tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11414940724833486312024-03-12T18:58:14.439-04:00The Knife Edge: One Man, So Many Knives©What’s your life game? I discovered long ago my life plan involves knives. Folding knives, fixed blades, pocket knives, survival knives, tactical knives, it doesn’t matter to me. As long as it has an edge, I’m interested. Join me as I write about life, knives and the things seen from the knife edge.knifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668471324798770048noreply@blogger.comBlogger358125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141494072483348631.post-47998095891041736462024-03-03T19:55:00.000-05:002024-03-03T19:55:02.006-05:00A Retail Find<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> E</span><span style="font-size: large;">very once in a while, I impulse
buy. The other day, I saw a blister pack
for True Utility Knives made by/sold by Alliance Consumer Group. The knife kit donates a dollar to DAV for
every kit sold. DAV stands for Disabled
American Veterans; more on them later.
The kit has a waterproof case, a dog tag bottle opener, a knife, and mini-tool. You might be able to sell me an empty box to
help veterans so it came home with me.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshue_zhxfaB76BmOf26V3r_NxUKcStisCf7auBgTlRvxRqFhwdVPmDkni44q-OLlNqdpxqJJZBMwRLLPORloUOWwmqwXGc2YKFz4kOpBZAWz5A33u5D06JEC3oYZOVR4Ayp0PDqX0s-WkZiyDOnYyPSGZ-Us0gR98prgnxbdGL4_ljMBWrKLD5QPtiWjJ/s3282/_DSC1420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3282" data-original-width="2592" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshue_zhxfaB76BmOf26V3r_NxUKcStisCf7auBgTlRvxRqFhwdVPmDkni44q-OLlNqdpxqJJZBMwRLLPORloUOWwmqwXGc2YKFz4kOpBZAWz5A33u5D06JEC3oYZOVR4Ayp0PDqX0s-WkZiyDOnYyPSGZ-Us0gR98prgnxbdGL4_ljMBWrKLD5QPtiWjJ/w316-h400/_DSC1420.JPG" width="316" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">The dog tag is a bottle opener
with a short ball chain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I can be
a sissy even with twist-off caps, that's welcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyo3mSsWa45g4h3e9AwkxYToe4Khy9x1tpm9ruv3VuCJ5GKIba7MdXE3nyn3RdhY2VbR65wzgNmI3eZRbi_qsyqpnUm4g2MGjKYS5p3om2GwqX_jBPu6KWInnIKk7vDYuWLnIHau-6PLWL5jThy4sh1PKTxmj0Y2xEBIFGQ4dHtT9z-zHn-RxOoP41gYM/s3872/_DSC1427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyo3mSsWa45g4h3e9AwkxYToe4Khy9x1tpm9ruv3VuCJ5GKIba7MdXE3nyn3RdhY2VbR65wzgNmI3eZRbi_qsyqpnUm4g2MGjKYS5p3om2GwqX_jBPu6KWInnIKk7vDYuWLnIHau-6PLWL5jThy4sh1PKTxmj0Y2xEBIFGQ4dHtT9z-zHn-RxOoP41gYM/w400-h268/_DSC1427.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottle Opener/ Dog Tag</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">The mini-tool is, well, let’s just say having
a tool is better than having no tool.
The mini-blade is sharp enough to casually cut me. </p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEF4zCCN4BBUO-shiVN7G1Q7vl7k7RsonokTvgXHt1PA8BLRdkXr6pFFUyr3YAFYHRRKQyiCA6HbHMlRw_FEFpEo_FKOLyH2pdRCmqygnGngN1nu-RnM15jvScOBvyE7nfNzTnR4s1aEmDQoCn_O0KhRBquv3R0ZBzrPfae3MugQfkqY_o9IHI59poxw0/s3872/_DSC1438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEF4zCCN4BBUO-shiVN7G1Q7vl7k7RsonokTvgXHt1PA8BLRdkXr6pFFUyr3YAFYHRRKQyiCA6HbHMlRw_FEFpEo_FKOLyH2pdRCmqygnGngN1nu-RnM15jvScOBvyE7nfNzTnR4s1aEmDQoCn_O0KhRBquv3R0ZBzrPfae3MugQfkqY_o9IHI59poxw0/s320/_DSC1438.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Didn't even know I cut myself</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">The scissors are spring-loaded to open and
cut paper and the occasional thread.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm
trying to figure out what to make of the curved hook blade.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Is it for cutting line?</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Opening seams?</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm sure I'll find a use sooner or later.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttTjP7Uo2htH0YixNScpxnSHXgrvjJCAVqmFR-PIiFEgiXkbwzwzm29vgIOHvbCvVCfnj-l_ru387ohb4BVYRWATRWvKvpzaFC2ff_nzENCqPe-DzDBt0FvsvFLtaPzRNUXddgNCWB1KyplINnWembFw80YdV1FQDUsZqbisylviYlECrwyGDO_2-x78C/s3872/_DSC1429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttTjP7Uo2htH0YixNScpxnSHXgrvjJCAVqmFR-PIiFEgiXkbwzwzm29vgIOHvbCvVCfnj-l_ru387ohb4BVYRWATRWvKvpzaFC2ff_nzENCqPe-DzDBt0FvsvFLtaPzRNUXddgNCWB1KyplINnWembFw80YdV1FQDUsZqbisylviYlECrwyGDO_2-x78C/w400-h268/_DSC1429.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mini-tool</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A bottle opener is built into the
handle, and I've already given it a test spin around the bar.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">It opens beer bottles just fine!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Closed, the knife is 4.25 inches
long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 2.9-inch blade is
flipper-activated and made from 7CR17MOV stainless steel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a fortified version of 440A.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fortification?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vanadium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here's the meat of the steel analysis:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Carbon 0.6-0.7%,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chromium 16-17%,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Molybdenum<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>0.5-0.6%, Vanadium 0.1% or less.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s
a smattering of trace elements.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9R20ZQxkiCDUJcAKihE3zMIycsGQ5Fu7XHYgqkeJwE_z0iYgMNGCQsvOswVDJLCE6GNGrysabTOR3e0b8ZsCjGBW8DwC8uEXo-QRWTsauKHWCGJl-24C65AW8DWZyFyBNNEBLI3YNk69QYvLKgbVAUwUe8wj6O_mHMFa7yIH3h5bNekANHWCDdVh1JVm5/s3872/_DSC1432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9R20ZQxkiCDUJcAKihE3zMIycsGQ5Fu7XHYgqkeJwE_z0iYgMNGCQsvOswVDJLCE6GNGrysabTOR3e0b8ZsCjGBW8DwC8uEXo-QRWTsauKHWCGJl-24C65AW8DWZyFyBNNEBLI3YNk69QYvLKgbVAUwUe8wj6O_mHMFa7yIH3h5bNekANHWCDdVh1JVm5/w400-h268/_DSC1432.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a bad little knife for what it is</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">7CR17MOV has been described as
good steel with acceptable edge retention for the price.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Not exactly a ringing endorsement, but isn’t
that what most good products give us?</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Acceptable performance for the money.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">The blade is a straight-back
pattern with a high saber grind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
slight false edge gives the blade a finished look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There's no opening stud or nail nick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While you can pinch the blade out, you'll
find the flipper works very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
didn’t find any burs, misalignments, or other quality issues.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">The blade is as sharp as I want
right out of the box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought about
trying to touch it up, but it's a good edge just as it comes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">The blade rides between two brass
spacers, and I'm adding a drop of oil on each.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The clip isn't reversible but is set up for tip-up right-hand carry. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Impressively, the knife uses two steel liners
to give the knife strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The metal lanyard
hole is well done as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Brown polymer grips complete the
knife.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5xAz_E0lAQoLj-K28Ao0PoOEvHXAEOcIUygrM0emYBuWTxp0j7-5ZwFHgG5V7G40gvuP0zpSCfyU2P2FXhUKEtZZbRFqqbN3dNlVbTGK8Chio88miqHHl57vVwSZ4vmEayZQRUcUI-pPULLMIf1hhoTdRtsqG3Z9gf1mG7tP-zQ4PNxaFpV9E52WKA3v/s3872/_DSC1424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5xAz_E0lAQoLj-K28Ao0PoOEvHXAEOcIUygrM0emYBuWTxp0j7-5ZwFHgG5V7G40gvuP0zpSCfyU2P2FXhUKEtZZbRFqqbN3dNlVbTGK8Chio88miqHHl57vVwSZ4vmEayZQRUcUI-pPULLMIf1hhoTdRtsqG3Z9gf1mG7tP-zQ4PNxaFpV9E52WKA3v/w640-h428/_DSC1424.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Kit</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">I see this knife as a working
man's friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could use it to score
sheetrock, but there are much better products for that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will sharpen a pencil, cut open a blister
pack open packing boxes and, most importantly, it is a great knife to lend that
moocher who either fails to return anything or breaks it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">I may trim a little of the foam
out of the water-tight box and store the knife and mini-tool with a flashlight
in the back of my truck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You never know.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">But you can know about DAV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to Charity Navigator, they are a
501(c)(4) charity with a four-star rating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They report DAV uses 85% of their income to help veterans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's one thing to help with
hospitalization, rehab, or prosthesis fitting, but they still have to reenter
the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when some vets walk out
the door, they walk the wire alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All
too often, they need help getting to the doctors, filing paperwork, and
rejoining society.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">DAV has provided 19 million rides
to medical appointments, submitted 12 million claims for assistance for vets,
and has helped over 168,000 vets find jobs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxnAgfHhJo7Y40HTjx_eAwJB3W9V5Q6JZeitSv1IMxVFkfUViUtXr3WpiwctmN1XEZWC0SnebMAYeH6p1NLY9Oq6Ma6d9mT0s6qSejikSY2PufAHmhlqQA0_n2pVYnU0XV7fYF3K9AU7_7G2ri2P9HKx0dBz9qXyImR6Rb2J1b2IolFtQ5rEpD2LlhV6V/s3872/_DSC1437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxnAgfHhJo7Y40HTjx_eAwJB3W9V5Q6JZeitSv1IMxVFkfUViUtXr3WpiwctmN1XEZWC0SnebMAYeH6p1NLY9Oq6Ma6d9mT0s6qSejikSY2PufAHmhlqQA0_n2pVYnU0XV7fYF3K9AU7_7G2ri2P9HKx0dBz9qXyImR6Rb2J1b2IolFtQ5rEpD2LlhV6V/w400-h268/_DSC1437.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knife, mini-pliers and a bottle opener What more do you want?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh, hell, it seems my computer
screen is blowing dust in my eyes again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>knifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668471324798770048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141494072483348631.post-40655708292042665732024-02-26T13:57:00.000-05:002024-02-26T13:57:10.460-05:00Launch 13<p><span style="font-size: large;">I just got my hands on Kershaw’s Launch 13. It’s a very icey knife. But then, I’ve always liked Kershaw knives.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZBuJkkE9hKJt4IK4rEDNLQ5olH7gKvfNRV9xVMiX1utr2N305sMbEvj6ltj79GGIXFcKDUZruqszEjjR2fURQryawfGiP0gPxr5_FR96TrtKYeHIYzSsAGFu_5qYNsjAO_31czfTWQ8IU6lcv9z4z86w2kDCJlKR5czAkHlnGyxxi3XChI5-rndnkxov/s3872/_DSC1398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZBuJkkE9hKJt4IK4rEDNLQ5olH7gKvfNRV9xVMiX1utr2N305sMbEvj6ltj79GGIXFcKDUZruqszEjjR2fURQryawfGiP0gPxr5_FR96TrtKYeHIYzSsAGFu_5qYNsjAO_31czfTWQ8IU6lcv9z4z86w2kDCJlKR5czAkHlnGyxxi3XChI5-rndnkxov/w640-h428/_DSC1398.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kershaw Launch 13</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Pete Kershaw started the company in 1979 when he left Gerber
Blades.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">At the time, Ichiro Hattori made
most of Kershaw’s knives in Japan.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Constantly evolving, Kershaw has introduced many innovative knives
designed by people like Ken Onion, Ernest Emerson, Frank Centofante, and Rick
Hinderer, to name a few.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The internet claims Kershaw makes over a million knives a
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Impressive.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Pete retired from Kershaw on June 1, 1998, and by that time,
Kershaw was connected with KAI and is now wholly owned by the KAI Group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76THi6h12OBLfiG79JtHKsHBa3cRqI0EL53gA_pqBtQa9sClXyR_yzfYzyS9YC_I4cEsQcJ-IhE4nLzrOaDET_5019TctIGYAqDV2EcXNFFQcTY9w7oY-aWMowzecg0l-6XfDIuUuqV2A6jtPlHryZrotJxe2BAdUNhBSG0AM6_J9CtJjLKXokujWp9Ka/s3872/_DSC1371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76THi6h12OBLfiG79JtHKsHBa3cRqI0EL53gA_pqBtQa9sClXyR_yzfYzyS9YC_I4cEsQcJ-IhE4nLzrOaDET_5019TctIGYAqDV2EcXNFFQcTY9w7oY-aWMowzecg0l-6XfDIuUuqV2A6jtPlHryZrotJxe2BAdUNhBSG0AM6_J9CtJjLKXokujWp9Ka/w400-h268/_DSC1371.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really like the blade and dark green handle. CMP 154 is a nice knife steel.</td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The Launch series was introduced in the 2015 catalog with
the Launch 1, 2, and 3 knives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a bold
move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was at a time when many states
still had restrictions on automatic knives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>More of these interesting automatic knives were released over the years,
constantly exciting knife fanciers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
2019, the Launch 13 Auto was released.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Here are some Launch 13 stats:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The blade is made from CPM 154 powdered metal and hardened
to HRc of 58-60.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is hard enough to
retain an edge and not be brittle. The blade is a little over 0.1 inches thick and has
a tapered false edge, giving the blade a jazzy look.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPo_PJ_BG9EtwEqE_PL1qrHm4Gw8OVUDgs6vbk62cIm8DLo2emyEX-BtPQPYbe6lpIMHstxtExE02hFY3Gw6HAY3mB0bDZjCbBHYQJ8LxxOf7KHuPNPf0EdlV0bjCaeBUvOruA_7QAT8h_-SGdqxQBYS48me3ysZdFmZzcvl0qic06oCnmlFAfhF9M70Vv/s3872/_DSC1405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPo_PJ_BG9EtwEqE_PL1qrHm4Gw8OVUDgs6vbk62cIm8DLo2emyEX-BtPQPYbe6lpIMHstxtExE02hFY3Gw6HAY3mB0bDZjCbBHYQJ8LxxOf7KHuPNPf0EdlV0bjCaeBUvOruA_7QAT8h_-SGdqxQBYS48me3ysZdFmZzcvl0qic06oCnmlFAfhF9M70Vv/w400-h268/_DSC1405.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If a knife doesn't feel good in your hand, it's the wrong knife for you. This one feels great!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Crucible 154CM is a martensitic stainless steel similar to
type 440C but fortified with molybdenum. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like many knife steels, it was initially
developed for challenging industrial applications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those properties made it a desirable material
for knife makers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The blade is a high saber grind Wharncliffe mounted in a
strikingly attractive sculpted aluminum handle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The low-profile button helps prevent accidental opening, and the deep
carry pocket clip is reversible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The knife arrived set up for right-hand and tip-up carry,
which is perfect, as I carry folding blades against the back edge of my pant's
right pocket.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The knife weighs in at 2.4 oz.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surprisingly, the balance point puts the
weight chiefly on the handle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like
this as it makes the blade feel lively.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWQehDhU1Ie263JP0k6x_xDlja3RiXbhK2DzVSHhGF6546Pifex8Hbe_-kxSBsUPrZ3etAZVXqnaMNeBYqT_ecqmVvw4MKi3OEko4WQENfw35E3EJlf7WpOk5hWvEaK9U-Egelu0HUXcSRip1ZvwWNTjAlQnXEbrS4QyTBs1KMSRR2YLNbRirgf_nhzCv/s3872/_DSC1377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWQehDhU1Ie263JP0k6x_xDlja3RiXbhK2DzVSHhGF6546Pifex8Hbe_-kxSBsUPrZ3etAZVXqnaMNeBYqT_ecqmVvw4MKi3OEko4WQENfw35E3EJlf7WpOk5hWvEaK9U-Egelu0HUXcSRip1ZvwWNTjAlQnXEbrS4QyTBs1KMSRR2YLNbRirgf_nhzCv/w400-h268/_DSC1377.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The clip can be reversed for left or right pocket carry</td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">This one is a special edition in a dark olive green that I
find attractive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Launch 13 has been
out for a while, but this is the first dark green one I’ve seen.</span><o:p></o:p></p>knifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668471324798770048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141494072483348631.post-69289463822028656172024-02-15T13:55:00.000-05:002024-02-15T13:55:14.140-05:00SMOCK!<p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Hey, you got my knife!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">That's different from what I hear
very often at my sales table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often, I
hear, "You got the knife I’m looking for!’ or the slightly different
version, ‘You got the knife I lost!’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Neither of these states assures you of a sale.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You’re Mr. Smock?” I ask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was pointing at Spyderco’s Smock in carbon
fiber.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">You must understand I grew up
with Steve Allen's late-night TV show, Tonight. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Allan launched the careers of people like Don
Knotts, Lewis Nye, Bill Dana, and many more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But it was his catch phrase that always fascinated me:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>'Smock, Smock."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, when Mr. Smock walked up to
my table and introduced himself, I was, without a doubt, at a loss for words
and very confused. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0C1_mRznhJeLhGgq1-goGOWnZ336R2lXO-vuj69myre5Hl411a_KHmbTmmkmS0zViHmwWGePps1Aqf2b3niGicCHJE0X0P1OkY2HmByNkf63QiYj4usqD2TI4O6qcnl7zit42f4BVN4APBPlBV47KCX8Phv5vwsaECeuiAuwbdszIb8Utbr9GdjTBCZiU/s1531/kevin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1531" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0C1_mRznhJeLhGgq1-goGOWnZ336R2lXO-vuj69myre5Hl411a_KHmbTmmkmS0zViHmwWGePps1Aqf2b3niGicCHJE0X0P1OkY2HmByNkf63QiYj4usqD2TI4O6qcnl7zit42f4BVN4APBPlBV47KCX8Phv5vwsaECeuiAuwbdszIb8Utbr9GdjTBCZiU/w283-h400/kevin.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin Smock <br />He's holding a flier for the WRCA Knife show in April 6 and 7th at MAPS<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> near the Akron-Canton Airport</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“Yes, I am, and you," he
