredibly strong, rugged chunk of 80CrV2 carbon steel. Not only is it functional, it’s also forged at the company started by the individual largely responsible for the popularity of the modern tomahawk, Daniel Winkler.
The Combat Axe is easy to draw from the belt. The sheath is extremely functional and allows you to remove the Combat Axe one-handed with little effort. The handle runs all the way up to the head and provides an excellent grip at any point along its length.
Of note is the shape of the spike. It is reminiscent of a flat-end bayonet point commonly seen on Russian rifles like the SKS and Mosin-Nagant. Its shape allows it to be used as both a prybar and lever, and it can be swung into material with great force and then used to pull it apart.
The Combat Axe’s edge profile did just fine splitting light amounts of firewood. It also removes branches quite easily in one swing. Because the handle extends right up to the head, there is a risk of damage should you try to split large pieces of wood. The sheath is a major selling point.
The Combat Axe is definitely worth the price, though for the same amount you can buy numerous other hawks multiple times over.
When it comes to durability, the Cold Steel Trench Hawk is quite similar to many of the company’s edged tools. While none of Cold Steel’s functional cutters would win a beauty contest, they certainly have it where it counts when being used. The blade arrived razor sharp, almost too sharp for its own good. Likewise, the spike is substantially longer and much sharper than those of the other test models.
The Trench Hawk is a favorite for throwing.. The company sells replacement handles for around $7 should you break one. It severs branches with extreme ease, though such a task is more of a problem than you might think. The polypropylene handle doesn’t just go up to the head, it terminates right in the middle of it. If you strike too hard, it inevitably will drive the blade in up to the handle, which can cause damage.
The longest of the test hawks, it gains excellent velocity when swung. The handle shape, while correct for a tomahawk, is a bit too smooth and slippery when wet. Another issue is the spike’s length and profile. It’s simply so large that it borders on being unusable for standard chores. It punches through just about anything, from metal to wood, but tends to get stuck easily. Getting it dislodged can be somewhat dangerous
The SOG Pro Tactical Tomahawk is about as barebones as you can get while still being functional. Upon arrival it had a very sharp edge with a blunted, angular spike. The edge was covered in a transparent coating that flaked off during use. The balance of the hawk is excellent and, like the Estwing, has a modern, swept head with an upturned edge. It cuts deep, easily chops firewood, and is excellent for taking down branches. The overall shape and profile are quite minimal, a big plus across the board.
A major downside is the handle. While very strong, it’s rounded and the textured finger grooves don’t provide much extra grip. Because conditions were wet during most of the testing, it was difficult holding onto the handle if the swing wasn’t spot perfect. It wants to rotate in the hand and, while wearing a glove does fix some of that, it’s not an all-around solution.
The spike was functional but had a similar issue to the Cold Steel Trench Hawk in that once it punched through a material, it was hard to remove. For the price, it is an excellent working hawk. It could stand some improvement but should hold up quite well.
Pro Tactical TomahawkSpecs Blade Material: 420 HC Stainless Overall Length: 15.75 inches Edge Length: 2.75 inches Weight: 24 ounces Handle Material: Black Glass-Reinforced Nylon MSRP: $47.99
Editor’s Note: Dexter Ewing, Daniel Jackson, Josh Wayner, and Ryan M. Johnson contributed to this piece.
