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Swiss Army knife used to amputate man’s legs

February 25, 2011 / Tim / 2 Comments

Everyone knows that the Swiss Army knife is a universal and multipurpose tool that can be used for pretty much anything. However, this week it was used for something that even the creators might not have guessed: an amputation.

After the devastating earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, where nearly 100 people have been confirmed dead, hundreds of others were trapped beneath rubble and debris.

One of these trapped people, only identified as Brian, had his legs pinned beneath a collapsed building and needed to have both his legs amputated or he would have died.

According to Dr. Stuart Philip, who oversaw the amputation, a Swiss Army knife was the only tool available:

“There wasn’t really any other option. Essentially the procedure was performed with a Swiss Army knife. I know that sounds terrible, but that’s all we had,” Philip told the Dominion Post newspaper.

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Knowing vulnerabilities in blade material key to maintenance

February 23, 2011 / Tim / 0 Comments

Last week, in one of Martha Stewart’s Q&A articles at Cincinnati.com, a reader raised an important aspect in maintaining knives: what material the blade is made out of.

Whereas most modern kitchen knives are created out of stainless steel, the blades of many older models are other materials, such as carbon steel.The problem with carbon steel blades, as the reader had found out, is that they are vulnerable to discoloration.

Stewart’s solution for the brown blade was fairly simple:

You can brighten your knives’ blades by polishing them with fine steel wool and Noxon metal polish. In addition, collecting editor Fritz Karch recommends hand-washing the knives after each use and drying them immediately to prevent rust. Then, with a cloth or paper towel, wipe a thin layer of mineral oil onto the blade to protect the steel from corrosion. Finally, store them in a location with low humidity.

Although the question was aimed at kitchen cutlery, this topic is something all knife owners should consider. As Stewart pointed out, always cleaning carbon steel blades, whether kitchen cutlery or hunting knives, is crucial to keeping its color and durability.

Each blade material has specific tips to remember. For example, stainless steel blades have the potential to rust in certain environments, so drying and occasionally scrubbing them with abrasive cloth will preserve the blades’ integrity.

For ceramic blades, found in some folding knives and kitchen cutlery, they will not rust or suffer discoloration, but they are more susceptible to scratches and breaks.

Whether plastic, titanium, stainless steel or carbon steel, it’s important for knife owners to understand the vulnerabilities of each blade material.

Bear Grylls Gerber Ultimate Survival Knife

February 23, 2011 / Tim / 0 Comments

In the word of survival, it’s hard to best Bear Grylls. The star of Man V. Wild spends most of his TV-time hurdling cliffs, dunking himself in sub-zero ice pools, eating vile animal parts and doing other badass stuff that only a guy whose first name is Bear can do.

At his side is usually a survival knife, which is probably why Gerber decided it was wise to team up with Grylls to pump out a signature collection of Bear Grylls blades.

The latest knife to be unveiled is the Ultimate Knife, a 4.8-inch, stainless steel, serrated, drop-point blade with a range of other features.

One of the most impressive features is the fire starter, which consists of a ferrocerium rod that locks in the sheath and can be rubbed against a striker notch on the back of the knife blade to produce sparks. The knife also has its own diamond sharpener for sharpening on the go.

The knife’s sheath is made of lightweight nylon and contains an emergency whistle and special survival instructions from Bear, in case you get stuck in a sticky situation and need some sage advice.

The knife is available from a number of distributors and retails for around $60 Anyway, if you want to see the blade and get a description from the Bear himself, here’s a short promo video.

Jungle King 14-inch Hunting Knife w/ Survival Kit

February 19, 2011 / Tim / 1 Comment

Two of my favorite knives are hunting knives and survival knives, which is why this heavy-duty Jungle King hunting knife has me so enthused. It’s essentially a hunting knife and survival knife in one.

At 14 inches, it has a freakishly huge blade, making it great for cutting through brush when trekking deep into the woods. I’ve also used it to cut pieces of firewood, and thought I’ve yet to skin an animal with it, I’m fairly confident it’s up to the task.

The knife comes with a stainless steel fixed- blade with a clip point, which makes it excellent for stabbing and tearing. Its top edge is serrated and can saw through wood if necessary.

A slick-looking jungle green nylon sheath is included and comes with some lagniappe in the form of a full-fledged survival kit, which contains: a multi-function skinning knife, can opener, slingshot, matches, compass, sewing kit, fishing kit, band aids, tweezers and more.

