The Cutting Edge

6 Reasons Why Some Knives Are Discontinued

September 6, 2016 / Tim / 7 Comments

discontinued knives

We’ve all experienced it. You had your favorite knife for years—say a Kershaw Groove. You used the hell out of it. You took it to your wedding. You carried it every day for the last 10 years. Maybe you even used it to cut your first born son’s umbilical cord.

Then it finally gives way and simply stops working.

But when you go to Knife Depot to buy another, you find out it’s no longer in production. You drop to your knees, raise your fists to the sky, and curse the gods for such cruelty.

Maybe it doesn’t happen quite like that, but discontinued knives are a sad reality for knife fans.

So why do some of our favorite knives get the boot? Several reasons abound, including some that may surprise you.

1) It no longer makes money.

We’ll start with the most obvious reason why a knife might be discontinued. It’s not a moneymaker. This is actually a lot more complicated than it sounds, so we’ll break it up into different facets.

The knife sold poorly from the start.

Companies tend to release a slew of knives each year. Some hit the mark and others miss it by a mile. There will usually be people who buy every knife, but that’s not always enough to sustain the continued production of a product line.

Discontinued Kershaw Tremor

The Kershaw Tremor is one of those knives that came and went in only a few years, most likely due to poor sales. Not long into its run, the price of the Tremor dropped significantly. It went away quietly.

The knife sees fewer and fewer new sales.

Extremely popular knives are also discontinued, thanks to the idea of a product’s life cycle. Say a new knife comes out that’s exceptionally popular—the Starbird. The Starbird has huge, record sales when it first comes out and it’s the talk of the town. Sales continue to rise and rise. Eventually, the number of sales will reach a peak. As everyone who wants the Starbird has already bought it (market saturation), sales will begin declining.

Boker Plus Automat Kalashnikov 74 – Badass Knife of the Week

September 5, 2016 / Tim / 2 Comments

The Automat Kalashnikov 74 holds a legendary status among knife enthusiasts.

It’s known as an inexpensive automatic knife you can buy elsewhere in the world. But if you want to experience the legend of the Boker Plus AK 74 without having to worry about automatic knife restrictions in your area, the latest Badass Knife of the Week is the knife for you.

The Boker Plus Automat Kalashnikov 74 is a manual version of the folder that works like a horse and takes down everything in its path.

Boasting a 3.25-inch blade, the knife is exceptionally versatile and functional. The blade is made from AUS 8 stainless steel, which is tough and corrosion resistant while holding an edge well. It has a spear point blade design with a false edge that makes penetrating more effective with this tool.

A quick look at the handle reveals the inspiration of this knife. The knife is not based off the AK-74 assault rifle; it’s actually based off the AK-74 bayonet fixed blade.

Are Kids Who Play with Knives More Self-Sufficient and Curious?

September 2, 2016 / Tim / 8 Comments

Burmese Boy Playing with a Knife | Photographed by Wagner T. Cassimiro via Flickr

Most kids these days are not self-reliant or self-starters.

This isn’t just some old man yelling about how the new generation is a bunch of pansies because they didn’t walk 10 miles to school in the snow either. (I’m not very old and no one walks anywhere where I live.) No, tangible evidence continues to come out about how kids are more dependent and feeble nowadays. For anecdotal evidence, find a 10-year-old and try to pry him away from his smartphone, tablet, or computer screen and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

Kids in many other societies (specifically preindustrial societies) are much more independent, interested in learning, and helpful around the house without being asked.

What’s the reason for such a huge discrepancy across cultures? The answer is complicated but part of the reason is that adults in other places allow their kids to play with knives.

In a recent article called “Playing With Knives: The Socialization of Self-Initiated Learners,” anthropologist David Lancy took a look at how children develop and learn across different cultures. He analyzed observations about parent and child interactions in more than 100 preindustrial societies.

Smith & Wesson M&P Tactical Knife – Badass Knife of the Week

August 29, 2016 / Tim / 0 Comments

When you need a knife that opens up lightning fast, won’t break the bank, and makes you feel ready for any conceivable disaster, it’s hard to beat a Smith & Wesson knife. Just take a look at the latest Badass Knife of the Week.

The Smith & Wesson SWMP1B Military & Police Knife is a tough folder that will perform so reliably it’ll be your new favorite everyday carry in no time.

It starts with the wicked sharp blade. The scooped back design and modified clip point create a unique profile that’s both functional and badass. A slight recurve on the edge offers more strength and versatility while an aggressive point at the tip allows you to make penetrating cuts with ease.

KA-BAR Jarosz Turok – Badass Knife of the Week

August 22, 2016 / Tim / 0 Comments

KA-BAR Turok

Jesse Jarosz has already made quite a name for himself in the knife community thanks to his fantastic designs and great craftsmanship. In his second production knife with KA-BAR, Jarosz proves that he knows a thing or two about making a badass knife.

The KA-BAR Jarosz Turok is a fixed blade you can bet your life on. Originally designed as a combat utility knife for a Marine, the Turok has evolved into a knife that can do pretty much any outdoor task you need.

The Turok features a 6.25-inch blade made from 1095 Cro-Van steel, which is a carbon steel that’s tough as nails and takes an edge like few others. Black coating on the blade provides some extra rust resistance.

