KnifeCenter
| Bushcraft, Hunting, & Survival, Industry News / New Products, Production Knives
ESEE Knives just got better, thanks to new 3D machined and contoured handle scales rolling out across their entire line of classic fixed blades. Whether it’s the jungles of the Peruvian Amazon, or the remote forests of the American South, ESEE knives are field-tested in some of the most demanding environments on earth. Founders Jeff Randall and Mike Perrin stand behind their knives because they’ve already pushed them to their limits.
ESEE has always had an “if it ain’t broke” mentality when if comes to knife design, and it’s served them well – today they are one of the most trusted survival knife brands in the world. Which is why these ergonomic upgrades come as such a surprise! We just received our first batch of the new knives, so let’s dive in for an in-depth comparison between the existing models and their new counterparts.
For some odd reason, ESEE doesn’t meet with Media at SHOT Show. They are an outlier in this regard, so this is the first I am learning of these.
Knife Magazine
| Industry News / New Products, Production Knives
Buck Knives- www.buckknives.com or 800-326-2825
Buck’s new-product emphasis this year is on tactical knives. The new 891/893 GCK (Ground Combat Knife) comes in spear or tanto point, black G10 or canvas Micarta, with a Cerakoted 5-1/2” blade of tough 5160 high carbon steel (MSRP $130). The wicked-looking 808 Talon (MSRP $220) employs the same materials in the form of a 10” saw-backed, sheepfoot-pointed blade with curved edge. Small machete meets the old 184 Buckmaster? Hawkbill from Hades? We’re not sure, but it’s certainly different.
As always, we found more things we liked in Buck’s Legacy series of limited-production items. The David Yellowhorse 192 Eagle Feather Vanguard ($725) is a real beauty set off with lots of Bloody Jasper, the 907 Expert Hunter ($500) invokes thoughts of 1960s custom knifemakers like Ralph Bone and Harvey Draper, and the 842 Copper Sprint ($350) takes a popular model and dresses it in copper, in keeping with current trends. Finally, a carbon fiber handled version of the Slim 110 ($205) looks like a winner. Produced in a limited run of 500 knives, from here it seems like it’d slide nicely into Buck’s regular lineup.
We are highlighting each company from our 2020 SHOT Show Review article in standalone posts here on the Newsfeed. For the complete article, click here.
Are you wondering “what is the best knife brand?” Well, I used to wonder that too. Basically, if you are new to knife shopping, all these choices, manufacturers, models, and variations make buying a knife a big deal. Like, should you go with carbon steel or stainless steel? How do you know that this $100 knife is better than this similar-looking $40 knife–they both look and cut just as well in the store…
…Some considerations are: will you use it for camping? will you be hiking with it? will you have it on your waste or in a bag or in a car? or will you use it as an EDC?
If you don’t know what you want to do with a knife, go and figure that out first. Then, go and read our articles on that type of knife. We review only the best, top-selling knives on this site. Well, in most cases that’s true, but we also feature some lousy options (and we tell you so) so you can steer clear of them!
But, here are some general guidelines about knives if you are completely new to knife buying…
This is really basic stuff for the majority of Knife Magazine readers, but it is well organized and helpful for the noobs.
KnifeNews
| Bushcraft, Hunting, & Survival, Industry News / New Products, Production Knives
New knife outfit Bone Daddy Blade WerX is making their debut with a small batch production run of the Axxis, a knife that blends outdoors multi-functionality with portability.
On its base conceptual level, the Axxis attempts to fill two key roles in an outdoorsperson’s arsenal: an axe and a sturdy fixed blade. It takes the hand axe-style tools of the stone age and gives them a thoroughly modern revision oriented around saving weight and space. “Cutting pack weight is easy enough when considering a tent or a sleeping bag, where innovations in materials and design have led to some major weight saving breakthroughs,” explains BDBW founder Sean Heumann. “Unfortunately, when it comes to reducing the weight of survival knives and camp axes, there has been little to no design evolution since their ancient counterparts first emerged.”
They have reached out to us, but I haven’t had the chance to look much into it. I like it better than the (now defunct) Klecker though.
Knife Magazine
| Industry News / New Products, Production Knives
Browning- www.browning.com or 800-333-3288
If you haven’t been following Browning Knives, you are missing out. Over the past several years they have produced several models which could be contenders for best in their price class. Browning’s new frame lock Carbon Carry EDC knife is another which can be added to that list. It is Browning’s first foray into D2 steel, which is combined with Ti-coated stainless handles, deep carry clip and stylish carbon fiber insert (MSRP $59.99).
For hunters, there is a new model in their Speed Load replaceable blade series – the All Season. The Wicked Wing (MSRP $49.99) is a folding fillet/boning knife which is based on their popular Featherweight fixed blade.
On a more tactical note, the Primal Folder features deep and ergonomically sound finger grooves, black G10, and a 3.75” stonewashed blade. The Tactical Hunter (MSRP $29.99) is a solid field knife, with EDC potential as well.
Those looking for a more “office friendly” model would find the Allure, which is available in an array of color finishes on its aluminum scales ideal for purse or light pocket carry ($19.99).
