Knives Illustrated - August 2014 USA

7/22/2019 Knives Illustrated - August 2014 USA

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knivesillustrated.com

JULY/AUGUST 2014 VOLUME 28, NO. 4$5.99 U.S. DISPLAY UNTIL: 7/29/14

Engaged Media By Beckett


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MADE BY AMERICAN HANDSFOR YOUR HANDS

Available in

2 sizes & 3 Colors

B-450-ALBD-S

B-400-ALBD-S

B-450-ALCF-S

B-400-ALCF-S

B-450-ALPD-S

B-400-ALPD-S

Bear Song TM IVT-6 Aircraft Aluminum Handles

14C28N Stainless Steel Blade

Blade rides on Bronze Phosporus Washers

All New


4/844 KNIVES ILLUSTRATED JULY/AUGUST 2014

KNIVES ILLUSTRATED (ISSN 0898-8943) Vol. 28, No. 4 is pub-lished 7 times a year, January/February, March/April, May/June,July/August, September/ October, November and December, byBeckett Media, LLC, 22840 Savi Ranch Parkway, #200, YorbaLinda, CA 92887. Periodical postage paid at Anaheim, CA, andadditional mailing ofces. POSTMASTER: send addresschanges to Knives Illustrated c/o Beckett Media, 4635 McEwenRoad, Dallas, TX 75244. Return undeliverable Canadianaddresses to: PITNEY BOWES, INC, P.O. Box 25542, London,ON N6C 6B2 GST#855050365RT001 2014 by Beckett Media,LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from thisissue in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

JULY/AUGUST 2014VOLUME 28, NO. 4www.knivesillustrated.com

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

COVER STORY18 Worth Their Salt

Completely impervious to rust and corrosion,H-1 steel makes Spydercos Salt series knivesdependable under even the harshestconditions.BY DAVE SPAULDING

TACTICAL

30 Not Your Granddads FolderSouthern Grinds Bad Monkey is a tacticaldesign youll recognize, but with hot new add-ons, including the Emerson Wave feature.BY JIM WEISS AND MICKEY DAVIS

36 Everyday WarriorsCRKT proves tactical knives arent only fortactical professionals with the Liong Mah #5,Hammond FE9 and Tighe Dye.BY CLINT THOMPSON

44 Defensive UtilityCertain to impress tactical and custom-knifeenthusiasts alike, Jason Brous knives embody

artful simplicity and excellent functionality.BY TIM STETZER

CUSTOM60 Wild Blades From The Wild West

Levi Grahams knives are fit for a frontiersman.BY BETHANY MILLER

64 Precision CraftsmanshipBrian Nadeau brings a personal, artistic touchto CNC-machined knives.BY LES ROBERTSON

56

26

36


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Multi-National Designs, Made in Russia

Kizlyar Supreme utilizes the highest tech processes and mate-rials available today to produce superior performance knives.Tey are backed by a multinational team of talented designersand engineers from Russia, Germany, Australia and Japan.See the full line of high-quality knives at http://casiberia.com.

SANTID2 - MSRP: $121

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BIKER Z

DELTA VENDETTA


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JULY/AUGUST 2014Volume 28 Number 4

EDITORIALEditorial Director: Doug JeffreyEditor: Bethany MillerManaging Editor: Jeffrey Rick

Art Director: Ronald AbellaCreative Director: Eric Knagg

CONTRIBUTORSMickey Davis, Abe Elias, Craig Hodgkins, Les Robertson,Dave Spaulding, Tim Stetzer, Clint Thompson, Jim Weiss

ADVERTISINGGabe Frimmel:Ad Sales Director (714) [email protected] Clifford: Senior Account Executive (717) 896-8956Mark Pack: Senior Account Executive (714) 200-1939Gennifer Merriday:Ad Trafc Coordinator

DIRECT MARKETING GROUPJohn Bartulin (866) 866-5146 ext. 2746Paul Caca (866) 866-5146 ext. 4961Ryan Lauro (866) 866-5146 ext. 2756Mary Ann Jaca (866) 866-5146 ext 2716

OPERATIONSGus Alonzo: Newsstand Sales & Marketing ManagerCelia Merriday: Newsstand Analyst

Amit Sharma: Business Analytics ManagerMohit Patel: Newsstand & Production AnalystAlberto Chavez: Senior Logistics & Facilities ManagerJohn Cabral: Creative Graphic Designer

EDITORIAL, PRODUCTION & SALES OFFICE22840 Savi Ranch P arkway, #200Yorba Linda, CA 92887(714) 939-9991Fax: (800) 249-7761www.knivesillustrated.comfacebook.com/knivesillustratedfacebook.com/eembybeckett

KNIVES ILLUSTRATED (ISSN 0898-8943) Vol. 28, No. 4 is published 7 timesa year, January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October,November and December, by Beckett Media, LLC, 22840 Savi Ranch Parkway,#200, Yorba Linda, CA 92887. Periodical postage paid at Anaheim, CA, andadditional mailing ofces. POSTMASTER: send address changes to KnivesIllustrated c/o Beckett Media, 4635 McEwen Road, Dallas, TX 75244.Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: PITNEY BOWES, INC,P.O. Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2 GST#855050365RT001 2014 byBeckett Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material fromthis issue in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

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6 KNIVES ILLUSTRATED JULY/AUGUST 2014 k n i v e s i l l u s t r a t e d . c om

30

82

ODDS AND ENDS12 On File

Every knifemaker needs thesetools; heres why, and where tofind them.BY ABE ELIAS

72 From the Inside OutCome with us on our behind-the-scenes tour of Benchmade to seehow their knives come to be.BY CRAIG HODGKINS

COLUMNS10 On the Edge

Guess the Maker, upcoming events,and the latest happenings withinthe knife world.

26 Behind the ScenesHow KRUDO Knives incorporatesmartial arts concepts into

knifemaking craftsmanship.

52 Bells and WhistlesOur top 10 accessories for the knifeuser on a budget.

56 In the SpotlightSix impressivecustom knives

82 Show and TellA readers favorite knifefrom Queen Cutlery.

Cover photography byTERRILL HOFFMAN


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k n i v e s i l l u s t r a t e d . c om8 KNIVES ILLUSTRATED JULY-AUGUST 2014

For the servicemen and women who

are our national and local heroes, we

focused on a number of tactical knives

that can perform heroically. Theres

Southern Grinds Bad Monkey folder with

its lightning-fast Emerson folding mech-

anism, perfect for those who must act

boldly when every second counts. For

ultimate reliability, we considered the T4

flipper, made by Jason Brous, which is

tested 25,000 times (yep, you read that

correctly) before hitting the market.

But if tactical isnt your taste, never

fear; we didnt stop there. As always,

were striving to show you the best knives

for every task. Take Spydercos Salt

series, for example, which offer ultimate

weather resistance. If you work near salt-

water or in extreme humidity, these tough

folders and fixed-blades alike promise to

be faithful companions.

We have a few new features in store

for this issue, too. Were sure hobbyist

knifemakers will appreciate our look at

the usefulness of files; that collectors will

feel well-informed by our tips on dealing

with a custom order gone wrong; and

that any knife lover will enjoy our exclu-

sive look at the inner workings of Bench-

mades factory.

So as you read through the pages ofthis issue, we hope youll appreciate

afresh the diversity of ways and means to

which knives lend themselvesthe real

beauty of a blade!

Bethany Miller

A Blade forEvery PurposeA

gun may be an excellent weapon, but it has no practicality for

everyday use. A hammer may be great for routine chores, but

wont go far in the event of an emergency. Knives, however, can

do all of this and more, and thats exactly what we love about them,

and what we hope to celebrate in this issue.

EDITORS

LETTER

PHOTO BY JIM COOPER

KNIFE BY GUSTAVO CECCHINI

BUT IF TACTICALISNT YOUR TASTE,

NEVER FEAR; WE

DIDNT STOP

THERE. AS ALWAYS,

WERE STRIVING TO

SHOW YOU THE

BEST KNIVES FOR

EVERY TASK.

KI


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POINTSofINTEREST THE LATEST GOINGS-ON

IN THE KNIFE WORLD

Name the MakerSCORE A CHANCE TO WIN A SUBSCRIPTION BY

CORRECTLY IDENTIFYING THE MAKER OF THIS BLADE

PHOTO BY CHUCK WARD

HINT: The maker of this knife and matching jewelry has been in the business for almost 50 years.Based in Oklahoma, on many of his folders he uses a unique pivot system he designed himself. Hesa member of a number of knife organizations, including the Knifemakers Guild.