Crowdfunding Project Promises Mini Folding Samurai Sword

August 18, 2016 / Tim / 0 Comments

Pocket Samurai

The Samurai sword is one of the most iconic weapons ever. The design, established back in the 14th century, has been used in combat up until World War II and hangs decorously on countless mantles across the world.

Now the folks over at StatGear adapted some of the design elements of Samurai swords (including the katana) and condensed them down into the Pocket Samurai.

This mini Samurai folding knife is part of a crowdfunding project through Indiegogo. Unsurprisingly, the campaign already shot passed its modest goal of $2,500. As of publication, it’s reached funding of more than $11,000.

Here’s a video from the Indiegogo page:

The pocket knife features a 2.13-inch 440C stainless steel blade with a Tanto-like profile. The Tanto point is actually curved somewhat to better imitate the style of the sword. Its handle is Grade 5 titanium in either black or gray. Some “x” patterns modeled after the styles of katana handles are machined into the sides, but it’s unclear whether it’ll be enough to offer a solid grip. 440C is a pretty standard stainless steel with some hardness and rust resistance.

KA-BAR Releases Two Versions of the New Jarosz Folder

August 16, 2016 / Tim / 0 Comments

ka-bar-jarosz-folder

Jesse Jarosz is a name you’re going to be hearing more and more often. The young knife maker is relatively new to the business (he made his first knife in 2009), but he’s already made his mark on the knife community. He won the “Best New Maker” award at the USN G4 in 2012 and has since earned a reputation as one of the best young makers on the scene.

Now, KA-BAR is releasing his first production folder simply known as the Jarosz Folder.

The Jarosz folder is getting two iterations: the Drop Point 7505 and the Tanto 7506. Both knives feature 3-inch blades made from AUS-8A stainless steel and glass-filled nylon handles.

ka-bar-jarosz-folder-drop-point

These knives are based on the Jarosz custom design Model M75 Tetrad. That custom, which uses AEB-L steel and contoured handles with 6AL4V Aircraft Titanium Liners, received rave reviews from anyone who got their hands on a model. One of the most effusive reviews comes from Everyday Commentary.

Condor TK Hudson Bay Camp Knife – Badass Knife of the Week

August 15, 2016 / Tim / 0 Comments

Condor Tool and Knife knows a thing or two about history. The company can be traced by to 1787 when the Gebruder Weyersberg Company was founded in Solingen, Germany. That’s why it’s no surprise our latest Badass Knife of the Week from Condor TK is so rooted in history.

Back in the 1800s, the area surrounding Hudson Bay was one of the toughest and most inhospitable places in America.

The cold climate and untamed wilderness taught some of the toughest men how to survive and thrive. From trappers and fur traders to hunters and loggers, these tough men typically used a Hudson Bay Camp Knife in their everyday lives.

About 200 years later, Condor Tool and Knife recaptures the same sense of ruggedness in its faithful recreation of the classic fixed blade. Needless to say, the Condor TK Hudson Bay Camp Knife is 13 inches of pure badassery.

Its 8.5-inch blade is exceptionally durable and made from 1075 carbon steel with an epoxy black powder coating. What helps the knife retain its traditional look is the forged finish and hardwood handle.

Gerber Introduces US-Assist Pocket Knife to Revamp Image

August 11, 2016 / Tim / 2 Comments

gerber-us-assist

Gerber is back, baby!

OK, so it may be too early to declare Gerber officially back from the dead, but the recently announced Gerber US-Assist S30V is yet another step in the right direction for the much-maligned brand.

The first thing touted by the US-Assist product page is the fact that it’s made in Portland, Oregon—the knife capital of the United States. Gerber is really trying to point out how some of its knives are made in the United States, especially after many people complained about the knives being made poorly overseas.

The US-Assist is a hodgepodge of quality knife features that have the potential to make an excellent knife. This assisted-opening knife features a 3-inch blade with dual-ramped thumbstuds. The knife uses something called B.O.S.S. Tech, which is a ball-bearing system that reduces friction and increases the knife’s longevity.

Knife-Equipped Bras See Sales Increase After Jogger’s Death

August 9, 2016 / Tim / 2 Comments

Karina Vetrano was brutally raped and murdered last week while jogging through a park in Queens.

The gruesome details of the case, as well as a recent spate of women being attacked while jogging, have led to women feeling vulnerable and unsafe when out on a run.

So what’s the solution? A knife-equipped bra.

BoobyTrapBras

A company cleverly called Booby Trap Bras invented a bra with a hidden sheath sewn into the lining to offer women a means of self-defense when all else fails.

This knife bra has been around for a few months now, but the Vetrano murder has sparked major interest in the product. According to the New York Post, sales of the bra are surging, particularly in New York.

Here is a look at how it works:

The origin of the Booby Trap Bra is actually pretty scary. Check out this excerpt from the creator of the bra:

I walked around thinking life was all rainbows and butterflies until I was jumped out at on a local running trail. I was in active wear and had no form of protection on me. The little pocket knives I had collected over the years were all at home in the drawer with my pepper spray. I needed something I could pull in less than a second.

We came up with the idea to sew a knife sheath inside my sports bra and used that home-made prototype to file a patent. From there, we received a whirl-wind of support from family, friends, retail stores and manufacturers…

The “Just in Case” bras come in two designs: one with a concealed knife sheath and another with a concealed pepper spray slot. If you want a bra with a gun, you’ll have to look at the non-athletic Flashbang Bra.