Knives Illustrated - 2015 05-06 (May - June)

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Engaged Media Inc

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MAY-JUNE 2015 VOLUME 29, NO. 3$5.99 U.S. DISPLAY UNTIL: 5/19/15

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LARGE STOCKMAN 11204 (10375 SS)Tru-Sharp Surgical Steel Clip, Sheepfoot and Spey Blades

4N in (10.80 cm) closed, 4.1 oz (116.2 g)

wrcase.com

No other material has the impactful style and durability of Kirinite, the material of choice for our beautiful new Patriot-themed family of pocketknives.

The contemporary handlesmooth but never slipperyadapts over time to create a stronger bond between your hand and American hand-crafting.

CASE, , , CASE XX, TESTED XX, XX, are registered trademarks of CaseMark, Inc. and used under license to W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company in the USA. KIRINITE and are trademarks of Eagle Grips, Inc.

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL

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No such thing as

OVERKILL

Kilimanjaro blades are overbuilt and ready

to overcome any obstacle in your way. Theyre designed

for demanding climates and conditions, fabricated from eld-tested

blade and handle materials. The result: overwhelming strength,

ruggedness and tenacity. Overdone? Maybe.

Overkill? Never.

www.KilimanjaroGear.com

8CR13MoV Stainless Steel Semi-Serrated BladeTitanium Nitride FinishIntegrated PommelNylon SheathSuggested Retail: $69.99

Kibo Fixed Blade Survival Knife

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4 KNIVES ILLUSTRATED MAY-JUNE 2015

KNIVES ILLUSTRATED (ISSN 0898-8943) Vol. 29, No. 3 is published 7times a year, January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August,September/October, November and December, by Engaged Media,Inc., 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 VSI,Inc., 905 Kent Avenue, Liberty, MO 64068. Return undeliverableCanadian addresses to: Pitney Bowes, Inc., P.O. Box 25542, London,ON N6C 6B2 GST#855050365RT001 2015 by Engaged Media, Inc.All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue inwhole or in part is strictly prohibited.

MAY-JUNE 2015 VOLUME 29, NO. 3www.knivesillustrated.com

k n i v e s i l l u s t r a t e d . c o m

SPECIAL SECTION46 Best of SHOT

An insiders look at 2015s newest, mostinnovative knives and toolsincluding our top picks.

48

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MIL3.5H-01

MIL3.5T-04

MIL3.5H-03

MIL3.5T-06

MIL3.5H-02

MIL3.5T-05

facebook.com/TOPSknivesofficial

The Perfect EDC

P.O. BOX 2544, IDAHO FALLS, ID 83403

Phone: (208)542-0113

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6 KNIVES ILLUSTRATED MAY-JUNE 2015 k n i v e s i l l u s t r a t e d . c o m

MAY/JUNE 2015Volume 29 Number 3

EDITORIALEditorial Director: Doug JeffreyEditor: Bethany Miller HarbisonManaging Editor: Jeffrey RickArt Director: Ronald AbellaCreative Director: Eric Knagg

CONTRIBUTORSJim Ankerson, Steven Paul Barlow, Jim Cooper, Abe Elias,Tim Stetzer, Joshua Swanagon

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KNIVES ILLUSTRATED (ISSN 0898-8943) Vol. 29, No. 3 is published 7 times a year, January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October,November and December, by Engaged Media, Inc., 22840 Savi Ranch Parkway,#200, Yorba Linda, CA 92887. Periodical postage paid at Anaheim, CA, and addition-al mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Knives Illustrated c/oVSI, Inc., 905 Kent Avenue, Liberty, MO 64068. Return undeliverable Canadianaddresses to: Pitney Bowes, Inc., P.O. Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2GST#855050365RT001 2015 by Engaged Media, Inc. All rights reserved.Reproduction of any material from this issue in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

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FEATURES20 Far Eastern Precision

CAS Iberias Citadel line combines handmade precision with modern innovation.BY TIM STETZER

26 Ready for the SandboxAdams EdgeGuard system guarantees superior protection for blades used in the toughest conditions.BY STEVEN P. BARLOW

34 The Ultimate WorkhorseThe Baronyx Machete is an unstoppable tool for the adventurous outdoorsman.BY TIM STETZER

COLUMNS10 Points of Interest

Upcoming events, Guess the Maker and the latest goings-on in the knife world.

14 Behind the ScenesA Q&A with Kilimanjaro Gear

40 Experts CornerEverything you need to know about carbide steels

82 On the EdgeKnife makers you may not knowbut should

34

26

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k n i v e s i l l u s t r a t e d . c o m8 KNIVES ILLUSTRATED MAY-JUNE 2015

Amid the booths of guns and gun-relatedproducts that dominate most of the SandsExpo Center floor, the knife booths standoutand not just because of the way theblades catch the light.

When you spend enough time walkingthe expansive floor, everything starts tolook the same. But at every knife booth, wefound something eye-catching that seizedand revived our attention.

Sometimes this came in the form of astunning, intricate handle, like Bucks, Bk-ers and Bear & Sons collaborations withPainted Pony Designs. Sometimes it was aparticularly sleek folder, like Lucas Burnleysdesigns for CRKT. Sometimes it was an ag-gressive chopper, like Condors DukuParang machete, or a blade you can fit inyour wallet, like Spydercos Dog Tag.

These standouts among standouts arewhy SHOT is one of the highlights of ouryear (next to the Blade Show, of course)we live for the first glimpse of these hottestnew products, some of which are even stillin the prototype phase, before theyre intro-duced to the rest of the world. And were noless excited about helping make that intro-duction to our readers.

Weve saved the best for last in this issue:After you read through our other excitingfeatures and columns, youll find our SHOTShow special section, packed full of prod-ucts that youre among the first to see. Wehope youll enjoy seeing our picks from theshow in these pages nearly as much as weenjoyed seeing them in person!

Bethany Miller Harbison

EDITORSLETTER

THERES a good reason why theKnives Illustrated staff looks forwardto the Shooting, Hunting & OutdoorTrade Show in Las Vegas each year.

AT EVERY KNIFE BOOTH [AT SHOT], WE FOUNDSOMETHING EYE-CATCHING THAT SEIZED ANDREVIVED OUR ATTENTION.

What Happens in Vegas

Knife by Jens AnsPhoto by Jim Cooper

KI

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CARVIN JACK COLLECTION

1-800-524-9077 or visit us online: excut.com Made in the USA for over 25 years.

Made in the USA for over 25 years, Flexcut carving knives offer maximum performance. The Carvin Jack Collection of woodcarving jack knives feature high-carbon steel blades that are hand-sharpened to a razor

nish and really hold an edge. All products are unconditionally guaranteed or your money back.

Carvin JackSpecicationsBlade Steel: 1095 HCBlade Length/ Type: 1 inch Detail Knife, Straight Gouge, Gouge Scorp, V-Scorp, Hook Knife, and ChiselClosed Length: 4 inchesHandle Material: 6061 Anodizedaluminum, Bubinga veneer inlay, Brass rivet fastenersBlade Lock: ClipIncludes: Leather Sheath w/ belt clip, Sharpening SlipStrop, and Gold Polishing CompoundWeight: 3.5 oz MSRP: $149.95

Pocket JackSpecicationsBlade Steel: 1095 HCBlade Length/ Type: 1 inch Detail Knife, Straight Gouge, Gouge Scorp, and V- ScorpClosed Length: 4 inchesHandle Material: 6061 Anodized aluminum, Brass rivet fastenersBlade Lock: ClipWeight: 3 oz MSRP: $86.95

Tri-Jack ProSpecicationsBlade Steel: 1095 HCBlade Length/ Type: 2 inch Roughing Knife, 1 inch Detail Knife, 1 inch Mini-Cutting KnifeClosed Length: 4 inchesHandle Material: 6061 Anodized aluminum, Cherry veneer inlay, Brass rivet fastenersBlade Lock: LinerWeight: 4 oz MSRP: $89.95

Whittlin JackSpecicationsBlade Steel: 1095 HCBlade Length/ Type: 1 inch Detail Knife & 2 inch Roughing KnifeClosed Length: 4 inchesHandle Material: 6061 Anodized aluminum, Walnut veneer inlay, Brass rivet fastenersWeight: 3 ozMSRP: $52.95

Detail JackSpecicationsBlade Steel: 1095 HCBlade Length/ Type: 1 inch Detail KnifeClosed Length: 4 inchesHandle Material: 6061 Anodized aluminum, Brass rivet fastenersBlade Lock: LinerWeight: 2.2 oz MSRP: $39.95

Flexcut Knife Strop An 8 x 2 leather stropping surface, designed for stropping and keep-ing your knife blades razor sharp. Includes a 1 ounce bar of Flexcut Gold Polishing Compound.MSRP: $13.95

KI_1505_9 2/27/15 5:10 AM Page 9


POINTSofINTERESTName the MakerSCORE A CHANCE TO WIN A SUBSCRIPTION BYCORRECTLY IDENTIFYING THE MAKER OF THIS BLADE PHOTO BY JIM COOPER

THE LATEST GOINGS-ON IN THE KNIFE WORLD

HOW TO WINIf you correctly identify the maker of the featured knife, you will be entered into a

drawing for a free one-year subscription to Knives Illustrated. If youre already asubscriber, you may choose to extend your current subscription or to receive asubscription to one of our sister magazines, Gun World or Bow & Arrow Hunting.

All entries must be received by 4 p.m. PST on May 22.Winners are determined by placing entries in numerical order and generating a

random number using www.random.org.Please submit guesses to [email protected] and specify your

preferred prize option. Please also include the mailing address where you would liketo receive your subscription should you win.

.

HINT: The maker of thisintricate folder is aMissouri-based ABSMaster Smith who hasbeen making knives sincethe 1980s. In the early1990s, he began makingslip-joint folders intraditional pattens, aswell as his owndamascus steel.

We congratulate KnivesIllustrated reader MarkWerner, who correctly

identified William (Bill)Miller as the maker of the

knife featured in our January issue.

UPCOMING EVENTSDates and locations subject to change; please contactthe show managers before arranging your travel.