HOW TO WIN

If you correctly identify the maker of the featured knife, you will be entered into a drawing for afree one-year subscription toKnives Illustrated. If youre already a subscriber, you may choose toextend your current subscription or to receive a subscription to one of our sister magazines, GunWorldorBow & Arrow Hunt ing.

All entries must be received by 4 p.m. PST on July 23.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. Pleasealso include the mailing address where you would like to receive your subscription should you win.

We congratulateKnives

Illustratedreader

Gregory Hallen, who

correctly identified

David Kinzan Goldberg

as the maker of the

knife featured in our

March/April issue.

Benchmade

IntroducesCustomKnifeMaker

Program

TennesseeSwitchbladeLawsRepealed

Effective July 1, 2014, in Tennessee, just

about anything goes.

Following lobbying efforts by nonprofit

organization Knife Rights (with support

from Smoky Mountain Knife Works and

Taylor Brands), in April Governor Bill

Haslam signed into law a measure

repealing an antiquated ban on switch-

blades and knives with blades longer than

4 inches. Also after July 1, no new knife

bans may be imposed.

Knife Rights had previously helped pass

a law in Tennessee prohibiting local

governments from imposing limitations

stricter than those at the state level.

FOR MORE INFO ON

Benchmades Custom Knife Maker program:

www.customknife.benchmade.comKnife Rights and current legislation:

www.kniferights.org

VMatter Knives:

www.vmatter.com


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k n i v e s i l l u s t r a t e d . c om KNIVES ILLUSTRATED JULY-AUGUST 2014 1 1

If youve ever wanted a

knife built just the way you

want it, but cant afford to

commission a fully custom

knife, Benchmade offers the

next best thing with their

Custom Knife Maker program.

Online, users can choose

from a variety of models and

select a blade, handle, colors,

engraving, clip and other

components according to

their own preferences.

The base prices for all

knives are under $200, and

delivery time is only 10

business days from the datethe knife is designed.

Heres one for lovers

of culinary knives: A

chefs knife so

durable it essentially

wont dull. VMatters

knives are injection

molded from a

vitreous metallic

alloy that, according to the

companys website, combines

the best properties of steel and

ceramic.

Five lengths and styles are

available, each with a number of

handle options. The ultra-sharp

blades are antibacterial, and asan added bonus, most models

are even dishwasher safe.

Prices range between $150

and $400.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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

ONGOING THROUGH JUNE 22LITTLE ROCK, ARA Sure Defense: The Bowie Knife in America(501) 324-9351www.historicarkansas.org/whatsnew

JUNE 20-22SEVIERVILLE, TNABS Youth Hammer-In(865) [email protected]

JULY 11-13AUBURN, MEABS New England Hammer-In(888) 753-7502dglaser@newenglandschoolofmetalwork.comwww.americanbladesmith.com

JULY 11-13BELLEVILLE, ILBelleville Knife Expo(618) 658-8221

[email protected]

JULY 31- AUG. 3LOUISVILLE, KYKnifemakers Guild Show(502) 585-3200www.knifemakersguild.com

AUG. 15-17DENVER, CODenver Custom Knife Show(785) [email protected]

AUG. 16-17TORONTO, ONTARIO

Canadian Knifemakers Guild Showwww.canadianknifemakersguild.com

AUG. 22-24TROY, OHMid-America Bladesmithing Symposium(419) [email protected]

SEPT. 13-14WINSTON-SALEM, NCSoutheastern Custom Knife Showwww.southeasterncustomknifeshow.com

OCT. 3-4WAUWASOTA, WINorthern Lakes Knife Company Annual Fall KnifeShow(414) [email protected]

OCT. 4-5TOPEKA, KSHeartland Bladesmithing Symposium(785) [email protected]

OCT. 11-12GARDEN GROVE, CACalifornia Custom Knife Showwww.californiacustomknifeshow.com

OCT. 18-19CLYDE, NCABS Smoky Mountain Fall Hammer-In(828) [email protected]

www.americanbladesmith.com

OCT. 24-26TULARE, CACalifornia Hammer-In(559) [email protected]

NOV. 21-23JERSEY CITY, NJNew York Custom Knife Show(417) 866-6688www.fiftyfiftyproductions.net

JAN. 23-25, 2015LAS VEGAS, NVSHOT Show(855) 355-7468www.shotshow.org

JAN. 24LAS VEGAS, NVTactical Knife Invitational(417) 866-6688www.fiftyfiftyproductions.net

ForChefs:The Knife

ThatDoesntDull

KI


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The lowly file is a surprisingly amazing tool. While theyre

low-tech, they have so many uses. Just ask any old-timer tool-and-

die guy, and youll hear about how he started his training with a file.

As CNC machines become more prevalent in knifemaking, the

art of filing is being forgotten. But some of us staunchly favor doing

things the old-fashioned way. I personally hand-make my knives,

and draw a certain pleasure from knowing that it was my ownhands that shaped the steel. I can use a file for anything from

forming the bevel of a knife to actually serving as the base stock

for the knife itself.

For other like-minded knifemakers who prefer traditional

technique, Jantz Supply is a great source for stocking up on these

useful tools. Here are some of my favorites, and tips for getting the

best use out of them.

HOW THESE SIMPLE TOOLS ARE

MORE VERSATILE THAN YOU THINK

STORY AND PHOTOS BY ABE ELIAS

Whats the most indispensable tool in a

knifemakers workshop? One of the strongest

candidates may actually be one of the

most basic.

ONFILE

I CAN USE A FILE FOR

ANYTHING FROM FORMING THE

BEVEL OF A KNIFE TO ACTUALLY

SERVING AS THE BASE STOCK

FOR THE KNIFE ITSELF.


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k n i v e s i l l u s t r a t e d . c om KNIVES ILLUSTRATED JULY-AUGUST 2014 13

From left to right: A set of diamond

needle files; Habilis hand-style,

one-cut file; 20-lines-per-inch

checkering file; 6-inch bastard-cut

mill file; 8-inch Magicut file; and

10-inch wood rasp .


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Nicholson Magicut

When I began making knives, I forged

them. I didnt have a grinder, so I made my

first few knives by using a technique

called draw filing. A Nicholson Magicut

works great for draw filing a knifes bevel.

To do this, first, forge your knife or cut

the blank out of a piece of annealed

stock. If youre forging, youll have a head

start on the bevel since you have ham-

mered one in. Remember to anneal it

properly and clean off any scale with a

stone or sandpaper since the scale will

clog the file.

On the forged knife, you just have to

follow the established bevel and clean it

up. On a full-stock knife, the act of draw

filing is a lot like using a drawknife: Put

the file on an edge or corner and slowly

draw the knife towards you while main-

taining the same angle. Its easier if

rather than holding

the file at 90

degrees from the

workyou skew it

a bit. This helps

the file cut with-

out chatter.

Eventually, you will form a flat and then

you can start again by using the new edge

formed toward the spine of your blade.

After every draw, tap the file on the bench

(not the vise) to knock out chips so your

file doesnt become clogged. If you tap it

on the vise you could easily break the file.

Once your bevel is formed, you can

start using paint sticks wrapped in wetand dry sandpaper to refine the face of

the bevel.

Diamond Files

Those of us who dont have a milling

machine can turn to files to finish our

guards, washers and pommels. Making

these pieces is not one of my favorite

activities, since it only takes one pass too

many to create a sloppy guard and it

seems to take forever to get through the

early phases of fitting.

To get that perfect fit, you must go

slowly and be very careful, especially if

I use the 20-lines-per-inch checkering file to add texture to the extended tang on my Northern Bush Craft Survival Tool.

CONTACT INFO

JANTZ SUPPLY

(800) 351-8900

[email protected]

www.knifemaking.com The best technique for draw filing is to hold the file at an angle, then skew it while drawing to make the cut easier.I use an 8- to 10-inch Magicut file to start, because theyre so aggressive.


15/84


youre not used to doing a lot of guard

work. There are a number of ways that

people fit their guards; my technique is

simply to mark the center line on my

material and drill through the bolster with

a series of holes along my center line.

Next, I take a jewelers saw and cut out

the material between the holes. Once I

have done that, I take a set of diamond

files and slowly broaden the hole until it

starts to fit the tang. As I get closer, I will

check after every pass of the file, so that I

make sure to keep the fit extra tight.

Specialty FilesThe number of files available in any

catalogue is staggering, but

this just means there are plenty

of options for every task.

