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Knife in a jar of mayo and other TSA screening stories

April 6, 2012 / Tim / 2 Comments

One of the most despised organizations in the United States is the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). It’s hard to find anyone who says anything good about the TSA because it’s inefficient, intrusive and many times ineffective. Nevertheless, I’m here to say that the TSA runs one of the most interesting blogs on the net.

If you haven’t had the chance to visit the site, I highly recommend it. It has some pretty helpful tips for traveling with hunting gear, latest news from the TSA and a “week in review” segment.

So, what does this have to do with knives?

Well, in nearly every weekly review, the TSA reveals some inventive or clever way people try to smuggle knives, guns, drugs, fire crackers, stun grenades and much more through security.

For example, this week the media seized on one case where a man tried to smuggle a knife on board by hiding it in a full jar of mayonnaise. Of course, the jar of mayonnaise was also a restricted item, so both objects were confiscated.

Hiding knives (and other confiscated items) in other items is nothing new if you’re a reader of the TSA blog. For the week ending on March 30, the TSA found a pocket knife in a deodorant cap, a knife inside a tissue box (yeah, like tissue would hide it from X-ray machines) and a gun inside a gutted book. In previous weeks, a knife was found inside a laptop and many many more were in people’s carry-on luggage.

Washington state enacts new pro-knife legislation

April 3, 2012 / Tim / 0 Comments

Washington state signed into law last week pro-knife legislation that clarifies the definition of switchblades and allows certain government employees to carry spring blade knives.

HB 2347, touted as a job creator among other things, allows spring blade knives to be made in the state and used by law enforcement, military personnel and fire and rescue workers.

According to a House Republicans of Washington state press release, it was a gross misdemeanor to manufacture, sell or have a spring blade knife in the state before this new legislation. Sometimes the army issues spring blade knives and that meant active military personnel were subject to violation of the state law. This new law changes all of that.

Here’s a quote about the effectiveness of the bill from one of the bill’s supporters Bruce Dammeier:

“This bill is good for two reasons. First, it will provide our ‘save-and-serve’ personnel with a better tool as they protect our communities. Secondly, it will allow a local manufacturer to expand its operations and not be forced to relocate to another state,” said Dammeier, R-Puyallup. “This is an example of how a small bill can make a big difference when it comes to job creation in our communities – at no cost to taxpayers.”

By allowing companies to manufacture spring blade knives, officials are hoping it prevents companies from moving to more lenient states and enables current knife manufacturers to hire more people to work making spring blade knives.

How to make a spear from a survival knife and channel your inner Fred Flintstone

March 27, 2012 / Tim / 2 Comments

We’ve all been there before: lost in the deep recesses of the woods, with nothing more than a trusty survival knife and an insatiable desire to build a badass spear. Whether you’re looking to pick up a new survival skill or simply channel your inner Fred Flintstone and impress some friends, spears are not only handy, they’re also downright cool.

Here’s the blow-by-blow on how you can build a spear from a survival knife. Check out our tips and let us know what you think.

Find a good stick

First, you’ll need to look for a sapling or a stick that’s approximately five feet long. It’s crucial that your stick is strong, so spend a few moments slashing and waving it around to ensure it’s comfortable and durable. If you think you found a winner, then chose the flatter side of the stick for the back and the other for the point.

Cut and Shave

Now that you’ve got your wood, hold it downwards at a 45° angle and place your knife approximately 4 inches from the back of the stick. Proceed to shave the stick down at a 45° angle and rotate the stick in your hand so that all edges are sharp and even. Continue this process until the stick forms a sharp point.

Harden in Fire

Now, you want to place your spear point over the hot coals of fire, rotating it for a few minutes. This will dry out the wood, making your spear sharper.

Create the Shelf

Find another sapling between 3 and 5 feet. You will need to cut off the ends to ensure that the stick is flat. Press your knife on the stick with the whole blade point over the edge and make a mark on on the stick where the blade handle ends with your knife.

