The Cutting Edge

The official blog of Knife Depot

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Top 15 Folding Knives with CPM-S30V Steel

October 27, 2017 / / 16 Comments

The quest for the perfect steel is never ending. Just as one steel is praised as the perfect steel, another one comes along to claim the title.

There is no perfect steel. Some of the super steels these days like S110V and M390 are at the top of the line for edge retention but can be very difficult to sharpen without the right tools. Beater steels like 420HC and 440A dull pretty quickly but can be brought back to razor sharp without effort.

For a while CPM-S30V was the top of the line steel. The premium steel boasts some of the best qualities of a good knife steel: it has great edge retention, solid corrosion resistance, and average ease of sharpening. Here’s what Buck Knives says about S30V: “We consider this the absolute best blade steel available, and it is made in America.”

The steel was developed by Chris Reeve and Crucible Industries and contains a 1.45% carbon, 14% chromium, 4% vanadium, and 2% molybdenum. The alloy composition creates an even distribution of vanadium carbides that improve sharpness and edge retention.

S30V has become pervasive in the knife community, though it does vary depending on who does the heat treatment.

If you’re interested in getting a knife with S30V steel, here are 15 of the best knives with S30V steel blades, including a few currently in stock at Knife Depot.

Spyderco Paramilitary 2

We’ll start off with the legend. The Spyderco Paramilitary 2 is widely billed as one of the best all-around EDC knives ever made and part of what made it so great is the S30V steel. These days, the PM2 can also be found in S110V or in many other steels during special runs (CTS-XHP, M390, M4 Cru-Wear).

The knife itself is a bit on the larger side with a nearly 3.5-inch leaf-shaped blade and grippy G-10 handle scales. The knife uses Spyderco’s popular Compression Lock and all the pieces seem to fit together just seamlessly.

If you don’t have one in your collection, get one now.

Gerber 06 Manual Combat

Gerber? Oh, yes. Gerber actually has a few knives in S30V steel, but the first we’re highlighting is one of the best American-made folders the company has to offer: the Gerber 06 Manual Combat.

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New York Governor Vetoes Knife Reform Bill… Again

October 25, 2017 / / 4 Comments

Unfortunately, it’s not just déjà vu. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo vetoed a bill that would have reformed the gravity knife laws in the state for a second year in a row.

The illegality of gravity knives in New York City has been a controversial issue the last few years after it was revealed that police were using the vague law to claim nearly any folding knife illegal by using the wrist-flick test. Police reform advocates and the folks over at Knife Rights wanted to clarify the law to prevent law-abiding citizens from being treated like criminals.

Advocates for the reform were cautiously optimistic that the bill would be signed by Cuomo after satisfying his complaints from the previous year’s iteration of the bill but were disappointed to learn of the veto.

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Para-Claw: The Ultimate EDC Self-Defense & Survival Tool

October 24, 2017 / / 0 Comments

As the old edict goes, the piece of survival gear you need the most is whatever you’re carrying at the time.

That same philosophy can also apply to self-defense tools as well.

Retired bounty hunter Fugi Escobido and David Bloch from Outdoor Edge developed a versatile piece of gear that anyone — whether serious survivalist, martial artist, or average Joe — should and could wear at all times.

It’s called the Para-Claw, and it’s a paracord bracelet with a twist.

The paracord bracelet is nothing new. Ken Onion even created his own paracord bracelet for CRKT. So how do you make something so prevalent even better? Add a quick release hawkbill blade.

Here’s how it works.

The bracelet is hand-tied with 550 paracord (14.4 ft for the medium size), but hidden inside the buckle is a 1.5-inch hawkbill blade made from BlackStone finished 8Cr13MoV stainless steel. According to Outdoor Edge, the blade is integrally molded to the glass/nylon guard that attaches to the bracelet.

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CRKT Ripple – Badass Knife of the Week

October 23, 2017 / / 0 Comments

When Ken Onion left Kershaw a few years back to pursue new design opportunities with CRKT, some wondered whether Onion could still deliver. Our Badass Knife of the Week proves he’s still got it.

The CRKT Ripple brings the design quirks and aesthetics of the inimitable Ken Onion to an inexpensive and effective everyday carry flipper.