One of the specialty files I

use is a checkering file. I use a

20 lines-per-inch Habilis check-

ering file to add checkering to a

thumb rest. In the case of one

of my most popular knives, the

Northern Bush Craft Survival

Tool, I checkered the part Ive nicknamed

the Sparrows Crown. This is an extended

tang that allows the user to do

a number of things like scrape

bowls or magnesium rods, or

separate fibers for doing

cordage. If I wanted, I could use

the same file to give texturing

to any number of surfaces on

the knife.

Another very useful sort of

file is the needle file, which

allows you to perform detailed work or

even cut your own serrations on a blade.

For the hobbyist knifemaker without

machinery, rifles and rasps come in handy

to shape handle material when you dont

have a belt sander.

An Extra EdgeFiling is an excellent way to further your

knifemaking skills, and a helpful resource

I have turned to myself is a DVD produced

by Center Cross called Fileworking withDuane Dushane. This DVD is a complete

instructional video on how to do various

file patterns on your knives.

Youre taken through a number of pat-

terns and shown what can be done from

the spine of a knife to folder liners and

handles. You can employ a variety of files

After drilling and cutting holes and cutting out the material between holes with a jewelers saw, I use a small, flatdiamond file to open the hole for the tang. As I get closer, I check the tang more frequently to ensure a tight fit.

I use a Jantz file guard to make sure my shoulders line up on my stick tangs. I also use a Habilis hand-style, one-cut

file. One of the edges of the file is blank, allowing you to get into corners without accidentally cutting into the side.

A NICHOLSON MAGICUT

WORKS GREAT FOR DRAW

FILING A KNIFES BEVEL.

A 10-inch, half-round bastard rasp makes quick work of

roughing out a wooden handle. If you dont have a

sanding machine, you can use a rasp. You might evenfind this tool useful for other jobs around the house.

ABOUT THE

AUTHOR

Abe Elias is a prolific

knife reviewer and the

owner of Diving

Sparrow Knife Works.

For more information

on his knives, visit

www.dskw.ca.


16/84


for this work,

from round

and triangular

to a number of

needle files for

finer detail.

File work is

not for every-

one, but its a

great way to

stretch your

legs, so to

speak, and try

something different. Taking the time to

work through the patterns and watch

them evolve from a group of measured

lines on steel is very satisfying. File work is

something you cant rush. It can be a very

Zen-like experience as you are drawn into

the pattern with every pass of the file.

An Affordable Solution

A wide variety of files are at your dis-

posal for making an entire knife, from start

to finish. These tools are so essential and

versatile that their uses are almost

innumerableand they wont break the

bank. You might call them the poor mans

milling machine, and with a diverse selec-

tion of files, youll be prepared to make

just about any knife you can imagine.

KNOW YOUR FILES

NICHOLSON MAGICUT

Best for: Draw filing

DIAMOND FILE

Best for: Fitting guards and

pommels

CHECKERING FILE

Best for: Creating texturing

NEEDLE FILE

Best for: Detail work

RASP

Best for: Smoothing handles

A good set of needle files allows you to do detailed jobs, such as cutting a thumbhole

in a folder blade or file work on the spine of a knife. Here, Im using a half-round towork out this rope pattern on a neck knife.

A close look at a Habilis hand-style, one-cut file. Notice that one edge has no cutting

teeth, which allows you to get into corners and bring down one surface without cuttinginto another.

THOSE OF US WHO HAVE NO

MILLING MACHINE CAN TURN

TO FILES TO FINISH OUR

GUARDS, WASHERS AND

POMMELS.

A close-up look at the checkering file and the Sparrows Crown. After each pass, its important to tap the file on the

bench to clear it or use a file card. A file card is a wire brush used to clean out chips from inside the tooth pattern.

You can see that Im about due for a new file.

KI


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THE HARSHEST ELEMENTS ARE NO MATCH

FOR SPYDERCOS RUSTPROOF SALT SERIESWORTHTHEIR SALT


19/84


A lack of resistance to corrosion is a handicap for many other-

wise excellent knives. Some steels, like 154CM or the 440 family,

are at the more resistant end of the spectrum, but others are

completely at the mercy of the elements, and under harsh condi-

tions, a rusted blade is a danger you cant afford.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY DAVE SPAULDING

W

hen it comes to

knives, you dont

want a fair-weather

friend. You want a tool youcan depend on, rain or shine.


20/84


Enter Spyderco with its new H-1 blades.

Saltwater, humidity and sweat, the

company promises, are no match for this

specially processed, exceptionally durable

steel type.

All-Weather Blades

At the 2014 SHOT Show, Spydercos

Joyce Laituri introduced me to the compa-

nys Salt series. She described to me the

rustproof steel used on the Salt folders.

These H-1 steel knives are saltwater-

friendly, which is the basis for their name.

All Salt knives use H-1, a nitrogen-

based blade alloy, rather than carbon-

based. Because carbon reacts with salt,

eliminating carbon renders the steel 100-

percent rustproof. Like its carbon-steel

cousins, H-1 takes a hard, sharpened

cutting edge and earns high marks for

edge retention. While a rustproof blade is

essential for a waterborne knife, it is also

very nice to have for other uses as well.

Did I mention these knives do not rust?

Wanting to get a good look at the Salt

series, I asked Ms. Laituri to send me a

variety of lengths, configurations and grip

styles so I could test their effectiveness

for a variety of mission-specific uses.

A Closer Look

The test models included the C88PBK

Salt 1; C91PBBK and C91PBK Pacific Salt

(the same design, but the first has a

yellow handle, and the second, black);

C118YL Saver Salt; and the C106YL

Tasman Salt. These knives are cousins to

Spydercos Endura, Delica, Rescue and

Harpy models, respectively, but with the

rustproof H-1 blade. All these popular

models have lent themselves to tactical,

EDC and outdoor chores with great suc-

cess over many years. Now, users can take

advantage of them in a variety of environ-

ments without fear of rust.

The Pacific Salt is designed to offer re-

liable high performance. Its blade is avail-

able in standard H-1 or with a black car-

bonitride coating (model C91BBK), which

The Salt Rescue and Tasman folders would be a good addition to any operators trauma kit, supplementing surgical shears or other cutting tools.

IN A NUTSHELLAll of the knives I evaluated measured

between 7 and 8 inches in length, and 2 to 3

ounces in weight. The tactical or EDC user

may prefer the black handles, but for an

outdoorsman, an easily visible yellow

handle is an attractive option. Thanks to

large thumbholes and textured grips, the

Salt knives are easy to handle under any

condition.


21/84


lessens the blades re-

flection. Hollow-ground,

the blade offers a plain

edge. It's similar in shape

and size to Spyderco's

Endura model, but has a

more rounded tip. Really,

all of the Salt blades

have a stronger, rounded

tip than their standard

counterpartsmore on this later.

The Saver Salt has nothing to do with

value, but a lot to do with saving lives.Spyderco's Rescue models have long

been favored by seamen,

first responders and out-

doorsmen alike. Those

who must cut near or

around flesh in an emer-

gency appreciate the

rounded tip of the Res-

cue folder. Meanwhile,

the Saver is a modified

Rescue, made with the

non-rusting H1 steel. The oversized 14mm

round thumbhole, Spydercos trademark,

works well for opening and closing even ingloved, cold or wet hands. Available in

PACIFIC SALT

(C91PBBK YELLOW;C91PBK BLACK)OVERALL LENGTH: 8.6875 inches

BLADE LENGTH: 3.812 inches

CLOSED LENGTH: 4.875 inches

WEIGHT: 3 ounces

HANDLE MATERIAL: FRN

SALT SAVER (C118YL)OVERALL LENGTH: 7.188 i nches



WEIGHT: 2.2 ounces


SALT TASMAN (C106YL)OVERALL LENGTH: 6.812 inches


CLOSED LENGTH: 4 inches

WEIGHT: 2 ounces


SALT 1 (C88PBK)OVERALL LENGTH: 7 inches

BLADE LENGTH: 3 inches

CLOSED LENGTH: 4 inches

WEIGHT: 2 ounces


Spyderco knives are very, very sharp from the factory, capable of rough-duty cutting chores. Whether plain edge or

serrated blade, one of the Salt series knives will meet your needs.

The Spyderco hole cut into each blade also acts as a guard against sliding on to the blade. The jimping helps keep the thumb locked in place when using a saber grip.

SALTWATER, HUMIDITYAND SWEAT ARE NOMATCH FOR THISSPECIALLY HEAT-

TREATED,EXCEPTIONALLY

DURABLE STEEL TYPE.


22/84


black or marine yellow, the fiberglass-

reinforced nylon resin grip comes textured

with a waffle pattern. An ambidextrous

tip-up pocket clip also houses a lanyard

hole for a variety of carry possibilities.

