The BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall Of Fame® is proud to announce three most-deserving inductees for 2023: Steve Schwarzer, Bob Terzuola and Devin “Hoss” Thomas.
Steve Schwarzer, Bob Terzuola and Devin “Hoss” Thomas are the newest members of the BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall Of Fame®. All three will be formally inducted Saturday morning, June 3, of the BLADE Show at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta in a special ceremony in the Kennesaw Room of the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly, the show’s host hotel. The ceremony will be a combination breakfast/triple induction and will start at 8:00 a.m. Tickets are required and seating is limited, so the tickets will go fast. For ticket information, email [email protected].
Steve Schwarzer
A veteran ABS master smith, Schwarzer is probably best known for his pioneering work in the canister method of forging mosaic damascus. His hunter and dog scene in mosaic damascus on the blade of one of his hunting knives forged circa the early 1990s was a defining moment for the genre. He is considered one of the finest instructors and ambassadors of the forged blade and of mosaic damascus, teaching at seminars and hammer-ins on the subjects for decades in Europe, South Africa, all over the USA and elsewhere.
Bob Terzuola
Known as a pioneer of tactical knives, especially his ATCF (Advanced Technology Combat Folder), Terzuola started out making fixed-blade combat knives for the CIA, soldiers and security personnel in Central America. In 1984 he began making folders of titanium and Micarta®, which helped set the stage for the tactical folders that dominated the American custom knife scene for decades beginning in the mid-1990s. Aka “Bob T,” he wrote the how-to book, The Tactical Folding Knife, originally published in 2000.
While a fine knifemaker in his own right, Thomas is best known for his pioneering work in forging stainless and carbon damascus, and supplying thousands of knifemakers industry-wide with the material from the 1990s forward. He was one of the first to make quality damascus available for sale to the “average” knifemaker. The damascus patterns he offers are among the most recognizable in the industry and include but are not limited to Raindrop, Spirograph, Basketweave, Herringbone and others.
The new inductees were determined by a combined vote of sitting Hall Of Famers and, for the first time this year, a Panel of Industry Authorities, the latter chosen by the BLADE® staff. The latest inductions bring the total number of members in the Cutlery Hall Of Fame to 71.
See Past BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall Of Fame® Inductees:
Utilizing Steel From An Iraqi Tank, John Thunert’s Capemaster Is A Skinner Built On The Foundation Of A Caping Knife.
When John Thunert learned an acquaintance had some spare steel from an Iraqi tank, he jumped at the chance to buy some of it and forge it in the damascus of his Capemaster skinner.
Strips of steel 3×3 inches and 4×4 inches, each 3/16-inch thick, were torch cut from the armored vehicle, which was stored in a “tank graveyard” in Iraq. John cleaned the steel up, including removing some paint. He also got a copy of the form his friend had to fill out on the steel as a “war trophy,” which is how he was able to legally ship the steel stateside. “It kinda gives me some bona fides,” John noted.
He said an analysis of the material identified it as a very pure form of mild steel containing 99 percent iron and few impurities. Though the knife started out as a caper, it kept “growing” until it became a skinner, but John kept the caper name. The handle is quilted poplar with pins of a subdued coyote brown G-10 to match the liners.
Who Is John Thunert?
John has been making knives since 2017 and has competed on The History Channel’s Forged In Fire show. He sells more than a dozen varieties of his Capemaster knife on his website, with the majority made from exclusively 80CrV2 steel. The majority of his Capemasters retail for $245.He has also made Bowie knives as well as multiple types of kitchen knives.
Capemaster Knife Specs Blade Length: 4.75 inches Blade Grind: Flat Blade Steel: 80CrV2/1095/15N20/Iraqi tank steels Overall Length: 9.25 inches Handle Material: Quilted Poplar with Coyote Brown G-10 Price Of A Similar Knife: $625
Be it chopping wood or prepping a meal, a solid bushcraft knife is an essential piece of backwoods kit.
Bushcraft is a specialized skill set that ensures survival in the wilderness using foraging, hunting, fishing, shelter construction, and firecraft, all accomplished with minimal tools. The primary bushcraft implement is a fixed blade employed not only for food prep but the other mentioned skills, too.
As a result, such a fixed blade must be a tough tool capable of more than just standard cutting tasks, including whittling, carving, splitting wood or, in conjunction with a ferrocerium rod, starting a campfire.
What Defines A Bushcraft Knife?
Five basic chores of outdoor survival can be performed with a bushcraft knife. The tasks are elemental and a must-learn if you want to use a bushcraft knife to maximum effect.
Chopping
Batoning
Carving
Fire Starting
Food Prep
Chopping
Whereas a small hatchet, ax, or even a machete are better suited for the task, a bushcraft knife can turn the trick. Grip the handle as far back and as securely as you can, and chop as you would with a larger knife, ax, hatchet or machete.
Batoning
Basically, to baton a piece of kindling is to split it. Take a rather large/thick piece of wood to act as a baton/hammer in one hand, lay the blade edge on the end of the secured piece of kindling with the other, and, using firm, deliberate blows, pound the blade lengthwise through the kindling, effectively splitting it.