APRIL 11-12EUGENE, OROregon Knife Collectors Association [email protected]

APRIL 18HONOLULU, HIPlaza Cutlery Hawaii Knife Showwww.PlazaCutlery.com

APRIL 24-25MIAMI, FLMiami International Knife Expo(417) 866-6688www.FiftyFiftyProductions.net

MAY 23AUBURN, MEYouth Bladesmithing Day at NESM(419) [email protected]

JUNE 5-7ATLANTA, GABlade Show(877) 756-9757www.BladeShow.com

JUNE 20BREA, CACalifornia Knifemakers Association Show(714) [email protected]

JULY 10-12AUBURN, MEABS New England Hammer-In(888) 753-7502www.AmericanBladesmith.com

JULY 10-12BELLEVILLE, ILBelleville Knife Expo(618) [email protected]

SEPT. 18-20KANSAS CITY, MOInternational Custom Cutlery Exposition(512) [email protected]

NOV. 6-7MOUNT VERNON, ILMount Vernon Knife Show(618) [email protected]

KI-1505-10-12-NEWS 3/3/15 1:23 AM Page 10

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In Memoriam(1936-2015)Chuck Buck

The knife community has lost one of its pillars this year with the passing ofCharles Chuck Buck, chairman of Buck Knives, grandson of the companysfounder, and Blade Cutlery Hall of Fame inductee.

Beloved by his family and highly respected in the outdoor industry, Buck person-ified the warm family tradition and was influential in Buck Knives considerablegrowth, said a press release from the company. His absence is greatly felt and hisinfluence missed among all those who looked up to him.

The Buck family is asking those who wish to honor Chucks memory to donate inhis name to international relief organization Samaritans Purse.

SEARCH HEREwww.BuckKnives.comwww.SamaritansPurse.org

2015 is looking to be a big year forknife-related legislation, as organizationsKnife Rights and the American Knife &Tool Institute have plenty on their respec-tive plates.

AKTI found allies in U.S. Senators MikeEnzi, of Wyoming, and Ron Wyden, of Ore-gon, who introduced the Knife OwnersProtection Act. Should this act pass, it willoffer federal protection for knife ownerspassing between states with varying laws.The passage of KOPA will allow citizensto transport knives over state lines forlawful purposes, and put an end to themassive confusion that currently sur-rounds the issue, said an AKTI press re-lease.

Meanwhile, Knife Rights plans to tacklethe following bills in state legislative ses-sions:

In Illinois: switchblades for concealedcarryIn Indiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma,South Carolina, Texas and Vermont:knife law preemptionIn Maine: switchblade and gravity knife-ban repeal

SEARCH HEREwww.AKTI.orgwww.KnifeRights.org

FearlessFighters

Custom andCollectible

Acquiring custom and collectible knivesjust got easier, thanks to developments fromDPx Gear and Sheffield Collectable Knives.

Outdoor-focused DPx Gear is now releas-ing extremely limited monthly runs (no morethan 30 pieces) of customized versions oftheir knives. Customization options includeengraving, coating, and so on. Each knife will

include a certificate of authenticity and willship free within the U.S.

Across the pond, England-based SheffieldCollectable Knives has debuted an e-com-merce site where knife enthusiasts can pur-chase hand-crafted custom knives from mak-ers including Joseph Rodgers, GeorgeWostenholm, George Ibberson and others.

Wostenholm & Son Damascus BowieSEARCH HEREwww.DPxGear.comwww.SheffieldCollectableKnives.com

KI

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BEHINDtheSCENES

RK Hawk

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This month, we spoke with Andy Somerville and VinceCaito of Kilimanjaro Gear on the challenges and suc-

cesses of spearheading a new knife-focused venturefrom within a broader outdoor-focused business.

Knives Illustrated: Can you give us somebackground on your brands history and philosophy?Andy Somerville: Our parent company, Alltrade Tools, has a36-year history of creating and producing innovative handtools, automotive tools, garage equipment and such. Alongthe way we have invested a ton of cash into research and development, quality control and production techniques.

From a business perspective it made sense to look at newways to leverage this investment. From a more personal per-spective, a number of key team members here are avid out-door or tactical enthusiasts, including our blade product manager, Vince Caito. But even a bunch of couch potatoescan spot opportunity in the growth in the tactical enthusiastmarket and the solid post-recession rebound in outdoor recreation.

Vince Caito: Funny thing though: It wasnt a bunch of marketdata that finally got us the green light. One of our owners

went to the 2013 SHOT Show to see for himself.Twenty minutes after the show opened he called

from the show floor. He said: Lets do it. Theaisles are so crowded I can barely move.

k n i v e s i l l u s t r a t e d . c o m MAY-JUNE 2015 KNIVES ILLUSTRATED 1 5

RiskReward

&HOW KILIMANJARO GEARTURNED PERSONAL INTERESTSINTO PROFESSIONAL SUCCESSSTORY BY BETHANY HARBISONPHOTOS COURTESY OF KILIMANJARO GEAR

COMPANY INFOKILIMANJARO GEARYEAR FOUNDED: 1979NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 250WEBSITE: www.KilimanjaroGear.comPHONE: (800) 522-0847

WE ENVISIONED BLADES THAT WOULD FEEL AND

PERFORM LIKE AN EXTENSIONOF THE USER, ON AN

INSTINCTIVE LEVEL.ANDY SOMERVILLE

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k n i v e s i l l u s t r a t e d . c o m1 6 KNIVES ILLUSTRATED MAY-JUNE 2015

AS: Of course, thats when the real work startedfor the team. Our philosophy about a new busi-ness venture is pretty similar to the decision treethat your readers might employ prior to an epicoutdoor undertaking:1. Do we have the requisite skills and knowl-edge? Yes.2. Do we have the right resources at hand? Yes. 3. Do we have a plan with contingencies? Yes.4. Is the potential outcome greater than the cal-culated risk? Yes.5. Is death a possible outcome? Hopefully not!

KI: When and why did you branch into makingknives?VC: We had already been producing nice qualityfolding knives, utility knives, and multi-tools soldthrough hardware and auto parts stores. Afterthe 2013 SHOT Show we completed the designand engineering process for our initial productline of blades, along with a selection of multi-tools, lights and bags. Our mission was to intro-duce the Phase One product line and the Kili-manjaro brand as a whole at the 2014 OutdoorRetailer Summer Market.

THESEBLADES OFFERFAIL-SAFESTRENGTH,PERFORMANCEAND VERSATILITY.VINCE CAITO

From top to bottom, DW Folder, DW Companion and DW Stryker

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AS: We completed the mission, and thebrand and products were well received bythe sporting goods retailers and distribu-tors attending the show. It goes withoutsaying our company owners were trollingfor big fishlarge wholesale and retail op-erators who can move product and getthe big hits needed to cover our develop-ment costs. They appreciated the warm

reception we got at the ORShow.

VC: Thing is, so did Andyand I, but our reasons forcelebrating were a littlestealthy. While we were

designing, developingand producing some high-

quality products for main-stream retail, we were also run-

ning another product developmentproject. Its not flattery when I say we hadKnives Illustrated readers in our sights forthis side projectwe literally had KI issueson the table as we discussed our plans inafter-hours meetings.

AS: Knives Illustrated readers are part of aspecialty market; lets call them discern-ing blade collectors. Since its a nichemarket, our plan was to have the PhaseOne product line were selling throughsporting goods retailers fund the intenseR&D and prototyping required to createsomething truly special that would ap-peal to enthusiasts. It was all cloak and

WHATS IN A

NAME?The SERE line of knives isnamed for a particularlyhardcore type of Navy SEALtraining: Survival, Evasion,Resistance and Escape.

ABOUT THEINTERVIEWEESNAME: Andy SomervilleTITLE: Director of MarketingEMPLOYED SINCE: 1997NAME: Vince CaitoTITLE: Senior Director of Product DevelopmentEMPLOYED SINCE: 2004

DW Folder

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dagger for a while. We had secret negotia-tions with well-known blade designers,weapons trainers and users. Once every-thing was in place, we presented theproduct concepts and business plan, hop-ing to get yet another green light. Well, wegot the nod, and the results are here onthese pages!

KI: Tell us about the research and devel-opment process of producing yourknives. Who was responsible for/involved in that process? Where did youstart and how did you decide what kindsof knives to make?VC: It was a little intimidating to start ourdesign process with a blank sheet of

paper. You want to create something thatlooks both new and classic at the sametime. Beyond appearance, it obviously hasto bring real world strength and function-ality to the party. Those things are rela-tively easy to design compared to findingthe sweet spot of weighting, feel and bal-ance. Borrowing a term from the extreme

sports world, we set out to design andproduce blades that flow.

AS: That term flowwe borrowed thatfrom extreme sports where athletes describe the calm and clarity they feelwhile performing death-defying stunts.We envisioned blades that would feel and

KEY PLAYERSCOLLABORATORS ON KILIMANJARO KNIVESINCLUDE:

JOEL LAMBERT, highly trained Navy SEAL,combat instructor, and star of DiscoveryChannels Lone TargetDANIEL WINKLER, owner of Winkler Knives,American Bladesmith Society MasterSmith and military knife specialistRAFAEL KAYANAN, master-level martialartist and fight choreographer

DW Companion (left) and DW Stryker

DW Wood Axe

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perform like an extension of the user, onan instinctive level.

VC: We were looking deeper into the con-cept and discovered that soldiers experi-ence flow in combat situations. Thelight bulb lit up real bright right then andthere. Who better to help design flowthan someone whos experienced it incombat?

AS: Early in our search, a name surfaced:Joel Lambert, a SERE-trained (Survival,Evasion, Resistance and Escape) SEALwho at the time was filming his first sea-son of Lone Target on Discovery Channel.Joel showed interest in the project andsuggested we bring in master bladesmithDaniel Winkler, as well as master edgedweapons instructor and designer RafaelKayanan. The term dream team is over-used, but definitely applied with this tri-fecta. Joel provides the knowledge of theultimate user in combat, evasion and sur-vival situations, and has collaborated withDaniel and Rafael on highly successful, in-demand blade designs.

KI: What was your main priority for thefinished products?VC: Quality is absolutely the top priorityof this new SERE line. Working with menof this caliber and reputation, whosenames are literally on the product, meansgood enough isnt good enough. Theseblades offer fail-safe strength, perform-ance and versatility.

