Denis Tyrell’s Ice Blue Bowie Showcases The Journeyman Smith’s Skills At Forging A Blade And Stylizing A Knife
Denis Tyrell’s Ice Blue Bowie is one cool sub-hilt fixed blade—so cool, in fact, that it recently won The Bowie Knife Challenge shown on 18 different YouTube channels.
The 14-inch bowie features a near-full-flat-ground blade of Tyrell’s Snowflake mosaic damascus, a stabilized wood handle and hot-blued fittings of a twisted damascus. The bowie is in a takedown construction with the pommel nut securing the handle and guard to the knife.
Tyrell, who helped organize the challenge along with a friend, won the first challenge this past June too, which consisted of competing gyutos shown across 10 different YouTube channels. Each winner was determined by a vote of viewers watching the makers.
You can search “Tyrell Knifeworks” on YouTube to watch the past challenges and see the knifemakers in action. You can watch Tyrell make the Ice Blue Bowie in all its glory below.
Tyrell Knifeworks
Tyrell is a journeyman smith who moved to California in 2001 from his native Canada. He specializes in custom damascus knives. From his shop in Livermore, a moderate-sized city on the Eastern edge of San Francisco Bay, Tyrell runs a series of forging courses.
His courses range from introductory classes in how to forge or how to make your first damascus pattern all the way up to more intense fare. He teaches specific classes on mosaic and feather damascus as well as, one of his most popular courses, a course teaching folks how to make copper-layered damascus.
For more information, go to YouTube, enter “Tyrell Knifeworks”, and look for the challenge of your choice.You can watch Denis make the Ice Blue Bowie in the video below.
Ice Blue Bowie Knife Specs Knife: Ice Blue Bowie Bladelength: 8 inches Blade material: Snowflake damascus Handle: Stabilized wood Fittings: Twisted damascus Steels: 1095 and 15N20 (both the blade and fittings) Overall length: 14 inches Maker’s list price for a similar piece: $2,000
The M-1 Folding Pocketknife From MECHFORCE Takes A Licking And Keeps On Cutting No Matter What’s In Front Of It.
Most people don’t like carrying a thick knife. They already have enough stuff without a bulky folder blocking access to the other goodies in their pockets.
I really like the blade thinness of the M-1 folder by MECHFORCE. Add a deep-set pocket clip and the M-1 is low profile when attached to the lip of your pocket. Meanwhile, the handle feels great.
The blade is a classic drop-point shape and cuts like … well, let’s see!
M-1 Folder Takes On Paper And More
The M-1 sliced the 20-pound bond copy paper smoothly and quickly.
Twenty-pound bond copy paper is the first way to test the factory edge. The M-1 sliced the stationery smoothly and quickly. I put a few nicks in my fingernail by moving too slow. I could hear every slice in the paper. Very sharp!
On to double-walled cardboard. The blade bound a tad at the bottom of the cut and during withdrawal. The thicker slice is where I noticed the binding. Thinner slices were not a challenge. It sliced the cardboard fast overall.
I used some plastic board for the next medium. The M-1 sailed through every slice. It was easy to control the width of the cut. I like the shape of this handle a lot. It really gives me control with my sidewinder cutting style.
The M-1 bit into 8-ounce leather and did so with gusto. I could hear the aggressive sounds of the edge biting through the material—this is very addictive to do as you crunch away. The knife would excel at skinning game.
I did some skiving to check the control of the depth of the cut. There were no issues whatsoever on the leather—super thin cuttings every time. The flat grind really helped in cut-depth control.
Pushing The M-1 Folder
The M-1 Folder wore the author’s wrist out after 250 crunching cuts of half-inch sisal rope.
Next up: half-inch sisal rope—time to use more pressure on the M-1. The knife wore my wrist out after 250 crunching cuts. It still had more bite but I was done for the day on rope cutting. The knife gave me no hot spots and I found zero sharp areas on the handle. It was very comfortable with pressure cutting. Excellent work, MECHFORCE!