said, pointing at the Smock on my table, "have the new pivot.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">I didn’t like the old one.”</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">It turns out he is Kevin Smock, the designer
of Spyderco’s Smock. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">The previous one
was a simple screw head inset in the carbon fiber handle.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">The new one is a polished metal head with an
aerospace look.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDCJ3F9Whc-xVQpTY8D8JCRzNQTxjuyTas4eJtuucPYiSRJLRXeFMSxQ-b3zbhxDQ5qlyNpUhsb1PcAXbv5xJkxrBtmeEd6PPwh1BkHNsCEIbpzrp_cecn98_72Ul721fF1ZTa5WCxAxRIQy_IIVb6fmlolYXwftmlK6tb6CXC3lagKvpt4osmhjzZYAj/s1055/smock1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="1055" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDCJ3F9Whc-xVQpTY8D8JCRzNQTxjuyTas4eJtuucPYiSRJLRXeFMSxQ-b3zbhxDQ5qlyNpUhsb1PcAXbv5xJkxrBtmeEd6PPwh1BkHNsCEIbpzrp_cecn98_72Ul721fF1ZTa5WCxAxRIQy_IIVb6fmlolYXwftmlK6tb6CXC3lagKvpt4osmhjzZYAj/w640-h270/smock1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like the look, that button release is totally icey</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've met other famous knife
designers, but usually at the SHOT Show or Blade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But never at the Medina Community Center
until today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kevin started as a knife
modifier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would take other factory
knives and modify them, creating unique, one-of-a-kind knives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a bigger knife hobby than you might
think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Facebook is filled with postings
of 'patina-ized’ blades, replaced grips, and altered grinds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met a fellow who shortened the blades and
sometimes the grip of factory knives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Finally, Kevin’s friends told him, ‘Look, you got the skill and the
knowledge; you should be making your own knives.'<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">That did it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kevin wanted to use Spyderco's top
compression lock, so he approached them and got permission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The result is the SK23.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQvqEfepqa8FEexTj5VyGXj8Cg8tRyjXALpu4KGwiTxmBkz0hkz4nBAg5DQU3PmgbzHOs9DaCTCuE9RdHeU5UtTh5YfbFhEdLKJNYAH58t_0IIgIVZvK-j6TuH5UjefONXr3w5AYum2UYiVH4Cz_dfTZoXAk6yJ2IP6s8azVb-c7l65slL0OzKAjr2nT6/s684/smock2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="352" data-original-width="684" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQvqEfepqa8FEexTj5VyGXj8Cg8tRyjXALpu4KGwiTxmBkz0hkz4nBAg5DQU3PmgbzHOs9DaCTCuE9RdHeU5UtTh5YfbFhEdLKJNYAH58t_0IIgIVZvK-j6TuH5UjefONXr3w5AYum2UYiVH4Cz_dfTZoXAk6yJ2IP6s8azVb-c7l65slL0OzKAjr2nT6/w400-h206/smock2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the flipper, it's very easy to use and doesn't distract from the streamline profile. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Later, Kevin showed Eric Glesser
his creation and Eric was impressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
gave Kevin his card and told him we should talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest is history.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can look up Spyderco’s Smock
for yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a very cool
knife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flipper is uniquely
positioned and utilizes a button to disengage the compression lock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The button lets you close the knife without
your fingers coming near the closing blade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s a nice touch.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you don’t think this is
significant, you’re wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I constantly
deal with people who want a knife, in some cases need a knife, but worry about
cutting themselves while closing the knife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A lot of effort and time goes into finding a knife they feel comfortable
with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This apprehension is especially common
with frame and liner locks.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Smock weighs in at 3.7 oz,
and the blade, incompletely described as a modified Wharncliffe, is ground from
CPMS30V steel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kevin still makes his SK23 but
also makes custom scales for the Spyderco Smock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can check out these and other items at <a href="https://www.smockknives.com/">https://www.smockknives.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Meeting him made my day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here's an entrepreneur creating industry and
generating profits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There's a lot to be
said for that. </span><o:p></o:p></p>knifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668471324798770048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141494072483348631.post-83541046352050067352024-02-02T15:59:00.000-05:002024-02-02T15:59:57.302-05:00Two to Show<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">As luck would have it, I had a
chance to pick up two new knives. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">The first is the OSS Dagger by WE
K’nife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I've always been interested in
the small ‘James Bond secret agent’ knives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have heard about a replicate kit of special knives made for the OSS,
but I have never seen one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps it is
just urban legend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In any case, a small
concealable dagger would be part of that kit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzTQ0yrfJsjtGqm8bzWJbVbR_9x1PPIDtQQR3aKjSzHV-DIA81E_udSXDr8lmDA2_0B3WG75ueo0JPcDP01awaeQYWzvAiP5PvrjrJhnGmRcDTPwm4DtfKFYLHZTF6edpHk5lc2vFBcAMHrcMdxBU6vR6pZGfUVXix-vT64Rh8vz4SLg092kUsdXdgoO7/s3872/DSC_1307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzTQ0yrfJsjtGqm8bzWJbVbR_9x1PPIDtQQR3aKjSzHV-DIA81E_udSXDr8lmDA2_0B3WG75ueo0JPcDP01awaeQYWzvAiP5PvrjrJhnGmRcDTPwm4DtfKFYLHZTF6edpHk5lc2vFBcAMHrcMdxBU6vR6pZGfUVXix-vT64Rh8vz4SLg092kUsdXdgoO7/w400-h268/DSC_1307.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whenever I think of the OSS, I remember "You're Stepping on My Cloak and Dagger" by Roger Hall</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">The WE OSS dagger is a tribute to
those days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The knife is made from CPM
20CV steel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>CPM20CV is considered one of
the super steels with amazing edge retention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The formula is 1.9% carbon, 20% chromium, 4% vanadium, 1% molybdenum,
and 0.6% tungsten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this only tells
part of the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heat treatment and
edge geometry can make or break any steel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In this case, vanadium and chromium help create fine-grain carbides and
allow for sufficient chromium for stain resistance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The downside is that 20CV can be extremely
challenging to properly sharpen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip79BR18XZa3YkVxn5Gar59BWedIQYN_sw_lLwEwQyuOi22Z8OfLMAO4MqEHiBW9VmRlvjBkfjBiGCNLWjxCahA9q3rR_TwHXoVLQhPj4K7C6IF9W1SLjLHEbWWvAp8I1HYHBBkIinBD7pw0OjqgvGZsPa7Qda0NOQ0maof5R1_tH9J9HMVpbvL5vB9WyG/s2531/DSC_1319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2246" data-original-width="2531" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip79BR18XZa3YkVxn5Gar59BWedIQYN_sw_lLwEwQyuOi22Z8OfLMAO4MqEHiBW9VmRlvjBkfjBiGCNLWjxCahA9q3rR_TwHXoVLQhPj4K7C6IF9W1SLjLHEbWWvAp8I1HYHBBkIinBD7pw0OjqgvGZsPa7Qda0NOQ0maof5R1_tH9J9HMVpbvL5vB9WyG/w386-h343/DSC_1319.JPG" width="386" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lot of bulky Kydex for a secret concealed tool</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The OSS Dagger has a flat back,
making the knife less than 1/8 inch thick.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">This allows the knife to sit snuggly in tight places.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">The two-inch blade is sharpened on both
sides, as fitting a dagger.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">The flat
grind slopes upward to a groove in the knife's spine. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">The edges flow to a thin, sharp point.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_IDv1lLwPinvNqRg0ekqzT6Q8PAbGk9Z-j1-rFKjMRrNeczJcwViCPuVoTek6FyKJXRv9MMYbwFB2XAZWTeiNxbs0Bxwtz5rU4kVBcqtlV886C8KXEXn6-Abfv7rCsbPvUxP4ujWzwIdGnR_1-WDpnNpbgoOV_3HHftshf5mjAwazZI7GVSGJRy2KLAl/s2339/DSC_1325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2273" data-original-width="2339" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_IDv1lLwPinvNqRg0ekqzT6Q8PAbGk9Z-j1-rFKjMRrNeczJcwViCPuVoTek6FyKJXRv9MMYbwFB2XAZWTeiNxbs0Bxwtz5rU4kVBcqtlV886C8KXEXn6-Abfv7rCsbPvUxP4ujWzwIdGnR_1-WDpnNpbgoOV_3HHftshf5mjAwazZI7GVSGJRy2KLAl/w400-h389/DSC_1325.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Face it, it's a weapon</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">A depression for the thumb has
ridges of G10 to improve grip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
isn’t a guard on this knife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to
remind myself this is a soft target weapon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The handle has a lanyard hole, and if it is in use, I'd suggest a short
lanyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cord, or leather ribbon,
can then be threaded between your fingers for additional grip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A flexible cord could aid you in drawing the
knife, depending on your hiding place.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">The OSS Dagger comes with a Kydex
sheath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sheath has a very nice
spring-loaded clip to secure your weapon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is removable, and WE provides a ball chain to convert it to a neck knife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could also sew the sheath in to a pocket
or jacket sleeve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The knife weighs less
than ¾ of an ounce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sheath,
unfortunately, weighs more.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let's stop kidding each
other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This isn't wartime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This knife isn’t being issued to people
dropping behind enemy lines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just a
paean to one specific tool used by the OSS during WWII.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">But I’d find some thinner Kydex
and make a smaller, lighter sheath if I needed this last-resort weapon.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Olight is best known for their
flash and weapon lights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are a
relatively new company, founded in China in 2007.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are not without their fans and critics,
with some justification.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In November
2017, a man was killed by an Olight flashlight that exploded due to improper
use after placing it in his mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Late
in March 2022, Olight recalled 215,000 flashlights because of a defect that caused
the lights to accidentally turn on and sometimes burn the owners.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgroXwawS-5WBj76Ah3DaP9NjEF2FPMZ_mqqiVhVg2ThB4NbGGbAzQZuIr-iX8c8RufzKVTEpk9ppgynf95igvvfsrXdyokWAZjHuxbRbz9MZ4T8BAkRSOkYPUcueGzDy8mK27ZtI6sEXXeHGQS1FvtTi-WNsQXibCYs9Phdok-zkPYz9fN1eeyxpwelp77/s3024/DSC_1327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1745" data-original-width="3024" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgroXwawS-5WBj76Ah3DaP9NjEF2FPMZ_mqqiVhVg2ThB4NbGGbAzQZuIr-iX8c8RufzKVTEpk9ppgynf95igvvfsrXdyokWAZjHuxbRbz9MZ4T8BAkRSOkYPUcueGzDy8mK27ZtI6sEXXeHGQS1FvtTi-WNsQXibCYs9Phdok-zkPYz9fN1eeyxpwelp77/w400-h231/DSC_1327.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not my first zombie knife<br />https://knifesearch.blogspot.com/2023/12/zombies.html </td></tr></tbody></table></span><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Despite this, I snatched up one
of their Nettle 2 Zombie knives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
blood-splattered (really, just red coloration) green handle speaks to me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">The 2.8-inch blackened blade is a
high-shoulder flat grind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
fashioned from <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>154CM<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>steel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Crucible Industries 154CM is a modification of 440C, a martensitic-type
stainless steel to which molybdenum has been added to improve its physical
properties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, this is not the
powder metal form.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfj7Sd0UgVUpTNzaGUUm0A6wPLSsv4fm4sM5X1EzDQt9k6nM9xCEh4hVPuyb_avIZPXiBZdw-FmkUi_ZS04XwroOWy3FW4S-kaUi4i7CxV8byBMZr5bLf7I63_kIbrK9YU4HOaCCboEW2iv74d6WARuLJXZaKAXSsDeh-jiXcpwcRDmaZVQuLqknG4pIhN/s2996/DSC_1338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2011" data-original-width="2996" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfj7Sd0UgVUpTNzaGUUm0A6wPLSsv4fm4sM5X1EzDQt9k6nM9xCEh4hVPuyb_avIZPXiBZdw-FmkUi_ZS04XwroOWy3FW4S-kaUi4i7CxV8byBMZr5bLf7I63_kIbrK9YU4HOaCCboEW2iv74d6WARuLJXZaKAXSsDeh-jiXcpwcRDmaZVQuLqknG4pIhN/w400-h269/DSC_1338.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The challenge coin was a suprise!</td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">The handle is an aluminum alloy,
which lets the knife weigh in at 2.5 ounces.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">The handle is set up with a reversible clip and comes out of the box,
right-hand tip-up, my favorite way of carrying a knife.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">The knife has a button lock, which
allows two ways of opening the knife, actually three.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first is the blade flipper, which rotates
to become part of a finger guard when the blade locks open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second is using the lock button and
allowing gravity to open the blade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
can also flick your wrist if you want that tactical click.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last way is using the tiny opening
depression in the blade to pinch the blade open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s the polite society way; it doesn't
alarm anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask me how I discovered
the need to open a knife this way, and I'll tell you about a pizza party at
work.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5DUpskKeKISWfos963IdcvoSPz7uOn9PpS7xYxXr7m78-ehAcMiP7rrQMbKyAOrHiVmhcpeTpW6JJ-SCsyM7D06pWcUqxmnAwtlVMyv3THFrqs_jexcpenI8vbD43LCzXrPq9eInJAl__NR65IktktUexCk-rQdClSg1L0uGBE3vxc86894yVVYnZ8vy/s3872/DSC_1346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5DUpskKeKISWfos963IdcvoSPz7uOn9PpS7xYxXr7m78-ehAcMiP7rrQMbKyAOrHiVmhcpeTpW6JJ-SCsyM7D06pWcUqxmnAwtlVMyv3THFrqs_jexcpenI8vbD43LCzXrPq9eInJAl__NR65IktktUexCk-rQdClSg1L0uGBE3vxc86894yVVYnZ8vy/w640-h428/DSC_1346.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mettle 2 Zombie</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don't think I'll be carrying
either knife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both knives will become
part of my collection.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>knifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668471324798770048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141494072483348631.post-58707850902992758702024-01-21T14:16:00.000-05:002024-01-21T14:16:50.916-05:00Magnificent MagnaCut <p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Crucible Powdered Metal’s MagnaCut
steel is, perhaps the best performance steel on the market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is certainly the hottest!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dr. Larrin Thomas, its inventor,
thought there should be a steel that could be optimized to give small grain steel with tiny, supper hard carbides capable of reaching Rockwell 60+ hardness without
brittleness and still be rust resistant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’ve taken a very short step in to
metallurgy and perhaps the first thing you learn is you simply can’t throw
elements into a pot and get a great outcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Metallurgy is complicated, heat treatment is a specialty, and you just
don’t plunge a red-hot knife from the forge into oil and get a great outcome.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">MagnaCut was the result of serious
study and testing which culminated with a single hit or miss lot of steel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Larrin got one bite at the apple and he was
successful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The story of its development
is here: <a href="https://knifesteelnerds.com/2021/03/25/cpm-magnacut">https://knifesteelnerds.com/2021/03/25/cpm-magnacut</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZZibBqs8dUhkXYGjrgSmNtsnsvq5-933qUsIYifxbKH8qucalC5a-rTAfA0xMZ2KgLqCNPHYgxKn7K6sKGWDZthlUbIgneErfbokRcadaD0pkgL34WoXk9qv3OkX73O9AEGD01g-zAeA37I6GnLHYKUTg6BNWLvkeSxsTEAWMsMMLZUJsHyZcTdrnedc/s420/C223YL_M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="305" data-original-width="420" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZZibBqs8dUhkXYGjrgSmNtsnsvq5-933qUsIYifxbKH8qucalC5a-rTAfA0xMZ2KgLqCNPHYgxKn7K6sKGWDZthlUbIgneErfbokRcadaD0pkgL34WoXk9qv3OkX73O9AEGD01g-zAeA37I6GnLHYKUTg6BNWLvkeSxsTEAWMsMMLZUJsHyZcTdrnedc/w400-h290/C223YL_M.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Spyderco's MagnaCut folders: </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let me be honest with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The article is written for steel nerds,
