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Friday, September 30, 2011

SOG Access Card 2.0 Knife Review


Credit card knives usually don't include much steel or much functionality, but the SOG Access Card 2.0 Knife is very impressive for a low profile cutter. Only 3/16 inches thick without the pocket clip, this tactical black folder opens and closes with one hand and even provides a solid blade lock.


Something this small and this light -- only 1.8 ounces -- won't be bulletproof. Using the Access Card for much more than straightforward slicing action might quickly bring on mechanical problems, since the knife is built around two layers of thin high carbon stainless steel. Twisting or levering with this knife could mean the end of it. Use the knife within its limits, and you'll appreciate the VG-10 stainless steel blade. This top-quality Japanese knife steel takes a harder temper than lesser alloys, bringing a long lasting Rockwell 59-60 cutting edge to the money-clip sized package. Three finger choils on the handle frame and jimping on the spine of the blade give users a solid grip and good thumb leverage. The Access Card isn't heavy duty, but it's practical.


This tiny knife includes SOG's Arc-lock in a scaled-down size. That's the same rugged bar-lock concept used in SOG's larger folders. The Arc-lock lever shifts with only fingertip pressure but securely locks the blade either open or closed, with more strength under load than an equivalent liner-lock mechanism. Just over 6 inches long when locked open, the SOG Access Card packs 2-3/4 inches of hollow ground cutting edge. Even though it's small enough to clip to the watch pocket of your jeans, there's enough knife here to do some serious work.

To buy or get more information on the SOG Access Card 2.0 (Tactical Black) with 2.75" VG10 Steel Blade, click the link below.

SOG Access Card 2.0 (Tactical Black) 2.75" VG10 Steel Blade



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Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Gerber LMF II Infantry Knife Review


The Gerber Black LMF II Survival Knife is made from 12C27 stainless steel which gives it durability and it has good edge retention, comparable to a 440A steel. This knife has a push tang and not a full tang but it still has great structural integrity. They designed it with a push tang so that the knife could actually be completely insulated from the handle and therefore your hands, meaning you can cut a live (electrical) wire without being injured. That doesn’t mean you should run out and test it, but at least you can understand their reasoning for not going with a full tang. The blade is pretty easy to sharpen and holds its edge well. The black coating on the blade also seems to be holding up well, hasn’t flaked or chipped off from using it so far. Since this survival knife is made with a stainless steel, you have less worry about corrosion but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take proper care of your survival knife. The blade itself is partially serrated which makes cutting wire, paracord etc much easier. I am not a big fan of putting the serrations on the same edge as the regular blade simply because it makes sharpening the blade a bit of a pain. The Black LMF II Survival knife is 10 inches in length so it is very manageable and comfortable to use.


The handle is made of Kraton which is one of my favorite handles. It is rubber-like so you get a very secure grip which is comfortable to use for hours without fatigue. At the end of the handle there is a steel projection or “skull crusher” butt, which is also insulated from the handle to prevent electrical shocks. You can use this as a hammer tool if the need arises. If you haven’t yet used a Kraton handle, this is a great survival knife to get acquainted with them. There are three holes in this survival knife (one in the butt and two in the guard) which can be used to attach this survival knife to a rod and use it as a spear. You probably won’t have that need unless you are really in a survival situation or if you are good at spear fishing/hunting.

The sheath has a built in sharpener which works well on the regular blade, but won’t do anything to sharpen the serrations. For that you will need something like a Diamond Rod Sharpener or similar sharpening tool. You can actually restore the survival knife’s edge with just a few strokes of the built in sharpener. The one thing I like about this sheath is that it gives you a lot of mounting options and it is MOLLE compliant.


This is a great survival knife for utility/survival purposes at a really nice price. The
Gerber LMF II is a much more budget friendly knife, than comparable more expensive brands and it still maintains a good quality. They have an LMF II survival knife with a tan handle and stainless steel silver blade but I think the black LMF II survival knife looks way nicer, other than that they are the same survival knife.