The Tasman Salt folder features a

hawkbill blade and is based on Spyder-

cos Harpy, a distinctive curved cutting

tool with a claw-like tip that originated in

the marine/commercial fishing industry.

Cutting in and around water involves cut-

ting line, netting and rope. This is done

quickly, often at arm's length while pulling

downward or toward youwhich I can

personally tell you needs to be done with

GREAT care! The blade's arched configu-

ration holds whats being cut against the

sharpened edge, keeping it from slipping

off the tip.

Like all of the knives in the Spyderco's

Salt series, this hawkbill blade is madewith state-of-the-art non-rusting H-1

steel and is available with a plain edge or

SpyderEdge serrations. The molded fiber-

glass-reinforced nylon handle, offered in

black or visible marine yellow, features a

textured volcano grip pattern. Like its Salt

cousins, the Tasman is equipped with a

reversible left/right hand titanium pocket

clip (also non-rusting) that positions the

folder tip-up in the pocket. All knives in

the Salt line have internal steel parts that

are treated to make them impervious to

rust and pitting.

One of Spyderco's top sellers is the

Delica. I have carried this knife for many

years while working in law enforcement

and have long felt it was a small knife

with the feel of a big knife.

Users gravitate to it for its sen-

sible size, versatile shape and

proven durability. Making a

version with the rustproof H-1

steel is a no-brainer, and

Spyderco did just that, with a

couple of modifications. The

resulting Salt 1 (C88PBK) has a more

rounded tip that's thicker at the point.

Rounding the tip better meets the

requirements of cutting chores associated

with boating, fishing and other outdoor

activities while also making it less proneto breakage. I have broken off the tip of

many knives over the years and have

never been satisfied with my attempts to

re-curve the blade, so I like the idea of a

stronger tip. David Boye's

locking lever dent is a

standard feature that keeps

the lock from accidentally

opening if the handle is

gripped tightly.

Finally, like other knives in

the Salt line, a matching black

titanium pocket clip is included for posi-

tioning the folded knife for left/right tip-

up portability. Tip-up or tip-down carry is

controversial in the knife world, much like

9mm vs. .45 in the gun world, but I have

found that I can carry either way with a bitof practice. And isnt practice a require-

ment of anything useful? A hole running

through the hollow clip screw makes a

lanyard pipe for stringing through a thong

The David Boye indent on the lock lever keeps the hand from unlocking the blade when held tightly.

CONTACT INFO

SPYDERCO820 Spyderco Way

Golden, CO 80403

(303) 279-8383

www.spyderco.com

All of the Salt series knives are equipped with a rustproof, black-coated tip-up pocket clip.

ALL SALT KNIVES USE H-1, A

NITROGEN-BASED BLADE

ALLOY, RATHER THAN

CARBON-BASED.

DID YOU KNOW?While most users think the trademark

Spyderco hole is the primary means to open

the blade with the thumb, the blade can also

be opened using inertia. To do so, grip the

hole between the thumb and index finger

and flip the knifes handle open with a

flick of the wrist. This technique can be used

as an alternative when the optimum grip

cannot be achieved on the knifes handle.


23/84


or cord when using the knife around wa-

ter, hiking up trails, climbing mountains,

parachuting or riding in a helicopter

basically any high-risk mission around

the globe.

Put to the Test

While the Salt series certainly appears

to have all the goods for a wide variety of

missions, the only way to know if they are

worth our hard-earned money is to carry,

deploy and cut, as it were. I devised a se-

ries of tests for the various Salt knives

and their unique blade designs, most of

which are based on my tactical back-

ground. I had to cut seatbelts more than a

few times during my police career, so be-

ing able to not only cut seat belt material,

but being able to cut someone out of a

seat belt is important. For this test, I used

a 3-D target mannequin that I strapped

into a junk car. After making my initial cut,

I had to repair the seat belt by stitching

it up with fishing line and then cutting the

belt in another location. This actually

worked quite well and I was able to test

all of the knives quickly.

the knife was then removed and folded wet and sat on a shelf to see what would happen. In the end,

the knife looked the same as it did when the test started.

The rust resistance of the H1 steel was tested by leaving the Tasman in

a salt bath for several days to see if rust would develop

The textured volcano grip pattern is designed to allow the hands skin or material of a glove to fill the indents, a gripping method just the opposite of checkering but just aseffective.


24/84


As stated earlier, cutting near flesh is

hazardous (in cases such as seat belt re-

moval or trauma care) and needs to be

undertaken with due diligence. In this par-

ticular application, the curved Tasman

with its hawkbill blade is a real asset! In

addition, seat belts are very tough materi-

al and require either a very sharp straight

edge blade or serrations to saw through.When trying to saw through a seat belt,

especially one in the close confines of

human flesh, a curved blade really helps,

since within the close confines of a

crashed vehicle, pulling the seatbelt away

from a victims body may not be possible.

Other tests included cutting rope, nylon

cord, leather strapping and shaving small

hunks of wood. Each blade configuration

offered advantages for specific cutting

chores, which is the reason for a series of

waterproof knives instead of just a model

or two. In the end, the user must look at

their real world of work and decide

which blade will best serve their needs.

For my last evaluation, and perhaps the

most important one, I put to the test Spy-

dercos insistence that H-1 is rustproof. I

filled a small bin with water, added water

softener salt, added one of the knives and let it sit for several days. I then pulled

each knife from the water, folded it up

and sat all of them on a shelf to see what

would develop. In a nutshell, the kniveslooked the same when they finished the

test as they did when they started. While

this may not have been the most strictly

scientific test, it was proof enough to me

that H-1 will, indeed, stand up to saltwater

and rust.

A Worthy Investment

Undoubtedly, with the Salt series Spy-

derco has produced an excellent line of

tools that will be valuable assets for any

purpose, from tactical to everyday to the

outdoors. The only problem an interestedbuyer may face is narrowing down his or

her options!

The author subjected the Salt knives to a series of cutting tests, including cutting through a seatbelt. Every material

tested was no match for the aggressive blades.

ALL ABOUT H-1An excerpt from Spyderco promotional

materials explains the process of creating a

rustproof steel:

Rust occurs when the carbon in steel reacts

with chloride [aka salt] . To avoid this, H-1

uses 0.10% nitrogen instead of carbon to give

the materials its steel-like qualities. Nitrogen

does not react with chloride, making H-1

blades completely impervious to rust, even

when submerged in s altwater for extended

periods of time.

H-1 is also unique because it is an austenitic

steel. Traditional austenitic steels use a heat-

treating process to harden and temper them

to be serviceable knife blades. H-1, however,

work hardens through the mechanical

processes of shaping and grindin g the steel.

The areas worked the mostlike bevels and

Cutting Edgesbecome the hardest. The

areas worked less remain softer and tougher.

The end result is a blade with differential

hardness that provides an exceptional

balance of strength, flexibility and cutting

performance" The curved blade of the Tasman is a great choice for removing oneself from a stuck seat belt. The curved bladeproved to be a good choice for a number of other cutting chores as well.

ALL OF THE SALT BLADES

HAVE A STRONGER, ROUNDED

TIP THAN THEIR STANDARD

COUNTERPARTS.

KI


25/84

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26/84

k n i v e s i l l u s t r a t e d . c om2 6 KNIVES ILLUSTRATED JULY-AUGUST 2014

This month, we spoke with Louis Krudo, founder of KRUDO

Knives.

What was your background before founding KRUDO Knives

and, earlier, its flagship company, SNAG Knives and Con-trollers?

Before KRUDO came to fruition, I was in the medical field. On

the side, I trained in martial arts and taught self-defense.

I gained my passion for knives and edged tools at age five by

watching my cousin build knives from scratch. He did it all by

hand; the only power tool was his buffing wheel and an acetylene

torch for heat treating.

Twenty years ago, in my Sarasota, Florida, garage, I had an idea

for a folder. I drew it and showed it to a friend, who quickly told

me it was a lawsuit waiting to happen. But three years later, I

decided to create a prototype.

Because I knew nothing myself about building knives, I took my

design to a custom maker. After

learning Id thought of this design

three years earlier, he asked what

took me so long to have it built,

and showed me a magazine with a

knife on the cover in almost the

same design. Id waited too long!

The (Martial) Artof Knifemaking

HOW KRUDOS FOUNDER TURNED A PASSIONFOR SELF-DEFENSE INTO A FLOURISHING

KNIFE BUSINESS

STORY BY BETHANY MILLER

PHOTOS COURTESY OF KRUDO KNIVES

BEHINDthe

SCENES

ABOUT THEINTERVIEWEENAME: Louis Krudo

TITLE: Owner/designer

EMPLOYED FOR: Eight years


27/84


SNAG Controller

and TATCHET BagTHE RECOGNITION AND

ACCEPTANCE OF SNAG FOLDERCONTROLLER INTO LAW

ENFORCEMENT IN THE U.S.

