KNIVES ILLUSTRATED (ISSN 0898-8943) Vol

KI-1412-COVER 9/30/14 4:53 AM Page US_C1

knivesillustrated.com DECEMBER 2014 • VOLUME 28, NO. 7 $7.99 U.S. • DISPLAY UNTIL: 12/23/14

7 25274 03124 5 Engaged Media By Beckett KI_1501_C2 9/26/14 2:47 AM Page C2

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DECEMBER 2014 VOLUME 28, NO. 7 www.knivesillustrated.com

58 COVER STORY 18 Innovative Essential Klecker Knives’ KLAX reinvents the survival hatchet into an award-winning, do-it-all survival tool. BY TIM STETZER TACTICAL 28 Biggest Dog in the Fight Emerson Knives introduces the Bulldog, one of the toughest new competitors in the tactical market. BY JIM WEISS AND MICKEY DAVIS 44 New Blood HallMark Cutlery’s new Bad Blood series offers fierce tactical blades at prices almost anyone can afford. BY ABE ELIAS 44 52 High Risk, High Performance From DPx Gear, founded by seasoned war-zone journalist Robert Pelton Young, come simplified knives designed for the most crucial moments. BY CLINT THOMPSON

KNIVES ILLUSTRATED (ISSN 0898-8943) Vol. 28, No. 7 is published 7 times a year, January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/ October, November and December, by Engaged Media by Beckett, 22840 Savi Ranch Parkway, #200, Yorba Linda, CA 66 92887. Periodical postage paid at Anaheim, CA, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Knives Illustrated c/o Engaged Media by Beckett, 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 Engaged Media by Beckett. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

4 KNIVES ILLUSTRATED • DECEMBER 2014 knivesillustrated.com KI_1501_5 9/26/14 2:42 AM Page 5

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DECEMBER 2014 Volume 28 • Number 7

EDITORIAL 74 Editorial Director: Doug Jeffrey Editor: Bethany Miller Managing Editor: Jeffrey Rick Art Director: Ronald Abella Creative Director: Eric Knagg OUTDOOR

CONTRIBUTORS Steven Paul Barlow, Jim Cooper, Mickey Davis, Abe Elias, 36 Out of the Kitchen, Terrill Hoffman, Les Robertson, Jim Skelton, Tim Stetzer, Joshua Swanagon, Clint Thompson, Chuck Ward, Jim Weiss Onto the Battlefield This power chopper from C.U.M.A. ADVERTISING Survival School is a force to be Gabe Frimmel: Ad Sales Director (714) 200-1930 [email protected] reckoned with out in the field. Casey Clifford: Senior Account Executive (714) 312-6275 BY JOSHUA SWANAGON Mark Pack: Senior Account Executive (714) 200-1939 Gennifer Merriday: Ad Traffic Coordinator 58 Streamlined Simplicity DIRECT MARKETING GROUP The R. Murphy Survival Knife John Bartulin (866) 866-5146 ext. 2746 Paul Caca (866) 866-5146 ext. 4961 proves that sometimes you just Ryan Lauro (866) 866-5146 ext. 2756 can’t top a classic, all-American Mary Ann Jaca (866) 866-5146 ext 2716 design. OPERATIONS BY TIM STETZER Gus Alonzo: Newsstand Sales & Marketing Manager Celia Merriday: Newsstand Analyst Mohit Patel: Newsstand & Production Analyst 66 Best of Both Worlds Alberto Chavez: Senior Logistics & Facilities Manager John Cabral: Creative Graphic Designer Canal Street Cutlery offers users high-quality, artfully crafted, EDITORIAL, PRODUCTION & SALES OFFICE near-custom knives at prices 22840 Savi Ranch Parkway, #200 Cover photography by Yorba Linda, CA 92887 straight from the factory. (714) 939-9991 BY STEVEN PAUL BARLOW TERRILL HOFFMAN Fax: (800) 249-7761 www.knivesillustrated.com facebook.com/knivesillustrated facebook.com/eembybeckett KNIVES ILLUSTRATED (ISSN 0898-8943) Vol. 28, No. 7 is published 7 times CUSTOM a year, January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, November and December, by Engaged Media by Beckett, 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 Engaged Media by Beckett, 4635 McEwen Road, Dallas, TX 75244. 74 The Ones to Watch Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: PITNEY BOWES, INC, Makers Jason Clark, Pohan Leu and P.O. Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2 GST#855050365RT001 © 2014 by Engaged Media by Beckett. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from Brian Nadeau are bound to have this issue in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. significant influence on the world CUSTOMER SERVICE of custom knives in 2015. Beckett Media, LLC BY LES ROBERTSON 4635 McEwen Road, Dallas, TX 75244

Subscriptions, Address Changes, Renewals, Missing or Damaged Copies (800) 764-6278 COLUMNS (239) 653-0225 Foreign Inquires [email protected] [email protected] 10 On the Edge Back Issues www.engagedmediamags.com Name the Maker, Upcoming Events and the latest happenings in the Books, Merchandise, Reprints (239) 280-2380 knife world

Dealer Sales (239) 280-2380 14 Behind the Scenes Letters to the Editor, New Products or A Q&A with Jantz Supply to Contribute a Story or Photo Bethany Miller 22840 Savi Ranch Parkway, #200, Yorba Linda, CA 92887 80 In the Spotlight [email protected] Recognizing the best in custom Subscription Rates $17.95/1 year, $27.95 2/years. Foreign $29.95/1, $51.95/2 years payable blades in US funds. Single copy price is $5.99. Please allow 6 to 8 weeks for new subscriptions to begin. 82 How To… Tips and techniques for proper sharpening 88 Bells & Whistles 5 must-have sharpening supplies Nick Singh: Executive Director Vikas Malhotra: Vice President 80 GST #855050365RT001 90 For the Indoorsman 4 kitchen knives made by outdoor, Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement #40612608 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: tactical and EDC companies PITNEY BOWES, INC. P.O. Box 25542 London, ON N6C 6B2 98 Show & Tell This magazine is purchased by the buyer with the understanding that A reader’s favorite knife from Buck information presented is from various sources from which there can be no warranty or responsibility by Engaged Media by Beckett as to the legality, completeness or technical accuracy.

6 KNIVES ILLUSTRATED • DECEMBER 2014 knivesillustrated.com KI_1501_7 9/29/14 3:37 AM Page 7

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.

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“OLD AND NEW ARE CONSTANTLY PUT AT ODDS … BUT EDITOR’S REALLY, THERE’S MORE THAN ENOUGH ROOM FOR BOTH, LETTER AND WE RECOGNIZE THAT IN THIS ISSUE.” In Balance

Photo by Steven Paul Barlow

I can think of few fields that hold tradition and innovation in equal regard as favorite from two decades ago, while well as knife making. Klecker Knives reinvents the classic axe head. This thought struck me a few nights R. Murphy’s Survival Knife, for exam- There’s a knife for everyone, whether ago while I reorganized the knives I’ve ple, proves that sometimes the time- your tastes lean toward the old-fashioned accumulated. Spread out in front of me tested and traditional is all you really or toward the cutting edge (pun intend- was everything from a traditional custom need, and family-run supply company ed) of innovation—not only on the market, design, to revivals of old classics, to fold- Jantz USA shows us the benefits of a but within these pages. ers with the newest and most unique longstanding legacy. Speaking of new things, you might no- mechanisms. Meanwhile, we also look to the most tice that we added 16 extra pages to this In most other areas, old and new are up-and-coming custom makers and issue. We hope you enjoy every one of constantly put at odds: “timeless” versus Emerson Knives for the latest and great- them! KI “trendy,” “outdated” versus “best yet.” But est products on the horizon. And bridg- really, there’s more than enough room for ing the gap between the old and the —Bethany Miller both, and we recognize that in this issue. new, Spyderco revives a customer

8 KNIVES ILLUSTRATED • DECEMBER 2014 knivesillustrated.com KI_1501_9 9/30/14 1:21 AM Page 9

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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 $35 per year for postage. Pay in US funds only. KI-1412-10-11-NEWS 9/29/14 9:50 PM Page 10

UPCOMING EVENTS

POINTS of Dates and locations subject to change; please contact the show managers before arranging your travel. THE LATEST GOINGS-ON INTEREST NOV. 21-23 IN THE KNIFE WORLD JERSEY CITY, NJ New York Custom Knife Show (417) 866-6688 www.FiftyFiftyProductions.net

Name the Maker DEC. 11-13 SEVIERVILLE, TN SCORE A CHANCE TO WIN A SUBSCRIPTION BY Parkers’ Knife Show CORRECTLY IDENTIFYING THE MAKER OF THIS BLADE (423) 892-0448 PHOTO BY JIM COOPER www.BulldogKnives.org JAN. 10-11, 2015 We congratulate Knives PHOENIX, AZ Illustrated reader Alex Cestero, Arizona Knife Show who correctly identified Mike (480) 987-3576 Quesenberry as the maker www.ArizonaKnifeCollectors.org of the knife featured in our September/ JAN. 23-25 October issue. 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

JAN. 30-FEB. 1 LAKELAND, FL Gator Cutlery Club Show (813) 754-3908 www.GatorCutlery.com

MARCH 13-15 JERSEY CITY, NJ East Coast Custom Knife Show (417) 866-6688 www.FiftyFiftyProductions.net

MARCH 27-29 JANESVILLE, WI Badger Knife Show (414) 479-9765 [email protected]

HOW TO WIN HINT: The maker of this APRIL 11-12 If you correctly identify the maker of the featured knife, you will be entered knife has had an extensive EUGENE, OR into a drawing for a free one-year subscription to Knives Illustrated. If you’re career, both in time and in Oregon Knife Collectors Association Show already a subscriber, you may choose to extend your current subscription or to reach. He has been in [email protected] receive a subscription to one of our sister magazines, Gun World or Bow & Arrow business since 1971, and www.OregonKnifeClub.org Hunting. some of his knives are used All entries must be received by 4 p.m. PST on December 20. by the palace guards in Ivory Winners are determined by placing entries in numerical order and Coast, Africa. He recently APRIL 24-25 generating a random number using www.random.org. stopped making all but one MIAMI, FL Please submit guesses to [email protected] and specify your preferred of his fixed-blade designs, in Miami International Knife Expo prize option. Please also include the mailing address where you would like to favor of focusing on folders (417) 866-6688 receive your subscription should you win. and a tactical series. www.FiftyFiftyProductions.net

10 KNIVES ILLUSTRATED • DECEMBER 2014 knivesillustrated.com KI-1412-10-11-NEWS 9/29/14 9:50 PM Page 11

The Look for Less

If you’ve had your eye on a ZT or Emerson knife in black- folder features a stainless steel build and partial serrations, wash, the year’s hottest finish, but can’t afford the pricetag, and measures just shy of six inches with the blade deployed. UZI’s Mini Stone Wash might be just what you need. Brought With its darkened, worn-in look, odds are no one would guess to you by the iconic gun manufacturer, this spring-assisted this lookalike cost only $25.

SEARCH HERE • www.UZI.com/Knives

Bear’s Bold Butterflies

Attention all balisong fans: Bear & Son’s Bear OPS line without risk of injury. The blade is made from the same has two new offerings to add to your collection. The first, steel, but the edge is left unsharpened. Both knives meas- the B-410-ALCF-AP is ready to do serious damage with its ure a little more than 5 inches closed, weigh 4.5 ounces, 440HC tanto blade. The second, the Trainer, is exactly and lock open with Bear’s standard butterfly lock. The 410 what the name indicates: a tool to practice butterfly use sells for $155, the Trainer for $135.

