Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2020 i Knives Illustrated

One of the newest designer collaborations with TOPS Knives is with primitive skills and television personality Matt Graham. No stranger to the design game, Matt has now, with the Little Bugger, joined the large group of experts to contribute his creativity. His lightweight, skills-over-gear mentality may be the reason the Little Bugger is so small and handy, yet practical for travel afoot. Matt broke out on the scene as co-host of the reality show Dual Survival. However, previously he was on a show called Dude You’re Screwed. More recently, Matt has joined the cast of National Geographic channel’s Live Free or Die and another show he hosts is Bushcraft Build Off Challenge. Hopefully, we will see more collaborations between Matt Graham and TOPS Knives.…

“FEW SYMBOLS HAVE THAT RECOGNIZABLE, ICONIC QUALITY LIKE THE LITTLE RED KNIFE WITH A CROSS AND SHIELD, KNOWN AS THE SWISS ARMY KNIFE (SAK).” Arguably the most well-known knife in the world, it’s able to build a raft, perform camp crafts, clean fish and game, maintain the workplace, and more. Few symbols have that recognizable, iconic quality like the little red knife with a cross and shield, known as the Swiss Army Knife (SAK). Victorinox, the company that makes them, has been around for more than 130 years. No matter how big or small, a SAK has always been considered a multitool of sorts, which is more knife based than a stereotypical Leatherman-style multitool. IN SPACE, ON TV In 1986, after a previous procurement of the Master Craftsman by NASA…

“THE TAC TOOL WAS THE ONLY LARGE CUTTING TOOL IN THE CAR AND MY ROOF RACK WAS CAUGHT UP IN A RHODODENDRON TREE…BUT THE BK3 HAD NO PROBLEMS CUTTING THROUGH THE DENSE FOLIAGE.” EDITOR’S NOTE: Not all multitools fit in a pocket. Sometimes a big job requires a big tool. When you need a tool that not only cuts, but can chop, slash, smash, bash, pry, and hammer, the KA-BAR/Becker Knife & Tool BK3 Tac Tool is a good choice. Here, wilderness survival expert Joe Flowers shares some of his exploits with this versatile tool. There is an old reliable that stays in my Jeep. While driving my rusted Cherokee in the back country, I frequently see old rusted tools on the sides of barns. Often, as a writer, I…

You won’t forget to take them with you, because they’ll be right on your keychain, around your wrist, or in your wallet. There’s no end to useful little gadgets that combine several tools in one, take-anywhere device. Some include a knife blade, and most include a screwdriver or two. Most feature what their creators must think is indispensable: a bottle opener. This is in case, I suppose, you’re unexpectedly thrust into a binge away from a drinking establishment with no other way to open your brew. Most of my experience is with twist-off caps, so what do I know. TRAVEL LIGHT The great thing about keychain tools and other small gadgets is that they don’t weigh you down. I’m a devotee of everyday carry gear. But after loading up for…

The Final Option Blade’s compact size makes it easily concealable in the palm and features neck and belt sheath carry options. The blade has everyday carry versatility and has excellent retention and comfort, not commonly found in other designs of similar size. In a reverse grip, the knife is so secure that it can puncture the wall of an American-made ammo can safely and comfortably. As the smallest knife in Slysteel’s line, it makes a perfect pairing with the Survival Kukri.…

We know you’ve done it before. We all have. C’mon, admit that you’ve pictured yourself being the hero. You’re going about your day when a robber/terrorist/Antifa thug pulls out a knife/rifle/skateboard and tries to end your life or that of your loved one. In a flash, you pull out your tactical folding knife and stop the threat before it even starts. You’ve saved the day! You’re the hero … in your fantasy. But what about in real life? Would you be truly prepared if violence comes barreling down on you? Could you pull out your blade in time? Unfortunately, carrying a big burly tactical folding knife can give you a false sense of security. Just because you have a pocket-deploy folder with ELMAX steel and a titanium frame-lock handle doesn’t…

1. Griffin Adventure Tool The Griffin Pocket Tool set the standard for small keychainsized pry tools. If you doubt that, take a look at all the places that have copied it and its features; imitation being the sincerest form of flattery and all that nonsense. Well Griffin isn’t one to sit on its laurels, and the company just released the new Griffin Adventure Tool. The Adventure Tool is a bit wider than the original tool and incorporates some new features. In addition to the bottle opener, flat head screwdriver, scoring tool, 1.4-inch bit driver, and 8-, 9-, and 10-mm hex wrench of the original Pocket Tool, you also get a new proprietary carabiner built in that lets you quickly fasten the tool to your keys, pack, or belt loop,…