people who enjoy technical data, like hard science fiction and enjoy reading
about science.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m one of them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The upshot is MagnaCut, due to its
properties, when processed properly is an amazing steel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The high-end knife makers jumped on it like
white on rice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This quickly worked its
way down to EDC knives.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can Google MagnaCut and any
knife company and get a hit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here’s the formulation: Carbon
1.15%, Chromium 10.7%, Vanadium 4.00%, Molybdenum 2.00%, Niobium 2.00%, Nitrogen
0.20%.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QzdujDTmNNKkn0xcZWCPjCcI9Sef0CADADPbv-dINEFByMNtkmba7BmQDC-dXpsW9yK-doHe4zxilB3hGXwvj9vr_n9AhFAkeL9qEYp2qAYxpbUhAeRak0G_e-D7bNrpt_b5mNylmjTpekED2XFJhyRjsJUp44yxTF9lRNCgcM4YA6xE3VDcA9gJ5ZsU/s450/Kershaw-Launch-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QzdujDTmNNKkn0xcZWCPjCcI9Sef0CADADPbv-dINEFByMNtkmba7BmQDC-dXpsW9yK-doHe4zxilB3hGXwvj9vr_n9AhFAkeL9qEYp2qAYxpbUhAeRak0G_e-D7bNrpt_b5mNylmjTpekED2XFJhyRjsJUp44yxTF9lRNCgcM4YA6xE3VDcA9gJ5ZsU/w355-h400/Kershaw-Launch-4.jpg" width="355" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kershaw Launch 4 in MagnaCut</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The amazing thing, all the chromium
is available for corrosion resistance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>carbides are all vanadium and
niobium.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">We could talk about Charpy C-notch
test, Edge Retention (CATRA Testing Relative to 440C), salt spray corrosion
test, but you can find that yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The important thing is to realize this steel helps makers use a better
blade geometry for improved cutting while ensuring extended performance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while performance doesn’t come cheap, this
steel is worth it!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4hnkjv85eKt1F3oovfq7wj5hARqUw_JeCHiULiuwFuxDe4R5izsgLuPm6EB5d9Vae15iCtDOEf4a4xyRdQyTtj52vd1dz3sf_cqIoO_ifi_Nyx2p6lfI0UBXLxGlF2HXrHWkCzxHzq0awriUR18ZSk-MwMnIhn5vjJEFA-0wLtnI_U-lD3yORs2gfcR3/s310/swordfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="310" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4hnkjv85eKt1F3oovfq7wj5hARqUw_JeCHiULiuwFuxDe4R5izsgLuPm6EB5d9Vae15iCtDOEf4a4xyRdQyTtj52vd1dz3sf_cqIoO_ifi_Nyx2p6lfI0UBXLxGlF2HXrHWkCzxHzq0awriUR18ZSk-MwMnIhn5vjJEFA-0wLtnI_U-lD3yORs2gfcR3/w640-h337/swordfish.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bestech's Swordfish in Magnacut</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">You’re going to see a lot of MagnaCut
in the future.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></p>knifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668471324798770048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141494072483348631.post-39445250295251459162023-12-26T18:55:00.001-05:002024-01-21T11:45:41.007-05:00Zombies<p><span style="font-size: large;">Zombies weren’t always so threatening.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">It took a lot of work and juju to turn a person into a
Zombie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They mostly stood around until
the Zombie master gave them commands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even then, they were primarily insistent; nothing stopped them from carrying
out their instructions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they weren’t
infectious.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">In Piers Anthony's 'Castle Roogna', they were pretty nice
people, had a lot of friends, fell in love, and did other ordinary things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The first record of zombies in literature goes to the
English poet Robert Southey in 1819.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Later, Richard Matheson published<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>'I Am Legend' in 1954.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sparked by
that idea, George Romero directed 'Night of the Living Dead' in 1968, and
zombies became insatiable, highly infectious, deadly creatures driven by a
killing desire for brains.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Most of the TV shows and movies copied this idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems there is limited originality in the entertainment
media.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">We saw a shift in 2005.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Inspired by an old folk legend, Tim Burton produced ‘The Corpse Bride,' suitable
for children and adults.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later in 2019,
'iZombie', a comedy crime drama TV show, ran for several seasons.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeVcg19v9YxmmkB6Saggs6_Tndw0drSjDPuAOUPBC7DerO0vEc5Iml7AGIJY2YWKk1Hx9ByJSKLGZzS0zIxnxqAWfhuiQ7tbLD85afmPuS_X8z_J0NN1WdAHkLAnYmlsuKd6bT9grguHmjHYBBMNKrRIghniIcAEqtV-PI8etn7Wb1duVVLUQuh0jPsHp/s3872/DSC_1228.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeVcg19v9YxmmkB6Saggs6_Tndw0drSjDPuAOUPBC7DerO0vEc5Iml7AGIJY2YWKk1Hx9ByJSKLGZzS0zIxnxqAWfhuiQ7tbLD85afmPuS_X8z_J0NN1WdAHkLAnYmlsuKd6bT9grguHmjHYBBMNKrRIghniIcAEqtV-PI8etn7Wb1duVVLUQuh0jPsHp/w400-h268/DSC_1228.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MicroTech's ZombiTech</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm not a Zombie fan, but I fell hard for Microtech's
ZombieTech out-the-front auto.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Something about the blood splatter. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I've always been interested in blood splatter,
and the almost florescent green handle appeals to me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUggwBpOOX73WZb-Y_wzPJfj-5Fxobga-u9RDI80ihDvrtub8IedYfRIHA4X_qdd-1r03m4uNa2D22e_P5-nC82oVmv9fjC9W8BEt76qbNeOjzPtDqwpuXbSilUx9cINckSLXSlVxo_Sq1aKOziGNwzjuWbZr8mT2YhJBDu3E6xJO3LLElqmkaE6Fej9MI/s3872/DSC_1262.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUggwBpOOX73WZb-Y_wzPJfj-5Fxobga-u9RDI80ihDvrtub8IedYfRIHA4X_qdd-1r03m4uNa2D22e_P5-nC82oVmv9fjC9W8BEt76qbNeOjzPtDqwpuXbSilUx9cINckSLXSlVxo_Sq1aKOziGNwzjuWbZr8mT2YhJBDu3E6xJO3LLElqmkaE6Fej9MI/w400-h268/DSC_1262.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The classic way to stop a zombie was to destroy the brain</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">MicroTech released the ZombieTech in 2012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have one from 2019 celebrating Microtech’s
25th anniversary, but I don’t know how much longer they were in production.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I contacted MicroTech, but they remain closed-lipped about
everything and have yet to respond.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIi6GCrf2YbqIWoaY6ZpdpxSiwm16WWZ5RUsCPtP6jG7kQwlwuzGKG_BymBnzvNTJ2FvDLbtO1iBjtntQrqSI6qnRGyLducWTCVYKVAavHTHPoIEZI6yXFqktlQpKOGZJddgOS6R4EcLadVAe_rGOnIWVrjgx3GfbVjIdFboldwSj4rrdk9bF8eMFwQLe/s3872/DSC_1251.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIi6GCrf2YbqIWoaY6ZpdpxSiwm16WWZ5RUsCPtP6jG7kQwlwuzGKG_BymBnzvNTJ2FvDLbtO1iBjtntQrqSI6qnRGyLducWTCVYKVAavHTHPoIEZI6yXFqktlQpKOGZJddgOS6R4EcLadVAe_rGOnIWVrjgx3GfbVjIdFboldwSj4rrdk9bF8eMFwQLe/w640-h429/DSC_1251.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Real blood doesn't splatter this way, unless it's a high speed splatter</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The internet claims that every ZombieTech has a random and
different splatter pattern.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">I admit that
some patterns are a lot nicer than others.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The 3-inch blade was available as a drop point, tanto, and a
double-edge dagger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have found images
of bright blades and ones with a black finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While some websites claim to have a few high-end ZombieTech sets in
stock, most say 'Out of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stock,' which is
seller speak for can't get it anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiYzvhc0RnwT5bHKtPR-xMR08f61KRqcRgNNioqioCR7dox41I6RCQAr_UpuCLyG5zs8Hvvh6J1Ao4oRR8wD1NVqn_Os3376HRVDNx8TUlWcy2MTncBYkgFvEcnHbd7bpfQcBp7nfAXh13ttN98feHoog553zrcYC9rpwfh84_IMqXUdnx7PZnSdyTirw/s3872/DSC_1246.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiYzvhc0RnwT5bHKtPR-xMR08f61KRqcRgNNioqioCR7dox41I6RCQAr_UpuCLyG5zs8Hvvh6J1Ao4oRR8wD1NVqn_Os3376HRVDNx8TUlWcy2MTncBYkgFvEcnHbd7bpfQcBp7nfAXh13ttN98feHoog553zrcYC9rpwfh84_IMqXUdnx7PZnSdyTirw/w640-h428/DSC_1246.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;">MicroTech uses M390 steel from Böhler Edelstahl GmbH &
Co KG factory in Kapfenberg, Austria.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Originally
designed in the late 1980s for molds used in the injection molding industry, it
has found a home in the knife community.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGREUSKuf0ikQhidydkdOsjJzv3xqN4KyU_38gEV6mL59ks3N0kchUlrn3s70UJmVI2oPtzlu-wvHn85NacezLb8clOMBYJwPt_fsgm6JnJz-GxRDsJUIEXglyadbPfR0KPX0LzD51KtxdcpKFq6pj_OyrnPRC_lk1HqTqSYeC9zNmsof2kQUpAATwPyp/s3872/DSC_1232.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGREUSKuf0ikQhidydkdOsjJzv3xqN4KyU_38gEV6mL59ks3N0kchUlrn3s70UJmVI2oPtzlu-wvHn85NacezLb8clOMBYJwPt_fsgm6JnJz-GxRDsJUIEXglyadbPfR0KPX0LzD51KtxdcpKFq6pj_OyrnPRC_lk1HqTqSYeC9zNmsof2kQUpAATwPyp/w400-h268/DSC_1232.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like OTFs, or Out the Front, but they have their limitations too. Blade can slip off the internal carriage.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I really shouldn’t bang on the entertainment industry too
hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Originality is hard to come
by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2021, MicroTech released a
version of their knife called 'Outbreak.'<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><a href="https://microtechknives.com/the-outbreak-unleashing/">https://microtechknives.com/the-outbreak-unleashing/</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It sports the same blood splatter on bulbous
green and a Biohazard symbol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It, too,
is out of stock.</span><o:p></o:p></p>knifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668471324798770048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141494072483348631.post-92144949841361470372023-12-10T20:17:00.000-05:002023-12-10T20:17:06.247-05:00Screw Loose<p> <span style="font-size: large;">My wife’s current favorite pocketknife, a purple SixLeaf,
lost the screw holding the clip to the body.
Fortunately, the knife slipped further into her pocket, and somehow, the
clip was retained. The screw, however,
vanished.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Of course, I wanted to repair it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SixLeafs aren’t that expensive and but there
are no local distributors I can contact for a replacement screw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Fortunately, I had a SixLeaf of my own and was able to
confirm it was the same screw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what
kind of screw?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjvlNqLET8y5PTPAqslwkXwO819KV02g1hMfzvqdqYpyHxYphrg7e-fco0miyEKK8QxNwNzOuJY-pSfM_1KT3hyivNW7eY0U3t_-veZ7Y_bWBubHXrYhBy36r9_EvvEOIm4HSjooSYioaocFuVw_MnicpOs1sPleo_rPAzCA3TGhcrPTNtWy-z2VwbuHL/s2598/DSC_1155.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2021" data-original-width="2598" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjvlNqLET8y5PTPAqslwkXwO819KV02g1hMfzvqdqYpyHxYphrg7e-fco0miyEKK8QxNwNzOuJY-pSfM_1KT3hyivNW7eY0U3t_-veZ7Y_bWBubHXrYhBy36r9_EvvEOIm4HSjooSYioaocFuVw_MnicpOs1sPleo_rPAzCA3TGhcrPTNtWy-z2VwbuHL/w400-h311/DSC_1155.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She wanted the purple one and I opted for green</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;">My friend Derrick speaks fluent machinist.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">He was able to identify it as 2.5mm X .45
screw.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">In the bonus round, he even
produced the proper replacement screw.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xIHLCyeqMoUbmb7pHRBGDPSlbOikSci0c0FEk7oQ_ZQieTEPXFGh4Fdx9JCY547f_VIeCGpgUqLkf8vLzwjG7IAe05BdfwEjsj6S2MxEEVG_RvFqFjeVuoUoCdlwM5pawnKV4l8S0uA7-4__wGgz7dgcF6btB_BxmKFuiz-prWpC1f6ndKrHE70u1qc9/s1600/IMG_1514.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xIHLCyeqMoUbmb7pHRBGDPSlbOikSci0c0FEk7oQ_ZQieTEPXFGh4Fdx9JCY547f_VIeCGpgUqLkf8vLzwjG7IAe05BdfwEjsj6S2MxEEVG_RvFqFjeVuoUoCdlwM5pawnKV4l8S0uA7-4__wGgz7dgcF6btB_BxmKFuiz-prWpC1f6ndKrHE70u1qc9/w400-h300/IMG_1514.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had the knife and the clip and when we got the screw, well, everything worked.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;">That greatly simplified my job.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">I didn’t want to force an incorrect thread
into the knife's titanium frame, so having the correct one was excellent.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmK-OZTCnsOS215qikgcZlFG0WDEV4K2bVWVBcrYfM1_hgX8fOkDjmH5vytlxhxcOuTgntMHodVbYqbf6kWJdj8veQ9_eF2EZE5hd340I6TE-gPEGHsOq348uyjqaML3I-Dkk9IGZBuQXIFcMb7Ks-oweFoyExXz71h_ZGtTLg_S43PLYLjXjppq4tjFCP/s1600/IMG_1516.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmK-OZTCnsOS215qikgcZlFG0WDEV4K2bVWVBcrYfM1_hgX8fOkDjmH5vytlxhxcOuTgntMHodVbYqbf6kWJdj8veQ9_eF2EZE5hd340I6TE-gPEGHsOq348uyjqaML3I-Dkk9IGZBuQXIFcMb7Ks-oweFoyExXz71h_ZGtTLg_S43PLYLjXjppq4tjFCP/w400-h300/IMG_1516.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lot of brands available, any one would work</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I got out my semi-permanent (blue) threadlock and #9 Torx
drivers and went to work.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">I used a
single drop and let the threadlocker wet the threads and drained off the excess
into a paper towel.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">This left me with a
tiny ribbon of blue winding around the thread root.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">I screwed everything back together,
finger-tight.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XQpmXEun0WMU18susWgLqZ-gV3nu8CNsOgTGW1H6Gc2IiXPQ46EqY7I52h1FpBErwCswGyZDors8wvu18rgOzmWrQYnVdzFZTdykArYKSSaxm_wqQSUyiXUz1YVI7dd4MRWRdaGmU141Y45pImAIATrotXm9vNn12skf73W0P54iyB8n7cLfuynyJKVI/s1422/IMG_1518.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="1422" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XQpmXEun0WMU18susWgLqZ-gV3nu8CNsOgTGW1H6Gc2IiXPQ46EqY7I52h1FpBErwCswGyZDors8wvu18rgOzmWrQYnVdzFZTdykArYKSSaxm_wqQSUyiXUz1YVI7dd4MRWRdaGmU141Y45pImAIATrotXm9vNn12skf73W0P54iyB8n7cLfuynyJKVI/w400-h315/IMG_1518.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Done!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;">My wife got her favorite knife back, so it’s a great outcome
in my book.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Thanks, Derrick!</b></span><o:p></o:p></p>knifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668471324798770048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141494072483348631.post-89899675189536843732023-12-03T16:49:00.000-05:002023-12-03T16:49:30.233-05:00What's In Your Stocking?<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Stocking stuffers?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
don’t need no stinkin’ stocking stuffers…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">That's not true, is it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>During the Christmas Holidays, there is always a need for little
gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is especially true if you're
a knife fancier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all need oils,
waxes, polishes, sharpening doodads, and whatnots, but we sometimes hesitate to
buy for ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Let me give you two ideas any knife fancier will want.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTimVsHnn-sRTgk4LBubifEJAhDcF8lNHAw1HaFCc0-mrlwUTX7eEQj8n_raXbt1dC1mZjGA26If4swkXMeSHc8dudnAVPB2Igcp8YG9dcBQ_3Hj4lvFgWWBidM7gsDIzl9hoI_jWwVaB50J0KR0zR90S1H4YJB99JAJNGM8-YSVbA-Ed98fPqgBb5ZUbH/s1600/IMG_1512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTimVsHnn-sRTgk4LBubifEJAhDcF8lNHAw1HaFCc0-mrlwUTX7eEQj8n_raXbt1dC1mZjGA26If4swkXMeSHc8dudnAVPB2Igcp8YG9dcBQ_3Hj4lvFgWWBidM7gsDIzl9hoI_jWwVaB50J0KR0zR90S1H4YJB99JAJNGM8-YSVbA-Ed98fPqgBb5ZUbH/w640-h480/IMG_1512.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are various products like these two, I just happen to have these on hand.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Every pocket knife I’ve owned has screws, nuts, and bolts
that all what to back out and get lost.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Every clip has at least one screw that wants to be somewhere else.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The solution: Threadlock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>People have used nail polish, airplane glue, paint, and other solutions
to keep screws from backing out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McBride
writes during the Great War, WWI, he and other shooters rusted their screws in
place with iodine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are better
solutions for a pocket knife.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I'd get the blue semi-permanent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will keep the gremlins from backing out
screws. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The trend today is to use torx screws.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those are the screws that need a star-shaped
driver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are the hot fasteners
today, and most of your knives will be assembled with these specialty
screws.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want to replace a clip, disassemble,
and clean your knife, you’ll need the correct torx driver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Husky makes a nice set of four double-ended
drives housed in a nice plastic body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The end cap rotates so you can put finger pressure on it and still turn
the driver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The drives range from the
tiny T4 to the smallish T15.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Two easy stocking stuffers for your favorite knife owner,
even if you buy these for yourself.</span><o:p></o:p></p>knifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668471324798770048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141494072483348631.post-53062236837072338902023-11-26T21:23:00.001-05:002024-02-02T16:02:12.348-05:00Secrets of the Sorting Hat<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've moved, which forced me to