SEARCH HERE • www.BearAndSonCutlery.com

Even More Followers, Limited Edition Fans, Friends Did you know Knives Illustrated is online? Find Tracking down a limited-edition Kershaw or Zero us on social media for behind-the-scenes tidbits Tolerance knife just became simpler: parent company and other odds and ends we can’t fit in print, and Kai USA is now the sole distributor. “Kai USA is imple- to get your fix between issues! menting this change to give consumers the opportuni- • Facebook: Search “Knives Illustrated” ty to purchase these desirable Limited Edition knives • Instagram: @knivesillustrated KI in a single, convenient online location,” the company said, “without aftermarket price gouging, without having to pay in advance for pre-orders, and without CORRECTION searching multiple retailers to find the product.” Ker- In the last issue of Knives Illustrated, due to a design mix-up, the story “A Fighting shaw and ZT products that are not part of a limited Chance” was improperly credited to Steven Paul Barlow and Stephanie Barlow. The run are still available from other dealers and distribu- article’s authors were, in fact, Jim Weiss and Mickey Davis, with photos by P.J. Ryan, Jim tors. For more information, visit www.KaiUSALtd.com. Weiss and Mark Prince.

knivesillustrated.com KNIVES ILLUSTRATED • DECEMBER 2014 11 KI_1501_12 9/26/14 2:44 AM Page 12

THE SUPPLIES YOU NEED JANTZ FOR THE KNIFE YOU WANT PATTERN 31 Pattern 31 Blades Overall Length: 7 5/8" Blade Length: 3" Width: 1 1/8" Thickness: 5/32" CAT.# STEEL FINISH PRICE J3198 1095 Satin 24.95 J319K 1095 Black Teﬂon 24.95 J3127 D2 Steel Peened 31.95 J3128 D2 Steel Satin 31.95 J3147 154CM Peened 35.95 J3148 154CM Satin 35.95 J3189 Damascus Random 99.95 #31 Bolsters CAT.# THICK ALLOY PRICE K311 3/16” Brass 6.95 K316 3/16” Stainless 6.95 K313 1/4” Brass 6.95 K314 1/4” Stainless 6.95 #31 Fasteners CAT.# TYPE ALLOY QTY/SIZE PRICE B451 Torx Brass Two/1/4” 3.95 A461 Torx Stainless Two/1/4” 4.95 B660 Corby Brass Two/1/4” 3.49 A624 Corby Stainless Two/1/4” 3.49

Pattern 61 Blades Overall Length: 7 3/4" Blade Length: 3 1/4" Width: 1 1/4" Thickness: 9/64" CAT.# STEEL FINISH PRICE J6127 D2 Steel Peened 32.95 J6128 D2 Steel Satin 32.95 J6107 440C Peened 32.95 J6108 440C Satin 32.95 J6157 CPM154 Peened 44.95 J6158 CPM154 Satin 44.95 J6189 Damascus Random 89.95 #61 Bolsters CAT.# THICK ALLOY PRICE K613 3/16” Brass 6.95 K614 3/16” Stainless 6.95 #61 Fasteners CAT.# TYPE ALLOY QTY/SIZE PRICE B052 Torx Brass Two/1/4” 3.95 A062 Torx Stainless Two/1/4” 4.95 B760 Corby Brass Two/1/4” 2.90 A724 Corby Stainless Two/1/4” 3.70 B326 Pins Brass Six/3/32” 1.99 A346 PinsPATTERNStainless Six/3/32” 1.99 61

Pre-Shaped Handles, Bolsters and Custom Components available for these Pattern Blades at knifemaking.com KI_1501_13 9/26/14 2:45 AM Page 13

KNIFEMAKING.COM PATTERN 42 Pattern 42 Blades Overall Length: 6 5/8” Blade Length: 2 5/8” Width: 7/8” Thickness: 1/8” CAT.# STEEL FINISH PRICE J4298 1095 Satin 24.95 J429K 1095 Black Teﬂon 24.95 J4227 D2 Steel Peened 32.95 J4228 D2 Steel Satin 32.95 J4207 440C Peened 32.95 J4208 440C Satin 32.95 J4257 CPM154 Peened 39.95 J4258 CPM154 Satin 39.95 J4289 Damascus Random 69.95 550lb Parcord 100ft CAT.# COLOR PRICE PC114 Teal 6.99 PC115 Dark Brown 6.99 PC102 Black 6.99 PC103 Olive Drab 6.99 PC104 Coyote Brown 6.99 PC108 Burgundy 6.99 Kydex Sheath CAT.# DESCRIPTION PRICE KT420 Kydex Sheath 12.95

Pattern 41 Blades Overall Length: 7 5/8” Blade Length: 3” Width: 1” Thickness: 1/8” CAT.# STEEL FINISH PRICE J4198 1095 Satin 24.95 J419K 1095 Black Teﬂon 24.95 J4127 D2 Steel Peened 32.95 J4128 D2 Steel Satin 32.95 J4137 CPMS 30V Peened 42.95 J4138 CPMS 30V Satin 42.95 J4189 Damascus Random 79.95 550lb Parcord 100ft CAT.# COLOR PRICE PC118 Neon Orange 6.99 PC122 Gold 6.99 PC109 Midnight 6.99 PC113 Dark Green 6.99 PC127 Desert Camo 6.99 PC128 Foliage Green 6.99 PC140 GI Camo 6.99 PC134 Stars & Stripes 6.99 Kydex Sheath CAT.# DESCRIPTION PRICE KT410 Kydex Sheath 12.95 PATTERN 41

MADE IN USA - Blades, Handles, Steel, Machinery and more! Get what you need online or call 1-800-351-8900 KI-1412-14-17-QA 9/28/14 10:20 PM Page 14

BEHINDthe SCENES One Handshake At a Time INSIDE THE GROWTH AND SUCCESS OF JANTZ SUPPLY

BY KI STAFF

IT’S nearing 5 p.m. in the Midwest. Shan- na Kemp is still at her desk, still getting some last-minute items done before the weekend. In other words, it’s business as usual at Jantz Supply, a family owned company that opened its doors in 1966.

“MY DAD IS A VISIONARY. HE WOULD NEVER SAY HE’S A BRILLIANT MAN, BUT HE IS A BRILLIANT MAN.” — SHANNA KEMP, ON WHAT HAS ENABLED JANTZ TO THRIVE FOR 40 YEARS

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FAST FACTS NAME: Jantz Supply NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 21 TOTAL SQUARE FOOTAGE: 40,000 OPENED: 1966 PRODUCTS: 5,000

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In the following interview, Kemp—who when he was part of a large corporation. make sure they are taken care of and they handles product research, marketing and After some discussion, we decided to become part of the family. There is great human resources—discusses some of come back. We just love it, and we are camaraderie, and it’s a tight knit group of their product, as well as what has made happy that we are back in the knifemak- people. this business successful for than 40 ing business. We have a line of pattern blades that years. are made out of USA-made steel. We did KI: What makes Jantz unique? this because we were disappointed in the KI: Tell us how this family business got SK: Quite a few things. First, it’s a family quality of blades that were imported. Our off the ground. business. In the mid-1960s, Ken was a goal is to manufacture every blade we sell Shanna Kemp: I was 12 when Ken and gunsmith, but he saw the opportunity in because we only want the highest quality. Venice [my parents] started this business knifemaking and went in that direction. By We want to provide best product quality full time. Through high school I worked going to gun shows, he built the company for customer at the best price we can. there, but I wanted to be a teacher, which one handshake a time. Now, all these my parents encouraged. By the time I years later, Kenda, my sister, Brett, my KI: What is the key to your overall suc- graduated, I felt like I had finished a ca- brother, and I all work here in different ca- cess and longevity? reer, so I went off to teach. After that, I pacities. It’s a family business; it’s in our SK: My dad is a visionary. He would never had a son and stayed home with him. I blood, and we love it. The atmosphere is say he’s a brilliant man, but he is a bril- eventually went back to school and later great, too. The customers come in, we liant man. He has tremendous knowledge, started my own business. I loved what I did, but I felt I wanted to do something else, so my husband and I assessed where we were. I loved working with clients and customers and interact- ing with them, and he wanted to help build something, which was hard to do CONTACT WEBSITE: www.JantzSupply.com PHONE: (800) 351-8900 EMAIL: [email protected] Jantz Supply’s building in Davis, Oklahoma

Rows of various steel supplies line a wall in the Jantz warehouse.

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KI: Take us inside your facility. What’s the atmosphere like? SK: Everyone on our team stands out because everyone has his own unique per- sonality. Jessica, for example, loves to talk to the customers. Terri has been with us the longest and some customers won’t talk to anyone but her. Chris also has a following. We opened a showroom because we had so many customers coming in to sit and talk. Now people are hanging out there all the time. People come in and go through the catalog. It’s fun. It’s a cool, happy atmosphere.

KI: What new products do you have lined up for the future? SK: There are a lot of things planned, including new colors of Kydex, an expansion of our pattern blades, a greater selection of our mammoth ivory and coral, and more.

KI: Is there anything you’d like to add?

Jantz Supply founder Ken Jantz works on a prototype for a new grinding fixture. SK: I just want people to know how much we love what we do. It’s a unique industry, and he kept an eye out for what would ity creates what the customers need. and we love our customers, which in- work and how to make it work. Combined Plus, if you ask our customers what cludes everyone from Boy Scouts to pro- with his mechanical expertise, his creativ- they love most about us, and they will tell fessionals. There’s just something about you it’s our dedication to customer serv- working in a field in which people make ice. From the employees who answer the things with their hands that can be used phones to the employees who close up as a practical tool or a piece of art. So it’s the box and put the labels on to the guys both a science and an art. Every story is in back who handle manufacturing, I think different. It keeps us going because we our customer service is the best of any are getting what our customers need so company, hands down. they can do what they love. KI

A machinist grinds Jantz Pattern Blades.

knivesillustrated.com KNIVES ILLUSTRATED • DECEMBER 2014 17 KI-1412-18-27-KLECKER 10/8/14 3:43 AM Page 18

INNOVATIVE ESSENTIAL KLECKER'S AWARD-WINNING KLAX TAKES SURVIVAL TOOLS TO A NEW LEVEL STORY AND PHOTOS BY TIM STETZER

IT'S everything you want from a survival multitool —and then some.

Since this year’s Blade Show, all eyes are on Klecker Knives. This smaller, newer company is rapidly making a big name for itself after snagging the award for Most Innovative Imported Design with a tool that epitomizes versatility: the KLAX. While it has gotten plenty of attention since its Blade Show recognition, this multitalented axe head was making waves even before it existed.

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knivesillustrated.com KNIVES ILLUSTRATED • DECEMBER 2014 19 KI-1412-18-27-KLECKER 10/8/14 3:44 AM Page 20

Auspicious Beginnings Klecker made its Blade Show debut in 2013 with its slick plastic Trigger knife kits, designed to safely show kids how a lockback is assembled and operates. This year, Glenn Klecker and his posse returned with live steel in the form of three folding knives and, of course, the innovative KLAX. The success of the Trigger knife kit provided the funds for Klecker to begin working in steel, but it was the backing of hun- dreds of enthusiastic supporters via crowdfunding website Kickstarter that truly got production of the KLAX under- way. Within just days of its launch, the campaign went viral and pulled in almost three times the amount Klecker needed for the first production run. At the Blade A patented clamping system sets the KLAX apart from other survival axe heads. Show, the Klecker booth was inundated by folks stopping by to tell Glenn they’d heard about the KLAX, which was then “THE KLAX CLAMPING SYSTEM IS still in the prototype stage. WHAT REALLY SET THIS TOOL APART FROM So what exactly is this tool that managed to elicit such immediate and fervent OTHER SURVIVAL AXE HEADS.” excitement? As it turns out, it’s a little bit of everything. cord bracelet), rather than feature the mer head, gut hook, socket, bottle opener, A Do-It-All Tool KLAX Clamping system. lanyard hole, carabiner clip and ruler. It wouldn’t be inaccurate to call the Next up is the Woodsman, which is sig- Finally, the top-tier model with all of KLAX a multitool, but that moniker might nificantly more sophisticated. Integrated the bells and whistles is the Lumberjack, not go far enough. Essentially, the KLAX is into the stainless steel blade are a ham- which comes in either stainless steel or ti- a compact axe head (also usable as an ulu knife) designed to be carried in your back pocket; its other functions vary between the three models. The head lies flat and uses a patented clamping system that rotates out from the head and is then locked down on either a premade axe handle, available from Klecker Knives, or a handle fashioned in the field from a branch or stick, using the head itself. The more basic of the two KLAX models is the Feller, which consists solely of an axe blade and hammer head back. This one was designed to be simply lashed to an axe handle using paracord (provided with the axe head in the form of a para-

CONTACT KLECKER KNIVES LLC 216 Brown St. Silverton, OR 97381 www.KleckerKnives.com The KLAX head can be held in hand comfortably for use as an ulu or to take advantage of the integrated tools.

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SPECIFICATIONS KLAX LUMBERJACK (TEST MODEL) PRIMARY CUTTING EDGE: 3.5 inches LENGTH: 6 inches HEIGHT: 3.75 inches WEIGHT: 12 ounces MATERIAL: SUS420J2 stainless steel MSRP: $160

The patented clamping system is prepared to lock onto a A sturdy hammer head is a feature of all KLAX models. handle.

tanium (the latter is known simply as the The Mark of Innovation need for a bulky axe eye socket for the Ti-KLAX). It contains all the same fea- The KLAX Clamping System is what re- handle. It also makes it handier to use the tures as the Woodsman, plus a ¼-inch bit ally set this tool apart from other survival KLAX as a tool without mounting it to a drive socket, hex wrench and cord cutter. axe heads. It’s a rather ingenious design handle. All KLAX models include a Kydex blade that allows a pair of clamps to rotate out Speaking of handles, you have a couple cover to protect both you and the blade of the body of the axe head and surround options for adding a handle to your KLAX. during transit or storage. and tighten down on a handle. This allows Klecker offers a precut model, called the the axe to be carried flat, without the Traditional, which looks like your typical

The KLAX is best used as you would a small tomahawk.

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hand axe handle but has a slot for the KLAX to slide in and a set of notches which allow the clamp system to engage. The idea behind these is that you can keep the KLAX broken down in a pack or survival kit to save space and only assemble it when you need it. The alternative is to make a handle yourself in the field, MacGyver style, thus saving the weight and space of carrying one in the first place. Simply use the axe head to cut a notch in a solid, study branch, screw the head into place, and it’ll be ready for business.

The axe head clamps securely onto a notched limb. Axe in Action My test KLAX was a preproduction steel Lumberjack. With the clamps folded

The knife blade on the bottom side of the head can be used for carving and notching.

An integrated hex wrench, gut hook and bit driver are particularly handly features of the Woodsman model.

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ABOUT GLENN KLECKER Glenn Klecker is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the first Gulf War. He also has an extensive engineering design history in the industry working with companies such as Crimson Trace, Leatherman and Columbia River Knife and Tool, among others. Klecker Knives allows him to put his designs out directly to the public, including his hit Trigger Knife Kit, which he designed with his son, Nathan.