For the collector, the Illusion Stag ($249.99) is an attractive presentation piece with damascus steel blade, stag handles, and engraved stainless bolster, which would look great alongside a vintage Browning A-5 shotgun.
We are highlighting each company from our 2020 SHOT Show Review article in standalone posts here on the Newsfeed. For the complete article, click here.
Knife and Gear Society
| EDC, Knife & Accessory Review, Production Knives
As I often do, on a recent trip back to Colorado, I stopped in to the Spyderco factory for a visit. While there, we discussed a model that goes back into the annals of Spyderco history – a cornerstone of their Save and Serve line up – the Military.
If you ever get the chance to visit the Spyderco factory you will undoubtedly go into the factory store, where you will find little doubt about their support of our military. Throughout the store, and offices, are tributes to 9/11 and our military in general – not to mention their frequent military sales at the store and military discount program on their website. So, it is no surprise that they would have a model that was designed specifically with our service men and women in mind.
The Spyderco Military features many subtle, yet specific, features that are intended to make it easier to use – regardless of your battle dress – while still remaining friendly to civilian EDC.
I have a PM2 and a PM3. I would like to get my hands on a Military.
Field and Stream
| Bushcraft, Hunting, & Survival, Knife Stories
There’s a little piece of meat under the clavicle of a duck that drives me nuts. To get at it requires a moment of dedicated concentration when filleting the breast. I have to halt the cut that severs the fillet from the keel of the breastbone, turn the knife spine at a downward angle—blade up and nearly parallel to the breast keel—and probe the narrow tip toward the neck to cut away cleanly along the underside of the collarbone. If I do this right, I’ll wind up with at least an additional 1/1,000 ounce of tasty duck flesh. I try to do it right with every single duck, but it takes a particular blade to get the job done.
Cool knife story. I was expecting a listicle from the title.
Knife Magazine
| Industry News / New Products, Production Knives
Boker – www.bokerusa.com or 800-835-6433
Boker arrived at SHOT Show with its usual prolific assortment of new releases – particularly in its Chinese-made Boker Plus line that cranks out hit after hit each year from some of the hottest designers in the business. This year’s releases include designs by Lucas Burnley, Steve Kelly, Brad Zinker, Boris Manascherov, and JD van Deventer.
Made in Argentina, the Boker Arbolito Gemini series of linerlocks with sculpted wood handles are well worth checking out, a good value with MSRPs of $134.95. Boker has also collaborated with Justin Boots on a new line of knives bearing that iconic brand (MSRPs $29.95-179.95).
However, we were most taken this year by new German-made lines based on some very interesting materials. These were led by a series of seven single-bladed traditional pocketknives with scales made from the wood of Castle Schloss Burg in western Germany, dating from circa 1133 (MSRP $174.95-$259, p.12 for photo). A similar five-knife series employs plum wood scales at slightly lower cost (MSRP $159.95-$229.95).
Finally, Boker has extended its collection of knives with damascus blades made from the armor of the sunken WWII German battleship Turpitz with a series of wood handled linerlock folders – certainly not cheap at MSRPs of $809-1199, but that’s real history in your hand for not much more than Boker’s other German-made damascus offerings.
We are highlighting each company from our 2020 SHOT Show Review article in standalone posts here on the Newsfeed. For the complete article, click here.
Blade Reviews
| Industry News / New Products, Production Knives
I went to the SHOT Show (Shooting Hunting Outdoors Trade) 2020 and the Las Vegas Custom Knife Show 2020 and saw literally thousands of knives. Because of the internet in general (and Instagram in particular) most of them looked familiar, but I had never seen 99% of them in person. I buy pretty much everything except fresh vegetables online, so I never really know how big knives are or how they feel until they arrive in my mailbox, so it was really neat to be able to see everything in person and ask questions. My mission with these two SHOT articles is to not only give my fellow knife nerds a heads up on what’s in store for us in 2020, but since I actually got my hands on them, I’ll do my best to describe how they feel.
I have been releasing our SHOT Show Review piece by piece, but you can read the whole thing here…
ESEE Knives
Buck Knives- www.buckknives.com or 800-326-2825
Are you wondering “what is the best knife brand?” Well, I used to wonder that too. Basically, if you are new to knife shopping, all these choices, manufacturers, models, and variations make buying a knife a big deal. Like, should you go with carbon steel or stainless steel? How do you know that this $100 knife is better than this similar-looking $40 knife–they both look and cut just as well in the store…
New knife outfit 
Browning- www.browning.com or 800-333-3288
As I often do, on a recent trip back to Colorado, I stopped in to the Spyderco factory for a visit. While there, we discussed a model that goes back into the annals of Spyderco history – a cornerstone of their Save and Serve line up – the Military.
There’s a little piece of meat under the clavicle of a duck that drives me nuts. To get at it requires a moment of dedicated concentration when filleting the breast. I have to halt the cut that severs the fillet from the keel of the breastbone, turn the knife spine at a downward angle—blade up and nearly parallel to the breast keel—and probe the narrow tip toward the neck to cut away cleanly along the underside of the collarbone. If I do this right, I’ll wind up with at least an additional 1/1,000 ounce of tasty duck flesh. I try to do it right with every single duck, but it takes a particular blade to get the job done.
Boker – www.bokerusa.com or 800-835-6433