Again, an ax, hatchet or even a folding saw would be better, but if you lack any of these, your bushcraft knife is capable of handling such a task.
Carving
One of the most important bushcraft skills is to carve bowls, spoons, or even whittling sticks to roast hot dogs. Chopping and batoning are tasks using brute force; carving is more finesse and control.
This can be accomplished by using the knife and a ferrocerium (aka ferro) rod. The job is best done by using a knife that has a blade with a 90-degree spine as opposed to a chamfered or radiused one.
Grasp the knife firmly, cutting edge up. Lay the corner of the blade spine on the ferro rod and with one swift, downward motion, as if you are whittling o a piece of the rod, move the blade down it. Doing so will result in a white hot shower of sparks. The sparks can ignite tinder to start a fire.
The key to fire starting is always select a bushcraft knife with a 90-degree spine. If it lacks such a spine, you can always use the edge but this will dull the one spot on the edge faster than standard cutting will.
Food Prep
And, obviously, a bushcraft blade can also adeptly handle any cutting task related to food or campsite prep. Bushcraft knives prove a knife need not have sheer size and weight to be effective. It’s all in smart design of the blade and handle.
Our Picks For Best Bushcraft Knife
Boker Magnum Life Knife
Boker Magnum Life Knife
The most affordable bushcraft model of the test bunch, the Boker Magnum Life Knife has a 3.9-inch blade of 440A stainless steel in a modified clip-point pattern. Built rugged for the outdoors, the knife comes with a sturdy Kydex sheath for safe carry.
At 7.87 inches overall, the Life Knife sports a handle of machined black G-10 in a coarse crosshatched checkering pattern for enhanced hand traction regardless of conditions. The grooves in the crosshatching work are similar to those of a radial car tire by displacing moisture. Red fiber liners under the G-10 add a nice pop of color to an otherwise dark knife.
The handle includes integral forward and rear guards to prevent your hand from sliding in either direction. The three large traction notches in the thumb rest area of the blade spine also help improve grip. The handle felt a bit skinny in my hand, so I would prefer a slightly wider one.
Conversely, the Life Knife might be a great choice for those with smaller paws. The 3.9-inch blade is a great size for belt carry. The rather compact nature allows it to carry comfortably, with the length neither too long nor too short. The short blade tip accomplishes precise cutting chores easily.
The sheath is a simple fold-over design of Kydex with a Boker Plus clip for belt carry. The sheath features quality construction, retains the knife well, and is simple yet effective.
MSRP: $59.95
Condor Tool & Knife Bushcraft Bliss
Condor Tool & Knife Bushcraft Bliss
Composed of high-quality materials, the Bushcraft Bliss from Condor Tool & Knife boasts a 5-inch blade with a flat grind. The 1075 carbon steel can be rather easy to sharpen in the field and still retains an edge well. The modified clip point shape offers a generous belly for slicing and a defined point. A swedge gives the blade a bit of attitude, and bead-blasted flats and satin-finished bevels provide a two-tone finish that’s very eye-catching.
The ergonomic handle of red linen Micarta® is an excellent choice thanks to its being largely impervious to temperature and humidity changes. Three thong tubes fasten the scales to the full tang. Three large notches at the spine permit non-slip thumb placement so you can bear down on the blade. With its rounded edges, choil, and scale contouring, the handle felt as if it were molded to my hand.
The sheath is Condor’s hybrid molded Kydex and leather rig, an unusual material combo. The belt loop and securement strap are leather. The leather belt loop allows the sheath to move somewhat, unlike the more rigid molded clamshell fastener—which doesn’t—and makes it easier to sit down while wearing it. A thumb break molded into the top of the sheath assists in extracting the blade, which is a nice extra touch.
I found the handle to be very comfortable. A distinctive trait is the prominently elevated traction notches. They almost look like part of a gear. The feature ensures your thumb isn’t going anywhere.
The 5-inch blade makes baton work easy, as well as food prep tasks. Out of the box, the 1075 carbon steel was plenty sharp and ready for use. The Bushcraft Bliss is a consistent performer.
MSRP: $118
TOPS Knives Brakimo
TOPS Knives Brakimo
Joe Flowers runs Bushcraft Global, where he instructs students on basic and advanced survival skills while in the Amazon jungle. A notable authority in the field, he also designs knives, including the Brakimo from TOPS Knives, a tool that can carve, cut, split, and perform just about any task involving outdoor survival.
The 5.25-inch blade of 1095 carbon steel is a drop-point pattern with a Scandi grind. It has a generous belly for easy slicing and a defined point for delicate work.
The green Micarta handle is ideal for bushcraft given its stability and minimal weight. It is matte-finished for a nice grip quality without being overly aggressive. The integral front and rear guards provide a measure of safety that locks the knife in the hand. The divot in the handle is for use with a bow drill for making fire.
If there is a solid all-around performer of the test bunch, it’s the Brakimo. I like how it easily handles heavy work like chopping and baton work, as well as such lighter work as whittling and food prep. You can choke up on the handle for tasks requiring more control where a slicing or rocking motion is used. Grip the handle more toward the rear and feel how the balance point shifts to a blade-heavy profile for easy, effective chopping.