AND OVERSEAS HAS BEEN ONE

OF MY PROUDEST MOMENTS.

LOUIS KRUDO


28/84

k n i v e s i l l u s t r a t e d . c om2 8 KNIVES ILLUSTRATED JULY-AUGUST 2014

The back can be custom

engraved upon request.

What challenges have

you faced in reaching

your achievements,

both from both a

personal and a company standpoint?

From a personal standpoint, achieving

these goals is a huge endeavor. I started

KRUDO Knives with little knowledge

about the knife industry, so my greatest

challenge has been the very steep learn-

ing curve. Ive taught

myself how to get into

the industry as fast as

possible, with minimal

mistakes and with kick-

ass products. This

requires working up to 19

hours a day, seven days a week.

From a companys point of view, the

journey has been very time consuming,

with large expenses. Its challenging to

orchestrate manufacturing schedules

and to find responsible, dependable

As I was driving home, I had an

epiphany. When I got home, I carved a

design out of wood, tested it (gently) on

one of my self-defense students, and the

SNAG Controller was born. The creation

of this tool, an edgeless design loosely

inspired by the karambit, was the begin-

ning of my venture into knife design.

I started KRUDO Knives in 2006 and

made my debut at the 2010 Blade Show.

Near the end of that year, I made a profes-

sion-changing decision and devoted

myself to completely establishing KRUDO

as a company. Since then, Ive created 27

new designs, plus five new fixed-blades

and three new folders that I introduced at

the Blade Show this year.

What products or achievements have

you been most proud of?

Im proud of all my tools and new,upcoming products, but the recognition

and acceptance of SNAG Folder Con-

troller into law enforcement in the U.S.

and overseas has been one of my proud-

est moments.

Im also proud of the continuing inno-

vation of my designs. One of my newest

offerings is KTC54 OS, a Delrin and

aluminum iPhone case with a titanium K

Wedge tool thats discreetly

carried in a slot on the back.

Im adding a micro 32-

gigabyte USB drive to

the case, making it a

truly one-of-a-kind tool.

ABOUT THECOMPANY

IN BUSINESS SINCE: October 2010NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 10

WEBSITE: www.olamiccutlery.com

PHONE: (408) 480-3533

IVE TAUGHT MYSELF HOW

TO GET INTO THE INDUSTRY

AS FAST AS POSSIBLE, WITH

MINIMAL MISTAKES AND

WITH KICK-ASS PRODUCTS.

LOUIS KRUDO

KRUDO Folder

KTC54 OS iPhone case

with K Wedge

Silhouette


29/84


manufacturing companies for large-pro-

duction runs.

What do you think makes your knives

unique?

My designs are heavily influenced by

my background in martial arts, and are

designed largely with self-defense in

mind. I design my tools to be used in

multiple ways, not just for cutting. This is

the basis for the SNAG Controller, for ex-ample, which has no blade edge at all , but

can still cause pain when used properlyfor self-defense.

Another example is the KHatchet,

which I designed to be usable with the

sheath on, or with your grip near the head

of the axe, midway or at full length. In a

reverse grip, the butt end of the handle

can be used to hook or str ike.

When I design a knife, because of my

self-defense background, Im thinking

closely about the grip (Is it comfortable?

Is it meant to be used in standard or re-

verse grip, or both? What techniques will

make this easy to use?), and about the

blade (What is the best angle for cutting?

Can I hook the blade for control? What is

the best way to deploy the knife when its

in my hand, my pocket or on my belt?).

I create tools that are excellent for self-

defense, but also practical for everyday

life. I get many compliments from my

customers ranging from, Wow, cool

design! to It feels great in my hand.

Keep us on your radar, because there ismuch more to come.

WHAT EXACTLY IS SNAG?The SNAG tool comes in two versions: one with a cutting edge, the other without.

The edgeless version, the Controller, is the original. The general shape is reminiscent of a

karambit knife, but because its designed to inflict pain without being lethal, its function is

substantially different. Plenty of jimping and excellent thumb support allow the user to hook,

grab and jerk an aggressor in any number of ways.

The edged Live Blade version, meanwhile, can be used much the same, but is much more

genuinely dangerous thanks to a partially serrated, fiercely sharp tip.

Sharp or not, you wouldnt want to be on the receiving end of either of these tools but if you

doubt the Controllers effectiveness, Krudo is happy to demonstrate.

WHEN I DESIGN A KNIFE,

BECAUSE OF MY SELF-

DEFENSE BACKGROUND, IM

THINKING CLOSELY ABOUT

THE GRIP AND ABOUT THE

BLADE.LOUIS KRUDO

KHatchet

KI


30/84



31/84


Take Southern Grind Knives, for example,

a cutlery company founded by Grammy-

winning country singer Zac Brown. Based in

Georgia, Southern Grind proves that well

more than just good manners and a charm-

ing drawl come from the heart of Dixie.

Our teams custom knifemaker, Paul

Granger, first encountered Southern Grind at

the 2013 Blade Show. He spoke with Brown,

traded some knives, and came away

impressed. And after thoroughly evaluatingSouthern Grinds Bad Monkey tactical fold-

ersin both drop-point and tanto form

we are all the more impressed by their blade

design, high quality, dependability and

excellent function.

A Custom Knife Maker's ReviewCustom knifemaker Paul Granger

evaluated the drop-point version of the Bad

Monkey for its appearance, construction

and feel.

HANDLE: The Bad Monkeys handle is a

tough twill weave with a matte finish. Its

carbon fiber scales create a beautiful visualeffect in the sun, appearing so three-

dimensional that it seems you can reach

right into the handle.

SOUTHERN GRIND UPDATES A CLASSIC TACTICAL

DESIGN WITH THE HOTTEST NEW FEATURES

STORY BY JIM WEISS

AND MICKEY DAVIS

PHOTOS BY P. J. RYAN

AND JIM WEISS

Country singer Zac Brown, founder of Southern Grind, shows off some of his knives.

NOT YOUR

GRANDDADSFOLDER

SOMETIMESgreat things come from unexpected places.


32/84


The handle is designed with one deep

finger groove and one large curved

surface, which is a downward curve for

the knife users other three fingers.

Granger prefers this style. In fact, its the

way he prefers to make his own custom

knife handles. Other knives often are

made with either multiple finger grooves

or with the handle in a straight line.

As to the finger cutout, theres effective

jimping (crosscut grooves) so the user

gets a good bit of drag on it. This jimping

is also cut into the handles liner and in

the guard area of the handle that extends

over the hook-shaped pocket catch.

There are three standoffs (spacers)

going through the Bad Monkeys handle:

one at midpoint on the back of the handle

on top and the other two effectively

placed parallel to the handles butt. The

standoff on the butt, farthest from the

back of the handle, gives the knife muchmore integrity and strength than just

having two standoffs, as is the case with

some folders. Theres also a convenient

thong hole at the handles butt between

the two standoffs.

BLADE: The Bad Monkeys 14C-28N

blade is a conventional flat grind, ground

equally on both sides. The grind is

symmetricalvery clean work. This grind

work comes up above the tip of the

blades drop point, giving it a sharpened

edge above the blades tip, which makes

that tip excellent for puncturing.

Granger was extremely impressed by

both the grind and finish of the blade.

He believes the flats, or unground areas,

of this blade were likely finished in a

rotating can tumbler with an abrasive

media yielding a look finer than (but

somewhat reminiscent of) the finish of

galvanized plumbing.

This type of knife is the fastest-deploy-

ing folding knife blade in the world. The

Emerson Wave featurethe hook-shaped

pocket catch just a bit above and forwardof the thumb studis what enables the

swift opening. Simply pull the knife out of

your pocket while dragging it toward the

rear of the pocket; by the time its clear of

the pocket, its open. It takes a little bit of

practice to get used to drawing the knife

using the Emerson Wave feature to effec-

tively work the pocket catch, thereby

opening the blade.

The phosphor bronze bushings on each

side of the blade around the pivot point

are good because when this metal is

oiled, it can stay lubricated for a long time.Granger also was very impressed with

the pocket clip at the butt end of the Bad

Monkey because its short and strong.

Normally, a knife pocket clip is half the

length of the handle, which draws atten-

Southern Grinds Bad Monkey tactical knife comes in two versions: one with a drop-point blade, the other as a

modified tanto.

