Knives Illustrated - September October 2014

Transcription

KI-1409-COVER 6/26/14 4:42 AM Page US_C1
knivesillustrated.com
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 • VOLUME 28, NO. 5
$5.99 U.S. • DISPLAY UNTIL: 9/16/14
09
0
71658 03124
1
Engaged Media By Beckett
KI_1409_C2 6/24/14 11:47 PM Page C2
KI_1409_3 6/30/14 1:57 PM Page 3
MADE BY AMERICAN HANDS
FOR YOUR HANDS
Bear Song TM IV
T-6 Aircraft Aluminum Handles
14C28N Stainless Steel Blade
Blade rides on Bronze Phosporus Washers
All New
B-450-ALBD-S
Available in
2 sizes & 3 Colors
B-450-ALCF-S
B-400-ALCF-S
B-400-ALBD-S
B-450-ALPD-S
B-400-ALPD-S
KI-1409-4-6-TOC 6/25/14 11:32 PM Page 4
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014
VOLUME 28, NO. 5
www.knivesillustrated.com
24
SPECIAL SECTION:
56 The Best of Blade
The hottest knives, the most exciting
moments. We were in Atlanta for the recent
Blade Show, and we’ve got full coverage of
this annual event.
BY KI STAFF
COVER STORY
12 On the Hunt
The experienced woodsman knows that a
knife is the perfect companion to his rifle. We
found five top options for the hunter on any
budget.
BY TERRILL HOFFMAN
TACTICAL/RESCUE
42
34 A New Direction
Long known for its outdoor and military
knives, Ontario is expanding its reach into
tactical knives for the urban user.
BY ABE ELIAS
42 Back with a Vengeance
Fans of renowned knife maker Jerry Hossom
will recognize the latest tactical offering from
Fox Knives USA: the Vengeance, a revamped
take on Hossom’s Reprisal.
BY JIM WEISS AND MICKEY DAVIS
70
50 In Heroic Hands
When every second could mean the
difference between life and death, a first
responder needs a tool he can trust. We’ve
rounded up the best of the best.
BY TIM STETZER
KNIVES ILLUSTRATED (ISSN 0898-8943) Vol. 28, No. 5 is published 7 times a year, January/February, March/April, May/June,
July/August, September/ October, November and December, by
Beckett Media, LLC, 22840 Savi Ranch Parkway, #200, Yorba
Linda, CA 92887. Periodical postage paid at Anaheim, CA, and
additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes
to Knives Illustrated c/o Beckett Media, 4635 McEwen Road,
Dallas, TX 75244. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:
PITNEY BOWES, INC, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2
GST#855050365RT001 © 2014 by Beckett Media, LLC. All rights
reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue in whole or
in part is strictly prohibited.
4
KNIVES ILLUSTRATED • SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2014
KI_1409_5 6/24/14 11:50 PM Page 5
SANTI
D2 - MSRP: $121
AUS-8 - MSRP: $104
Multi-National Designs, Made in Russia
Kizlyar Supreme utilizes the highest tech processes and materials available today to produce superior performance knives.
They are backed by a multinational team of talented designers
and engineers from Russia, Germany, Australia and Japan.
See the full line of high-quality knives at http://casiberia.com.
BIKER Z
DELTA
VENDETTA
http://casiberia.com | (800) 635-9366
KI-1409-4-6-TOC.CX 6/29/14 11:31 PM Page 6
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2014
Volume 28 • Number 5
12
EDITORIAL
Editorial Director: Doug Jeffrey
Editor: Bethany Miller
Managing Editor: Jeffrey Rick
Art Director: Ronald Abella
Creative Director: Eric Knagg
CONTRIBUTORS
Mickey Davis, Abe Elias, Terrill Hoffman, Les Robertson,
Dave Spaulding, Tim Stetzer, Clint Thompson, Jim Weiss
OUTDOOR
CUSTOM
28 Bigger, Burlier Bushcraft
24 The Master
Mora of Sweden is known for its
sturdy everyday carry and
camping/hunting knives. Now,
they’re stepping up their game with
their largest knife yet: the
Bushcraft Pathfinder.
ADVERTISING
Gabe Frimmel: Ad Sales Director (714) 200-1930
GFrimmel@beckett.com
Casey Clifford: Senior Account Executive (717) 896-8956
Mark Pack: Senior Account Executive (714) 200-1939
Gennifer Merriday: Ad Traffic Coordinator
DIRECT MARKETING GROUP
BY TIM STETZER
John Bartulin (866) 866-5146 ext. 2746
Paul Caca (866) 866-5146 ext. 4961
Ryan Lauro (866) 866-5146 ext. 2756
Mary Ann Jaca (866) 866-5146 ext 2716
BY LES ROBERTSON
COLUMNS
OPERATIONS
Gus Alonzo: Newsstand Sales & Marketing Manager
Celia Merriday: Newsstand Analyst
Amit Sharma: Business Analytics Manager
Mohit Patel: Newsstand & Production Analyst
Alberto Chavez: Senior Logistics & Facilities Manager
John Cabral: Creative Graphic Designer
10 Points of Interest
Guess the Maker, upcoming
events and the latest goingson in the knife world.
EDITORIAL, PRODUCTION & SALES OFFICE
22840 Savi Ranch Parkway, #200
Yorba Linda, CA 92887
(714) 939-9991
Fax: (800) 249-7761
www.knivesillustrated.com
facebook.com/knivesillustrated
facebook.com/eembybeckett
20 How To…
…Start a custom knife
business.
KNIVES ILLUSTRATED (ISSN 0898-8943) Vol. 28, No. 5 is published 7 times
a year, January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October,
November and December, by Beckett Media, LLC, 22840 Savi Ranch Parkway,
#200, Yorba Linda, CA 92887. Periodical postage paid at Anaheim, CA, and
additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Knives
Illustrated c/o Beckett Media, 4635 McEwen Road, Dallas, TX 75244.
Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: PITNEY BOWES, INC,
P.O. Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2 GST#855050365RT001 © 2014 by
Beckett Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from
this issue in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.
70 Behind the Scenes
A Q&A with TOPS Knives.
74 Bells and Whistles
10 hot accessories for knife
owners.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Beckett Media, LLC
4635 McEwen Road, Dallas, TX 75244
Subscriptions, Address Changes,
Renewals, Missing or Damaged Copies
(800) 764-6278
(239) 653-0225 Foreign Inquires
subscriptions@beckett.com
customerservice@beckett.com
Jim Siska’s background in
gunsmithing didn’t limit him
from becoming an
accomplished knife maker.
You’re about to go inside his
creative world.
82 Show and Tell
Cover photography by
TERRILL HOFFMAN
A reader’s favorite knife from
Böker.
Back Issues
www.engagedmediamags.com
Books, Merchandise, Reprints
(239) 280-2380
Dealer Sales
(239) 280-2380
Letters to the Editor, New Products or
to Contribute a Story or Photo
Bethany Miller
22840 Savi Ranch Parkway, #200, Yorba Linda, CA 92887
bmiller@beckett.com
Subscription Rates
$17.95/1 year, $27.95 2/years. Foreign $29.95/1, $51.95/2 years payable
in US funds. Single copy price is $5.99. Please allow 6 to 8 weeks for
new subscriptions to begin.
Beckett Media, LLC
Nick Singh: Executive Director
Jen Degtjarewsky: Group Editorial Director
& Business Unit Director
50
GST #855050365RT001
Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement #40612608
Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:
PITNEY BOWES, INC.
P.O. Box 25542
London, ON N6C 6B2
This magazine is purchased by the buyer with the understanding that
information presented is from various sources from which there can
be no warranty or responsibility by Beckett Media, LLC as to the
legality, completeness or technical accuracy.
6 KNIVES ILLUSTRATED • SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2014
KI_1409_7 6/25/14 11:15 PM Page 7
TWO is better than One
Subscribe Now and SAVE BIG
only
$29.95
/RJRQWRwww.engagedmediamags.com/combo_kiasg
&DOORXUWROOIUHHQXPEHU
)LOORXWWKHRUGHUIRUPEHORZDQGPDLOLWZLWK\RXUSD\PHQWLQIRUPDWLRQWR
%HFNHWW0HGLD//&/RFNER[3KLODGHOSKLD3$
to subscribe
Take advantage of this special offer and get a 1-year subscription to Knives Illustrated (7 issues) with a
1-year subscription to American Survival Guide (6 issues) and SAVE UP TO 69% off the cover price!
❑ YES! sign me up for a subscription to Knives Illustrated and
American Survival Guide
That is a total of 13 issues for a total savings of $65.92 off the cover price
Method of Payment
Check enclosed
Payment through credit card
Visa
Credit Card
MC
AMEX
Money Order
Discover
Name on credit card
Expiration
Credit card number
Subscriber name
First
MI
da
te
/
/
Last
Address
City
State
Phone
Enter Promo Code
Email
Signature
Date
/
/
A543L011
For a full listing of our titles, visit www.engagedmediamags.com today!
Allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery of first issue. Outside US, add $28 per year for additional postage. Pay in US funds only.
KI-1409-8-EDIT.CX-jc 6/29/14 11:32 PM Page 8
EDITOR’S
LETTER
BY BETHANY MILLER
More Than Tools
e do this demonstration to show that knives aren’t weapons, but tools,”
said three-time BladeSports champion Donavon Phillips at the 2014
World Cutting Championship—one of the highlights of the Blade Show.
W
Knife by Vulture Equipment Works
Photo by Tim Stetzer
“
And what tools they are. In a truly
impressive display, this demonstration
showcased the chopping power of larger
blades as competitors almost effortlessly
hacked and sliced through everything
from 2x4 planks to ropes to full water
bottles.
Inside the convention center, meanwhile, knife enthusiasts of every stripe
milled around tables upon tables of knives
on display. Some ogled the finest custom
blades, which were nothing short of works
of art. Others handled the variety of survival, tactical and everyday carry knives
making their midseason debuts. No matter
who you were or what you needed, someone had just what you were looking for.
Yet even so, the appeal of the show
was not just the knives themselves. Much
though all of us in attendance all enjoyed
being the first to see and hold the newest,
coolest offerings from our favorite makers, what we enjoyed more was sharing
our passion with each other, from the
floor of the Cobb Galleria to “the Pit” at
the Waverly Hotel.
Knives aren’t only tools for performing
particular tasks; they’re also tools for
bringing together a community. And even
better, in some cases, they’re tools for
doing good. Benchmade, for example,
auctioned off four concept knives that
altogether netted nearly $6,000 to split
between the American Knife and Tool
Institute and Knife Rights, while Queen
Cutlery brought in $2,250 in support of
wounded veterans through its own auction of a custom collaboration.
It’s because of this community that
organizations like BladeSports or Knife
Rights or AKTI exist, and why magazines
like Knives Illustrated exist: not only to
counter misperceptions of knives as mere
weapons, but to share our conversations
and knowledge, our preferences and our
passions. Knives are fine tools indeed, but
thanks to the knife-loving community,
they’re also so much more. KI
“KNIVES AREN’T ONLY TOOLS FOR PERFORMING PARTICULAR TASKS;
THEY’RE TOOLS FOR BRINGING TOGETHER A COMMUNITY.”
8 KNIVES ILLUSTRATED • SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2014
KI_1409_9 6/30/14 1:59 PM Page 9
KI-1409-10-11-NEWS 6/25/14 11:43 PM Page 10
POINTSof
INTEREST
UPCOMING EVENTS
Dates and locations subject to change; please contact
the show managers before arranging your travel.
THE LATEST GOINGS-ON
IN THE KNIFE WORLD
Name the Maker
SCORE A CHANCE TO WIN A SUBSCRIPTION BY
CORRECTLY IDENTIFYING THE MAKER OF THIS BLADE
PHOTO BY JIM COOPER
We congratulate Knives
Illustrated reader Tara
Gimber, who correctly
identified Jay Fisher as the
maker of the knife featured
in our May/June issue.
JULY 31- AUG. 3
LOUISVILLE, KY
Knifemakers’ Guild Show
(502) 585-3200
www.KnifemakersGuild.com
AUG. 15-17
DENVER, CO
Denver Custom Knife Show
(785) 820-6928
jimmagee@cox.net
www.ProKnifemakers.com
AUG. 16-17
TORONTO, ONTARIO
Canadian Knifemakers Guild Show
www.CanadianKnifemakersGuild.com
AUG. 22-24
TROY, OH
Mid-America Bladesmithing Symposium
(419) 832-5801
sheelyblades@gmail.com
www.AmericanBladesmith.com
SEPT. 13-14
WINSTON-SALEM, NC
Southeastern Custom Knife Show
www.SoutheasternCustomKnifeShow.com
OCT. 3-4
WAUWASOTA, WI
Northern Lakes Knife Company Annual Fall Knife Show
(414) 771-6472
rschrap@aol.com
OCT. 4-5
TOPEKA, KS
Heartland Bladesmithing Symposium
(785) 484-0146
sculver@americanbladesmith.com
OCT. 11-12
GARDEN GROVE, CA
California Custom Knife Show
www.CaliforniaCustomKnifeShow.com
OCT. 18-19
CLYDE, NC
ABS Smoky Mountain Fall Hammer-In
(828) 266-2551
wncbill@bellsouth.net
OCT. 24-26
TULARE, CA
California Hammer-In
(559) 636-0501
mike@mvknives.com
HOW TO WIN
If you correctly identify the maker of the featured knife, you will be entered into
a drawing for a free one-year subscription to Knives Illustrated. If you’re already a
subscriber, you may choose to extend your current subscription or to receive a
subscription to one of our sister magazines, Gun World or Bow & Arrow Hunting.
All entries must be received by 4 p.m. PST on August 25.
Winners are determined by placing entries in numerical order and generating a
random number using www.random.org.
Please submit guesses to bmiller@beckett.com and specify your preferred prize
option. Please also include the mailing address where you would like to receive your
subscription should you win.
1 0 KNIVES ILLUSTRATED • SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2014
HINT: This knife’s
maker is a Union Pacific
Railroad worker by day.
Most of his knives are
forged, though he also
will do stock removal
upon a customer’s
request. He specializes
in Damascus, heat
treating and cryogenic
treatment.