You’re not going to use all of this survival gear every time you hit the woods, but having it there gives you a host of tools to choose from. I dig that, and it’s another reason why I’m such a huge advocate of this knife.

Another is the price. The Jungle King Hunting Knife only costs $50, which is significantly less than many other hunting knives in its class.

Lastly, this is just a rugged-looking blade. I’ve never been one to prioritize style over substance, but when the substance is there, the style is a plus.

If you’re going to buy a survival knife, you might as well buy one that looks like it’s capable of slaying a mountain lion, skinning it, clearing brush for a campfire to roast it and finally slicing its tender morsels into tasty pieces for you to enjoy.

That’s exactly how I feel with this survival knife in tow.

Preemptive knife law passes House in Utah

February 18, 2011 / Tim / 0 Comments

The effort to get knives recognized under the Second Amendment saw another success this week after the Utah legislature took steps to pass a law that would prohibit city and local municipalities from regulating the use of knives.

The passage is seen as a victory for knife rights enthusiasts who see this as an important step to preserving the right to carry knives.

Rep. Ryan Wilcox, the sponsor of the bill, was reported in the Desert News saying that knives should be included under the protections of the Second Amendment and shielded from laws made by municipalities.

“I understand the concern of municipalities,” Wilcox said. “On the other hand, there are some rights that are fundamental to our core as a nation and should be protected.”

What the bill would do is make knife laws around Utah consistent so hunters carrying knives in different cities are not violating local restrictions.

The bill, known as HB271, passed the state’s House of Representatives 52-17 and will now go to the state’s Senate for a vote.

Last year, New Hampshire passed a similar law that recognized knives as protected under the Second Amendment. That law tacked knives onto the existing protections of firearms, effectively doing away with most restrictions on buying and carrying knives in the state.

The Importance of a Knife Handle

February 16, 2011 / Tim / 0 Comments

About a week ago, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser ran an interview with a Hawaiian chef who teaches at a local college. In the interview, chef Grant Sato shared some important tips everyone should remember when buying and using a knife.

While most of his tips were useful, such as techniques to safely slice food and information on how to sharpen dull knives, he touched on a topic that is widely overlooked when selecting knives: the handles.

For kitchen knives and all types of knives for that matter, it’s important to carefully select the material of your knife’s handle. In the article, Sato made it clear that the handle is the most important part of a knife.

“The blades are all the same,” Sato says. “It’s the material of the handles that are different.”

There are four common types of handle materials, which include wood, composite, stag and metal. Each of these types has its own advantage and drawback.

For experienced knife enthusiasts, wood handles are the most preferred for kitchen knives because they are softer on the hands and protect against bacteria. However, they are harder to clean and don’t usually last for more than two decades.

Composite and metal knife handles are stronger, more durable and the most resistant to corrosion, making them better suited for survival knives.

Before buying your next knife, make sure you’ve thoroughly analyzed the pros and cons of the handle for the type of function your knife will serve.

Top Five Options For Storing Knives

February 12, 2011 / Tim / 2 Comments

The importance of properly storing your kitchen knives cannot be understated. Simply throwing the knives in a drawer with other utensils can significantly decrease the life of a knife by making the blade dull and scratched.

The Knife Bag or Knife Roll

An article a few months ago in the New York Times profiled the knife storage bag of an executive chef who said that knife bags are the best for home cooks.

A knife bag, or knife roll, like the one he uses — but not quite so beat up — is a good choice for home cooks, he said. “The knives slip right in and the pockets keep them separate, so the edges don’t burr.”

The Wooden Block

Another popular knife storage method is the wooden block. These are blocks with slots to fit and store knives, but can be difficult to clean. Whenever you put the knives into the knife block, they should always be washed and dry.

Magnetic Knife Holder

Magnetic Strips

This method of knife storage utilizes a magnetic strip installed on a wall to hold the knives in place. These should be installed in areas where people cannot bump them and children cannot reach them. Magnetic strips are among the most sanitary storage options because they can be easily wiped clean.

Drawer Knife Blocks

Similar to the wooden blocks, the these blocks fit into drawers and have slots available to keep the knives from scratching each other.

Knife Sheaths

Knife sheaths are a great alternative to the previous methods but can be time consuming since you have to put them on each knife. Sheaths that do not open up are also difficult to clean so only get guards that have hinges for them to open.

