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Monday, August 29, 2011

Benchmade 710 McHenry & Williams Folding Knife Review

Benchmade 710 McHenry & Williams 3.90" Satin Finish D2 Steel Plain Edge Blade

The Benchmade 710D2 is the end result of lots of hard work over the path of 4 years of the two great designers Bull McHenry and Jason Williams. The AXIS lock is completely ambidextrous and makes it possible for comfortable one-handed opening and closing of the blade without your fingers ever being in the path of the blade. The design is incredibly intuitive to work with little or no direction needed on how the lock functions.


The knife is easy to open and close and can easily be opened with one hand. To open the knife you can either disengage the lock and give it a quick flick or you can use the ambidextrous thumb studs. A number of different reviewers agree that this knife can be opened just quickly as knives with spring assist mechanisms.


The Benchmade 710D2 weighs 4.5 ounces which may be a bit heavy to some people but for others it is not really an issue. The extra weight comes from the 410 stainless steel used in the locking mechanism and this knife has arguably the strongest locking mechanism on the market. The liners have been milled out to reduce some weight.

The brute strength of the lock is the major selling feature. To test the lock, a load of more than 200 pounds was applied. The lock supported it without damage. When the lock finally failed, the liners merely cracked over the locking pin but in no way would the blade have closed on the user hand in testing.


The AXIS lock features two Omega shaped springs that give excellent functional redundancy. The springs are stressed slightly. Various tests reveal they should last indefinitely. In the improbable event that one of the springs does fail, the other can still control the knife just fine.

The G10 handle material can be a bit slick which could pose a problem while using the knife in extreme conditions but the handle design widens as it nears the blade in order to help reduce slippage.


On the butt end of the knife, there is a detachable stainless steel pocket clip. The butt end place of the clip is essential because of the locking system. Positioning the clip on the pivot end would push the knife to protrude much far out the pocket.

The pocket clip is reversible and feels natural in hand. I have the 710D2 Benchmade and use it for everything - cutting paper and cardboard, cutting string, heavy duty plastic box straps, cutting into the occasional snack, etc. It holds its edge very well.

The Benchmade 710D2 Mchenry and Williams Design Knife is a high quality knife that is durable and practical and is worthy of your consideration if you are looking for a good, reliable knife.

To buy or get more information on the Benchmade 710 McHenry & Williams 3.90" Satin Finish D2 Steel Plain Edge Blade, click the link below.

Benchmade 710 McHenry & Williams 3.90" Satin Finish D2 Steel Plain Edge Blade




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Friday, August 26, 2011

Spyderco P'Kal Folding Knife Review


In the Philippine Visayan dialect, the literal translation of the word Pikal means to rip. In the U.S. the term Pikal remains relatively new but a company called Shivworks is making headway in its introduction to the American market. Its English definition is twofold: It is a rising martial arts genre and the name of a Spyderco knife designed to accompany this art form. As a self-defense platform, Pikal is carried out holding a knife in reverse grip with the sharpened edge facing inward toward the user. Pikal’s objective is not flowing drills with your opponent but rapidly and effectively striking and surprising.

The Spyderco C103 P’Kal, offers features specific to this activity but these same features also translate well for everyday carry. The CPM S30V PlainEdge blade curves to a point. When held with the tip facing downward it feels natural and comfortable making pulling, downward cuts.

Spyderco Knives P'Kal Folder 3" S30V Hawksbill Blade with Wave, G10 Handle

Protruding from the top of the blade’s spine is a removable Emerson Opening feature. The device popularized and patented by Ernest Emerson of Emerson Knives, functions by catching the back of a pant’s pocket when drawing the knife, opening blade in the same motion. Spyderco’s P’Kal is designed for reverse grip use with a formidable choil on top of the handle that holds the little finger when gripping, affording better dexterity and control.


Spyderco’s patented Ball Bearing Lock sits above and behind the blade. The ball bearing component is housed in a plastic cover that’s accessible for both left and right hand opening. P’Kal clips in a pocket with a steel wire clip and carries tip-up. A Spyderco P’Kal training version is also available and highly recommended. This one is also made in the USA.