The KLAX head can be clamped onto either Klecker’s specially designed traditional handle or a makeshift one you cut yourself in the wilderness.

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The KLAX Lumberjack is available in stainless steel or titanium (pictured).

PHOTO BY TERRILL HOFFMAN

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into the blade, I could easily grasp the head of the axe and use the knife blade portion on the underside of the axe blade to cut and notch, and could also use the primary axe blade as an ulu. You can do light chopping like this—enough to cut through branches of suitable size to make yourself a handle. The rest of the tools are best used in this manner, with the head dismounted from the handle. When you’re ready to attach the head to a handle, first find a branch or small log as close in diameter to the inside of the clamp as possible, so that when you tighten the clamps they’ll be snug and secure. You’ll need to split your piece of wood far enough down to slide the KLAX head in and cut a set of notches for the clamps to engage. To split the wood, you may need another piece of wood, or even a rock, to strike the textured hammer poll of the KLAX, using it like a splitting wedge. Once you have your KLAX handled, whether with a factory handle or one you The KLAX’s clamping system folds into the handle, allowing it to be carried flat. made yourself, you can really get to work.

Here you can see the notches custom made for the KLAX head on Klecker’s traditional axe handle.

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“FOR HIKING PACKS, BUG-OUT BAGS OR EMERGENCY KITS, THE KLAX IS AN ESSENTIAL.”

The KLAX is most efficient used like a small tomahawk. Because you don’t have a wedge-shaped head with a handle situated inside of an eye, the KLAX is not a splitting axe. If you try that, the log you’re trying to split is likely to get bound up on the KLAX clamps and handle. That said, though, you do have a nice, lightweight chopper that does a great job of harvesting and processing smaller limbs and branches for kindling and firewood, or for cutting down poles for an emergency shelter or camp projects. Basically, if you can do it with a tomahawk you can do it with a KLAX.

Survival Essential While the KLAX packs a lot of functionality into a compact package, Klecker makes clear that it isn’t a replace- The Ti-KLAX’s blue ment for a dedicated axe. If you rely on a full-sized axe embellishments make it and can carry one, stick with that. But for hiking packs, particularly eye-catching. bug-out bags or emergency kits, the KLAX is an essential. PHOTO BY TERRILL HOFFMAN For such purposes, you aren’t likely to find another product more versatile or more capable than the KLAX. KI

COMPANION PIECES The next model out will be the Slice. If that one looks familiar, it should. The Slice bears more than a passing resemblance to the plastic Trigger knife In addition to the KLAX, Klecker Knives also has two new knife models kits—and that’s a good thing. I know many folks, myself included, looked at available. the Trigger kits and said, “I’d like to see this in steel” and that’s pretty much The first is the Cordovan, which comes in a standard 3.63-inch blade exactly what Glenn did. The Slice uses a 3.4-inch blade of 12c27 stainless set model as well as a more compact Cordovan Lite, which sports a 2.88-inch into a blue anodized stainless steel handle, also using the Klecker Lock. blade, both of 12c27 stainless. The Cordovan uses a flipper opening mechanism and locks up using Glenn’s patented Klecker Lock mechanism, a spine-mounted lock that’s integral to the frame of the knife. Cordovan MSRP: $115 (standard), $95 (lite) Slice MSRP: $135

The Cordovan knives feature Klecker’s own patented spine locking mechanism. Klecker’s standard Cordovan (top) and Cordovan Lite.

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FAST FEATURES A benefit of a KLAX FELLER detached axe head is that you’re able to • Axe/ulu blade travel light and • Hammer head fashion a handle if • MSRP: $115 you need it on the go. KLAX WOODSMAN • Axe/ulu blade • Hammer head • Patented clamping system • Gut hook • Bottle opener • Lanyard hole • Carabiner clip • Ruler • MSRP: $135 KLAX LUMBERJACK/TI-KLAX • Axe/ulu blade • Hammer head • Patented clamping system • Gut hook • Bottle opener • Lanyard hole • Carabiner clip • Ruler • ¼-inch bit drive socket • Hex wrench • Cord cutter • MSRP: $160 (Woodsman), $550 (Ti-KLAX)

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“EMERSON KNIVES ARE ALMOST LEGENDARY—AND THE BULLDOG IS NO EXCEPTION.”

Martial artist and edged- weapons expert Ernest Emerson founded Emerson Knives in 1996.

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EMERSON’S BULLDOG IS ONE OF THE TOUGHEST, SHARPEST & STRONGEST STORY BY JIM WEISS AND MICKEY DAVIS PHOTOS BY JIM WEISS AND COURTESY OF EMERSON KNIVES

WHO has been the most influential designer of tactical knives in recent years?

Undoubtedly, one of the strongest can- didates for that distinction is master cut- ler Ernest Emerson, aka the “Father of the modern tactical knife.”

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Emerson, whose custom knives can valuable production knife of all time. Granger has been carrying Emerson- sell for as much as $10,000, began mak- Meanwhile, some of Emerson’s other de- made knives since 1994, and holds the ing knives in his garage in 1979 and signs have been exhibited at New York’s designer’s work in high esteem. The Bull- founded his eponymous company in Metropolitan Museum of Art and Wash- dog did not fall short of his expectations. 1996—a company that has since gained a ington D.C.’s Smithsonian. Following is his review, as told to us. strong reputation for producing top-of- In short, Emerson knives are almost BLADE: The Bulldog’s blade comes the-line hard-use knives. Some of these legendary—and the newest addition to with a plain edge or partially serrated. We blades have been used by the most elite the lineup is no exception. It’s dubbed the reviewed the serration-free version. members of the military and Special Bulldog, and the name is fitting: this knife The 3.2-inch tanto blade has a thick- Forces, such as the best-selling CQC-7, is tough, intimidating and ready for a fight. ness of 1/8 of an inch and is very strong which Navy SEALs carried during the raid and sturdy, particularly for a folding that led to Osama bin Laden’s death. One Custom Knifemaker’s Review knife. The blade is chisel ground, mean- SEAL later auctioned his CQC-7 for Custom knifemaker Paul Granger eval- ing it is ground only on one side. This is a $34,400 (to benefit families of Special uated the Bulldog for its appearance, con- classic Emerson feature that not only al- Operations forces), making it the most struction and feel in hand. lows the blade to penetrate with little

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The Bulldog’s chisel-ground, 154CM blade is engraved with several identifying marks. The tanto blade is easily opened via a thumb disc or Emerson’s trademark Wave feature.

Inside the Emerson Knives workshop in Los Angeles.

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SPECIFICATIONS The Bulldog’s tanto point and chisel grind give it extra puncturing power. OVERALL LENGTH: 7.5 inches BLADE LENGTH: 3.2 inches BLADE THICKNESS: .125 inches “THE EDGES, BOTH STRAIGHT AND SERRATED, WEIGHT: 6.4 ounces PERFORMED BRILLIANTLY.” HANDLE MATERIAL: G10 BLADE MATERIAL: 154CM with stonewashed finish SPECIAL FEATURE: Emerson Wave MSRP: $240

Reviewer Paul Granger owns a number of Emerson knives, but he finds the Bulldog (second from top) to be the most comfortable in hand. Also pictured (top down): Emerson/Kershaw CQC-3K, P-SARK, CQC-7V.

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ABOUT PAUL GRANGER Paul Granger specializes in making fixed-blade 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.com.

deviation, but also allows for quicker sharpening in the field. The Bulldog’s grind has a full thickness for about 60 percent of the width and about 90 percent of the length, which makes the blade very unlikely to break. With a point CONTACT directly in the center of the blade, this knife is well-de- EMERSON KNIVES signed for puncturing. 1234 254th St. Granger considers 154CM to be one of the top three Harbor City, CA 90710 knife steels, and was therefore impressed with the Bull- (310) 539-5633 dog’s blade. On the back of this blade is a serial number www.EmersonKnives.com (potentially helpful for tracking down a stolen knife), as well as the Emerson logo, Emerson Wave patent details, and “Made in USA.” The blade Granger evaluated came with a stonewash finish, which was extremely popular in 2014. Users have two options for opening the blade: via the Wave feature or a more subtle thumb disc. Granger found the thumb disc method a bit difficult, as the pivot assembly was adjusted more tightly than he prefers; though this is not the case with all Emerson knives.

The Emerson Bulldog is a capable companion alongside two Smith & Wesson revolvers. When held in a reverse grip, the Bulldog is ready for serious defense.

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To safely and effectively deploy the Bulldog using the Emerson Wave mechanism, get a safe grip on the handle and withdraw it briskly from your pocket, allowing the Wave to catch the edge of your pocket on its way out. Once the knife is clear of your pocket, the blade will be fully open and locked.

ABOUT MARK ALLEN PRINCE stabs that are taught in any class geared toward those who carry knives for Mark Allen Prince is a professor of law enforcement technology/special defensive purposes. The rubber treads on the tire were nice and thick, so I operations at Central Ohio Technical College; a former USDOE SRT could really launch into 100 percent speed and power maneuvers. The operator; and spent 20 years in local law enforcement special operations Bulldog bit deep into the rubber with each slash, its tanto point and training. He has developed and teaches courses in homeland security aggressively sinking to almost an inch in depth. I stuck the firm, thick rubber and special operations for military, state, and local special operations deeply several times, penetrating and twisting it to see whether the lock personnel and organizations, and is an instructor-trainer certified by the would flex and then fail. late Colonel Rex Applegate. After working myself into a sweaty blur of sharp black steel, I once again Law Enforcement Specialist’s Field Evaluation began whacking the back of the blade (still locked open) on the tire in an attempt to get the lock to fail. Throughout this test the lock remained tight I am not usually a big fan of folders for anything other than use as a daily and holding, with no failures. utility cutting tool. I have broken several “tactical” folders, and I have The ergonomics of the knife must be mentioned, as it is a true pleasure seriously injured myself when a well-made, high-dollar folder closed on my to hold in your hand whether in a full fist grip, or with your thumb on the hand. The word “tactical” is an overused word in our world, and I can be back of the Wave, firmly resting in the jimping. It feels equally as good when easily offended or upset when I see it plastered on everything that is black gripping it inverted with the blade down. powder coated or subdued. The Bulldog, however, was something different. The Wave feature (remote pocket opener) works great on either side of Over the next week, I showed the Bulldog no mercy. I carried it every day the body when drawing from a pocket, and it is wicked fast! This is a great while running, as well as while teaching a police mountain bike class and an addition for those of us who need a folder to open using a single hand in a in-service subject control class. The pocket clip is long and strong. Coupled critical incident. with the shark skin-like texture of the scales, the knife never moved from The stud (thumb disc) on the back of the blade is aggressive and easy to where I clipped it. I also used the Bulldog to cut any and all things in my pat, feel when opening the knife in the dark. The 3.75-inch blade with its chisel from include fat juicy meat, sweet onions and hot peppers from the garden; knife grind maintained an arm-shaving edge throughout the weeklong to cardboard, plastic bottles, paracord and rubber tires. The edges, both evaluation. The thickness of the blade, coupled with the tanto style, makes straight and serrated, performed brilliantly. it a real penetrator. In my field evaluation, the first thing I did was to open the knife and then If I were going into harm’s way and needed a blade, I typically gravitate begin striking the back of the blade hard against a wooden 2x6 board in an toward a fixed blade. But if a fixed blade were not an option, I’d turn to the attempt to get the liner lock to fail. I did this more than 100 times, and the toughest, strongest, sharpest and most reliable folder I could find. lock was not even the slightest bit loose. Emerson’s Bulldog could be just that folder, and at an MSRP of $240, it I then took the Bulldog to “the lab,” where I worked it over on an old would be easily worth the dough. I found the Emerson Bulldog to be as tractor tire used for fitness training. Here I began a series of slashes and sharp, strong and tenacious as its namesake. Tactical title approved!

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the handle, and there is corresponding jimping at that point on the knife’s handle, which will allow users solid placement for their thumbs. The titanium liners are light and have a natural spring to them, but do not sacri- fice sturdiness; weight-to-weight, titanium is stronger than steel. As is the case with most Emerson knives, the Bulldog The Bulldog comes with extremely “grippy” G10 handles and is available in a blackwash finish. has a liner lock. Instead of a spacer, the handle has The Wave feature, meanwhile, works wise the blade will not deploy fully and standoffs, which allow easier access to just as efficiently and rapidly as longtime they run the risk of cutting themselves. the interior of the handle area for clean- Emerson users will expect. Newer users Once you get the hang of it, however, ing. should note that it’s crucial to pull the you’ll find yourself in possession of a knife The butt of the handle has a tip-up blade from their pockets briskly, other- that opens more quickly than even a pocket clip and a lanyard slot instead of switchblade or bali knife. a lanyard hole. This pocket clip is hard- HANDLE: FAST FEATURES The index-finger groove and ened to spring steel hardness and there- curves on the top and bottom of the fore won’t bend away from the knife, yet • Excellent ergonomics Bulldog’s handle make it quite ergonom- has enough spring memory to retain its • Liner lock to facilitate one-handed opening ically sound in both a forward or reverse shape. • Trademark “Emerson Edge” — a unique grip. Of all the Emerson models Granger Where a number of other knifemakers chisel grind designed to ease the difficulty has handled, he finds the Bulldog the use screws in the handle that require a of sharpening a knife while in the field most comfortable. Its G10 scales are ex- special tool, Emerson screws can be ad- • “Emerson Wave” opening feature tremely grippy. justed with Average Joe screwdrivers. This • Highly effective tanto blade profile • Easily adjustable screws There is moderate jimping on back of is an admirable bonus feature on an over- the Wave mechanism where it meets with all praiseworthy knife. KI KI-1412-36-43-CUMA 9/28/14 11:00 PM Page 36

THE C.U.M.A. BATTLE CLEAVER IS A MULTI-PURPOSE POWERHOUSE STORY BY JOSHUA SWANAGON PHOTOS BY TANNER SWANAGON AND JOSHUA SWANAGON

THE first time I held the C.U.M.A. Battle Cleaver, my mind was sent racing with possibilities.

