Knives Illustrated - December 2014 PDF

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
12
7 25274 03124 5
Engaged Media By Beckett
KI_1501_C2 9/26/14 2:47 AM Page C2
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KI_1501_3 10/5/14 9:53 PM Page 3
KI-1412-4-6-TOC 10/1/14 12:33 AM Page 4
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
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GST#855050365RT001 © 2014 by Engaged
Media by Beckett. All rights reserved.
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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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KI-1412-4-6-TOC 10/1/14 12:33 AM Page 6
DECEMBER 2014
Volume 28 • Number 7
EDITORIAL 74
Editorial Director: Doug Jeffrey
Editor: Bethany Miller
OUTDOOR
Managing Editor: Jeffrey Rick
Art Director: Ronald Abella
Creative Director: Eric Knagg
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 reckoned with out in the field.
GFrimmel@beckett.com
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
Mary Ann Jaca (866) 866-5146 ext 2716
can’t top a classic, all-American
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 Canal Street Cutlery offers users
John Cabral: Creative Graphic Designer
high-quality, artfully crafted,
EDITORIAL, PRODUCTION & SALES OFFICE near-custom knives at prices
22840 Savi Ranch Parkway, #200
Yorba Linda, CA 92887 straight from the factory. Cover photography by
(714) 939-9991 BY STEVEN PAUL BARLOW TERRILL HOFFMAN
Fax: (800) 249-7761
www.knivesillustrated.com
CUSTOM
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facebook.com/eembybeckett
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 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,
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this issue in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.
Brian Nadeau are bound to have
significant influence on the world
CUSTOMER SERVICE of custom knives in 2015.
Beckett Media, LLC BY LES ROBERTSON
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www.engagedmediamags.com Name the Maker, Upcoming Events
Books, Merchandise, Reprints
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(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
bmiller@beckett.com
80 In the Spotlight
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
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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
90 For the Indoorsman 80
GST #855050365RT001
4 kitchen knives made by outdoor,
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This magazine is purchased by the buyer with the understanding that A reader’s favorite knife from Buck
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KI_1501_7 9/29/14 3:37 AM Page 7
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EDITOR’S “OLD AND NEW ARE CONSTANTLY PUT AT ODDS … BUT

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

KI_1501_9 9/30/14 1:21 AM Page 9
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KI-1412-10-11-NEWS 9/29/14 9:50 PM Page 10
UPCOMING EVENTS
POINTSof Dates and locations subject to change; please contact
INTEREST
the show managers before arranging your travel.
THE LATEST GOINGS-ON NOV. 21-23

IN THE KNIFE WORLD JERSEY CITY, NJ
Name the Maker

New York Custom Knife Show
(417) 866-6688
www.FiftyFiftyProductions.net
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
www.BulldogKnives.org
PHOTO BY JIM COOPER
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
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
MARCH 27-29
JANESVILLE, WI
Badger Knife Show
(414) 479-9765
badgerknifeclub@aol.com
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 okca@oregonknifeclub.org
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 bmiller@beckett.com 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.
1 0 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 hav-
ing 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 1 1

KI_1501_12 9/26/14 2:44 AM Page 12
JANTZ THE SUPPLIES YOU NEED

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
#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"
J6107 440C Peened 32.95
J6108 440C Satin 32.95
J6157 CPM154 Peened 44.95
J6158 CPM154 Satin 44.95
#61 Bolsters
CAT.# THICK ALLOY PRICE
K613 3/16” Brass 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 Pins Stainless Six/3/32” 1.99
PATTERN 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”
J4298 1095 Satin 24.95
J4207 440C Peened 32.95
J4208 440C Satin 32.95
J4257 CPM154 Peened 39.95
J4258 CPM154 Satin 39.95
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”
J4198 1095 Satin 24.95
J4137 CPMS 30V Peened 42.95
J4138 CPMS 30V Satin 42.95
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
m o r e ! G e t w h a t y o u n e e d o n l i n e o r c a l l 1- 8 0 0 - 3 5 1- 8 9 0 0
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

KI-1412-14-17-QA 9/28/14 10:20 PM Page 15
FAST FACTS
NAME: Jantz Supply
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 21
TOTAL SQUARE FOOTAGE: 40,000
OPENED: 1966
PRODUCTS: 5,000

KI-1412-14-17-QA 9/28/14 10:20 PM Page 16
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: jantz@jantzusa.com
Jantz Supply’s building in Davis, Oklahoma
Rows of various steel supplies line a wall in the Jantz warehouse.