NOV. 21-23
JERSEY CITY, NJ
New York Custom Knife Show
(417) 866-6688
www.FiftyFiftyProductions.net
JAN. 23-25, 2015
LAS VEGAS, NV
SHOT Show
(855) 355-7468
www.SHOTShow.org
JAN. 24
LAS VEGAS, NV
Tactical Knife Invitational
(417) 866-6688
www.FiftyFiftyProductions.net
KI-1409-10-11-NEWS 6/25/14 11:43 PM Page 11
Knife App-titude
Unsure of knife regulations in your area?
The new LegalBlade app, produced by grassroots organization Knife Rights, makes it
easy for you to quickly reference your local laws.
This first-of-its-kind app gives you access to the most current laws and ordinances in
all 50 states in the form of easily readable text, color-coded tables, and helpful legal
references.
“Knowledge of the law is the first step in avoiding an unfortunate arrest, loss of your
knife or other legal complications,” says Doug Ritter, Knife Rights president.
LegalBlade is currently available for Android in the Google Play Store, and is pending
approval for Apple’s App Store. The cost to download is only $1.99.
End of
an Era
They say all good things must
come to an end.
That is the case for the National
Knife Museum, which closed its doors
recently, but there’s a happy ending.
Its knives are being distributed to
the National Rifle Association
Museum in Springfield, Missouri; the
Berman Museum of World History in
Anniston, Alabama; and the Janney
Furnace Museum in Ohatchee,
Alabama.
The museum was run by the
National Knife Collectors Association
and originally located in Chattanooga,
Tennessee. In 2006, the museum
moved to Sevierville, Tennessee,
where it was housed by Smoky Mountain Knife Works.
For more information, visit
www.NationalKnifeMuseum.com.
Training Tool
It’s the perfect compromise between
training realistically and training safely.
The Practice Metal Folding Knife
by Ronin Gear gives anyone
training in combat knife
usage—from martial
artists to law enforcement—the
chance to test their skills
with a tool that feels as
dangerous in hand as a sharpened blade,
but without risk of serious injury.
While many training knives are made of wood
or plastic, this folder features a dulled stainless
steel blade and composite handles with rubber
inserts. While no one can put a price tag on
safety, the Practice Metal Folding Knife retails for
$14.95.
To purchase, visit www.IISports.com. KI
KNIVES ILLUSTRATED • SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2014 1 1
KI-1409-12-19-HUNTING 6/25/14 11:56 PM Page 12
5 HARDY BLADES
FOR ANY BUDGET
STORY AND PHOTOS BY TERRILL HOFFMAN
man’s thoughts may turn toward romance
in the spring, according to the old saying,
but in the summer, his thoughts turn
toward hunting.
A
While he waits for the crispness of fall, the hunter
prepares by cleaning, oiling and generally fondling
the tools of his trade: the rifle and the knife. The rifle
has only been his weapon of choice for a couple of
centuries, but the knife has been with man ever
since he learned to chip rocks. While the knife has
been refined over the ages, there remains a primal
bond between the hunter and his blade.
With this in mind, I’ve taken a look at
some of the hunting knives now on the
market. One of these knives just might
be the perfect companion for your
next hunting trip.
“THERE REMAINS A PRIMAL
BOND BETWEEN THE HUNTER
AND HIS BLADE.”
From left to right: Kershaw’s Diskin
Hunter, Benchmade’s Hidden Canyon
Hunter, FAMARS USA’s Predatore
Hunter Medium, Buck’s PakLite
Skinner, TOPS’s Scandi Woodsman.
To accommodate every pocketbook, here are five knives that run the
gamut to budget-friendly to luxury.
UNDER $50
Buck PakLite Skinner
The Kershaw Diskin Hunter
makes an excellent hunting knife
but can also be a capable camp
knife. The hunter wanting the
most bang for his buck would do
well to try out this knife.
This skeleton-style knife is ground
from 0.19-inch thick 420HC stainless
steel. The knife has a full 3.5-inch
blade with a pronounced recurve,
which gives the design an ample
“belly” to aid in skinning.
Even with a full-sized handle, which
gives the knife an overall length of 8
inches, the PakLite weighs a mere 4.1
ounces. The single finger groove and
jibbing along the spine ensures a comfortable and secure grip. The Orange
Traction Coating finish guarantees you
won’t misplace this knife if you set it
down in the woods. The PakLite Skinner is supplied with a black heavyduty nylon sheath.
Even without handle scales, the
PakLite proved to be rather comfortable during use. The broad handle
profile filled in the palm space vacated by the lack of scales. While I didn’t
have an animal available, I can tell you
from experience that the recurve will
come in handy while skinning out a
The Buck PakLite Skinner has
everything you need in a knife
without the excess weight. It
will provide a hunter with a fullsized knife without the bulk.
KI-1409-12-19-HUNTING.CX 6/29/14 11:34 PM Page 15
CONTACT
BENCHMADE
300 Beavercreek Rd.
Oregon City, OR 97045
(800) 800-7427
www.Benchmade.com
BUCK KNIVES
660 S. Lochsa St.
Post Falls, ID 83854
(800) 326-2825
www.BuckKnives.com
FAMARS USA
2091 Nooseneck Hill Road
Coventry, RI 02816
(855) 326-2771
www.FAMARSUSA.com
KERSHAW
KAI USA Ltd.
18600 SW Teton Ave.
Tualatin, OR 97062
(800) 325-2891
www.Kershaw.KAIUSALtd.com
The size of the Diskin Hunter made it
very useful for other tasks beyond cleaning and skinning game, such as cutting
brush to clear firing lanes. This knife could
cross over and be considered as a good
utility blade for just about any outdoor
chore.
MSRP: $89.99
UNDER $150
Benchmade Hidden Canyon Hunter
The Benchmade Hidden Canyon
Hunter, Model 15016-1, is the smallest
knife of the group, but its modified clippoint blade is capable of big chores.
Fashioned from CPM-S30V stainless
steel, the full tang construction has contoured G-10 handle scales. The steel is
only 0.14 inches thick, and the knife has a
total length of 6.32 inches. The Kydex
sheath has a reversible belt loop and is
designed to be worn in a horizontal carry.
TOPS KNIVES
Tactical Operational Products
P.O. Box 2544
Idaho Falls, ID 83403
(208) 542-0113
www.TOPSKnives.com
deer. It’s also big enough to take on larger
game, such as elk or bear.
MSRP: $38
UNDER $100
Kershaw Diskin Hunter
Kershaw offers the hunter a full-size
knife in the form of their Diskin Hunter,
designed by custom knifemaker Matt
Diskin.
The Sandvik 14C28N stainless blade is
4.4 inches long, 1/8 inches thick, and has
a stonewashed finish. The drop-point pattern has a full-tang construction with textured G-10 handle scales. The knife has an
overall length of 9.5 inches, but the slim
handle keeps the weight down to 5
ounces. A black leather sheath with belt
loop is included.
Matt Diskin is known for his handle
style and, even though this was the
longest knife of the group, I felt as if I always had total control while using this
blade. The slim handle profile and
rounded scales were very comfortable.
“WHEN YOU
CAN’T SEE
WHAT YOU’RE
DOING, YOU
WANT YOUR
BLADE TO FEEL
LIKE AN
EXTENSION OF
YOUR HAND.”
It’s imperative that the hunting knife you choose feels like an extension of
your arm when you’re working on the insides of a deer and can’t see what
you’re doing.
KI-1409-12-19-HUNTING 6/27/14 2:13 AM Page 16
The Benchmade Hidden Canyon
Hunter may be smaller than some of
the other knives, but it’s the design
that counts. In use, this little knife
feels like an extension of your hand.
KI-1409-12-19-HUNTING 6/27/14 2:13 AM Page 17
IN THE FIELD
As an avid (my wife would say fanatical) deer
hunter myself, I share the summertime itch with my
fellow hunters and continue the search for the
perfect knife.
Hunting can take on many forms and is defined
mainly by the type of prey being sought. The No. 1
game animal in the U.S. is the whitetail deer, and
most hunting knives are therefore designed with
this animal in mind.
To some degree a knife designed for deer hunting
may cross over from one game animal to the next,
but its usefulness while deer hunting is the baseline
by which I judge a knife. The rifle may be my primary
weapon, but the knife is my primary tool.
Before taking any game, the hunting knife is used
as a utility tool for cutting firing lanes, preparing
blinds and performing the tasks of a general camp
knife. After the rifle fires its one shot (because no
hunter will admit to missing), however, the hunting
knife takes on an entirely different persona.
Here in North Carolina, the first and most
important use of your hunting knife is to cut, or
The Hidden Canyon Hunter
proved that there are times when
size doesn’t matter. Anyone who
has ever reached into the body
cavity of a deer to cut away the
organs knows that this is normally done by feel and not sight.
When you’ve got both hands and
knife in use, and can’t see what
you’re doing, you want your
blade to feel like an extension of
your hand. The deepest cut you
will make while processing a
deer is done while removing the
backstraps. The 2.67 inches of
the Benchmade is more than
enough blade.
MSRP: $135
UNDER $200
TOPS Scandi Woodsman
The TOPS Scandi Woodsman
was introduced at the 2014
Blade Show and is the only knife
in this roundup to feature a
Scandi grind.
The 1095HC steel blade is 3.5
inches long, and overall the knife
has a length of 7.6 inches. The
The hunter knows that there’s nothing more mystical than a
whitetail deer stepping out on a cool, crisp and foggy morning in
autumn.
poke, a hole in your hunting license. This simple
procedure is required by law before you can possess
a game animal. Then the animal must be field
dressed, which involves opening the body cavity and
removing the organs. This allows the meat to cool
more quickly and prevents contamination.
Once the animal is transported back to camp, or
home, you can then skin and butcher the deer. Each
process requires a knife to have certain attributes,
and only the best designs will fulfill each need.
green canvas Micarta handle
scales with white liners provide a
nice contrast to the tumbled finished blade. The 1/8-inch thickness of the blade keeps the
weight down to a mere 3.8
ounces. TOPS supplies a double
stitched black leather sheath
with the Scandi Woodsman.
I confess I have a bias for
TOPS Knives, as they produce a
couple of my own designs, but
this knife was designed by Leo
Espinoza, who has the knowledge and skill to produce objectively high-quality knives. The
Scandi Woodsman may not look
the same as other traditional
American hunting knives, but it
didn’t take long to become comfortable in its use. Though the
handle may look different from
traditional hunting knife handles,
it form fits to your hand.
For those who prefer this style
of grind, and for those wanting to
experiment, the Scandi Woodsman has plenty to offer.
MSRP: $149.95
“IT’S UP TO
THE USER,
WHETHER
YOU’RE A
BARGAIN
HUNTER OR A
GAME
HUNTER, TO
FIND THE
KNIFE THAT
FITS BEST
FOR YOU.”
Hunting has always
involved some degree of
luck, but even more
important is having the
right tools. The TOPS
Scandi Woodsman is
designed to be there
when you need it.
OVER $200
FAMARS USA Predatore Hunter
Medium
Rounding out our selection of hunting
knives is the Hunter Medium, part of the
Predatore Series by FAMARS USA.
This 8.25-inch knife features a droppoint blade made from 154CM and measuring 4.25 inches. The handsome handle
scales are made of horn and are capped
by stainless bolsters. An enlarged finger
groove in the choil and matching finger
FAMARS USA played on tradition with the design of
this hunting knife in a time-proven pattern. The horn
scales and stainless bolsters add in a little style.
While the majority of my hunting is chasing after deer, there are times when a hunting knife may be called upon for extra duty.
From a rabbit to a bear, the process of cleaning and butchering is about the same; there’s just a bit more work involved. A
hunting knife capable of handling both is a prize to be cherished.
grooves along the base of the handle allow for a more secure grip. The double
stitched leather sheath is embossed and
handmade.
Hunting has a long heritage, and as
such, many traditions attached to it. The
Predatore is just dripping with tradition.
The bolsters add a stylish contrast, and
the horn scales provides a touch of
elegance.
MSRP: $249
Parting Words
These five knives are not the only
hunters on the market, but after testing
all of them—by slicing strips of jerky from
a deer’s hindquarters and using them in
the woods and around the house—I can
attest that they give a fair representation
of what’s available. Ultimately, though, it’s
up to the user, whether you’re a bargain
hunter or a game hunter, to find the knife
that fits best for you. After all, during
hunting season it’s not only a tool, but a
trusted extension of yourself.
Some hunters may say that finding the
perfect hunting knife is like finding a girlfriend, but true hunters know it’s more
than that. Besides, unlike finding a girlfriend, with so many options available, no
one will blame you if you decide you need
to have more than one knife! KI
KI-1409-20-23-PRO 6/26/14 12:07 AM Page 20
HOW TO...
Going Pro
TURN YOUR
KNIFEMAKING HOBBY INTO A CAREER
STORY AND PHOTOS BY ABE ELIAS
significant number of new businesses fail within the first year. Yet while the odds may be
daunting, you can succeeed as a knifemaker.
A
Despite those statistics, you can succeed as a knifemaker. I know. I’ve been one for 10 years. In the following
story, I’ll discuss five important factors that can set you
on the path to success.
Do the Math
Most people aren’t familiar with manufacturing. Fewer are familiar with running a business. To succeed, it’s
important to understand both.
To get your product out there, it’s wise to initially sell
knives at a very low price. When you’re ready to go fulltime, then you have to turn a profit. Let’s determine
what profit is for the owner of a sole proprietorship.
Many simply take the cost of the material and subtract it from the final sale price and consider that profit.
The mistake, however, is that they don’t consider their
time spent making the knife. Following is an example.
Let’s say it takes you five hours to make a knife. After
you subtract the materials from the sale, you have $100
remaining. You might think you made a profit of $20 per
hour, but that is wrong. Instead, that’s what your company paid your employee, which happens to be you. If you
were paid $20 per hour, then the company has just
broken even … and breaking even is no reason to stay in
business.
In reality, your profit is what remains after you have
paid for the material, overhead and labor. Thus, if there
isn’t any money left after you’ve paid your expenses and
your salary, you need to raise your prices so you can go
full-time.
KI-1409-20-23-PRO 6/26/14 12:07 AM Page 21
KI-1409-20-23-PRO,CX 6/29/14 11:38 PM Page 22
Prepare to Commit
Don’t plan on working 9 to 5 with weekends off. Running a business is a full-time
commitment, and expect to get calls all
hours of the day and any day of the week,
including Sunday.
