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Talking Spyderco with avid knife collector Wouter (part 1)

October 28, 2011 / Tim / 2 Comments

Here at the Cutting Edge, we like to get perspectives on different brands of knives, so for Spyderco, we decided to talk to Wouter, a communications worker in the Netherlands, who runs the great site Spydercollector. At the site, he gives reviews, posts pictures of prototypes and talks all things Spyderco, so check it out.

If you’re not familiar with Spyderco, it’s a knife brand founded in 1978 and based in Colorado. Spyderco knives are known for their simplicity and reliability. Here’s the first part of our interview with Wouter.

Spyderco Kopa Series

What made you interested in collecting Spyderco knives?

The interwebs. Over ten years ago I had a few high-priced and extremely well-made knives, like the Chris Reeve Sebenza and the Microtech SOCOM. Up until then, my experience was that more expensive knives meant you got better knives. The Spyderco forum on BladeForums.com was pretty popular at the time and these guys just wouldn’t stop raving about the then newly revamped Military folder and the Moran fixed blade. I basically figured let’s see what the fuss is all about. I was blown away.

The Spyderco knives cut just as well, if not better, than my expensive Sebenza and SOCOM. Furthermore, the ergonomics of the Spyderco knives were way better, and for the same amount of money I could get more knives. Moreover, the Spyderco tri-angle sharpmaker taught me how to properly sharpen knives – I started using the knives much harder.

What do you like most about Spyderco?

The knives have a unique look but they were actually designed in the dark. Every design begins with a specific task or use in mind. Everything else is designed to reach that goal: blade shape and grind, ergonomics, locking system, opening action, construction etc… They end up with a pretty unusual looking knife, but they work really well. I think the Kopa series was Sal’s first and only attempt to deliberately make a ‘pretty knife’. Furthermore, the wide range of models Spyderco makes, means I can carry and use a knife for any occasion; whether it’s in a suit at the office or in the woods.

How big is your collection?

They come and they go. I never counted them, but let’s just say I can rotate my EDC (everyday carry) often.

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Always Use Knife Safety When Carving a Pumpkin

October 25, 2011 / Tim / 0 Comments

There are few things more symbolic of fall than bright orange pumpkins sitting on doorsteps and the toothy grins they begin to wear around Halloween. Carving those jack-o-lanterns is a fun part of Halloween and an activity greatly enjoyed by the kids.

Without knife safety, pumpkin carving can turn into a nightmare. Research shows that Halloween is a top holiday for ER visits – and it’s all due to hand and finger injuries.

The outside of the pumpkin is uneven, hard and slippery. This is a horrible combination for making smooth, safe cuts. Additionally, when you start pulling the pulp out of the pumpkin, your hands, the knife and the outside of the pumpkin can become slimy.

When said like this, it almost seems safer to avoid pumpkin carving altogether. But, of course, there’s a safe way to go about it. The first step is to use the right knives.

A serrated knife works best for cutting through the hard pumpkin skin and soft flesh. Many injuries come when the knife unexpectedly breaks through the skin and slices your hand on the opposite side. For this reason, choose a small blade, like a serrated steak knife. Also, avoid holding your other hand directly opposite of where the blade could come through.

Like in any other situation involving knives, you want to have complete control of the blade. When you’re carving, this means you need to keep the pumpkin clean and dry. Scoop seeds and pulp into a bag to keep it away from the pumpkin. When you finish removing the pulp, wash and dry your hands and the knife; slimy hands or a wet knife handle can lead to an accidental slip of the blade.

Most Halloween hand injuries occur in children between the ages of 10 to 14. For this reason, doctors recommend that children don’t do the actual carving. While this may be disappointing to the kids, you can still keep them involved in the activity. Let your child pick out the pumpkin, draw the entire design and help clean out the inside of the pumpkin. They’ll get to participate in everything except the actual handling of the knife, and you’ll have the reassurance that only a responsible, knowledgeable adult has the blade.

Weird Knives: Largest functional kitchen knife ever

October 24, 2011 / Tim / 1 Comment

In this age of excess, you sometimes see accessories trying to keep up with the growing size of food. For example, you see extra long hotdog buns or reinforced ice cream cones to support numerous scoops. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on who you’re talking to), knives have fallen victim to this same excess.

According to a recent article on FOX news, there is a massive kitchen knife with a five-foot blade and one-foot handle. That comes to an overall length of a whopping six feet long. So, what’s the reason for this massive knife? To cut 700-pound bluefin tuna properly without letting anything go to waste.