To buy or get more information on the Gerber LMF II Infantry (Black) 4.84" Fixed Blade, Sheath
, click the link below.

Gerber LMF II Infantry (Black) 4.84" Fixed Blade, Sheath


I will be posting a video which I've chosen as the "Knife Review Video of the Week" every Monday. If you have, or know of a knife review video which would be a good choice for "Knife Review Video of the Week" please send your requests to: swordofodinknifeblog@gmail.com

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Friday, September 23, 2011

Buck Alpha Hunter Drop Point Folding Knife Review


The Buck 279BK Folding Alpha Hunter offers the best features of the Alpha Hunter fixed blade in a drop point folder style. If you've dressed out enough game in your life that you don't need a gut hook, skip the Buck 278 and get this one -- the same knife without the fragile tip.

You'll be impressed by the strength of this five-inch folding version, said to be a design update of the venerable Buck 110 Folding Hunter. If by update you mean starting over with fresh ideas, I suppose that's true. I see little resemblance between the two, but both offer excellent features. The Folding Alpha Hunter rivals the full tang version in strength with a liner lockback system that works fine so long as you keep the knife clean. In the Alpha Hunter folder, you get the same ribbed exposed spine for increased thumb traction and control. The black rubber handle slabs provide a comfortable and nonslip grip (even when wet) and warm up quickly in cold weather. The Folding Alpha won't suck the strength out of your fingers on a frosty day.



The 3-1/2-inch plain edged 420HC stainless steel blade swings open one-handed with the conical thumb stud. There's just enough stainless steel stud for a good leverage point, so it won't get in the way of the real work. At eight ounces, the Folding Alpha is no lightweight, but you'll like the extra heft. Another point in its favor is the belt sheath of black nylon -- there's no pocket clip. If you want a knife for the urban world a clip makes sense, but for sustained use it just raises blisters. In heavy brush, you'll want something more secure anyway. The sheath always works.

To buy or get more information on the Buck Alpha Hunter Drop Point Folder with Black Rubber Handles, click the link below.

Buck Alpha Hunter Drop Point Folder Black Rubber Handles




To buy or get more information on the Buck Folding Alpha Hunter 3-1/2" Blade with Rosewood Handles, click the link below.

Buck Folding Alpha Hunter 3-1/2" Blade, Rosewood Handles



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Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Cold Steel Recon 1 Tanto Folding Knife Review

Cold Steel Recon 1 Tanto 4" Combo Blade, G10 Handles

A top quality and reliable folding clip knife, the Cold Steel Recon 1 with 4" tanto blade forged from Japanese AUS 8A stainless steel and coated with non-reflection and nearly frictionless black Teflon is more than enough knife for serious work. Light weight (5.2 ounces) and a folded length of only 5 3/8" make this full sized tanto inconspicuous and easy to carry.

This knife's handle is made of two stainless steel plates between 'scales' made of G-10, a laminate made of fiberglass reinforced with epoxy. The G-10 alone would be sufficiently strong; the stainless steel liners are a great touch which make the knife stronger than it should ever need to be. The liners and scales are bolted together with five torx bolts that are accessible from the outside, should you feel the need to service the knife yourself (doing so may void the warranty, however). The handle has a nice shape which rests comfortably in the hand: the corners are rounded enough that they do not bite, the forefinger groove is deep and provides good protection, and the handle tapers narrower toward the end.



G-10 is one of my favorite knife scales since when you grip it, it grips back! Because it has a very high coefficient of friction it feels great to hold and is very secure. The use of G-10 combined with good grip geometry make the knife easily handled in slippery conditions.

The grip is shaped well enough to be secure and safe, although if you want this knife to double as a utility blade the textured Zytel may be a blister maker compared to traditional materials. Designed for concealment and penetration, the combo edged tanto blade may not be the best choice if you want an all around camp knife or folding skinner, but Cold Steel makes the
Recon 1 in enough blade styles that anyone should find one that fits their needs.