confront my knife collection with the certainty that all good things end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My previous dwelling had plentiful storage,
but the new digs, well, not so much. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll
add cabinets, shelves, and drawers for storage, but I need to deal with limited
storage and the need to put things away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">The move has also prompted a
confrontation with my mortality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do I
want to continue to curate knives I have for no apparent reason?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As much as I wish it, I do not have a Harry
Potter sorting hat to make determinations for me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">I realized that all my
possessions could be categorized into two distinct classes and a third, more nebulous
one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first two are obviously
"Keep" and "Discard.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
third is “Maybe.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Don't let this fool you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are only two options.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe is actually a Discard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a knife doesn't create enough passion to
become a Keep instantly, it's a Discard you're trying to be polite to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ditch it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOr_Fsh01wzyF5zdaNcYFOfHdw9Bg8UCk9q6Iwdf9Znkhkujtaj4aDqjVRhUPL0g765qGnre26U7VSfLF8mHqKwpjaUnceHe8nwjvX60o_Y2j91rCUduNWhQ88Fgf1ZXcvTXemJ8NKASQXHHzhvc4DwA0MuIe2FfFUdlgtLwaKbt2r0GLjZ3uz0WB_of0P/s1600/IMG_1504.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOr_Fsh01wzyF5zdaNcYFOfHdw9Bg8UCk9q6Iwdf9Znkhkujtaj4aDqjVRhUPL0g765qGnre26U7VSfLF8mHqKwpjaUnceHe8nwjvX60o_Y2j91rCUduNWhQ88Fgf1ZXcvTXemJ8NKASQXHHzhvc4DwA0MuIe2FfFUdlgtLwaKbt2r0GLjZ3uz0WB_of0P/w400-h300/IMG_1504.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original Tigersharp</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Here’s a couple of examples.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">I picked up a Tigersharp at the SHOT
Show.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">The company later sold the design
to Camillus.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">The novelty is the
replacement blade eliminating the need to resharpen the knife; just use a new
blade.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">It's going.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrOvVzr3iS7TT6aJyn3dAMPnPSd75iLoTSXpV-qOJqQw7sJcFUvHM75ciqdhJAL_Zl2oOT59z6kKx0TdFIHSmsOYHWYTJ4_4FEl1clmLvLmzEopxwtUvS26x1RJzIXOgzJpuRbqJ1BlJFvsL9ddN8VOknjnEqA4E112xyaHFbuNGXzt2tJlaOrPNTTX9H/s1600/IMG_1502.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrOvVzr3iS7TT6aJyn3dAMPnPSd75iLoTSXpV-qOJqQw7sJcFUvHM75ciqdhJAL_Zl2oOT59z6kKx0TdFIHSmsOYHWYTJ4_4FEl1clmLvLmzEopxwtUvS26x1RJzIXOgzJpuRbqJ1BlJFvsL9ddN8VOknjnEqA4E112xyaHFbuNGXzt2tJlaOrPNTTX9H/w400-h300/IMG_1502.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boot dagger from S&W</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Years ago, at the Knob Creek
Machine Gun Shoot, I bought a S&W H.R.T. dagger boot knife.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">I am still trying to understand why.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">The handle is too small, the blade is sharp
on one side but not the other, and I don't typically wear the proper boots.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Bye-bye boot knife.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKW4pEsm2qbjiNwzrD6dzVmbBT8Vf-JHo3YuvpaefcfyAUDFzzPqrpTy7tCCMLckTuhmydboUv3TXH14hwACMtbpwsEopiOh1KvNGx35UT2eZTgEWrGrwEXuDFCeq8J4JRzBoC7t4jasahfUDMwa5VKRx3OR1hqf-9SG0kX19QJfkChhbzFdtjpB2MJBGU/s1600/IMG_1508.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKW4pEsm2qbjiNwzrD6dzVmbBT8Vf-JHo3YuvpaefcfyAUDFzzPqrpTy7tCCMLckTuhmydboUv3TXH14hwACMtbpwsEopiOh1KvNGx35UT2eZTgEWrGrwEXuDFCeq8J4JRzBoC7t4jasahfUDMwa5VKRx3OR1hqf-9SG0kX19QJfkChhbzFdtjpB2MJBGU/w400-h300/IMG_1508.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boker's Pocket Knife by Mickey Yurco</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I bought a knife from Boker,
designed by Mickey Yurco, called the Pocket Knife.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Mickey told me he thinks of it as a
self-defense tool, but Boker, fearful of public backlash (What!</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">You mean to tell me you could hurt someone
with a knife?) calls it a camping or survival knife.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">I wore this on my pack for years.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">It's a keeper.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">So, there you have it.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">When you start thinking about that great
collector's meeting in the sky and can't decide what knives need to find a new
home, remember, Maybes are just polite Discards.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">You really didn't care for them in the first
place.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>knifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668471324798770048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141494072483348631.post-1869860275669909632023-09-26T19:29:00.000-04:002023-09-26T19:29:35.724-04:00Unpack: CRKT's Kith and Razelcliffe<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Receiving and unpacking knives is
one of my favorite activities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I just got two from Columbia
River Knife and Tool and they are both winners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The first knife is the Razelcliffe, designed by Jon Graham and the
other, the Kith, designed by Ken Steigerwalt.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZMs4Sq8gWdaK13nU44nPJaxdD51Gc4HHHv9s7NqvUA48fO4kcs04K9iBL1fKurFGtknseii1wOsEmwAT-YZIp6bMSbhktKOIJoyWSHUixf6XWrIuPvtG1CuIXJsfJeNUGRG4Hk-MJcdLGKjm8lDYE9EOw4pkZSb-OPcf868BTHr_Pg1jd7byKz4dxhIV/s4080/both.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="CRKT Razelcliffe, Cool Knives" border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZMs4Sq8gWdaK13nU44nPJaxdD51Gc4HHHv9s7NqvUA48fO4kcs04K9iBL1fKurFGtknseii1wOsEmwAT-YZIp6bMSbhktKOIJoyWSHUixf6XWrIuPvtG1CuIXJsfJeNUGRG4Hk-MJcdLGKjm8lDYE9EOw4pkZSb-OPcf868BTHr_Pg1jd7byKz4dxhIV/w400-h301/both.jpg" title="Jon Graham" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The top is the Razelcliffe and the bottom the Kith.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The Kith is a locking folder with
a 3-inch blade ground from 8CR13MoV stainless steel.</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">It is a good knife steel, especially for a
working knife.</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Compared to D2 (you'll
see why later), D2 tends to have more edge retention and hardness than 8Cr13MoV
but is more expensive and less corrosion resistant.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The Kith utilizes a front lock
set in the 3.75-inch glass-reinforced nylon handle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is relatively lightweight at 2.3 ounces; I
get mail heavier than that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like the
handle, but the contrast in the black handle is not from pigmentation but
surface geometry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPmOepdz9_6Zd0aDW43T53khnVeAlWXuOFQWxShwboMufffe0kPuXk9ZylbLQElwJZAqMJbW6mJrVqny8AflZOff-xz7fNU4KEsrau17uYGZw4eIbNt2ElAsEx6KHqpSAk-N0OImjYrCBnytIadc7qKX8ZA0YhosWfWvTL8i0ZumPmw3fRTtlJE6l1Zsg/s4080/kith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="CRKT Kith, Knives, EDC, pocket" border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPmOepdz9_6Zd0aDW43T53khnVeAlWXuOFQWxShwboMufffe0kPuXk9ZylbLQElwJZAqMJbW6mJrVqny8AflZOff-xz7fNU4KEsrau17uYGZw4eIbNt2ElAsEx6KHqpSAk-N0OImjYrCBnytIadc7qKX8ZA0YhosWfWvTL8i0ZumPmw3fRTtlJE6l1Zsg/w640-h482/kith.jpg" title="Ken Steigerwalt" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately, the gray handle spots are just different reflectivity</td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">It's a good length for many basic
jobs at a campsite, fishing, in the office, or preparing the yard for
winter.</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The Kith has an MSRP of
$40.</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">You can't go wrong at that price for
a working knife.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Years ago, I had a Razel with a
stag handle from CRKT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I last saw it in
the pocket of an Australian heading home to their anti-knife culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope he made it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a very cool knife.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdtqO8xv1bP7HJRNUPsuvtPU1SevInqMLnn1mGmIpAp1zNPrL-dFwhiBFRhBfRufYoXnmVj6ulC1Bbhz-DHjwsnhP1Z65eNyo16q_JMQMGI0pDu42J5ByQqy0wffM0Kibihn2JF2f_gkny8lPGT32eFtTpc4ZHJdo37QBvLqG3ABRLLHK-RZRB5_j7ZCT/s4080/razel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdtqO8xv1bP7HJRNUPsuvtPU1SevInqMLnn1mGmIpAp1zNPrL-dFwhiBFRhBfRufYoXnmVj6ulC1Bbhz-DHjwsnhP1Z65eNyo16q_JMQMGI0pDu42J5ByQqy0wffM0Kibihn2JF2f_gkny8lPGT32eFtTpc4ZHJdo37QBvLqG3ABRLLHK-RZRB5_j7ZCT/w640-h482/razel.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Razelcliffe, let me suggest it would make a very icey club knife.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The Razelcliffe is also very
cool.</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The 2-inch blade is made from D-2
steel (see, I said we'd get back here).</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large; mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">D2 isn't quite stainless, but I never see rust on any D2 knives I
own.</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">A little oil takes care of all my
problems.</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">D2 takes and holds a good edge
and can be resharpened with basic stones.</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large; mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The Razelcliffe utilizes a frame lock and IKBS ball-bearing pivot.</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">That is very cool!</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The G-10 handle is 3.25 inches
long, and the knife weighs 3.3 ounces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The MSRP is $48, a reasonable
price for a step up in cool factors.</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I've always thought CRKT over-engineers
their knives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You get a lot of knife for
a reasonable price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s invaluable in
a world where you pay for a name.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>knifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668471324798770048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141494072483348631.post-57296372429350061212023-09-02T20:33:00.000-04:002023-09-02T20:33:17.492-04:00The Future of Knife Making<p> <span style="font-size: large;">This could be the future of knife
making.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4H1WLmoUT8jIgd2lYcTIYDCA1Klp8tA7mHlkSPuDYnWR74GoB94RQxHLtIGX7c9ZG2DfhJSZntjRvywRG3JzvoK206LpA7SUtidIVqkX3kPPf9pCvXiuYl-jbDvsEj9QD9S07opokIrxN4eWdulddr5K-IOue9My1WWNZBOaXfmF7E0hwedaLxRzwCv0/s3872/DSC_1204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4H1WLmoUT8jIgd2lYcTIYDCA1Klp8tA7mHlkSPuDYnWR74GoB94RQxHLtIGX7c9ZG2DfhJSZntjRvywRG3JzvoK206LpA7SUtidIVqkX3kPPf9pCvXiuYl-jbDvsEj9QD9S07opokIrxN4eWdulddr5K-IOue9My1WWNZBOaXfmF7E0hwedaLxRzwCv0/w640-h428/DSC_1204.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These beads are the results of 3D printing</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, really.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">These beads are 3-D printed
plastic and can be any color, texture or shape you want by Chroma Scales.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could customize any sort of knife
scales/handle you want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the
beginning of the future.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Several years ago I saw a
demonstration of 3-D metal printing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Essentially
it was a computer-controlled arc welding system that would deposit a spot of
metal and build up a 3-D component.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
has evolved into printing metal engineering components and prototypes using
high purity metals and laser beams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lincoln Electric is using this technology as is 6K Inc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many companies now offer this service.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJfjqcoRQ4X4fF607nJzc300Ix6PI-cY38mt2gmpuBraNzFwNHlPyG6t8wmWwRptqeeGSrb2uhfQbQU4YHIiRchaJxFkRqiIhH4WXnpHJtux_ZjYZsF5xnOI4DywltknD6a5xgd-uc2WL_g5voein0D03NWPXA3GsYJDwSIzTL9TIEcTHh009Gq95X1eW/s284/metal%20printing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="177" data-original-width="284" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJfjqcoRQ4X4fF607nJzc300Ix6PI-cY38mt2gmpuBraNzFwNHlPyG6t8wmWwRptqeeGSrb2uhfQbQU4YHIiRchaJxFkRqiIhH4WXnpHJtux_ZjYZsF5xnOI4DywltknD6a5xgd-uc2WL_g5voein0D03NWPXA3GsYJDwSIzTL9TIEcTHh009Gq95X1eW/w640-h398/metal%20printing.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Miniaturization is a economical driving factor. Big things will get smaller and find a way into your home. Look at computers and microwave ovens </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">One video showed a company
printing out manifolds out of 316L, a low carbon stainless steel.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Not the best for knife blades, I grant
you.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">They video demoed a Trumpf TruPrint 3000.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Prices are still high, but you
can buy 3-D printers that use plastic on Amazon now at reasonable prices, from
under $200 to around $3000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The polymer
used is very affordable. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was able to find glass fiber
reinforced polymer, which gives the finished product high strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe carbon black reinforced polymer is
available. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>High strength metal alloys
are just a bit farther down the road.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">We’ll see the big guys, like
Spyderco, Benchmade, Civivi, or Buck use it first to print unique blade shapes
and designs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what about temper and
hardness?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How will they heat treat it
and such?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember those same questions
asked about powdered metal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Early adopters
had problems with porosity, just ask Kimber.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They found answers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">The big change will occur then you
no longer buy a knife, but purchase a program to print your own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suspect there will be acceptable options
built into the software which will come with a license for one or more
printings at which point it erases itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Code hackers will find a way to tweek the code to make unique knives or
print unlicensed copies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We see that
problem with knockoffs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">There will be laws forbidding
this and a new class of criminals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Remember the Star Trek episode ‘Tomorrow
is Yesterday’?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A plot complication<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>occurs when the ship beams up an Air Forse
security officer from the 1960s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
keep him in the transporter room as to minimize the historic contamination from
the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scotty tries to relax him by
offering the fellow Scotsman a dish of haggis from the replicator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is a replicator but a fast 3D printer?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">You’ve seen the future.</span><o:p></o:p></p>knifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668471324798770048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141494072483348631.post-73785383519769779012023-08-23T16:03:00.000-04:002023-08-23T16:03:49.569-04:00Get Your Knife!<p><span style="font-size: large;">We are coming up on National Knife
Day. Yes, there is a national day commemorating
the knife. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdUToDLMky5_oGNKlOypWbGQsaBwwS39P5AqbhwvUGftN2qImwx8_u-tAyQd-mOOeAtYpJ0_SKXUsrRPXC3eR4Xm9-O0FBIZG-GWF9mmphXr_doIjm2SpXDYRZkNiFs-TQUI73HcPmbP0QBONj3J_WCK8rh-8pDMgFWVYdB4jfdlahYMp5d2ZPp-6iZil/s504/webpage%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="504" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdUToDLMky5_oGNKlOypWbGQsaBwwS39P5AqbhwvUGftN2qImwx8_u-tAyQd-mOOeAtYpJ0_SKXUsrRPXC3eR4Xm9-O0FBIZG-GWF9mmphXr_doIjm2SpXDYRZkNiFs-TQUI73HcPmbP0QBONj3J_WCK8rh-8pDMgFWVYdB4jfdlahYMp5d2ZPp-6iZil/w640-h454/webpage%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">We sometime forget how important knives are to the story of
civilization, perhaps to the evolution of humanity.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">I often think early man’s first tool was a stick to
extend his reach, followed by a rock to pound things.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Somewhere along the way he got the idea of
cutting things and everything took off!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">We have been celebrating National Knife Day since 2011.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some of us, every day is a celebration of
knives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knives fill our lives both in
the physical sense and in our thought process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our cars have windshield wiper blades, I buttered my toast with a knife,
the mill at work has a doctor blade, we need something to slit the envelope
open to announce the winner. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And nobody