One pound, 9.6 ounces of pure hack- ing mayhem, this hefty blade was designed in conjunction with Combat Ready Knives by Waysun “Johnny” Tsai, founder of the Combined Universal Martial Applications survival school. When Combat Ready contacted me about reviewing the Battle Cleaver, it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.

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“THE BATTLE CLEAVER IS DESIGNED WITH ONE THING IN MIND: HAVOC.”

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The C.U.M.A. Battle Cleaver is available in three handle colors: black, olive green or desert tan. Initial Impressions “THERE ARE NO DRAMATIC LINES ON THE When I received the Battle Cleaver, BATTLE CLEAVER TO DRAW ATTENTION OR MAKE IT right out of the box the first thing I noticed was the sheath—simple nylon with two A SHOWPIECE BY ANY MEANS; BUT IT’S A SOLID WORKHORSE.” leg straps, one hook-and-loop retention strap (which holds the Battle Cleaver securely in place) and a large front pocket to angle of the grip), which makes the strength, the blade nevertheless held up house a mini survival kit or a small fire kit sheath ride a little strange. to my rigorous tests. There are no dramat- and sharpening stone. The size of the The blade, however, is the star. The ic lines on the Battle Cleaver to draw at- pocket really leaves it open for a lot of op- Battle Cleaver is a chunk of 5160 spring tention or make it a showpiece by any tions. steel measuring 15 inches overall, with a means; but it’s a solid workhorse. That being said, the construction of the 9.25-inch blade that is designed with one The grip is where you start to see some sheath could have been just a little better, thing in mind: havoc. The edge sports a form. The grip is angled away from the allowing for better durability and options. 30-degree flat grind and is robust enough I would have made the leg straps remov- for the toughest jobs. CONTACT INFORMATION able and used quick-release clips for easi- I was a little concerned about the hol- COMBAT READY KNIVES er on/off operation. The belt loop is cant- low grind on the bevel, and while I might www.CombatReadyKnives.com [email protected] ed from the sheath itself (following the have preferred a flat grind for added

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The Battle Cleaver comes with a nylon sheath with two leg straps, a hook-and-loop retention strap and a large front pocket.

DEFINING FEATURES low and should have been brought above the edge itself). The G10 scales are as • Blade sustains minimal damage even durable as the blade itself and have very during heavy use against steel and bone • Rounded G10 scales offer a secure, natural shaping, including a nice, deep solid grip belly to fit the palm. • Blade is easily restored to “like new” Bow divots are located on both sides condition with cleaning and sharpening for right- and left-handed use, and on the spine is some nice jimping, recessed just a blade, giving it a very ergonomic feel and touch below the handle scales to prevent a natural break to the wrist during chop- tearing your thumb up. Just in front of the ping. The forward cant of the blade jimping is a small recess, which could be means less energy during heavy use (al- used as a lashing point. The grip finishes though I thought the grip dropped a little off with a squared pommel with two large, triangular lanyard holes. You can tie a cord through these multiple times for added strength in lashing. My initial impressions of the Battle Cleaver got me fired up to give it a good, solid run for its money. I was not disappointed.

Steel Versus Steel When I hear the words “Battle Cleaver,” I envision a knife bred for taking abuse and dispatching mayhem to all in its path. I was inspired to find out what special brand of malice the Battle Cleaver could visit upon an unsuspecting car. Fortunate- ly, I live fairly close to a scrap yard, and even though they were slightly disturbed at my strange request to ravage the trunk lid on one of their cars, they were equally The blade punctured deep, wide gashes into the trunk of a car. intrigued and allowed me to descend

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upon my steel victim with only the stipu- lation that I stick to the trunk lid and don’t break any windows. Fair enough. Because the Battle Cleaver has a flat chisel point with sharp corners, I was curi- ous about its penetration power. I was surprised to find it was able to pierce the steel of the trunk lid with ease. After just a

The handle features durable G10 scales, few strikes, each one creating a new jimping, and a squared pommel that can be opening, it was obvious that I would be used for lashing a lanyard or paracord. able to enter the trunk in no time. I also decided to test the chisel point’s scraping abilities and proceeded to scrape the paint down to steel—another chore that “WITH A SINGLE STRIKE TO THE DEER’S proved no problem. RIB CAGE, THE BATTLE CLEAVER MADE IT To test how well the flat edge would ALMOST HALFWAY THROUGH.” hold up against steel, I found an edge of the trunk to abuse. I was astounded at

The Battle Cleaver was able to penetrate the trunk with just a few strikes.

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DID YOU KNOW? C.U.MA. Survival School founder Waysun “Johnny” Tsai (pronounced “tie”) is a lifelong martial arts and combatives student and instructor and has been designing knives and other survival and self-defense related products for many years. Although he has The Battle Cleaver’s 5160 carbon steel received great recognition for his blade is hollow achievements in the martial arts world, he ground—not a typical sees himself as nothing more than the first choice for a power consummate student who enjoys sharing his chopper, but this one knowledge with others. held up to all testing.

how well the Battle Cleaver went through the steel; I was cutting the edge of the trunk to ribbons like I was cutting… well… ribbons. I have to admit, I was not expect- ing the results I got. The edge sustained very little damage—just a couple minor nicks and some slight marring on the finish, but otherwise the Battle Cleaver was still in the fight. As a final test, I decided that a true battle between the blade and vehicle would- n’t be complete without giving allowing a “team vehicle” to launch its own offensive against the Battle Cleaver. So I ran the chopper over with a Ford F-150. No nicks. No dings. Minor scratches on the scales and the blade came out perfectly straight. That’s what I’m talking about.

Into the Backwoods I received the Battle Cleaver just in time for the beginning of hunting season, which means flesh and bones were readily available. After the first deer made it to The chisel point made a great scraper, easily removing the car’s finish. camp for processing, I absconded with one of the legs and went to work. The Battle Cleaver lived up to its name, making its way through the leg bone with just a few strikes. The blade came through with only a few minor nicks. After the deer was fully stripped and the torso was ready for disposal, we hung it back in the tree and I went to work on the ribs. Of course, to say that I “went to work” implies that it took effort, which is not quite an accurate description; with a single strike to the rib cage, the Battle Cleaver made it almost halfway through. This caught me off guard, as I was expect- USER TIP To eliminate hot spots, you might consider rounding the edges on the belly of the scales with some sandpaper. I was surprised by how easily I was able to slice ribbons into the car’s bumper.

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Even after we drove over the Battle Cleaver in a Ford F-150, it emerged unscathed—still perfectly straight. ing some resistance, not to get that deep in one strike. I certainly SPECIFICATIONS wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of the trauma the Bat- OVERALL LENGTH: 15 inches tle Cleaver would inflict. BLADE STEEL: Blackstone-coated 5160 carbon steel You want to make a group of backwoods hunters giddy? Put a BLADE DIMENSIONS: 9.5 inches long, 3/16 inches thick, 2.25 inches wide C.U.M.A. Battle Cleaver in their midst and tell them to use it how- HANDLE: Black, olive green or desert tan G10 ever they see fit. During the course of deer camp, the Battle SPECIAL FEATURES: Double rivets, lanyard holes Cleaver chopped wood, split firewood, processed deer (including splitting the pelvic bone), processed various foods (such as jerky, sausage, and stew fixins) and other things I am sure I am not even aware of. Needless to say, by the end of deer camp everyone wanted a Battle Cleaver of their own.

Thanks to the weight of its blade, the Battle Cleaver takes a good bite with every stroke.

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Taking It Home After all the torture I put the Battle Cleaver through, it understandably came home with some dings, nicks in the blade and some marring on the finish. Yet even so, it was still able to take an inch-thick limb off of one of my trees with just a couple swings, while still maintaining very clean cuts. The damage done to the blade was so minor, despite the brutal treat- ment, that after only a minute and a couple swipes on my Ken Onion Work Sharp sharpener, it was good as new. Undoubtedly, the Battle Cleaver is as tough as its martial-arts expert designer. Although some may find it a bit heavy and cumbersome for backpacking, the Battle Cleaver would easily make itself right at home in your bug-out bag or vehicle. Bottom line, if you are looking for a solid beater at an affordable price, you’ll hardly be able to do better than the C.U.M.A. Battle Cleaver. Battle hard, my friends. KI

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HALLMARK CUTLERY'S LATEST LINE BRINGS FEROCIOUS TACTICAL BLADES AT FRIENDLY PRICES

STORY AND PHOTOS BY ABE ELIAS

IF diversification is one of the greatest keys to survival in the knife business, HallMark Cutlery is poised to thrive.

This family-run company started small more than 30 years ago and quietly made a name for itself with traditional pocketknives, but more recently took the plunge into the tactical knife market, collaborating with renowned custom makers Sean Kendrick and David Mosier. The result is a line, dubbed Bad Blood, that stands out not only from HallMark's usual offerings, but among all tactical knives.

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HallMark Cutlery’s Bad Blood Crossfire (left) and Wisper.

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The Wisper is made from 8Cr14MoV steel and a G10 handle.

Taking Tactical to Task: The Wisper For this review, I chose two knives that I feel best represent of HallMark's new direction: a fixed-blade model called the Wisper and a folder called the Crossfire Tanto, both by David Mosier. The Wisper definitely stands out in a crowd. The best way I can describe the blade profile is somewhat like a scimitar- style blade with a twist. The twist is on the spine of the design, where Mosier adds a unique false grind leading to an ex- aggerated thumb ramp. The edge is created with a hollow grind and terminates at the handle in a micro choil. After the micro choil, the bottom of the ricasso dips dramatically. Between the thumb ramp and the elongated heel, Mosier provides the user with an integral double guard. The unique blade design forms an ag- Both the Wisper and the Crossfire come with a Kydex sheath with quick-detach belt loop. gressive tip; thanks to the integral guard feature, a user would have no problem putting force behind that point. The Wis- per's overall length is 8 inches, and its blade measures 4 inches, making it a solid midsize knife with a slightly beefed-up width. While not bulky, the Wisper fills your hand a bit more than is typical for knives of this style—more like a working knife. Mosier’s humpback handle design, another unique feature, drops the handle into the center of your palm and allows you to direct the point with your grip, much like you would with a pistol-style grip handle. Unlike a pistol-style grip, however, the Wisper's handle is more

CONTACT BAD BLOOD KNIVES P.O. Box 220 Kodak, TN 37764 (866) 583-3912 www.BadBloodKnives.com www.HallMarkCutlery.com The Wisper’s hollow grind makes it an aggressive cutter.

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FAST FACTS: “THE BAD BLOOD SERIES STANDS THE WISPER OUT NOT ONLY FROM HALLMARK'S • Unique scimitar-inspired blade design USUAL OFFERINGS, BUT AMONG ALL • Integral double guard TACTICAL KNIVES.” • Humpback handle design • MSRP: $73.99

comfortable for general cutting chores. A full-tang design, the Wisper is made from 8Cr14MoV steel with a layered black and red G10 handle. At first glance, the texturing of the handle seems chunky to the point it might fact, be too aggressive. But once you hold the the texturing is knife, you'll notice that although the tex- much like a smooth, turing is indeed aggressive, all the possi- rolling zig-zag pattern. ble hot spots have been smoothed. In For carrying, the Wisper comes with

Designer David Mosier put his own unique touch on the Wisper’s hollow- ground blade, in the form of the spine shape, integral guard and hollow false grind.

a nice, molded Kydex sheath with re- versible belt clip. You might find that the handle rides a bit high on this sheath, so how you carry the knife may depend on your body type. As an everyday carry, the Wisper will do a day’s work for you easily enough. Mine kept a good, sharp edge over the test period, even without so much as a touch-up before use, and all the grinds are spot-on. It's an excellent choice for any tactical aficionado.

The Mosier rides a bit high on the belt in its sheath, but is trim and fits close to the body.

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The Second Suspect Crossfire, I had to make a couple of ing position: right side, tip up. I'd like to How does the folding Crossfire Tanto adjustments to get the knife to open see more positions available for the clip, hold up against its fixed-blade counter- smoothly, but this is not unusual for fold- since the flipper operation is pretty much part? ers. (Because of knife laws that are more ambidextrous. The overall open length of Its blade design is American-style tan- stringent in some areas than others, it is the knife is 7.9 inches; closed, it is 3.75 to, complete with swedge, made from not uncommon for knives to be shipped inches, while the blade length is 3.3 inch- 8Cr14MoV. The liners are .0937 stainless out with the pivot points tightened down. es. Ordinarily, this length would put the steel, while the scales are a tan G10 with I always have a small torque screwdriver knife into the midsize category, but its the same texturing as the Wisper. handy to adjust a new knife.) body dimensions, width and thickness The Crossfire is a liner lock design with The Crossfire features a pocket clip for compel me to classify it at the top end of a flipper for opening. When I first got the carrying, which has only has one mount- midsize leaning toward large.