You also need to be strong mentally.
The business is always in your head, as
you’ll be thinking of ways to improve, new
products and other methods to succeed.
Give yourself some time to relax, so the
business does not wear you down.
Plus, don’t be surprised when you find
yourself doing the same thing over and
over again, but remember this: You should
be so lucky to have to make the same
knife over and over again. That means you
have sales.
Understand that you’ll experience
famine or feast. As a new knifemaker, you
may go weeks without orders. Then you
will be flooded. Be ready to deal with the
stress and ride out the lean times.
Value Your Time
Figure out what your time is worth, so
you can determine what you charge.
Your money is split in a sole proprietorship, as you pay for materials, labor and
FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
Abe Elias operates Diving Sparrow Knife Works
Find him on the web at www.DSKW.ca.
A knifemaker works on his knife’s grind.
overhead. At the end of the day, you have
to be able to walk away from a day’s work
being capable to pay the bills. Before you
go full-time, decide what you personally
need to live on.
After you have determined that
amount, figure out how long you can go
without making money should things be
slow. It’s not uncommon for businesses to
take several years before they turn a
profit. On average, revenue agencies will
give you five years to start reporting a
profit. Before you quit your full-time job,
have a plan to support yourself through
the lean times.
Find Your Niche
We can’t be all things to all people at
all times. Establish a specialty. Having a
huge variety is great if you can charge for
all the extra time and effort for the project. However, if you’re not commanding
such prices, you’ll encounter problems.
Plus, you’ll end up with too many supplies
if you can’t move all the products.
Interestingly, you’ll find that a wide
variety of products can actually create
confusion for the customer. Some people
don’t have the easiest time trying to buy
anything, not to mention picking out a
custom knife. When people can’t determine which product they need, they often
won’t buy anything at all. A large part of
finding value in a product is just being
happy with it.
You’ll also save money when you specialize, as you won’t be buying materials
that aren’t moving. Furthermore, when
your focus is narrower, you might be using
enough of the same supplies to warrant a
price break from a supplier.
Determine Worth
Artisans often forget the key thing
about value. A maker will focus heavily on
how hard they have had to work and what
their time was worth. In the end, however,
if customers don’t find value in an item,
they won’t pay for it.
Finding value in an item can be confusing for both sides. If someone doesn’t
want to pay you what you’re asking, that
does not mean it’s not worth what you’re
asking. It could simply be that the person
doesn’t value it at that price. It’s all very
subjective. Don’t take it personally; simply
walk away from it. You can’t blame people for wanting a deal. Unfortunately,
some consumers will say the price is too
high when in actuality they simply don’t
want to pay that much because they can’t
see the value in it.
I’ve had people on the Internet tell me
they can’t see paying my asking price for a
knife. Some have even figured out what
they think is the value of the materials. I
tell them there’s a lot more to it than they
“ … YOU CAN SUCCEED AS A
KNIFEMAKER. I KNOW. I’VE
BEEN ONE FOR 10 YEARS.”
Inside author and knifemaker Abe Elias’ workshop.
— ABE ELIAS, OWNER OF
DIVING SPARROW KNIFE WORKS
KI-1409-20-23-PRO,CX 6/29/14 11:38 PM Page 23
KEYS TO SUCCESS
1 Understand the nature of running a business.
2 Establish prices that allow you to succeed.
3 Determine your specialty.
4 Always think of ways to improve.
5 Take time to relax.
6 Be prepared for the time commitment it takes to succeed.
realize and recommend that they buy the
materials for their estimated price and
then buy all the tools to
change the materials into a
knife. I then mention that
they should not forget the
cost of all the material they
will need to build a finished
product equal to mine. In
other words, a price is often
not just the sum of all the
parts.
Good Thoughts
A wise friend of mine once said to me,
“If I want you to be there for me tomorrow, I have to pay you what you need to
stay in business today.” Knife buyers and
knifemakers should all remember this.
Sure, most of this is just the tip of the
iceberg, but this should get you on your
way. For you consumers out there, please
take note that the knives do not simply
appear out of nowhere. To make a product worth having requires a lot of time
and detail, and that’s very rewarding. KI
One of the author’s finished knives.
KI-1409-24-27-SISKA 6/26/14 2:11 AM Page 24
“IT CAME AS NO SURPRISE... THAT
SISKA’S WORK WAS IMPECCABLE.”
From top: Jim Siska’s Chute Knife with
snakewood handle, Chute Knife with lacewood
handle, and Bird and Trout with ivory handle.
STORY BY LES ROBERTSON
PHOTOS BY JIM COOPER
AN INSIDE LOOK AT JIM SISKA’S ELITE KNIFEMAKING
KI-1409-24-27-SISKA 6/26/14 2:11 AM Page 25
IN academics, you can’t do worse than straight “Fs.” In the world of custom knives, however, you can do no better.
The best custom knives demonstrate excellence in the
four Fs: fit, finish, function and flow, and Jim Siska’s knives
are the epitome of each. I discovered this in 1987 when I
bought my first knife from him.
As an infantry officer making the transition from user to
collector, I was attracted to Model 16. When I received it
from him about two months later, two words came to
mind: exceptional quality. I took the knife out to the field
later and put it through its paces, and it came as no
surprise that it performed flawlessly. Siska’s work was
impeccable.
This is his journey to elite knifemaker, which began in
the world of guns.
The Path
While working as a gunsmith, Siska had a variety of
clients, including one who had a custom-made leather
case for a rifle Siska was modifying for him. The case had
KI-1409-24-27-SISKA 6/26/14 2:11 AM Page 26
a “cutout” for a knife, but the client could
not find a knife to fit the space. So, Siska
volunteered to make it.
Although the knife fit the cutout, Siska
was not happy with how it turned out.
Several years later, Siska traded his former client a new knife for that first one.
To further his skills, Siska started to
attend knife shows, where, in 1995, he
met three makers: Jerry Rados, Joe Szilaski and Jim Pugh. The Massachusetts
resident credits these three makers as
being instrumental in his development as
a custom knifemaker.
About the Knives
Siska utilizes the stock removal
method for the majority of his knives, and
currently he’s learning to forge blades and
make some damascus under the tutelage
of ABS Master Smith Joe Szilaski.
Siska’s choices in stainless steels are
primarily the powdered-metal type. For
carbon steel he prefers 1084, 1095 and
W2 because when forged properly their
toughness and edge-holding abilities are
second to none.
Siska’s primary styles are hunters, utility
knives, fighters and sub-hilt fighters. He
also does an occasional Bowie and dagger.
While he does use a full-tapered tang
on some knives, most feature a hidden
tang. His hardware material of choice is
416 stainless steel or damascus when a
client requests it or when it is appropriate.
His handle materials of choice are stag
and exotic woods, and Siska also uses
Micarta and G-10 for handles. As to be
expected, he makes an exceptional
leather sheath that adds to the overall
quality of this package.
From left to right: Model 5 Hunter, Model 16 Sub-Hilt Fighter, Model 16 Fighter, and Bird and Trout, all with amber stag handles.
Testing
While heat-treating, Siska places small
pieces of scrap steel from the blades into
the oven along with the blades. These
BIRD AND TROUT
OVERALL LENGTH:
9.25 inches (top), 8 inches (bottom)
BLADE LENGTH:
4.5 inches (top), 3.5 inches (bottom)
BLADE STEEL: 1095 (both)
HANDLE:
Amber stag (top), cocobolo (bottom)
Both include custom-made leather sheaths
KI-1409-24-27-SISKA 6/26/14 2:11 AM Page 27
Siska’s new logo for his forged knives.
CONTACT INFORMATION
EMAIL: siskaknives@comcast.net
PHONE: (413) 642-3059
small pieces are then checked for Rockwell hardness, as well as being broken to
check the grain structure.
A friend who owns a mobile slaughtering business does additional testing.
Siska provides his friend with different
knives and steel to butcher the animals. In
turn, the friend provides Siska with performance information on the knives. The
steels are rated on edge-holding ability
and toughness.
Prices And Ordering
Currently, Siska’s price range begins at
$450 and goes to $2,500. His delivery
time is 12 to 14 months.
Siska attends the New York Custom
Knife Show in Jersey City, New Jersey, and
the Northeast Cutlery Collectors Association shows in both Marlboro, Massachusetts, and Mystic, Connecticut. As someone who has set up at shows with Siska
for more than 20 years, my advice is to get
there when the doors open if you want
one of his knives. He always sells out—
and quickly.
+ÛÔÚÏÔÍ
6ÇÉÚÏÉÇÒ
5ÛØÜÏÜÇÒ
/ÏÒÏÚÇØß
/ÇÉÎËÚËÙ
&ÛÚÒËØß
$ÍØÏÉÛÒÚÛØÇÒ
(ÓÖÏØË5ÚØËËÚ21%ÕÞ
)ØÇÔÑÒÏÔÜÏÒÒË0u
2+
ÌÇÞ
-ÔÏÌËÙÇÒËÙ#ÕÔÚÇØÏÕÑÔÏÌËÉÕÓ
ÝÝÝÕÔÚÇØÏÕÑÔÏÌËÉÕÓ
Value For Money
As a custom knife purveyor, I’m always
looking for custom knives that feature value for the money. This was the reason I
bought my first knife from Siska in 1987
and this still holds true today.
Those of you who already own one of
his masterpieces know what I’m talking
about. For those of you considering your
next knife purchase, I cannot recommend
a knife from Jim Siska highly enough. His
four-F knives easily earn straight “As.” KI
KI-1409-28-33-MORA 6/26/14 2:36 AM Page 28
MORAKNIV STEPS UP ITS GAME
WITH THE HEAVY-DUTY
PATHFINDER
STORY AND PHOTOS BY TIM STETZER
YOU might call Morakniv an international sensation.
Made in Sweden, these knives have long been favorites
with the bushcraft crowd in both Europe and the U.S.,
thanks in large part to their Scandi edges, comfortable
handles and modest prices.
Some folks, however, consider them starter knives, as
the thinner blades and shorter tangs were not rugged
enough for their taste. This perception created a
mission for the European-based company. In recent
years, they have introduced a number of heavierduty models. The latest of these is the Bushcraft
Pathfinder, which debuted earlier this year, and
this new knife has already gotten some heavyduty credentials.
Pathfinder Particulars
Many of the older Moras—and some current
ones—have blades of either high-carbon steel or
12C27 Sandvik stainless steel ranging in thickness
from 0.08 to 0.10 inches. Mora bumped the thickness of the Pathfinder’s blade to 1/8 of an inch. While
that’s no sharpened prybar, that’s a fair bit thicker than
previous models, and plenty sturdy for most reasonable
bushcraft knife use.
“THE BUSHCRAFT
PATHFINDER IS DEFINITELY
THE CADILLAC OF THE
MORAKNIV LINE.”
KI-1409-28-33-MORA 6/26/14 2:36 AM Page 29
KI-1409-28-33-MORA 6/26/14 2:36 AM Page 30
The Bushcraft Pathfinder is a good bit bigger than previous Mora knives. Shown here with a Morakniv Bushcraft Forest knife (top) and an old Frosts 760 (bottom).
The Bushcraft Pathfinder uses a rubber overmolded handle with comfortable contours. It provides a good grip in slippery
conditions.
“EDGE RETENTION
PROVED EXCELLENT
DURING MY TESTING.”
The Pathfinder’s high-carbon blade
steel is treated with a black tungsten Diamond Like Coating (DLC). Its Rockwell
hardness is in the 59-60 range, which
should result in good edge retention.
In addition to the thicker blade, the
Bushcraft Pathfinder is one of the overall
larger Mora models available, weighing
5.9 ounces and measuring 11.75 inches
overall. Factory specs list the blade at 6
inches long, but my sample measured
6.75 inches. You can feel the difference
from a 4-inch Mora when you handle this
knife; the balance point is about an inch in
front of the guard.
The handle is the same rubber overmolded model used on previous Morakniv
bushcraft knives. It’s well contoured and
provides a solid grip, even when your
hands are wet.
Instead of the simple molded plastic
sheaths users are accustomed to, the
Pathfinder comes with a black nylon
sheath with a hard plastic inset. A strap
with a thumb snap secures the handle of
the blade. The sheath can be carried on
the belt in the traditional manner, but it’s
also equipped with MOLLE straps, making
it compatible with myriad packs, bags and
vests. Two grommets on the top and
bottom of the sheath give you even more
options to lash or attach the sheath to
your gear.
KI-1409-28-33-MORA 6/26/14 2:37 AM Page 31
WHERE TO BUY
Industrial Revolution, Inc.
5835 Segale Park Drive C
Tukwila, WA 98188
PHONE: (425) 285-1111
EMAIL: info@IndustrialRev.com
WEB: www.IndustrialRev.com
While Mora has built a reputation on
low-priced knives, the Bushcraft
Pathfinder is definitely the Cadillac of the
Morakniv line. Its heavier build, longer
length, DLC coating and MOLLE sheath
easily justify the MSRP of $129.95.
At 1/8 inch, the Pathfinder’s blade is much thicker than that of many older Mora knives.
Out in the Field
To see what Mora gives you for this
higher price, I field-tested the Bushcraft
Pathfinder over a few months in the late
winter and early spring. I’ve used a lot of
Moras over the past couple of decades
and I immediately noticed that this one
handles a little differently.
As mentioned previously, the balance
point is different than on most Mora
models. This is not a bad thing; it just
takes some getting used to in order to find
the sweet spot for carving, especially
when you’re accustomed to working with
the smaller blades.
The Pathfinder uses the traditional
Scandinavian zero grind found on all
Moras, and it cuts just as you’d expect.
The factory edge was excellent and I
found that it bit deeply into both green
and dried wood. I was able to make
precise notches and fine curls.
Edge retention proved excellent during
my testing. The high-HRC carbon steel
held a great edge; even after a number of
outings of use, including chopping and
batoning, the edge still seemed as sharp
as when I started working with it. In fact,
on my last day of testing I slipped and
barely touched the edge of the blade with
my thumb. I ended up with one of those
scalpel-like cuts that doesn’t even hurt or
bleed initially, so you aren’t even sure if
you really were cut. But sure enough, I had
to finish my testing after a brief first-aid
refresher.