KI: What kind of testing have you putyour knives through, and how did theyperform? Did anything go wrong initiallythat required you to make adjustmentsto the designs?AS: Our testing mantra is overkillnotonly for these SERE models, but for everything we do. Theres extensive test-ing of materials, construction, consisten-cy, all the lab stuff. Thats good and nec-essary, but we put our prototypes in thehands of real users and enthusiasts tofield test design and construction beforewe ever introduce them to the market.

KI: What are Kilimanjaros goals within thenext year and in the long term?AS: Its no secret that for a brand thats just

beginning to make a name for itself the im-mediate and long term goal is to get recogni-tion and placement. But I think well feel the

most pride seeing our products in the handsof serious collectors and passionate enthusi-asts and earning their positive feedback.

SEAL JOEL LAMBERT PROVIDES THE KNOWLEDGE OF THEULTIMATE USER IN COMBAT, EVASION AND SURVIVAL SITUATIONS,AND HAS COLLABORATED WITH DANIEL WINKLER AND RAFAELKAYANAN ON HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL, IN-DEMAND BLADE DESIGNS.ANDY SOMERVILLE

KI

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When you think about where to find cus-tom-quality handmade knives, Cambodiais probably not the first place that popsinto your headbut it should be. CitadelKnives and Swords, by CAS Iberia, is pro-ducing handmade knives using a mixof modern steels and traditional ma-terials. The result is unique, func-tional, beautiful pieces unlikeanything else on the market.

CITADEL GIVES THE GENTLEMANSFOLDER AN EXOTIC TWISTSTORY AND PHOTOS BY TIM STETZERADDITIONAL PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAS IBERIA

SOMETIMES the best things come fromthe most unexpected places.

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k n i v e s i l l u s t r a t e d . c o m MAY-JUNE 2015 KNIVES ILLUSTRATED 21

THE CITADEL KNIVES AREUNIQUE, FUNCTIONAL,

BEAUTIFUL PIECES UNLIKEANYTHING ELSE ON THE

MARKET.

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From Cambodia with LoveWhile Citadel knives have been avail-

able in the U.S. for a while now, until re-cently they were often hard to find. But allthat changed when the Citadel line waspicked up by CAS Iberia. You can now findan impressive array of folders, fixedblades and swords either directly throughthe CAS Iberia website or through one oftheir distributors.

I spoke with the folks from CAS Iberiaat Blade last year and at this years SHOTshow and got some scoop on Citadel andhow things are made. The short version:While many Asian-made blades comefrom a large factory, that couldnt be fur-ther from the truth about Citadel knives.

Like many custom and semi-customshops in the U.S., Citadel has a small crewof employees that build their knives byhand. The use a mix of imported steelslike German Bohler N690Co stainless andDNH7, which is pretty similar to 1075 car-bon steel but responds well to differentialheat treating. Handle materials are largelytraditional, such as Micarta, rosewood,palisander wood, buffalo horn and bone,but also include more unique materialssuch as rayskin.

The folks at CAS Iberia are excitedabout the Citadel line, so I figured it wastime to pick up a couple pieces and seewhat all the fuss was about. After somediscussion we settled on the Saigon, asmall everyday-carry, and the Kukri Lock,a big heavy-duty folder.

A Tale of Rays and BuffaloWhile I tend to review a lot of modern

blades and have worked with more thanmy share of tactical designs I have to ad-mit I have an affinity for old-school, ethnicpatterns. Theres something in these de-sign that sings to my soul. Maybe its theconnection to the cultures they springfrom, or maybe its just the novelty com-pared to the styles and designs that Imore commonly see. Either way I was ea-ger to work with these Citadel folders.

When I opened the box from CAS Iberiathe first thing I noted was that both knivescame in sturdy, padded, zippered nyloncarry casesa nice touch right out of thegate and one I usually only see with cus-tom knives. Unzipping the cases revealedthe pocket-sized Saigon with its distinc-

tive rayskin scales and the massive KukriLock with its buffalo horn scales.

I gave both knives a thorough look-overand a few things soon became apparent.First, Citadel knows what its doing whenit comes to building knives. The fit and

finish on these folders is impeccable. Theblades are well centered when folded andlock up solidly with no play present in anydirection when opened. Both knives useliner locks with sturdy liners that clickpositively in place, yet are still easy

Citadel folders come with padded nylon pouches just like many custom knives.

The Saigon is a compact, classy EDC folder that blends modern European steel with classic Far East handlematerials.

THE SAIGON IS CLASSY AND DISTINCTIVE, BUT AT THESAME TIME SMALL ENOUGH TO BE SUBTLE IN MIXED COMPANY.

KI-1505-20-25-CAS 3/2/15 2:19 AM Page 22


enough to disengage whenyoure ready to close yourknife. They both featurecutouts in the scales to al-low access to the lock aswell.

The blades on theseknives are the BohlerN690co stainless, and theyfeature a saber grind withpolished edges and mattefinished flats. The edgesappear to be convex andboth would pop hair withease out of the box. Thespine of the knives isadorned with hand-en-graved scrollwork that linesup with matching scrollwork on the bladespines when the knives are opened. Its asubtle, but classy addition to already im-pressive blades.

At only 3.5 inches long when closed,the Saigon is a compact folder. It carries adrop-point blade just over 2 inches inlength and weighs in at a petite 3.5ounces. An extended tang acts as a flip-per of sorts, and the Saigon can beopened with one hand with a little prac-tice. It definitely classifies as a gentle-mans knife in my book and would be right

at home in any for-mal setting.

The rayskinhandles areunique and

attractive. They consist of rayskin glued toa wooden scale and then polished andcoated with a clear lacquer-type finish.The polishing smooths out the roughrayskin texture and leaves behind a blackand white spotted pattern that my 10-year-old son said reminded him of a leop-ard skin. Its visually stunning and quitethe departure from most other handles.

Citadel also makes the Saigon in arosewood handle if the rayskin is a bit tooexotic for you, but I have to say that theray is much of what makes this knifestand out. In traditional form, no pocketclip is present or available for this littleEDC blade. Itll ride nicely in the pocket ofdress slacks or cargo pants with equalaplomb.

The Kukri Lock is a big working bladethat channels the impressive Nepaleseblades its designed after. At 9.5 inchesopen, and with a downswept, recurveblade that looks bigger than its 3.9 inches,the Kukri Lock is a sizeable piece. It carriesa 4-millimeter thick blade that locks on itsgenerous 5.5-inch long handle and clocksin at a hefty 10 ounces.

There is no provision for one-handopening and, in fact, no opening mecha-nism of any sort, not even a nail nick. Theblade is easily opened, though, by simplygrasping the tall blade on its matte-tex-tured flats with the index finger andthumb of your support hand and openingthe blade until it snicks into the lockedposition.

The spine of the Saigon ishand engraved withdecorative scrollwork.

CONTACTCAS IBERIA

(800) 635-9366www.CASIberia.com

SAIGONOVERALL: 6 inchesBLADE LENGTH: 2.1 inchesHANDLE LENGTH: 3.5 inchesWEIGHT: 3.5 ouncesBLADE STEEL: N690CoHANDLE MATERIAL: RayskinMSRP: $215

KUKRI LOCKOVERALL: 9.5 inchesBLADE LENGTH: 3.9 inchesHANDLE LENGTH: 5.4 inchesWEIGHT: 10 ouncesBLADE STEEL: N690CoHANDLE MATERIAL: HornMSRP: $209

A sturdy liner lock keeps the Saigons blade open.

KI-1505-20-25-CAS 3/2/15 2:19 AM Page 23


The handle shape with its flared buttand buffalo horn scales is all kukri; itseven affixed with a lanyard hole andcomes with a braided leather lanyard.

Rosewood is also an option for the KukriLock if thats what youd prefer. Again, intraditional fashion theres no pocket clipon this piece and it probably is best suitedbeing tucked into the back pocket of yourjeans or Carhartts.

The size, weight, and opening character-istics of the Kukri Lock reminded me in a lotof ways of the classic Buck 110. The Buckswere a solid folder in this class and oftenrode in the back pocket of many an out-doorsman, cop and tradesman back in theday. Think of the Kukri Lock in the samesort of light, but with custom craftsman-ship and materials and a far-Eastern feel.

Putting the Citadels to Work I put both knives into my EDC rotation

to see just what they could do off and onfor a period of approximately two months.On a day-to-day basis I would drop theSaigon in my pocket, as its definitely theeasier of the two pieces to carry. Itssmooth, rounded handles rode well in thepocket and proved very comfortable touse for routine chores. I didnt do anythingcrazy with the Saigon, but it did open itsshare of boxes and packages, cut somestring, tape and other odds and endsba-sically all of the things you normally dowith your pocketknife.

I found that the 2.1-inch blade was plen-ty big enough for all of those chores, yetsmall enough that it didnt panic anyonewhen I pulled it out in public to use it. Therayskin handle garnered quite a few com-pliments, even from folks who are not nor-mally knife people and wouldnt general-ly pay much attention to what I wascarrying. The Saigon is classy and distinc-

The Saigon uses handle scales of polished rayskin that make for an extremely unique and striking appearance.

KUKRI VS. KUKRI LOCK

I have in my collection an interesting kukri that dates back to the 1940s. Its a very nicebuffalo-horned model thats a quite a bit nicer than the typical British military issue ones fromthat era.

This knife came to me via my father, who in turn had acquired it from a woman in his artleague. Her husband was a pilot in the Army Air Corps and was responsible for flying theHump over the Himalayas from India to China to resupply Chiang Kai-sheks forces in theirfight against the Japanese during World War II. He, like many other pilots of the era, picked up alocally made kukri in India and carried it on his missions in case he was shot down or crashed insuch rugged terrain. Thankfully he never had to put it to any use and it sat in a footlocker untilhis passing and eventually ended up in my hands.

When I received the Citadel Kukri Lock folder, I was immediately reminded of this piece bothbecause of the obvious kukri styling of the folder but also due to its beautiful buffalo hornhandle scales and the quality of build. While I certainly am not doing anything remotely asdangerous as flying the Hump on a day-to-day basis, I do find the presence of the Kukri Lock inmy daily kit nearly as comforting as those pilots did with their full-sized kukris back in the day!

The Citadel Kukri Lock folder and an authentic, World War II-era kukri the author inherited from hisfather.

THE KUKRIS BIGHANDLE MAKES ITVERY COMFORTABLETO USE AND THERECURVE BLADE ISCAPABLE OF MAKINGPOWERFUL CUTS...