To buy or get more information on the Spyderco Knives P'Kal Folder 3" S30V Hawksbill Blade with Wave and G10 Handle, click the link below.

Spyderco Knives P'Kal Folder 3" S30V Hawksbill Blade with Wave, G10 Handle



To buy or get more information on the Spyderco P'Kal Folder Trainer 3" Blade with Red G-10 Handle
, click the link below.

Spyderco P'Kal Folder Trainer 3" Blade, Red G-10 Handle



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Monday, August 22, 2011

Benchmade Griptilian Folding Knife Review


The
Benchmade Griptilian is practically a household name in the knife world. It is one of Benchmade’s most popular designs and it appears in countless variations. And for each of these variations I know there are countless reviews, but this knife has some sentimental value to me so I can not resist writing my own opinions on it. Indeed the Griptilian was one of my first “real knives” when I got into owning higher grade production knives and it still remains among one of my favorite knives today.

The
Benchmade Griptilian 551 Knife is a folding knife with a locking blade. It is also so much more. The full size Griptilian has an overall length of 8.07″, a 3.45″ blade and a weight of 3.25 ounces. This isn’t a small knife, but Benchmade has managed to keep the weight down (mostly due to the handle design which I will cover below). It is the perfect size for my hand, and I really like that. The Mini-Griptilian has a a 2.9″ blade, an overall length of 6.78″ and a weight of 2.56 ounces. I actually purchased a Mini-Grip first, but I ended up swapping it out for a full size. I know a lot of people who prefer the Mini-Grip. My advice is if you are having trouble deciding between the two, buy both (or go see them in a store) and then return the one you don’t like (or just have both – nothing wrong with that either!).


Depending on whether you are looking at the thumb hole version or the thumb stud version the knife will have either a sheepsfoot blade or a drop point blade made of 154CM. Both blade types will have a long hollow ground edge with plenty of belly. The drop point edge is very attractive to me, so that is what I ended up purchasing. It has a swedge that finishes in a fairly stout tip – good for piercing tasks. The knife was extremely sharp out of the box, which is what I would expect from a Benchmade knife. All in all this is a very nice blade which is great for EDC tasks, and 154CM is a proven steel that wears well and stays sharp.

Benchmade Griptilian 3.45" Satin Drop Point Plain Blade, Black Handles

The black handle is made of a heavily textured, injection molded Noryl GTX 30% glass-filled nylon. The handle and grip can be disassembled via five hex screws, but doing this voids the warranty. The handle/grip area is textured in several spots and has a belt clip that can be attached to either side of the grip area via 3 screws that require a hex wrench of some sort to attach. The clip itself fits tightly against the grip and can be rather difficult to slide over items, but it does hold the knife firmly in place.


The blade has a metal bar that runs through it near where it connects to the grip. Located within the grip itself is another metal bar that extends completely through the grip and protrudes on both sides. This is part of the AXIS locking mechanism and the bar is spring loaded. When pulled backwards, it allows the blade to be folded into the grip.



The pocket clip is steel and is a great no-nonsense design that is held in place with 3 small star screws. It is ambidextrous and allows for tip up carry only. I have found the clip to have nice retention, but the finish quickly began to wear on the edges.

The
Griptilian uses Benchmade’s Axis Lock. The Benchmade Axis Lock is truly an innovative design on Benchmade's part. It allows for left or right hand opening, superb open blade lock with little to no play. Benchmade has employed this lock design on a number of its knives for many years now. With a small amount of practice for some, first time for others, the blade can be opened simply by depressing the lock and flipping the wrist in what would look like an candy cane motion – or shepherds staff. It’s an excellent lock and it really works well with the Griptilian. There is a lot of weight in the blade which makes it easy to really flip the knife out fast and it makes for a solid lockup. Also, the axis lock gives you a variety of ways to open and close the knife. I find myself playing around with the deployment of this knife a lot. It’s a durable locking system that allows the knife to easily be open and closed with one hand.

Benchmade has also put phosphor bronze bushings into the Griptilian, which make the deployment even smoother. The deployment and lock is where this knife really sings.

The
Griptilian is one of those iconic knives that will probably be around as long as Benchmade. The fit and finish on this knife is very nice, the steel is excellent, the dimensions and weight are great, the lock is solid and smooth. Handle thickness and handle material may be turn offs for some, but after several years of use this knife has never let me down and I highly recommend it.

