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Knifemaker Interview: James Wahls of Indy Hammered Knives

August 14, 2018 / Tim / 0 Comments

Making it as a knifemaker is no easy task and there are countless knifemakers out there worthy of some time and attention. It’s been a while since we’ve profiled a knifemaker on the blog (the last time was probably 2012’s chat with Stewart J. Light). So when knifemaker James Wahls of Indy Hammered Knives reached out to us, I was intrigued.

I did some research and stumbled upon this video:

His story seemed really interesting, so I agreed to interview him about his journey as a knifemaker.

You can find James and Indy Hammered Knives (IHK) at ihknives.com or on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

First, could you tell us a little about yourself, such as where you’re from and your background growing up?

Good Question, I’m from and grew up in LaGrange, IN, which is a small town in northern Indiana. When I say small, I mean I had Amish neighbors growing up and is still the place where I get all my sweet vintage blacksmithing tools! My folks and sister still live up there. I love to go back and visit this special place as much as I can because it will always be home to me.

Spyderco Endura – Badass Knife of the Week

August 13, 2018 / Tim / 1 Comment

We’ve been doing the Badass Knife of the Week for four and a half years. We are currently up to 235 different knives being given the honor. So how did something so iconic and essential as the Spyderco Endura get passed up for so long? We beg for your forgiveness because this badass knife is an all-time classic.

The Spyderco Endura helped usher in a new era of affordable, tactical knives made right here in the United States of America. Released in 1990 as the larger brother of the Delica (which we did feature as the 11th Badass Knife ever), the Endura is in its fourth generation and nearly a perfect knife.

‘Everyday Blade’ Utility EDC Knife Launches on Kickstarter

August 8, 2018 / Tim / 5 Comments

Utility knives — those knives with replaceable blades — are nothing new. Workplace utility knives have been around for decades and are often found on job sites. But, more designers are starting to focus on making everyday carry versions of the utility knife.

A few weeks back I covered the Maker Knife utility knife launched on Kickstarter and this week it’s the Everyday Blade by Korcraft.

Shane Korthuis, founder and designer of Korcraft, contacted me when the project first launched on Kickstarter on June 24 with a press release.

He touts the Everyday Blade as the “world’s smallest folding utility knife that fits 12 types of blades.” While that qualifier may be true, this is hardly the first EDC utility knife. But does it hold its own against some of the others? Let’s take a look.

Everyday Blade Specs

The Everyday Blade is seriously tiny. It weighs less than an ounce and is about two inches long when closed. The whole thing is about the size of a house key but is decidedly thicker at 0.82 inches.

Victorinox Tinker – Badass Knife of the Week

August 6, 2018 / Tim / 0 Comments

There is a Swiss Army Knife for everyone. If you’re that person who people turn to for a quick gadget repair or to help open a package, the Tinker is for you.

With the Tinker, you can be a jack of all trades and a master of everything. This small Swiss Army Knife is a mainstay of the Victorinox collection and remains one of the most popular models the storied company puts out.

The Tinker is a two-layer tool that features all the tools needed to tackle the basic tasks of everyday life.

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A post shared by Victorinox Collector 🇨🇭🌳 (@swisswood)

This classic red version of the Tinker is only 3.5 inches when closed and holds 12 different tools: a large blade, small blade, can opener, three screwdrivers, bottle opener, wire stripper, reamer, toothpick, tweezers, and key ring.

"Kershaw Cryo" by Luke Detwiler is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Why Do People Hate Assisted-Openers?

July 31, 2018 / Tim / 52 Comments

If you were to peruse some popular knife forums, you’d think the invention of the assisted-opening mechanism was the worst thing to happen to the knife world.

The truth is that the average user could not care less whether the knife is spring-assisted. As long as it opens reliably and is relatively cheap, most people barley notice.

So, why do most knife nuts seem to hate assisted-opening knives with a passion? These are the most common arguments against assisted blades.

(Note: I’m being the devil’s advocate and citing some common arguments. I honestly don’t have a preference between assisted-openers and manual folders.)

1. Assisted-openers are dangerous

One of the biggest complaints about assisted-openers is that they’re dangerous. There are stories from people across the internet who say an assisted opener engaged while in the pocket. Those with flipper tabs are likely more dangerous because they can open up pretty easily when some pressure is applied to the edge of the closed knife. (This is a problem that can be mostly prevented with right-handed tip-down carry where the pocket would help keep it closed.)

