Innholdsfortegnelse for September - October 2020 i Knives Illustrated

“FORGET THE BELLS AND WHISTLES, DISCARD THE DECORATIVE, AND CARRY THIS BLADE WHEREVER YOUR ADVENTURES TAKE YOU.” A simple, yet practical design, a sure-grip handle, and always ready to enter the combat zone when needed or as a backwoods companion, the Strongarm knife from Gerber Gear is a civilian’s answer to a military man’s blade that still offers a lot of versatility. The Strongarm, featuring a full tang blade and rubberized textured grip, is at home in nearly any environment. From steamy rain forests to tree-covered woodlands to swampy bogs to the city’s concrete jungle, this knife offers all-around use for a plethora of survival, bushcraft, and self-defense applications. Not content with just believing blindly the descriptive words of the packaging, I took this military-style blade into the field, both…

AS A CONSUMER OF KNIVES, THE HEALTHIEST MANTRA TO KEEP ON ALL KNIFE RELATED OCCASIONS … IS THIS: THESE TOOLS ARE TO MAKE MY LIFE MORE ENJOYABLE. I truly hope there is a proper bushcrafter contributing to this issue of Knives Illustrated. You, dear reader, deserve more than me. What a skilled bushman can offer you are tales of knife-led conquests of adversity and triumphs of the minimalist ideal. A skilled bushman’s reflections can give you something to aspire to. Abundant skilled voices are out there; at the forefront of my mind is Mike McQuarrie, a.k.a. MCQ Bushcraft on YouTube, whose well-filmed and calmly spoken films provide fuel and ambition for those who look at the bushcraft knife and feel an itch to really use it as a tool rather…

WITH ITS YACARE AND TANIMBOCA PUUKKO, TOPS KNIVES HAS MADE TWO HARD-WORKING TOOLS MEANT FOR REAL USE AND NOT FOR TAKING UP SPACE IN A “SAFE QUEEN” CASE. I have been associated with TOPS Knives since 1999, when it had just premiered the Steel Eagle. I opted for the 111 model with an 11-inch blade. It was a beast—and the start of my collection. Before long, I read reviews of TOPS’ knives by writer/ photographer Jeff Randall, because he used TOPS knives in the Peruvian Amazon jungle. The reviews sparked a fire in me to buy more TOPS knives—and to also get into the “jungle” myself. Through the years, TOPS Knives has not only been a knife company, but also a place to obtain survival gear and accessories for law…

1. Black Beard Firestarter Whether it’s for warmth, cooking, or signaling, fire is one of the most important aspects of survival. Even if you aren’t in a survival situation, it’s nice to have a fire to sit around when you’re out in the woods. Getting that fire started can be a chore sometimes though, especially if it’s wet out, and that’s where bringing a good fire starter with you can make a difference. You can find a lot of fire-starting options out there, but I’m always on the prowl for new ones. Lately, the Black Beard rope has caught my eye. The handmade Black Beard rope fire starter is just what it sounds like: a 5.5-inch long, 1-inch diameter hunk of cotton rope that is then infused with a…

Like the Strongarm itself, its accompanying sheath provides versatility no matter how and where you like to wear your blade-carrying companion. With traditional drop-leg position, horizontal belt carry at the waist, and vertical MOLLE adaptation, no matter what you wear on a daily basis (or during emergency conditions) your Strongarm will only be a hand’s length away. The belt loops are completely detachable, making fastening and removal quick and easy without needing to undo your belt. In addition, the snap-in enclosure keeps the knife from rattling when you are on the move, and the MOLLE integration allow you to take the Strongarm knife on many types of “missions” due to its ability to attach to numerous types of vests, bags, and other compatible gear. The material of the sheath is…