The Scandi grind acts as a wedge and splits the wood in a snap, almost as if no effort were invested—very impressive performance! For one knife that does it all, the Brakimo is it. In-hand it feels substantial and capable of taking on serious work.
MSRP: $225
Spyderco FB42G Zoomer
Spyderco FB42G Zoomer
Designed by Tony Zoomer, an outdoor enthusiast and survival skills instructor from the Netherlands comes the Spyderco FB42G Zoomer. Made of high-end materials, the knife is expertly configured and has a list of features that quite possibly makes it the most comfortable bushcraft knife you’ll use.
The 5-inch blade in a drop-point pattern is premium CPM 20CV stainless steel for enhanced edge retention. The blade has an ample belly for slicing and whittling/carving tasks and a defined point for close-up detail work. The full flat grind transitions to a convex edge, which is durable and extremely sharp.
The black G-10 scales are machined where they join the tang, so the handle is completely rounded in profile. This translates into a super comfortable grip that eliminates hot spots. An integrated rest at the blade spine permits placement of your thumb for additional pressure on cuts and for added control. The full tang extends a little beyond the end of the handle for use as a light-duty hammer.
The sheath is a custom-designed, well made leather drop-leg-style rig with a free-floating belt loop. It has an exterior storage pouch with a snap closure. The pouch can carry your choice of survival supplies, a large folding knife, a multi-tool, etc.
The free-floating belt loop allows the knife to swing freely as you move or pivot out of the way when you are seated. It also can temporarily break away in the event the sheath gets snagged by brush in the woods.
The Zoomer is a solid performer. The heavily contoured G-10 handle feels mighty good in the hand. The full flat grind allows the blade to sail through whatever you cut.
While the handle is comfortable, it felt big in my hand. Those with smaller hands might not take to it easily. While using high-performance CPM 20CV stainless steel is not typically a bushcraft thing, with some regular stropping and honing, you can prolong the edge and skip sharpening during your trip.
MSRP: $600
Fallkniven S1 Pro Forest Knife
The Fallkniven S1 Pro Forest did fine work—as on this fish spear—with full control. (All images by Ash Ayres and Mary Lou Ayres)
Fallkniven’s S1 Pro Forest Knife is the evolutionary descendant of the company’s S1, which has been in production for over 20 years. The Pro version is made with better steel than the original S1, is more sophisticated and a better performer.
The S1 Pro simply does everything well and with no fuss. Its convex grind does not bind in deep cuts, goes through tough, knotty wood with little effort, peels bark, makes feather sticks, does fine work as on fish spear points with full control, and slices duck through skin, meat and bone like Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber. It cut through 2-inch-thick saplings in about a minute with little effort. The non-slip grip is comfortable and does not, in fact, slip.
Compact enough to always have on—or with a custom sheath, inside—your belt, the S1 Pro is as close as I’ve seen to the mythical “one knife to do it all.”
MSRP: $466
Ontario Bushcraft Woodsman
Bushcrafting chopping
The geometry of the Bushcraft Woodsman’s blade, combined with the overall design, good steel and heat treat, make for an exceptional big knife.
Veteran bladesmith Dan Maragni designed this issue’s cover knife, the Ontario Bushcraft Woodsman. The big blade shows his expertise and lineage as an accomplished smith, and is far more sophisticated than a first glance might suggest.
The distal taper gives it excellent balance, and, combined with the taper from spine to edge, great chopping ability.
We slashed through 2-inch-thick saplings with a single swipe, an important point in the calories-expended-vs.-results-achieved equation, and when night is falling and you need to get a fire going.
The blade’s geometry, combined with the overall design, good steel and heat treat, make for an exceptional big knife. Again referencing Tolkien, Ash called it the “Goblin Cleaver.”
Not as handy for fine work as the smaller knives, Dan’s design is a reassuring blade to have by your side in deep woods when the jackals are howling—or the Orcs.
MSRP: $137
Larry Roberts Signature Edition Gen6 Scandi (L.T. Wright Handcrafted Knife Co.)
Due to its scandi grind, which tends to hang up in deep cuts, an average of three minutes was required to get through 2-inch-thick saplings with the Gen6 Scandi.
The Larry Roberts Signature Edition Gen6 Scandi from L.T. Wright Handcrafted Knife Co. performs like a “Mora on steroids,” according to Ash. I agree.
If you’re familiar with the scandi grind, the only surprise with the LRSEG6S is that it takes scandi-ground blades to a higher level of performance. It excels at controlled shallow cuts, holds an edge well, and is strong enough that when batonning you can twist the blade with no worries and quickly pop the batonned material apart.
I like the longer 6-inch blade much better than the popular 4-inch pattern because you can get more stuff done faster and at no penalty to doing fine work. Due to the scandi grind, which tends to hang up in deep cuts, an average of three minutes was required to get through 2-inch-thick saplings.
Comfortable in the hand, it is also beautifully made and finished. A good all-around performer, it is a classic belt knife for the woods.
MSRP: $253
Editor’s Note: Dexter Ewing and James Ayres contributed to this post.