KI-1412-14-17-QA 9/28/14 10:20 PM Page 17
KI: Take us inside your facility. What’s

the atmosphere like?
SK: Everyone on our team stands out be-
cause 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, in-
cluding 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.

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.


Auspicious Beginnings
Klecker made its Blade Show debut in
2013 with its slick plastic Trigger knife kits,
designed to safely show kids how a lock-
back 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 pro-
vided the funds for Klecker to begin work-
ing 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.
So what exactly is this tool that man-
WHAT REALLY SET THIS TOOL APART FROM
aged 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 be-
tween 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 mod-
els 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.

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.

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 assem-
ble 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.

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.

The KLAX Lumberjack is

available in stainless steel
or titanium (pictured).
PHOTO BY TERRILL HOFFMAN

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 tight-
en 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.

“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 split-
ting axe. If you try that, the log you’re trying to split is like-
ly 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 process-
ing 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 toma-
hawk you can do it with a KLAX.
Survival Essential
While the KLAX packs a lot of functionality into a com-
pact 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 prod-
uct 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.

FAST FEATURES A benefit of a

detached axe head is
KLAX FELLER 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)

KI-1412-28-35-EMERSON 9/28/14 10:40 PM Page 28
“EMERSON KNIVES ARE ALMOST

LEGENDARY—AND THE BULLDOG
IS NO EXCEPTION.”
Martial artist and edged-

weapons expert Ernest
Emerson founded Emerson
Knives in 1996.

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 de-

signer 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.”

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

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.

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
HANDLE MATERIAL: G10
PERFORMED BRILLIANTLY.”
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.

KI-1412-28-35-EMERSON.CX 10/1/14 12:20 AM Page 33
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 assem-
bly 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.

KI-1412-28-35-EMERSON.CX 10/1/14 12:20 AM Page 34
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
began whacking the back of the blade (still locked open) on the tire in an
Law Enforcement Specialist’s Field Evaluation 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!

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, titani-
um 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: The index-finger groove and ened to spring steel hardness and there-
FAST FEATURES 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 de-
signed 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.

KI-1412-36-43-CUMA 9/28/14 11:00 PM Page 37
“THE BATTLE CLEAVER

IS DESIGNED WITH ONE
THING IN MIND: HAVOC.”

KI-1412-36-43-CUMA 9/28/14 11:00 PM Page 38
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,
right out of the box the first thing I noticed BATTLE CLEAVER TO DRAW ATTENTION OR MAKE IT
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 se-
curely 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
info@CombatReadyKnives.com
ed from the sheath itself (following the have preferred a flat grind for added

KI-1412-36-43-CUMA 9/28/14 11:01 PM Page 39
The Battle Cleaver comes with

a nylon sheath with two leg
straps, a hook-and-loop
retention strap and a large
front pocket.
low and should have been brought above

DEFINING FEATURES 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 disap-
pointed.
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

KI-1412-36-43-CUMA 9/28/14 11:01 PM Page 40
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.

KI-1412-36-43-CUMA 9/28/14 11:01 PM Page 41
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
The Battle Cleaver’s
products for many years. Although he has
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 fin-
ish, but otherwise the Battle Cleaver was
still in the fight.
As a final test, I decided that a true bat-
tle 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 readi-
ly 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 sin-
gle 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.

KI-1412-36-43-CUMA 9/28/14 11:01 PM Page 42
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.

KI-1412-36-43-CUMA 9/28/14 11:01 PM Page 43
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 cou-
ple 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 sol-
id 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

KI-1412-44-51-HALLMARK 9/29/14 11:02 PM Page 44
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.

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

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 creat-
ed with a hollow grind and terminates at
the handle in a micro choil. After the mi-
cro 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, an-
other 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.