The Ripple Aluminum is the latest generation of the knife, and it has knife people all aflutter.

It has a plain satin finished 3.125-inch blade made from 8Cr14MoV stainless steel that springs to life with a silky smooth action from the patented IKBS ball-bearing pivot system and a well placed flipper tab.

If you want a smaller size, the Ripple 2 Aluminum boasts a blade length of 2.7 inches.

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See Iconic Horror Movie Posters Reimagined Without Knives

October 19, 2017 / / 2 Comments

Knives face an uphill battle because they are often demonized by the media for how a small number of people opt to misuse the essential tool.

That’s why I try not to include things that portray knives as weapons for killing. But when Steve Miller of the forthcoming culinary blog F.N. Sharp (not live yet) reached out to me about a project they did that reimagined popular horror movies without knives, I was intrigued.

With Halloween around the corner, I thought it’d be a treat to indulge in the darker side of knives. While we all know the villains of horror movies — like Chucky, Jason, and Freddy Krueger — F.N. Sharp pays tribute to what they call the unsung hero of horror films: the knife.

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2018 Discontinued Spyderco Knives We’ll Miss the Most

October 17, 2017 / / 1 Comment

It’s that time of year again.

The guillotine is falling on a few of our favorite knife models as companies begin announcing the knives being sent to the glue factory next year.

Spyderco was the first to release its list on the Spyderco Forum. You can see the full list of knives being discontinued for 2018 at the bottom, but I’ll be writing an obituary for a few of the most notable models being put out to pasture first.

It’s important to note that some of these knives may come back in updated iterations, so don’t be surprised to see the Nirvana 2 with different materials and a more streamline design. Also others have already received updates like the Salt 1 series, so it’s kind of a moot point.

Spyderco Nirvana

As Neil Young once sang, “It’s better to burn out than to fade away.” The Nirvana was a short-lived, having only been released for 2016. Despite only seeing light for a couple of years, the knife burned bright and got a lot of people excited.

The Nirvana was Spyderco’s first integral folder from custom knifemaker Peter Rassenti. Its handle was made from a single piece of titanium and featured the Reeve Integral Lock mechanism. The 3.76-inch blade was made from S90V steel while the overall design was sexy.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BVQCCk6AZWC/

So where did the Nirvana go wrong? It ran into production problems since titanium is such a difficult material to work with. A few people had complaints about the larger size and a lackluster design.

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Benchmade 162 Bushcrafter – Badass Knife of the Week

October 16, 2017 / / 0 Comments

 

It wasn’t long ago when the term bushcrafting – the art of practicing wilderness survival skills — was considered underground and outlandish.

But now even the most amateurish bushcrafter can embrace using the natural resources of the land to survive with the latest Badass Knife of the Week.

The Benchmade Bushcrafter combines tried-and-true design principles with modern materials to create a knife that won’t just withstand the elements but excel.

Here’s an excellent overview from HighCarbonSteel Love:

Designer Shane Sibert has earned a reputation over the past 20+ years for making hard-use knives that are functional and durable like the Benchmade Adamas family. The Bushcrafter is made in the same vein.

It starts with the 4.4-inch satin blade made from CPM-S30V steel, which keeps its edge like few others. The blade features the classic and versatile drop point profile, making it ideal for all the tasks you’d encounter in nature.

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15 Pocket Knives That Weigh Less Than an Ounce

October 12, 2017 / / 4 Comments

Every ounce counts.

When it comes to knives, you might be thinking to yourself what’s a few ounces? Is the Cold Steel Spartan at 10 ounces really so much heavier than the Kershaw Chill at 2 ounces? The answer is yes.

If you’re just going for a walk around the block, you might not notice the weight, but carry the knife for hours on end and you’ll feel that sag in your pocket like a ton of bricks.

I’m starting a series of posts about knives under certain weights for those looking to cut back on their EDC weight. So let’s start with the lightest a knife can get: less than an ounce.

Yes, knives that weigh in at under an ounce can be just as useful as those boasting bigger designs. Here’s a look at some of the best.

