The Cutting Edge

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.

Ontario RAT Model 1 – Badass Knife of the Week

August 8, 2016 / Tim / 0 Comments

At first glance, you might be turned off by the aesthetics of our latest Badass Knife of the Week. But looks can be deceiving.

The Ontario RAT Model 1 is a beater knife that’s universally acclaimed for its performance by pretty much everyone who uses it. Those who need a reliable budget folder to get the job done are always pointed to the RAT 1.

How did this simple folder garner such a powerful reputation?

It all starts with the 3.6-inch satin finished blade. The classic drop point blade profile won’t blow long-time knife users away, but it provides a versatility and functionality that’s essential in a good EDC.

Ontario Knife Company gets the most out of the AUS-8 stainless steel used for the blade. AUS-8 is tough, holds an edge like nobody’s business, and resists corrosion.

What is a Friction Folder and How Does It Work?

August 6, 2016 / Tim / 9 Comments

Image taken from Liquid Cobra’s excellent review of the Spyderco Friction Folder

We’re in the age of locking knives. Each major knife brand has at least one of its own proprietary locking mechanisms. There’s the Tri-Ad Lock, the Compression Lock, the AXIS Lock, the Arc Lock, the Reeve Integral Lock, and many more.

But it wasn’t always like that.

Not long ago, most knives were slipjoint knives. These folding knives use backsprings to keep a blade open or closed, even though it’s not technically locked. And before that, there were friction folders.

In fact, the first folding knives ever made were friction folders. Let’s find out what these actually are.

What is a Friction Folder?

A friction folder is a folding knife that doesn’t use a lock or springs. It uses the handle’s friction against the tang to stay open. Over the years, the design has adapted to feature an extended tang. This allows the user’s hand to keep the blade from folding shut.

As you can tell by the description, friction folders aren’t for hard use. They are excellent for light cutting, but put any pressure on the spine and your fingers will be toast.