Like the Wisper, the Crossfire is also made from 8Cr14Mov steel and a handle of layered G10.

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FAST FACTS: THE CROSSFIRE • American-style tanto profile • Ambidextrous flipper operation • Hot-spot free handle texturing • MSRP: $53.99

The Crossfire's hollow-ground blade holds an edge well, and again, Mosier uses a humpback handle shape to align the knife in your grip. All in all, it's a

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knivesillustrated.com KNIVES ILLUSTRATED • DECEMBER 2014 49 KI-1412-44-51-HALLMARK 9/29/14 11:23 PM Page 50

BY THE NUMBERS 36: The number of designs currently available from Bad Blood 8: In dollars, the lowest price of Bad Blood knives currently available 2006: The year HallMark Cutlery opened 400: In dollars, the price for Bad Blood's first mid-tech, limited-edition folder, the Burning Horizon

The Crossfire is a beefy knife, using thick lines for strength and a black G10 spacer for frame support.

The checkering on the Crossfire’s gently sloping thumb ramp provides excellent purchase without causing hot spots.

The Crossfire’s flipper offers ambidextrous use.

“[THE CROSSFIRE] IS A WELL-DESIGNED, WELL-FUNCTIONING FOLDER THAT WOULD FIT RIGHT IN WITH A NUMBER OF HIGHER-END KNIVES.”

The Crossfire locks up securely via liner lock.

The rapidly sloping angle of the Crossfire’s thumb ramp provides a solid push-off point for a user’s thumb, allowing you to exert force into the forward motion of the blade.

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The Crossfire features a low-ride, full-sized pocket clip in a bead-blasted finish.

well-designed, well-functioning folder that would fit right in with a number of higher-end knives.

Overall Excellence Both of Mosier’s Bad Blood designs are creative and well executed. When I first received the knives and checked their re- tail prices, I thought they were a great value for the money. After evaluation, I'm all the more convinced. For blades like these, I would normally expect to pay top dollar. If you're looking for an tactical knife to add to your EDC collection without break- ing the bank, you can't do much better than the Bad Blood series. These fierce blades have everything it takes not only to serve you well, but in due time, to make HallMark a force to be reckoned with. KI

ABOUT THE DESIGNERS David Mosier has specialized in custom hard-use knife designs since 1996, largely informed by his military experience. His independent work is in such high demand that he is no longer taking new orders. Sean Kendrick is an award-winning designer who has been recognized by the Spirit of Steel Show and Greater Ohio Valley Knife Show and is known for his utilitarian fighting knives. He has been in business since 1998.

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DPx FOLDERS ARE AN ADVENTURER'S MUST-HAVE STORY BY CLINT THOMPSON PHOTOS BY CLINT THOMPSON AND COURTESY OF DPX GEAR

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ROBERT Young Pelton is a profes- sional risk-taker.

A respected photojournalist and author by day, the founder of DPx (Danger- ous Places Extreme) Gear has a reputation for venturing into harm's way, often equipped with little more protection than a knife of his own design. Call him too daring for his own good, but Pelton's extensive experience operating in war zones and other high-risk areas has more than qualified him to know just what kind of knife you'll need when your life may literally be on the line.

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It's this kind of knife that DPx Gear prides itself on producing.

In Hand Pelton's goal, first and foremost, was to design a basic yet “bomb-proof” knife that was up to his often-perilous travels into hotbeds of terrorism and other civil conflicts. Currently, DPx offers four itera- tions that fulfill this requirement: Hostile Environment Survival Tools (HEST), Hande Inversion Tools (HIT), Hostile Envi- ronment Field or Fighting Tools (HEFT), and Hostile Environment At-Hand Tool (HEAT). Within each category are several variations on the particular model.

At the butt of each HEAT handle is a tungsten carbide glass- breaker. The HEAT in 3-D titanium is a limited edition, featuring a serialized number engraved on the top of the spine.

“NOT ONLY ARE THESE KNIVES HIGH- PERFORMANCE, THEY ARE MADE FROM HIGH-QUALITY MATERIALS AND DESIGNED FOR ULTIMATE DURABILITY.”

Textured G10 handles provide a secure, comfortable grip.

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CONTACT DPX GEAR 2345 Kettner Blvd., #1 San Diego, CA 92101 (888) 233-3924 www.DPxGear.com

Dangerous Places Extreme’s HEAT is designed to be lightweight and unobtrusive—ideal for traveling, especially to high-risk areas.

While a HEST is my weapon of choice for my daily police duties, I received two versions of DPx's newest offering, the HEAT, to evaluate for this story. These knives (the Milspex and Grey Elmax) were a bit smaller than I would want for a duty pocketknife, both measuring 6.24 inches overall with 2.26-inch blades. With a lightweight build, they will, however, be perfect for those who wish to carry a knife discreetly in a pair of dress slacks, or if you're traveling and want a tool you can rely on without drawing attention to yourself. In Action I found both versions of the HEAT to be extremely easy to carry. I couldn't even tell I had the knife clipped to my right FAST FEATURES HEAT MILSPEC: • Wear-resistant, high-alloyed tool steel • Pivot screw with 7/64 hardware requires no special tool for adjustment • Stainless steel “combat-style” clip

HEAT GREY ELMAX • Rust-resistant alloyed steel • American-made G10 handle • Glass breaker, lanyard hole, bottle opener, flathead screw

The HEAT is made from high- quality Sleipner or Elmax steel, with a textured G10 handle.

All DPx folders are secured in the open position via sturdy frame lock.

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pocket. I used the Milspec daily for every task I could conceive, from cutting wood, DID YOU KNOW…? paper, cardboard, plastic and sheetrock to Robert Young Pelton saw a need for a good, concealable knife which could be used as a tool prying open tin lids. The knife took all I and if, called upon, as a weapon. Thus DPx Gear was born. Pelton's accomplishments include, but are not limited to, author, journalist, and documentary could give and never failed. filmmaker. His work has taken him to some of the most dangerous places in the world, from After subjecting the knife to so many Uganda, to Colombia, to Afghanistan, to Liberia, to Pakistan, and many, many more. demands, I expected the blade would To learn more about Pelton, pick up one of his books— including Robert Young Pelton's have dulled some, but upon inspection I World's Most Dangerous Places (HarperCollins); The Adventurist (Broadway Books); and Come couldn't detect any edge loss whatsoever. Back Alive (Random House)—or visit his website, www.ComeBackAlive.com. The frame locks on both knives were good and tight, requiring two hands to “THE DPX HEAT IS EXCELLENT—EXCELLENT RELIABILITY, close. Some users may appreciate this, EXCELLENT CONSTRUCTION, AND MOST OF ALL, others may not. I found the Milspec loos- ened up a bit after a week of use. EXCELLENT FUNCTIONALITY.” Not only are these knives high-performance, they are made from high-quality materials and designed for ultimate dura- steel is particularly high performance and DPX HEAT/F GREY ELMAX bility. The Milspec, for example, features a rust resistant. OVERALL LENGTH: 6.24 inches blade made from Sleipner steel, a fine- Each HEAT model incorporates an BLADE LENGTH: 2.26 inches grain tool steel with outstanding edge re- American-made black G10 handle, pivot BLADE: Elmax third-generation stainless tention. Meanwhile, one of the Milspec's screws that require no special tools for steel, black PVD coating counterparts, the Grey Elmax, features a adjustment, a tungsten carbide glass HANDLE: G10 stonewashed, black PVD-coated blade of breaker, wire stripper/bottle opener, lan- WEIGHT: 4.15 ounces Elmax steel. A third-generation alloy, this yard hole and replaceable flathead screw. MSRP: $262.50

DPX HEAT/F MILSPEC OVERALL LENGTH: 6.24 inches BLADE LENGTH: 2.26 inches BLADE FINISH:Stonewashed, high-alloyed Sleipner tool steel HANDLE: Black G10 WEIGHT: 4.15 ounces MSRP: $250

The HEAT opens by way of a thumb stud, and carries nicely yet discreetly with a stainless steel, combat- style pocket clip.

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Knifemaking is easy when you buy from JANTZ

USA Made Blade Steel

Abrasives & Polishing COLLABORATIVE Even after stabbing and attempting to splinter a piece of EFFORTS plywood, the HEAT/Milspec’s blade was completely DPx works with a number of companies undamaged and without a hint of loosening. to produce the highest-quality knives possible. While most of their products are G-10 & available from their own website, some In Conclusion Micarta® designs can only be purchased from Overall, the quality of any version of the collaborators, including: DPx HEAT is excellent—excellent reliabili- • White River Knives, www.WhiteRiverKnives.com ty, excellent construction, and most of all, • LionSteel, www.LionSteel.com excellent functionality. Ranging from • Micro Tool, www.MicroTool.com about $190 to $300, it may not fit every Rivets & Some older, collectible DPx knives are user's budget, but if you can rustle up the Fasteners also available from Ontario Knife Company, cash, a DPx knife is certain to be well www.OntarioKnife.com. worth the investment. KI

Folder Components

Grinders Sanders Buffers

Pre-Shaped Blades

1-800-351-8900 knifemaking.com

knivesillustrated.com KNIVES ILLUSTRATED • DECEMBER 2014 57 KI-1412-58-63-MURPHY 9/28/14 11:25 PM Page 58

THE R. MURPHY SURVIVAL KNIFE IS A SOLID WORKING TOOL

STORY AND PHOTOS BY TIM STETZER

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SURVIVAL can be simple.

In these days of electronic gizmos and tools packed with every possible feature, sometimes we can forget that. But for generations, our forefathers made the most of the most basic carbon steel and wood handled cutlery—even though their belt knives saw much more day-to-day use than most of ours do today.

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Not everyone has forgotten about the simpler times, however; the folks at R. Murphy Knives have maintained a tradition of making no-nonsense knives, from quality materials, right here in the USA. With a history that dates back to 1850, R. Murphy has a well-founded reputation for making sturdy, working-class blades and tools for outdoorsmen, craftsmen and commercial users. Their outdoors line offers a number of hunting and fishing knives, the newest of which is dubbed, simply, the Survival Knife.

CONTACT R. Murphy Knives P.O. Box 376 Ayer, MA 01432 (888) 772-3481 www.RMurphyKnives.com The Survival Knife features a full-blade of high-carbon 1095 steel.

The Survival Knife was able to effectively produce kindling of just the right size.

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SPECIFICATIONS BLADE LENGTH: 5 inches BLADE STEEL: Cryogenically treated 1095HC steel BLADE THICKNESS: 0.109 inch OVERALL LENGTH: 10 inches At right about 10 inches in HANDLE MATERIAL: Mesquite burl length, the R. Murphy WEIGHT: Survival Knife balances 8 ounces with sheath perfectly between blade MSRP: $89 length and handle size. The MADE IN THE USA grip is hand-filling and comfortable to use.

“THE THIN CARBON STEEL BLADE IS A DREAM TO USE.”

In-Hand Impressions quality of its construction. Its heart is a The blade has a satin finish and is The Survival Knife is a blade that would full-tang piece of cryogenically treated etched with a subtle R. Murphy Knives have been quite at home on any of our 1095 high-carbon steel. It measures name and logo, plus a proud “Made in great-granddaddies’ belts. What sepa- about 10 inches overall, five inches of USA” on the left flat. The Survival weighs rates it from their knives, though, is the which comprise the drop-point blade with an even 6 ounces on its own, or 8 ounces a saber grind, secondary bevel and excel- in the included riveted-and-stitched lent factory edge. pouch-style sheath of undyed leather. The other 5 inches account for the handle, which incorporates a slight finger Field Testing guard in the front to keep your hand off of I had a good bit of time to work with the the blade, as well as a thumb ramp in the R. Murphy over the spring and summer rear along the spine. The handles are of this year. Throughout that period, I was mesquite burl, which is both extremely at- continuously aware that the handle on tractive and very durable. the Survival Knife is very comfortable. The

The blade shows some patina after extended use in varying weather conditions, but is otherwise in excellent condition.

A simple, pouch-style sheath comes with the Survival Knife. I was easily able to create a fuzz stick using the Survival Knife.