In a departure from previous Morakniv offeringss, the Bushcraft Pathfinder includes a nylon belt sheath with a hard plastic liner.
KI-1409-28-33-MORA 6/26/14 2:37 AM Page 32
Heavy-Duty Handling
The longer blade really comes into its
own when chopping and batoning wood.
While the blade is not heavy, the extra
length and increased thickness allow it to
make deep, hard snap cuts into wood. I
was able to quickly chop 2- to 3-inch diameter limbs both green and dried with
relative ease. This is something that I definitely couldn’t do with my 4-inch Moras.
The longer blade improved batoning,
too, as I had more surface area to strike
than I would with a shorter blade. I know
batoning can be a controversial practice,
but it’s a common task amongst
bushcrafters and likely a chore that the
Pathfinder will be subjected to.
While I wanted to give the knife a good
workout, I don’t go too crazy when I baton.
I use the practice to break down smaller
prices for kindling or to get to drier wood
when needed. I generally stick with pieces
of wood in the 1- to 3-inch range. When
you attack a 3-inch piece of wood with a
4-inch knife, you don’t have a lot of blade
sticking out the other side of the log to
use as an anvil. However, this wasn’t a
problem with the Pathfinder, as I always
had 3 or 4 inches of blade protruding to
strike with my baton. It made breaking
down tinder and kindle fast and easy to
do.
Durability was excellent as well. I had
no issues whatsoever while chopping or
batoning with the Pathfinder. While I do
believe that anyone can break anything if
SPECIFICATIONS
BLADE LENGTH: 6.75 inches
BLADE STEEL: High-carbon steel, 59-60 HRC
BLADE THICKNESS: 0.125 inches
OVERALL LENGTH: 11.75 inches
HANDLE MATERIAL: Rubber
WEIGHT: 9 ounces with sheath
MADE IN SWEDEN
TRIAL BY FIRE
The last test I did with the Bushcraft
Pathfinder was to use some of that tinder I
had prepped to make a fire. I used a Light My
Fire Scout-sized ferro rod and the spine of the
Pathfinder, rather than the striker provided
with the rod.
Morakniv has left the spine of the
Pathfinder sharp, and I found that it works
extremely well with the LMF fire steel. I have
had blade coatings interfere with the ability of
a knife to scrape a ferro rod sufficiently to
throw good spark, but that was definitely not
an issue with the Pathfinder. Frankly, I was
pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to
throw sparks with the spine of the knife. This
thing is a flamethrower!
I have great confidence in my ability to
make fire with the Bushcraft Pathfinder and
wouldn’t even bother carrying a striker for my
ferro rod if the Pathfinder was on my hip or in
my pack.
The sharp spine of the Pathfinder worked extremely well
with a Light My Fire ferro rod. The Pathfinder was a
veritable flamethrower when it came to throwing sparks.
The Pathfinder is a big knife in the hand. While larger than other Moras, it’s still easy to tote, weighing in at only around 6
ounces.
The longer, heavier blade on the Bushcraft Pathfinder makes it a solid chopper. I easily chopped through limbs up to 3 inches in
diameter.
KI-1409-28-33-MORA 6/26/14 2:37 AM Page 33
a fan of blade finishes, but this one holds
up well, doesn’t interfere with the function of the blade and does what it’s
designed to do.
Wrapping It All Up
Moras have always been known for their blades of Swedish
steel. Whether high-carbon or the stainless Sandvik steels,
they tend to take and hold great edges.
If you’re a fan of the Mora and have
been waiting for the bigger, badder brother to come along, the Bushcraft Pathfinder is it. It does everything its smaller predecessors can do, but adds the ability to
chop and process wood to the package,
as well as beefing things up with the
thicker blade and DLC blade coating.
Many folks may still be content with
smaller Morakniv models, but for folks
who appreciate the quality-made
Swedish blades but need something with
a bit more punch to it, the Bushcraft
Pathfinder is here to serve. It’s bigger and
burlier, and the company definitely accomplished its mission. KI
The excellent Scandi edge was capable of producing fine
curls and did extremely well at notching and carving.
they try hard enough, I’m confident that
the Bushcraft Pathfinder will hold up to
any sort of reasonable use.
Diamond Durability
After all of the chopping, batoning and
ferro rod use, I was wondering how the
black DLC finish was going to hold up. I’ve
stripped the finish off of other blades
while performing similar tests. The DLC
seems to be pretty tough stuff, though. I
had a couple small marks on the spine
from the ferro rod and some minor wear
on the bevel of the blade, but overall the
finish seems to be holding up very well.
Corrosion resistance was equally excellent. Until cleaning the blade at the end of
my testing, I didn’t really do any maintenance on the Pathfinder. Even after using
it around the campsite, stuffing it back
into the sheath and carrying it in my pack
or with my gear for months, I detected no
signs of rust on the blade. I’m not always
MOLLE SHEATH
PROS AND CONS
PROS:
• Durable
• Versatile ways to carry
CONS
• Without MOLLE webbing,
belt loop is slightly loose
• Knife edge can slice retention strap
KI-1409-34-40-ONTARIO 6/26/14 2:58 AM Page 34
OKC BRANCHES OUT TO
MILITARY/CIVILIAN
CROSSOVERS WITH
TWO IMPRESSIVE AND
PRACTICAL LINES
STORY AND PHOTOS BY ABE ELIAS
Call them “practical tactical.”
Long known for its military-style fixed blades and
tools, Ontario Knife Company has steadily been
moving into products that, while still tactical, are also
geared toward the urban civilian knife user.
For starters, the company is now offering slimmer fixed-blade series, such as the Fortune series,
and folders such as the XM-2 series. I gathered up a
few of these knives to take for a test spin.
Ontario’s new Fortune
series. From top to
bottom, the Morta, the
Decima and the Nona.
While the blades of each Fortune model vary in size, the handles stay the same, keeping the grip comfortable for the user.
COMPARE
AND CONTRAST
FORTUNE SERIES
SIMILARITIES
The Fortunate Few
Ontario’s Fortune series includes three
knives: the largest is the Morta, the medium is the Decima and the smallest is the
Nona.
All three feature the same handle and a
straightforward drop-point profile. A good
design point is that while the blades get
smaller, the handles do not also shrink.
Ontario leaves you with a full grip, which
is a refreshing change.
The knives in this series have a gray,
textured blade coating for extra rust protection. For those who haven’t kept up,
solid gray is the new urban tactical norm.
While I personally don’t prefer a textured
coating, because it increases the friction
of the blade passing through materials, it
does serve to tone down the visibility of
the blade. The color is subdued and the
texture prevents glare.
The handles on the Fortune series use a
textured G-10; mine is black and blue.
Overall, the handle layout on the Fortune
line is pretty comfortable, but you can tell
the line has a definite lean toward a grip
meant for thrusting with the thumb ramp
and articulated front finger groove.
Slim and trim is the order of the day.
Both the steel and the scales measure
.1875 inches thick, making for easy carry
close to your body. Ontario keeps the line
• All three models have the same
comfortable handle size.
• All three models have a gray textured
coating.
DIFFERENCES
• The smaller Decima and Nona have
saber grinds, while the Morta is a full, flat
grind.
• The Decima and Nona come with plastic
sheaths, while the Morta’s is nylon.
uniform for the most part amongst the
three sizes, except in a couple of notable
areas.
First, there’s some variation in the grind
of the two smaller models. The Decima
and the Nona are saber-ground with
“[ONTARIO]
IS NOW
OFFERING
SLIMMER
FIXEDBLADE
SERIES,
SUCH AS
THE
FORTUNE
SERIES, AND
FOLDERS
SUCH AS
THE XM-2
SERIES.”
The handles are a textured G-10 with a flared arrow pattern.
accompanying false grinds,
whereas the Morta is a straightforward full, flat grind.
A second difference is in the
sheath. Again, both the Decima
and Nona share the same
sheath, a molded plastic sheath
with Tek-Lok-style belt clip.
Meanwhile, the Morta has a
straightforward nylon sheath
with plastic liner.
From large to small, the blade
lengths are 4, 3 and 2 inches.
Overall length from large to
small is 9, 8 and 7 inches—basically a “three bears” story.
For steel, Ontario uses 420HC.
Mine held an edge well during
testing. If I weren’t reviewing
them first, I probably would have
touched the edges up a bit before use, but out of the box they
weren’t bad. The whole series
has weight to it in hand, mostly
thanks to the .1875-inch stock. I
tend to like a bit of weight,
The Fortune series blades are sharp enough to use right out
of the box.
especially in a knife that I might use for
conceal and carry. If it’s too light, sometimes I find myself checking to make sure
it’s still there.
One addition I would like to see is for
Ontario to provide an alternative sheath
for the Morta, as the nylon one limits carry
options.
Into the EDCs
The Decima and Nona models come with a plastic sheath with a Tek-Lok fastener.
For any knife company to be truly successful nowadays, they must have solid
The XM-2 is available in plain- or serrated-edge models.
MORE TO COME
Diversification is key for a company’s
success, which is something Ontario is
proving it takes to heart. One of their
upcoming ventures will be a line of
domestic cooking knives called Agilite,
made from 14C28N steel. So far, my
preliminary tests have been nothing but
outstanding.
See our Blade Show section for a sneak
preview.
offerings in the everyday carry (EDC) folder field. This is an area where Ontario has
an opportunity to make great strides. To
date, we’ve seen a number of models for
military use, and tactical users certainly
should give their Joe Pardue a close look.
But for civilians, Ontario is looking to introduce new series and/or modify previously made series into the EDC market.
For example, their XM series was originally designed for the military, made large
and beefy for ease of use in gloved hands.
The updated XM-2 series, however, has
the same toughness, but is designed to be
a trim carry.
The .1875-inch-thick drop-point blade
is made from 5690Co steel and is saberground with a false edge. The model
comes in both plain edge and partially
serrated blades. I was impressed by the
original XM series, but thought they were
too bulky for comfortable EDC use with
regular street clothing. The more slender
design of the XM-2 allows for a much
wider range of convenient carry.
This knife is entirely coated—even the
liners are coated—and the pocket clip has
a nice, narrow profile. The knife nests
deep in your pocket with little showing
above the pocket rim. An ambidextrous
thumb stud makes it friendly for either
right- or left-handed users.
The handle is milled aluminum with a
textured pattern, which compensates for
the slightly slick surface created by the
coating. A lanyard hole is placed at the
end of the handle.
CONTACT
ONTARIO KNIFE COMPANY
(800) 222-5233
www.OntarioKnife.com
“THE MORE SLENDER DESIGN
OF THE XM-2 ALLOWS FOR A
MUCH WIDER RANGE OF
CONVENIENT CARRY.”
The blade length of the XM-2 is 3.375
inches. Overall, the knife measures 8
inches when open, which is a bit on the
large side for a folder. While a slimmer
profile is good progress, I’d like to see Ontario continue with more compact versions.
To The Future
OKC is off to a good start in their venture into everday carry options, and they’ll
soon be extending to other areas as well,
such as kitchen knives. I’m sure we’re all
interested to see what they do next;
whatever that is, we can trust that each
new knife will be distinctly Ontario. KI
Well-positioned thumb studs and a smooth pivot make opening the XM-2 a breeze.
KI_1409_41 6/25/14 11:17 PM Page 41
TWO is better than One
Subscribe Now and SAVE BIG
only
$29.95
/RJRQWRwww.engagedmediamags.com/combo_bahasg
&DOORXUWROOIUHHQXPEHU
)LOORXWWKHRUGHUIRUPEHORZDQGPDLOLWZLWK\RXUSD\PHQWLQIRUPDWLRQWR
%HFNHWW0HGLD//&/RFNER[3KLODGHOSKLD3$
to subscribe
Take advantage of this special offer and get a 1-year subscription to Bow & Arrow Hunting (6 issues) with a
1-year subscription to American Survival Guide (6 issues) and SAVE UP TO 64% off the cover price!
❑ YES! sign me up for a subscription to Bow and Arrow Hunting and
American Survival Guide
That is a total of 12 issues for a total savings of $53.93 off the cover price
Method of Payment
Check enclosed
Payment through credit card
Visa
Credit Card
MC
AMEX
Money Order
Discover
Name on credit card
Expiration
Credit card number
Subscriber name
First
MI
da
te
/
/
Last
Address
City
State
Phone
Enter Promo Code
Email
Signature
Date
/
/
A543M011
For a full listing of our titles, visit www.engagedmediamags.com today!
Allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery of first issue. Outside US, add $28 per year for additional postage. Pay in US funds only.
KI-1409-42-47-FOX.CX 6/27/14 1:57 AM Page 42
JERRY HOSSOM’S REPRISAL IS BACK, AND
THE TACTICAL BLADE IS BETTER THAN EVER
SPECIFICATIONS
BLADE: 6.69 inches, N690Co stainless steel
HANDLE: Green Micarta
WEIGHT: 11.1 ounces
SHEATH: Kydex with Tek-Lok
MSRP: $250
KI-1409-42-47-FOX.CX 6/27/14 1:57 AM Page 43
“THE SAW-LIKE JIMPING ON THE
FOX VENGEANCE IS SUPREME,
PROVIDING A SUPERB GRIP.”
STORY AND PHOTOS BY JIM WEISS AND MICKEY DAVIS
HIS inspiration resulted from 9/11.
After that tragic day, renowned longtime knifemaker Jerry Hossom devoted his
skills to making top-of-the-line combat knives, designed to be carried by U.S.
soldiers in the most dangerous theaters of war. His first four models—the
Retribution, Massive Retribution, Revenge and Reprisal—all of which were popular with the military, showcased impeccable design and aggressive function.
The military now has more reason to be excited, as Hossom has collaborated
with Fox Knives USA to update his Reprisal model. Dubbed the Vengeance, this
tactical blade is a fearsome force.
KI-1409-42-47-FOX.CX 6/27/14 1:57 AM Page 44
At nearly a foot long with a
6.6-inch blade, the
Vengeance is an ideal size
for a fighting knife.
ABOUT PAUL GRANGER
Paul Granger specializes in making fixedblade knives of his own unique design, as
well as in traditional patterns. He has
created a line of lightweight, non-metallic,
non-ceramic knives currently in use by the
American and Canadian militaries, multiple
police departments, and the FBI and CIA.