Adding a premium option to the Ken Onion designed line, CRKT unveils the Facet Rivet and Facet Viral.
If you’re into knives (you most likely are, as you’re reading this), you’re familiar with the name Ken Onion. The famed knifemaker has turned out his fair share of must-have blades over the years, with many collectors and aficionados bating breath for his next drop. Well, it’s here and it’s awful dang familiar.
Shake hands with the Facet Rivet and Facet Viral. Yes, they’re the same Facet knives fans have known and loved since its release a year ago, but dolled up plenty nice to make them legitimate premium options in the line. In fact, the duo of top-shelf-edition CRKTs both have some alluring attributes likely to get customers to pony up the relatively steep asking price of $275. Not the least of which is the player behind the scenes making the Rivet and Facet a reality—Lion Steel.
CRKT Facet Blade Material
The Maniago, Italy concern is the manufacturer of the knives, which brings not only one of the more respected manufacturers in the game but also a host of top-shelf materials. Where this shows itself in the M390 steel used for the Facets’ modified drop-point blade. Commonly used by Lion Steel and other manufacturers in the region, the super steel (Austrian in origin) is noted for its impressive edge retention compared to tool steel, as well as its superior corrosion resistance.
Impressive choice, particularly given the Facet certainly has the lines of a more gentlemanly EDC knife but should prove capable against more demanding tasks. Adding to its expected robust use is generous jimping on the knives’ spines, giving a solid purchase on them when more vigorously used.
Facet Handle Material
The handle scales on both the Rivet and Viral are titanium, but not some muted finish common to the material. Each is ornately decorated—the Rivet with a World War II-themed plate and rivet motif, common to the era’s military equipment. The Viral is more futuristic—CRKT says “apocalyptic”—stylings meant to conjure up an end-of-days zombie flick feel.
Away from the aesthetics, the titanium makes the knives fairly light affairs, each tipping the scale at around 3 ounces. For reference, the original Facet weighed 3.9 ounces, so this is creeping up on 1 full ounce of weight savings. The handle has a gradual tapper as well, fitting it well to most hands and allowing for a strong grip on the knife.
Action & Lock
The Facet remains a liner lock in its premium guises, and the flipper maintains its smooth and quick deployment thanks to its IKBS bearings. The flipper itself is somewhat understated, but nonetheless very functional, enhanced with a fair bit of aggressive jumping.
Final Cut
The CRKT Facet Rivet and Facet Viral are both currently available, but interested parties must act quickly. CRKT is limiting each to 500 units for the launch. And 50 lucky customers will receive a heavy-duty commemorative coin, which CRKT is placing in random boxes.
A Woodworker By Trade, Matt Williams Crafts Knives Meant For Rugged Use, Including His BBQ Chef’s Knife.
A woodworker by profession that includes making cutting boards, Matt Williams got into knifemaking too and is glad he did because of the feedback he gets from customers. His BBQ Chef’s Knife is a case in point.
His clients told him his chef’s knives were too thin, especially the local Texas barbecue chefs who need thick, tough blades for separating ribs and joints in competitive barbecue events. As a result, he built the BBQ Chef’s Knife on a santoku cutting base with a thicker blade and a “really aggressive feel” built to take abuse.
Matt lives on an old pecan orchard by the Colorado River and stabilizes and spalts the pecan for his turned-wood handles. The handle for his BBQ model is done in a wa style split down the middle with round dowels of white oak left proud to contrast with the darker pecan. He also forged the steel and made pretty much everything but the coffee for the blade etch.
The combination of his new-style chef’s knives and cutting boards is just the ticket for the highly competitive local Texas barbecue chefs. Along with his custom knife work, Williams also makes one-of-a-kind cutting boards as well that he sells through his website.
BBQ Chef’s Knife Specs Blade Length: 9 inches Blade Material: 400-layer damascus of 15N20 nickel alloy and 1084 carbon steels Hande Material: Spalted pecan, cedar elm and white oak Handle Style: Wa Overall Length: 15 inches Knife To Know: The blade tapers from .169 of an inch at the thickest point to .05 of an inch at the thinnest point Maker’s Price For A Similar Piece: $750
Emergencies happen anytime, anywhere. This means, having the best rescue tools & knives at hand is imperative.
When it comes to edged, prying, breaching and other tools for emergencies, there is no one-size-fits-all remedy as no two situations are ever alike. Because of this, many such tools are made to perform a broad range of tasks.
I have taken a fair number of classes and am certified in a wide variety of emergency skills. What I have learned across the board is there is no one right answer, and the tools you have on hand you had better know how to use. (Having these tools on hand or in your vehicle is really what we are looking at here; they must be readily accessible to be of use.)
Let’s take a look at some of the best options when it comes to rescue tools and knives. These instruments can handle situations from cutting a downing person out of a tangled line to prying an accident victim out of a car. And, most importantly, are sized to be at hand at all times.