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The mesquite burl handles are excellently fitted and secured with brass rivets.

handle-to-tang fit is very good, and there are no sharp edges or uneven transitions that would cause hot spots during hard or extended use. The handle is also thick enough that I can bear down hard without my hand cramping up like it sometimes

does with thinner handles. The Survival Knife had excellent edge retention, even after months working around the camp. The handle’s mesquite wood has proven its durability as well. Despite using enough to get my fire started. The thin rust and therefore does require regular the knife in temperature swings from the blade and saber grind slid through wood maintenance. Personally, though, I never low 30s up into the mid 90s, and in hu- nicely, and I was able to get my fires ready worry too much about some stain or pati- midity levels that spanned from rain and quickly on a number of occasions. na; these things don’t take away from the hot muggy to cool dry, the handle did not When it came time to light the fire, I functionality of the blade. In fact, a uni- develop any cracks. The brass rivets have used the Murphy in conjunction with a form patina can even help protect the kept everything secure, even after some Swedish firesteel. I rapidly found out that blade. If nothing else, though, it shows pretty harsh use. the sharp spine on the knife made an im- some character and the fact that your The thin carbon steel blade is a dream pressive shower of sparks when scraped blade is a user, and not just a safe queen! to use. A lot of folks might look at that along the rod. .109-inch thickness and feel that this is In my photos, you may notice some A New Classic too thin for a survival knife, but I’d have to patina from using the Survival Knife for a The simple styling and materials of the disagree. Many traditional knives of gen- while, particularly in damp conditions. Be- R. Murphy Survival Knife harken back to erations past were right around this thick- cause it’s carbon steel, it is not immune to an earlier, simpler time. Modern quality ness, and they served yeoman duty in far harsher conditions than we’re likely to UPGRADED CARRY contend with today. I’ll grant that it The R. Murphy Survival Knife comes with a basic leather pouch sheath. This doesn’t have the mass to be used as a will certainly do the job, but for a chopper or a prybar, but if it’s cutting that woods knife I’ve gotten used to a you want, then this Murphy is definitely up bushcraft-style sheath, and opted for a to the task. square-toed sheath from JRE The blade took a great edge and held it Industries. This sheath is made from 8 ounces well. Resharpening was easy, and full re- of vegetable-tanned mahogany sharpening was kept at bay by frequent leather equipped with a loop for a large stropping on a lather strap impregnated fire steel on the side. It’s assembled with honing compound. The blade cuts with glue and secured by rivets and extremely well and transitioned from durable stitching and has a full welt with a smooth, finished edge. A leather dangler allows the knife to ride below the beltline and making extremely fine curls on fuzz sticks, out of the way of my pack and moves with me as a sit and move. The dangler is removable if to notches for traps, to dicing up veggies you prefer traditional belt carry. and meat in the camp kitchen. This bushcraft sheath sells for $85, which may deter some users, but rest assured it’s a I also used the Survival Knife to do a quality investment for a quality knife. fair bit of fire prep, including batoning kin- CONTACT: dling, which it also executed without is- JRE Industries (630) 837-1078 sue. As always, I keep my batoning to rea- www.JREIndustries.com sonably sized pieces of wood—just

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“THE HANDLE’S MESQUITE WOOD HAS PROVEN ITS DURABILITY.”

control, cryogenically treated steel and a proud work ethic make it a knife that will perform with the best of them in this age of silicon, electronics, and wonder tools. You won’t find a dozen different tools built into an R. Murphy knife or one with the latest wonder steel of the week and glow in the dark handles, but you will find a solid working tool built right here in America, just like R. Murphy has been doing for more than 160 years. KI

HIGHLIGHTS • Comfortable handle will not cause “hot spots” • Highly weather-resistant • Excellent edge retention • Rapid fire starter when used with Swedish firesteel Even though it’s thinner than the typical survival knife, the Murphy held up well to light batoning.

Paired with a Swedish firesteel, the Survival Knife made for a very fast fire starter.

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CANAL STREET CUTLERY CLOSES THE GAP BETWEEN FACTORY AND CUSTOM KNIVES

STORY AND PHOTOS BY SUPPOSE you want a knife that not only will STEVEN PAUL BARLOW give you a lifetime of dependable service, but also lifts a common tool to the status of art and gives you the simple pleasure of admiring its solid craftsmanship and beauty every time you pick it up. And what if you want all that for less than you’d pay for a custom knife?

Canal Street Cutlery’s Trailing Drop Point Hunter (top) and Pinch Single- Blade Lockback.

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A Canal Street employee puts the finishing touches on a two-blade pocketknife.

Canal Street Cutlery makes such cost of our labor and other overhead,” Traditional Knives, Traditional Source knives—not a boatload at a time for the says Gardiner. “And we were a very effi- “When we started Canal Street Cutlery mass market, but a few at a time for cient factory at the time.” in 2004, I believed quality knives should those who value excellence in craftsman- So Gardiner partnered with his former be made in Ellenville, (New York),” says ship. Now, having reached the milestone executive vice president, Joe Hufnagel Gardiner. “I hired the workers from of a decade in business, the company has (now retired), to create Canal Street Schrade’s old custom knife department. yet to waver from that mission, even Cutlery. That’s how our business started.” amidst a constant onslaught of more The company is named for its location cheaply priced competition. at historic 30 Canal Street in Ellenville, a building where knife making has been tak- In Context ing place since 1848. The New York Knife Founder Wally Gardiner and his em- Cooperative, Dan Devine & Sons, the Ul- ployees were already seasoned veterans ster Knife Company and Schrade all made of the cutlery business when they started knives here. Canal Street Cutlery. Gardiner was presi- “Our first customer was A.G. Russell,” dent of Imperial Schrade from 1986 until says Gardiner. “They ordered a two-piece they closed their doors in 2004, due in set that included a 4 1/8-inch trapper and part to the competition with foreign an 8-inch drop-point hunter. It was an ex- imports. clusive for the A.G. Russell catalog.” “China was making knives for less than That first order was for 150 sets of the cost of our materials, much less the knives. “The first two years were a struggle, just getting parts and to get things mov- “CANAL STREET CUTLERY ing,” Gardiner says. “It took us two years to tool our own line.” MAKES KNIVES … FOR THOSE Make no mistake, this company is not WHO VALUE EXCELLENCE IN just the old Schrade operating under a A box of Catskill Drop-Point Hunters are ready for the new name. Schrade knives were everyday CRAFTSMANSHIP.” finishing process. tools for the budget-conscious working

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man. Canal Street Cutlery focuses on traditional-style, high-end folding pocketknives and fixed-blade hunters, a re- freshing respite from a market dominated by knives that have the word “tactical” in their descriptions. Canal Street’s lineup of pocket folders includes one- and two-blade trappers; swell-center two-blade jacks, cannitlers (a three-blade cross between a canoe and a whittler); a two-blade Barlow; a single-blade lockback they call the Pinch; and a larger one they call the Squeeze. Their fixed-blade knives include trailing drop-point hunters; Catskill hunter with finger grooves; and their High Country Skinner. The company has also teamed with renowned knife designer D’Alton Holder to produce exquisite drop-point hunters and Bowie hunters. Employee Eric Albers points pins for a Canal Street knife—just one of some 100 steps in assembly. Besides its regular lineup of knives, Canal Street has made knives exclusively for A.G. Russell, Browning USA and Drop Point Hunter. The company also manu- factures the Coppersmith line of knives for KA-BAR. The company is always on the hunt for materials. For their handles, they’ve used antique ivory bone, buffalo horn and reclaimed American chestnut from an old Amish barn in Kentucky.

Supporting Individual Rights Gardiner says the market for Canal Street knives consists of both collectors and users who want a quality product. “We also market toward NRA members with special products that help that or- ganization raise money,” Gardiner says. “We’re big Second Amendment rights people here and that’s a fight we can’t afford to lose.” In its 10-year history—relatively short, in the knife business—Canal Street Cutlery

Toolmaker John Hazen is one of Canal Street’s employees involved in the more than 100 operations required to assemble a Finished Barlow knife clips await assembly. knife.

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CLOSE UP: PINCH LOCKBACK The single-blade Pinch lockback is Canal Street Cutlery’s best seller. It would be equally at home in the pocket of your jeans or a three-piece suit. It’s solid, well-built, and ready for work. Yet it has a simple elegance that makes me fell more “dressed up” if I’m carrying it. It’s sharp out of the box and locks with a reassuring “snap.” Its blade is angled slightly downward when open, which absolutely begs to be used for intricate whittling or other detail work.

Pinch Single-Blade Lockback in reclaimed American chestnut.

Gardiner isn’t interested only in gun rights; he has long been an advocate for a “AT THE END OF THE DAY citizen’s right to carry a knife. He’s says he’s testified an estimated 30 times over YOU’VE GOT TO GIVE THE his career, including before the New York CUSTOMERS WHAT THEY State Senate. WANT, AND KNIVES WITH Quality Comes at a Price Dave Poppo hammers the final pins into a knife. POCKET CLIPS ARE “If you’re really making knives in the has three of its knives selected as the EXCELLENT SELLERS.” U.S. and you’re really trying to pay your NRA Knife of the Year, most recently in people a living wage, it’s challenging,” 2011. —WALLY GARDINER Gardiner says. “And I’m not talking about

The author is certain the Trailing Drop-Point Hunter will be his new constant companion.

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A finished Catskill Drop-Point Hunter in antique white bone.

opening a box of Chinese parts and as- sembling them here, because that’s what some companies are doing. “We’re expensive, but we put good things into our knives and they have true value.” A quick look around the Internet shows Canal Street knives ranging in price from $65 for a Moon Pie trapper to more than $200 for its D’Holder hunters. Lots of work goes into putting these knives together. “There are 140 individual operations that go into every one of our three-blade pocket knives,” Gardiner says. “There are 165 for our Cannitler.” All of that work is performed in house. Employee Dave Poppo engraves pocket clips with the company’s 10th anniversary inscription.

George Jones works at buffing and polishing.

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Adapting to the Market While the knives Canal Street makes CLOSE UP: have their roots in more traditional pat- TRAILING terns, the company isn’t stuck in the past. DROP-POINT To stay alive in the knife business, Gar- HUNTER diner says, a company has to continually As soon as I held my new purchase, I knew it would adapt to the market. For instance, many become one of my favorite of Canal Street Cutlery’s traditional pock- hunting knives. The Canal Street etknives now come equipped with pocket Cutlery Trailing Drop-Point Hunter clips. is one of those knives that, by its “At the end of the day you’ve got to give good looks and fine Jean Kogut puts the finishing touches on knife components craftsmanship, naturally induces the customers what they want, and before they are assembled. bouts of daydreaming and knives with pocket clips are excellent sell- anticipation of days afield. ers,” he says. Pocket clips were what employee Dave In practical application, this Poppo came into Gardiner’s office to knife is what I consider “just show him. Poppo had been busy meticu- right” in terms of size and weight DOWN TO DETAILS for field-dressing game and other lously engraving commemorative 10th an- PINCH SINGLE BLADE LOCKBACK camp chores. Its blade, while a LENGTH CLOSED: 3 ¾ inches niversary pocket clips and was anxious to drop point, doesn’t turn down too BLADE LENGTH: 3 ¼ inches show the different styles to the boss. sharply, allowing the tip to still be BLADE CONFIGURATION: Clip point It was obvious that each employee I useful, while retaining strength. STEEL: D2 blade, internals stainless steel met was taking personal pride in the As with all of the Canal Street liner, spring and pinch lock Cutlery knives, this one has a workmanship on these knives. HANDLE MATERIAL: Smooth sunset bone, double-taper flat grind, a serial jigged amber stag bone or reclaimed “On a good week we’ll make about 350 number on the bolster and a American chestnut knives,” Gardiner says, “so we’re not a brass inlay of the Canal Street MSRP: $100 high-volume business.” shield on the handle. Gardiner says the business has TRAILING DROP POINT HUNTER changed because customers now expect OVERALL LENGTH: 7 5/8 inches Trailing Drop-Point Hunter in BLADE LENGTH: 3 3/8 inches immediate action and it can be difficult antique stag bone. BLADE CONFIGURATION: Drop point and time-consuming to please everyone. STEEL: D2, full-tang construction with stainless bolster HANDLE MATERIAL: Amber stag bone or reclaimed American chestnut

The Pinch lockback is one of Canal Street’s most popular models. This one features a smooth sunset bone handle.

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CONTACT CANAL STREET CUTLERY 30 Canal St. Ellenville, NY 12428 A drop point and enough www.CanalStreetCutlery.com belly for skinning makes the (845) 647-5900 Nyala useful in a multitude of applications. The integral handle and He pointed out that he was blade is sturdy and practical. currently trying to match one half of a knife handle to replace a broken part for one customer. “In today’s world, that one customer can get on the In- ternet and say something negative about the company and the word spreads fast. I don’t care who you are in this industry. There’s no low- hanging fruit. Everything is difficult. It requires investment.” Speaking of investment, by the time you read this I’m guessing I will have invested in about a half dozen Canal Street Cutlery knives. They won’t go on display or in my safe. They will go in my pocket or on my belt, to be placed into hard service with a little extra touch of class for this Wally Gardiner, head of Canal Street Cutlery, examines the antique ivory bone working man. KI handle materials.

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 ﬁ xed blade, called The Tor, on a Tormach PCNC 1100. www.tormach.com/knives

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THEONES TOWATCH 3 CUSTOM MAKERS WHO ARE SURE TO IMPRESS IN 2015 STORY BY LES ROBERTSON PHOTOS BY JIM COOPER, CHUCK WARD AND JIM SKELTON

AMID a market populated with brilliant talent, standing out can pose a formidable challenge to custom knifemakers. But Jason Clark, Pohan Leu and Brian Nadeau have managed to do just that.

What is it that distinguishes a maker above all others? It has less to do with experience—I’ve highlighted deserving makers in Knives Illustrated of all ages and career lengths—and more to do with excellence.