Spyderco Manbug

Spyderco Manbug

When you want a small knife, look no further than Spyderco. The famous spider brand is well-known for creating minuscule knives that look identical to some of their bigger counterparts. The Spyderco Ladybug and Honey Bee could have been on this list, but instead of completely stuffing it with Spydies, I thought I’d stick with a few, including the Manbug.

Nothing against the feminine-sounding Ladybug (which is a fantastic knife), but if I had to choose one knife with a typical Spyderco design under an ounce, it would be the Manbug. This knife is a little beefier and easier to wield than the Ladybug. It has a 1.875″ blade made from VG-10 and FRN handles. Coming in at .65 ounces, the Manbug is a hard-working knife that you’ll barely feel in your pocket.

Gerber LST Ultralight

Gerber LST Ultralight

The Gerber LST Ultralight was one of our Badass Knives of the Week a while back. How does a sub-ounce knife get that distinction? It features a reliable lockback design and has history on its side. The original LST was brought to market more than 35 years ago by Pete Gerber himself.

The ultralight version has a 1.96-inch blade made from 420HC stainless steel and glass-filled nylon handles — one of the first knives to ever use it. The best part is that this inexpensive and .6-ounce knife is made in the United States.

Victorinox Classic SD

Victorinox Classic SD

When it comes to knives, it doesn’t get more iconic than the Victorinox Classic SD. This Swiss Army Knife model may be the best-selling knife ever with countless being sold around the world. The reason is simple: this tiny knife is lightweight, multifunctional, and all anyone can ask for in a small pocket knife.

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10 Ways to Store or Display Your Knife Collection

October 10, 2017 / / 13 Comments

If you’re a knife collector like me then you know the importance of knife storage. My knives are considered invaluable to me, and for most collectors, they hold a certain sentimental value, so it only makes sense to store them properly and preserve their beauty and longevity for generations to come.

Keeping them sharp, oiled, dry and out of the sun is key to ensuring they stay rust free and last forever, but how you store them can also be crucial. Throwing your knives in a drawer and letting them get beat up is a bad way to go.

Here are some different ways to store your extensive knife collection:

1. Knife Bag

The knife bag is a great option for folders, especially if you like carrying your knives from time to time. Brands like Zero Tolerance, Benchmade, and Case all have great storage bags for knives that come in an array of sizes.

Bags can be made from top grain leather, vinyl, canvas, and heavy-duty polyester with insides that include felt, thick foam padding, and soft cloth material for scratch-free storage. Most come with adjustable shoulder straps for easy carry and zippered or Velcro closures for safe keeping.

My Pick: The Spyderco SpyderPac large bag is a hard-to-beat proven seller. Made of black heavy duty polyester denier with large clear individual viewing pockets. This is a great solution for outdoorsmen who like to not only transport their folders but store and display them as well. Choose between the small or large version.

  • Small measures 16″x18″ holds 18 folders with a MSRP $39.95
  • Large measures 25″x8″ holds 32 folding knives MSRP of $49.95

2. Protector Cases

Protector cases — like those used for guns — are a surprisingly effective method for storing knives. Well, maybe not that surprising since they’re designed to hold guns and other gear, but the cases that feature egg crate material hold knives in place extremely well. On top of that, many of these cases lock, so you don’t have to worry about little ones with candied fingers getting in.

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Ontario Carter Prime – Badass Knife of the Week

October 9, 2017 / / 0 Comments

When the work day begins, it’s Carter Prime time.

This workhorse folder is a collaboration between Ontario Knife Company and knife designer Robert Carter. If you aren’t familiar with Carter, the man has tiny knives embedded in his DNA.

Carter is the grandson of Mel Pardue, best known for Benchmade designs like the Griptilian, and the son of Joe Pardue, of OKC Utilitac fame. But instead of just relying on the reputation of his ancestors, Carter has forged his own path using the knowledge he’s soaked up over the years.

Just look at Carter Prime.

Based on his Generalist custom design, the Carter Prime is an overbuilt flipper with a thick cut 3.37-inch blade made from D2 tool steel. D2 is a semi-stainless steel that’s often underrated because it’s not new or expensive, but it’s a tough steel that will get the job done.

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