Add the Knife

Split the stick in half lengthwise down to the point you made at the end of the knife handle. From here, use a knife to cut off half of the stick to create the shelf. Now, lay the knife in the shelf, with the handle on top and the blade sticking out the end of the stick. Lastly, lash the knife with rope, cord, twine or any other material available and unleash your most primal scream.

Check out the video below for a cool visual tutorial? Got a better version? Let us know in the comment section below.

New Cold Steel Products of 2012

March 23, 2012 / Tim / 1 Comment

One of the greatest things about each new year is the release of brand new knives. While most products are announced earlier, some of them don’t start shipping until later. Cold Steel’s new knives for 2012 are finally shipping, so here’s your chance to take a look at a few of the latest products.

The Secret Edge

The Secret Edge is an amazingly sharp and well-designed neck knife. It’s light, thin and unobtrusive, so it won’t be burdensome when you’re carrying it for a long time.

Micro Recon 1

The two knives in the Recon 1 series may be small, but they have a big bite. These little knives easily hook onto your keys and come in either a tanto style or spear point blade.

Medieval Buckler

How to Channel Your Inner Ninja

March 22, 2012 / Tim / 0 Comments

A ninja is the ultimate fighter. He is stealthier than a tiger hunting his prey. He can camouflage as though he is invisible. Most importantly, he can finish off his enemy with one fell swoop from his blade of choice.

If you’re reading this, it’s unlikely you’re much of a ninja, but more likely you’re a big-time knife fan sitting on the couch. No worries. Here are a few ways you can channel your inner ninja.

Throwing Star
When the Samurai sword fails, a ninja has his handy throwing stars to rely upon. Ninjas don’t use these as primary weapons. They are meant to distract the enemy, while a more dangerous weapon is used for fighting. These little guys aren’t just shaped like stars, and they are always concealed. So be careful – you may not know when you’ve encountered a throwing star until a sword is coming close behind!

Of course, you can use throwing stars for recreation, as tossing them into targets makes a great hobby.

Throwing Knife

Throwing knives are the less common version of a throwing star. Even though they have just two blades, instead of four, throwing knives are a badass way to get into top-flight ninja shape. Buy a set of throwing stars and blow away onlookers at your next BBQ

Sword
The sword is the most important weapon a ninja can carry. The typical ninja sword used in movies and depicted in books is short and heavy – more of a blade than a sword. It is perfect for ninja combat. Historically, there is actually no proof that this standard ninja sword existed. However, experts agree that it would look like this because ninjas would have carried an easier-to-wield version of the standard samurai sword and this modern image fits that need.

Check out the new Gerber multi-tools of 2012

March 17, 2012 / Tim / 1 Comment

The pliers multi-tool is a staple of the well-prepared handyman who is able to pull out the right tool for any job at any time. While Leatherman truly pioneered that style of knife, other companies have made some notable designs of their own, particularly Gerber. Gerber has its own line of well-respected multi-purpose tools. Here’s a look at some of the new Gerber multi-tools of 2012.

Crucial Black Multi-Tool

This multi-tool is one of the best-looking tools released by Gerber with its slick black design and ergonomic shapes. The stainless steel tool comes with two types of screwdrivers, a wire cutter, a strap cutter and a blade. Although not packed with all the tools multi-purpose knives have become known for, it cuts down on weight for easy carry. It costs $50.

Steady Tool

One of the great things about knives is that they’re always being improved and adapted with technology. The Steady Tool is one of the most innovative designs in a while because it functions as both a multi-purpose tool and a tripod for your camera. That means you’ll be able to film yourself in the wild Man vs. Wild-style with this tool. Aside from the tripod, it has needlenose pliers, various types of blades and screwdrivers and a bottle opener. The Steady Tool costs $64.

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The Sypderco portable hand, the knife that gave Sypderco their start

March 12, 2012 / Tim / 0 Comments

Today, Spyderco knives are known across the world for their unique shapes and stellar performance, but have you ever wondered about the early days of this famous knife company?

Spyderco was founded by Sal Glesser in 1976, but Glesser’s first product wasn’t actually a knife, but a spider-shaped device called “The Portable Hand,” which was the inspiration for the company’s name.