tried to cut the cake without a knife.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">We cut to the bottom line, a foolish person is described as “not
the sharpest knife in the drawer.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
like (sometimes) people with a razor wit, we cut the fat out of a job quote,
and we want to sharpen the pencil to work a better deal. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rumor has it the day was selected from a letter written August
24, 1838, by Rezin Bowie, claiming he (and not his brother, Jim) was the actual
creator of the Bowie Knife and deserved the fame and credit for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, Jim was dead by then…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Celebrate August 24 by carrying your favorite knife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe show it a little respect by sharpening
the edge and wiping it down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A drop of
oil isn’t too extravagant, is it?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Remember the proverb:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A knife-less man (and woman) is a lifeless man.”</span><o:p></o:p></p>knifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668471324798770048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141494072483348631.post-36486289121898769172023-08-13T18:56:00.003-04:002023-08-13T18:56:56.876-04:00SixLeaf Knives<p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">My friend Derrick introduced me
to SixLeaf Knives.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">After handling and opening
the knife, the question, "Where did you buy that cutie?" was not
politeness.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">I really wanted one.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04Xwuaw3IeOKCkrP8BvUJSq6Y7bAcPMjDj5yPO__bTwYWkh5SfHJOuZGBbWNIjIASj3GNn0e_V8R_eL7tRjn8tGI0T_yrCmPggSwfICnFYxcUzPhs5-0JaUaPakWw9Q-pizU3AzYmJSx_tLpvT6Zum4MGCGWi3c8eERmnR40I3nuAALJVefB01kZ2jotK/s2696/DSC_1144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2515" data-original-width="2696" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04Xwuaw3IeOKCkrP8BvUJSq6Y7bAcPMjDj5yPO__bTwYWkh5SfHJOuZGBbWNIjIASj3GNn0e_V8R_eL7tRjn8tGI0T_yrCmPggSwfICnFYxcUzPhs5-0JaUaPakWw9Q-pizU3AzYmJSx_tLpvT6Zum4MGCGWi3c8eERmnR40I3nuAALJVefB01kZ2jotK/w400-h374/DSC_1144.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Actually, I ended up buying three!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">He found it on eBay.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">You have to win your auction, and SixLeaf
will ship you one from Yangjiang, China.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Yangjiang, I am told, is moderately famous for making knives, scissors,
swords — anything that cuts.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">I won my auction, and despite the
warning of how long it could take (46 business days!), it arrived in a couple
weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I liked it so much that I bid and
won a second one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It arrived just as
quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Prices can vary because you're
bidding against someone who thinks they want it more than you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let’s take a look at it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The matte blade is 3.25 inches long and 0.125
inches thick at the spine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The blade is
a drop point with, for all practical purposes, a flat grind. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The steel is D2, hardened to Rockwell C 60. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOFdScrpDua7_nOzBdhbQFvHYg8qgntsrmVJLMpUsUmoMbZ_mHxZ4agkoQfLlcYZHRd3mxJfx74CfzwiFv1klxOfnrAESzj3X1qPI40ofmdf2x7VowpWNNqMs02OauUpdBgaWssbQdx9X5czkFYq8Qlpug1PwcQXpxS4a3EeAQhDRu2VAKoOXcCSneHir/s3017/DSC_1147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1983" data-original-width="3017" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOFdScrpDua7_nOzBdhbQFvHYg8qgntsrmVJLMpUsUmoMbZ_mHxZ4agkoQfLlcYZHRd3mxJfx74CfzwiFv1klxOfnrAESzj3X1qPI40ofmdf2x7VowpWNNqMs02OauUpdBgaWssbQdx9X5czkFYq8Qlpug1PwcQXpxS4a3EeAQhDRu2VAKoOXcCSneHir/w400-h263/DSC_1147.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good looking knives.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">I like D2 steel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is seeing a resurgence in the knife
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s almost stainless, so it
takes a little care to prevent rust formation. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">The 4-inch handle is titanium
with linen Micarta scales.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This keeps
the weight of the knife under 2.9 ounces. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lock mechanism is a frame lock, and to
compensate for titanium's softness, a small steel insert makes contact with the
back of the steel blade.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">The knife is designed to open
with a flipper, and the blade flies open on KVT ceramic ball bearings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are used by companies like ZT and
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDa44ceYIFeNJZuANAgowFrYrjbYt5ofxgKthbse5iOxXkeDwtxeJPpk0VLnkuww_UCrKO70jl49j-45R2W3CHPHV509OXpxiXMWQFd8mcCe5WLxA8Hxdle5UelLGa1_MqQDqaYDd1TKe2CmCndydCOCQJesSrvsehOFPMGti2HgPr6P4MaD8Y8xXPhWqn/s3196/DSC_1148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2065" data-original-width="3196" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDa44ceYIFeNJZuANAgowFrYrjbYt5ofxgKthbse5iOxXkeDwtxeJPpk0VLnkuww_UCrKO70jl49j-45R2W3CHPHV509OXpxiXMWQFd8mcCe5WLxA8Hxdle5UelLGa1_MqQDqaYDd1TKe2CmCndydCOCQJesSrvsehOFPMGti2HgPr6P4MaD8Y8xXPhWqn/w400-h259/DSC_1148.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 3.25 inch blade is, for most parts, a perfect size for EDC.</td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Is it perfect?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The clip isn't reversible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The knife arrives set up for right-hand,
tip-up carry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That's my preferred carry
mode, but it is not a universal standard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Closed, there is a little height
difference where the frame lock meets the frame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just enough of a difference you can feel it
when you rub your thumb over it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDLPXzuNwoCHp8ssp7ghiTq1oFHfpjtTshym2QcCLa4ccm3biAyFVpWeFkFwSgsSZ9WJt9_ASoelZaWLmqnQXmLAM6lQAtJMQ6E-L2nZzVl-s-0oTFcEbimX9EY1r9lx2VPHTeYbq3xiEBN_l331v5yovckG16X2srZWe5EdGGe6zXny9bOOdUoE9n-qC/s3435/DSC_1152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2072" data-original-width="3435" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDLPXzuNwoCHp8ssp7ghiTq1oFHfpjtTshym2QcCLa4ccm3biAyFVpWeFkFwSgsSZ9WJt9_ASoelZaWLmqnQXmLAM6lQAtJMQ6E-L2nZzVl-s-0oTFcEbimX9EY1r9lx2VPHTeYbq3xiEBN_l331v5yovckG16X2srZWe5EdGGe6zXny9bOOdUoE9n-qC/w400-h241/DSC_1152.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The frame lock engages very nice, with quite a bit of contact with back of the blade</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">And if I’m picky enough, I would
point out that when open, the frame lock separates slightly from the Micarta
scales.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfcboIMqC82qheW4FNBcjiJD3tGM87cC9bxq_04I8OKDus8yaBZciGD0In8OxG_meduGqx4Ib_Ud3_Oai7hOKktTys9riqQTlT8olWJrDaLuUXT2WJwwfOma6x4YKuh-6hd4IaC0KtABALGmnxqtz7_Ni13TAXoa08D765InTK7Rwz3jr0Gs0sPUcUxno/s2598/DSC_1155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2021" data-original-width="2598" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfcboIMqC82qheW4FNBcjiJD3tGM87cC9bxq_04I8OKDus8yaBZciGD0In8OxG_meduGqx4Ib_Ud3_Oai7hOKktTys9riqQTlT8olWJrDaLuUXT2WJwwfOma6x4YKuh-6hd4IaC0KtABALGmnxqtz7_Ni13TAXoa08D765InTK7Rwz3jr0Gs0sPUcUxno/w400-h311/DSC_1155.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like the linen Micarta scales. They look and feel nice.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Frankly, for an under $50 knife (It's
an auction.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Your price may differ.) you
can't beat a SixLeaf.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">I like them so
much, I gave my wife one!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>knifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668471324798770048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141494072483348631.post-7677726292262770612023-06-19T21:31:00.004-04:002023-07-23T19:16:57.740-04:00Delica in the Key of K390<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Back before it started, the old gods came together for a
meal and to brag about what they contributed the newly forming reality.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Loki/the Coyote/the Trickster was especially
gleeful.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">“I gave them iron and carbon.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">“So?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">“They mix to form an alloy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Too little carbon and the steel formed will be soft and useless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too much and it becomes brittle cast
iron.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they add the just right amount
they get properties all over the place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And it still rust!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">The old gods thought it was a clever joke on the
humans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All but one, Vulcan/Brokkr/the
Master Forger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without steel, how could
they build things, he wondered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He crept
off and threw a hand full of elements, and perhaps more important, undiscovered
knowledge into the mix.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thanks, Vulcan!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKubP1kBW9-sFg743ooDHx--EcHz7Z4puhYmgZhfRkNOqN_NPBsKgmo_felUq6D5rvdAQZBCafjWlaQ1lLCvj4bZD7dsqFJpArSZhnlvzS00QYsf9JyKXdSXpvGoJf7tvTML1gqzmfnnJUOa7dDZPpWGHrLhgVMyTV31ioTgRcoKbzftiOWnD_PnlASU2/s3872/DSC_0806.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKubP1kBW9-sFg743ooDHx--EcHz7Z4puhYmgZhfRkNOqN_NPBsKgmo_felUq6D5rvdAQZBCafjWlaQ1lLCvj4bZD7dsqFJpArSZhnlvzS00QYsf9JyKXdSXpvGoJf7tvTML1gqzmfnnJUOa7dDZPpWGHrLhgVMyTV31ioTgRcoKbzftiOWnD_PnlASU2/w640-h428/DSC_0806.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delica in the key of K390</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I just got Spyderco’s K390 Delica and it is quickly becoming
my favorite pocket knife.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">I really like
the Delica/Endura line.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Back in day, I
used to fly with two Delicas and airlines had no problem with that.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Even back then those sealed packages of
peanuts were hard to open!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaM6REOOUxzE0qq-f3ZF_f0u1bVeoWIQUS9u6XZ5pO3zxm_aQaXHQuARkXs0JPHHYm2N1T91r2KGZX-8oZGCIE8W2taSNfWNa7LjRKlOOJ2wv-YkfAZfXdRXwfc4B0oQmj_AAk5WxZtnKd1uAnir8OfmdWrjf4b53yYdubdwlMDTPbf11uQOSfB0IU6WzI/s3872/DSC_0765.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="K390 steel Delica" border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaM6REOOUxzE0qq-f3ZF_f0u1bVeoWIQUS9u6XZ5pO3zxm_aQaXHQuARkXs0JPHHYm2N1T91r2KGZX-8oZGCIE8W2taSNfWNa7LjRKlOOJ2wv-YkfAZfXdRXwfc4B0oQmj_AAk5WxZtnKd1uAnir8OfmdWrjf4b53yYdubdwlMDTPbf11uQOSfB0IU6WzI/w400-h268/DSC_0765.JPG" title="I could always depend on Delicas" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I found I could always depend on Delicas and the K390 is no exception!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I’m not really a super steel fan.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Almost every steel the national brands use is
hardened and tempered to bring you good performance.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">But right now, for a working knife, I suggest
you look at K390 steel.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">K390 is a tool steel with interesting properties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now, Spyderco is one of the few
companies making knife blades with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Chemical analysis would find:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Carbon:
2.47%<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Wow!),<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Chromium:
4.2%,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Molybdenum:
3.8%,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Vanadium:
9%,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Tungsten:
1%,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">and<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Cobalt:
2%.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The rest
is iron.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjaF78tiFaVuKnOj6uz8Tn95MOo4ZdBKdA5EJdzqOkh864YT3j1iaefBLEFRlMK344xkForJqOt9kX8Q64F8sd-xlmpqu7mW3JOuI0Hs70NiZv7BRu2oT9wm5sLEdAhu8PGcZkYc_D5dSIZ05jk9OwvecQyEEPGcatXwsX_ETj5WV-6fYuOQGwhZaScG7/s3872/DSC_0768.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Delica from Spyderco in K390" border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjaF78tiFaVuKnOj6uz8Tn95MOo4ZdBKdA5EJdzqOkh864YT3j1iaefBLEFRlMK344xkForJqOt9kX8Q64F8sd-xlmpqu7mW3JOuI0Hs70NiZv7BRu2oT9wm5sLEdAhu8PGcZkYc_D5dSIZ05jk9OwvecQyEEPGcatXwsX_ETj5WV-6fYuOQGwhZaScG7/w400-h268/DSC_0768.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It isn't a gamble with Spyderco's four position clip </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-size: large;">Each of these elements affect the basic crystalline
structure of the steel and its properties.</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">The metallurgy is more complicated than you can imagine.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">In its simplest form, chromium and vanadium
form small hard carbides that contribute to edge properties.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">The remaining elements alter the
metallurgical properties.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">It doesn’t take a lot of study to realize K390 isn’t a
stainless steel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a hard-working
tool steel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And no, you just can’t add another
8-9 %of chromium and make it stainless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, at least if you want to retain the other properties, most of which
go unnoticed by the user.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Science tells
us why, but that’s just an understand of how the universe work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the real reason you’ll have to ask the
Trickster.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hQr3gwsiKB69c3h5-nZ92yHtiUNTXUv6Y-98vuU84whvdrAD-aewoPYoCoPWZfcglK-s_0BqPMVWqWCh4bY9VioZdDspyUZLvlYi8MyHf7e4gcL6a8xDZadjDlPK7qK_GApB8Cm8p9FEUQ4nd-6qACneE8Kbgan5r-sPKdf2oTf4uItrwKqLugjGqADD/s3872/DSC_0773.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Jimping on the spine of Spyderco's K390 Delica" border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hQr3gwsiKB69c3h5-nZ92yHtiUNTXUv6Y-98vuU84whvdrAD-aewoPYoCoPWZfcglK-s_0BqPMVWqWCh4bY9VioZdDspyUZLvlYi8MyHf7e4gcL6a8xDZadjDlPK7qK_GApB8Cm8p9FEUQ4nd-6qACneE8Kbgan5r-sPKdf2oTf4uItrwKqLugjGqADD/w400-h268/DSC_0773.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like the coarse jimping on the FRN handle</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">K390 was submitted for an Austrian patented by Bohler in
2002.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bohler wanted a steel to compete
with Crucible’s CPM-10V.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not a new
steel and gradually found a place among knife makers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Like all steel, the properties have a give and take aspect
and are affected by heat treatment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>K390
is one of the top tier steels with excellent toughness and slicing edge
retention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is the take.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The give is corrosion resistance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You need to take care of your steel, wipe it
dry and use a good oil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spyderco incudes
a little handout on caring for the steel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’d read it if I was you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJpi0mY92MnsWdBypbVq-ifVkeVIyxSgTM_CnymnETk1m7Q9ntHRQiJPV5vjo2FPIx39ZVOXzqwzACO2Vf04tOAFkl2U_5krPI6vJoCNooX50X3qTVTUI_RoG1YlFiEu12aE7hqVsZQxmoqAjUE2Bqk5Wv2DZ39poPgnVhC3YbuDu9ZzhR7gmZwYIV2gc/s3872/DSC_0778.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJpi0mY92MnsWdBypbVq-ifVkeVIyxSgTM_CnymnETk1m7Q9ntHRQiJPV5vjo2FPIx39ZVOXzqwzACO2Vf04tOAFkl2U_5krPI6vJoCNooX50X3qTVTUI_RoG1YlFiEu12aE7hqVsZQxmoqAjUE2Bqk5Wv2DZ39poPgnVhC3YbuDu9ZzhR7gmZwYIV2gc/w400-h268/DSC_0778.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading out for Deer camp? Make sure you take a Spyderco Delica in K390.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Which oil?</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">There are
really two options, food safe and non-food safe.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">I tend to lean toward food safe, but I’ve
used</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">penetrating oils too.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">I like my new Delica with K390 steel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Currently all of Spyderco’s K390 steel come
with a unique blue handle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike Janich
tells me he calls it K390 Blue. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Delica has a flat grind, which contributes to it’s
cutting powers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not having shoulders,
like the saber grind or it’s brother, Scandi, it doesn’t have to push material
out of the way to keep cutting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWSwRN9KckJ4eELuAWc3KKdMQSW6XEi10eUM8UsjSN97oRnZ6M8dmmgCEcsRYwDmgY2bs3K-3qQ-9IDl2J7vwn2QMVYIjr82syyTH3fMqaPjOTgffPdTcHWl16HWJen9bVoZ3_onx__R7fdj9_E6weS6TGDidkhN6Xt3EAlu3fe_UzWV_SwqUUbibW30n/s3872/DSC_0802.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Delica K390 steel" border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWSwRN9KckJ4eELuAWc3KKdMQSW6XEi10eUM8UsjSN97oRnZ6M8dmmgCEcsRYwDmgY2bs3K-3qQ-9IDl2J7vwn2QMVYIjr82syyTH3fMqaPjOTgffPdTcHWl16HWJen9bVoZ3_onx__R7fdj9_E6weS6TGDidkhN6Xt3EAlu3fe_UzWV_SwqUUbibW30n/w400-h268/DSC_0802.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't always go off the beaten path... But when I do it's with a Delica in K390 steel</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The grips are FRN or fiber reinforced nylon</span>.<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">The fibers, to the best of my knowledge are