What Makes A Good Rescue Tool
Given there is no way to prepare for every eventuality, it’s impossible to have one tool to address all emergencies. That said, the supreme value of a rescue tool is its versatility. In general, it should be capable of handling some of the most common tasks faced in most rescue situations, such as:
Cutting
Prying
Breaking Glass
Mechanical Manipulation
Yes, other situations require other tools. And certainly, there are options out there that are larded with all sorts of doodads to address these. However, these systems can prove overly complex and not as robust as more Spartan designs. Simple, reliable and flexible are the keys.
Buy Quality
It’s easy to blow off preparing for the worst. After all, the worst doesn’t happen all that often. However, when it does do you want to trust your life to a dime-store rescue tool?
Planning means spending money on the best possible equipment. In short, the best rescue tools are made of quality steel, built with robust materials, smartly designed and sized to be part of your kit. When your loved one is strapped into a wrecked car you need to get them out or other such disaster, you’ll be glad you spent the money.
White River Knife & Tool Lifespike
If swung like a hatchet, the White River Lifespike can slash sheet metal into shreds.
The Lifespike by White River Knife & Tool is arguably the most versatile of the review tools. Designed for first responders, it is an exceedingly tough implement that is very well thought out. However, it is not a do-all-be-all in that it lacks in a couple of important areas. I will cover those areas first to not detract from the utter beast of a tool it is.
The Lifespike really needs a seatbelt cutter integrated into the pommel/pry tip area—just a small one but one that doesn’t necessarily present the sharp tip to the chest. Moreover, the pry end is opposite the sharp tip, and if you try to pry with it you’re going to put leverage on the blade and edge. Hence, a vigorous rescue could lead to the rescuer becoming a rescuee. The location of the wrench socket is also not ideal; the height of the handle scales can impede its utility if trying to turn a bolt.
The White River Lifespike can punch through some very serious metal without taking edge damage.
That said, the Lifespike can punch through just about anything. Not only can it penetrate sheet metal with eye-opening ease, if swung like a hatchet it can slash the metal into shreds. It simply blasted through most of the test media and the edge held up extremely well. As far as durability and ease of deployment, you really can’t ask for much more. Breaking glass is possible, but the Lifespike is hard to control in that it doesn’t have a dedicated conical point to use in the role. Overall, I think it’s nearly perfect for dealing with automobile accidents. I’d be confident in using it to force open a door, but by the nature of its design there is the possibility of harming yourself if you aren’t 100 percent aware of where the blade is pointing.
White River Knife & Tool Lifespike Specs Knife Type: Self-contained rescue multi-tool Blade Length: 4.65” Blade Material: 80CrV2 carbon steel Blade Grined/Edge: Chisel/plain Handle Material: G-10 Special Features: 1/2” channel gas line wrench, 9/16” wrench, pry bar pommel Weight: 13.4 ozs. Overall Length: 11.5” Sheath: Kydex Country of Origin: USA MSRP: $300
Winkler Knives AF-ERT (Air Force Emergency Response Tool)
The Winkler AF-ERT is excellent for medium prying work and can be pounded into a gap quite easily.
Constructed of the same material as the company‘s knives and axes and bearing the same rugged finish, the Winkler Knives AF-ERT (Air Force Emergency Response Tool) is extremely tough and surprisingly compact. It is so small and slender it can easily ride in the MOLLE loops on your gear. The AF-ERT provides a surprising degree of function and exceptional strength. The head functions not just as a two-size wrench but also as a hammer and a glass breaker. The interior edges of the head cutout are sharp and can even be used to pull a ferro rod through to generate sparks.
The wrench sizes are very functional and work with a wide number of common scope mounts and automotive nuts and bolts. The head, while narrow, is functional as a small hammer. Of all the tools tested, the glass breaker was the most utilitarian and safest to use. It keeps the hand at a healthy distance from the glass and reduces the chance of getting cut. You can also rest the glass breaker on the surface and strike the face of the hammer with another object if you don’t think you can get enough leverage to swing the tool itself. Though it works quite well, the AF-ERT is quite lightweight and doesn’t possess a great deal of momentum when swung.
Using the wrench of the Winkler Knives AF-ERT as a striker is not only safe but extremely effective.
Prying with the tool is easy; the tip of the prybar is quite narrow and can get into some tight spaces. It is simple to tap it in because the head is flat and not sharp in any way. While not the largest tool, it probably has the most across-the-board daily uses and would not be out of place in a camping bag or glove box.
Winkler Knives AF-ERT Specs Tool Type: Self-contained rescue multi-tool Tool Material: 80CrV2 carbon steel Head Width: 21/8” Tool Thickness: 3/8” Tool Finish: No-glare black oxide Handle Width: ¾” Special Features: Compact tool that can be tucked into MOLLE loops; features glass breaker, 3/4” and 1/2” wrench sockets, hammer head, nail-split pry bar Weight: 12 ozs. Overall Length: 9” Country of Origin: USA MSRP: $85
KA-BAR USSF (United States Space Force) Bridge Breacher Tool
Because of its mass and length, the KA-BAR Bridge Breacher easily outclasses the other review tools for prying material apart. You can get much more leverage with it than the other test tools.