The
Recon 1 uses what Cold Steel calls the Tri Ad Lock mechanism which is a completely ambidextrous lock alleged to be able to withstand 200 lbs of closing pressure. I was skeptical of Cold Steel's claims, but quickly learned to like this device for a few reasons: It locks up like a vault, without a hint of blade play either vertically or horizontally. It is unlikely to accidentally disengage (as can happen with a liner lock or frame lock) because of its positioning. It appears very strong; for it to fail, either the locking pin, or the pin that the blade rotates on would actually have to shear. Considering that they are solid steel, that would require a tremendous amount of force (especially as compared to the amount of force necessary for a liner lock to simply bend). Finally, it's easy to use. The last comment I have on this lock is that it provides resistance to the initial opening of the blade - this keeps the knife securely closed while riding in your pocket.

The clip is thick, tight, and small - it goes unnoticed by the hand while cutting. It is attached by three smaller torx bolts, and can be switched to the other side of the knife. The Recon 1 allows for tip-up carry only (tip of knife faces up when clipped into your pocket). There is some concern that in tip-up carry, a knife can open in your pocket, but because of the Tri Lock in the Recon 1, this is highly unlikely. The clip as it arrives from the factory is quite tight, keeping the knife very secure. The positioning of the clip means that about of an inch of the handle stays out of the pocket. Though this makes the knife easier to take out, it also tells the world that you're carrying a large knife - this may not go over so well in politically correct or high security environments. The knife also has a lanyard hole large enough to accommodate paracord.

Using the best modern materials and state of the art manufacturing methods, Cold Steel knives are at the top level of the urban defense market. People who buy them are not disappointed.



All in all, the
Cold Steel Recon 1 is a great knife. I don't have any doubt as to the Recon 1's workmanship or quality. This robustness comes at the cost of weight, which makes it more of a blade for camp use than for every day carry. It's very easy to use, smooth to operate, secure and comfortable, and both takes and holds a very sharp edge. To put it simply, I'd recommend this knife to a friend.

To buy or get more information on the Cold Steel Recon 1 Tanto with 4" Combo Blade and G10 Handles, click the link below.

Cold Steel Recon 1 Tanto 4" Combo Blade, G10 Handles




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Friday, September 16, 2011

Leatherman Super Tool 300 Multi-Tool Review



Leatherman's back with an even stronger version of the original Leatherman Super Tool. The Super Tool 300 Multi-tool offers the strongest pair of multi-tool pliers Leatherman makes, plus several important basic improvements. The company has enough confidence in this model to guarantee it for 25 years.


The heart of any multi-tool is the pair of pliers at the core. If that's cheaply made, you'll break the tool and go on to something else. The original Leatherman Super Tool lasted many users for fifteen years or more, and the Super Tool 300 is even stronger with slim profile jaws that fit into tighter places. The stainless steel handles have contoured sides for a more comfortable and therefore more powerful grip, and the access cutouts in the handles are larger. Even with gloved hands, you can get the blades out. Tools and blades lock into working position for safe, controlled use.


The Leatherman Super-Tool 300 holds 19 tools including file, saw, flat and Phillips screwdrivers, crimpers, and insulation strippers. Also included are wire cutters for both stranded and solid wire, and in this model, the cutter blades are removable. If you've buggered them up on the job site, it's possible to remove the jaws and re-sharpen them on the spot with the file the same multi-tool provides.

Among the other tools in the Super-Tool 300 are the old standards of bottle opener, can opener, and awl -- seldom used today but always available in a pinch. The Leatherman Super-Tool 300 comes with a combination leather and nylon belt sheath, built in a pouch style with a snap-flap closure.

To buy or get more information on the Leatherman Super Tool 300 Multi-Tool with Sheath, click the link below.