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
• Humpback handle design TACTICAL KNIVES.”
• MSRP: $73.99
comfort-
able 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.

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.

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
Find us on
Discover the premier

knife magazine.
www.facebook.com/knivesillustrated

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.

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 val-
ue 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.

KI-1412-52-57-DPX 9/28/14 11:12 PM Page 52
DPx FOLDERS ARE AN

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

KI-1412-52-57-DPX 9/28/14 11:13 PM Page 53
ROBERT Young Pelton is a profes-

sional risk-taker.
A respected photojournalist and au-

thor by day, the founder of DPx (Danger-
ous Places Extreme) Gear has a reputa-
tion 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 operat-
ing 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.

KI-1412-52-57-DPX 9/28/14 11:13 PM Page 54
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.

KI-1412-52-57-DPX 9/28/14 11:13 PM Page 55
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 your-
self.
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.

KI-1412-52-57-DPX 9/28/14 11:13 PM Page 56
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,
others may not. I found the Milspec loos- EXCELLENT CONSTRUCTION, AND MOST OF ALL,
ened up a bit after a week of use. EXCELLENT FUNCTIONALITY.”
Not only are these knives high-perfor-
mance, 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

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.

KI-1412-52-57-DPX 9/28/14 11:13 PM Page 57
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
designs can only be purchased from Micarta®
Overall, the quality of any version of the
collaborators, including: DPx HEAT is excellent—excellent reliabili-
• White River Knives,
ty, excellent construction, and most of all,
www.WhiteRiverKnives.com
• 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

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

KI-1412-58-63-MURPHY 9/28/14 11:25 PM Page 59
SURVIVAL can be simple.
In these days of electronic

gizmos and tools packed with
every possible feature, some-
times 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.

KI-1412-58-63-MURPHY 9/28/14 11:25 PM Page 60
Not everyone has forgotten about the

simpler times, however; the folks at
R. Murphy Knives have maintained a tradi-
tion 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.

KI-1412-58-63-MURPHY 9/28/14 11:25 PM Page 61
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
length, the R. Murphy
HANDLE MATERIAL: Mesquite burl
Survival Knife balances
WEIGHT: 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 han-
dle, 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.

KI-1412-58-63-MURPHY 9/28/14 11:25 PM Page 62
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

KI-1412-58-63-MURPHY 9/28/14 11:26 PM Page 63
“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 do-
ing 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.

KI_1501_64 9/30/14 1:32 AM Page 64
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KI-1412-66-73-CANAL 9/28/14 11:39 PM Page 66

KI-1412-66-73-CANAL 9/28/14 11:39 PM Page 67
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 sol-
id 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.

KI-1412-66-73-CANAL 9/28/14 11:40 PM Page 68
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-
ing,” Gardiner says. “It took us two years to
“CANAL STREET CUTLERY 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

new name. Schrade knives were everyday
CRAFTSMANSHIP.”
A box of Catskill Drop-Point Hunters are ready for the
finishing process. tools for the budget-conscious working

KI-1412-66-73-CANAL 9/28/14 11:40 PM Page 69
man. Canal Street Cutlery focuses on tra-

ditional-style, high-end folding pock-
etknives 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 re-
claimed 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.

KI-1412-66-73-CANAL 9/28/14 11:40 PM Page 70
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.
Dave Poppo hammers the final pins into a knife.

WANT, AND KNIVES WITH Quality Comes at a Price
POCKET CLIPS ARE “If you’re really making knives in the
has three of its knives selected as the U.S. and you’re really trying to pay your
NRA Knife of the Year, most recently in EXCELLENT SELLERS.” 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.

KI-1412-66-73-CANAL 9/28/14 11:40 PM Page 71
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.

KI-1412-66-73-CANAL 9/28/14 11:40 PM Page 72
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
right” in terms of size and weight
DOWN TO DETAILS show him. Poppo had been busy meticu-
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.