The KA-BAR USSF (United States Space Force) Bridge Breacher Tool is a substantial, heavy piece of steel that can get most emergency jobs done. It has a stepped wrench cutout located toward the tool’s business end. You can operate it from the handle end if you are prying, turning a nut or splitting material. Because of its mass and length, it easily outclasses the other tools when it comes to prying stuff apart.
The Bridge Breacher has a relatively blunt-edged, chisel-like blade on one side for chopping. In a pinch it can even be used to split wood. It bends and crushes metal and does not cut through it the same way as the Lifespike. I am not a huge fan of the squared edges in the grip area. I would like to see them more rounded for comfort, and also something other than the rubberized grip material. If you need to hammer the Breacher in to open something, the grip material shreds away quickly. Nonetheless, it is an excellent choice for the heaviest tasks and for material breakdown.
KA-BAR USSF Bridge Breacher Tool Specs Tool Type: Self-contained rescue multi-tool Cutting Edge: 2” Edge/Tool Material: 1095 Cro-Van carbon steel Blade Grind: Chisel Handle Material: Blue Plastisol Special Featues: Nail-split pry bar tip, slotted wrench cutout, chisel edge Weight: 1 lb., 9.6 ozs. Overall Length: 13” Country of Origin: USA MSRP: $85
The Pry Knife and Pry Probe Punch (PPP) Tool Combo by TOPS Knives is a beefy, substantial dual package.
The Pry Knife and Pry Probe Punch (PPP) Tool Combo by TOPS Knives is a beefy, substantial dual package. It is truly a hybrid of a prybar and a knife, with some strengths and weaknesses of both. The knife has sharp edges and a very comfortable handle. It handles a wide variety of cutting chores. It can be used to split a dizzying amount of material, and is robust enough to chop wood and even through metal. The secondary edge has a steep angle and segmented serrations for cutting through such tough material as rope. When it comes to prying, the blade can be used with substantial force. Thanks to its chisel grind, it can be used to gain leverage from a variety of angles. The finish is quite durable, though it comes off the high points quickly.
The PPP is a relatively compact, ergonomically designed device that features an angled prybar with a conical spike glass breaker. The tool is wrapped in paracord with rubber gaskets toward the end. It is quite effective at prying. However, I don’t like the location of the glass breaker. If you are prying quite hard and slip, you may end up skewering yourself on it. It is extremely sharp and, while very functional, is more of a liability than need be.
The aggressive glass-breaker punch of the TOPS PPP is utilitarian but not ideally located.
A weakness of this set is the sheath. It is a piggyback set up but features fabric-fastener and buckle closures. While it is easy to remove the tools, the sheath does not hold them very securely. Moreover, while I did not throw the sheath in the mud for this test, fabric fasteners do not work when clogged with debris.
TOPS Knives Pry Knife/PPP Combo Specs Tool Type: Combination knife/pry tool package w/piggyback nail-split pry bar/glass breaker Blade Length: 4.5” (pry knife) Edge: Serrated (pry knife) Blade/Tool Materials: 5160 carbon steel (pry knife)/5140 carbon steel (PPP [pry probe punch]) Handle Materials: Black linen Micarta® (pry knife) and rubber and paracord (PPP) Special Features: Piggyback sheath carries both tools; pry knife is 1/4” thick and can be used to cut and chop; PPP features a heavy-duty glass breaker and nail-split pry bar Sheath: Black nylon Weight: 16 ozs. Overall Length: 10.75” (pry knife) and 71/4” (PPP) Country of Origin: USA MSRP: $275
Ontario RAT-3 Gobar
The Ontario RAT-3 Gobar is shaped like a 90-degree cleaver and can handle most knife tasks.
The Ontario RAT-3 Gobar is shaped like a 90-degree cleaver and functions for most knife tasks. The square-edge blade tip cannot be used for stabbing in the traditional sense and functions more along the lines of a fixed-blade box cutter. It has the ability to pry, though the blade material is relatively thin for any serious work. It can get under seat belts and cut them but is not ideal for the purpose.
It works in a pinch as a rescue tool and can be used to lever or jimmy windows and doors. It is not a tool I would baton with a mallet for fear of snapping off the blade. The cutout at the ricasso is too small to fit a finger into despite giving the appearance it should accept one. The corner of the edge recurves slightly backward, and if you get your finger in there like I did, you may get a nasty cut. A bonus is the tool is quite thin. It takes up little space and at only a few ounces is lightweight. The sheath is an afterthought. I would like to have seen this one come with a dedicated polymer model given that the one supplied is too long and features only a snap button to retain the blade.
Ontario Knife CO. RAT-3 Gobar Specs Knife Type: Fixed blade/pry tool Blade Material: Carbon steel Blade Grind: Chisel Handle Material: Black Micarta® Special Features: Lightweight fixed blade can chop and do light prying Weight: 5.8 ozs. Overall Length: 7.8” Sheath: Black nylon Country of Origin: USA MSRP: $91.95
Emerson N-SAR (Navy Search and Rescue)
The N-SAR remains functional as a belt cutter with the blade closed.
The Emerson N-SAR (Navy Search and Rescue) is small and easy to store, and is also exceptionally durable and sharp in all the right places. This is a tool for cutting a person free safely. The blunt tip is not designed to stab. The blade is not impossible to cut with, it is simply unlikely you would stab through a person’s clothing when trying to free them. It zips through any type of common restraint. The main edge serrations can cut thicker material.