To buy or get more information on the Benchmade Griptilian 3.45" Satin Drop Point Plain Blade with Black Handles
, click the link below.

Benchmade Griptilian 3.45" Satin Drop Point Plain Blade, Black Handles




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Monday, August 15, 2011

Boker Plus Anti-MC Folding Knife Review

Boker Plus Anti-MC Folding Knife 3-1/4" Ceramic Blade, Titanium Handles

Ceramic blades get better every year, and although owners still need to relearn a few basics of use, knives like the Boker Plus Anti-MC could make you happy simply because they're razor-sharp and stay that way.

The Boker Plus Anti-MC combines two modern materials to create this elegant pocket folder. Titanium handle construction guarantees that you're getting one of the lightest and strongest handle builds possible. Joining that to the ceramic cutting blade creates a knife that's invulnerable to rust and corrosion. If you work around seawater, that's a definite plus since even stainless steel degrades quickly in that brisk salty air.


Slicing is the strong point of this knife, not prying. Levering with the blade or dropping it on a hard surface could cause major damage, and even cutting requires a different technique, based on straight cuts instead of cutting a curved chip. If you like knives that are sharp, the 3-1/4-inch ceramic blade's cutting edge is plenty of reason to own this knife. Heavy use might cause micro-chipping of the knife's edge, but even that doesn't greatly affect the way the Boker Plus Anti-MC cuts. Micro-chips simply cause the edge to grip a little faster. Run a finger carefully along the edge of a chert arrowhead, and you'll get the idea quickly.


Although Boker does call this a tactical folder, the clean design and conservative blade style make this a pocket folder nearly anyone can carry. The pocket clip keeps the knife securely in place, and a lanyard hole allows owners to add a wrist loop for knife security in tricky locations. One-handed opening and integral frame lock add to its practicality.

To buy or get more information on the Boker Plus Anti-MC Folding Knife 3-1/4" Ceramic Blade with Titanium Handles, click the link below.

Boker Plus Anti-MC Folding Knife 3-1/4" Ceramic Blade, Titanium Handles




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Friday, August 12, 2011

KA-BAR Fin Fixed Blade Knife Review

KA-BAR FIN Fixed 4-7/8" D2 Steel Combo Edge Tanto Blade with Sheath

The Peter Janda Fin series is definitely Ka-Bar quality. The blade is made from awesome D2 steel so it holds it’s edge for a long time but it is harder to sharpen than other steels because of the tempering. There are two designs to choose from in the Drop Point style, serrated and smooth. If you prefer serrations then choose the serrated version. If you don’t like the pain of sharpening your survival knife blade with serrations on the sharp edge then choose the smooth style. I wish all manufacturers offered a choice between smooth and serrated when they put the serrations on the sharp edge of the blade. The blade on the KA-BAR Fin knife is coated with what appears to be titanium based black powder. It hasn’t scraped off from my usage so far which is a good thing. The blade is 5 1/2 inches in length and the overall length of the KA-BAR Fin is about 10 inches which makes it very manageable.

KA-BAR FIN Fixed 4-7/8" D2 Steel Combo Edge Tanto Blade with Sheath

The handle provides a very comfortable grip. When you hold the KA-BAR Fin Fixed Blade knife, it just seems so right. The angled design makes it very nice to use for smaller tasks. The handle scales are removable and the texture helps provide a strong grip. Although it is very comfortable to hold, the angle makes it tiring to use on heavier tasks for a long period of time. I tend to use survival knives for bigger tasks or I least want that capability without feeling like I am getting a forearm workout. If I have to build a shelter I will probably stick to my SOG Seal Pup Elite but this survival knife is awesome as a camp knife for more common tasks. It will handle the bigger jobs but the hard plastic type handle combined with the angle that feels comfortable to hold is not as comfortable for long heavy use. The handle has a lanyard hole at the butt end but it is kind of small. The butt end has a glass breaker pommel for breaking glass or for use in a cheek bone crushing self-defense move. The handle has jimping running along the backside so you can place your thumb where it is most comfortable for you.