KI-1412-66-73-CANAL 9/28/14 11:40 PM Page 73
CONTACT
CANAL STREET CUTLERY
30 Canal St.
A drop point and enough
Ellenville, NY 12428
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 re-
place 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 invest-
ment.”
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 pock-
et 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 fixed blade, called

The Tor, on a Tormach PCNC 1100.
www.tormach.com/knives

KI-1412-74-79-CUSTOM 9/28/14 11:53 PM Page 74
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 cus-
tom 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.

KI-1412-74-79-CUSTOM 9/28/14 11:53 PM Page 75
POHAN LEU BLUEPHIN

BLADE LENGTH: 4 1/8 inches
BLADE STEEL: S35VN
FRAME MATERIAL: Titanium frame,
bolster, lightning strike carbon fiber
PHOTO BY CHUCK WARD

KI-1412-74-79-CUSTOM 9/28/14 11:53 PM Page 76
I measure excellence with what I call

the “Four Fs”: fit, finish, flow and function.
I also consider the materials a maker uses
JASON CLARK FOLDING BOWIE
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 enthusi-
asts will pay close attention. PHOTO BY CHUCK WARD
3 JASON 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.
Every task, large or small, the knife han-
A TACTICAL FOLDER DOES Most of Clark’s folders start at $500.
The price will increase depending on ma-
dled with ease. Clark understands that a NOT NEED TO BE OVERBUILT 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
use synthetic materials such as G10, car- ers, and best of all, his pricing makes the
www.ClarkCustomKnives.com
jclark@clarkcustomknives.com 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.

KI-1412-74-79-CUSTOM.CX 10/1/14 12:21 AM Page 77
POHAN LEU HAMACHI

BLADE LENGTH: 4 inches
BLADE STEEL: S35VN
FRAME MATERIAL: Titanium frame,
super conductor bolster, lightning strike
carbon fiber
PHOTO BY JIM SKELTON
2 POHAN 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
pohanleu@hotmail.com
terials such as G10, carbon fiber or Light- and designs that are sure to keep his
(949) 300-6412
ning Strike carbon fiber. For clients who knives in high demand.

KI-1412-74-79-CUSTOM.CX 10/1/14 12:21 AM Page 78
1 BRIAN 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 pol-
ish and best encapsulates every attribute
you want in a steel, from edge retention to CONTACT INFORMATION
toughness. www.SharpByDesign.com
brian.nadeau@sharpbydesign.com
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
folders with bolsters and synthetic handle FRAME MATERIAL: 3-D machined titanium designs the programs to make the fix-
scales, such as carbon fiber, G10 and COMMENTS: 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

KI-1412-74-79-CUSTOM 9/28/14 11:53 PM Page 79
BRIAN NADEAU VIPER

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 deliv-
ery 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 descrip-
tion, but they are also visually stunning
and delightfully functional. (His flippers
open almost effortlessly and lock precise-
ly and securely into place.) With their ex-
cellent balance, design variety and strik-
ing 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

KI-1412-80-81-GALLERY 9/28/14 11:56 PM Page 80
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

KI-1412-80-81-GALLERY 9/28/14 11:56 PM Page 81
Maker: Tim Britton Maker: Ken Steigerwalt
Maker: Joe Kious

Engraver: C.J. Cai Maker: Ben Breda

KI-1412-82-87-HOW TO 9/29/14 12:11 AM Page 82
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.

KI-1412-82-87-HOW TO 9/29/14 12:11 AM Page 83

KI-1412-82-87-HOW TO 9/29/14 12:11 AM Page 84
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
600-grit sandpaper and work up to a finer “TO EFFECTIVELY 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
side of the blade, then the other, until the
RELY ON YOUR SENSES.” column on page 88.
Particles of steel float in the water on the stone.

KI-1412-82-87-HOW TO 9/29/14 12:11 AM Page 85
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).

KI-1412-82-87-HOW TO 9/29/14 12:11 AM Page 86
impossible to apply perfectly equal pres-

sure 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.