To give the edge a heavy workout, I grabbed an old whitetail antler and gave it 30 whacks. I expected to see a few small chips in the edge but none showed. The edge was still sharp with no snags, sure signs of tough steel and excellent heat treatment.
I switched back to slicing 20-pound bond paper to see if the edge was still field ready. It sliced cleanly throughout to the end of the testing.
The M-1 comes with a maintenance kit that includes how-to instructions, two sets of replacement adhesive strips, take-down wrench and a bandage. It’s well thought out.
Final Thoughts
Not much to say here—maybe add some skateboard tape inserts for a no-slip grip. The M-1 is a high-performance knife that takes a licking and keeps on cutting. It makes a great pocket addition.
M-1 Folder Knife Specs
Knife style: Flipper folder Blade length: 3.5 inches Blade steel: M390 stainless Blade thickness at thickest: ⅛ inches Blade grind: Full flat Blade finish: Matte Blade pattern: Drop point Handle frame: 6Al4V titanium Handle inserts: Mars Valley carbon fiber Pocket clip: Deep set Lock: Framelock Weight: 5 ounces Closed length: 4-11/16 inches Knife to know: Features hidden-screw design Country of origin: Partially made in the USA MSRP: $385
This Texas-Based Maker Has A Shop Full Of Grinders And More To Make His Traditional-Style Pocketknives
Tom Ploppert has been building knives only since 2009, but he’s made up for lost time in spades. He is a member of the South Texas Slipjoint Cartel, a group of makers who all studied under BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® member Bill Ruple.
More recently Tom has been an acolyte of another legend, the late Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer Tony Bose, who he credits with helping achieve a milestone in his knifemaking career: making a lockback whittler.
Not surprising given his mentors, Ploppert specializes in traditional pocketknives, both single- and multi-blades, in stag, bark ivory, and jigged bone, as well as more modern standbys such as Micarta® and carbon fiber. Blade-wise Tom works with both damascus and a variety of stainless steels and, like his mentor, his work is clean and crisp as an ironed linen sheet. He keeps his shop in similar order.
Tom Ploppert’s Tools
In addition to his big belt grinders, Ploppert also uses a Hardcore horizontal grinder and two 9-inch disc grinders—one horizontal and one vertical.
He starts off the tour with a host of grinders.
“Like most knifemakers I have an array of equipment that I use every day,” he notes. “I guess the most-used tools and equipment are the grinders. I have three Baders, one Northern Tool and a 20-inch Burr King dedicated to grinding blades. I also use a Hardcore horizontal grinder, and two 9-inch disc grinders, one horizontal and one vertical. Something that is also important is a quality light source. I’ve changed all shop lights to LED and use Steris examination lights that show everything.
“When making slip joints things must be flat, parallel or perpendicular. My Jet surface grinder has been an invaluable piece of equipment at the shop. After heat treating with my Paragon Oven I can grind everything flat if there is any movement during the heat-treat process. I traded an old Dodge farm truck for the surface grinder. The grinder hasn’t had the first transmission issue either!
“I use a Servo precision drill press to accurately drill small holes,” he continues. “I use my Jet machining mill to drill larger holes for bushings and lanyard holes. My mill also serves to machine integral liners and cut tang reliefs in liners. Like most of the other slip-joint makers, I’m learning to use my Deckel pantograph to cut and inlay shields.
“Probably the most important and overlooked piece of equipment is my vacuum system. It is a three-phase, 5 horsepower Torit-Douglas system that will filter the air to two microns and re-circulates it back into the shop. It’s nice not losing your temperature-controlled air in the shop.”
Ribbing his mentor, Ploppert concludes, “Lastly, I believe in keeping the shop organized and clean to a high standard. I can’t work in a dirty shop like Bill Ruple’s!”
Finding Inspiration During the Covid-19 pandemic, Shane Magnussen Created The Sinnsyk With The Help Of His Fans.
The long days of the COVID-19 pandemic may be mostly past us, but the cabin fever drove many people crazy. However, for some, those days inside proved to be a cauldron of creativity. For one knifemaker in Arizona, the creative juices flowed forth and gave birth to a one-of-a-kind knife.