There is no law that says your burly bushcrafting outdoor knife can’t look good. What follows is irrefutable evidence of that. These knives look equally good at home, in a tree stand, at a remote camp site, or in a suit. Sit back and bask in the glory that is this photo gallery from Jim Cooper of SharpByCoop. Information on how to contact the makers is included in the Specs box on each page. SPECS JOHN APRIL Model: Mammoth Bone Chute Knife Blade Length: 4.25" Overall Length: 9" Blade Material: CPM-154 Handle Material: Mammoth Bone with Pinned and Soldered Guard Sheath: Wickett & Craig Leather Contact: johnaprilknives@yahoo.com DAVE ARMOUR Model: Armour Cutlery Bowie Blade Length: 10.5" Overall Length: 15.75" Blade Material: 1084 Handle Material: Stabilized Box Elder Burl with Copper…

As “knife people” we often seem to be obsessed with categorizing ourselves, finding ways to separate ourselves from the rest of the segment. Phrases like, “I’m not a collector, I use my knives,” or “You’re not a real collector until you start buying custom knives,” are pretty common on forums and other social media. But what do these words mean? Are you a collector, enthusiast, or a user? Maybe a combo of all three? Is it based on the price of your “collection”? The rarity? For example, while I personally own about 100 knives, I still consider myself an enthusiast more than a collector. None of them are safe queens. I will and do use almost all of my knives on occasion. I do have a handful that are pricey…

“THE MEATCRAFTER HAS THE PERFECT BLADE-TO-HANDLE RATIO AT AN OVERALL LENGTH OF 11.05 INCHES. MY FIRST IMPRESSION TAKING THIS KNIFE OUT OF THE SHEATH, I NOTED HOW COMFORTABLE IT WAS TO HANDLE WHILE BEING LIGHTWEIGHT AT ONLY 4.5 OUNCES.” Benchmade Knife Company has been building excellent hunting knives for years. Whether it’s folding knives like the Crooked River or Grizzly Ridge, or fixed blades such as the Bushcrafter or Leuku, Benchmade’s hunting and adventuring models have gained a stalwart reputation among outdoorsmen. So, when the company began working with Meateater’s Steven Rinella, it’s safe to say that it had a reputation to uphold. Benchmade was looking to design the perfect knife that could be used in the field on your hunt and all the way back to your daily kitchen…

“NOW THAT I OWN ONE, I CAN’T IMAGINE EVER BEING WITHOUT A TRAMONTINA MACHETE.” The Tramontina machete is a bit of an enigma. It has an exotic-sounding name and is from Brazil. It also has a blade shape that reminds you of classic jungle-slashing tools you see in the movies. It has a nice-looking wooden handle. It comes with a pretty decent sheath. But you can buy it at your local big-box store for $20. What? Like most first-time Tramontina buyers, my purchase of this machete was mostly unplanned. I somehow managed to lose my faithful old Gerber machete (I know it’s hard to lose a machete, but you’ve never seen the giant mess that is my garage) and needed another one pronto to do some yardwork. I went to…

“I JUST TOOK A QUICK ‘MAN GLANCE’ AT THE EXCELLENT PROVIDED INSTRUCTIONS AND WAS UP AND RUNNING WITHIN A HANDFUL OF MINUTES.” One of the most intimidating aspects of the knife-collecting hobby for newer entrants is sharpening. From the outside looking in, it can seem like a mystical, dark art that can only be mastered by mysterious beings that seem to be able to speak to stones and metal as easily as if they were ordering a coffee. Of course, it isn’t nearly that magical, but it can be hard to find out what system works best for you. If you pop onto any knife forum on the internet, you’ll mostly find suggestions for guided sharpening systems of many different kinds or calls to just jump to the much more…

Ryan Pearson of Pearson Custom Knives is a master mechanic by day and an up-and-coming master knifemaker by night. His dreams of taking his knifemaking full time are quickly becoming a reality through his growing customer base and fan following within the knife community. This is due in large part to his popular models such as the Titan, Chief, Lil Chief, Scout, and Rhino. All his knives and sheaths are made out of his home shop by Ryan himself and the occasional family member who can pitch in a helping hand. Ryan utilizes the same work ethic that made him a master mechanic in his trade as a knifemaker. His knives’ quality, fit and finish, massive attention to detail, and customer service are second to none. His easy-going nature and…