The Cutting Edge

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.

How Portland Became the Knife Capital of the US

August 3, 2016 / Tim / 17 Comments

These days Portland is best known for old-timey beards, hipsters, microbreweries, and veganism. But, if you look past the alternative culture oozing out of the city, you’ll find out that Portland is the undisputed knife capital of the United States.

That’s not surprising considering some of the most important knife innovations and designs have come out of the Portland metropolitan area over the past 75 years or so.

How did Oregon’s largest city take a seat among the greatest knife cities of the world—alongside Solingen, Germany; Seki City, Japan; and Sheffield, England?

Read on.

Portland’s Start in the Knife Business

Pretty much all of Portland’s importance in the knife community can be traced back to one name: Gerber.

It started back in 1910 when the Gerber family set up an advertising business in Portland—a business that still runs today. Joseph Gerber, founder of the Gerber advertising agency, was looking to send gifts to his clients during the holiday season. So he obtained carving knives from a local knife maker named David Murphy.

According to a great article in the Portland Business Journal discussing the city’s place in the knife industry, the knives were a hit. Because the knives were so popular, Gerber arranged for Murphy to produce the knives on a larger scale.

Then, in 1939, he established Gerber Legendary Blades and made his first sale to Abercrombie & Fitch.

By 1939, Gerber wasn’t the only knife company to call Portland its home. Coast had been established earlier in 1919. The company, which still makes knives and flashlights, was founded by Henry Brands near the banks of the Willamette River in Portland. An excellent early history of Coast can be found on its website.

Portland_and_Mt_Hood

While Coast remains an important name in the history of Portland knives, much of the city’s stake today can be attributed to Gerber. Thanks to his marketing prowess, Joseph Gerber turned those holiday gifts into thousands of retail accounts around the country. Then, when his son Pete Gerber took over the company from 1951 to 1987, the company only grew bigger.

Benchmade 530 Pardue – Badass Knife of the Week

August 1, 2016 / Tim / 2 Comments

Mel Pardue takes a less is more approach to knives that make them stand apart. The famed knife maker is probably best known for his revolutionary Griptilian knives from Benchmade. But, as our latest Badass Knife of the Week suggests, Pardue is no one-hit wonder.

The Benchmade 530 Pardue is a lightweight everyday carry knife that gets lost in your pocket until you’re ready for it to spring into action.

Here’s a short overview from TheApostleP:

To say it’s easy to carry is an understatement. The knife only weighs 1.88 ounces and is Benchmade’s lightest knife and one of their slimmest. That’s amazing considering the knife has an overall length of 7.42 inches.

Easy Knife Mods Anyone Can Do

July 26, 2016 / Tim / 3 Comments

Image from Abomb520

We’re in the age of mods (or modifications for you older folk). Whether we’re talking about modding video games to defy gravity or modding cars with chrome, people want to put a stamp on what they own.

This sentiment also extends to knives.

If you’re interested in adding a personal touch to your knife via some easy modification, we’re here to help.

These five knife modifications are projects most people can do. Just be aware that things can go wrong and these mods may void your warranties. But in the end, you’ll have a knife that’s not only unique but reflects you in a personal way.

Zip Tie “Emerson Wave” Knife Mod

Ernest Emerson is one of the most influential knife makers ever. Known for helping popularize tactical folders, Emerson has made some darn good knives. One of his many innovations is known as the Emerson Wave Feature. This is a little protrusion at the base of the spine that facilitates a fast and seamless opening of the blade when it’s pulled from the pocket. Check it out on the Kershaw Emerson CQC-6K or the Endura 4 with Emerson Wave.