Shane Magnussen was looking for ways to keep from going bonkers during the pandemic and found one with his “personal renaissance challenge.”
The challenge consisted of him sketching one new knife design per day for 75 days and then putting them all up for a vote on social media. The folder winner was his Sinnsyk model.
Who Is Shane Magnussen?
Shane Magnussen—here with wife Katie in the shop—said the lock, detent and bearings all fit tight on his Sinnsyk folder. In the right lighting, you can see the electro-anodized blade through the elliptical handle holes.
Shane is a former serviceman who led over two dozen successful operations in Afghanistan for the United States Army. After receiving an honorable discharge, Shane went into the automotive field and worked in numerous parts of the industry.
Eventually, he began working at a knife manufacturer and caught the knifemaking bug. From writing manuals about free hand grinding to innovating custom finishing methods Shane gained the experience needed to launch his own knife company, Scorpion 6 Knives.
What Is The Sinnsyk
Shane is first-generation Norwegian and sinnsyk is Norwegian for insane or crazy, which most people have been driven at least half during the troubles. His wife, Katie, helped with the zig-zag texturing on the titanium handle, which they did on a half-inch wheel of a Travis Wuertz TW-90 grinder.
The elliptical holes are a standard Shane design and enhance looks, lightweight and texture. The line down the center of the electro-anodized pocket clip serves as a kind of truss to keep the clip from grabbing neither too tight nor too loose.
Sinnsyk Knife Specs
Knife: Sinnsyk
Knife type: Folder
Blade length: 3.66 inches
Blade steel: Nitro-V stainless
Blade pattern: Spear point
Frame: Grade 5 titanium
Lock: Framelock
Closed length: 4.94 inchesMaker’s price for a similar knife: $1,200
For more information contact Shane Magnussen, Dept. BL3, 914 W. Belmont Red Trail, San Tan Valley, AZ 85143 [email protected].
The Informant By Greg Wesley Is Another Quality Fixed-Blade EDC. But Just How Good Is This Small Custom Knife?
The trend for smaller EDC knives is still going strong. Set up with a leather sheath for belt or pocket carry, the Informant from Wesley Custom Knives fits the bill perfectly. Greg Wesley grinds them all by hand. This one is lean and mean.
Testing The Wesley Informant
It was easy to control the width of cuts in the foam, all of which were straight without bending the medium.
I started with a piece of dense foam I use for making my Kydex sheaths. Manipulated with push and pull cuts, the knife started biting, slicing cleanly and quickly. It was easy to control the width of cuts, all of which were straight without bending the foam. Very nice.
One of my favorite tests,the 20-pound bond copy paper slice, provided little resistance. It puts a smile on my face when I hear every cut. I used a pull motion to shred the paper. The Informant came razor sharp. The balance of the blade made for a very quick test.
The knife had no challenges cutting through double-walled cardboard. I got carried away and pushed the blade too far into the cardboard, hitting the choil area and messing up the cut. The Informant is just fun to use. Cuts were mostly straight unless I took too big of a bite and the cardboard pinched the blade and slowed it down.
Plastic board was easy for the knife. It cut the plastic very quickly and I barely felt any resistance. Once I had the rhythm slicing, it was finished. This is a sharp little knife. Cuts were very controllable.
Pushing the Wesley Informant
The Informant crunched its way to 188 cuts on the sisal rope before the edge started to slide a bit.
I grabbed some 8-ounce leather for skiving (thin, tapered slices). With a louder crunching sound, the Informant bit quickly. The thinness of the knife made controlling the skiving simple—I just had to move my fingers faster to keep from losing DNA. The edge remained just as sharp as when I started.
I had to whittle to get a better feel of the little fixed blade. The cuts in the wood were extremely smooth. The Informant peeled large curly-cues one after another. The blade spine was somewhat sharp on my thumb but not too bad. The handle was a great fit to my hand—no hot spots at all. Nice job, Greg.