His website is:
www.PaleHorseFighters.BlogSpot.com.
Our expert reviewers evaluated and
tested the knife; following are their
results.
A Knifemaker's Review
Custom knifemaker Paul Granger evaluated the Hossom Vengeance for its appearance, construction and feel in hand.
HANDLE – The handle is made of
bead-blasted canvas Micarta—one of the
finest knife handle materials there is. The
grip material is comfortable in the hand;
its “grippiness” is a great feature.
On top of the blade, where the blade
meets the handle, is a thumb ramp with
jimping, which Granger said is the grippiest he remembers coming across. Some
The spine of the Vengeance features extremely aggressive jimping, which provides an excellent grip.
KI-1409-42-47-FOX.CX 6/29/14 11:39 PM Page 45
FIELD EVALUATION
BY MARK PRINCE
other knives have thumb ramps
that are just too smooth, causing
the user’s thumb to slide up. The
saw-like jimping on the Fox
Vengeance, however, is supreme,
providing a superb grip. It’s a terrific
feature.
On the bottom of the handle, toward the guard area, is a groove for
three fingers and a separate slight
finger groove for the pinky. This
secondary indentation is useful for
chopping, when the fingers are positioned farther back upon the handle. The handle provides the user
with honest ergonomics in forward,
inverted and reverse grips. Granger
said he appreciates these features
and considers them an indication
of high quality.
The Vengeance is a three-piece
knife with all of the handle screw
heads recessed below the handle’s
surface. The countersunk screws are
a bit of a rarity and are a real plus.
At the butt of the handle, a
thong hole is chamfered (angled
countersink), preventing or diminishing the wear on the thong. A
thong is a beneficial safety feature
when using the knife for chopping.
For example, keeping the thong
wrapped about the user’s wrist
prevents the knife from flying out
of the user’s hand and into a field.
BLADE – The blade has a hardness of 58-60 HRC, which indicates excellent edge retention. It’s
made with a (high) saber grind and
PRINCE’S RESUME
Mark Allen Prince is a professor
of law enforcement technology/
special operations at Central Ohio
Technical College; a former USDOE
SRT operator; and spent 20 years in
local law enforcement special
operations and training. He has
developed and teaches courses in
homeland security and special
operations for military, state, and
local special operations personnel
and organizations, and is an
instructor-trainer certified by the
late Colonel Rex Applegate.
The Fox Vengeance arrived at the “castle” on a blustery day
late in winter. Therefore, it was excellent for extreme weather
training, and I became quite familiar with the Vengeance over
the few weeks I carried and trained with it.
The knife came shaving sharp from the factory. I carried the
Fox first vertically on a belt and concealed under a long,
square-cut shirt just aft of my hip. Once I figured out the TekLok fastener, I then carried it vertically on my belt with the
knife on the front of my body, below where I could access it
quickly and draw it lightning fast.
This knife from Maniago, Italy, has the lines of a true
fighter, straight from the pommel to the dangerous ice pick
tip. This design improves the penetration capabilities, making
it dagger-like. From the keen drop point, through the belly of
the blade to the choil, the edge is relatively straight, which
provides strength and allows for easy cutting movement.
Should the false edge on the top of this knife be sharpened in
its entirety, it would indeed increase the stark and direct lines
of this dangerous blade.
The choil or cutout forward of the guard allows for grip
repositioning and detailed cutting tasks should the user need
such a thing. The jimping forward of the back of the Micarta
grip is the most aggressive I have felt in a long, long time. It’s
very harsh and would warrant a gloved hand for serious usage.
As this knife is not marketed as a bush knife, I saw no need
to punish it excessively with a hammer or pry things with the
keen point. However, because the Vengeance is marketed as a
military tactical knife, I evaluated the tip on the Jeep truck
bed. It penetrated the circa 1977 thick steel without breaking
its tip and with minimal removal of the bead-blasted coating.
I also used the pommel of the blade to crack open a drying
walnut on the sidewalk, causing no damage to the end of the
tang or Micarta slabs.
I then coated the grips with canola oil and stabbed a poplar
stump to determine if my hand would slip forward when using
aggressive stabbing motions. The oily handle was a bit
slippery, but the combination of the pinky finger indentation
and the other finger grooves—along with the guard forward of
the handle area—prevented any dangerous movement
toward the blade. The Fox Vengeance performed superbly in
carving up the hams for our family’s Easter celebration.
The Kydex sheath is form fitting and secure. However, as
the Vengeance has only single retention via the molded
design using friction, I do not recommend upside-down carry. I
inverted the knife in the sheath and shook it. After two
shakes, the knife fell out. As there’s no provided second
retention device, I would not carry it any way other than
vertically on my person or gear. The sheath has a drain hole
and the ability to lash the scabbard via nine available holes
around its edges—a high-quality scabbard, but carry it tip
down, lads.
Training with the knife for use against an adversary is
where I think this fighter belongs. The Vengeance excels when
hacking and slashing, and is in its true medium when
thrusting linearly into a target.
The Fox Vengeance would be hard to press into police
service, as the protectors normally don’t need a foot-long
knife with a 6-inch-plus, dagger-like blade. The Fox is a true
military-style knife with a very clear anti-personnel purpose in
mind. It would no doubt serve a military spec-ops warrior very
well for such tasks.
At $250 MSRP, the knife is a bit steep for an individual
purchase. But if it’s issued or you have the dollars, pounds,
euros or rubles for such kit, then attack the purchase of this
Fox with a vengeance!
KNIVES ILLUSTRATED • SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2014 45
KI-1409-42-47-FOX.CX 6/27/14 1:57 AM Page 46
DOING “WRONG” WELL: WHAT SETS
HOSSOM APART
Before Jerry Hossom began making knives in 1980, he was a
U.S. Army infantryman, and then worked in biomedical
instrumentation. In 1997, he turned his knifemaking hobby into a
full-time career.
Hossom says that he does his knifemaking work “wrong,”
according to traditional technique. For example, while most
knifemakers will grind their blades edge up, Hossom grinds edge
down, focusing more upon the grind line as he goes. He makes
his high hollow grinds all the way to the top. While his method
may be unorthodox, Hossom does “wrong” well; his knives are
aggressive and high quality.
(The Fox-made Vengeance varies slightly from Hossom’s
usual work, with a flat-ground blade rather than hollowground.)
Before collaborating with Fox, Hossom had worked with
Spyderco and Ontario Knife Company. Currently, he has two
other designs with Fox, as well as designing partnerships with
Boker, Outdoor Edge and Mil-Tac.
is a drop point. A swedge (false edge) may be sharpened if the owner
wishes.
There’s a finger cutout forward of the guard. The blade’s sharp
edge runs into the finger groove, though it’s radiused or rounded
where it meets the finger cutout. This feature could cause a pinch or
cut to the knife user’s bare finger at that specific point. Otherwise,
though, this is a well thought-out feature.
Measuring about 6.5 inches, the blade is just the right size for a
fighting knife (less than 7 inches, according to most experts).
SHEATH – The sheath is made of Kydex and has a Tek-Lok beltmounting attachment. The Tek-Lok is an interesting, detachable belt
fastener. The user can put it on a belt where he or she wants it, and
its belt hold is adjustable for different widths. It can be worn in any of
the common positions.
The sheath is well made and includes a drain hole. It has excellent
retention security, allowing the user to insert the blade easily, but
requiring much more effort to remove it.
Granger declares the Fox Vengeance is a great knife. KI
“THIS KNIFE FROM MANIAGO,
ITALY, HAS THE LINES OF A TRUE
FIGHTER, STRAIGHT FROM THE
POMMEL TO THE DANGEROUS
ICE PICK TIP.”
The stainless steel blade features a high-saber grind and a swedge.
KI-1409-42-47-FOX.CX 6/27/14 1:57 AM Page 47
CONTACT
FOX KNIVES USA
(253) 843-5550
www.FoxKnivesUSA.com
www.Hossom.com
The Vengeance comes with a Kydex sheath with Tek-Lok fastener, which can be adjusted to fit belts of varying sizes.
Find us on
Discover the premier
knife magazine.
www.facebook.com/knivesillustrated
KI_1409_48 6/26/14 11:19 AM Page 48
KI_1409_49 6/26/14 11:20 AM Page 49
KI-1409-50-55-EMERGENCY 6/26/14 3:33 AM Page 50
5 MUST-HAVE TOOLS FOR
FIRST RESPONDERS
STORY AND PHOTOS BY TIM STETZER
Seconds matter.
No one knows that better than medics, firefighters, police officers and search-and-rescue
patrollers, and that’s why it’s critical for these first
responders to have a good multi-tool.
In the following story, we have compiled some of
the best options available. These are the products
that can meet high demands, and they’re also ideal
for preparedness-minded civilians. If you’re one of
these everyday heroes, you should have no trouble
finding a tool that matches your training and your
daily duties.
Victorinox has long been known for its dependable,
multipurpose pocket tools, and the RescueTool is no
exception. It includes a variety of blades and other
features, and its bright handle glows in the dark.
1
Victorinox
RescueTool
Let’s start with a tool from the
grandfather of multiuse blades,
Victorinox.
Since 1884, Victorinox has been
crafting designs that pack a lot of
utility into a small package, and
they’ve brought more than a century’s worth of experience to a modern
tool designed for first responders the
world over with their RescueTool.
The RescueTool starts with a
111mm One Hand Trekker and features a full dozen tools, including the
blade. These tools are: large lock
VICTORINOX
RESCUETOOL
BLADE TYPE: Partially
serrated stainless steel
LOCK: Liner
CLOSED LENGTH: 4.8 inches
WEIGHT: 5.9 ounces
MSRP: $108
blade for one hand opening; a
Phillips head screwdriver; a window
breaker; a strong flat-head screwdriver/crate opener with cap lifter
and wire stripper; a reamer and
punch; a one-hand belt cutter; key
ring; tweezers; toothpick; and a
glass disc saw for use on shatterproof glass.
The scales of the knife are Victorinox’s bright yellow Stayglow material, which glows in the dark after
being exposed to a light source. The
knife also comes with a lanyard and
a sturdy red-and-yellow nylon belt
pouch.
“I’d say that EMT
shears are excellent
and a great tool in the
hands of medics or
any public safety
personnel. Much safer
and more effective
than traditional
scissors and knives for
cutting through all
types of clothing and
seatbelts.”
—Eric W., medic, 27
years of experience
GERBER HINDERER
RESCUE KNIFE
Gerber collaborated with Rick Hinderer to produce
the Rescue Knife. Its highlights include a handle that
provides an excellent grip, and a blunted tip that
ensures safety when cutting in close quarters.
Hinderer
Rescue Knife
2Gerber
Gerber tapped into the design prowess of
Rick Hinderer for their rescue knife. The end
result is a one-handed opening liner lock
knife with some useful extra features. A
firefighter and EMT himself, Hinderer brings
firsthand experience to his design and
Triage
3Benchmade
The Triage 915 and 916 series are designed with first responders in mind. They
use Benchmade’s AXIS lock mechanism,
BLADE TYPE: Fully serrated,
blunt tip, stainless steel
LOCK: Liner
WEIGHT: 5.6 ounces
MSRP: $100
keeps things simple and easy to work with,
even in bunker gear and turn-out gloves.
In addition to a partially-serrated main
blade with its blunt safety tip, the Rescue
Knife incorporates a hook cutter for slicing
seatbelts, a window punch and an oxygen
tank valve opening slot.
Although the Hinderer has a wide paddle-style pocket clip, a sturdy black nylon
pouch sheath is also included. That
sheath houses a nine-bit tool kit complete
with wrench handle and adapter coupler.
“The beauty of a rescue knife is that it doesn’t take up a lot of space, but it offers
a lot of utility, especially in an emergency situation where seconds can matter, as
you don’t always have time to go back to your car or wait for someone else with
better tools to arrive.”
—Rob B., police, 15 years of experience
with a handle of black or orange textured G10 scales over 420J stainless liners. The
blades on the Triages are of N680 and come
in plain-edge and serrated versions, with either satin-finish or black-coated blades.
These knives are equipped for reversible tip up carry with a deep-seated
pocket clip. Incorporated into the rear of
the handle is a 440C seatbelt cutter, and
the butt has a carbide tip designed for
breaking automotive window glass.
The 915 (seen here) and the 916 are essentially identical knives with the exception of blade shapes. The 915 uses a 3.5inch modified sheepsfoot blade, whereas
the 916 has a 3.5 inch opposing bevelstyle blade. Both have dual thumb studs
for ambidextrous opening. The Triages
carry a MSRP of $175 to $190, depending
on the exact options chosen.
BENCHMADE 915 TRIAGE
A more straightforward and streamlined
tool, the Benchmade 915 Triage is a knife
first, but with essential extras like a
seatbelt cutter and glass breaker.
BLADE TYPE: Modified sheepsfoot, N680
stainless steel
LOCK: Axis
WEIGHT: 5.1 ounces
MSRP: $175-$190
Leatherman’s heavyduty Raptor shears
can be folded to half
their deployed size
for easy carry.
LEATHERMAN RAPTOR
BLADE TYPE: Safety shear, 420HC stainless
CLOSED LENGTH: 5 inches
WEIGHT: 5.8 ounces
MSRP: $74.85
Raptor
4Leatherman
A departure from the knife-based tools
featured here is the Leatherman Raptor.
Instead of starting with a folding knife,
Leatherman went to one of the standby
tools of medics and EMTs, the EMT shear
and started from there.
The Raptor is much more heavy-duty
than common shears found on an ambulance or in a medkit, but Leatherman still
kept it convenient to carry with locking
handles that fold inward, cutting the overall size of the tool in half.
In addition to the basic shears, the Raptor also has a fold-out strap cutter, a ring
cutter, a 5-centimeter ruler, an oxygen
The Funxion EMT from
Kershaw is designed for
fast functionality, using
Kershaw’s patented
SpeedSafe opening.
tank wrench and a carbide glass breaker.
A lanyard hole and a pocket clip allow you
to carry it in your pocket or clipped to your
gear.
The Raptor also comes with an injectionmolded polymer sheath, which the tool
snaps into securely. The sheath is reversible
for right- or left-handers and can be clipped
to a belt or a MOLLE vest or bag.