The blade opens one-handed or with the Emerson Wave feature when pulling it from a pocket. Care must be taken with the latter, as the dedicated belt cutter on the spine of the blade can become caught on a pocket accidentally and slice your clothing. I know this from experience. Though somewhat pricey for a knife that isn’t good for normal cutting chores, it is invaluable for extracting individuals from standard seat belts, child seats or any manner of physical restraints. The belt cutter can cut cable ties as well. I have begun leaving an N-SAR in an easy-to-reach place in my vehicle for cutting seat belts and straps in emergencies.
The Emerson N-SAR can easily and safely cut cable ties. Moreover, it wouldn’t damage your wrist if you should find someone needing rescue from a seat belt or other kind of strap.
Emerson Knives, Inc. N-SAR Specs Knife Type: Folding rescue Blade Length: 3.5” Blade Grind: Chisel Edge: Plain and serrated combo Blade Material: 154CM stainless Handle Material: Black G-10/glass laminate Pocket Clip: Yes Lock: Linerlock Special Stuff: Safety blade tip (blunted), Wave opening feature, integrated belt cutter Weight: 4.1 ozs. Closed Length: 4.7” Country of Origin: USA MSRP: $299.99
Read More On Survival And Rescue Tools And Knives:
Blackie Collins brought The American Blade to an audience thirsting for knife news.
Editor’s note: This year marks BLADE®’s 50th anniversary. In recognition of that milestone, we are presenting a series of stories celebrating our half-century birthday. This time, how Blackie Collins founded the magazine then known as The American Blade.
Whether designing a new knife, making a knife of his own creation, flying along on a motorcycle—or starting a magazine—BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® member Walter Wells “Blackie” Collins was a risk taker.
Fifty years ago, Blackie spearheaded the first issue of The American Blade, the original name of today’s BLADE® Magazine. It’s unlikely he ever thought his creation would endure as it has, or that it would grow to become the World’s No. 1 Knife Publication. But back then, the time was right to give it a try.
“I was in business with a friend of mine buying and selling knives, and Blackie would supply us with cutlery. He was an excellent custom knifemaker,” remembered Roger Aiple of New Orleans. “He was a close friend and you might say he was thinking about producing a magazine. He asked me what I thought about it, and, knowing Blackie and his dedication to knives, I said it was a great idea but that producing a magazine was not the easiest thing in the world.”
Blackie Collins loved motorcycles, including those by Ducati. In fact, he based the opening mechanism of his revolutionary Strut’N’Cut assisted-opening knife (inset gracing the cover of the October 1997 BLADE®) on the Ducati’s single-strut suspension system. He was killed in a motorcycle accident on July 20, 2011, at the age of 71.
Aiple introduced Blackie to Mal Mele and Sonny Molenaar, the owner of Molenaar Printing Company, in nearby Metairie, Louisiana, and the three men worked out a deal. Apparently, Mele and Molenaar were willing to share some of their insights on how magazine production worked, including printing, distribution, and other nuts and bolts items. Then, of course, there was editorial content to produce, copy to be written, and photos to be taken and reproduced for the new publication.
Blackie devoted energy and ideas to The American Blade, and there were two very good reasons for his drive to see the magazine concept become a reality. “Can you think of a better way, if you’ve got knives or knife designs, to get with other knife companies and everybody in the business?” reasoned Susan Collins, Blackie’s sister-in-law and wife of his brother, Michael. “The American Blade opened the door for him to walk into a shop or factory and say, ‘Let me do an article on you or on this or that subject.’ Blackie knew everybody, and it helped to make him very successful and Michael, too.”
While Blackie was putting The American Blade together, Michael was working away in the brothers’ shop. He knew Blackie was up to something but wasn’t sure exactly what was going on.
“I was working on knives and grinding blades, and he wouldn’t tell me what he was doing,” Michael smiled. “It was a surprise to me, but he got it done and it turned out well. Sometimes Blackie would do things and people would wonder why. He did a really good job of putting the magazine together and getting it published, and I sat back and watched it happen.”
Blackie Collins wrote a series for the magazine titled, “Understanding Fine Cutlery,” and did his best to spread the good word of how to make knives, providing tips and pointers to up-and-coming makers.
Michael related that the two knives that graced the first cover of The American Blade were both his creations. After all, something had to go on that first cover, right? “He would set his mind to something, and that is what he was going to do,” Michael said of his industrious brother. “Sometimes, he would go a while before he would tell you what he was doing.”
Voice Of American Knifemaking
Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer Bill Adams, owner of long-time knife retailer Atlanta Cutlery for many years, was responsible in large part for the excitement that surrounded the knives of Sheffield, England, in the magazine in the early to mid-1970s. Sheffield was a center of knife production in Europe, and the quality of its cutlery was unsurpassed in the factory setting from the late 18th century until the early 20th century. After Bill put in long hours and travelled to Sheffield to search through the old local knife factories and make some key purchases, he had become an authority on Sheffield knives and co-wrote/wrote two articles on the topic in the first two issues of The American Blade. He later advertised Atlanta Cutlery in the magazine, too.