When I first read the article, I just assumed the long knife was some sort of sword or Japanese Tanto knife, but it really is just a long kitchen knife. The knife is called a maguro bōchō knife, which usually come in much smaller sizes, can cut a whole giant bluefin.

Talking hunting knives with huntress Lisa Jane

October 22, 2011 / Tim / 1 Comment

There’s something primal, skillful and undeniably enjoyable about hunting. Weapons are integral elements of a hunter’s repertoire, so to get a perspective on hunting knives, the Cutting Edge spoke with Lisa Jane, better known as the Writing Huntress. Lisa loves hunting, has a writing degree from Niagara University and runs a fantastic blog about her hunting experiences called Hunt Like You’re Hungry, which I highly recommend you check out.

Here’s part of our interview with Lisa.

What do you love about hunting?

I adore the way an opaque stretch of woods magically turns into a different world after sunrise. I love the adrenaline rush that accompanies the sudden appearance of a strutting tom, an elusive deer or highflying duck. I esteem the sense of camaraderie of hunters, the way a community can be formed and held fast simply because the members live to hunt. Most of all, I love hunting because the feeling of providing food to my dinner table is unsurpassed.

What do you hunt?

I hunt anything I can legally kill in legal North Carolinian seasons. Currently, we’re in archery season for deer, which has been unfruitful thus far. I kill deer, duck, goose, and soon to be bear! I’ll try anything twice so let me know what else I should be hunting!

How important is it to have a knife while you’re on the hunt?

Knives are as important as guns or bows during a hunt for many reasons, but the main reason is field dressing. Without a proper knife, especially in North Carolina early seasons, meat can spoil and innards may rupture. Besides field dressing, knives are used constantly, whether they’re needed cutting camo netting for a blind, hewing small branches for a shot lane or for emergencies.

What are the traits of a good hunting knife?

The key characteristic of a good hunting knife is durability. The knife needs to be able to last many seasons, without falling apart in a deer’s belly or getting lodged in a tree. Also, a great blade that can last many sharpenings without losing its razor-esque qualities is absolutely necessary. Personally, I would love a knife that cannot be lost. For some odd reason, I have lost both knives that I had owned previously and adored. If a company can create an ever-lasting, misplace-resistant knife, do let me know!

What advice would you give someone who’s thinking about buying a hunting knife?

I would advise the person to evaluate what kind of game he or she is buying the knife for. If you’re stalking large game, a small knife intended for rodent dressing will not be practical. Also, knowing what type of game will determine the style of knife. Will you want to cut cleanly through the hide or roughly get through layers of muscle and tissue? Do you need a hooked knife for waterfowl dressing? Personally, I am a big supporter of camo knives and those with non-slip handles. While the latter may be extremely practical, the first may be the primary reason why I can never find my knives once they’re lost.

What do you think is the best hunting knives?

Mike, my partner in crime, carries a Kershaw Ken Onion Leek, which he states is the “best knife I’ve ever owned.” I have used it for field dressing and I can’t disagree. The knife works extremely well for its size, consistently keeps a sharp edge and the assisted opening is extraordinarily advantageous when one needs a blade in a pinch.

There is also a knife that sits atop my bookcase. It never sees action anymore, but I’m sure it skinned its fair share of animals when my granddad wielded it. The box smells old and the pamphlets within tell a hunting tale that speaks to an era far surpassed. The knife, for all the years it has seen, still functions wonderfully. Maybe that is what should be searched for, a knife that exhibits all of the long-lasting, hardworking technologies of yore.

To read more about Lisa Jane’s (The Writing Huntress) hunting adventures, go to her site Hunt Like You’re Hungry.

Rambo knife contest winners announced!

October 21, 2011 / Tim / 1 Comment

Our Rambo knife contest was only scheduled to go on for a week, but at some point I got locked in my room with nothing but a 10-pack of bandannas and four walls of Sly Stallone posters and lost track of time.

Nevertheless, the moment has come to announce the winners. As you may remember, entrants were initially required to submit a photo of themselves dressed as Rambo to win, but due to a lack of macho submissions, we changed the contest to advising Rambo on how to get out of the following situation.

Rambo is hanging from his feet while being lashed with a razor-sharp switch by a chain-smoking soldier. In addition to disposing of the soldier who is torturing him, Rambo must paddle across a moat full of crocodiles, scale a 16-foot electric fence, kill ten guards, release POWs, perform minor surgery upon the wounded, subdue a wild boar and flag down a helicopter for his escape.

