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Buying Knives on The Thailand-Burma Border

March 1, 2011 / Tim / 2 Comments

When I arrived in Thailand last month, I only received a 30-day tourist visa. It expired this week and in order to renew it, I had two options: either trek 14 hours to Laos and hit up the Thai embassy for a 60-day visa or take a 3-hour jaunt to the Burma border, walk across for 30 minutes and be granted an automatic 15-day extension upon my return.

I chose the latter.

The border connects the Thai village of Mae Sai with the Burmese town of Myawaddy, which has a lively market that is occasionally jolted by bombs set off by Burmese rebel groups.

It’s a good place to buy DVDS, watches, clothes, electronics and pretty much everything under the sun for a fraction of the price it would cost you in the West. While stumbling through the myriad stalls, I came across a woman selling knives.

She had a little selection of tactical knives, most of which seemed outrageously cheap. I ended up buying a Dark Ops Stratofighter Stilleto, which retails for $250 for 500 baht ($15).

How To Get Skilled In The Art of Knife Throwing

February 28, 2011 / Tim / 2 Comments

There are very few sports in which knives are the primary tool, which is why knife throwing is such an alluring sport for knife enthusiasts.

For anyone unfamiliar with the sport of knife throwing, it’s fairly straightforward. The goal is throw a knife at a wooden bullseye at various distances and try to make it stick as accurately as possible. While it sounds easy, it can be extremely difficult.

Those who practice consistently can do some pretty cool things, like the video here demonstrates.

If you’re interested in learning how to throw knives, here are some steps to guide you along in the process of becoming a great knife thrower.

1. Research knife throwing prior to doing anything

Before committing to buy a throwing knife, you should research the sport and be aware of the potential dangers that come with it. Reading up on safety instructions, looking at the different types of knife throwing styles and viewing videos at places like the Knife Throwing site will prepare you for the next steps.

The Tool Logic Pocket Hunter Card

February 27, 2011 / Tim / 0 Comments

Every week, Samantha James reviews a different Knife Depot product. Check out her past product highlights here.

What’s in your pocket?

Do you carry a stainless steel gut hook blade? How about an LED flashlight? What about a combination can/bottle opener? Do you have a tweezer and toothpick? Do you sport a ruler with centimeters and inches?

If you tried to carry all of these things in the front pocket of your pants, you’d likely (a) slice your hands to pieces and (b) walk very clumsily.

Of course, there is another option.

Scope out the Tool Logic Pocket Hunter Card, a sweet new gadget blade that packs all of the above tools in one multi-faceted package.

This credit-card-size all-in-one is about as versatile and rugged as an all-purpose knife tool can be. It features a wide 2-inch fold-out stainless blade that’s sharp enough to skin animals and has a gut hook on the back.

In addition to its myriad accessories, the hunter card weighs in at a svelte 1.3 ounces, with a length and width of 3.375″ and 2.125″ respectively. It’s made of ABS plastic and comes with a satin finish.

A number of similar pocket hunter cards have been developed recently, but in my opinion the Tool Logic Pocket Hunter Card may be the best of the bunch. And, at 36 bucks, it’s a steal.

If you’re looking to pick up an all-in-one outdoor tool, snag one today.

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.

Continue reading

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.