KI-1505-20-25-CAS.CX 3/4/15 11:12 PM Page 24


tive, but at the same time small enough tobe subtle in mixed company. Its a greatchoice for someone who wants a solidEEC blade without all the tactical bling.

The Kukri Lock mostly got carried whenI was dressed casually in jeans or cargopants. Its pretty heavy to just drop in yourfront pocket but it worked well tucked inmy back pocket alongside my wallet. Ivegiven some thought to having an open-top leather belt pouch made for the Kukriand think that might be just the ticket forregular carry.

Regardless of how you carry it, the Kukriis a real performer when you start using it.The big handle makes it very comfortableto use and the recurve blade is capable ofmaking powerful cuts. I can see this knifebeing a great outdoors blade, especially inareas where a fix bladed knife might beprohibited. The lock-up is extremely posi-tive and while I didnt try any choppingwith it, I did run it through some basiccamp and bushcraft chores such as cut-ting poles for a cooking tripod, sharpeningstakes and prepping tinder for the fire.

Pairing this knife up with a sturdy fixedblade or a small axe would make for a for-midable camp combo.

Custom Quality the Cambodian WayBoth the Saigon and the Kukri Lock

tested impressively, and theyre in excel-lent company among Citadels dozens ofother options. If youre looking for aunique blade that blends classic featuresand handle materials with top-notch con-struction and modern blade steel thenlook no further than CAS Iberia.

The Kukri Locks handle is very similar to the authorsbuffalo horn handled kukri from World War II.

The Kukri Lock uses a recurve blade similar in style toa full-sized kukri.

The Kukri Lock has alarge 5.4-inch longhandle complete withbraided leatherlanyard.

FAST FACTSSAIGON

Distinctive rayskin handleCompact but effect blade sizeBest for everyday pocket carry

KUKRI LOCKLarge, comfortable handlePowerful recurve bladeBest for light camping/outdoors chores

KI

KI-1505-20-25-CAS 3/2/15 2:19 AM Page 25


Day in and day out, the owner of Adams and Sons CustomKnives has centered his work day around fixed-blade huntingknives until he heard from two U.S. Army Rangers with sever-al deployments to Iraq of a specific problem soldiers were hav-ing with their knives. Thats when the problem hit home.

ADAMS EDGEGUARD SHEATH SYSTEM KEEPSSOLDIERS BLADES SECURE AND SHARP

STORY BY STEVEN PAUL BARLOWPHOTOS BY STEVEN PAUL BARLOW AND STEPHANIE BARLOW

For 14 years, Phil Adams has been focused on custom knives.

THE EDGEGUARD SHEATH AND COMPANION5.5-INCH TACTICAL KNIFE ARE A MATCH MADE INHEAVEN FOR ENVIRONMENTS CLOSER TO HELL.

KI-1505-26-32-ADAMS 3/2/15 2:27 AM Page 26


SPECIFICATIONSPRODUCT: The EdgeGuard Knife and Sheath System COMPANY: Edge Guard Knife Sheath Systems, Adams & Sons Custom KnivesOVERALL LENGTH: 10.25 inchesBLADE LENGTH: 5.5 inchesBLADE WIDTH: 1.125 inchesBLADE THICKNESS: 3/16 inchSTEEL: 1095 Carbon, matte black or coyote epoxy-coatedHANDLE SCALES: Black or camo DymondWood

KI-1505-26-32-ADAMS 3/2/15 2:27 AM Page 27


THE PROBLEMIt seems that soldiers struggled to keep

their knives sharp in the desert environ-ment because sand was continually get-ting into the sheaths. When the kniveswere repeatedly drawn and replaced intheir sheaths, the sand acted as an abra-sive and dulled the edges. When a soldieris in the field, the durability of his knifeshould be the least of his worries.

At that time my son was serving inAfghanistan, said Adams, whose compa-ny is based in central New York. I wasthinking if I could come up with some-thing, it would benefit him, too. So at thatpoint I started working on the concept.

THE SOLUTIONFor Adams, who was used to building

those beautiful hunting knives, this newproject created a different kind of chal-lenge. Ultimately, he developed his Edge-Guard Knife Sheath System (patentpending).

The sheath still protects the personwho wears it, but it doesnt allow any-thing to stay in it, he said. The problemwith a (conventional) sheath is that its apocket. Anything that goes in doesntcome out.

Adams sheath uses two parallel piecesof .093-inch Kydex held apart by nylonspacers so that any sand, grit or other de-bris falls right out. The knife itself barelycontacts the sheath and is held securelyby a spring-loaded latch system thateliminates the need for any straps andsnaps. One-handed operation to removeor secure the knife is smooth and easy.

Although originally designed withdesert environments in mind, the Edge-Guard system would also excel in wet regions because moisture is not trappedinside the sheath.

ADAMS SHEATH USESTWO PARALLEL PIECES OF.093-INCH KYDEX HELDAPART BY NYLON SPACERS SOTHAT ANY SAND, GRIT OR OTHERDEBRIS FALLS RIGHT OUT.

The EdgeGuard sheathin the vertical positionuses a flexible beltattachment, whichmakes this carrymethod easier whenseated in a vehicle.

KI-1505-26-32-ADAMS 3/2/15 2:27 AM Page 28


The sheath system is set up for either tradi-tional vertical carry or horizontally across theback as some soldiers prefer.

Optional accessories allow for mountingwith leg straps or attaching to MOLLE gear. Allof the attachments can be configured for

either right- or left-hand carry using a simpleflathead screwdriver.

THE EDGEGUARD TACTICAL KNIFEAdams also designed a knife to go into this

sheath. Its not a behemoth Bowie with a 10-inch blade that a soldier is apt to leave behind.Instead, its a more sensible and more usable5.5-inch length. Its 1095 carbon blade isepoxy-coated with Brownells Aluma-Hyde II ineither black or coyote. It has a chisel-tough tipthat isnt likely to snap off in rough use.

The sheath system includes removable brackets that allow the knife to be carried in a horizontal position on the belteither at the side as shown or along the back.

The optional leg strap attachment keeps the knife close to theleg and comfortable for all-day carry.

The optional MOLLE gear attachment allows the EdgeGuardsheath to be mounted on packs and other gear.

THEBOTTOM LINEPRICE: $225 (MOLLE adaptor and leg strap adaptoreach $25 extra)

KI-1505-26-32-ADAMS.CX 3/4/15 11:16 PM Page 29


I call it a semi-clip,Adams said. I wanted a blade thatwasnt too long, that was effective instabbing and going through material withthe strength to penetrate. Theres enoughmeat there that its not going to snap.

Weight was a consideration too, hesaid. The handle is still 3/16-inch thick,

but he drilled someholes in it to take some of

the weight off of the back. It still has plenty of spine to it, he said.

If you wear it on your leg, you hardlyknow that its there.

The handle is DymondWood, which islightweight and attractive, and he left the

Nylon spacers are placed between the Kydex halvesof the EdgeGuard sheath to allow sand and otherabrasives a way out so that nothing rubs against theknife blade that could dull it.

The complete EdgeGuard Knife Sheath System is shown with tactical knife,flow-through sheath, horizontal attachment brackets, and the optional MOLLEand leg strap attachment fixtures.

The spring-loaded latch on the EdgeGuardsheath locks into a notch on the top of theblade and provides good security without theneed for straps. It also allows for easy, one-handed access.

Attachments to theEdgeGuard Sheath Systemfasten with commonflathead screws so that nospecialized tools need to becarried to adapt the sheathto different modes of carry.

KI-1505-26-32-ADAMS 3/2/15 2:27 AM Page 30


The EdgeGuard Knife Sheath System provides a good knife/sheath combination that would work well in many tactical situations.

NEW SKIN FOR THE OLD WARRIOR

You may be able to get a new EdgeGuard sheath for yourold favorite knife.

After introducing the EdgeGuard knife and sheath system,Adams was approached by several old-timers who wanted toknow if he could make sheaths for their old KA-BAR militaryknives. So Adams went to work and developed an EdgeGuardsheath for the full-size (7-inch blade) KA-BAR military utilityknife.

It differs from Adams original design in that the spring-loaded latch clips onto the upper finger guard of the KA-BAR,rather than into a notch in the top of the blade. Nomodification of your sentimental favorite is necessary.Adams said he might be able to adapt his sheath system toother knives as well if the customer is willing to submit hisknife to ensure an exact fit.

I have to take into account the shape of the blade and thetype of guard thats on it, he said.

KI-1505-26-32-ADAMS.CX 3/4/15 11:35 PM Page 31

long cutting strokes or abrupt penetratingmotions, the knife stayed secure in myhand. It was sufficiently sharp to smooth-ly perform cuts through wood, cardboard,plastic and raw meat with little effort.

Finally, all of the attachments are se-cured with four flathead screws, sotheres no need to carry specialized tools.

INNOVATION THROUGH FREEDOM One of the great things about freedom

in this country is that it allows innovationto come from individuals and small com-panies. I think Phil Adams has a good ideahere, and he as executed that idea verywell. The EdgeGuard sheath and compan-ion 5.5-inch tactical knife are a matchmade in heaven for environments closerto hell.


KI

handle scales unpolished and rough so itwould provide a better grip. Hes also con-sidering using a canvas Micarta.

PUTTING IT TO THE TESTNaturally, I couldnt wait to get this

good-looking setup a little dirty. First, Iburied the knife in sand to see if thissheath lived up to the claims. I picked upthe knife and most of the sand slid out ofthe sheath. For good measure, I gave it acouple of shakes and repeatedly drew theknife from the sheath and reinserted it. Icould hear a few stubborn grains of sandgrating at the flats of the blade and imag-ined what that sand would do to the edgeof a knife in a conventional sheath.

In the EdgeGuard, the edge did notseem to be contacting the sheath, sothere was no filing away of edge by theabrasive sand. The simple solution of us-ing nylon spacers between the halves ofthe sheath was a success.

Next, I went to work trying the knife inall of its carrying positions vertical, hori-zontal, inverted, strapped to my leg, at-tached to my pack, on the right or on theleft. The knife rode comfortably, securelyand close to the body. The sheath systemproved to be as versatile as advertised.