The Emerson Wave

feature allows the

blade to be

unfolded as the user

draws the knife outof his pocket.

ITS CARBON FIBERSCALES [APPEAR] SOTHREE-DIMENSIONAL THAT ITSEEMS YOU CAN REACH RIGHTINTO THE HANDLE.

ABOUT PAUL GRANGER

Paul Granger specializes in making fixed-blade knives of his own unique design, as well as intraditional 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.blogspot.com.

GRANGER LIKES

The Bad Monkeys easy, secure grip.

The Emerson Wave feature, which allows the

knife to be deployed as it is withdrawn from

the users pocket.

The discreet pocket clip.


33/84


tion to the knife users pocket

and advertises that that

pocket is carrying a knife.

This pocket clip is only one-

third the length of the knife.

Granger wore his Bad Mon-

key clipped to a thick,

leather-reinforced work

pants pocket. The clip did

not stretch out, meaning that

it had a great temper. He

bought some extra ones for

his custom-made knives.

Overall, Granger liked the

Southern Grind Bad Monkeyfolder a great deal. It felt

good in the hand, and was

shaving sharp out of the box.

Law Enforcement

Specialists Field

Evaluation

The Southern Grind Bad

Monkey folder, with a modi-

fied tanto point, arrived at

the castle on a late summers

day. Its field evaluation was

one of our longest. Because a

folder is a normal carry blade

when you cannot get away

with a fixed blade, we decid-

ed to see exactly how it

rolled long term.

One of the interesting

features of the Monkey was

the short pocket clip. In the

past, I have lost two very niceknives due to the pocket

clips, one while crawling around on

a rooftop, the other when snorkel-

ing. Some self-proclaimed aficiona-

dos would blanch at the thought of

swimming with a knife clipped to

them. They do not live or work in my

world.

The other feature I was curious

about was the liner lock. In the past,

Ive had a very expensive and well-

known tactical folders liner lock fail,

and as a result, cause a great deal of

physical damage to my finger.

Knowing what I know now about

folders, regardless of how they are

marketed, theyre prone to lock fail-

ure, period. The least favorite of

mine are the liner lock designs, since

they can fail when the knife is used

aggressively, as you would do so in a

tactical situation.

Yours truly carried and used the

Bad Monkey for more than 90 days:

while I was on duty as a uniformed

peace officer, while as a law en-

forcement trainer, and for day-to-

day carry and usage. These environ-

ments included patrol, search and

rescue, and close protection opera-

tions of a federal dignitary. They

also included firearms range,subject control and physical

conditioning laboratories in police

academy training. I carried the Bad

Monkey in plainclothes, while in uni-

form, once while swimming, and in

excess of 300 miles of running.

I used the knife to cut paracord,

cardboard, clothing and fat juicy

meat for the grill. I used it to demon-

strate for a police knife class, and to

carve up the holiday ham. I batoned

hardwood for the grill, and per-

formed a 100-repetition spine strike

test on the Bad Monkey with no lock

failures. The 6AL4V titanium lock

and liner seemed to hold up well.

Even after months of general use

and abuse of the knife, the Bad

Monkeys integrity was still sound,

with no looseness or rattling.

Reviewer Paul Granger

appreciated the jimping on

the handle and liner.

AN IMPRESSIVE

STEEL

The knifes blade steel,

14C-28N, is a newer,

rather high-grade knife

steel. Steel is iron with

various elements

added to it; in the case

of 14C-28N and

according to Sandvik

Materials Technology

literature, the added

elements are carbon

(0.62), silicon (0.2),

manganese (0.6),

phosphorus (0.025),

sulphur (0.010),

chromium (14.0), and

nitrogen (0.11).

Reviewer Paul Granger

tested the blade ashaving a 58-59 HRC.

EVEN AFTER

MONTHS OF

GENERAL USE AND

ABUSE OF THE

KNIFE, THE BAD

MONKEYSINTEGRITY WAS

STILL SOUND, WITH

NO LOOSENESS OR

RATTLING.

The Bad Monkeys handle

is designed with one deep

finger groove and a large

downward curve for therest of the users fingers.

ABOUT MARK ALLEN PRINCE

Mark Allen Prince is a professor of law enforcement technology/special operations at

Central Ohio Technical College; a former USDOE SRT operator; and spent 20 years in

local law enforcement special operations and training. He has developed and teaches

courses in homeland security and special operations for military, state, and local

special operations personnel and organizations, and is an instructor trainer certified by

the late Colonel Rex Applegate.

Both reviewers were impressed by the short yet

sturdy pocket clip.


34/84


The combination of a full-size handle

(more than 5 inches) with carbon fiber

weave texture, and the finger groove and

jimping on the back of the handle and

proximal end of the blade, provide excel-

lent purchase. The steel of the blade

(14C-28N), along with the almost 4-inch

length, modified tanto point and Emerson

Wave feature, provide a very sharp, fastand competent business end of this

cutting tool.

The knife was easy to re-sharpen with

the kitchen steel when needed. The black

armor Cerakote finish defeated the nor-

mal wear and tear of our folder evaluation

to include batoning. (Cerakote is a ceram-

ic-based finish used on M45 CQB pistols,

employed by the special operations units

of the U.S. Marine Corps. The M45 CQB is

Reviewer Mark Allen Prince

found the modified tantoblade to be very effective.

PRINCE LIKES

The impressively durable, secure liner lock.

The excellent purchase afforded by the

handle.

The ease of sharpening.

SPECIFICATIONS

HANDLE: Twill-weave carbon-fiber, textured

matte finish

LOCK AND LINER: 6AL4V titanium

BLADE STEEL: 14C-28N

GRIND: Conventional flat grind

BLADE FINISH: Cerakote armor blackOVERALL LENGTH: 9.125 inches (tanto

version)

BLADE LENGTH: 3.875 inches (tanto

version)

HANDLELENGTH: 5.25 inches

WEIGHT: 4.97 ounces

BLADE THICKNESS: 0.130 inches

The Bad Monkey features a conventional flat-ground blade, which Granger particularly admired.


35/84


updated version of the U.S. M1911A1 pistol,

long in use by U.S. military).

At more than 9 inches long, the Bad

Monkey is not a small knife, nor is it light at

almost 5 ounces. The knife is also not in-

expensive at $269.95. However, what the

Southern Grind Bad Monkey represents is

quality. It appears that Zac Brown not only

can turn out quality country tunes, but

quality folding knives as well.

Discover the premier

knife magazine.

www.facebook.com/knivesillustrated

Find us on

THIS TYPE OF KNIFE

IS THE FASTEST-

DEPLOYING FOLDING

KNIFE BLADE IN THE

WORLD.

The Bad Monkeys blade steel, 14C-28N,

is a newer, high-grade steel type.THE STEEL OF THE

BLADE, ALONG WITH THE

EMERSON WAVE FEATURE,

PROVIDE A VERY SHARP, FAST

AND COMPETENT BUSINESS END

OF THIS CUTTING TOOL.

SEARCH HERE

The Bad Monkey uses the Emerson Wave

feature for opening. Using this mechanism is

tricky at first, but many helpful tutorial

videos can be found on YouTube by sea rching

for Emerson Knives Wave Feature.

KI


36/84


KI

THESE KNIVES FROM CRKT ARENT ONLY FOR FIGHTERS

EVERYDAWARRIO

CRKT

Tighe Dye


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You may carry a briefcase instead of a gun, or wear a tie instead of a badge,

but a true warrior is one in heart, mind and deednot just on the field. Every

warrior needs a blade, and CRKT has just that bladethree blades, in fact, in

the forms of their Liong Mah Design #5, the Tighe Dye and the Hammond FE9..

1Liong Mah Design #5The Liong Mah Design #5 is a well-made handful of a knife. When I firstsaw the knife on CRKTs website, I was instantly impressed by its beefy body

and powerful-looking blade. When I received my sample and opened the

familiar CRKT box, I was not disappointed.

INSIDE of every man and woman is a warrior.

STORY BY CLINT THOMPSON

PHOTOS BY CLINT THOMPSON AND COURTESY OF CRKTEVERY WARRIOR

NEEDS A BLADE,

AND CRKT HAS

JUST THAT BLADE.


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The #5 fit perfectly and comfortably

both in my hand and in my pocket. The

blade measures just under 3 inches long,

and a little more than 1 inch at its widest

pointan excellent size for everyday utili-

ty. It features a straight-edge blade, but

those looking for something serrated may

want to try the #5s sister model, the #6.

While this beauty is not equipped witha lock-blade system, its traditional

slipjoint locking system works perfectly.

When deploying the blade, there are two

distinct snapping points: one at the 90-

degree angle, and one at the fully opened

position.