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POHAN LEU BLUEPHIN BLADE LENGTH: 4 1/8 inches OVERALL LENGTH: 9.5 inches BLADE STEEL: S35VN FRAME MATERIAL: Titanium frame, bolster, lightning strike carbon fiber

PHOTO BY CHUCK WARD

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I measure excellence with what I call the “Four Fs”: fit, finish, flow and function. JASON CLARK FOLDING BOWIE I also consider the materials a maker uses BLADE LENGTH: 3.75 inches and the value of their work for its pricing. OVERALL LENGTH: 9 inches It was by these criteria that the follow- BLADE STEEL: S35VN ing three makers stood out to me as those BOLSTER: Ladder-pattern Damascus I’m confident will have a significant im- FRAME MATERIAL: Titanium frame, lightning pact on the custom knife market in 2015, strike carbon fiber and to whom savvy custom knife enthusiasts will pay close attention. PHOTO BY CHUCK WARD

3JASON CLARK Jason Clark’s knives easily exemplify the Four Fs. A full-time law enforcement officer and homicide investigator, he has unique insight into the kinds of damage knives can cause—insight that has influ- enced his beautifully designed tactical blades. While his knives are primarily tactical, they could easily transition to presenta- tion or art folders simply by changing the materials, which is another strong point in Clark’s favor as one of the top makers of the year.

Blades in Action Clark primarily makes folders with an IKBS bearing system. This gives them a smooth opening and a solid lock-up, which is exactly what you want from a folder. I’ve carried one of his knives daily and put it through its paces, using them to do everything from cutting paper to cutting “CLARK UNDERSTANDS THAT Pricing away a mattress from under a vehicle. A TACTICAL FOLDER DOES Most of Clark’s folders start at $500. Every task, large or small, the knife han- NOT NEED TO BE OVERBUILT The price will increase depending on ma- dled with ease. Clark understands that a terials and features, such as adding bol- tactical folder does not need to be over- TO BE EFFECTIVE.” sters more expensive scale materials or built to be effective. Damascus steel. steels as clients request them. He relishes Clark currently attends the Blade Show Materials the opportunity to try new steels and in Atlanta, Georgia, and the Florida Knife- Clark’s stainless steels of choice are learn about them as he works with them. maker’s Association show in Lakeland, S35VN, CPM154, B75P, N690 and 19C27. He also offers a San Mai blade, as well Florida. For Damascus he prefers stainless steel as titanium for bolsters. In 2015, you ex- from either Rob Thomas or Chad Nichols. pect Clark to use more zirconium for bol- Final Thoughts He claims not to have a favorite Damas- sters and frame overlays. Clark earns a spot as one of 2015’s cus, which makes him a rarity among cus- As with his steels, Clark offers a wide ones to watch for his extensive variety of tom makers; instead, he enjoys trying new selection of handle materials, though he options and models available to the col- prefers titanium for both frames and the lector. The craftsmanship of his knives is handle material. For scales, he tends to on par with many of the best folder mak- CONTACT INFORMATION www.ClarkCustomKnives.com use synthetic materials such as G10, car- ers, and best of all, his pricing makes the [email protected] bon fiber, Micarta and Thunderstorm. He knives a bargain. I'm sure 2015 we’ll be (386) 935-2922 also enjoys working with stabilized and seeing great things from this talented natural woods and some dyed bone. maker in the year to come.

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POHAN LEU HAMACHI BLADE LENGTH: 4 inches OVERALL LENGTH: 9.5 inches BLADE STEEL: S35VN FRAME MATERIAL: Titanium frame, super conductor bolster, lightning strike carbon fiber

PHOTO BY JIM SKELTON

2POHAN LEU don’t request a bolster or scale material, Leu attends. Partly thanks to his business Initially best known for his Japanese- Leu pffers a variety of textured finishes for degree, Leu is well aware of the impor- style fixed blades, in 2014 Pohan Leu shift- the frame. tance of direct feedback. ed his focus to tactical folders crafted via His frames, typically including a frame the stock removal method. Some makers lock, are always titanium. He now makes Pricing and Delivery might have struggled with this transition, his folders with a tip-up carry clip, as well Leu’s fixed blades start at $200, and but Leu handled it with panache, and the as a flipper opener and IKBS bearing sys- folders at $525. The price will increase ac- change is paying off both for Leu and for tem, which makes the knife smooth to cording to the client’s specifications. His the custom knife market. open and solid to lock up. current delivery time is about one year. Leu regularly attends the Knife Expo in Materials Build Freedom Pasadena, California; the Blade Show in Leu’s tactical folder offers several com- Leu takes pride in doing all the work on Atlanta, Georgia; and the New York Cus- binations. He makes his blades primarily each of his knives himself. This allows him tom Knife Show in Jersey City, New Jersey. from S35VN steel, and if he uses bolsters, the freedom to build whatever he wants, these will usually be titanium. At the offering a wide variety of options to his Final Thoughts client’s request, bolsters can be made clients. He’s always eager to experiment I’ve been closely observing the evolu- from a more exotic steel such as Damas- with new ideas and materials, and inter- tion of Leu’s knife making, and have been cus or Ti-Mascus. He has also recently be- ested users can see and comment the re- continually impressed with his steady im- gun using zirconium and Super Collider; sults of his experimentation at the shows provement. As we enter the new year, I look for more knives featuring these ma- foresee nothing but continued success for terials in 2015. CONTACT INFORMATION this talented maker, as he keeps pushing For handles, Leu opts for synthetic ma- www.LeuCustom.com the limits of his craft with new materials [email protected] terials such as G10, carbon fiber or Light- (949) 300-6412 and designs that are sure to keep his ning Strike carbon fiber. For clients who knives in high demand.

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1BRIAN NADEAU You might remember Brian Nadeau from the July/August issue of Knives Illus- trated, but he has continued to impress the custom knife community so greatly I’d be remiss not to include him again at the top of my list. For instance, at the 2014 Blade Show Nadeau took home awards for both Best Tactical Folder and Best New Maker. Barely two months later, at the elite Usual Suspect Network Gathering, he snagged a second Best New Maker award. It’s not hard to see why Nadeau gar- nered such recognition even in the face of stiff competition. Nadeau is extremely meticulous about his construction, resulting in knives that are truly top of the line. He gained a knack for precision while working with printing presses—“There’s no more precise machine than a German printing press!” he says. He has since channeled that commitment to detail into perfectly selecting and refining his pivot pins and knife geometry.

Materials While Nadeau builds both fixed blades and folders, the latter takes most of his focus nowadays. His steel of choice is S35VN, which he feels takes a great polish and best encapsulates every attribute you want in a steel, from edge retention to CONTACT INFORMATION toughness. www.SharpByDesign.com [email protected] He uses both frame locks and liner locks on his folders, for which he prefers machine—a process often misunderstood titanium. Titanium is also his steel of BRIAN NADEAU TYPHOON by the knifemaking community. He uses a choice for handles because “it’s strong, BLADE LENGTH: 4 inches 3-D computer-aided drafting program to light and can be anodized.” OVERALL LENGTH: 9 inches design the knife and fixtures to hold the In 2015, look for Nadeau to introduce BLADE STEEL: S35VN pieces in place during machining. Next, he FRAME MATERIAL: folders with bolsters and synthetic handle 3-D machined titanium designs the programs to make the fix- COMMENTS: scales, such as carbon fiber, G10 and Available with inlaid spring lock or tures, setting up and producing all of the frame lock. Multiple colors and texturing. Micarta. tooling. This process must be repeated for Construction is corrosion resistant. Machined in- every component of the knife. Finally, ball detent. Hardened SS lock. Available with Precision Through Technology tanto or spear-point blades. Ball-thrust bearings. every part is fitted and finished by hand. Nadeau builds his knives using the Screwless pocket clip. All this to say, Nadeau’s use of machin- stock removal method, incorporating a ery is by no means a shortcut. His precision Computer Numeric Control (CNC) PHOTO BY JIM COOPER and care for detail are clearly evident in every folder he makes, resulting in designs that might be best described as “clean.” “NADEAU IS EXTREMELY METICULOUS ABOUT HIS Pricing and Delivery CONSTRUCTION, RESULTING IN KNIVES THAT ARE Currently, Nadeau’s knives are in the TRULY TOP-OF-THE-LINE.” $750 to $1,000 range. He does take semi- custom orders, allowing a client to choose

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BRIAN NADEAU VIPER BLADE LENGTH: 3.5 inches OVERALL LENGTH: 8 inches BLADE STEEL: S35VN FRAME MATERIAL: 3-D machined titanium COMMENTS: Available with inlaid spring lock or frame lock. Multiple colors and texturing. Construction is corrosion resistant. Machined in- ball detent. Hardened SS lock. Available with tanto or spear-point blades. Ball-thrust bearings. Screwless pocket clip.

PHOTO BY JIM COOPER

materials, colors and textures for his ex- isting designs. As of this writing, his delivery time was a very reasonable eight months, though this is slowly extending as he gains more and more recognition. Nadeau attends the Blade Show in Atlanta, Georgia, and the Usual Suspects Network Gathering in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Final Thoughts Nadeau’s philosophy of knifemaking is to produce pieces that are sleek, slim, light and strong. Not only does each and every one of his works nail this description, but they are also visually stunning and delightfully functional. (His flippers open almost effortlessly and lock precisely and securely into place.) With their excellent balance, design variety and striking colors, Nadeau’s knives are nothing short of works of art. Collectors will do well to invest in one of his knives as soon as possible. I guarantee you will not be disappointed. KI

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In the SPOTLIGHT Stand-Out STYLE THE BEST IN CUSTOM BLADES PHOTOS BY JIM COOPER

It would take more pages than Knives Illustrated publishes in a year to give due attention to all the many incredible works of art in the realm of custom knives—but here’s just a small sampling of some we’ve been impressed with recently. KI

Maker: Logan Pearce

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Maker: Tim Britton Maker: Ken Steigerwalt

Maker: Joe Kious Engraver: C.J. Cai Maker: Ben Breda

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HOW TO... On Point SHARPENING TIPS AND TECHNIQUES TO MAXIMIZE YOUR BLADE’S POTENTIAL

STORY AND PHOTOS BY ABE ELIAS

SHARPENING is not a complicated task, but it is a crucial one.

Many people make sharpening out to be difficult and confusing, but if you follow the basic principles, you’ll find that it becomes easy and maybe even therapeutic. Most importantly, you’ll ensure that your blade of choice is not only effective, but safe.

My friend Mark, manager of Knifewear in Kelowna, British Columbia, lets his fingers ride over the edge of his knife to feel the flow of the blade across the water stone.

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Step 1: Polish paper glides smoothly. When it does, this sidered “shaving sharp” is not the same Choose an abrasive, such as sandpa- indicates that the two surfaces match edge that will effectively cut through fi- per, wisely; too coarse, and you’ll scratch with little or no irregularities. brous materials such as cord and rope. your blade. Start with the highest (finest) Continue grinding until any scratches grit possible. A knife that’s already badly are smoothed out, and the edge is sharp Step 2: Sharpen scratched from heavy use may require enough to fulfill the tasks for which you Some recommend counting the num- sandpaper or a sharpening stone as low use the knife. The same edge that’s con- ber of strokes you take on each side of the as 120-grit to work out severe scratches blade when you begin your aggressive and edge damage. For a knife that’s sim- sharpening. However, it’s all but ply dull, however, start with a 400- to “TO EFFECTIVELY 600-grit sandpaper and work up to a finer RESOURCES grit as needed. SHARPEN YOUR BLADE, For some of Knives Illustrated’s sharpening picks, please see the “Bells & Whistles” With your abrasive of choice, rub one RELY ON YOUR SENSES.” column on page 88. side of the blade, then the other, until the

Particles of steel float in the water on the stone.

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WHAT YOU’LL NEED When preparing to sharpen your knife, make sure you have the following on hand: • Abrasive, such as sandpaper or sharpening stone • Leather honing strap • Cloth for wiping off dust and shavings • Honing oil (optional)

Mark finishes the edge of his knife by stroking the knife backward over a leather strap—aka “stropping”—to remove the fine wire edge known as the bur.

The slight secondary bevel along the edge of this ultra-thin chopping knife is all polished and ready to cut.

Field sharpening tools come in a variety of shapes and sizes for different jobs. From left to right: Lansky paddle; Lansky folding diamond taper rod, Fallkniven DC3 combination stone, The final test: Mark checks to see whether any particles from the paper get caught in the newly sharpened edge. and Spyderco Pocket Stone (Double Stuff).

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impossible to apply perfectly equal pressure along the full length of a sharpening stroke. Uneven pressure will result in uneven wear of the cutting edge. To effectively sharpen your blade, rely on your senses. Listen to the edge gliding

ALL ABOUT ABRASIVES Everything used to sharpen knives is an abrasive. Abrasives come in many forms and vary by aggressiveness, durability, type and application. When we talk about grit, grit is the number of abrasive granules per square inch. If the sandpaper you’re using is labeled 220-grit, then there are 220 granules of abrasive in a square inch. As the count goes up, the size of granules goes down, resulting in a finer, more densely packed surface. Some abrasives are measured in microns (μ), which refers directly to the size of the abrasive particle used, rather than the number of particles per square inch. Abrasives also vary in price. A higher price does not necessarily mean high durability. You can pay top dollar for a water stone and a diamond stone. The water stone is effective, but will wear faster than the diamond—but you might find one easier to use than the other. Before settling on an abrasive, it’s best to try a few to gain a feel for which you prefer to use and which provides your desired finish. Wet stones use oil as a lubricant to create a slur and aid in sharpening. The thinner the oil, the better the stone works. To clean, simply use hot water and dish soap.