Of course, the sheath wouldnt be ofmuch use if the knife in it wasnt up to thetasks demanded of such a tool. I quicklylearned there was no need for concern.This is a good knife.

At first glance, I thought the grip mightbe a bit short, even for my average-sizedhands. But the slightly rough Dymond-Wood was comfortable in both forwardand reverse grips and when I inched myhand forward for some detail work. In

The EdgeGuard knife and sheath proved to be a rugged and versatile.

In response to veterans concerned about abrasivesand in conventional sheaths that dulled their knifeblades, Phil Adams designed this 5.5-inch tacticalknife to go with his innovative EdgeGuard SheathSystem.

The grip angle and blade configuration of theEdgeGuard knife worked well for long cuttingstrokes. The strong, semi-clip point also proved tobe an excellent penetrator.

Phil Adams began his knife-making career byoffering a number of well-crafted drop-point huntingdesigns before he turned his attention to moretactical concerns. He continues to make beautifulknives for outdoorsmen.

CONTACTwww.EdgeGuardSheaths.webs.com

www.AdamsKnives.webs.com

KI-1505-26-32-ADAMS 3/2/15 2:28 AM Page 32

www.knifeandgun.com

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Custom Dying and StabilizingCall for more information

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KI_1503_33 3/4/15 11:47 PM Page 33


THE AFFORDABLE BARONYX MACHETE IS CAPABLE OF JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING

THE ULTIMATEWORKHORSE

KI-1505-34-39-BARONYX 3/2/15 2:34 AM Page 34


That is a question outdoorsmen often ask. Make the topic machetes, ask meand its an easy answer. My pick would be the Baronyx Machete from theBaronyx Knife Company.

Heres why.

Meet the Baronyx The Baronyx Machete is 23.25 inches long and carries a 4-inch-wide by 16-

inch-long blade made of 1075 high-carbon steel. The blade is 2.2mm thick andhas a matte finish, and the 7-inch long high-impact polypropylene handle issymmetrical to allow for a solid grip when using the blade in either direction.The Baronyx, which weighs 1 pound 10 ounces, comes with a sturdy blackleather sheath.

Those specs may come across as fairly standard machete fare, other thanmaybe the blade width, but the shape of the blade is anything but standard.The English billhook, particularly the Hertford model, served as BenjaminBouchards influence for this tool, and the machete is nothing like a classicLatin-style machete.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY TIM STETZER

What if you could only have one?



The companys website perfect-ly describes the blade and theknifes features. It states: The pri-mary edge is used for the bulk ofyour general chopping tasks andfeatures a continuous curve to theedge for rocking or drawing cuts.The back hook gives a sickle-likeblade for cutting grasses, bram-bles, woody stemmed plants andany other target that would beprone toward slipping off the edgeof a conventional blade. The bifur-cated tip allows for a usable pointfor detail work, a striking zone forbatoning or a handhold for draw/push-knifing, and acts like an ex-tension of the arm for pushingbrush out of the way. The symmet-rical handle allows either edge tobe used in the forward-facing posi-tion, depending on the needs ofthe situation, and is long enough tobe used two-handed if desired.

It didnt take much to get me ex-cited about the machete. Ive longbeen a fan of billhook-styled toolsdating back to my days in the BoyScouts. I used to spend a lot ofhours behind a brushhook whilehelping with an Eagle Scout proj-ect in which we cleared out and re-habilitated an old overgrown park. I even have an old brushhook I gotfrom my wifes grandfather in mygarage and I also keep an eye outfor them from time to time, butthey arent always easy to find.

That early brushhook use got meinterested in the smaller billhook,and I soon found that those areeven harder to find in the States.Until Bouchard started carryingthem recently, your options werepretty limited to occasional finds oneBay or ordering direct from Europe.

The wide blade of theBaronyx Machete adds massand, coupled with the longhandle, makes for a toolcapable of performingpowerful, sheering cuts.

The Baronyx Machete cutthrough even dried, hardwood with ease. The bigcleaver-like blade threwlarge chips and quicklyworked its way throughthis 3-inch branch.

SPECIFICATIONSBARONYX MACHETEOVERALL LENGTH: 23.25 inchesBLADE LENGTH: 16 inchesSTEEL: 1075HCTHICKNESS: 2.2 millimetersWEIGHT: 1.6 poundsCOUNTRY OF ORIGIN: El SalvadorMSRP: $69.98

The handle on the machete islarge enough for even large orgloved hands. For a morepowerful cutting stroke, you canget two hands on it if need be.



The Englishbillhook influence isobvious when youlook at theBaronyxs blade.

The 7-inch handle of the Baronyxis symmetrical and allows you toeasily switch from using theprimary cutting edge to the hookon the back of the blade.

The term Baronyx refers to a carnivorous crocodile-like dinosaur first discovered in the clay pits of England.The name roughly translates to heavy claw and wasnamed that due to the large claw on each of thedinosaurs hands.

DID YOUKNOW?

The Baronyx Machete gotpressed into service in thecamp kitchen and madeshort work of husking corn.

IN THEIR OWN WORDSBaronyx owner BenjaminBouchard gave us somebackground on billhooks and the Baronyx Machete:

Billhooks come in anastounding variety of sizes andshapes, with some having onlyone edge, others with two, andsome with various unedgedhooks, spikes, or prongs onthem. Those that are double-edged usually have the hookside as the primary blade withthe hatchet blade secondary,but some forms are just thereverse.

The Baronyx Machete was designed with primary inspiration from the BritishHertford pattern billhook, which is one such pattern. The hatchet blade on mostbillhooks is used for cutting against flat surfaces or in other circumstances wherethe hook would obstruct the cut.

With the Hertford pattern billhook the hook on the back of the blade isunedged, but it provided me with the inspiration for a machete that representedan intersection of the abilities of a typical machete, a traditional billhook, andheavy cleaver-like chopping knives, all while remaining within a size and weightrange that would still be reasonable to carry and use for prolonged periods.

Still, I would always keep an eye out for this tool so when I saw theBaronyx I was immediately drawn to it. To me its a great mix of the classicbillhook blended with the larger blade of a heavy machete that suggests itreally should live up to Bouchards idea for a do-all North American tem-perate zone tool. The only way to really find out though was to use it, sothats what I did.

Field Work with the BaronyxI worked with the Baronyx over the summer. Not only did I use it around

the house and in the field, I took it on a couple camping trips. Before we

KI-1505-34-39-BARONYX.CX 3/4/15 11:19 PM Page 37


delve into performance, however, lets talkabout handling characteristics.

The Baronyx is a big blade.Its not overly long as far as ma-chetes go, but its wide and has acleaver-like appearance. Its sturdyat 2.2 millimeters thick but not overlyheavy; it actually balances quite nicelyand is comfortable to use for extendedperiods of time.

I used the machete when clearing outbrush around the edges of my backyard,and it worked exceptionally well. Weeds,thorns and vines encroach the fringes ofmy yard every summer, and I cut themback so that I can mow the lawn withoutgetting impaled by thorns. The keen fac-tory edge on the Baronyx zipped throughthe lighter vegetation with ease, and thehook on the reverse side worked especial-ly well for catching the thornier plantsthat I didnt want to get too close to.

The hook was also handy for draggingthose pieces out of the brush where Icould more easily grab them with glovedhands and carry them off. I repeated thisprocess a number of times over the sum-mer, and the Baronyx was my tool ofchoice each time, despite having aplethora of machetes from which tochoose.

Smaller green saplings that needed tobe cleared on my buddys property alsodidnt stand a chance. One-inch branches

and saplingsfell in one swing;larger ones nevertook more than three orfour good swings. The bill-stylehook on the reverse of the blade workedgreat for limbing the saplings and wouldbe a great help in doing similar work forbuilding a survival shelter or bushcraft-style work.

I also used it on my camping trips. I putthe Baronyx to heavier work hacking upfirewood, and I chewed through some

1Benjamin Bouchard runs the Baronyx Knife Co., and he handpicksall of the items featured in his shop. 2Bouchard originally designed this tool for possible inclusion in the2013 Condor Knife and Tool line but it got cut when Condor scaledback some of their releases for that year.

3Imacasa, Condors parent company, offered to still make thedesign for him, though, and thus the Baronyx Machete was born.4Imacasa has more than 45 years of tool-making experience, andthey specialize in machete production for parts of the world thatstill rely heavily on machetes as everyday tools.

5The company was founded by the German firm of Gebr.Weyersbergwhose roots go all the way back to 1787 in Solingenand have provided knives, swords and bayonets for centuries.

Quick Facts5

IF YOU CAN APPRECIATE THE UTILITY OF A BILLHOOK BUTWANT SOMETHING THATS EVEN MORE VERSATILE, THENDEFINITELY GIVE BOUCHARD A CALL

At just over 23 inches in length,the Baronyx Machete gives youenough blade to do serious workbut is still compact enough tocarry strapped to a pack or tuckedon your ATV or in your truck cab.

fairly good-sized dead logs. I was reallypleased with how it transitioned fromlight vegetation to heavy chopping. Thethin blade bit deep into dried wood andthrew chunks like an axe. The large handlewas comfortable to use and was longenough that I could get two hands on itwhen necessary.

A Machete for the Kitchen?One of the reasons I love a good ma-

cheteand a key reason why it would bemy choice if I really could only choose onebladeis its versatility.

The Baronyx Machete comes with a sturdy leather sheath.


was that the corn had to becooked in the husk first. Withthat said, I did find out that youcan shuck corn extremely quick-ly and easily by lopping off thebase with a machete and thenrunning the blade lightly alongthe length of the husk to free itup. Once you do that, you justneed to peel the husk to theside. It wasnt quite the trickthey saw online, but it was veryefficient and still much quickerthan husking corn the traditionalway. It was more fun, too.

Once the corn was husked, theladies next brought out a smallwatermelon that also was inneed of a larger cutting imple-

ment. Once again, theBaronyx saved the day.

The blade size is big, butnot so big that it didnt handle

these more delicate kitchenchores with ease. I still dont

think my wife will allow me toadd one to our home kitchenknife block, but for camping it dida great job.

All-Around CapabilityThe Baronyx Machete is a

workhorse of a blade, and itssuitable for a wide range ofchores, including limbing andpruning to knocking back thevegetation along the propertyline and even pitching for othertools like a small axe or cleaver.