In his possession is his trusty survival knife, a scorpion pocket knife with real scorpions encased in the blade, a lighter, some rope, bubble gum, an 8-ounce Budweiser can, a pair of brass knuckles, a Taser, a Glock, a dart gun and a grenade. If he can only bring three of these items with him, which ones should he bring and how should he use them to finish his mission.

Yes, it was the sort of situation only a man like John Rambo could escape from. We had a number of worthy submissions and props to everyone who gave it a shot. Without further delay, the winners are as follows:

In second place, picking up a tricked-out pocket knife with real scorpions encased in the blade, in exchange for his fierce survival advice is Dartus Hopper, who advised Rambo to:

Pour gun powder on the POW’s wound and use the flint and steel in his SURVIVAL KNIFE to ignite the powder in order to cauterize the wound. Then, use the glock to kill the boar for food along the way to the landing zone, where he again uses his knife’s flint-n-steel to start a pig fat smoke fire/signal for the chopper. When the helicopter lands, they all jump in and enjoy some great wild boar ribs durning the ride home!!

In first place, winning the world’s most badass 9.5-inch signature-edition Rambo survival knife is Matthew Rygus, whose 1,112 word manifesto was unmatched in its ingenuity, style, and creative use of wanton bloodshed. Here’s a highlight

He paddles across the moat, just as he approaches the other side, he takes another sip of beer. Right as he’s drinking the king of beers, another crocodiles jumps out at him. He delivers a deadly uppercut on the croc’s jaw and sends it flying back into the water. He finishes his sip and smiles because he know he didn’t spill a single drop.

Thanks to everyone who entered and check back soon for more great contests from The Cutting Edge!

5 Undeniable traits of an ultimate knife warrior

October 18, 2011 / Tim / 1 Comment

This post is part of our Rambo Giveaway, scroll down to the end of the article or click here for details on how to win a signature-edition Rambo knife.

If you’re like me, you’ve undoubtedly wondered just what makes the quintessential knife warrior. That’s why we’ve taken the liberty of unscientifically analyzing all the great knife warriors throughout cinema history. In each of these knife-wielding heroes and villains, we managed to find five undeniable traits that helped them become great knife fighters. So, here are the five characteristics that make the ultimate knife warrior through the lens of cinema.

1. Insanity (ex. Die Hard With a Vengeance)

Let’s face it. It’s impossible to name a knife warrior from the movies who is completely sane and even-keeled. Everyone who wields a knife seems to have a few screws loose, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. To be an expert with a knife and fearlessly wield it, you can’t have the capacity to think too hard about its ramifications. The perfect example of insanity with a knife is Sam Phillips in Die Hard With a Vengeance. She mercilessly does ballet while slicing people in her path to death. Pretty crazy.

2. Experience in the art of battle (ex. Rambo)

It’s not usually good enough to merely be skilled at knife fighting, but a true knife warrior needs to have seen some prior action, particularly in war. Veterans not getting the respect or medical attention they deserve is a common theme in many movies and is seen most clearly in the first Rambo. John Rambo is a Vietnam vet who is pushed too far by a small town cop. It’s his time experience seeing too much war that pushed him over the edge. Here’s a little tease of Rambo’s knife.

3. Being badass (ex. Rebel Without a Cause)

Help Rambo escape a sketchy situation and win a signature-edition Rambo knife!

October 12, 2011 / Tim / 8 Comments

Rambo, as many of you are already aware, never fails at anything, especially when it involves combat. Throughout the First Blood series, Sly Stallone’s character, John Rambo, shoots, stabs, punches, kicks, head-butts, incinerates and terrorizes his foes, always with his trusty survival knife in tow.

How many bad guys does Sly slay? Only God knows, but as pointed out in our earlier post on The evolution of the Rambo knife, he wipes out a total of 236 evildoers in the fourth and final installment of Rambo.

Last week, we announced a Rambo-look alike contest to win a signature edition Rambo knife with second place pulling in a sweet-looking scorpion knife. Participation has been, frankly, a bit lame, with only a few worthy Rambos entering.

We figure maybe many of our fans don’t have their Rambo gear handy, so we’re offering another way to win.

Give Rambo a Hand, Win His Survival Knife

Rambo is always getting in sketchy situations, that’s just kind of the way he rolls, but he’s always getting out of them as well, due to his huge selection of badass weapons. Tell us how Rambo should dominate the following scenario by writing in the comment section below and you could win either a signature edition Rambo knife or a scorpion pocket blade (pictured on left).

How to fight effectively with a tactical knife

October 10, 2011 / Tim / 0 Comments

The post is part of our Rambo Knife promotion, in which we’re giving away a limited edition Rambo knife and more. Check out our kick off post for details.