The sheath is Kydex which are some of the best sheaths around as far as I am concerned. The sheath has drainage holes at the bottom and of course your don’t have to worry about the kydex sheath retaining moisture like a nylon or leather sheath would. That’s good news when you actually use the Peter Janda Fin knife in all weather conditions. The friction when sliding the Fin knife in and out of the sheath is a little tight. Some people don’t like when their KA-BAR Fin knife locks in to a sheath with friction. Just something to consider. The sheath can be fitted to MOLLE gear using 550 paracord. The sheath also has jimping which allows you to draw the knife from the sheath with one hand, as long as the suspension strap is undone.


This KA-BAR Fin's design is great, it is so comfortable to hold. The D2 steel is awesome. It holds its edge well. The price is great. You won’t find a survival as good as this one at this price point. I prefer to use this knife for camping and leave the bigger tasks to survival knives that don’t have the ergonomic design.

To buy or get more information on the KA-BAR FIN Fixed 4-7/8" D2 Steel Combo Edge Tanto Blade with Sheath, click the link below.

KA-BAR FIN Fixed 4-7/8" D2 Steel Combo Edge Tanto Blade with Sheath



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Monday, August 8, 2011

SOG Vulcan Mini Folding Knife Review

SOG Vulcan Mini w/ Arc Lock Dual Thumb Studs 3" VG10 Blade

If you own a set of high-end Japanese kitchen knives and have ever wondered to yourself "hey these work pretty well, a lot better than my pocketknife, so what gives..." you'll be pleased to hear that the folks at SOG Knives had the same thought running through their minds.

That's one of the reasons behind the making of the Vulcan blade. While its VG-10 steel got its start in Japanese kitchens, it has now made its way into high-end tactical knives, pocket knives and hunting knives.


The blade on the SOG VL-02 came razor sharp out of the box. The blade on the Mini Vulcan is a thing of beauty. A plain edge VG-10 blade, impressive thickness, and a nice recurve, has a very attractive satin finish on the high quality blade. VG-10 is often called "super steel" because it's so ridiculously hard and holds a sharp edge for a long, long time. The layers of steel provide greater resistance to corrosion than other varieties of steel on the market.

The plain edge blade measures 3 inches in length and folds into a durably hard black Zytel handle. This handle is equipped with lots of convenient features including thumb rests, finger grooves, traction grip, serrated cutters, and eyelets.



I love the
SOG Mini Vulcan and am sure you will too. The locking mechanism is very solid, their arc lock system is no doubt a quality build. Opens very fast with a kick on the back, and also has thumb nubs on both sides. The clip is a little tacky, maybe a little big, but it also lets the knife ride low. It is a pretty solid clip nonetheless, and can be switched to either side. This knife is very easy on the eyes, for me it is almost the perfect design, it is very nice to hold. True piece of art. I have experienced no blade play. Has grown to become one of my favorite edc (every day carry) knives.

And that's why the Mini Vulcan Knife is not your ordinary pocketknife. Great job SOG!


To buy or get more information on the SOG Vulcan Mini w/ Arc Lock Dual Thumb Studs with 3" VG10 Blade
, click the link below.

SOG Vulcan Mini w/ Arc Lock Dual Thumb Studs 3" VG10 Blade


The SOG Vulcan Mini is also available with a Tanto-style blade:

To buy or get more information on the SOG Vulcan Mini Tanto Arc-Lock Folder 3" VG10 Steel Blade with Zytel Handles
, click the link below.

SOG Vulcan Mini Tanto Arc-Lock Folder 3" VG10 Steel Blade Zytel Handles




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Friday, August 5, 2011

KA-BAR Becker BK3 Tac Tool Knife Review

KA-BAR Becker Tac Tool 7" Carbon Steel Blade Rescue and Tactical Knife

The Becker BK3 Tac Tool, now made by Ka-Bar, resulted from a collaboration between Ethan Becker of Becker Knife and Tool and John Benner of Tactical Defense Institute. The original purpose of the Tac Tool was to provide emergency entry into locked or barricaded rooms. Even though the BK3 was designed for urban SWAT teams, it became a popular survival knife for wilderness travelers as well.