Its fairly priced at $69.98,which I think is a good deal for aunique, quality-built blade with asturdy leather sheath. If you canappreciate the utility of a bill-hook but want something thatseven more versatile, then defi-nitely give Bouchard a call orcheck out his website for this, aswell as other unique machetes,axes and brush tools.


In addition to using the macheteon light vegetation and the heavierhardwoods, I also used it in thecamp kitchen as well. This really isnt much of a stretch when youlook at how machetes are used inmuch of the world. They often dodouble duty as kitchen knives andworking tools. Heres how this opportunity arose.

Some of the ladies on our annu-al July outing had seen a blurb onthe Internet about chopping offthe base of an ear of corn so youcould then just squeeze the earout of the husk without having topeel it. There wasnt a largekitchen knife in camp so theyasked me if I had anything thatwould work. As it happens, theBaronyx was ready at hand andup to the challenge.

We soon found out that theyhad missed a key step in the cornshucking instructions and that

Machetes often fill manyroles in third worldcountries, including duty inthe kitchen. The authorfound that the Baronyxworked just fine in that rolefor cutting and slicing itemstoo large for a smaller campkitchen knife.

I WAS REALLYPLEASED

WITH HOW ITTRANSITIONED

FROM LIGHTVEGETATION

TO HEAVYCHOPPING.

KI

CONTACTBaronyx Knife Co.

www.BaronyxKnife.com(207) 423-9613



Staying SharpWHEN EDGE RETENTION IS YOUR PRIORITY,CARBIDES ARE YOUR NECESSITYSTORY AND PHOTOS BY JIM ANKERSON

EXPERTSCORNER

These alloy particles, which are harder than the steel that surrounds them, are re-sponsible for preventing wear and tear when your knife is put to work. Think of themlike rocks in concrete; the rocks are much harder than the rest of the concrete, makingthe concrete more durable. The alloy (carbide) content in your knife, likewise, haseverything to do with how quickly or slowly your knife will dullimportant wisdom forany knife maker or user.

WHEN it comes to a sharp blade, carbides are key.

KI-1505-40-43-STEEL 3/2/15 2:44 AM Page 40


These three knives are examplesof blades made from CPM 10V, ahigh-carbide steel.

KI-1505-40-43-STEEL 3/2/15 2:44 AM Page 41


Cause and EffectThe percentage of carbide in a

blade directly correlates to wear re-sistance and edge retention. In gen-eral, the higher the percentage ofcarbides, the longer your steel willhold an edgea.k.a. stay sharp. Thedownside of this is that the bladewill be harden to sharpen, becausethe same resistance to dulling willalso resist a sharpening stone.

The savvy knife user will have toconsider the costs and benefits ofthe trade-off, which will affect hischoice of a blade with one of threemain levels of carbide content. (Refer to the chart on page 43 forexamples of each type.)

1High Alloy/High Carbide Content SteelsSteels with very high carbide

content are typically composed of9 percent vanadium, occasionallyalong with good percentages ofmolybdenum or tungsten. Thesesteels provide maximum edge re-tention and wear resistance, espe-cially when cutting abrasive media.They tend to be less tough overallcompared to other steels, but whenedge retention is important aboveall else, a high-carbide steel is yourbest bet.

2High Alloy/Medium Carbide SteelsSteels with medium

carbide content are madeup of approximately 3 or 4percent vanadium, which Iconsider the sweet spotfor performance. One ex-ception is CPM M4, whichhas a very high carbidecontent, but because itcontains 4 percent vana-dium I classified it withthis group.

These medium-cabridesteels provide the bestbalance of edge retention

and toughness. They willhold an edge for a longtime while being toughenough for a variety ofpurposes. We see thesetypes of steels in manymainstream folders andfixed blades.

3Lower Alloy/Low Carbide SteelsLower-alloy steels may

not have the edge reten-tion of the above twogroups, but they are typi-cally tougher and stronger,making them best suited

A knife with a medium-carbide blade of CPM M4.

From top to bottom: Uncut steels of CPM S30V, S11V and CPM M4.

TIPS AND TRICKSFOR SHARPENING: Diamonds and sili-cone stones work bestfor high-carbidesteels, while ceramicsare best for touch-ups.FOR PERFORMANCE: Keep the edge finishin the 320- to 600-grit range for maxi-mum performance inslicing, kitchen workand cutting abrasivematerials.

KI-1505-40-43-STEEL.CX 3/4/15 11:20 PM Page 42


for larger knives and swords. Steels lower in carbides also tend tobe less expensive, and are often used in more budget-friendlyblades.

Finding the BalanceThe performance and dependability of your knife depends sig-

nificantly on choosing the right type of steel for the job. No steel isperfect for every purpose, but through trial and error, and throughdedication to educating yourself, youre bound to find just the rightone from the many options available.

THE RIGHT TOUCHFour common types of carbides, from hardest to softest:

Vanadium (V) carbides, typically 84 HRCMolybdenum (Mo), 77 HRCTungsten (W), 77 HRCChromium (Cr), 68 HRC

Spyderco knives in S110V.

High Alloy/ High Alloy/ Low Alloy/High Carbide Medium Carbide Low Carbide

CPM S125V CPM S30V AEB-LCPM S110V CPM S35VN 52100CPM 90V CPM 3V 1095CPM 10V CPM M4 1080CTS 20CP CPM 154 S7K294 CPM Cruwear A2K390 CPM 4V 5160

ELMAXCTS XHPM390CTS 204PCPM 20CVZDP 189D2

Blades in Zapp A11 and K390 steels.

KI

KI-1505-40-43-STEEL 3/2/15 2:44 AM Page 43

J A N T Z - U S A A T K N

CAT.# STEEL FINISH TEMPER HRC PRICEJ8158J8189

CPM 154Damascus

SatinEtched

CryoCryo

59-6058-60

29.9529.95


CPM 154Damascus

SatinEtched

CryoCryo

59-6058-60

34.9559.95


440CDamascus

SatinEtched

CryoCryo

57-5858-60

29.9549.95

CAT.# STEEL FINISH TEMPER HRC PRICEJ3508J3528J3558J3589

440CD2

CPM 154Damascus

SatinSatin Satin

Etched

CryoCryo CryoCryo

57-5859-6159-6058-60

32.9532.9539.9549.95

CAT.# STEEL FINISH TEMPER HRC PRICEJ5108J5128J5148J5178J5189

440CD2

154CMCPMS 90VDamascus

SatinSatin SatinSatin

Etched

CryoCryo CryoCryo Cryo

57-5859-6158-5956-5958-60

34.9534.9539.9599.9599.95

CAT.# STEEL FINISH TEMPER HRC PRICEJ6127J6128J6107J6108J6157J6158J6189

D2D2

440C440C

CPM154CPM154

Damascus

PeenedSatin

PeenedSatin

PeenedSatin

Etched

CryoCryoCryoCryoCryoCryoCryo

59-6159-6157-5857-5859-6059-6058-60

32.9532.9532.9532.9544.9544.9589.95

CAT.# STEEL FINISH TEMPER HRC PRICEJ3127J3128J3147J3148J3198J319KJ3189

D2D2

154CM154CM10951095

Damascus

PeenedSatin

PeenedSatinSatinBlack

Etched

CryoCryoCryoCryoCryoCryoCryo

59-6159-6158-5958-5957-5857-5858-60

31.9531.9535.9535.9524.9524.9579.95

CAT.# STEEL FINISH TEMPER HRC PRICEJ6508J6528J6589

440CD2

Damascus

SatinSatin

Etched

CryoCryo Cryo

57-5859-6158-60

39.9539.9599.95

CAT.# STEEL FINISH TEMPER HRC PRICEJ5208J5228J5289

440CD2

Damascus

SatinSatin

Etched

CryoCryo Cryo

57-5859-6158-60

39.9539.9599.95

CAT.# THICK PRICEKI1815KI1315KI1415

1/83/161/4

10.9515.9519.95


1/83/161/4

8.959.95

14.95


1/83/161/4

8.959.95

14.95


1/83/161/4

8.9510.9513.95


1/83/161/4

8.9510.9513.95

Designed with beauty and usability in mind, the rounded and ground tip is perfect for shucking oysters practically and safely. Cryogenically treated and razor sharp. Overall length 6 3/4, blade is 2 1/4 x 1.04 wide, .100 thick. Handle Holes 3/16.

Oyster Blade

HANDLE MATERIAL

JANTZ USA MADE BLADES1 1/2 X 10 Scales below.

Overall length 7 3/4", blade is 3" x 3/4" wide, 1/8" thick. Handle Holes 3/16".

Overall length 5 1/8", blade is 2" x 1/2" wide, .100" thick. Handle Holes 1/8".

Overall length 6 5/8", blade is 3" x 3/4" wide, 1/8" thick. Handle Holes 3/16", Thong Hole 3/16".

The back is flat.

Overall length 8 7/16", blade is 3 1/2" x 1 1/8" wide, 5/32" thick. Handle Holes 3/16", Thong Hole 3/16".

Similar to our Pattern 31 with a full hollow grind. Cryogenically treated and razor sharp. Overall length 7 5/8", blade is 3" x 1 1/8" wide, 5/32" thick. Bolster Holes 1/8", Handle Holes 1/4", Thong Hole 1/4". See online for accessories.

Similar to our Pattern 22 with a full hollow grind. Cryogenically treated and razor sharp. Overall length 8 3/8", blade is 3 1/2" x 1 3/32" wide, 5/32" thick. Bolster Holes 1/8", Handle Holes 1/4", Thong Hole 1/4". See page online for accessories.

Pattern 61 is at ground and has optimal edge holding capability. Overall length 7 3/4, Blade Length 3 1/4, width 1 1/4, thickness 9/64 (.140). Bolster holes 3/32, Handle Holes 3/32 and 3/16, Thong Hole 1/4.

Pattern 31 is at ground and has optimal edge holding capability. Overall length 7 5/8, Blade Length 3, width 1 1/8, thickness 5/32. Bolster holes 1/8, Handle Holes 1/4, Thong Hole 1/4.

Jantz Blades are the highest quality pre-shaped blades available anywhere. Each of these hollow ground blades are designed by our team and crafted 100% on site at our facility.

Jantz Blades are the highest quality pre-shaped blades available anywhere. The two blades below are only a portion of our at ground Jantz Blades. Designed and crafted 100% on site at our facility.