Knife fighting is a primal, dangerous and beneficial skill to have. Not only does it help you connect with your tactical knife in new ways, but it also gives you some respect. In this post, we’ll be looking at some of the very basics of tactical knife fighting. With our usual warning, we urge you to be safe and don’t try any of this around another person. So, if you’re interested in fighting effectively with a tactical knife, here are some of the basic elements.

1. Get to know your knife

The first step before you do anything should be to become familiar with your knife. Learn its weight, shape and texture before engaging in any training. By knowing your knife’s quirks and intricacies, it will never surprise you in a real fighting situation.

2. Learn the grips

How you hold your knife is probably the most important thing to know when learning knife fighting because without a firm grip, you could drop the knife and find yourself in deep trouble. Unfortunately, there is no one universal way you’re supposed to hold your knife, so that’s why it’s important to get to know your knife. Some knives feel more natural in certain grip positions.

The grips can be separated into three broad categories: forward grip, reverse grip and unusual knife grips. Within each of these categories are a number of variations, including the hammer, saber and Filipino grips. According to a booklet on U.S. Marine Corps knife fighting tactics, the hammer grip is preferred over all others because it enables a variety of tactics. For a detailed description of each grip, check out Jay Fisher’s site.

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The Evolution of the Iconic, Badass Rambo Knife

October 7, 2011 / Tim / 4 Comments

This post is part of of our Rambo look-alike promotion. Learn how you can win a limited-edition Rambo signature survival knife, here.

While Sylvester Stallone has access to a seemingly endless supply of high-power gunnery in the Rambo series, it is his knives that have become icons. Each of the four movies has its own blade, which Rambo keeps for the entirety of the film. But at the blades don’t make the jump from one movie to the next. The Rambo knife undergoes a dramatic evolution throughout the series, growing from a relatively small survival knife to a machete.

First Blood

In First Blood, we meet John Rambo, a mentally unstable Vietnam vet trying to pass through Sheriff Will Teasle’s small town. With his stone-cold demeanor and no-nonsense blank stares, it probably should’ve been easy for viewers to deduce that a bizarre arrest for vagrancy would end with Rambo waging a one-man war on a Teasle and his town. With the best survival skills in the country and a badass blade as a sidekick, Rambo single-handedly beats the cops and the National Guard, until Colonel Sam Trautman, the man who trained him, convinces him to turn himself in.

Jimmy Lile designed the knife that showed the world what a badass knife was meant to be. Lile wanted it to contain everything a person would need to survive in the wilderness, and so he came up with what is truly a survival knife. The 9” long steel blade was sharp enough to cleanly cut through paper, so it obviously had no problem dealing with anything else Rambo needed to see sliced. In case he needed to chop down a tree rather than threaten Sheriff Teasle’s life, the knife’s spine had 14 saw teeth. The cross guard featured both a Philips and slotted screwdriver. In the rare situation that Rambo got hurt, all he needed to do was open the airtight handle and get out his first aid kit. The pommel also featured a compass so Rambo could navigate through the wilderness around Teasle’s town.

First Blood Part II

In First Blood Part II, Rambo has been sentenced to a labor prison camp because of the events of the first movie. Colonel Trautman visits him in camp and offers him release and full clemency. The catch? Rambo must return to Vietnam and search for American POWs. He is told to only take pictures of the POWs, but, of course, Rambo tries to rescue them. Marshal Murdock, the corrupt bureaucrat in charge of the mission, abandons him in Vietnam, and the North Vietnamese capture Rambo. Rambo escapes and then returns to rescue all the remaining POWs. Once he succeeds, Rambo leads them towards the American camp in Thailand, where he threatens Murdock with his knife and tells him to rescue other POWs from Vietnam.

The First Blood Part II knife was nearly identical to the original Rambo knife. The difference, of course, was the size. To raise Rambo’s badass aura, the knife grew to 15” in overall length, with the blade measuring in at 10”.

Rambo III

In Rambo III we learn that Rambo stayed in Thailand after his last mission and became a Buddhist. Colonel Trautman asks Rambo to join him on a mission to deliver weapons to the Mujahedeen rebels of Aghanistan who are battling the Soviets in the Soviet-Afghan War. Dedicated to his new peaceful faith, Rambo refuses to help. Trautman goes without his trainee and is captured and imprisoned by Soviets. Not one to see his friends in danger, Rambo sets out to save the Colonel. He does, of course, save Trautman and other prisoners. Together with the rebels, the American duo defeats the Soviets and kills the evil Soviet commander.