Twelve and 1/2 inches long, the BK3 Tac Tool works as knife, chisel, and machete. It's a great all-around tool for camp work as well as a powerful survival tool to pack in the car or boat. Weight of 1.3 pounds makes it a little heavy to carry on the hip, but it's useful for nearly anything you'd normally use a camp axe to do, and it's much more versatile. With 7 inches of combo-serrated cutting edge, a square chisel point, and a wire cutting notch, the Tac Tool could get you into or out of nearly any situation where unlimited destruction is allowed. Neat work might be a problem.


The cutting notch in the back of the nearly 1/4-inch-thick blade of chrome vanadium 1095 high carbon steel is useful for cutting line, copper, wire, and even harnesses, but might be difficult to use in close quarters on seat belts. Finesse isn't the tool's major strength. In keeping with the chisel concept, the cutting edge is a single bevel ground at 15 degrees. The flat back makes the blade a very accurate chopping tool, but it's definitely made to favor right-handed use.

Built with a Grivory grip bolted to a strong full tang, the BK3 Tac Tool by Ka-Bar comes with a matching glass-filled nylon sheath. Only the sheath is imported from Taiwan -- Ka-Bar's BK3 is American-made in Olean, New York.

I would recommend the Ka-Bar Becker BK3 Tac Tool Fixed Blade Knife to anyone who is looking for a good solid utility knife. For the price you could beat the crap out of it and buy another, but I think you will end up being pleasantly surprised with your purchase.

To buy or get more information on the KA-BAR Becker Tac Tool 7" Carbon Steel Blade Rescue and Tactical Knife, click the link below.

KA-BAR Becker Tac Tool 7" Carbon Steel Blade Rescue and Tactical Knife


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Monday, August 1, 2011

KA-BAR Foliage Green Fighting Knife Review

KA-BAR Foliage Green Fighting Knife 11.75" Overall Serrated w/Kraton

The KA-BAR Foliage Green Fighting Survival Knife is a solid knife. The blade is made from 1095 High Carbon Steel. Measuring in at 7 inches, this blade means business whatever business you decide to get done. The overall length is 11.75 inches and very manageable. This knife is very well-balanced and has really good strength. I’m not surprised how great this knife is because of the KA-BAR name but I am surprised by how great this knife is for the price I paid. This Survival Knife just gives a warm fuzzy feeling when you hold it. The blade comes razor-sharp out of the box. If you use the knife heavily you may find that it loses its edge a little faster than other Survival Knives, but it sharpens up razor-sharp very easily and fast.


As with most KA-BAR Survival Knife handles, this handle is made of Kraton. It is very comfortable to hold and you get a really good grip with the Kraton handles. The thing I love most about the Kraton handles is that you can maintain a strong grip even when the handle gets wet. I feel like that is very important when considering that you could be using your survival knife in less than favorable weather conditions. Also, this handle is nice to hold. It’s comfortable and you won’t be fatigued from doing heavy work with this knife, partly because this is a rather light knife for its size.


The sheath is made of a durable hard plastic. I prefer Kydex sheaths or other durable plastic materials because they won’t promote corrosion by soaking up water like a leather sheath. This sheath is no exception. It is self locking and the knife slides in and out very smoothly. When the knife is locked in, there is no rattling or movement of any kind. When it’s secured it stays secured. This is a nice sheath. I love when the sheath seems tailored specifically to the Survival Knife that comes with it.

This survival knife is awesome for this price. The only complaint I have is how long it stays sharp under heavy use. Other than that, this knife is solid and light for its size. It’s well-balanced and razor-sharp. It has a very nice Kraton grip that not only is comfortable but provides a secure grip in all conditions and this knife comes with a really nice sheath. It’s hard to beat this knife for this price.

To buy or get more information on the KA-BAR Foliage Green Fighting Knife 11.75" Overall Serrated Blade with Kraton Handles, click the link below.

KA-BAR Foliage Green Fighting Knife 11.75" Overall Serrated w/Kraton


To buy or get more information on the KA-BAR Foliage Green Fighting Knife 11.75" Overall Plain Blade with Kraton Handles, click the link below.

KA-BAR Foliage Green Fighting Knife 11.75" Overall Fixed Blade w/Kraton




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