Sniper Bladeworks, which quickly built a reputation for building finely crafted tactical blades, is rebooting its production. The company began taking pre-orders a couple of months back through Kickstarter. By the time you read this, regular production should be in full swing. Founded in 2009, Sniper Bladeworks became known especially for its blades with ergonomic “pistol grip” angled handles. Initially, the company is offering five models that cover a wide range of blade types. Whether you’re looking for something for your everyday carry needs or for tactical and frontline use, there’s something in this series for everyone. THE DASHI The Dashi is a small fixed blade with big utility. Whether you’re camping, hiking, hunting, or fishing, this compact knife can stand up to repeated use without weighing you down. The…

“IF YOU ARE GOING TO CARRY A MULTITOOL, THE FIRST TOOL YOU HAVE TO GET USED TO USING IS THE ONE BETWEEN YOUR EARS.” Often, I am asked why I carry a multitool and find myself struggling with the answer. My main problem is trying to give specific examples. So, as I was thinking this question through, I came up with a simple answer: “To fix or make things.” If you are going to carry a multitool, the first tool you have to get used to using is the one between your ears. If you do not learn how to fix or make things, then you obviously do not see the need in carrying a multitool. Without the knowledge of how to fix things, items stay broken and you never…

EDC Specialties, located about 18 miles from downtown Sacramento, California, is the only dedicated EDC gear company to have a brick and mortar storefront. But much of its merchandise can be purchased online too. I recently ordered a Zootility Tools Wild Card, Maratac 4-Inch Curved Steel Keychain Prybar, and EOS Titanium Mini Shark Multitool from its site at EDCSpecialties.com. EDC Specialties is geared more toward urban environment needs, a kind of a one-stop shop for everything the average person needs to get through even a not-so-average day. In addition to keychain tools, the company offers wallets, tactical pens, and lots of top-quality knives. EDC Specialties sells products from many brands that all have one thing in common: all of the products are made in the U.S.…

“THE MAIN ROLE I SEE THE JENNY WREN FILLING IS THAT OF A GENERAL-PURPOSE CAMP AXE WHEN SPACE IS AN ISSUE.” I’m always a fan of collaborations between custom makers and knife factories. I see it as a win-win for all parties involved. For the consumer, you often get a chance to try a custom maker’s work either at a price you can more easily afford or without a long backlog waiting for custom work. The makers get a chance to spread the word about their work and get it into the hands of people who might not otherwise have a chance to own one of their custom pieces. The production companies get a feather in their cap by signing on a noted maker, which brings favorable attention to them.…

A knife blade is a useful, often indispensable tool for many of your daily tasks. But it’s not a screwdriver, a pry bar, a hammer, a wrench, or a can opener. In this special section, we take a look at some tools that are “more than a blade.” While many of them include a cutting tool, they also provide greater utility with the tools they cleverly incorporate. Swiss Army Knives, multitools and keychain devices can fit conveniently in a pocket or attach to your belt, while the Becker Tac Tool is one brute of a tool that can handle the tough chores. These products won’t replace your toolbox, but they give you the ability, together with your resourcefulness, to handle the jobs when your toolbox isn’t close at hand.…

If there was ever a knife design that transcends time, it would have to be the Nepalese Kukri made famous by the Ghurka Regiments from Nepal and India. These blades are known for their ability as heavy duty choppers in the field and have a rich history as military weapons. Slysteel of Idaho Falls, Idaho, has added its own rendition of the kukri to its lineup. It’s not meant to be a 100% homage or reproduction. The company is offering a unique take on this classic design. This is a true survival knife system in every sense of the word, and if you know how to use it to its potential, you can thrive as opposed to just survive with this blade at your side. KUKRI HISTORY Although the Western…

Large corporations might have the advantage of vast resources and lower production costs as the result of high volume. But sometimes they lock you in to their way of doing things, their philosophy, their policies, their rules. Danish knife designers Jens Anso and Jesper Voxnaes got together with American entrepreneur Jim Wirth one night and discussed starting a knife company with the most amazing designs their creative minds could imagine, with top quality and fair prices. Most important, they didn’t want a vast corporate structure imposed between them and their customers. That’s how GiantMouse began. WHY GIANTMOUSE? “The name GiantMouse is a play on words that has a couple of meanings,” said Wirth. “The first is that all of our knives are designed in Denmark, a tiny country that is…

You might subscribe to the view that a pocketknife is just a tool like any other. But I think a pocketknife is more than that. I would never marvel at the beauty of a screwdriver or hammer if it came with an elegant jigged bone or stabilized burlwood handle. I wouldn’t save my pennies so one day I could own a box cutter made with Damascus steel. Yes, more than anything a pocketknife tends to be an everyday companion that helps you to complete simple cutting tasks. But no one says it needs to be ugly. These days I normally carry two knives. OK, one I do keep ready for the possibility of unavoidable interpersonal conflicts. The other, the one that actually gets used, is most likely to be a…