Large Caper

Small Caper

Pattern 35

Pattern 65

Pattern 52

Pattern 61Pattern 31

Pattern 51 Desert Camo

Lava Flow

Red Pearl

Green Pearl

Glow

KI_1505_44 2/27/15 5:15 AM Page 44

N I F E M A K I N G . C O M

CAT.# O.D. I.D. BALL DIA. PRICEGC101GC106GC111GC121GC102

.354

.358

.378

.415

.454

.157

.192

.218

.255

.258

.062

.062

.062

.062

.078

1.291.291.291.291.29

CAT.# NAME DIAMETER TORX PRICEFF401FF402FF403FF404FF271FF273FF275FF276FF277

SpinnerGalaxyOrchidTurbine

Solar FlareGear

BullseyeCosmos

Texas Star

1/41/41/41/4

5/165/165/165/165/16

T6T6T6T6T8T8T8T8T8

2.492.492.492.492.492.492.492.492.49

CAT.# O.D. LENGTH FITS PRICEF85BF88BF96BF98B

3/163/161/41/4

.350

.500

.350

.500

1/41/4

5/165/16

1.951.951.951.95


1/83/161/4

8.9510.9513.95


1/83/161/4

8.9510.9513.95


1/83/161/4

8.959.95

14.95


1/83/161/4

8.959.95

14.95


1/83/161/4

8.959.95

14.95

Kirinite is one of the most stylish resin materials on the market. Use standard wood working techniques at slow working speeds and low temperatures. Pictures are example only. Other colors and 5 x 10 slabs available.

DOWNLOAD OUR NEW ONLINE CATALOG AT

JANTZknifemaking.com1-800-351-8900

BLADE STEEL FOLDER ACCESSORIESAll steel offered below by JANTZ is made in the USA. Visit www.knifemaking.com to purchase other widths and thicknesses.

18 Steel

18 Steel

18 Steel

18 Steel

36 Steel

36 Steel

36 Steel

36 Steel

THICK WIDE MILL FINISH BLANCHARD PRECISION1/8" 1 1/2" TF218 - $ 36.95 TU218 - $ 42.95 TG218 - $ 48.951/8" 2" TF228 - $ 44.95 TU228 - $ 52.95 TG228 - $ 60.955/32" 1 1/2" TF318 - $ 48.95 TU318 - $ 54.95 TG318 - $ 60.955/32" 2" TF328 - $ 65.95 TU328 - $ 73.95 TG328 - $ 81.95

QF136 1/8" 1 1/2" MILL FINISH $129.95QF656 5/32" 2" MILL FINISH $195.95QF716 3/16" 1 1/2" MILL FINISH $171.95QF726 3/16" 2" MILL FINISH $225.95

CAT# THICK WIDE FINISH PRICEJF428 3/16" 2" MILL FINISH $ 52.95JF518 1/4" 1 1/2" MILL FINISH $ 52.95JF528 1/4" 2" MILL FINISH $ 70.95JF548 1/4" 4" MILL FINISH $134.95

JF426 3/16" 2" MILL FINISH $103.95JF516 1/4" 1 1/2" MILL FINISH $103.95JF526 1/4" 2" MILL FINISH $139.95JF546 1/4" 4" MILL FINISH $268.95

CAT# THICK WIDE FINISH PRICEQF118 1/8" 1 1/2" MILL FINISH $ 65.95QF658 5/32" 2" MILL FINISH $ 98.95QF718 3/16" 1 1/2" MILL FINISH $ 86.95QF728 3/16" 2" MILL FINISH $113.95

THICK WIDE MILL FINISH BLANCHARD PRECISION1/8" 1 1/2" ZF218 - $ 26.95 ZU218 - $ 32.95 ZG218 - $ 38.951/8" 2" ZF228 - $ 34.95 ZU228 - $ 42.95 ZG228 - $ 50.955/32" 1 1/2" ZF318 - $ 28.95 ZU318 - $ 34.95 ZG318 - $ 40.955/32" 2" ZF328 - $ 39.95 ZU328 - $ 47.95 ZG328 - $ 55.953/16" 1 1/2" ZF418 - $ 35.95 ZU418 - $ 41.95 ZG418 - $ 47.953/16" 2" ZF428 - $ 45.95 ZU428 - $ 53.95 ZG428 - $ 61.95

1/8" 1 1/2" TF216 - $ 72.95 TU216 - $ 84.95 TG216 - $ 96.951/8" 2" TF226 - $ 93.95 TU226 - $109.95 TG226 - $125.955/32" 1 1/2" TF316 - $ 90.95 TU316 - $102.95 TG316 - $114.955/32" 2" TF326 - $123.95 TU326 - $139.95 TG326 - $155.95

1/8" 1 1/2" ZF216 - $ 51.95 ZU216 - $ 63.95 ZG216 - $ 75.951/8" 2" ZF226 - $ 65.95 ZU226 - $ 81.95 ZG226 - $ 97.955/32" 1 1/2" ZF316 - $ 55.95 ZU316 - $ 67.95 ZG316 - $ 79.955/32" 2" ZF326 - $ 75.95 ZU326 - $ 91.95 ZG326 - $107.953/16" 1 1/2" ZF416 - $ 66.95 ZU416 - $ 78.95 ZG416 - $ 90.953/16" 2" ZF426 - $ 86.95 ZU426 - $102.95 ZG426 - $118.95

CPM S110V is a high alloy martensitic stainless tool steel. Offers better corrosion resistance than 440C or CPM S90V. Aim hardness is 58/61. Typical chemistry C 2.8, Nb 3.0, Cr 15.25, V 9.00, Mo 2.25, Co 2.5.

CPM D2 is an air-hardening, high carbon, high chromium tool steel, heat treatable to HRC 60-62. It offers excellent abrasion resistance. Machinable in the annealed condition and exhibits minimal distortion on hardening. Typical chemistry: C 1.50, Mn .40, Si .40, Cr 12.00, V .95, Mo .90.

CPM REX M4 HC(HS) is a special purpose high speed steel exhibiting better wear resistance and toughness. Also providing enhanced machinability and grindability. Aim hardness is 63/65. Typical chemistry: C 1.42, Mn .30, S .06, Cr 4.00, V 4.0, Mo 5.25, W 5.5.

CPM 20CV is a martensitic stainless steel with exceptionally good wear resistance and outstanding corrosion resistance. Aim for hardness is 58-59Rc. CPM 20CV is a registered trademark of Crucible Industries LLC.Typical chemistry: C 1.9, Cr 20.0, V 4.0, Mo 1.0, W.6.

GTC 440C stainless steel thrust ball bearings caged in stainless steel retainers developed by Gustavo T. Cecchini's GTC Knives to reduce friction and failures, increase opening time, and easier cleaning. The 100% stainless steel construction eliminates the problems of other thrust bearings that are not 100% stainless. Sold separately.

Pivot barrels are threaded 6-48.

Spinner Galaxy Orchid Turbine

Designed and manufactured by JANTZ in our facility. Use with our threaded pivot barrels. 303 Stainless Torx head screw, .350 in length and threaded 6-48.

Decorative Torx Screws for Pivot Pins

Solar Flare Texas StarBullseyeGear Cosmos

CPM S110V Stainless Steel

CPM D2 Carbon Steel

CPM REX M4 High Speed Steel

CPM 20-CV Tool Steel

Patriot

Toxic Green

Royal Pearl

Blue Pearl

Black Pearl

Bearings

Threaded Pivot Only

KI_1505_45 2/27/15 5:17 AM Page 45


HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2015SHOOTING, HUNTING & OUTDOOR

TRADE SHOW

We look forward every year to the Shooting, Hunting &Outdoor Trade Showbetter known as SHOTand2015 did not disappoint.

Once again, we joined some 65,000 industry profes-sionals in Las Vegas to get a first look at the hottestnew products from all your favorite companies, andweve brought back some highlights for our readers.

BY KI STAFF AND FIELD EDITORS

KI-1505-46-79-SHOT 3/2/15 4:37 AM Page 46


KNIVES ILLUSTRATED BEST OF SHOT

BEAR OPS AC-350OVERALL LENGTH: 5 inches (closed)BLADE LENGTH: 3.5 inchesBLADE MATERIAL: CPM-S30VHANDLE MATERIAL: G10WEIGHT: 5.1 ouncesOPENING MECHANISM: Push-buttonMSRP: $189.99

IV26D EXECUTIVE LOCKBACKBLADE LENGTH: 2.25 inchesBLADE MATERIAL: DamascusHANDLE MATERIAL: Mastodon ivoryWEIGHT: 1.8 ouncesLOCK: LockbackMSRP: $144.99

BEAR & SONwww.BearAndSonCutlery.com(256) 435-2227

Bear & Son continues to balance between classic,traditional pocketknives and more modern tacticaldesigns in the form of the Bear OPS lineall, ofcourse, made in the USA. They had some particularlyhandsome-looking options on display at SHOT, suchas ivory handles paired with Damascus blades, anda limited edition collaboration with Michael Praterof Painted Pony Designs.

Editors ChoiceThere was no shortage of impressive knives

at SHOT, but a few stood out to us above allthe rest. Here are a few of our field editorspersonal favorites, in alphabetical order.

Benchmade 761 Ti Monolock (pg. 48)CRKT Argus (pg. 54)Condor Duku Parang (pg. 55)ESEE RB3 (pg. 59)Ontario Bushcraft Woodsman (pg. 65)Spartan Velos (pg. 71)Spyderco Chaparral (pg. 73)TOPS Mini Scandi Survival (pg. 74)Zero Tolerance 0452 CF (pg. 78)

KI-1505-46-79-SHOT 3/2/15 4:37 AM Page 47

761 TI MONOLOCK OVERALL LENGTH: 8.6 inchesBLADE LENGTH: 3.7 inchesBLADE THICKNESS: 0.1 inchesBLADE MATERIAL: M390 HANDLE MATERIAL: 6AL-4V titaniiumWEIGHT: 4.4 ouncesMECHANISM: MonolockMSRP: $390

48 KNIVES ILLUSTRATED MAY-JUNE 2015


BENCHMADEwww.Benchmade.com(800) 800-7427

If we had to choose one word to describeBenchmades 2015 lineup, it would besophisticatedall streamlined designs withimpeccable fit and finish, some featuringpremium materials. A number of theseproducts feature new locking and openingmechanisms, such an ambidextrous buttonthe user can simply pinch for rapid bladedeployment. Users will also notice a numberof new autos available, in response to manystates overturning their bans on these knivesin 2014.