Leatherman Super Tool 300 (Stainless Steel) Multi-Tool with Sheath




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Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Spyderco Resilience Folding Knife Review

Spyderco Resilience Folding Knife 4-1/4" Plain Blade, G10 Handles

Spyderco's Resilience is that company's largest knife in the Spyderco "Value" series. With an open length of 9-3/8 inches and a blade 4-1/4 inches long, the Resilience has the size and heft of a small hunting knife. The Resilience's reasonable price might make you wonder where the company cut costs, but the answers should leave you satisfied with a good deal.


Spyderco's one-handed opening system depends on a simple thumb hole instead of a thumb stud system. The hole would weaken the blade of a smaller knife, but the Resilience has enough blade width to compensate. The Liner Lock designed by Michael Walker locks the blade open without complicating the build. The Walker system needs no extra buttons or levers, so just swing the blade open and it snaps securely in place. Release the blade after use by pressing on the liner lock springbar. The blade's detente provides enough resistance that the blade stays safely closed when in the pocket. Spyderco's 8Cr13MoV high carbon stainless steel holds an edge well but will need an occasional oiling. Like many other modern stainless steels, it's corrosion-resistant, not corrosion-proof.


For smooth opening, Spyderco brackets the blade pivot with phosphor bronze bushings instead of steel bearings. Phosphor bronze holds lubricant in the pores of the metal and provides fast deployment with very little play. Bronze bearings cut costs and don't have quite the lifetime of a stainless steel ball bearing movement, but if kept clean and oiled do perform well. Bronze wears easier than steel, so pay attention to maintenance and keep grit out of the works. If you don't let the bearings get completely dry, the lubricant shields the metal from abrasive dirt.


G-10 handle slabs keep the weight of this knife down to 5.4 ounces, providing an easily gripped textured surface which won't become slick when wet. The G-10 remains stable through a wide range of temperatures and resists most chemical solvents. A solid stainless steel clip secures the Resilience to the seam of your pants pocket.

To buy or get more information on the Spyderco Resilience Folding Knife with 4-1/4" Plain Blade and G10 Handles
, click the link below.

Spyderco Resilience Folding Knife 4-1/4" Plain Blade, G10 Handles






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Friday, September 9, 2011

Winchester Large Bowie Knife Review


The Winchester Large Bowie Survival Knife has all the features of a true Bowie. It is priced low and manufactured well. This knife has a full tang construction and a finger grooved wood handle. The blade is 8.57 inches long and made from Stainless Steel. It seems to be made from 420-J2 Stainless Steel. Not the best steel but I will say that it is not flimsy, although it obviously isn’t as good as a lot of other steels. Winchester is a manufacturer that produces Survival Knives for the Gerber Brand. (Winchester being Ford and Gerber being Lincoln) The overall length of this knife is 14.25 inches and it weighs 14.4 ounces. Prolonged use seems more cumbersome than you would feel for comparably sized, higher quality survival knives.


The handle is made from wood and is detailed with brass rivets. There are finger grooves on the handle for a comfortable and secure grip. The brass cross guard separates your hand from the blade and matches the other brass accents. I am not a big fan of wood handles on survival knives. I prefer rubberized grips for using a survival knife in all weather conditions. I will admit that the finger grooves do help keep the grip secure and comfortable though.



T
he Winchester Bowie knife comes with a durable ballistic nylon sheath which does a good job holding the Winchester Bowie Survival Knife. The hard plastic liner keeps the blade safe, while the two retaining straps keep your knife in a safe place until you’re ready to use it.

This isn’t as nice as something like a SOG SEAL Pup but this knife costs less than a third of that class of survival knife. So if you need something for around the house or maybe for light camping, then this knife does the job and it costs very little. I rate this knife at 3.5 stars but other Survival Knife Reviews rate it at 4.5 stars. I believe they are considering the fact that it costs so little. I am reviewing it based on how it would be used in a survival situation. After all, this is sold as a Survival Knife, shouldn’t it be rated on its ability to perform as one?


I like Winchester Bowie Knife and would buy it again. It has proved sturdier than I first gave it credit for and is a steal for the price.

To buy or get more information on the Winchester Large Bowie Knife, click the link below.