At a very reasonable price point of

$49.99, the #5 would be perfect for the

blue-collar warrior.

2Tighe DyeThe knife a warrior carries says a lot

about the warrior himself. For the warrior

who wants to be easily recognizable as

The oblong groove in the top of the Liong Mah #5allows a user to open the knife with one hand. The Liong Mah #5 uses a slipjoint locking system, which works well for two-stage deployment of the blade.

As folding knife locking systems go, the Tighe Dye has one of the best. The button release is designed to lock the

blade of this bad boy in the open position, but not in the closed position, thereby allowing the lucky user to use the

flipper system to deploy the blade quickly.


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someone who is adventurous and who

knows his blades, the Tighe Dye

embodies both danger and beauty.

When you hold the Tighe Dye in your

hand, you may feel what Japanese samu-

rai felt when they took up their swords: a

sense of noble responsibility and of

excitement. In your hand in either forward

or reverse grip, the knife feels reassuringly

powerful. To deploy the blade, simply

push down on the flipper tab and give a

flick of your wrist. The blade will easily fly

open and lock into the open position. A

well-designed button release holds the

blade securely in place.

Not only does the Tighe Dye function

flawlessly, it has a highly distinctive

appearance as well. It features a spear-

point blade (only one side is sharpened, in

CRKT CONTACT INFORMATION

COLUMBIA RIVERKNIFE & TOOL(503) 685-5015

www.crkt.com

The uniquely designed

Tighe Dye can be

purchased on its own, or

as a packaged deal with a

matching belt buckle and

money clip.


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the interest of safety), which lends itself

both to everyday tasks and to self-

defense, if necessary. Artistic grooves on

the aluminum coffin-style handle truly set

this knife apart.

Beauty may be in the eye of the

beholder, but it would be difficult for any-

one not to be impressed by the Tighe Dye.

3Hammond FE9

For those who are warriors not only in

spirit, but also out in the field, a combat-

ready blade is a necessity. The FE9,

designed by Jim Hammond, is just the

knife for the boots-on-the-ground

warrioror even for the more

adventurous outdoorsman.

Hammond designed the FE9 with

professional warriors in mind, and as a

police officer who served in Kosovo and

Iraq, I can attest to the FE9s excellence.

Its large enough to cut away anything

blocking your view, and thanks to itsMOLLE-compatible sheath (complete

For the DIY handyman warrior, the Liong Mah #5 offers good utilitywith class.

The Tighe Dye is not only a work of art, and its also impressively functional. A well-placed pocket clip allows this

knife to be carried top up and deep in your pocket.

THE KNIFE A WARRIOR CARRIES SAYS A LOT ABOUT

THE WARRIOR HIMSELF.


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with spare clips), it can be carried in any

number of configurations, on MOLLE gear

or simply on a hiking belt.

To test how well the FE9 withstands

tougher use, I took mine out into the

woods and put it to work. I was able to

stab the 9-inch blade into a fallen tree,

and then twist the blade around until I

made a round hole. Because of the beefy

ridge and full tang, the point sustained no

visible damage.

I then tried out the FE9s chopping

ability. The handle, which was engineered

for two different holds, makes this easy.

Making use of the finger grooves next to

the hilt, the operator has an excellent grip

for cutting, slashing and general use.

Move your hand back one finger groove,

and youre able to maximize the amount

of energy for chopping. I easily cut

through a sapling an inch in diameter with

a single, properly angled blow.

My 90-year-old father was looking onas I went on a chopping frenzy, hacking


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through a 3-inch sapling in two downward blows, then a 4-inch shrub, which was

severed after just four or five hacks. My dad shook his head, chuckled, and said,

The great tree killer. He could have been referring to me or, just as easily, to the

FE9, an excellent blade for one big job after another.

Impressive Impressions

Japanese samurai may be best known for their swords, but swords were not

their only blades. They would each have also carried a tanto, which works well for

everyday tasks but could also be used as a weapon. Modern-day warriors can take

note: Tactical knives arent limited to tactical contexts. You cant do much betterthan one of these three blades from CRKT to represent your inner warrior.

LIONG MAH DESIGN #5OVERALL LENGTH: 6.5 inches

BLADE: 2.77 inches, 8Cr14MoV with satin finish

HANDLE: Black G10

WEIGHT: 3.5 ounces

MSRP: $49.99

FAST FACTS: LIONG MAH

Designer of the Liong Mah Design #5

www.liongmahdesigns.com Immigrated to the U.S. from Malaysia in 1983. Designs knives for limited-edition runs. His logo is a version of the symbol for the Japanesegod of war.

TIGHE DYEOVERALL LENGTH: 8.75 inches

BLADE: 3.89 inches, AUS-8 with satin finish

HANDLE: Aluminum

WEIGHT: 5.1 ouncesMSRP(knife only): $89.99MSRP(with belt buckle and money clip): $135

FAST FACTS: BRIAN TIGHE

Designer of the Tighe Dyewww.tigheknives.com Has been designing knives for 25 years. A resident of Ontario, Canada. Custom knives sell for $525 to $3,500.

FE9OVERALL LENGTH: 14.13 inches

BLADE: 9 inches, O1 tool steel with black powdercoating

HANDLE: Black G10WEIGHT: 15.2 ouncesMSRP: $375

FAST FACTS: JIM HAMMOND

Designer of the FE9www.jimhammondknives.com A resident of Alabama. Has been a member of the Custom KnifemakersGuild since 1978. Was the first custom knifemaker to design forCRKT.

THE FE9 IS AN EXCELLENT

BLADE FOR ONE BIG JOB

AFTER ANOTHER.

The FE9 comes with a

versatile, high-strength, nylon

glass fiber-reinforced sheath

with a MOLLE clip.

The strong tip of the FE9 is easily able to penetrate through hard wood.

KI


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www.knifeandgun.com

K & G FINISHING SUPPLIESYour #1 Stabilizer for over 23 years

Custom Dying and StabilizingCall for more information

800-972-1192

We can stabilize your wood, horn, bone,

Ivory and gemstone.


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In my many years as a knife reviewer, Ive handled countless excel-

lent blades. Sometimes you find that something you really wanted

to like just doesnt feel right once you finally wrap your mitts around

it. But other times, you know right away that a knife is something

extra special. This was what happened with the T4.

Perhaps this is because Brous isnt just any knifemaker. With his

background in CNC machining and a deep interest in surrealist

Brazilian art, Brous brings not only a unique perspective, but unique

expertise to the tablefiguratively and literally.

Since making his first knife in 2010, Brous has refined his style to

what his website describes as functional simplicity, while still main-

taining a strong artistic signature. The T4 tactical flipper is an excel-

lent example of this.

THE T4 FLIPPERS STREAMLINED YET

POWERFUL DESIGN MAKE THIS KNIFE

ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY

STORY AND PHOTOS BY TIM STETZER

As soon as I pulled the Jason Brous T4 out of its box, Ihad what I call a whoa moment.

DEFENSIVEUTILITY


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CONTACT INFO

BROUS BLADESP.O. Box 550

Buellton, CA 93427

www.brousblades.com


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

Devil in the Details

The T4 Flipper is a collaboration

between Jason Brous and Jason Moriel-

Riboloff from Tanium Design. The 4-inch,

hollow-ground, D2 steel blade features a

modified drop point and protruding flip-

per, which acts as a guard when the knife

is opened. A recessed finger groove is also

milled into on each side of

the blade to allow for

thumb opening if you

prefer that option. G10

scales with angled grooves

milled along their length,

as well as recessed finger

grooves, enhance both the

grip and the opening of the

blade. A pocket clip allows

for tip-up carry.

Two features serve to

lighten the T4s design

while still retainingstrength. First, a propri-

etary G10 back spacer is designed to

maintain the strength of the knife (and as

a bonus, this makes the knife easier to

clean). Second, the scales cover a skele-

tonized stainless steel frame and a liner

locking mechanism.

The only markings on the knife are a

discreet Brous Blades trademark etched

on the clip, and the serial

number visible on the

front of the flipper when

the knife is opened.

In Motion

Im a fan of a flipper

system for knife opening

for several reasons that

are perfectly exemplified

by the ball bearing-

mounted system of the

Brous T4. First, I find it

fast, convenient and easyto use. Second, while Im

not averse to autos or assisted openers in

the least, a good flipper is often just as

fast as an automatic or assisted-open

knife, but with fewer parts that can mal-

function. This is a huge plus for a rugged-

use blade.