I use a wide range of Lansky stones in a number of materials for my own sharpening work. From left to right: man-made combination stone, fine-grit diamond stone, coarse-grit diamond stone, and soft Arkansas stone.

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RECOMMENDED SUPPLIERS LANSKY SHARPENERS www.Lansky.com (716) 877-7511

KNIFEWEAR INC. www.Knifewear.com (888) 669-6168

along the abrasive. As the surface becomes smoother and the grit ceases to bite into the steel, the sound will become higher pitched. Feel the blade gliding more gracefully along the abrasive until there are no more bumps or skips. This will mean all irregularities in the edge have been rubbed out. This will take practice, but it will more readily ensure a good edge than counting strokes.

Step 3: Hone Every sharpening session finishes with a honing. Whether you’re fixing a dam- Enable Your Ideas with a PCNC Mill aged edge or giving a knife a light touch- Discerning gun and knife enthusiasts know there’s only one choice in CNC for affordable precision: the Tormach PCNC 1100. Take aim at your most demanding machining needs - engraving, milling, threading, up, you’re removing material when you reaming, and boring. Big or small, Tormach hits the bullseye to sharpen your blade. This causes the edge deliver for you. to form a slight wire bur, which needs to Tormach PCNC 1100 Series 3 be removed before you can enjoy the full Shown here with starting at $8480 optional stand, LCD (plus shipping) benefit of your work. monitor, machine arms, and accessories. To remove the wire bur, use a leather strap. I prefer to use one impregnated Cantilever GoPro camera Picatinny Mount made by Strikemark, with jewels and move the knife’s edge manufactured on a PCNC 1100. backward along the strap (not forward, as you do when sharpening). This technique is called stropping. A reverse stropping motion continues to polish the metal, while at the same time pulling the wire bur from the edge.

Following is a principle to keep in mind: Follow knifemaker John Grimsmo as Sharpen a knife once, but hone it for the he makes his own knives with a PCNC 1100 on his web series, Knifemaking rest of its life. Hone the blade before it’s Tuesdays, at www.tormach.com/kmt. damaged enough to require a full sharp- www.tormach.com/asg ening. On the other hand, overly frequent stropping will wear away your edge. Get to know your knife; when you feel the edge just isn’t quite as sharp as you’d like, then it’s time to hone. KI

Abe Elias is an outdoor skills teacher, hunter, sports shooter and the owner of Diving Sparrow Knife Works. He’s been an outdoor writer for more than 10 years and covers firearms, knives and survival. The author thanks Knifewear in Kelow- na, British Columbia, for their help with photography.

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LANSKY SHARPENERS BELLS & www.Lansky.com Deluxe WHISTLES 5-Stone System This compact kit is both comprehensive and no-nonsense, just right for almost any basic honing need. The molded carrying case encloses both alumina oxide and ceramic hones in a variety of grits; On the honing oil; and a clamp and guide rods for ensuring you sharpen your blade at the perfect angle. MSRP: $49.99

Blademedic EDGE Knife Sharpener The Blademedic will fit the bill for anyone in need of a pocket-sized field 5 TOP PRODUCTS TO KEEP sharpener. This tiny tool puts tungsten carbide, ceramic sharpening rods, a YOUR BLADES AT THEIR BEST diamond tapered rod and serrated knife sharpener right into the palm of your BY KI STAFF hand for quickly tuning up any edge. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MANUFACTURERS MSRP: $15.99

ON page 82, resident expert Abe Elias gave his tips for efficiently sharpening your blades. Here are five of our top picks for putting his advice into action.

SHARPENING SUPPLIES Oil Stone and www.SharpeningSupplies.com Soft Arkansas Kit This two-stone kit is ideal for those who are more comfortable with a more XL Double-Sided typical approach to honing than the stropping method. Use the fine oil stone Paddle Strop to refine your blade’s bevel, then move on to the softer Arkansas stone to Knife users have many options for honing, and this paddle strop is one of polish off and precisely sharpen your edge. The kit includes an oil stone with the best. The 12-inch width makes it suitable for putting the finishing both coarse and fine sides, a soft Arkansas stone, two wood storage boxes touches on a blade of any size. One side of the paddle features suede; the and a 4.5-ounce bottle of Norton honing oil. other, leather, allowing users to tailor their honing to each blade. MSRP: $49.99 MSRP: $38.99

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DIAMOND MACHINING TECHNOLOGY www.DMTSharp.com Diafold Double-Sided Sharpener The Diafold sharpener also falls under the category of “on-the-go” tools. A mere five inches closed, it slips easily and almost weightlessly into your pocket or pack, protecting the sharpeners inside sturdy plastic handles. Take your pick of a combination of two diamond whetstone sharpeners, from coarse/extra-coarse to extra fine/extra-extra fine. MSRP: $44.40 KI

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For the INDOORSMAN Capable Cutlery 4 GREAT COMPANIES BRING THEIR KNIVES INDOORS

STORY AND PHOTOS BY BETHANY MILLER

BÖKER, Ontario Knife Company, Spyderco and W.R. Case have made names for themselves as makers of outstanding outdoor, tactical and everyday-carry blades. But that’s not all they do.

From top to bottom: Ontario Agilite Chef’s Knife, W.R. Case Household Cutlery Chef’s Knife, Spyderco PlainEdge Utility Knife, Böker Ceramic Santoku.

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These companies have not neglected those who are equally comfortable working in the kitchen as outdoors (or those who prefer it). I recently had the chance to put a few such knives through their paces in the great indoors.

1. BÖKER PRODUCT: Ceramic Santoku WEBSITE: www.Boker.de/us MSRP: $51.95 DETAILS: 11 inches overall, ceramic blade, fiber-reinforced Delrin handle OVERVIEW: This knife fit into my hand like it was made for it and was easily the most comfortable of the bunch. Better still, it performed wonderfully consistently, chopping, slicing, dicing and mincing most test foods with ease. I did notice some very slight nicks in the edge of the The Böker Ceramic Santoku cut smoothly and easily through a block of cheese.

The Böker’s smaller size was no handicap when slicing a cantaloupe.

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blade after testing, which makes me wonder about its durability, but otherwise this santoku would make a solid choice for routine culinary tasks. BEST FOR: Smaller tasks such as peeling, slicing, dicing

2. ONTARIO KNIFE COMPANY PRODUCT: Agilite Chef’s Knife WEBSITE: www.OntarioKnife.com MSRP: $79.95 DETAILS: 15 inches overall, 15C28N blade, Ultem and Kraton handle The 8-inch chef’s knife from Ontario’s Agilite line was just the thing for carving a melon.

OVERVIEW: The first thing I noticed about Ontario’s new Agilite Chef’s Knife is that it was beautiful; the second thing was that it was ultra lightweight and easy to wield. This may not be the right choice for those who are most comfortable with a little more weight in their hands, but the lighter build didn’t stop this knife from efficiently chopping through carrots, potatoes and a cantaloupe. It did equally good work when used with a rocking motion or for straight chopping—all without causing wrist fatigue. It faltered somewhat in more detailed work such as mincing and peeling, but for larger jobs, this blade performs admirably. BEST FOR: Larger chopping tasks

3. SPYDERCO PRODUCT: PlainEdge Utility Knife WEBSITE: www.Spyderco.com MSRP: $49.95 DETAILS: 10.8 inches overall, MBS-26 blade, polypropylene plastic handle OVERVIEW:: Spyderco is reviving its

While the other three knives would “stick” a bit at the thickest part of a carrot, the Spyderco PlainEdge Utility Knife The Agilite chef’s knife was ideal for dicing raw chicken. continued on effortlessly.

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PERFORMANCE BY THE NUMBERS Each knife was tested through a variety of tasks and graded on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest).

BOKER ONTARIO SPYDERCO CASE CRITERIA

Grip 54 4 3.5 Comfortability and security in hand

Balance 25 5 3.5 Stability when rested on one ﬁnger near front of handle

Motion 45 4.5 3 Momentum; overall ease of use; ﬂuidity; maneuverability

Sharpness 4.5 5 5 2.5 Ease of cutting through magazine paper out of the box and after testing

Chopping: Carrots 3.5 4 5 3 Ease and efficiency

Chopping: Raw meat 4 4.5 5 2.5 Ease and efficiency

Slicing: Tomatoes 4.5 4.5 5 3.5 Ease and efficiency, particularly penetrating tomato skin

Slicing: Cheese 4.5 3 3.5 5 Ease and efficiency

Peeling: Potatoes 4.5 3.5 5 4.5 Ease, efficiency, precision

Mincing: Parsley 3.5 2.5 5 3 Ease, precision, control

Carving: Melon 3 4 4.5 3.5 Ease and efficiency; ability to puncture rind; ability to slice through evenly and in one motion

OVERALL RATING 3.9 4.1 4.7 3.4

found myself wishing was that it were available in a larger size, as taking on a watermelon or similarly larger job might prove a challenge. Otherwise, though, I foresee this knife becoming an essential in my own kitchen. BEST FOR: All-around utility

The easy winner when it came to mincing a bunch of parsley was the Spyderco utility knife.

kitchen utility knives after a decade of discontinuation—and it’s easy to see why. Because of its smaller size and mere 2-ounce weight, I expected this knife would be outperformed by its larger counterparts. Much to my surprise, however, this one was an easy standout. It chopped carrots, minced parsley, peeled potatoes, diced raw chicken, sliced tomatoes and even carved cantaloupe with indiscriminate, Sectioning a tomato into paper-thin slices was a breeze with The W.R. Case chef’s knife worked surprisingly well for peeling the Spyderco in hand. velvety effortlessness. The only thing I potatoes.

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4. W.R. CASE PRODUCT: Household Cutlery Chef’s Knife WEBSITE: www.WRCase.com MSRP: $45.99 DETAILS: 10 inches overall, Tru-Sharp surgical steel blade, solid walnut handle OVERVIEW: The Case chef’s knife is available on its own or as part of a classic seven-piece block set, and either way it’s equally handsome. This knife did not come optimally sharp right out of the box, and because of that I had a harder time using it to cut carrots and raw meat. It did a fine job against most other foods, however, and I suspect that, after some honing, it would perform with excellence. I was particularly surprised by this knife’s ability to handle peeling potatoes. Despite its greater size and weight, I had excellent control while maneuvering it down the length of the potato. I would normally use a paring knife for this, but all the better if I can get through a round of food preparation using the same blade for tasks both large and small. BEST FOR: Moderate chopping, but also does surprisingly well with detail work KI

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KI KI-1412-96-AD INDEX 9/30/14 1:50 AM Page 96

ADINDEX

BladeGallery.com 35 Blue Ridge Knives 89, 96 Cas Iberia 5 Chris Reeve Knives 73 Columbia River Knife & Tool 43 Flexcut Tool Company 95 Back Hogue Grips 43 Jantz Supply 12-13, 57 Kayne & Son 49 Issues Kershaw Knives 100 Knife and Gun Finishing Supply 51 Knife Center Of The Internet 87 Leecutlery.com 89 Available Niagara Specialty Metals 57 Randall Made Knives 96 SOG Specialty Knives 79 Spyderco Inc. 89 Tandy Leather Factory 65 TOPS Knives 99 Tormach LLC 73, 87 Tru-Grit, Inc. 79 W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co. 2, 65 WILSON COMBAT 87

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BUY THEM ONLINE AT ENGAGEDMEDIAMAGS.COM OR CALL US AT 800-764-6278 100% Pre-Shrunk Cotton with Gold, Black and White Screen Print KI-1412-98-READER 9/29/14 1:19 AM Page 98 SHOW 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. In- terested in showing off your knife? Email Bethany Photos by Bethany Miller & TELL Miller at [email protected]. and courtesy of Buck Knives

ABOUT THE OWNER NAME: Jonathan Diaz RESIDENCE: South Bend, Indiana OCCUPATION: Graduate student

ABOUT THE KNIFE MANUFACTURER: Buck Knives MODEL: 110 Classic Hunter OWNED SINCE: 2004

Since Show & Tell began, we’ve featured a number of unique and custom- made blades; this month, however, a reader shows us that sometimes you just can’t top a solid traditional design.

Tell us about how and when you got this knife. I won it when I was 12 during a church camping trip and have carried it ever since.

What about it do you most enjoy or appreciate? I love the classic design of the knife, as well as the sturdy weight of the blade.

Do you have any stories about how you’ve used it? I’ve spent a lot of time on camping trips whittling with it. I was never very good, but I had a lot of fun. KI

Jonathan Diaz appreciates this Buck folder’s classic, gentlemanly appearance.

98 KNIVES ILLUSTRATED • DECEMBER 2014 knivesillustrated.com KI_1501_C3 9/26/14 2:49 AM Page C3 KI_1501_C4 9/26/14 2:51 AM Page C4 BUILT LIKE A TANK

Zero Tolerance and Emerson Knives have joined forces to create the new Zero Tolerance 0620CF and 0620. Both feature the famous Emerson “wave shaped opening feature.” This enables the user to deploy the blade as it is withdrawn from the pocket —so it is ready for use instantly. 0620 0620CF

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