short glass fibers which strengths the nylon.</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">The grip sports bidirectional texturing which radiates outward from the
center of the handle.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">The texturing is
strikingly attractive and more importantly, provides increase purchase with wet
and slippery hands.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">The blade has the trademark Spyderco hole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know which is more uniquely Spyderco,
the fat tick-like spider logo or the functional opening hole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In either case, the thumb hole was genius!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">One of the major improvements in the knife world is movable
clips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sal Glesser, Spyderco founder, is
credited with the pocket clip he called "Clip-it."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later versions of Delica and Endura had a
reversible clip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually most
Spyderco folders have four-position clips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I simple love that options.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most
of my knives are carried tip up right hand, but I’ve been known to set up a
knife for tip up left-hand carry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While
this may seem trivial to you, this allows Spyderco to be essentially an
ambidextrous knife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its estimated 10% of
the world’s population is left-handed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Being able to operate a pocket knife with either your left or right hand
is amazing. <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, many companies have not caught on to this pocket knife innovation.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuYPncRal_UFi2XM6wTO8nGiMtrqN3tdrgoR2gezxaoY_KphANnQbx0yEKxRuhY6ytk-XYgYstlzH_izVHrnpRPl-DX3wQULGyu2MxCtAy9L2XvS6j3l6U5RfiCNg_MjItlxP45uS4XP6uXRP2Zb7yE7U7Dd6fmx-dBRxpGi4Bqkx8XkB8Cg8SDEfadV_/s3872/DSC_0790.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuYPncRal_UFi2XM6wTO8nGiMtrqN3tdrgoR2gezxaoY_KphANnQbx0yEKxRuhY6ytk-XYgYstlzH_izVHrnpRPl-DX3wQULGyu2MxCtAy9L2XvS6j3l6U5RfiCNg_MjItlxP45uS4XP6uXRP2Zb7yE7U7Dd6fmx-dBRxpGi4Bqkx8XkB8Cg8SDEfadV_/w400-h268/DSC_0790.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For me the ability to make a fire by shaving fir sticks and scrapping Birch bark in the touch stone to all knives. Spyderco Delica have never let me down.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Spyderco’s</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">K390
Delica cuts.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">I cut seatbelt
material.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">No problem.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Opened packages and bags, cut string and
rope.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">I shaved feather sticks to build a
fire, my personal touchstone of knife performance.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Carboard trembles in its presence.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">What a knife!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">The suggest retail price is $176.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now, all I’m finding on Spyderco
website is the full serration:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details/C11FK390/1885">https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details/C11FK390/1885</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">I suspect if you look about, you’ll find the plain edge on
line.</span><o:p></o:p></p>knifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668471324798770048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141494072483348631.post-78914769964747173322023-05-17T14:39:00.001-04:002023-07-23T19:18:18.718-04:00Finnish Delight<p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Iisakki Järvenpää Puukko</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I recently picked up a lovely dual Finnish
puukko set made by Iisakki Järvenpää Osakeyhtiö.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The puukko set is a traditional dress knife pair
with a painted red handle and brass fittings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The two blades are engraved with the founder's signature, Iisakki
Järvenpää.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have recently discovered an
interest in puukkos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I admire the
refinement and practicality of a knife designed to survive in the brutal arctic
environment.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-wpMWW2isJY5MBrkS2tk4F9gfTXLPVts2WX6V9TDJ0Z2-SsEMD7KZ0JyfJBRfqsuRMI5R3E86B_1NDOy3hldHftadVM37NKCd_TRhWzOAQlyW9xM6J3ZWrHOaWvhgl6Z6loPFCqULxXAY2PyAc2mvf0xQbYIAwKPEOIHS0G00rRIOzNTuFV9PNOcCQ/s1600/IMG_1481.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Puukko knives" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-wpMWW2isJY5MBrkS2tk4F9gfTXLPVts2WX6V9TDJ0Z2-SsEMD7KZ0JyfJBRfqsuRMI5R3E86B_1NDOy3hldHftadVM37NKCd_TRhWzOAQlyW9xM6J3ZWrHOaWvhgl6Z6loPFCqULxXAY2PyAc2mvf0xQbYIAwKPEOIHS0G00rRIOzNTuFV9PNOcCQ/w640-h480/IMG_1481.JPG" title="Double Puukko set from Iisakki Järvenpää Osakeyhtiö" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">A Puukko by Iisakki Järvenpää Osakeyhtiö</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A puukko is a general-purpose
belt knife with a single curved cutting edge, solid hidden tang, and usually a
flat spine. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Military models of puukkos
have been popular in the Russian criminal underworld under the name
"Finnish knife" or finka since the 20th century.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Puukkos don’t have a ricasso (a section
of the unsharpened blade nearest the handle) because this is where the most
power can be applied. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While finger guards
are uncommon (it is a cutting tool, not a stabbing weapon), puukkos intended to
be used in wet or slippery environments will have some form of guard or grip
enhancement carved into the handle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The short knife is 5.75 inches
long, while the larger one is about 8.5 inches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They occupy a leather and brass sheath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The front is partially painted/coated in red to match the knife's grip. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">This set appears to be part of
traditional ethnic dress, needing only a Helavyö belt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Helavyö is a leather belt decorated with
several metal plates (or "hela"s). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The belt is an accessory worn by men and women
in traditional garb but only by men in non-Karelian attire.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjga8mY-FZqWYwrN05Kmi3SfoLeeFdx-bc2sg8ygr2pYt-pStZF_FL1FORgHXrD3ZxTQZEjvamrZYgcC-vpLpshuJ5EulCkc_ZbA1zi7k0j6CC0p-Km9D6vzhJCLeBIRBUKTkqmY8gFRhv0FsaZFqifYO0AnHW0o0-Vh1mcrzFmAkGWfa3QoKC2R-6zqw/s275/traditional%20belt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Karelian Dress" border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjga8mY-FZqWYwrN05Kmi3SfoLeeFdx-bc2sg8ygr2pYt-pStZF_FL1FORgHXrD3ZxTQZEjvamrZYgcC-vpLpshuJ5EulCkc_ZbA1zi7k0j6CC0p-Km9D6vzhJCLeBIRBUKTkqmY8gFRhv0FsaZFqifYO0AnHW0o0-Vh1mcrzFmAkGWfa3QoKC2R-6zqw/w400-h266/traditional%20belt.jpg" title="Traditional Karelian dress with Puukkos" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional dress with Helavyö belt and knife set</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Karelian people are
from an area in Northern Europe with historical significance for Russia,
Finland, and Sweden. Often, </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">a
trinket of some shape hangs from each metal plate.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">The pendants are a pretty decoration; they
show off the wearer's wealth. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">As a
bonus, they are reported to keep the devil away.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgXhCPt0m9MCg6mE_KVF-4PIQe0cd5hAENATSDjut5ly0H47RrBMCxLXzZkZurc3MSoIAKA6pTVSQjNv3QgXtLdoapWuhzeOGwoZGLbrjsXYucbv69iCB53qXoPf49ypOdvXcTgtqJf82PIC2pCC-jCn110EkhMWNtv6uxDSVpCWGBmNK7wM0jWJrag/s311/not%20so%20traditional.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hot girl with metal belt" border="0" data-original-height="162" data-original-width="311" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgXhCPt0m9MCg6mE_KVF-4PIQe0cd5hAENATSDjut5ly0H47RrBMCxLXzZkZurc3MSoIAKA6pTVSQjNv3QgXtLdoapWuhzeOGwoZGLbrjsXYucbv69iCB53qXoPf49ypOdvXcTgtqJf82PIC2pCC-jCn110EkhMWNtv6uxDSVpCWGBmNK7wM0jWJrag/w640-h333/not%20so%20traditional.jpg" title="Non-traditional dress" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Non-Traditional dress</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The company’s founder was Iisakki
Järvenpää.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">He was born on January 7,
1859.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">From an early age, Iisakki was
curious and thirsty to learn everything new.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">He practiced his reading and writing skills on his own initiative. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">While writing, he practiced not only the
writing skill itself but also his penmanship. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">His attraction to uncompromising and
meticulous visuals is reflected in his knives and writing. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Iisak's signature is the company logo.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD16yK-k0T2H8vjURwClO1YYY_nJloazA1wibntGRCbzwe9VV0syMCURuST4mXR_KB81qbz4ZDDTPlsHtilIfRZz_8ogZB-WQFFCVOSo9R6igpGJVJdnjHMsocCDo1Lxbxkz0GDobxPNkRQfMgTyFramltM9jcHewU2292STbmSta99wznrjeqMvJv0w/s1600/IMG_1487.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Red handled Puukkos" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD16yK-k0T2H8vjURwClO1YYY_nJloazA1wibntGRCbzwe9VV0syMCURuST4mXR_KB81qbz4ZDDTPlsHtilIfRZz_8ogZB-WQFFCVOSo9R6igpGJVJdnjHMsocCDo1Lxbxkz0GDobxPNkRQfMgTyFramltM9jcHewU2292STbmSta99wznrjeqMvJv0w/w640-h480/IMG_1487.JPG" title="Iisakki's puukkos" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Iisakki Järvenpää Company was
founded in 1879 and is the largest manufacturer of knives in Kauhava, Finland,
a well-known town with a long and rich history of knife making.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">He had to learn everything from forging to metal
polishing.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Self-taught, Järvenpää made simple
work knives, but in 1888 he made a gift knife for the hereditary prince of
Russia and the<a name="_Hlk135061700"> future emperor Nicholas II.</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Because of the gift knives' impact,
Iisakki received the title Keisari's knifesmith, which was entered in the
church's books in 1889. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keisari's blades
had the lion coat of Finland carved into the handle and the emperor's crown on
top of a lion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The imperial thanks from future
emperor Nicholas II received a lot of attention in newspapers nationwide, which
led to a widespread increase in the demand for Iisakki’s knives.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Despite this success, his knife
business grew slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wanting more for
his family, Iisakki gave up 20 years as an independent craftsman and became a foreman
at the newly founded knife factory in Kauhava.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Discovering the company had lied to him about benefits, he resigned from
his position and re-established his own knife shop on February 15, 1904. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From this point, Iisakki's company became
known as Iisakki Järvenpää Osakeyhtiö (Limited Company).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqodyrXXLLkFrivWD0gzie7qwga8Y_DT-ij8wVq-bXJA-s6io5cRZqBI17070u1dfHMK6Q832mn5UAEHMT7lLtT2q349rDihsPjf2DxitraUlOzva4EmtfVYerC-WYX5fYNH9bNxMfwXFiiltBb4ewc0UojCAF8d_WkrnAmvWEKqNuxOHnaau_yB2aJA/s1600/IMG_1494.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqodyrXXLLkFrivWD0gzie7qwga8Y_DT-ij8wVq-bXJA-s6io5cRZqBI17070u1dfHMK6Q832mn5UAEHMT7lLtT2q349rDihsPjf2DxitraUlOzva4EmtfVYerC-WYX5fYNH9bNxMfwXFiiltBb4ewc0UojCAF8d_WkrnAmvWEKqNuxOHnaau_yB2aJA/w640-h480/IMG_1494.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The larger Puukko with signature in the blade</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;">Iisakki died on March 6, 1929, but
his company continues, and the knives are made by hand in Kauhava, Finland,
from locally sourced materials.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">You can find
out more at: </span><a href="https://www.iisakkijarvenpaa.fi/us/story" style="font-size: x-large;">https://www.iisakkijarvenpaa.fi/us/story</a><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Any errors are from my
misunderstanding of the translated Finnish.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>knifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668471324798770048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141494072483348631.post-44717180752180701782023-04-20T10:05:00.000-04:002023-04-20T10:05:22.320-04:00Pro-Tech Steam Punk<p><span style="font-size: large;">Every once and awhile, you come
across hidden treasures. Sometimes
neither the buyer nor seller realizes how much that gem is worth. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">When you’re the seller you may
never find out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Smart buyers will not
tell the seller he has made a foolish move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They will not rub it in or humiliate the seller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s enough to get a silent win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then too, you don't know what
they paid for the treasure; they could be laughing all the way to the bank.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cylOmeT-5Xmfj8YZyhSAdXpRD4YsNwTIwXMz1S-52WdRIuUDcV7WUrqPQ_H45F-oeBl70WCnU23HvIPnL-BAW8vmtSZBaI0I8rVppbpexmxY0o50v77KUAsYfrAhXotGpQ_wLPWjd8OL7S1u0pHgjlam9QD4YbEIyDn6Tp2U9q1pGnzP_Dgh93UcEg/s1599/protech.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1599" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cylOmeT-5Xmfj8YZyhSAdXpRD4YsNwTIwXMz1S-52WdRIuUDcV7WUrqPQ_H45F-oeBl70WCnU23HvIPnL-BAW8vmtSZBaI0I8rVppbpexmxY0o50v77KUAsYfrAhXotGpQ_wLPWjd8OL7S1u0pHgjlam9QD4YbEIyDn6Tp2U9q1pGnzP_Dgh93UcEg/w400-h229/protech.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't gamble on this!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I recently bought a Pro-Tech
Godson with Bruce Shaw’s Steam Punk motif in bright metal.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">I really like the Godson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me, the size is Goldilocks, that is, just
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The knife is easy to Google, try:
<a href="https://www.bladehq.com/item--Protech-Godson-Steampunk-Automatic--67879">https://www.bladehq.com/item--Protech-Godson-Steampunk-Automatic--67879</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">But all the websites I visited
say they are out of stock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also
say the knife they had was some number of 200.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mine says 72 of 100.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s going
on?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">I called Pro-Tech and asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s what they told me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pro-Tech makes a special run of 100 knives
called prototypes, sold only at shows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The regular limited edition has 200 members, making a total of 300 Steam
Punk Godsons in existence.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-toc-tYooVt8VhirLkL92o5HYOkoJRZZeSdJFC5DVcuRT27ZtQ_vnLuuay0DKvMrunqRm8D5rmBzloVr5NTONPj2y_S4zzZFGz4fvZE-exAN1iC6PGgYxXoNFZ9vh2yqWJIshwxQhk7VcwkoU9sfNBDy8OMVbWHqqGvQ75elq9I4pSQ4D6Mo9aCCJA/s864/numbers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="864" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-toc-tYooVt8VhirLkL92o5HYOkoJRZZeSdJFC5DVcuRT27ZtQ_vnLuuay0DKvMrunqRm8D5rmBzloVr5NTONPj2y_S4zzZFGz4fvZE-exAN1iC6PGgYxXoNFZ9vh2yqWJIshwxQhk7VcwkoU9sfNBDy8OMVbWHqqGvQ75elq9I4pSQ4D6Mo9aCCJA/w400-h376/numbers.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new Steam Punk claims to be a prototype 72 of 100 while my older copper one is from a run of 200 . What is going on? </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Pro-Tech has no plans to make any
more.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">I don't know why.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Perhaps it was a limited edition, as the
artist Bruce Shaw specified.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Bruce got
his training at Cal-State University of Los Angeles.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Bruce is better known for his firearm engraving,
but his Steam Punks are icey!</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiGlFYYXmC0FFgf5r1SRKvbEHP5rTYoGLy6AczW_LxouFArs-34vxFwLhn54dym-Yx3Vw-gPd4CP8OEtqbdP5BbJUkgM18IV4eSE1yddVFBkNdABX1RnV7Rjx-2iT9bhcE_Z84xVnRJUsBnsvv7E9w2eJF7qOQqOI8LJ_LiZjNRvSxSjNoHtscUCx8Q/s1599/two%20black.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="891" data-original-width="1599" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiGlFYYXmC0FFgf5r1SRKvbEHP5rTYoGLy6AczW_LxouFArs-34vxFwLhn54dym-Yx3Vw-gPd4CP8OEtqbdP5BbJUkgM18IV4eSE1yddVFBkNdABX1RnV7Rjx-2iT9bhcE_Z84xVnRJUsBnsvv7E9w2eJF7qOQqOI8LJ_LiZjNRvSxSjNoHtscUCx8Q/w400-h223/two%20black.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">When they were introduced in
2014, Blade Magazine listed them as "Investor/Collector Knife of the
Year."</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">I don't know about the
investor part of that claim, but it is very collectible.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’ve always been cynical about