How To Start A Successful Knife Collection

February 10, 2011 / Tim / 2 Comments

Whether you’re a knife enthusiast or looking for a hobby that will make you money, knife collecting can be a rewarding activity. Knife collections fetch thousands of dollars on sites like Ebay, Craigslist and Knife Auction, but if you don’t know where to begin, things can quickly get complicated. Here are a few tips for beginners who plan on venturing into the fascinating world of knife collections.

Tip #1: Pick what type of knife you want to collect

While many knife admirers may have the urge to buy and collect all types of knives, it’s important, at least to begin with, to focus on one type. Fortunately, there is a large range of knife types you can pick from, including pocket knives, daggers, swords, Bowie knives and antiques. Selecting just one variety gives you a clear focus, so you are not overwhelmed by the numerous choices.

Tip #2: Set a budget

This might seem like an ancillary point, but it’s extremely important to consider before embarking on a collection. Knife prices range anywhere from a couple dollars to well over a thousand bucks. If you’re not absolutely serious or sure about collecting knives, set a smaller budget and work your way up.

Tip #3: Get knife guides and educate yourself on your specific type

Once you’ve selected the type and picked a budget, the next step is to begin purchasing knives. People take different approaches on how to buy knives. Some get one at a time while others buy sets. Knowing the prices and models of the type of knife you’re planning on collecting will prevent you from overpaying and give you authority on the subject. The Official Price Guide to Collector Knives is a great place to get started.

Tip #4: Search for knives at a variety of places

There is no wrong place to look for knives, but looking at a range of sources ensures that you have more options. Look up local antique shops, visit the Knife Auction site, attend a knife show or join knife collection forums. Doing these things will help point you to reputable knife dealers who may have hidden gems.

Butter knife that failed to cut throat not a deadly weapon, court rules

February 9, 2011 / Tim / 0 Comments

The California Court of Appeals recently determined that a butter knife, even when used to try to cut someone’s throat, is not a deadly weapon.

This fascinating case began at a Los Angeles high school when three students attacked another student, simply identified as Deon, on the school’s campus. As two students held Deon down, the main attacker, Brandon, pulled out a knife and tried to cut Deon’s throat. But, when the knife’s handle fell off, the students fled the scene.

The attack was described in more detail in the court documents:

According to Deon, Brandon took the knife and tried to cut Deon’s cheek and throat. Brandon moved his arm up and down, applying a slashing motion on Deon’s cheek. Deon testified that, despite Brandon’s efforts, the knife would not cut: “He [Brandon] was trying to cut, but it wouldn’t cut. So it was just making, like, welts.”

Because the knife did not cause significant damage, the California Court of Appeals ruled that the butter knife was not a deadly weapon. This downgraded the attack to a misdemeanor, overturning a previous ruling that charged the defendant with a felony.

The appeals court ruled that a deadly weapon must be an object that can cause death or great bodily injury. Since the defendant applied full pressure with the knife and tried to inflict significant harm but still could not, the knife was not capable of causing great bodily injury and was therefore not a deadly weapon.

The actual knife used was a little more than three inches long, had a rounded edge and slight serrations.

Ceremonial Daggers Allowed in Detroit Schools

February 7, 2011 / Tim / 1 Comment

A school district in Michigan recently announced that it is allowing Sikh students to carry ceremonial daggers to school as a form of religious expression, according to an article in the Detroit Free Press.

Baptized males in the Sikh religion are required to wear the small daggers, known as kirpans, as a religious symbol denoting their commitment to fight evil.

The controversy surrounding the ceremonial dagger first appeared in December when a fourth-grader at a Canton Township elementary school carried a dull 3-to 5-inch dagger to school. After that incident, kirpans were banned at the district, but national Sikh groups wrote letters expressing disapproval.

The school’s decision has generated widespread interest, because it was made with the rational that the knives fall under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution as protected religious expression.

However, some are arguing that allowing the kirpans in schools is a double standard, since other students aren’t able to carry knives, and a student who accidentally brought a Swiss army knife to a Virgina high school was recently expelled.

But, the school’s decision might also be a victory for knife enthusiasts, as the district has also changed the definition of what makes a knife a dangerous weapon.

Despite making the changes, the daggers can only be taken to school if they meet specific guidelines: the blade must be dull, it must be sewn into its sheath so it can’t be taken out, it must be no bigger than 2 1/4 inches and it must not be visible.