KI-1412-82-87-HOW TO 9/29/14 12:11 AM Page 87
RECOMMENDED SUPPLIERS
LANSKY SHARPENERS
www.Lansky.com
(716) 877-7511
KNIFEWEAR INC.
www.Knifewear.com
(888) 669-6168
along the abrasive. As the surface be-

comes 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 prac-
tice, 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
Discerning gun and knife enthusiasts know there’s only one choice in CNC for affordable precision: the
aged edge or giving a knife a light touch-
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
starting at
be removed before you can enjoy the full Shown here with
optional stand, LCD
$8480
(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.

KI-1412-88-89-ACCESSORIES 9/29/14 2:18 AM Page 88
BELLS &
LANSKY SHARPENERS
www.Lansky.com
WHISTLES Deluxe
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
On the
ceramic hones in a variety of grits;
EDGE
honing oil; and a clamp and guide rods
for ensuring you sharpen your blade at
the perfect angle.
MSRP: $49.99
Blademedic
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

KI-1412-88-89-ACCESSORIES 9/29/14 2:18 AM Page 89
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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* Authorized Dealer

KI-1412-90-95-KITCHEN 9/29/14 12:24 AM Page 90
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 out-
standing 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.


These companies have not neglected

those who are equally comfortable work-
ing 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.

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.

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 5 4 4 3.5 Comfortability and security in hand
Balance 2 5 5 3.5 Stability when rested on one finger near front of handle
Motion 4 5 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, The W.R. Case chef’s knife worked surprisingly well for peeling
Sectioning a tomato into paper-thin slices was a breeze with
the Spyderco in hand. velvety effortlessness. The only thing I potatoes.

KI-1412-90-95-KITCHEN.CX 10/1/14 12:23 AM Page 95
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
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
Back
Flexcut Tool Company 95
Hogue Grips 43
Jantz Supply 12-13, 57
Issues
Kayne & Son 49
Kershaw Knives 100
Knife and Gun Finishing Supply 51
Knife Center Of The Internet 87
Available
Leecutlery.com 89
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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KI-1412-98-READER 9/29/14 1:19 AM Page 98
SHOW
& TELL
Show & Tell appears at the end of every issue of
Knives Illustrated. In it, readers tell us about their
favorite knives from their personal collections. In-
terested in showing off your knife? Email Bethany Photos by Bethany Miller
Miller at bmiller@beckett.com. 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 fea-

tured 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 ap-

preciate?
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.

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
ZTKNIVES.COM

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

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For questions on downloading this app contact 800-764-6278

EDITOR’S “OLD AND NEW ARE CONSTANTLY PUT AT ODDS … BUT

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THE LATEST GOINGS-ON NOV. 21-23

Name the Maker

HOW TO WIN HINT: The maker of this APRIL 11-12

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The Look for Less

Bear’s Bold Butterflies

Even More Followers,

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JANTZ THE SUPPLIES YOU NEED

550lb Parcord 100ft

550lb Parcord 100ft

IT’S nearing 5 p.m. in the Midwest. Shan-

“MY DAD IS A VISIONARY. HE WOULD

1 4 KNIVES ILLUSTRATED • DECEMBER 2014 knivesillustrated.com

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

1 6 KNIVES ILLUSTRATED • DECEMBER 2014 knivesillustrated.com

KI: Take us inside your facility. What’s

KI: What new products do you have

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

A machinist grinds Jantz Pattern Blades.

knivesillustrated.com KNIVES ILLUSTRATED • DECEMBER 2014 1 7

IT'S everything you want from a survival multitool

Since this year’s Blade Show, all eyes are on Klecker

1 8 KNIVES ILLUSTRATED • DECEMBER 2014 knivesillustrated.com

knivesillustrated.com KNIVES ILLUSTRATED • DECEMBER 2014 1 9

Show, the Klecker booth was inundated

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The patented clamping system is prepared to lock onto a

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

knivesillustrated.com KNIVES ILLUSTRATED • DECEMBER 2014 2 1

hand axe handle but has a slot for the

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ABOUT GLENN KLECKER

The KLAX head can be clamped onto either Klecker’s

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The KLAX Lumberjack is

PHOTO BY TERRILL HOFFMAN

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into the blade, I could easily grasp the

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“FOR HIKING PACKS,

The KLAX is most efficient used like a small tomahawk.