knives as investments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
counterintuitive, but many custom knife makers experience a drop in value when
they die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are, after all,
done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will be no new creative work
to keep their name in the public eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
their collectors pass on and leave their collection to people who don't care,
the custom maker becomes increasingly a closed chapter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">It doesn't always happen that
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Randall Knife is one example of a
knifemaker going strong after their death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bob Loveless is another. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
corporation with his name marches on.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Despite those two examples, I am
reminded of the joke:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do you make a
small fortune by investing in knives?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Start with a large one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'll share what I learned about
stamp and coin collecting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want
your collection to have great value, put great value into it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">I also have the copper version of
the Godson Steam Punk with a bright blade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is part of the
regular limited run of 200, but I'm thrilled to have it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also assume there is a prototype run of 100
somewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHod6skCRuBD9sCsagwLeodJ7Ivl_OgogU_xlprxpyd-mqq7L6FH3W9zO2vBOyF0EqfHBRV8b1k9sSRGGrkJX7u07gD2dQqSY_C6hfw1WPoUVZzsH_-WoI6lXuQlfmuzK49fwD1mj_08fKVfTjudMMqE41jHsy2hjX-zYUDuiPibolVP83cx3SMqJA3g/s1437/two%20yellow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="1437" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHod6skCRuBD9sCsagwLeodJ7Ivl_OgogU_xlprxpyd-mqq7L6FH3W9zO2vBOyF0EqfHBRV8b1k9sSRGGrkJX7u07gD2dQqSY_C6hfw1WPoUVZzsH_-WoI6lXuQlfmuzK49fwD1mj_08fKVfTjudMMqE41jHsy2hjX-zYUDuiPibolVP83cx3SMqJA3g/w640-h404/two%20yellow.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There might be more prototypes and limited run consisting of only bright of black blades. I don't know.</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">I doubt I'll buy another Godson
Steam Punk for my collection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm not
interested in having some unique number sequence or group of numbers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if the price is right, you could see it on
my table.</span><o:p></o:p></p>knifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668471324798770048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141494072483348631.post-87386156396836119442023-03-02T19:29:00.003-05:002023-07-23T19:22:43.171-04:00Club Knives<p><span style="font-size: large;"> I’m not a huge fan of club knives. Most club knives have a simple engraved blade and little else to recommend them. However, I do occasionally purchase them. My local club, Western Reserve Cutlery Association, had a swing guard with an ivory handle from Keen Kutter that I bought. By comparison, most current club knives seem ordinary.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtmBI14GJykCDCynezEgVQs8aHpqJ6-ovgk65B1UXC8CsizXA0ifD2B4qwtr30LtkT5FytjmXCbkJrKPA_TH46lSSDv1ktoUsEUpnyuew82P7P2NaV2YcO0DoK67KIc8dpEo-PMZF2SYZcCpTGYU_b9x9pSbRqzhiFizJhzwwjEhpm6wjDOdIABzepw/s3449/DSC_0563.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="3449" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtmBI14GJykCDCynezEgVQs8aHpqJ6-ovgk65B1UXC8CsizXA0ifD2B4qwtr30LtkT5FytjmXCbkJrKPA_TH46lSSDv1ktoUsEUpnyuew82P7P2NaV2YcO0DoK67KIc8dpEo-PMZF2SYZcCpTGYU_b9x9pSbRqzhiFizJhzwwjEhpm6wjDOdIABzepw/w640-h280/DSC_0563.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WRCA Club Knife...They forgot to have the year engraved.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Recently I found a Gerber NKCA knife from 1986. It was number 3013 of 6200. The raised NKCA shield over the blade pivot caught my eye, as did the excellent brown jigging and engraved blade.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">NKCA stands for National Knife Collectors Association.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6m6K8ig67vM6LlY0xvspDePfJA-lZrUBnGFwir0itpqwv-vKPyL2Z177camqIUBX7-r4c0Bj50CPAwcS-1_-1aC9bclHHM2d-WHFzXstE3oEd2w7pLXqzFgYC8M1iLoG5xD78rySRH2-RrW4pdgOxNgObpC9r82p9TPH7sgLicCcfj-mwsFnEMaR0Qg/s3322/DSC_0558.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1826" data-original-width="3322" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6m6K8ig67vM6LlY0xvspDePfJA-lZrUBnGFwir0itpqwv-vKPyL2Z177camqIUBX7-r4c0Bj50CPAwcS-1_-1aC9bclHHM2d-WHFzXstE3oEd2w7pLXqzFgYC8M1iLoG5xD78rySRH2-RrW4pdgOxNgObpC9r82p9TPH7sgLicCcfj-mwsFnEMaR0Qg/w640-h352/DSC_0558.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1986 NKCA Club Knife one of 6200. That number amazes me!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">You don’t hear much about the NKCA anymore. I googled their name and found a website selling cheap chewtoy holsters. You take the metal parts off, if any, and give the holster to your dog to chew on.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">NKCA started in 1972 when a group of collectors/dealers working at knife shows in Kentucky and Tennessee realized there was a growing market of knife enthusiasts and collectors. They decided to form an association to grow a hobby into a profitable (keyword profitable) business.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It shouldn’t surprise you to discover the original name was the National Knife Collectors & Dealers Association. After a couple of years, the dealer part was dropped. Too much honesty, I guess.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">James F. Parker was the first elected president in 1972. He was a leading knife dealer at the time. Parker was an interesting fellow. James F. Parker founded Parker Knife Company as a sideline to his employment as a paint sales rep. He was one of the first to effectively utilize direct mail services to buy and sell collectible knives in the 1970s. Parker helped start Frost Cutlery by partnering with James Frost in a short-lived partnership and owned Case knife for a short time.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Parker guided the development of the NKC&DA to include enrolling members nationwide with a yearly membership fee. They received a small monthly newsletter which developed into a monthly magazine.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">1974 was two years into his presidency and Parker thought outside the box. He proposed a "Collector's Knife" to be made exclusively for members. Essentially, Parker originated the almost universal club knife, primarily to promote membership and a degree of eliteness. Only members could buy a limited-edition knife from the NKC&DA. This was unheard of at the time! That factor drove the desire to be able to own one of these knives to high demand!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YZddWJj8vtIQlUgysPPLP21aVtig81wJ9dz572vNXGphCrAhMHCqkIXRkD1xl_CHn3BfLY4rkZSTjkcUlnUIIGCcinhZzH8bVfkWPlzUnonS-sbHfwdEDiHEyKhECXIztRn2cqHiZnrSmcMW_LEUaxMfWUoHNkvCG82I30q97bwzpTVCyQRGRDxqBA/s1782/DSC_0575.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1622" data-original-width="1782" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YZddWJj8vtIQlUgysPPLP21aVtig81wJ9dz572vNXGphCrAhMHCqkIXRkD1xl_CHn3BfLY4rkZSTjkcUlnUIIGCcinhZzH8bVfkWPlzUnonS-sbHfwdEDiHEyKhECXIztRn2cqHiZnrSmcMW_LEUaxMfWUoHNkvCG82I30q97bwzpTVCyQRGRDxqBA/w400-h364/DSC_0575.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Parker chose an Anglo-Saxon whittler pocket knife with the most desired Case XX pattern 6391. But Parker had difficulty finding a U.S. manufacturers willing to make the 1200 knives. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Howard Rabin of Star Sales in Knoxville, TN, stepped up. Rabin was the U.S. importer of German-made Kissing Crane knives. His company wanted to be part of this new venture and eagerly made the 1200 knives Parker asked for.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">For fun, I've converted the prices to 2023 dollars in parentheses. The days of buying a new quality pocket knife for under $20 are gone.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">NKC&AD sold their first club knives for $12 ($73) and only one knife per member. They didn’t sell out as anticipated. Being savvy or perhaps desperate businessmen, they created a second offer to their members. Each member could now order up to three knives each at $15 ($83). </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Thus began club knives being used for promotion and as fundraisers.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqK7UQLigUr_wscEJ80eUAsYu4rkKnWCfecCix_p2xxKO3fkQJqtXCbS4ge_3wMLYCDmxBB4MBJQsris-HtcZ3iPELtpG1zZi5myOsUfea3Xjrg6PyK3GMreHqfNVuDxrTiHvLvKAF3b4lKH6P6XxuQHK0kf40rE3JfX2kgEStKH-4YhOhn0wcbeFQw/s2453/DSC_0570.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1177" data-original-width="2453" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqK7UQLigUr_wscEJ80eUAsYu4rkKnWCfecCix_p2xxKO3fkQJqtXCbS4ge_3wMLYCDmxBB4MBJQsris-HtcZ3iPELtpG1zZi5myOsUfea3Xjrg6PyK3GMreHqfNVuDxrTiHvLvKAF3b4lKH6P6XxuQHK0kf40rE3JfX2kgEStKH-4YhOhn0wcbeFQw/w640-h308/DSC_0570.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sold in 1986 for the equivalent of $106</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">In 1975, the desire for these limited edition NKC&AD club knives pushed the knife price to a staggering resale price of $600 ($3336). The 1976 club knife, a Case XX 4380 whittler with a production of 5,000, would sell out! The price of $15 ($83) would peak at a resale value of $250 ($1390). The 1977 club knife was a Kissing Crane stag handled gunboat canoe knife and 6,000 were produced, followed in 1978 by 8,000 IXL Wostenholm green bone handled three blade canoes. The peak number of knives produced for NKCA was in 1981 with an issue of 12,000 made by Queen.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">That was high point of NKCA club knives. NKCA membership started to decline as did the number of annual club knives produced. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Regional clubs wanted their own club knives, and the uniqueness and potential for up-market sales decreased. Soon, various regional clubs had copied all the rare vintage and unusual patterns. Clubs would try many variations by changing the handle materials, shifting blades around, adding blades to existing patterns, etc. Nothing worked as well as the early revival of long discontinued vintage patterns originated by Parker and the NKCA.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">There were so many club knives that it made it almost impossible to collect them all. The oversupply had affected the value of the knives. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Soon the resale value of a club knife was the same as the knife without the club markings.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In the end, the NKCA folded. The exact date seems hard to determine.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">There are still more than enough hard feelings to go around. In 2010 an NKCA life member posted on Blade Forum:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">“The NKCA became a slick scam by a series of office managers and presidents and sgt. at arms and various other 'officials' who helped to bankrupt what was a 3,500-member organization with a brick-and-mortar, state-of-the-art museum that I am grateful to have visited once. Jim Parker, bless his soul, bought the land for 50 thousand and built the museum. The thieves and scoundrels; yes, you heard right, going back to the thief who never delivered the pearl-handled 'club' knife forced the closure of the museum and the sale of the museum property for 1 million, all of which went to pay the NKCA's debts. They should all have been 'hung'; both men and women!"</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So, club knives? Are they a scam? A gimmick to make money and attract members?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Maybe, but I suggest you buy based on what you like and not a financial investment. The 1986 NKCA knife was sold for $39.00 or $106 in 2023 dollars. I found my knife for around $50, but I see others trying to sell at $125 and they collect dust. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseHkml2IWkNrQ0Xv8uxmQzG8HaL_jBtYH4O4V9ONI8zaVg5r_ZfTP9PcSUpZw0x9_DsChR3mTllMVXJwDyhy03YIRnWIF9nqgdvhLTk8C51tF0-DPtA6Qnbv6vV6WtyZLMiWlwHucfBumdGebCsMYxVFqcyh1WS01VWY2tsi5htaDRCLLnfC3MGO3Tw/s2937/DSC_0568.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2327" data-original-width="2937" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseHkml2IWkNrQ0Xv8uxmQzG8HaL_jBtYH4O4V9ONI8zaVg5r_ZfTP9PcSUpZw0x9_DsChR3mTllMVXJwDyhy03YIRnWIF9nqgdvhLTk8C51tF0-DPtA6Qnbv6vV6WtyZLMiWlwHucfBumdGebCsMYxVFqcyh1WS01VWY2tsi5htaDRCLLnfC3MGO3Tw/w640-h508/DSC_0568.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Will the WRCA club knife increase in value or just get lost of the ubiquitousness of club knives?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>knifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668471324798770048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141494072483348631.post-27121455362329141612023-01-24T19:20:00.000-05:002023-01-24T19:20:20.779-05:00TOPS Lite Trekker<p><span style="font-size: large;"> One of my favorite fixed blades is the TOPS Lite
Trekker. It is a little lightweight
knife that performs in a heavier weight class.
I picked mine up at the 2015 Blade Show.
Seems a company was offering free laser engraving with your purchase. Somehow, the wrong name was lasered into the
steel and I found it marked down on the last day of the show.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQWw9E53pXtQggaAQXtIirV2ciqy4By-Dp5Hyrr0WsNzaFG8A9SlDXGRBapewFZn9-Z_rsZ8ZGSKqvPlOdSFzrgqoznQGX_79gFZb9EhHTdvQ1vxMjz63IPeq9dub5AKUbRSaX5jeQocUC4fVojNidFl9uoiPjJSIWZS_1mw48IGTHpV2uC9EYADASRQ/s3872/DSC_0350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQWw9E53pXtQggaAQXtIirV2ciqy4By-Dp5Hyrr0WsNzaFG8A9SlDXGRBapewFZn9-Z_rsZ8ZGSKqvPlOdSFzrgqoznQGX_79gFZb9EhHTdvQ1vxMjz63IPeq9dub5AKUbRSaX5jeQocUC4fVojNidFl9uoiPjJSIWZS_1mw48IGTHpV2uC9EYADASRQ/w640-h429/DSC_0350.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Why would I want a knife with someone else’s name on it,
especially a misspelled name with lots of tricky letters and vowels?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Simple, I had the retailer laser out the name, leaving me
with just the show date. Later, I wrote
an article about it for Knife Magazine.
Yes, Mr. Pasknyuskas III’s knife worked out well for me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The knife locks into a deep kydex sheath with a positive
click. It’s not about to bounce out and
be lost in the weeds because you took a fall.
The overall length is 8.75 inches long. The blade measures out to 4.25 inches long. The Lite Trekker weighs in at 5.1 ounces.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">TOPS describes the blade as a Hunters Point. I see it as a basic drop point. The steel is 1095 carbon, so a little oil and
blade dressing is needed to keep the edge in great shape. The steel is hardened to a RC 56-58.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I hear you. I know a
bunch of you whiny little mall commandos are telling me you only carry the
newest super steel hardened to at least RC 60.
I’m not going to attempt to convert you, but remember, hardness and brittleness
are related and a bent knife is still a knife but a broken blade is just junk!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m going to swap out the olive green paracord for something
a little brighter to make it easier to find when I place it on the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The Lite Trekker comes with a variety of color inserts built
into the handle. I like mine a lot and
you can find it at <a href="https://www.topsknives.com/tops-lite-trekker">https://www.topsknives.com/tops-lite-trekker</a>
with a MSRP of $195.</span><o:p></o:p></p>knifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668471324798770048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141494072483348631.post-19682575912556140452023-01-16T21:04:00.002-05:002023-01-24T19:12:52.918-05:00Fingers<p><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> <span> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">The problem
with sales, of course, is the customers.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">They ask such
questions, act so aggravating and in general, can be a real pain in the tuchus. But to a large degree, they are
untouchables. You clench your jaws
together, bite your lips, force a smile and generally restrain from violence.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have
nothing but respect for people employed in the service industry because they
have to deal with jerks like me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">One fellow after
inspecting several knives kept coming back to the same folder. “I’ll take this,” and he pulls out a wallet
and hands me a dollar. I want to say “There isn’t a knife at this show you can buy for a dollar. Not even at the 3 for $5 knife buckets, not
even at the TSA guy who is selling junk knives confiscated by TSA and sold to
vendors in 100-pound lots.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I need a
99 more dollars, sir.” He doesn’t have
to know SIR stands for Simpering Imbecile Retard.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Realizing
he had misread the price, he said, “Oh, I thought it was a dollar.” I want to ask him how much he paid for gas
last week or if he has bought a dozen eggs in the last 6 months. How could he
think a knife could sell for a dollar?
But I don’t.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">He looks embarrassed
and I sputter for a second before I come back with, “I’m afraid not, sir
(See! There’s that word again.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Later
another guy walks up and asks, “Do you buy knives?” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">The answer
is the first rule of improv comedy, “Yes, I do.” I modify that with “Sometimes.
What do you have?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">That’s the setup and here comes the spike, “I really would like to trade knives. I have a switchblade and I’m looking for
something else.” Oh!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">The switchblade
is a POS with a secondary seatbelt cutter built into the handle. The poorly made knife is of Chinese
origin. Having it on my table would make a mockery of the expensive, well made Chinese knives I carry. You might get 25 bucks,
including tax and shipping for it, retail.