“There was something happening back at that time, and I thought The American Blade was an important development in the knife field,” Adams explained. “Up to that time, there was practically no news or information about custom knives, factory knives, sales outfits, or anything else if you were interested in collecting. Seems like I did write some articles for the magazine, and we probably swapped payment for advertising.”
Adams was right. There was something happening in the knife world in the 1970s, and The American Blade made information available to an ever-widening readership. Longtime knife-and-gun writer and one of the founders of the American Bladesmith Society, Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer B. R. Hughes, once said, “In the latter part of the 1960s, A.G. Russell supplied me with a list of all the custom knifemakers he knew at that time. There were 21 names on the list. The American Blade appeared in 1973, and there are literally thousands of known makers in America today. This is due primarily to BLADE’s features on knifemaking, prominent knifemakers, techniques, materials and the like, as well as information on knifemaking schools and expositions. This dramatic explosion of custom makers would never have occurred without BLADE.”
Jane Collins (right) said Blackie read and wrote constantly, and it was not unusual for him to stop his motorcycle on the side of the road or to get up in the middle of the night to write down an idea for a knife design or knife project.
And the big idea for The American Blade belonged to Blackie Collins. The magazine debuted with the May-June 1973 issue, and soon enough there was a buzz building up among knife people. Some of the most recognized custom makers in the industry were appearing with regularity in the pages of the magazine. D. E. Henry and Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer Bill Moran were members of its “Board of Editors,” while Bob Dozier made a knife that was given away in one issue to a lucky winner, a Mr. T. L. Cox of League City, Texas. Dozier, Moran, Lloyd Hale, Ted Dowell, Pat Crawford, Chubby Hueske, Herman Schneider, Cutlery Hall-Of-Famers Bob Loveless, Ron Lake, Buster Warenski, Wayne Goddard and Billy Mace Imel, and a host of other great custom makers were featured in one way or another in the succeeding issues. Dowell, Michael Collins, John Nelson Cooper, Jim Small, and Hueske also contributed giveaway knives that generated quite a swirl of excitement among early readers.
Bringing Knifemaking To The Masses
Blackie wrote a series for the magazine titled, “Understanding Fine Cutlery,” and did his best to spread the word on how to make knives, providing tips and pointers to up-and-coming makers. “There were a lot of people who wanted to learn how to make knives,” recalled Jane Collins, Blackie’s wife. “He had written a book about how knives are made, and he wanted to put the magazine out there to help new makers, too. It was so everybody could learn from it. He had learned from other people, and other people had learned from him.”
Jane remembers Blackie’s drive and commitment to various projects throughout his life, and The American Blade was an all-consuming endeavor for a while. “It caught on well. He was a writer, and he wrote and read constantly. He had the most interesting way of thinking about stuff,” she recalled. “He might be riding a motorcycle and have something come to mind and stop and write it down with a pencil and paper he carried. Sometimes, he woke up in the middle of the night and would run out to the workshop to make notes.”
Blackie always seemed to have a formula to make something go. His dedication to The American Blade in those early days was as intense as his new knife designs that always seemed to be in high demand.
“The magazine was such a good idea then because of our love of cutlery,” Roger Aiple observed. “We knew all of those first custom knifemakers, and the magazine was intended to promote knives. Blackie didn’t have any idea how to publish a magazine back then, but when I introduced him to Mal and to Sonny, they worked it out and helped him get it printed to start things.”
Soon after The American Blade got off the ground, Blackie must have felt that old familiar tug to move along to some new project. He had been listed on the magazine masthead as managing editor, editor and publisher, and of course, he had written articles as well. Some of the details from those days gone by have literally been lost to history, but it is safe to say that Blackie’s energy got things going, gave the publication the push that it needed, and set the stage for something that would have a far-reaching impact on the knife world.
Blackie Collins designed the Gerber L.S.T. (1983), the first knife ever to have a handle of glass-filled nylon.
“Blackie was the kind of guy that would put things together, make some money and move on,” Aiple observed. “He was a great custom knifemaker, but his heart was in designing knives and having someone else make them. He did sell the magazine. I think he had gotten tired. It was taking up too much of his time, and it does take a lot of time to put a magazine together, writing articles, getting advertising, having photos prepared.”
Blackie resigned from The American Blade within months of the magazine’s launch, and an announcement ran in the November-December 1974 issue. The new editor, William L. Cassidy, noted that his predecessor was moving on and commented on Blackie’s important role in establishing a solid foundation and tapping into the knife community so well. “Blackie is, after all, the fellow who began this magazine—who lived with it through triumph and failure alike—and for this we all certainly owe him a debt of gratitude,” Cassidy wrote.
Blackie worked on the first seven issues of The American Blade in 1973-74. He saw his creation grow and prosper, becoming the icon in the knife publishing world that it is today. After half a century, BLADE’s staying power is proven. It still delivers on the desire of its founder to spread the good word about knives, and its message is as enduring as one of Blackie’s great knife designs that so many people have carried and used with pride through the years.