The Informant crunched its way to 188 cuts of sisal rope before the edge started to slide a bit. Impressive! The handle was still comfortable with the extra power added for the high number of cuts. The knife’s light weight didn’t impact its cutting ability.
The last test is a little destructive at times: the antler chop. I gave a whitetail antler 20 hard chops with the Informant. I rolled a thin wire edge in a few places but the blade was still very sharp, so the heat treatment is good.
Final Thoughts
I would soften the blade spine a tad more and maybe round the scales a bit, though that’s being picky. The Informant is a small, high-performing utility tool that can handle most any knife chore. It’s a great EDC choice.
The Cutlass Is A Short Sword Used For Centuries. Today, It Is Mostly A Ceremonial Blade, But One That Continues To Inspire
A sword can be more than just a weapon of war, the cutlass is an excellent example. For centuries, the cutlass was used by fighting forces throughout Europe as a short, one-handed stabbing and slashing weapon.
For many, the cutlass is best known as the sword of the pirates in the Atlantic Ocean during the 17th and 18th centuries. In a lesser-known role, it also was regularly used in agriculture throughout the Caribbean like the machete is today. In English-speaking Caribbean countries, the word “cutlass” is used to mean a machete.
In the modern era, the cutlass has left behind its fighting phase and is almost used exclusively as a ceremonial sword by several navies. However, its popularity endures among collectors and history buffs alike, thanks to its extensive use during the pirate era and the Age of The Sail.
What Is A Cutlass?
A cutlass drill on the HMS Wolverine , 1882 (Public Domain)
The cutlass is a one-handed, single-edged sword used for close-quarters fighting that was the evolution of naval sabers into a more compact, nimble short sword. While the edge does come to a fine point, the cutlass was designed for slashing and swinging at your enemies when fighting hand-to-hand.
This is why the sword was a popular seafaring weapon. With a slightly-curved blade, usually between 28-32 inches, the cutlass is adept in the close confines of a ship. The straight handle and clipped guards of most cutlasses protected your hand when in battle. Additionally, the cutlass was robust enough to tackle general maritime tasks like slicing through heavy rope or thick fabric like canvas or even wood. And its size made it the perfect weapon for the type of in-your-face fighting that would happen on the high seas.
On land, the cutlass wasn’t as dashing, mostly used to chop sugarcane and clear tracts of land in the rainforest in the New World. Though, the same qualities that made it a great fighting implement made it adept on the farm. The short, swooping blade allowed a great deal of force to transfer from the arm to the material with every swing.
Who Uses The Cutlass Today?
Today, the cutlass is used almost exclusively as a ceremonial sword. While it was at its most popular centuries ago, the cutlass was still a standard issue sword until around World War 2 before it became wholly ceremonial.
The British transitioned the sword to ceremonial duty in 1936, and the United States followed suit in 1949. Both countries incorporate the sword into military ceremonies today. The Brits issue cutlasses to naval chief petty officers. The United States also offers chief petty officers the ability to wear a cutlass with their formal dress for ceremonies and the like.
Can I Buy A Cutlass?
Absolutely. There are many companies making cutlasses today. While they may not be as pristine as the ones issued by the military, there are numerous companies making these types of blades.
Factory Cutlass Options
Cutlasses are still made today, but, in general, they aren’t built to the same combat standard as in centuries past. The vast majority of these swords are showpieces meant to be hung on the wall and start conversations. However, if you are a true lover of the Age of Sail, these swords more than fit the bill.
Windlass English Cutlass
This 30.5-inch sword from Windlass is an elegant modern Cutlass, and, for a fee, can be sharpened into a real, proper sword. As is, the high-carbon steel blade is hand forged and mated to a solid brass guard. You’ll really feel like Blackbeard with it in your hand.
The sword comes with a leather scabbard adorned with a brass tip and throat to up the visual appeal of the piece. All told, this is a high-quality replica of the cutlass that will get people talking at your next party and look great in your office or hanging on the wall.