Of course, despite being freakishly cool to look at, it wasn’t exactly a bestselling product, so Glesser moved on to producing knife sharpeners and eventually folding knives.

In 1981, he constructed his first folding knife, the CO1 worker, which was the first knife to feature a round hole in the blade that helped it achieve lightning-quick opening.

According to Spyderco, it was also the first’s knife to feature a pocket clip on the handle.

In those days, Glesser and his wife Gail would travel from knife show to knife show in a converted old bread delivery truck. Thirty years later, they’re the founders of one of the world’s most premiere knife companies.

Stranded windsurfer defeats pack of hungry sharks with knife

March 9, 2012 / Tim / 1 Comment

Earlier this week, we wrote about reasons why you should carry a dive knife whenever you’re at sea. Now, one Polish surfer gives yet another compelling reason to carry a sturdy knife: to stave off hungry sharks if you’re stranded in the water.

According to ABC News, 42-year-old Jan Lisewski from Poland was attempting to windsurf across the Red Sea from Egypt to Saudi Arabia. About two-thirds of the way through the journey, the winds died down and he became stranded in the shark-infested waters.

As night fell, the water became rough and he was forced to rely on an energy drink and two energy bars for sustenance. The worst part of the experience was when sharks up to 18-feet started to circle the stuck Lisewski. Fortunately, he was carrying a trusty knife.

Here’s what he said he did:

“I was stabbing them in the eyes, the nose and gills,” Lisewski told Polish state news agency PAP.

The image of this man fending off hungry sharks at night with a diving knife while eating energy bars is too awesome to disregard. Sure, some may call him crazy for trying to windsurf the Red Sea in the first place, but this man is badass.

Kenetics Diving Knife

Six Things You Absolutely Need To Know About Dive Knives

March 6, 2012 / Tim / 1 Comment

Kenetics Diving Knife

Dive knives are a necessary accessory for scuba divers, but unfortunately many novice divers don’t carry them. If you’re interested in learning more about these handy diving tools, check out these six things that you need to know about dive knives.

(1) Why You Need a Dive Knife

Every year thousands of divers get caught in monofilament line, which can be extraordinarily difficult to get untangled from when you’re a hundred feet underwater. Don’t believe me, check out this great article from scuba.com about what to do if you get snagged. Additionally, thick strands of kelp can also get caught on diving gear. Lastly, though rare, you never know when you may encounter a shark while underwater.

(2) Start with a small dive knife

Just because James Bond used a huge knife in his underwater fights, doesn’t mean you need one. Dive knives can range in size from 2 inches to 6 inches, but if you are beginning diver who hasn’t used a knife underwater before, starting with the smaller knife is always preferable. Larger knives can be more awkward and difficult to handle underwater, increasing the chance of injury. It’s recommended that you start with a blade under 4 inches, if you’re purchasing your first dive knife.

(3) Choose a dive knife with a serrated edge

While dive knives are available in both serrated and non-serrated models, a serrated knife is usually preferable. Serrated blads are better at slicing through monofilament line, rope, cord or other soft materials your dive knife may get snagged in.

(4) Avoid dive knives with sharp tips

Sure, it might come in handy for the one time in a million when you have to gore a bloodthirsty Great White, but in general a spear- tip dive knife is less functional and more dangerous then a blunt-tip dive knife. Blunt knives are also usually more optimal for prying and wedging, both necessary functions when underwater.

Check out the new 2012 Wenger Blackout Series

March 3, 2012 / Tim / 3 Comments

Wenger has been a company well-known for being one of the two companies that make the Swiss Army knife (the other being Victorinox, of course). They’ve since expanded their repertoire to include things such as backpacks and shoes.

However, Wenger is continuing their long-held tradition of brilliantly made knives with the recent editions to their collection: the Blackout Series. Wenger first announced these three new knives back in January and they are definitely something to marvel at.

Here’s a little more about them.

Blackout EvoGrip™ 10 Swiss Army Knife