Third, I like that, when opened, a flipper

provides a nice built-in finger guard for

the blade. Add that finger groove to the

excellently contoured, grooved handle on

the T4, and you have a knife thats

extremely stable in the hand and that

locks your hand into place even under full

power thrusts and tabs.

The thumb cut-outs in the handle do

help to orient the blade by feel when

drawing it from your pocket and make it

easier to position your hand to snap the

blade open fast. I found that the grip

shape on the T4 worked extremely well in

both saber and reverse grips.

Any knife can be used for utility tasks,obviously, but some are simply nicer to

46 KNIVES ILLUSTRATED JULY-AUGUST 2014

SPECIFICATIONS:OVERALL LENGTH: 9 inches

BLADE LENGTH: 4 inches

CUTTING EDGE LENGTH: 3.9

inches

BLADE THICKNESS: 3/16

inches

BLADE MATERIAL: D2

HANDLE MATERIAL: Black G10


WEIGHT: 6 ounces

FINISH: Black Cerakote, acid

wash or satin

MADE IN THE USA

HIGHLIGHTSThe reviewers favorite aspects of the T4 are:

Its easy, secure grip.

Its smooth and rapid opening mechanism.

Its combination of being durable, yet lightweight.

Jason Brous T4 combines a sleek design with excellent functionality.


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

use than others. The D2 has a very good slightly toothy edge: It

isnt hair-popping sharp, yet it cuts through paper, cordage, rope

and cardboard with ease, especially cardboard. My wife is a Girl

Scout troop leader, and it was cookie sales time so we ended up

with a lot of empty cardboard cookie cases in the garage that

had to be broken down for recycling. I used the T4 on the mess

of them and scavenged some of the cardboard to make a new

cutting and stabbing test target. The D2 held up very well on the

cardboard, which often can quickly dull the edges of even

quality blades.

Everyday Testing

From a purely tactical perspec-

tive, the T4 has a lot to offer a seri-

ous user. The thick D2 blade offers

very good strength and served well

at penetrating various materials,

such as denim and leather placed

over my test target. The T4 is fast

to get into play with either your

primary or support handanimportant consideration if your

KNIVES ILLUSTRATED JULY-AUGUST 2014 47

THE T4 HAS MUCH TO OFFER

BOTH TACTICAL AND EVERYDAY USERS

IN NOT ONLY STYLE, BUT ALSO IN

PERFORMANCE.

The T4 is equally

comfortable carried in a

saber or reverse grip.

The D2 steel blade features a modified drop point and a protruding flipper. The blade can

be purchased in satin-finish T4, black Cerakote or acid-washed finish.

TestedTOUGHJason doesnt put out any

product without rigorous

testing first. According to

Jason the T4 prototype

was beat up, taken apart

and opened more than

25,000 times and its still

going strong. Thats more

than most users will ever

do with even an EDC blade

in their lifetime.


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blade might be called into play as a back-

up weapon, or to aid in weapons retention

if your primary hand is occupied.

I used the T4 as my everyday carry knife

both at home and at work in my day job

as a police detective over the period of a

month or so. It definitely falls into the

tactical category of knives, but that said,

it makes for a very handy everyday tool as

well. The modified drop-point works well

for myriad tasks. It has enough of a point

to make a good thrusting weapon, as well

as being precise enough for small detail

work like picking stitching out of a pack

strap with a broken buckle and for remov-

ing a splinter. The blade has a bit of belly,

too, which worked well on slashing cuts

and for doing rocking cuts on a board

when I was trimming some leather. It

seemed to be a good blend of practical

utility and serious defensive capability.

The T4 is a good-size knife but carries

pretty easily. The low-profile carry clip lets

the knife sit deeply and discreetly in your

pocket and keeps it securely in place. The

knife is only around 11/16 of an inch at its

thickest point, so it carries pretty flatly in

the pocket as well, and at 6 ounces it

doesnt weigh you down. If I had one issuewith the T4, itd be that I found the clip a

The authors T4 is number 334

in a 500-piece serialized run.

The T4 punches easily through cardboard while still

maintaining its edgesomething that many knives are

unable to accomplish.

BONUS FEATUREThe Brous T4 locks up via a stainless steel

liner lock. That lockup is extremely secure

and no wiggle or blade play was detected

upon initial receipt of the knife or after

heavy use. Its recessed enough to make

inadvertent release extremely unlikely, yet

the serration provided make it easy to

disengage when you choose to do so.

A proprietary G10 spacer makes the T4 both durable and lightweight.

The T4s pocket clip holds the knife securely within theusers pocket for tip-up carry.


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little tight. I found that I generally had to

pull up on the clip a bit when slipping it

over the edge of my pocket. I usually

prefer a clip that slides on a little easier.

Plus, as tight as the clip grabs, I suspect

its going to cause enhanced wear on your

pocket over time. However, the flipside is

that it does keep the knife where its

supposed to be, and your chances of it

popping loose and being lost are slim.

Last Impressions

The T4 has much to offer both tactical

and everyday users in not only style, but

also in performance. Brous and Moriel-

Riboloff have done a great job of combin-

ing sleek, modern styling with great

ergonomic features to make a very well

thought-out and functional piece of

hardware. If youre looking for something

a step up from your basic EDC folder in

materials and design then the T4 Flippershould definitely be on your short list.


Thanks to a ball

bearing pivot

mechanism, the

blade flips open

rapidly and easily.

By the NUMBERS500:The number of pieces that will be

produced in the T4s limited run

334:The serial number on the authors knife

$259:The price for a satin-finish T4

$289:The price for black Cerakote or acid-

washed finish

KI


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BUDGET BUYS

10HOTaccessories

under$25Y

our blade may have cost a pretty penny, but

the things that go along with it dont have to.

For the bargain hunter, weve rounded up a

list of great options currently on the market. The

only thing cooler than the accessories themselves

is their affordable pricetags!

BELLS &WHISTLES

1Smiths Pocket Pal X2 Sharpenerand Survival ToolThe best tools are those that are capable of multiple jobs while still

fitting inside your pocketand the Pocket Pal X2 is a prime example.

Two pull-through sharpening slots, a tapered diamond rod, a fire

starter, compass, whistle and LED light all are combined into a compact

body that measures just 3.4 inches long and 1.7 ounces in weight.

MSRP: $14.99

2Benchmade 7-PieceKnife DisplayWant to show off your knives, but cant afford one

of the fancier displays? This display from

Benchmade may do just the trick. The blue

Plexiglas frame can hold up to seven of your

favorite knives of almost any size.

MSRP: $25


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3Gerber Vital ZipThe Vital Zip combines the best features from two

other tools that may be familiar to Gerber

enthusiasts: the E-Z Zip and the Vital

exchangeable-blade folder. Like the Vital knife,

the Zips utility blade can be easily exchanged, for

efficient. With six included replacement blades,

comfortable and a sturdy, highly visible orange

body, this efficient cutting tool will be a great

complement to a first responders kit. Also

includes a sheath.

MSRP: $15

4Coast LED112 3-in-1 ToolWhile the Smiths multitool lends itself well to outdoor

adventures, this little tool is perfect for everyday carry. Dropped

your phone in a dark theater? Use the LED light (two batteries are

included). Opening a package? The inch-long 3Cr13 blade will come

in handy. Cracking open a cold one? Youre already equipped with a

bottle opener. With a nylon handle and at only 1.2 ounces, its easy

to use in hand and easy to carry on a keychain.

MSRP: $19.49

5TOPS Tactical NUKWhen your favorite folder is more knife than you need for an

everyday task, the TOPS Non-Metallic Utility Knife may be just

what you need instead. This polymer dagger, available in two

colors, was designed for opening letters, cutting boxes, minor

prying and, if necessary, can serve as backup protection. Two

6.75-inch blades are included. Be advised: Even without a

metal blade, the NUK is not TSA-approved, and local laws

regarding fixed blades may still apply.

MSRP: $10

6PUMA Replacement Fixed-Blade SheathWhile Kydex sheaths seem to have a particularly large presence in the market recently, theres something to be said for

a classic, gentlemanly leather sheath. PUMAs line of leather sheaths are handmade from top-grain, genuine cowhide

leather and 100 percent vegetable tanned. Available in a variety of sizes, theres sure to be an option for any knife.

MSRP: $19.99


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7Benchmade Bluebox Service KitFor the DIY Benchmade user who wants to keep his everyday carryin prime shape at all times, the Bluebox Service Kit will be avaluable asset. Six bits in various sizes, along with a bit holder,enable you to make minor adjustments to Benchmades uniquesix-lobe headed screws

Knives Illustrated - August 2014 USA

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Transcript of Knives Illustrated - August 2014 USA