MSRP: $190
Condor Naval Cutlass
The Naval Cutlass from Condor Tool & Knife is a more modern take on the classic blade. The first thing you notice about it is the black epoxy powder finish to the blade. We’re pretty sure pirates of the 18th century didn’t have powder-coating technology, but would have loved to have had the extra corrosion resistance on the high seas.
The blade checks in at 24 inches in length and is made from 1075 steel ground to a razor’s edge. Yes, this sword comes sharpened right out of the box for no extra fees. The smooth hardwood handle is triple riveted, and a powder-coated guard keeps your hand protected when holding the sword. A black welted leather scabbard fits snugly around the blade and keeps everything protected even if dropped.
While it certainly doesn’t look like a sword from the movies, it’s designed to be a true, proper modern cutlass.
MSRP: $148.49
Kult Of Athena Pirate Sword
Complete with a skull and crossbones etched into the scabbard’s throat, the Pirate Sword from Kult of Athena looks like it could have been taken from the set of any swashbuckling movie set.
The 22-inch blade is made from stainless steel and comes, according to KoA, moderately sharp out of the box. That means it might need a more refined sharpening at home if you’re looking for a razor’s edge. However, the blade itself is .16 inches thick, thin enough to slice well but thick enough to hold up to some wear if used for more robust cutting tasks. But be aware, the sword is classed as “decorative”, or for display only, so keep that in mind before playing out your high seas fantasies.
The cast metal handle is surrounded by a bronze-plated cup guard which features a pirate ship design. The black leather scabbard has a cast tip and throat to complete the look.
MSRP: $49
Kingston Arms Atrim Cutlass
The Kingston Arms Atrim Cutlass shows that not all collectible blades need to be centuries old. Made in the style of a naval cutlass, the Atrim utilizes modern materials and methods to make a truly remarkable sword.
The 9260 spring field falchion-style blade is hand forged and comes in a satin finish. At 25.75 inches it’s a bit smaller than some other cutlasses, letting it move more fluidly in your hand and taking up a smaller display space. The full-tang construction terminated with a stainless steel guard and pommel around a brown leather handle that provides a strong grip.
This is the most expensive sword of all the cutlasses showcased in this piece, and it’s worth every penny for the discerning, high-end collector.
MSRP: $432.95
Cold Steel 1917 Cutlass Sword
When it comes to collector pieces outside of auctions, Cold Steel’s 1917 Cutlass Sword is a prime example of what’s being made today. While it is designed for display and collection, the 1055 steel blade does come with a serviceable edge out of the box.
In terms of size, it’s exactly what you’d expect a cutlass to be. At just under 30 inches long and 37.6 ounces, it’s a nimble sword that will feel good to hold and wield when showing off all of its intricacies. The wood handle and blued steel hand guard complete the look, and the included leather scabbard keeps the sword looking classy even when put away.
MSRP: $289.99
APOC Survival Cutlass
This option is rated for proper use rather than display. That’s abundantly clear considering it comes with a MOLLE-compatible Kydex scabbard. That doesn’t come with swords meant to be hung on the wall.
The APOC is a tactical sword that has a 21.5-inch black oxide blade made from 9260 spring steel. The black G-10 handles complete the monochromatic look and provide excellent grip in myriad conditions.
At just under 2 pounds, this is a lightweight cutlass meant to be used as a survival tool out on the trail or in more intense outdoor situations. The blade is meant to slice, of course, and the edge comes to a fine point, making this a puncturing tool as well. Versatility is the name of the game in survival equipment, and, while a machete or shorter knife might be a better option, the APOC cutlass is built for the outdoors and to handle the elements.
MSRP: $169.95
Custom Cutlass Options
There are numerous people making custom cutlasses and other swords. Whether it is for the private use and display of an individual or to be used as props in movies, at renaissance fairs, or in other forms of entertainment, there are makers and smiths crafting modern versions of the centuries-old blade.
Even the popular YouTube Series Man At Arms: Reforged did an episode about the cutlass and showed multiple ways to craft them.