Winchester Large 14 1/4" Overall Bowie Knife




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Monday, September 5, 2011

Kershaw Military Fixed Blade Knife Review



The Kershaw Military Boot Knife is a popular knife among military and law enforcement personnel, as well as knife enthusiasts. Designed to be strapped to multiple places on the body and clothing, the knife stays in place by clipping into its sheath.

Since I saw this boot knife from Kershaw discussed in a recent issue of Blade Magazine I had to take a look. Apparently, runners and hikers in southern California are carrying the Kershaw Military Boot Knife as defense against mountain lion attacks. Honestly, even though this is a decent boot knife, you might need something bigger for pumas.


As boot knives go today, the Kershaw Military Boot Knife is better than many -- even though it doesn't actually fit in the boot. Kershaw supplies a web belt and sheath which should strap to the leg or arm easily, but not always comfortably if you're a runner. On long runs, belts tend to chafe, so wearing this nine-inch fixed blade at the waist could be a better idea. With a 4-1/2-inch blade of German 1.4116 high carbon stainless steel, this boot knife does outdo most clip folders in terms of penetration, and the knife also doubles as a handy camp knife and emergency tool. At only 4.4 ounces, it won't be noticeable unless you strap it to arm or leg on a long run. Then you'll probably hate it.


Still, with drop-forged blade and bolster and full tang handle, this diminutive fixed blade does offer strength and practicality many other boot knives lack. POM handle slabs, triple riveted and rugged, provide enough gripping surface for dependable use. The forged steel end bolster gives the Military Knife at least a minimum of hammering strength, and for the tactical user, the bead-blasted finish eliminates that telltale shine.

Though it's a fine boot knife with a functional conventional build, the Kershaw Military Knife really isn't a practical defense against mountain lion predation. In that sense, it's only a little better than bashing a big cat with a cardio monitor. Runners in California might consider something with a longer reach and more weight.

To buy or get more information on the Kershaw Military Fixed Blade Knife with POM Scales, click the link below.

Kershaw Military Knife Fixed 4-1/2", POM Scales




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Friday, September 2, 2011

CRKT Kommer 30-30 Folding Knife Review


The 30-30 Folding Hunter from Columbia River Knife and Tool was designed by former Alaskan hunting guide Russ Kommer. The knife's build eliminates unsanitary gaps and shields important working parts from the mess that's an unavoidable part of field dressing game.

The
30-30 also looks great with a hollow ground drop point blade of 1.4116 high carbon stainless steel hardened between Rockwell 55 and 57 and still tough enough to withstand heavy use. The high polish of the three-inch blade physically seals the pores in the metal, increasing the knife's corrosion resistance. Stainless steel liners and spacers receive the same protective treatment.


Mechanically, the
30-30 shows that a lot of planning went into the design. The blade's pivot bearing gets shielding from the wide bolster, cutting down on the contaminants that reach the bearing. Teflon bushings add permanent bearing lubrication. Buyers can choose between ebony and cocobolo handle scales, and either one is a fine natural handle material dense enough to repel moisture or oil instead of absorbing it.

The knife opens one-handed with a push on the blade's thumb stud and locks in place with a strong liner-lock system. The 4-1/2-inch handle and three-inch blade are enough to dress out small game and even deer if you're careful. Since there's no pocket clip, you won't find the knife difficult to grip if you work for hours instead of minutes. CRKT provides a contoured sheath of genuine leather for conveniently carrying the
Russ Kommer 30-30 on your belt.

To buy or get more information on the Columbia River Kommer 30-30 Folder Knife 3" Blade with Ebony Scales & Leather Sheath
, click the link below.

Columbia River Kommer 30-30 Folder Knife 3" Blade Ebony Scales & Leather Sheath


To buy or get more information on the Columbia River Kommer 30-30 Folder Knife 3" Blade with Cocobolo Scales & Leather Sheath, click the link below.

Columbia River Kommer 30-30 Folder Knife 3" Blade Cocobolo Scales & Leather Sheath

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