Funxion EMT
5Kershaw
If you need a tool that’s really fast to put into play,
look no farther than the Kershaw Funxion EMT.
The Funxion uses a partially serrated, 3-inch,
drop-point blade of 8Cr13MoV steel with a black
oxide coating, which opens via a spine-mounted
flipper in conjunction with Kershaw’s SpeedSafe
KERSHAW FUNXION EMT
BLADE TYPE: 8Cr13MoV, SpeedSafe assisted opening
LOCK: Liner
BLADE LENGTH: 3 inches
WEIGHT: 5 ounces
MSRP: $59.99
12106 NE Ainsworth Circle
Portland, Or 97220-9001
www.LeatherMan.com
that you have a solid grip on the knife
under any weather conditions.
But there’s more to the Funxion EMT
than a quickly deploying blade. Fitted into
the rear of the handle is a seatbelt cutter
that folds away when not in use. The
shaft of the cutter houses a quarter-inch
hex head wrench, a flathead screwdriver
tip and bottle opener for use after your
shift is over. A carbide tipped glass breaker is mounted on the bolster of the knife
rather than the butt as is common on
many rescue knives.
The Funxion EMT can be carried either
via a carabiner that unfolds from the left
side of the handle or with its deep carry
clip mounted to allow right-side, tip-down
carry.
VICTORINOX SWISS ARMY INC.
Tools of Choice
CONTACT
BENCHMADE KNIFE COMPANY
300 Beavercreek Rd.
Oregon City, OR 97045
www.Benchmade.com
GERBER GEAR
14200 SW 72nd Avenue
Portland, OR 97224
www.GerberGear.com
KERSHAW
KAI USA Ltd.
18600 SW Teton Ave.
Tualatin, OR 97062
(800) 325-2891
www.Kershaw.KAIUSALtd.com
LEATHERMAN TOOL GROUP, INC.
7 Victoria Drive
Monroe, CT 06468
www.Victorinox.com
assisted opening system. A liner lock ensures that the blade stays open while in
use and a rubber inset in one of the scales
of the anodized aluminum handle ensures
Preparedness-minded civilians and
first responders alike have plenty of options among the current multitool market.
If you’re one of these everyday heroes,
you should have no trouble finding a tool
that matches your training and your daily
duties. KI
“Every firefighter has a pocket-type knife. It has to have a foldable blade, so that
when not in use, it can be safely kept in your pocket. It has to be sharp enough to
cut through a variety of materials quickly and efficiently. The same knife that cuts
through seat belt material has to also cut through thin and coated wire.”
—Steve B., fire captain, 25 years of experience
Knifemaking
is easy when
you buy from
JANTZ
USA Made
Blade Steel
Abrasives
& Polishing
G-10 &
Micarta®
Rivets &
Fasteners
Folder
Components
Grinders
Sanders
Buffers
Pre-Shaped
Blades
1-800-351-8900
knifemaking.com
KI-1409-56-67-BLADE.CX-jc.qxp 6/29/14 11:42 PM Page 56
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
the BEST of
BLADE
BY BETHANY MILLER,
ABE ELIAS AND TIM STETZER
PHOTOS COURTESY OF
MANUFACTURERS
AN INSIDE LOOK AT
THE INDUSTRY’S
BIGGEST SHOW
W
BEST IN SHOW
Designed by Ken Onion, CRKT's Hi Jinx took home the award for Best Overall Knife of 2014. Other
winners included the RAT Worx MRX, People's Choice Award; the Zero Tolerance 0562CF, best
American-made knife; and the Spyderco Rubicon, best import. For a complete list and photos of
winners, visit www.KnivesIllustrated.com.
e wish we could show
you every single knife
we saw at the annual
Blade Show in Atlanta, Georgia—but that would take an
entire issue and then some.
Our January buyer’s guide will
have plenty of room to show
off everything we liked this
year; for now, we’ve narrowed
it down to a select few
favorites and crammed in as
many as we can fit.
So if you weren’t able to
attend the Blade Show, no
worries. We’re bringing the
Blade Show to you.
the BEST of BLADE
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
From left, Bear & Son
President Ken Griffey;
Michael Higginbotham,
sales coordinator; and
Matt Griffey, vice
president, man their
company booth at the
Blade Show.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
1A.G. Russell Knives
2Anglesey Gear
WHAT: 50th Anniversary Dogleg Trapper
WHERE: www.AGRussell.com
WHY WE LIKE IT: A classic model from a classic American company,
this handsome trapper was designed by founder A.G. Russell himself
to commemorate the company’s 50th anniversary. Featuring both
spey and clip blades of VG-10 steel, stainless steel bolsters and liners,
and deer antler handles, you’ll be proud to snag one of the mere 50
pieces that will be produced. It’s a true collector’s item!
WHAT: Rival Featherweight
WHERE: www.AngleseyGear.com
WHY WE LIKE IT: We can’t say we’ve ever seen anything quite like this
ultra-lightweight tactical Bowie. Designed with Special Ops forces in
mind, a portion of the 440C skeletonized blade is partially hollowed
out and replaced with a glass-filled polymer fill.
“We kept the steel where we needed the strength, took it out where
we didn’t, and added the polymer to make it strong and flexible,” said
designer Paul Hendrixson. For the skeptic who doubts the durability of
a large knife that weighs only 5 ounces, owners Russ and Becky Owens
were proud to show a demonstration video of the Rival Featherweight
being batoned into a stump and emerging unscathed.
1
2
the BEST of BLADE
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
3Bear & Son Cutlery
4Benchmade
WHAT: G149LB Cowhand
WHERE: www.BearAndSonCutlery.com
WHY WE LIKE IT: KI is always a fan of knives
made in the USA, and Bear & Son’s new Blue
Jean Series is as all-American as they come. The
attractive blue G-10 handles recall your favorite
worn pair of Levis, but with sophisticated
touches in the form of nickel silver bolsters, 440
stainless steel blade and classic Bear & Son
shield. With its slim, lightweight design, it’s an
excellent everyday utility pocket folder.
WHAT: 5400 Serum
WHERE: www.Benchmade.com
WHY WE LIKE IT: Benchmade’s Black
Class is designed for the military elite,
and the Serum is one fine addition to
this collection. The Elmax premium
steel drop-point blade, machined G-10
scales and beautifully fluid opening
would be selling points enough, but
the real highlight is the innovative
AXIS Dual-Action lock. Users will be
hard pressed to find a more secure, yet
simple, locking mechanism anywhere
on the market—and best of all, it’s
ambidextrous.
BEYOND THE
3
4
FLOOR
Even when the
convention floor closes,
the day is hardly over.
After official show
hours, the action moves
to the Pit, the sunken
hotel bar at the center of
the Renaissance Atlanta
Waverly, which is
attached to the Cobb
Galleria Centre where the
show is held. It’s a great
place to mingle with
other collectors and knife
aficionados and to see
your favorite makers and
manufacturers in a social
setting.
It’s also entertaining to
watch the Blade crowd in
everything from
camouflage to kilts,
sporting every manner
of cutlery imaginable,
from slip joints to
shortswords, and
passing them back in
forth amid the plush
setting of the hotel bar.
The hotel staff is well
used to this by now,
never batting an eye as
they set your next drink
down alongside a
battle-axe resting on
your cocktail table.
A lot of business
occurs in the Pit after
hours as well. For
example, this year I ran
into the folks from
Zombie Tools and had a
great time checking out
their versatile array of
swords, axes and
cleavers, all ready for the
undead apocalypse or
anything else you might
encounter while you’re
waiting.
You just never know
who or what you’ll run
into in the Pit, and no
Blade Show experience is
really fulfilled until you
spend some time there
and soak in the afterhours scene.
—Tim Stetzer
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
5Böker USA
6Brous Blades
WHAT: Davis Classic Hunter – Anniversary Edition
WHERE: www.Boker.de.us
WHY WE LIKE IT: In good company among other names marking
milestones in 2014, Böker is commemorating an impressive 145 years
since its German genesis. Whereas other competitors celebrated with
particularly intricate or flashy designs, Böker opted for perfectly
refined, classic simplicity in this limited edition version of one of its
all-time most popular knives.
WHAT: Strife
WHERE: www.BrousBlades.com
WHY WE LIKE IT: Reviewer Tim Stetzer remarked in the last issue of
Knives Illustrated that when he first saw Jason Brous’ T4 folder, he had
what he called a “wow moment.” We felt the same when Brous
showed us one of his latest designs, a collaboration with Dustin Turpin.
Sleek, streamlined and sturdy, the knife is impressive to look at—but
even more impressive to hold. With a flick of the wrist, the flipper
opens smoothly and breathtakingly fast, locking immediately and
firmly into the open position. This one would be a great investment for
the user looking for a tactical blade or for an edgier everyday carry.
Only 145 serial numbered pieces will be sold of this handsome knife,
which features beautiful Grenadill wood scales, nickel silver bolsters
and liners, sterling silver emblem, and a polished N690BO steel blade
laser engraved with Böker’s 145th anniversary logo. A special presentation package and certificate of authenticity are included.
5
8
7
the BEST of BLADE
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
7Buck Knives
8Chris Reeve Knives
9Cold Steel Knives
WHAT: Crosslock Hoof Pick
WHERE: www.BuckKnives.com
WHY WE LIKE IT: We’ve seen our fair share
of multi-function blades recently, ranging
from classic Swiss Army multitools to Spyderco’s marlin spike Tusk. And now, for the
equine-loving knife user, Buck has designed a
handy folder with a hoof pick. A modified
spear point blade will serve for everyday utility, while the 3-inch hoof pick is perfect for
dislodging dirt and debris from a horse’s
hooves. Both components are made from
corrosion-resistent 420HC steel, while the
textured anodized aluminum handle provides an excellent grip under any conditions.
At only 4 ounces, the Crosslock Hoof Pick is
convenient to carry wherever you and
your horse may go.
WHAT: Sebenza 25
WHERE: www.ChrisReeve.com
WHY WE LIKE IT: Chris Reeve is one of the
masters of combining excellence in form and
function, crafting beautifully machined
knives with artful handles, but also perfecting and streamlining their practical parts.
Some 25 years ago, he introduced the Sebenza Integral Lock, which refined the traditional
liner lock into a single piece.
WHAT: Warcraft Tanto
WHERE: www.ColdSteel.com
WHY WE LIKE IT: On a large TV screen outside the Cold Steel booth, passers-by were
treated to footage of owner Lynn Thompson
using a countless variety of blades to effortlessly dismantle everything from logs to
skinned game to life-size mannequins filled
with fake blood. The message was clear: You
can’t find many things more fierce and fearsome than a Cold Steel knife.
The Sebenza 25 is a celebration of both that
technical achievement and of newer
achievements since. For example, this knife is
the first to feature large hollow grind technology, while the grip and washers have been
fine-tuned to perfection. The blade is CPM
S35V stainless steel, while the handle is
6A14V titanium, available with CRK’s popular
Micarta inlays.
The Warcraft Tanto is no exception. The balance was perfect, giving me a surprising
amount of momentum even with a few careful test swings, and the blade was so sharp it
seemed just looking at it wrong could have
cut me. Thicker than many of its peers, the
blade is made from American CPM 3-V steel
and protected with DLC (Diamond Like Coating) for exceptional durability. Don’t take our
word for it: Cold Steel has video of the Warcraft Tanto supporting the weight of a Volvo!
6
9
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
WHAT: Mountain Climber Switchblade
WHERE: www.ColonialKnifeCorp.com
WHY WE LIKE IT: From one of the burliest
knives we saw at the show to one of the
smallest: Colonial president and avid rock
climber Steve Paolantonio worked with late
designer Blackie Collins to produce this
compact yet sturdy knife, with fellow
rock climbers in mind. The ATS-34
blade deploys in the blink of an eye
and is serrated to easily sever a
tangled rope or other heavy-duty
materials, while a push button
and back-up lock ensure the
blade stays secured even if
dropped. At only 1 ounce and
with a 1.75-inch blade, it’s so
lightweight you’ll hardly notice
you’re carrying it, and it’s legal
to carry even in California.
11CRKT
WHAT: HoodWork
WHERE: www.CRKT.com
WHY WE LIKE IT: Survival knives made
quite a strong showing at the Blade Show,
but among the most eyecatching was this
beefy fixed-blade, designed by Karen Hood.
Made in the USA, the base of the Wilderness
Outdoor Recreation Knife (Work, for short)
is 1095 high-carbon steel, sandblasted and
sealed with Cerakote coating for ultimate
durability. Its standout features include
removable G-10 scales, holes in the handle for straightening arrows, aggressive
jimping on the spine, and CRKT’s
patented Veff Serrations. An orange
paracord lanyard and custom leather
sheath are included.
10
12
Diving Sparrow
Knife Works
WHAT: Kephart Wing
WHERE: www.DSKW.ca
WHY WE LIKE IT: We can’t deny that we’re a
bit biased, as this knife was designed and
crafted by Knives Illustrated’s own Abe Elias.
But we’re certain anyone would agree that
there’s a good reason why this Ontario, Canada-based workshop has gained something of
a cult following in the bushcraft industry.
Elias specializes in no-nonsense, traditional
designs with meticulously perfected handle
ergonomics and blade geometry. This particular model features Micarta handles and a
1095 steel blade with a Scandi grind. While
it’s a bit beefy at 9.25 inches long, even in my
smaller hands it was one of the most comfortable knives I’ve handled.
10
Colonial Knife
Company
11
12
the BEST of BLADE
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
13Emerson Knives
14Light My Fire
15HallMark Cutlery
WHAT: ETAK B
WHERE: www.EmersonKnives.com
WHY WE LIKE IT: Blade Show attendees
were abuzz over the Emerson Tactical Assault Knife, an impressive tanto from “father
of the modern tactical knife” Ernest Emerson. Longtime aficionados will immediately
recognize the signature Emerson wave and
thumb stud features, which make for nearly
effortless opening. While the V grind of the
154CM blade is aggressive, the ETAK is also
simple enough for everyday utility. With its
ergonomic G-10 handles, it’ll fit your hand so
well you may not want to put it down.
WHAT: Swedish FireKnife
WHERE: www.LightMyFire.com
WHY WE LIKE IT: The sparks were flying at
the Going Gear booth—literally. “Those look
like Moras,” I said of the brightly colored handle of the tool a representative was striking
to create those sparks. And indeed it was.