I’ve carried assisted-openers before and never had one open. However, I have had an unassisted knife open slightly in my pocket. I don’t remember the circumstances that caused it, but any type of knife can be dangerous. Take a look at what could happen with an auto:

A first for me. Boker Kalashnikov opened in my pocket. from knives

Some have even complained that the strength of the assisted open is so powerful that the knife feels like it’s going to jump out of the hand.

2. Safety lock negates any advantages

To combat the first complaint, many knives come with safety mechanisms that keep the blade closed. For example, many Kershaw SpeedSafe models have a little peg that slides behind the blade to keep it from opening up accidentally. While it does increase the safety of the knife, it also counteracts the quickness and accessibility of the knife.

Old Timer 158OT Guthook – Badass Knife of the Week

July 30, 2018 / Tim / 0 Comments

Legend says that the Baer brothers of Imperial Schrade wanted to offer a knife that their grand-dad would carry. So, in 1959, the first line of Old Timer knives was officially put into production.

Despite its long history with highs and lows, the Old Timer brand continues to exist today by encompassing the spirit and dependability of the knives of old.

The latest Badass Knife of the Week is the perfect example.

The Old Timer 158OT Guthook Hunting Knife features a 3.5-inch guthook blade you can use to effortlessly process hide and body cavities on-the-spot, keeping meat clean and hairless and impressing a mark of craft on your work. Made from stainless steel, the blade is easy to sharpen and resists all types of stains and corrosion when used in wet situations.

Check Out the New Benchmade Puukko

July 28, 2018 / Tim / 0 Comments

Benchmade has been absolutely killing it lately with its new knives.

The iconic butterfly brand seemed to have dipped a bit a few years back before coming back with a vengeance. First, with the updated Griptilians, then with its first slipjoint ever, then with a ultralight Bugout. The string of successes seems to be continuing with the company’s first puukko.

The Benchmade 200 Puukko was introduced at the Summer Outdoor Retailer Show, and people across the knife community are salivating.

Knife Owners’ Protection Act Introduced to Senate

July 27, 2018 / Tim / 0 Comments

In a small but important step in getting the Federal Switchblade Act repealed and providing greater protection to knife owners, the Knife Owners’ Protection Act of 2018 was officially introduced to the Senate. This is a companion to the same bill introduced to the House in 2017.

Commonly called KOPA, the act would remove restrictions on the interstate trade of automatic knives while also giving additional protections to knife owners traveling through states without worrying about the local laws. There are currently 44 states who allow some carrying or ownership of switchblades.

Bill Introduced by Sen. Roger Wicker

“I am pleased to introduce the Knife Owners Protection Act,” said Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), who introduced the bill. “This legislation would provide law-abiding knife owners the appropriate protection when transporting knives across state lines. It would also repeal the antiquated Federal Switchblade Act. I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to advance this sensible policy for knife owners.”

KOPA is the baby of Knife Rights, an advocacy organization for knife owners. Knife Rights and its chairman Doug Ritter have been working on KOPA for more than eight years. The organization wrote it in 2010 and first introduced it in 2013.

Cold Steel Urban Edge – Badass Knife of the Week

July 23, 2018 / Tim / 0 Comments

When people think of versatile knives, they often think of folders. But what if I told you one of the most functional and useful everyday carry tools out there was a fixed blade push dagger? Well, the latest Badass Knife of the Week is here to make its case.

The Cold Steel Urban Edge is a surprisingly versatile and excellent all-around everyday carry tool. While the push dagger has its roots as a defensive weapon, it serves a function well beyond self-defense purposes.

The blade of the Urban Edge is only 2.5 inches. This version features one side with a plain edge and another side with a serrated edge. A different edge on each side gives you the best of both worlds — allowing you to cleanly cut a box with one side and cut some rope with the other.

Watch Miller Knives Turn Rusty Trap Into Knife

July 22, 2018 / Tim / 0 Comments

Upcycling is the act of reusing unwanted products or waste to make something new and intriguing. Steve Miller of Miller Knives has made a YouTube career out of transforming found objects into interesting knives.

I honestly think one of his most recent videos features his best creation yet.

Miller acquired an old rabbit trap that was not only rusted beyond repair but illegal to use in Australia. So, he decided to turn it into a knife.

The Cutting Edge

The official blog of Knife Depot