485 VALETOVERALL LENGTH: 6.7 inchesBLADE LENGTH: 3 inchesBLADE THICKNESS: 0.1 inchesBLADE MATERIAL: M390HANDLE MATERIAL: ContouredG10, stainless steel linersWEIGHT: 2.2 ouncesMECHANISM: AXIS lockMSRP: $200

EDITORSCHOICE

153 JUNGLE BOLOOVERALL LENGTH: 14.3 inchesBLADE LENGTH: 9.7 inchesBLADE THICKNESS: 0.2 inchesBLADE MATERIAL: 1095HANDLE MATERIAL: Textured SantopreneWEIGHT: 11.8 ouncesMSRP: $125

KI-1505-46-79-SHOT 3/2/15 4:37 AM Page 48



BOKERwww.Boker.de/us(800) 835-6433

With seven brands internationally, Bker has plentyof new products to keep up with at any givenmoment. Their booth this year featured aparticularly eye-catching lineup, and while weobviously couldnt do proper field testing inthe convention center, it was easy to seethese knives attractiveness would berivaled only by their performance.

67 WILD CARBON DAMASCUSOVERALL LENGTH: 7.6 inchesBLADE LENGTH: 3.4 inchesBLADE MATERIAL: DamascusHANDLE MATERIAL: Carbon fiberWEIGHT: 4.3 ouncesLOCK: FrameOPENING MECHANISM: Thumb studDESIGNER: Jens AnsMSRP: $699

ARBOLITO EL GIGANTEOVERALL LENGTH:14.75 inchesBLADE LENGTH: 8.4 inchesBLADE MATERIAL: N695HANDLE MATERIAL: Guayacan ebony, red fiber linersWEIGHT: 15.9 ouncesMSRP: $189.95

A-F 12OVERALL LENGTH: 10.75 inchesBLADE LENGTH: 6 inchesBLADE MATERIAL: 440CHANDLE MATERIAL: Fiberglass-reinforced DelrinSHEATH: Kydex with Tek-LokMSRP: $215

KI-1505-46-79-SHOT 3/2/15 4:38 AM Page 49



898 IMPACTOVERALL LENGTH: 4.6 inches (closed)BLADE LENGTH: 3.1 inches BLADE MATERIAL: S30VHANDLE MATERIAL: Anodized 6061 T-6 aluminumwith grip textureWEIGHT: 4.1 ouncesLOCK: ButtonOPENING: AutoMSRP: $220

547 OPEN SEASON FOLDING SKINNEROVERALL LENGTH: 4.75 inches (closed)BLADE LENGTH: 3.75 inchesBLADE MATERIAL: S30VHANDLE MATERIAL: Rosewood DymondwoodWEIGHT: 6 ouncesOPENING MECHANISM: Flipper and thumb discMSRP: $125

106 COMPADRE AXEOVERALL LENGTH: 12.75 inchesBLADE LENGTH: 3 inchesBLADE MATERIAL: 5160 with red powder coatingHANDLE MATERIAL: Heritage walnutDymondwoodWEIGHT: 23.4 ouncesMSRP: $120

BUCK KNIVESwww.BuckKnives.com(800) 326-2825

At the 2014 SHOT Show, Buck only had a fewnew products to show due to their focus on their110th anniversary. This year, however, was anentirely different ballgame, with new productsgalore. The majority of these new offerings willprimarily appeal to the outdoorsmen, buttactical users should take note as well. Amongother things, Buck has now introduced their firstauto folder.

KI-1505-46-79-SHOT 3/2/15 4:38 AM Page 50



CAMILLUSwww.CamillusKnives.com(800) 835-2263

Camillus had an impressively intimidatingselection of products lined up for 2015, fromfolders with Camillus lightning-fast Robo Lockmechanism, to well-equipped multitools, tocollaborations with Ultimate Survival Alaska starsGrady Powell and Jared Ogden. The latter optionsare made entirely in the USA, and all designsinclude Camillus lifetime warranty.

M12 BAYONETOVERALL LENGTH: 12 inchesBLADE LENGTH: 6 inchesBLADE MATERIAL: 420 stainlessHANDLE MATERIAL: ParacordMSRP: $35.99

GRADY POWELL TANTO (OFFICIAL NAME PENDING)OVERALL LENGTH:10.5 inchesBLADE LENGTH: 4.9 inchesBLADE MATERIAL: 1095HCHANDLE MATERIAL: G10DESIGNER:: Grady PowellMSRP: Pending

KI-1505-46-79-SHOT 3/2/15 4:38 AM Page 51



GURKHA KUKRIOVERALL LENGTH: 13.75 inchesBLADE LENGTH: 8.25 inchesBLADE MATERIAL: DNH7HCHANDLE MATERIAL: Palisander woodWEIGHT: 18.5 ouncesMSRP: $415

CHANTHA OVERALL LENGTH: 6.9 inchesBLADE LENGTH: 2.75 inchesBLADE MATERIAL: Bohler N690CoHANDLE MATERIAL: Ebony or boneWEIGHT: 5 ouncesLOCK: LinerOPENING MECHANISM: Thumb studMSRP: $175

HUSKYOVERALL LENGTH:: 9 inchesBLADE LENGTH: 3.5 inchesBLADE MATERIAL: Bohler N690CoHANDLE MATERIAL: Rayskin over a wooden coreWEIGHT: 7 ouncesLOCK: LinerOPENING MECHANISM: Thumb studMSRP: $265

CAS IBERIAwww.CASIberia.com(800) 635-9366

CAS Iberia has a lot of new products, butsome of the real standouts are those fromthe Citadel line. Citadel Knives is a customshop out of Cambodia thats putting outsome exemplary pieces. They mix modernmaterials with ethnic flair and the buildquality is definitely custom-level work.

KI-1505-46-79-SHOT 3/2/15 4:38 AM Page 52



COAST LIGHTS, KNIVES & MULTITOOLS

www.CoastPortland.com(877) 704-4545

Whereas some companies are constantly branching out into newcategories, Coast opts to mainly stick to perfecting its specialty: LEDtechnology and blades that incorporate it. This years products lookfamiliar, but are sturdier and more innovative than ever before.

LK375OVERALL LENGTH: 8.5 inchesBLADE LENGTH: 3.75 inchesBLADE MATERIAL: 7Cr17HANDLE MATERIAL: Polycarbonate over stainless steel linerWEIGHT: 5.2 ounces LOCK: LinerLIGHT: 110 lumens, AAA battery-operatedSPECIAL FEATURE: Waterproof designMSRP: $58.99

DX338OVERALL LENGTH:8.5 inchesBLADE LENGTH: 3.63 inchesBLADE MATERIAL: 7Cr17HANDLE MATERIAL: Fiberglass-filled nylonWEIGHT: 3.7 ouncesLOCK: Liner lock plus patented double-lock systemMSRP: $19.99

KI-1505-46-79-SHOT.CX 3/4/15 11:23 PM Page 53



HUNT'N FISCH OPEN OVERALL LENGTH: 7.25 inchesWEIGHT: 3.6 ouncesBLADE LENGTH:: 3 inchesTHICKNESS: 0.1 inchesBLADE MATERIAL: 8Cr13MoVHANDLE MATERIAL: G10CARRY SYSTEM: Leather sheathWEIGHT: 1.5 ouncesINCLUDES: Extra black lanyard fob DESIGNER: The late Larry FischerMSRP: $99.99100 percent of the net profits of this knife go to thePancreatic Cancer Action Network in memory of Larry Fischer

COLUMBIA RIVER KNIFE & TOOLwww.CRKT.com(503) 685-5015

With a stable of top-notch designers, including Knifemakers Hall of Famer KenOnion and Karen Hood of Survival.com, its no surprise that CRKT has some reallygreat knives coming out this year. CRKT is also very excited about theirrecent re-branding, including a new logo, packaging and Confidence InHand tagline, which has been very well received and has opened thedoors to expanded availability in large retail chains such as Cabelas,Bass Pro Shops and others coming this year.

ARGUS OPEN OVERALL LENGTH: 8.1 inchesCLOSED LENGTH: 4.6 inchesBLADE LENGTH: 3.6 inchesTHICKNESS: 0.1 inchesWEIGHT: 4.2 ouncesBLADE MATERIAL: AUS-8HANDLE MATERIAL: 6061 aluminumLOCK TYPE: LinerSAFETY SYSTEM: FireSafeOPENING MECHANISM: Outburst spring assistDESIGNER: Matthew LerchMSRP: $140

NO TIME OFFOPEN OVERALL LENGTH: 7.25 inchesCLOSED LENGTH: 4.3 inchesWEIGHT: 5.9 ouncesBLADE LENGTH: 3 inchesTHICKNESS: 0.2 inchesBLADE MATERIAL: BD1HANDLE MATERIAL: Glass-reinforced nylonLINER: 420J2LOCK TYPE: LinerSAFETY SYSTEM: Ikoma Lock Safety (ILS)OPENING MECHANISM: IKBS ball bearing pivot systemDESIGNER: Flavio IkomaMSRP: $125

EDITORSCHOICE

KI-1505-46-79-SHOT 3/2/15 4:38 AM Page 54



PRIMITIVE BUSH KNIFEOVERALL LENGTH: 13.5 inchesBLADE LENGTH: 8 inchesBLADE THICKNESS: 3 millimetersBLADE MATERIAL: 420HCHANDLE MATERIAL: Walnut hardwoodWEIGHT: 15 ouncesDESIGNER: Matt GrahamMSRP: $99.98

FINAL FRONTIEROVERALL LENGTH: 9.62 inchesBLADE LENGTH: 4.5 inchesBLADE THICKNESS: 3mmBLADE MATERIAL: 1075HCHANDLE MATERIAL: MicartaWEIGHT: 0.62 poundsDESIGNER: Joe FlowersMSRP: $89.98

DUKU PARANG MACHETES OVERALL LENGTH: 16.75 and 22.25 inchesBLADE LENGTH: 10.5 and 15.5 inchesBLADE THICKNESS: 4.5mm B

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