Specifically, it was the product of a collaborative effort between the Swedish Morakniv
and Light My Fire to create the ultimate
dependable camping tool. Chop your tinder
with the sturdy Sandvik 12C27 blade at one
end, set it ablaze with the Swedish FireSteel
Scout the other. No matter what elevation
you’re camping at, and even under wet conditions, this tool will produce 5,400-degree
sparks. The next time I set out for a longoverdue trip into the woods, I expect I’ll have
one of these by my side.
WHAT: Mosier Drifter Tanto
WHERE: www.HallMarkCutlery.com
WHY WE LIKE IT: “These guys could justify
selling their knives for much higher prices—
they easily rival Emerson,” one of our writers
remarked after visiting HallMark’s booth.
And no wonder: This small, family-owned
business has partnered with some of the
best custom designers in the business to produce several lines of fierce blades. We’re currently particularly impressed with the Bad
Blood tactical line, and specifically this fixedblade tanto, designed by David Mosier. Impeccably designed, the Drifter measures 7.9
inches from the tip of its 8Cr14 blade to the
butt of its contoured, textured G-10 handle.
It’s large enough for combat, but not too
large for everyday carry, and fits nicely into
an included fitted sheath.
14
13
15
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
16Hogue
17Klecker Knives
18Olamic Cutlery
WHAT: Neck Knife
WHERE: www.GetGrip.com
WHY WE LIKE IT: It should come as no surprise that a company that built its business
on grips is giving its knife-using customers
the freedom to customize interchange their
handle scales. At its most basic, you’ve got a
skeleton neck knife with either a hawkbill or
clip-point Damascus blade. But thanks to
interchangable scales, you can convert this
basic design into just about any configuration you want, even a karambit. Sometimes
you really can have it all, including a secure
Kydex sheath.
WHAT: KLAX Lumberjack
WHERE: www.KleckerKnives.com
WHY WE LIKE IT: There’s no question that
Glen Klecker’s KLAX was the most innovative
design we saw all weekend (and the Knife of
the Year voters agreed). Right out of the box,
the wilderness adventurer can use it as an
ulu knife, while various cutouts in the blade
function as a hex wrench, 1/4-inch bit drive
socket, hammer head, ruler and and bottle
opener. Chop into a solid stake or branch, and
a patent-pending mechanism
allows you to screw and clamp the blade on,
creating a full-fledged axe. Suffice it to say
the KLAX in all four of its current
variations promises to be the
ultimate tool for any outdoorsman!
WHAT: Battle Chef
WHERE: www.OlamicCutlery.com
WHY WE LIKE IT: Speaking of blades with
versatile outdoor uses, Eugene Solomonik of
Olamic Cutlery debuted a rather unique combination at the show: a tactical kitchen knife.
Dubbed the Battle Chef, the knife would be
ideal, Solomonik says, for outdoorsmen who
want a knife that can effortlessly transition
from chopping brush to preparing a meal.
The Battle Chef checks in at 10.5 inches overall length and 10.3 ounces in weight and features G-10 handles. At 7 inches, the N690Co
blade is the perfect length for a chef’s knife
or a good camp blade. This unique chopper is
produced by Fox Knives USA.
16
17
18
the BEST of BLADE
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
19
Ontario Knife
Company
WHAT: Agilite steak knife set
WHERE: www.OntarioKnife.com
WHY WE LIKE IT: We mentioned in our
story on page 34 that Ontario Knife Company
is branching out into new types of knives,
and the Agilite series is a prime example.
These extremely lightweight knives—which
include steak knives, chef’s knife, bread knife
and paring knife—feature ergnomoic double
injection-molded handles of Ultem and Kraton and 14C28N fine carbide steel, meticulously engineered by master bladesmith Dan
Margani. Heat resistant, flexible, durable and
best of all, affordable, these knives were already gaining plenty of attention at Blade,
and surely will continue to do so.
20RAT Worx USA
WHAT: Mini MRX
WHERE: www.RATWorxUSA.com
WHY WE LIKE IT: At the RAT Worx booth, a
rigged machine opened and closed the MRX
flipper every second or two nonstop while
the floor was open, in an impressive demonstration of the company’s peerless chaindrive opening mechanism. While the average
flipper wears down after opening about
50,000 times, the MRX has been tested up
to 418,000 openings and change before
starting to fail. Apart from the knife, the
chain drive system—which consists of selflubricating ceramic-coated roller bearings,
dual-nested extension springs and a miniature roller chain—has been tested even up to
40 million cycles.
In addition to being impressively durable,
this knife is just plain fun. The blade flips
open quickly, with no play whatsoever, and
immediately locks securely into place. I didn’t
want to put it down! The MRX is available in
a variety of blade profiles, materials and finishes, as well as two sizes: the 8.5-inch Standard, and the 6.9-inch Mini.
21
SOG Specialty
Knives & Tools
WHAT: Zoom
WHERE: www.SOGKnives.com
WHY WE LIKE IT: We wish we could show
you the special limited-edition version of the
Zoom, which had a dazzling handle inlay of
titanium laser-centered spheres (the two
available at Blade were still in the mail by
press time), but its everyday counterpart still
caught our eyes. The standard Zoom may be
the less flashy sibling, but its function is
equally on point. Built with SOG’s patented
assisted opening technology, the satin-finish
AUS-8 blade flips smoothly and easily using
either hand. Meanwhile, a hard anodized aluminum handle feels slim and comfortable in
hand and allows the knife to slip easily in and
out of your pockect. Lightweight and compact, it’s an ideal no-frills EDC.
21
19
20
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
22Spyderco Knives
23TOPS Knives
24Zero Tolerance
WHAT: Rubicon CLIPIT
WHERE: www.Spyderco.com
WHY WE LIKE IT: With so many exciting
new blades constantly in production, it’s
hard to narrow down just one to highlight
from Spyderco. Fortunately, the Knife of the
Year awards made the Rubicon an easy
choice. Taking home the trophy for best imported design, this knife by Peter Carey is the
epitome of a gentleman’s tactical blade.
From the Carson Flipper opening mechanism
to the premium S30V blade, to the 3-D polished carbon fiber handle, to the cutomized
pivot cover, this folder is nothing short of
sophisticated—and yet not too sophisticated
to be useful. Even without an award, it would
be a winner in our eyes.
WHAT: El Patron XXX
WHERE: www.TOPSKnives.com
WHY WE LIKE IT: You can tell with just a
glance that this knife means business, and
it’s even more fierce in hand. The powdercoated 1095 blade is thick, and the whole
knife feels beefy and reassuringly weighty in
hand. A deep thumb groove, jimping, karambit-style index finger ring and removable G10 scales allow for a variety of secure grips
while making good use of the drop-point
blade or aggressive opposing pitch saw
teeth. Overall, the El Patron is nasty in the
best possible way.
WHAT: 0392 Eclipse
WHERE: www.ZT.KAIUSALtd.com
WHY WE LIKE IT: It’s been a good year for
KAI USA as the company’s three brands—
Shun, Kershaw and Zero Tolerance—all took
home Knife of the Year awards; their blackwash-finish knives have been hugely popular
and seen excellent sales; and Kershaw and
ZT have embarked on successful partnerships with renowned custom makers such as
Ernest Emerson and Rick Hinderer. The latter
collaboration debuted the 0392
Eclipse at Blade.
22
ZT refers to this limited-edition knife as “factory custom.”
While the knife is assembled
at the KAI USA factory, all of
the parts are custom made
by Hinderer himself. Customers have the option to
select their preferred color
components from Hinderer’s
available options. KI
24
23
the BEST of BLADE
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
IN ACTION
As much as I enjoyed seeing,
learning about and handling
the latest and greatest knives
at the Blade Show, easily the
most exciting part of the
weekend was watching the
2014 BladeSports World Cutting
Championship.
The contestants—all
seasoned sportsmen who
compete year-round—took up
their blades to face off against
a series of chopping tasks
including thick ropes, plastic
water bottles, 2x4 planks, soda
cans, straw, and even a golf ball and tennis ball. They were judged according to their
technique (such as hitting each “victim” at a precise point) and the time within which they
accomplished every task.
Last year’s runner-up and champion were BladeSports directors Dan Keffeler and
Donavon Phillips, respectively. This year, the two switched places, Keffeler taking the
victory and Phillips following close behind.
For more information, visit www.BladeSports.org.
- Bethany Miller
A drop point and enough
belly for skinning makes the
Nyala useful in a multitude of
applications. The integral handle and
blade is sturdy and practical.
ClipiTools: A refreshing approach
to multi-function pocketknives
C176P&S
ClipiTool
Serrated
Blade
C175P
ClipiTool
Bottle Opener/
Screwdriver
C169P
ClipiTool
Scissors
See your local dealer or
visit us at www.spyderco.com
Toll Free: 1-800-525-7770
+ All stainless steel construction
+ Pocket clip for convenient carry
+ Non-locking slipjoint with fore-finger choil + Non-locking secondary tool
+ Full-flat ground blade
+ User friendly trademark Round Hole™
KI-1409-68-QUEEN 6/26/14 3:45 AM Page 68
the best of BLADE
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
QUEEN’S COLLABORATION WITH
RUPLE SUPPORTS THE
WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT
STORY BY LES ROBERTSON
PHOTO BY TERRILL HOFFMAN
he beauty of a custom knife is
only enhanced when that knife is
made for a good cause. Queen
Cutlery’s collaboration with Bill Ruple is
a fine example.
T
To benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, the Pennsylvania-based company
commissioned Ruple to design a special
trapper knife that would be auctioned at
the Blade Show; the knife went for
$2,250.
to his attention to detail. This trapper
model epitomizes his use of 20th-century patterns, top-of-the-line materials and
world-class craftsmanship.
While the trapper is one of Ruple’s
original models, Queen is producing only
300 pieces of this particular version.
The Details
The knife features a Ruple Hump Spey
blade and a large clip blade, both made
of high-polished, hollow-ground D-2
A Blade’s Backstory
Queen, one of America’s oldest knife
companies, chose its collaborator wisely:
Ruple, who has 26 years of experience, is
a favorite among collectors of both
custom and factory knives, largely thanks
FOR MORE INFO
The Wounded Warrior Project provides
assistance to U.S. veterans injured in the line
of duty and for their families. To learn more,
visit www.WoundedWarriorProject.org.
steel. Each blade has a deep-cut swedge
and crescent nail nicks for opening.
The front and rear bolsters along with
the liners and pins are made from nickel
silver, while the scales are genuine
torched stag with an oval nickel silver
shield. Each blade is 3.9 inches, the overall open length is 7.5 inches, and the knife
weighs in at 5.1 ounces.
The trapper auctioned at Blade also
included a special presentation box by
GunBoxesUSA.com, part of John P. Scott
Woodworking, which proudly produces
the presentation boxes for Medal of
Honor recipients. KI
QUEEN’S
CONTACT INFO
www.QueenCutlery.com
(814) 827-3673
This custom collaboration
trapper was auctioned at the
2014 Blade Show for $2,250.
KI_1409_69 6/25/14 8:02 AM Page 69
www.knifeandgun.com
K & G FINISHING SUPPLIES
Your #1 Stabilizer for over 23 years
We can stabilize your wood, horn, bone,
Ivory and gemstone.
Custom Dying and Stabilizing
Call for more information
800-972-1192
KI-1409-184-187-QA.CX 6/29/14 11:44 PM Page 70
BEHINDthe
SCENES
The TOP of the Heap
HOW TOPS KNIVES BECAME THE SUPPLIER OF
CHOICE FOR THE MOST HARDCORE KNIFE USERS
STORY BY BETHANY MILLER
PHOTOS COURTESY OF TOPS KNIVES
This month, we spoke with Leo Espinoza, vice president and
one of the founders of TOPS Knives.
How, when and why was TOPS founded?
TOPS Knives was created in December 1998. Several old
military friends who had worked together during the Vietnam
era felt the military’s standard-issue knives of the time just
were not strong enough for rigorous field use. We combined
our time, money, contacts, ideas, testing and unique experiences to jointly design our first knife, the Steel Eagle 107D.
We’re pleased to report that, 15 years later, we’re still selling
this model. When we were designing it, we actually passed it
between many of our old military buddies to get their input on
its size, function, comfort, color, material and price. We used
their feedback to improve the knife.
We then produced our first 20 pieces, which sold out at our
first show. Soon after that, we started to get requests from
active members of the Special Operations community, as well
as from various U.S. law enforcement agencies and the
survival-oriented community, for a special knife/tool.
Are TOPS products designed to fill a niche that is unfilled,
or to surpass other knives and tools on the market?
Our products were initially designed for special requests or
for mission-oriented tasks. However, as years have passed by
we realized that “flexibility is the keynote of success and
survival in business.” We first specifically targeted the military
and SWAT personnel, then moved into the survival/bushcraft
markets.
How do you research and develop your products to ensure you
fulfill the demands of this
niche?
Over the years we’ve been
able to utilize the testing of
many real field operators. These
are people who have had
ABOUT THE
INTERVIEWEE
NAME: Leo Espinoza
TITLE: Vice president of
operations
EMPLOYED FOR: 15+ years
KI-1409-184-187-QA 6/26/14 3:48 AM Page 71
“AT FIRST, WE WERE GOING TO START WITH
ONLY A COUPLE MODELS, AND NOW HAVE A
LINE OF MORE THAN 350 PIECES.”
— LEO ESPINOZA
KI-1409-184-187-QA 6/26/14 3:48 AM Page 72
significant exposure in many terrains,
under a variety of extreme conditions.
We also have developed our own
market here in the Rocky Mountains.
Many members of our staff have grown
up regularly hunting, fishing and engaging
in many other outdoor activities.
What have been some of your greatest
challenges, personally and as a company?
Personally, I’ve been fortunate, because
even before I was out of school I got into a
vocation that I really liked and to which I
could apply my experience in the outdoors, as well as creative design applications. Several members of my family have
worked with us over the past 15 years, and
to this day even my wife and father are
still working with us.
Today, long hours, design modifications
and reaching a happy medium between
good designs and affordable steel are
what keep me on my toes.
The company has had its challenges;
although we’re now in a highly
ABOUT THE COMPANY:
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS?