Tony Swatton
Swatton runs Sword & Stone in Burbank, CA and makes arms and armor for film and television. He, and his shop, were the star of the original Man at Arms series nearly a decade ago. He’s self-educated and has been making armor since he was 17.
The first movie his work appeared in was Hook in 1991, and since then his weapons have been seen on screen in more than 300 movies including massively popular films such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Batman, and Thor. He also designed the cutlass used in Assassin’s Creed 4.
David Lisch
Lisch makes custom knives and swords exclusively from damascus steel. His 26 years of experience in the field are seen in the intricacy of his mosaic patterns and one-of-a-kind blade designs. He’s made landscapes and sunrise designs on his blades.
An example of David Lisch’s damascus work.
His knives have won awards and he teaches classes in blacksmithing and knifemaking with his wife Andrea at their school in Yelm, Washington, about an hour south of Seattle.
Collecting Cutlasses
The cutlass is collected by all sorts: sword lovers, pirate aficionados and history buffs. Specialty dealers help these collectors find the pieces they are looking for, and it helps keep the cutlass alive and in public consciousness.
Additionally, cutlasses have made it to auction houses around the world, sometimes fetching as much as $10,000 before the hammer falls at auction houses like Morphy’s, Sotheby’s, and Rock Island.
In late 2022, the 1860 naval cutlass belonging to John H. Ferrell, a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, went to auction at Morphy’s and sold for $14,760. The sale showed how, even today, the popularity of the cutlass continues to endure in a big way.
Known By Many Names, The Balisong Is A Flipper’s Favorite Knife. These Four New Balis Are On The Cutting Edge Of The Style.
The balisong presents knife manufacturers with an excellent opportunity to express their design creativity and material preferences in a style that promotes pure enjoyment among flipping enthusiasts.
Long popular amid the knife-buying public, the balisong—aka bali, butterfly knife or simply butterfly—is a favorite of those who appreciate its mechanics, good looks and the sheer fun of flipping. With safety in mind, the manufacturers whose stock in trade includes the balisong provide new and innovative models on a regular basis.
Along with these, training versions are often available, while seminars, videos, instructional courses, and online conversations are always at hand for those learning to use the balisong for the first time, as well as seasoned veterans who want to broaden their horizons.
Squid Industries Krake Raken Bowie V2.5
Lucas Cao, president of Squid Industries, is excited with the performance of the company’s Krake Raken Bowie V2.5.
“It’s wonderful that everything about it is highly optimized for the best flipping experience possible,” he said. “Some notable special features are the machined handle texture and its unique balance profile. The mechanism is a combination of stainless-steel bushings and phosphorus bronze washers. What makes the bushings special is we manufacture them in-house on our own Citizen Cincom L12 Type 7 Swiss lathe with extreme precision. Our expert assemblers use the bushings to then create the glassy smooth swing that the Krake Raken is known for.”
The Krake Raken is available in both live and training versions, allowing users to become familiar with its operations without the worry of an injury, according to Cao. And reliability is a watchword from the factory floor to the buyer’s hand.
“All of our balisongs go through rigorous testing across a long period of time and with many different users,” Lucas explained. “Balisong flipping is highly subjective, so we make sure that the feedback we gather is from both beginners and experts inside and outside of the organization. While Squid Industries has several top-tier flippers in our own ranks, we also work with top flippers around the world to hear their thoughts on our latest developments.”
An accomplished flipper in his own right, the Squid boss sees customers in the balisong universe always on the lookout for excellent ergonomics, grip, balance and durability. The ideals are addressed at Squid with continuing revisions and upgrades to its balisong line that are generated through robust customer feedback.
Finding Squid in the marketplace is easy, and its commitment to the education and popularization of the balisong is evident in its sponsorship of the West Coast Flipping Championship, a 32-person-event live competition held each year at BLADE Show West. In addition, YouTube is well stocked with flipping and maintenance tutorial videos.
Knife Specs
Blade Length: 4.5 inches
Blade Steel: AEB-L stainless
Blade Closure: Latchless design
Handle Material: 7075 T651 aluminum
Weight: 4.33 ounces
Closed Length: 5.625”
Country of Origin: USA
MSRP: $284.99
Premium Alpha Beast Kukri
The Premium Alpha Beast Kukri is the latest from Bladerunner Systems and is another example of the continuing outreach the company provides relating to balisongs.
“Spreading the word has been part of our primary focus,” commented Bladerunner’s Edward Anthonis. “We have been active in the community, hosted online tournaments, provided video content, and partnered with retailers to spread the word about balisongs and what a fulfilling and amazing hobby and sport it is and has become.”
With the Premium Alpha Beast Kukri, Bladerunner puts its best foot forward.
“What makes any knife transcend being just a knife will always be the attention to detail given from a maker or designer that truly understands what makes a purpose-driven knife the best in actual application,” Anthonis remarked. “Our balisongs are built not only to be great knives but also to be great for balisong manipulation.”
The bushings of the Premium Alpha Beast Kukri are something special, and Edward says they are an integral component of most Bladerunner folding knives.
“We use bushings in most of our knives, and we find the action of a balisong on bushings works best for the intended application,” he stated. “Having the critical dimensions of a balisong in place combined with a well-tuned bushing system makes for the best flipping experience.”
For Anthonis and company, testing is always a part of a quality manufacturing process, particularly since he and co-owner Lawrence Ho are flippers themselves.
“Since we both flip and have our feet firmly planted in the balisong community,” Edward related, “we can test the products and also get them into the hands of other flippers to solicit their feedback.”
KnifeSpecs
Blade Length: 4.5 inches
Blade Steel: 154CM stainless
Blade Closure: Latch
Handle Material: Titanium
Pocket Clip: Yes
Closed Length: 5.375 inches
Weight: 5.3 ounces
Country of Origin: USA
MSRP: $439.99
Kershaw Moonsault 5050
“Our butterfly knives utilize four KVT-ball bearing systems,” explained Dominic Aiello of Kershaw/Kai-USA. “On each side of the two pivots is a ring of ‘caged’ ball bearings that enable the blade and handles to move quickly and smoothly.”
So it is with the Kershaw Moonsault 5050. Customer appreciation and response to knife offerings help move the company forward, and with its latest balisong the reviews have been quite positive.
“When we develop our butterfly knives, our goal is simple,” Aiello related. “We want to offer a high-quality USA-made product that is affordable and fun for everyday knife users and flippers. With that said, smooth flipping, comfortable handles, and good weight balance are keys with butterfly knives.”
For beginners interested in learning more about the fun of flipping, Kershaw offers the Lucha trainer. It closely replicates the size, weight and design of the original Kershaw Lucha bali.
Knife Specs
Blade Length: 4.6 inches
Blade Steel: 14C28N stainless steel
Blade Closure: Latch
Handle Material: Stainless steel
Weight: 6.1 ounces
Closed Length: 5.65 inches
Country of Origin: USA
MSRP: $249.99
Benchmade 85 Billet Ti Balisong
The Benchmade 85 Billet Ti Balisong is the product of modern technologies, processes and materials applied to a very traditional knife, says Vance Collver, company director of product line management. The knife’s best attributes include smooth, consistent action, and those who experience it are the best judges of that slick performance.
“If a balisong has any drag or ‘sticky’ spots in the rotation, it can affect timing during flipping,” Collver reasoned. “Durable materials—think about how often these knives get dropped when flippers are learning or trying out new or complex tricks—and style since it must look good too, are important factors. A balisong must be ‘cool,’ solid and function flawlessly.”
Benchmade folks take pleasure in walking customers through basic, fundamental flipping techniques at shows and various customer interactions, and several balisong enthusiasts and experienced flippers on staff at Benchmade put the company’s new product offerings through their paces.
“This knife is not available in a trainer version and is intended for experienced flippers or collectors only,” Collver advised. “Balisongs are part of our DNA at Benchmade. Our company was founded in the pursuit of the balisong, and to this day our logo remains a butterfly harkening back to our origin.”