16 years
HOW MANY EMPLOYEES? 20 -25 full time,
plus some part-time employees
WEBSITE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
www.TOPSKnives.com
(208) 542-0113
competitive field, all of us in the industry
continually fight against the high number
of Chinese knockoffs. The counterfeiters
use our official trademarks and styles,
and distribute their products around the
world. The knockoffs are, invariably,
Leo Espinoza founded TOPS along with 11 other military
and survival professionals.
DID YOU KNOW…
“TOPS” is an acronym for “Tactical
Operational Products.”
Scandi Woodsman
The Steel Eagle 107D was TOPS’s first knife and is still in demand today.
KI-1409-184-187-QA 6/26/14 3:48 AM Page 73
THE A-TEAM
NOTEWORTHY NAMES AMONG THE 12
TOPS FOUNDERS INCLUDE:
• Outdoor survival expert Ron Hood
• Military martial arts instructor Kelly
Worden
• 23-year Force Recon Marine Larry Keen
(retired)
• 30-year SEAL Team Three Command
Master Chief Bill Hill (retired)
facility, which can house our manufacturing, quality control, shipping and administration. During our rapid growth period
we’ve had three facilities spread out over
12 miles of countryside.
Our objective is to continue to grow
strategically, while maintaining high standards throughout our production. We
know that an individual’s life may someday depend upon one of our knives, hence
our motto: “One knife, one life.” KI
Wild Hog Hunter
poorly made, but people buy them
because they’re cheap and they believe
they’re getting the real thing.
However, we’ve noticed in the last few
years that a new breed of nationalism has
become apparent and that Americans
care more about buying American-made
products.
What have you been most proud of?
I’m most proud of having been with
TOPS since almost day one, seeing TOPS
grow so fast and proudly working as a part
of it. At first, we were going to start with
only a couple models, and now have a line
of more than 350 pieces.
Who are your customers, and what do
they love the most about your knives?
Our clientele are certainly diverse.
Nowadays, we could include military,
SWAT, search and rescue, outfitters, preppers, bushcrafters, hikers, bikers and so
“…15 YEARS LATER, WE’RE
STILL SELLING [OUR
ORIGINAL] MODEL.”
—LEO ESPINOZA
on. Most of our clientele own several of
our knives, and many have large collections that they’re always adding to.
Which knife is your personal favorite,
and why?
To be perfectly frank with you, this
question would be like asking me which of
my kids is my favorite. I love them all;
every single one has its own unique look
and feel.
What are TOPS’s goals for the next year,
and for the long term?
This year we’re progressing into a larger
Tex Creek and Tex Creek XL
KI-1409-74-79-ACCESSORIES 6/26/14 4:02 AM Page 74
BELLS &
WHISTLES
Get The
Edge
FROM SHARPENERS TO SHEATHS,
PERFECT ACCESSORIES FOR EVERY KNIFE
BY KI STAFF
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MANUFACTURERS
A
re you an outdoorsman searching for that extra “edge” in the
wild? Maybe you’re a knife collector looking for a tasteful
display idea. It could be that you’re a law enforcement/military
professional with something tactical in mind. Then again, you might
be a general knife user in need of a vital accessory.
2
ESEE Replacement
Handles
Has the handle of your favorite ESEE knife become
worn through use or otherwise need to be
swapped out for a new one? If so, you’re in luck, as
the company is offering replacement handles for a
number of their popular knives, including the Izula
and Junglas. The handles include model-specific
hardware for an exact fit. Except for the orange
G-10, all handles are made from either linen or
canvas Micarta.
MSRP: $17.50-$25
Whatever you desire, the knife industry offers something for just about
everyone. Need convincing? Check out these 10 top products.
FOR THE
OUTDOORSMAN:
1
CRKT Kangee Woods
T-Hawk Leather Sheath
Are you the proud wielder of a CRKT Woods Kangee THawk but find yourself in need of a leather sheath to tote the
tomahawk while protecting the axe head? CRKT has a special 6- or
7-ounce heavy-duty protective sheath made of handcrafted leather
that’s been vegetable tanned so it won’t corrode metal and features
a hand-oiled finish for durability. The seams are lock-stitched with
heavyweight nylon thread. CRKT also makes sheaths for the Woods
Chogan T-Hawk.
MSRP: $24.99
3
SOG BladeLight
Sheath
The BladeLight knife from SOG was
featured in the May/June 2014 issue of
Knives Illustrated, and the new
molded nylon BladeLight sheath was
designed to work with this innovative
line of camp/tactical knives. The
sheath allows the LED in the handle
of the knife to shine through, allowing
it to be safely used as a flashlight. The
BladeLight sheath includes a carbide
sharpener and groove for cutting cord.
MSRP: $25
FOR THE
COLLECTOR:
4
A.G. Russell Cherry Display Box
Give your finest knives the presentation they deserve with a
cherrywood box from A.G. Russell. All boxes include a glass lid and
a bed of fabric over foam to cushion your knives in style. Available
sizes include 5x10, 9x13, 9x25 and 18x24 (in inches).
MSRP: $34.95-$119.95
FOR THE
TACTICAL USER:
5
CRKT Hook
& Loop Tool
Keep your Velcro fastener free
of dirt and debris with CRKT’s
new Hook and Loop tool,
designed by Trip Felton. It’s
easy to clean your hooks and
loops with the wire or soft
brush, thereby creating a
tighter bond that could make a
big difference out in the field.
The tool includes a folding
boot cleaner.
MSRP: $29.99
6
TOPS Ballistic Nylon
Combat Sheath
The TOPS Knives line of Ballistic Nylon
Combat Sheaths includes a variety of
sizes ranging from the smaller 5- , 6- and
7-inch models to the larger 8.5- , 9.5- and
12-inch sheaths seen here. All sheaths
feature a durable Spectra 40 highstrength plastic insert and an external
pocket for a sharpener or clip. The handle
secures with a nylon and Velcro strap,
with a tie-down for added security.
MSRP: $39
FOR
EVERYONE:
7
Quick Release Oil
Find out what many knife owners already know—
Quick Release penetrates, lubricates and protects.
It’s designed to drive out dirt, moisture and
corrosion, and leave a slick protective film that
prevents their return. Folding knives, tools or
anything with moving metal parts will last longer
and work better when Quick Release is applied.
Quick Release is available through A.G. Russell and
other fine specialty retailers.
MSRP: $7.45
Cutting Edge Artists Choose Tormach Mills
Knifemakers around the world are using Tormach PCNC milling machines to add new dimensions to
their craft. Today’s top blade artists are embracing CNC technology to shape and sculpt blades and
handles, cut precision blade locks and other mechanisms,
and customize designs with engraving and detail.
Tormach PCNC 1100 Series 3
starting at
$8480
(plus shipping)
Follow knifemaker John Grimsmo as he
makes his own knives with a PCNC 1100 on
his web series, Knifemaking Tuesdays, at
www.tormach.com/kmt.
Shown here with optional
stand, LCD monitor, machine
arms, and accessories.
Grimsmo Knives milling a ﬁxed blade, called
The Tor, on a Tormach PCNC 1100.
www.tormach.com/knives
8
Benchmade
Brag-Bag
Now here’s something for
knife owners to crow about—
the Brag-Bag from
Benchmade. You can add or
remove pages depending on
how many knives you wish to
carry, and there are pages for
large knives as well as
smaller folders. There’s also
a MOLLE grid feature for
attaching accessories of your
choice. The Brag-Bag comes
standard as a shell that can
hold up to 20 folding knives
with additional pages
available separately.
MSRP: $60
9
Benchmade
Bali-USB Drive
The Bali-USB from Benchmade is a fully
functional 4Gb USB flash drive that makes
it easy to bring your important files
anywhere. Constructed from three pieces of
injection-molded plastic, the little fliphandle Bali can handle any type of file
format. Despite its lethal appearance, the
Bali-USB is legal in all 50 states.
MSRP: $30
10
Jantz Supply WMTH6
Tri-Hone Sharpener
This new three-stone knife sharpener from Jantz
Supply features a coarse 220-grit carborundum
stone, Washita stone and hard Arkansas stone to
sharpen any blade edge to its maximum potential.
The sharpener comes with a 1-ounce bottle of
high-quality honing oil to clean and protect the
surface and an angle guide to ensure the correct
angle every time. KI
MSRP: $19.95
PROVEN,
LIKE THE
TEAMS THAT
USE THEM.
FORGED
OUT OF TRADITION.
CONTACT INFO
A.G. RUSSELL KNIVES
(800) 255-9034
www.AGRussell.com
BENCHMADE
HARDENED
IN THE FIELD.
HONED
FROM EXPERIENCE.
(800) 800-7427
www.Benchmade.com
COLUMBIA RIVER KNIFE
& TOOL
(800) 891-3100
www.CRKT.com
SOG knives and tools are born of the military, preferred
by U.S. Special Forces teams for decades. So whether
you’re answering the call of duty or arming yourself with
innovation, lead the way with SOG. sogknives.com
TAKE POINT.
TM
ESEE KNIVES
(256) 613-0372
www.ESEEKnives.com
JANTZ SUPPLY
(800) 351-8900
www.KnifeMaking.com
SOG SPECIALTY KNIVES
& TOOLS
(888) 405-6433
www.SOGKnives.com
TOPS KNIVES
(208) 542-0113
www.TOPSKnives.com
KI-1409-80-AD INDEX 6/30/14 2:00 PM Page 80
ADINDEX
LEE'S CUTLERY
Specializing in:
Custom Knives, Anza Handmade Knives,
Chris Reeve, Microtech, Collectible Knives,
Military Knives, Great Eastern Cutlery,
Randall Knives, Protech, Newt Livesay
Knives, Sticks & Canes
Bear and Son Cutlery
3
Blade HQ
39
BladeGallery.com
37
Blue Ridge Knives
77, 80
Cas Iberia
5
Chris Reeve Knives
67
Global Trading Agents
33
HallMark Cutlery
55
Hogue Grips
23
Jantz Supply
48-49, 55
Kershaw Knives
84
Knife and Gun Finishing Supply
39
Knife Center Of The Internet
27
Krudo Knives
23
Leecutlery.com
80
Niagara Specialty Metals
27
Ontario Knife Company
27
Randall Made Knives
80
SOG Specialty Knives
79
Southeastern Custom Knife Show
77
Spyderco Inc.
67
Tandy Leather Factory
69
TOPS Knives
83
Tormach LLC
77
Tru-Grit, Inc.
79
*Anza Handmade
W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co.
2, 69
*Microtech
Wilson Combat
47
*Chris Reeve
*Great Eastern
*Protech
*Newt Livesay
BUY-SELL-TRADE
www. leescutlery.com
888-340-0318
or 480-225-6897
VoiceMail
* Authorized Dealer
Order
your
copy
7RGʋɨ
7
RG
R
Gʋ
G
ʋɨ
ʋ
ɨ
Call us at: 1-800-764-6278
KI_1409_81 6/25/14 11:19 PM Page 81
Now
DW\RXUÀQJHUWLSV
Knives Illustrated
Knives Illustrated is now
available on Apple Newsstand, Google
Play and Kindle.
Knives Illustrated is your guide to the best knives -hunting, chef ’s, tactical, outdoor, collectibles, and more.
Download the FREE APP and get a 1-year
subscription (6 issues) for only
$12.99 and save 64% off newsstands!
You can also purchase single issues for only $3.99.
For questions on downloading this app contact 800-764-6278
KI-1409-82-READER 6/26/14 4:09 AM Page 82
SHOW
& TELL
Show & Tell appears at the end of every issue of
Knives Illustrated. In it, readers tell us about their
favorite knives from their personal collections. Interested in showing off your knife? Email Bethany
Miller at bmiller@beckett.com.
ABOUT THE OWNER
NAME: D. Andrew Kopas
RESIDENCE: Washington Township, New Jersey
OCCUPATION: Process improvement consultant
ABOUT THE KNIFE
MANUFACTURER: Boker
MODEL: Tirpitz Damascus Folder, customized by owner
OWNED SINCE: August 2013
What made this knife catch your eye?
I was impressed by the excellent craftsmanship of the knife,
the "Great Pyramids” Damascus pattern on the blade, and its
history.
How many knives do you own, and why does this one
stand out?
I have five knives in my collection. This one is by far the best,
in terms of history and appearance. The only ones that compare to it were a custom Lloyd Pendleton fighter with deep hollow grinds and a Japanese sword I once owned that was almost 500 years old from the Uda Period, Bizen Provence. I
started collecting knives and swords more than 30 years ago.
What is this knife’s most unique feature or your favorite
feature?
The exceptional history of the knife blade is what makes it
unique. Steel from the armor plating on the salvaged World
War II German battleship Tirpitz, sister ship of the Bismarck,
was combined with carbon tool steel to make the 300-layer
Damascus blade. I then handcrafted a mammoth ivory scale
insert to provide an additional distinctive look to the folder.
I’d recommend this knife to anyone who’s interested in a
customizable, high-quality folding knife with military history
behind it. My father landed troops on Omaha Beach on D-Day
during World War II, so it has special significance to me. KI
PHOTOS BY JEFF ANDERSON
D. Andrew Kopas particularly loves his customized
Boker knife for its historical significance.
KI_1409_C3 6/25/14 12:09 AM Page C3
()'&!*+%##%'##('+&
!"#$%&'
!" '!(!)$
*+,
)!,&$
+'+ "#
!"#$%
&
KI_1409_C4 6/25/14 12:12 AM Page C4
Self-reliance is self-evident.
Rebellion has a cause.
Being prepared is a way
of life. Being tested is to
be expected. Fear is to be
embraced. One opinion
counts. Independence goes
without saying. And there
are no excuses.
What are YOU
carrying?
STARTER
1301BW
LIFTER
1302BW
MANIFOLD
1303BW
kershawknives.com

Knives Illustrated - September October 2014

Transcription

Similar documents

Fancort Presents PCB Depaneling Solutions for Scored or Tab

September 2006 - Oregon Knife Collectors Association

October 2009 Atlanta Cutlery Kukris

May 11.cdr - Oregon Knife Collectors Association

Eugene 5160 Club ~ October 2015

AMERICA`S KNIFE COMPANY

January 2004 - Oregon Knife Collectors Association

Features KnifeForums

Nordic Plow for Dixie Chopper Zee 2