The least expensive auto I have is $53.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I don’t
think it’s right for me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I have two
of them.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I want to
tell him, that’s not a positive negotiating point. I want to tell him even if we tossed in the
price of the knife he wanted, I’d be stuck with a POS I can’t sell. “Thanks, but no thanks!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Understand,
you have to be nice. They may come back later
with a more collectable knife in the future, perhaps we can do business later.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Later I’m presented
with an old, worn, dirty, over-sharpened Case knife, and told it had to be over
a hundred years old, because it belonged to his 90-year-old grandfather.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don’t ask
if the birth was difficult as the baby was born with a 10-year-old knife in its
hand. It also raises some interesting
ideas about Mom’s everyday carry.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">He pauses
and seems to be waiting for me to make an offer. “It must have great sentimental value to
you.” Which is code for put that back in
your pocket and unless you are shopping, get away from my table!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don’t
bother telling him and others that old is not the same as valuable.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I enjoy
talking to knife collectors and fanciers but don’t bother me with your tales
of why you don’t need one because you have a two-bladed knife you bought in the 60s and have proceeded over the last half century to sharpen the life out of
the blade. You think you’re clever,
making do with it until you sharpen the last atom of iron off the blade. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I want to
let you know you’re making a wise choice in keeping that knife because the
current knives are too much and far beyond your abilities. I don’t.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Midway through
the show, I get an offer of 70 bucks for a $120 knife. I politely decline and countered with
$110. He walks away. I’m very cool with that. Knife shows aren’t quite a store and a little
bargaining can be expected. But I’m not a flea market either.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">He returns
a couple of hours later and reexamines the knives.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You said
70 on this,” he says.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I laugh and
say “No sir.” Here is where I screw
up. I continue with “I said $110.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">He said,
“Well, I thought you might have forgotten.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I should
have said “I said $135.” And if he
objected, pointing to the marked price and his memory of our discussion, add
“There’s an increase for failing to bargain in good faith.” But I didn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">But sometimes
the interactions make it all worthwhile.
An older woman comes up and is interested in the SpyderCard on my table. I tell her they are hard to find and she agrees
and pulls one out of her pocket! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then she shows
me her favorite knife, a very nice CRKT long since discontinued. She carries it wrapped in a clean
handkerchief to protect it. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I show her
the protective sleeve I buy to protect some of my knives in transit, but I
can’t sell her one because I don’t have any pricing or even the name of the
product, just the sleeve. We successfully
negotiate the price on the Spydercard. I
make a little less money, but turn product into cash. She spends a little less and gets a knife she
really wants. I like talking with her so
much, I throw in a siliconized knife sleeve to protect her favorite knife. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had a
very good time.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0yR-nNnQCnHtpyeCHm7RTX-f21lNQQ0pp8gpGwT1j5L1yuSlyMle1oG9EpjmEMISYMqJADl-_CFWsM_m_v4HYxOa0l7T8isZO0eYl-3mMEMoWJSBO5mgJ06x8yqswX3qVnyUfVXsc8bm-T_OZSSM2Gb06JMAdfW8lSsog5V-Lh6Bm-nSpT522HdWMg/s749/fingers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="735" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0yR-nNnQCnHtpyeCHm7RTX-f21lNQQ0pp8gpGwT1j5L1yuSlyMle1oG9EpjmEMISYMqJADl-_CFWsM_m_v4HYxOa0l7T8isZO0eYl-3mMEMoWJSBO5mgJ06x8yqswX3qVnyUfVXsc8bm-T_OZSSM2Gb06JMAdfW8lSsog5V-Lh6Bm-nSpT522HdWMg/w393-h400/fingers.jpg" width="393" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where is my missing finger?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">During the
entire show, my wife keeps asking me if I’m alright.</span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">I’m always a little nervous about shows.</span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">We bought all those knives.</span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Did I buy the right ones? </span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Did I make good trades?</span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Am I reading the market right?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Finally,
after being asked over and over if I’m alright, I look down at my hand and start to
jump up.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Oh! My
GOD! I only have four fingers!” I point to the hand with only four fingers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now she’s
agitated.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Only
four.” My voice gets a little louder and
more excited. “I’m missing a finger. What happened to it!” She is beginning to get alarmed, not thinking
everything through, after all we handle a lot of sharp edges.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I turn my
hand over to show my thumb tucked under my palm.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Oh! There it is.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">For all my
acting and improv skills I get “Oh, you
goofball.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, it’s
the interactions that make it interesting.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>knifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668471324798770048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141494072483348631.post-45686692249885618372022-12-30T20:50:00.002-05:002022-12-30T20:50:57.750-05:00Christmas Knife Connections<p><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Is it too late
to brag about Christmas presents?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">My wife got me a Microtech Zombietech 85 OTF
for Christmas and backed it up with a vintage Zombietech tee-shirt. It is way too cool and I’ve wanted one for
years!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HUl3v-S1RbPMzGo8AYBBbGPXe7hkPdAs8FBzgumcYFJ-vCcA_Wft8pV1jlHhU-N1UUFvrHHFERh97SEX0JT4NTKpeQkOHFaveBxLKg1d97igr85ic9NfGkLQrPtiA_1lUUvS2ugn0Cnk-TNhQciTNJMYhRlFeiGktfKc14FJ3rnxztOImF3K4Ll6YQ/s1080/zombie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HUl3v-S1RbPMzGo8AYBBbGPXe7hkPdAs8FBzgumcYFJ-vCcA_Wft8pV1jlHhU-N1UUFvrHHFERh97SEX0JT4NTKpeQkOHFaveBxLKg1d97igr85ic9NfGkLQrPtiA_1lUUvS2ugn0Cnk-TNhQciTNJMYhRlFeiGktfKc14FJ3rnxztOImF3K4Ll6YQ/w640-h480/zombie.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">I’ve always liked Microtech.</span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">They make a high-end knife with tight precision.</span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">That drives the price up, but makes for an
amazing knife. </span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Knife designer Greg
Lightfoot has remarked that these tolerances are what makes Microtech factory
knives so close to custom-designed knives: "It has the same quality as a
handmade custom."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">You might not be familiar with Microtech
Knives. You should be ashamed of yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Beginning in 1994, Susan and Anthony
Marfione created Microtech with a simple idea: Create the best knives possible. Like many entrepreneurs they started in their
apartment and later moved to a storage bay in Vero Beach, Florida.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now headquartered in Western North
Carolina Microtech Knives operates with the same mission statement: Make the best knives possible. This concept has grown the company to over
150 employees.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Quality stands out and there is a market
for it. Microtech along with Benchmade
is credited with the responsibility for the resurgence in the popularity of
tactical automatic knives in the 1990s. These
knives are seen as precision-made tools utilizing powerful springs and high-grade
components. They aren’t toys, as many auto
knives are perceived. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have a few other Microtech knives from the
Blade Shows, but nothing this fancy. I’m
really happy to have it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">On Christmas Eve Karen and I cooked pheasant
paprikas so I had to dissemble the pheasant.
I used my CRKT Taco Viper and it worked great.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1nPiWcB7XIVXRzsVEICHdNnrs64rwkHFTlK1d0RiwXroLJTroYALkR2po_b6Jv5v_DcXGRjS9daumVW6V2fWwniawOWeb25Z9-SRt_fKUTb3lcOBQOnzGSs8R2q8jAgzufTQ_hvlfwC0wDFYRjb0i9Os0G4wMq_lEexKBux2VfKFW-l8OhWtubfp6Q/s1080/phes-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1nPiWcB7XIVXRzsVEICHdNnrs64rwkHFTlK1d0RiwXroLJTroYALkR2po_b6Jv5v_DcXGRjS9daumVW6V2fWwniawOWeb25Z9-SRt_fKUTb3lcOBQOnzGSs8R2q8jAgzufTQ_hvlfwC0wDFYRjb0i9Os0G4wMq_lEexKBux2VfKFW-l8OhWtubfp6Q/w640-h480/phes-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pheasant and CRKT's Taco Viper</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Since it was a new knife, I pulled out the poultry
shears, just in case.</span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">My wife got the
shears from her mother, so they have to be at least 60 years old.</span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">I know my mom had one, but I believe it is
with one of my sisters.</span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">At least I hope
so.</span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">It’s been a while since I needed poultry
shears so I took a few moments to check them out.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Guess what? They are made by Boker in the USA. Boker is an underappreciated knife line. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMRpG730wBGfg3JSDiWS-5Kv1birjb8CBvCWgYmA9qz3LTk8ay3vKwUrMf_u4sSiq-7ss40BjQ7iGNxrQ_qEL8gm-8b29czfx_26EMLMzVgNqajB1t_kqwszHCFWwvqsPHr9aDVScVr92HdNXLMEFcYuChZ2vuFPkWoOwK1gnygp51DKZsEAt81cR8A/s3872/DSC_0332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMRpG730wBGfg3JSDiWS-5Kv1birjb8CBvCWgYmA9qz3LTk8ay3vKwUrMf_u4sSiq-7ss40BjQ7iGNxrQ_qEL8gm-8b29czfx_26EMLMzVgNqajB1t_kqwszHCFWwvqsPHr9aDVScVr92HdNXLMEFcYuChZ2vuFPkWoOwK1gnygp51DKZsEAt81cR8A/w400-h268/DSC_0332.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boker and Chromium</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Böker traces its origin to the 17th
century as a tool maker in Germany.</span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">By
the 1860s the company had fractured with a branch of the family emigrating to
North America and setting up plants in Canada, New York, and Mexico. The German
and North American factories produced similar knives and used the "Tree
Brand" trademark. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oJG2Eqmr5exx0qIIWEutUEfKBrP3lF3nOx1TAs5PI17vWK0wNTaFyc_-T0UMrguBdzczsaf--bfZZnqWUvcSiwzXXvIDh8b2SkKnXOvcUNeOqEYD9QH560yQ6Qe9SXYYIE751-Uw43ftwsMyDcbOWuygXFhKFlbSlpZDZ6gN2Y8_1eralLSCroZNDQ/s3872/DSC_0337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oJG2Eqmr5exx0qIIWEutUEfKBrP3lF3nOx1TAs5PI17vWK0wNTaFyc_-T0UMrguBdzczsaf--bfZZnqWUvcSiwzXXvIDh8b2SkKnXOvcUNeOqEYD9QH560yQ6Qe9SXYYIE751-Uw43ftwsMyDcbOWuygXFhKFlbSlpZDZ6gN2Y8_1eralLSCroZNDQ/w640-h428/DSC_0337.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boker Poultry Shears</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">WWII rolls up and we can’t have a German
company operating in America. </span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">The
outcome, Boker America, no umlaut, is established.</span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">During the war the Solingen factory was
destroyed and "Boker USA" took control of the trademark until the
German factory was rebuilt in the 1950s. </span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">It’s difficult for me to understand, but even
during war, business law rules.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the 1960s and 1970s, the company changed
hands several times, with the New York facility (Hermann Boker & Co)
shutting down in 1983. In 1986, Boker
reacquired the rights to the American brand and Boker USA was started in
Denver, Colorado for US production. They
also make knives in Germany, China and Argentina.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">All three companies, Microtech, CRKT, and
Boker make nice knives. You owe it to
yourself to check them out.</span><o:p></o:p></p>knifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668471324798770048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141494072483348631.post-64205512448891860162022-12-12T21:31:00.000-05:002022-12-12T21:31:23.563-05:00Christmas Presents <div><span style="font-size: large;">We had a water meter replacement, part of a sweeping urban trend to have transducers outside the house so meter readers can get data without entering the premises. I suspect there are safety issues involved.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">My water meter is tucked away in a corner of the basement in a small hutch built by the original owners. The bottom part is enclosed and the upper has shelves on which I place knives and small flashlights. One side of the shelves, almost as an afterthought, has a small square of wood to cover the plumbing that feeds an outdoor faucet at the front side of the house. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I had to move things around for the technician and afterward, before returning the clutter to its places, I decided to clean a little. Guess what I found?
Are you fascinated by those stories on Facebook about people who find bags of money or valuable property hidden in their house? Secret rooms, hidden safes, tunnels that lead off into the darkness, so mysterious. Me, too! But I don’t believe them. If I discovered confederate gold in my basement, or piles of currency from the 50’s the last thing I would do is put it on the internet. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">What I did find was a folding ceramic blade knife with a plastic handle tucked behind a cold-water pipe on the 1X1 frame.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHE0xJ03QMvu9Za6sNadBtmxWGzI1Y_iYa067NTYilTFYfjUOTPywUYRTQ8Fpp9r4RUcwZxjMLDiQj4GCSgFUEAanPKphdCFWJLklKSm1jd_VEQFhs1Gj_g5e_EXqXgLoqKtGZUma1pX-CG3brJuHdyGUM4PosywCU9wR3UBmIW7BDF4IoqiQB0p60Hg/s3872/DSC_0318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHE0xJ03QMvu9Za6sNadBtmxWGzI1Y_iYa067NTYilTFYfjUOTPywUYRTQ8Fpp9r4RUcwZxjMLDiQj4GCSgFUEAanPKphdCFWJLklKSm1jd_VEQFhs1Gj_g5e_EXqXgLoqKtGZUma1pX-CG3brJuHdyGUM4PosywCU9wR3UBmIW7BDF4IoqiQB0p60Hg/w400-h268/DSC_0318.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I remember buying this, but how did it end up hidden away?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">One shelf down I found a Stanley folding utility knife in a similar position.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeeS5Q8LDxwWMpcwIFLk0CptU0UWEpQsn3-N6efLcSG1MSdNSKURaF2NdoMgYOr6SGxnObeIb4cEljrFyHwCsSyY2zYH5p9CQv1M_nQYXIRgL0LU8zswF_CS4fwxWl98jG7RC3TNLHVUyyIB296LUb7NFuD9kAYFBqY6KAwAwlxpS1nc2diL7CVGWpg/s3872/DSC_0325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeeS5Q8LDxwWMpcwIFLk0CptU0UWEpQsn3-N6efLcSG1MSdNSKURaF2NdoMgYOr6SGxnObeIb4cEljrFyHwCsSyY2zYH5p9CQv1M_nQYXIRgL0LU8zswF_CS4fwxWl98jG7RC3TNLHVUyyIB296LUb7NFuD9kAYFBqY6KAwAwlxpS1nc2diL7CVGWpg/w400-h268/DSC_0325.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A utility knife from my father-in-law, but no reason to keep it secret</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;">What dark purpose were these knives used for and then hidden out of the light? </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> Beats me. I own both of them and have been wondering where the two of them have gotten. All I can figure is they got shoved behind the flimsy wood partition and ended up hidden.
I did check a few other areas, just in case Jimmy Hoffa left some money, but no luck. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The corner is so tight I couldn’t even photograph the knives in place. Drilling and running a small screw to secure the wood was difficult and I had to resort to using a mirror to get a semi-decent photo of the new screw.
Still, I wonder. I have my suspicions on how the knives got back there, but I’ll never know for sure. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEika4Itr0IgDeGNvmZph5nUkNN8iJUMRmFz98ROKy3nMlBxJ80k_nVU4dHx3_Psp8tfYPoEmDbn1-Xf4bUA4NbsedQq7KZpyy3_dQXmbleXnejO2TpdXAiqC39iQwx8G5dlUl8FX6iRsmZ-Q5Fb8ScrF1_HU18Irah1t-uiwyQuOzELmIV_vrgEkPTglg/s3872/DSC_0298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEika4Itr0IgDeGNvmZph5nUkNN8iJUMRmFz98ROKy3nMlBxJ80k_nVU4dHx3_Psp8tfYPoEmDbn1-Xf4bUA4NbsedQq7KZpyy3_dQXmbleXnejO2TpdXAiqC39iQwx8G5dlUl8FX6iRsmZ-Q5Fb8ScrF1_HU18Irah1t-uiwyQuOzELmIV_vrgEkPTglg/w640-h428/DSC_0298.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wait! What's that shadow in the mirror? Could it be......</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Maybe this is more of a Halloween story, than Christmas.</span></div>knifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668471324798770048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141494072483348631.post-80842659385693679512022-12-05T13:40:00.001-05:002022-12-05T13:40:44.122-05:00Three Way<p><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">You might be
thinking about stocking stuffers and what cook can’t use a new utility
knife?</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Even if you’re not cooking from
fresh products, you still have to open boxes, pouches and nothing works better
than a knife.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Even that pizza you sent
out for often needs a little cutting from a sharp knife to free it from the pie
or, in polite company, cut it into fork-able sizes.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPv37C-RcDKZkZQZQIySyeFGK0xoC9ixhqv4aCfYhTf_l_F4MoORsFRImzC25lfq6bXiAXH3gnw5Eyc_G_znU_YPDRv1Es4ymP_9YItu3L3dZhQ09Kkc9h9kiVBefBLiDgt09kttPgr2LwHHHv3-pBHrdRD5iN5U0VaQOgcBokWNWvpC7N1S31C36Gw/s3872/total2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPv37C-RcDKZkZQZQIySyeFGK0xoC9ixhqv4aCfYhTf_l_F4MoORsFRImzC25lfq6bXiAXH3gnw5Eyc_G_znU_YPDRv1Es4ymP_9YItu3L3dZhQ09Kkc9h9kiVBefBLiDgt09kttPgr2LwHHHv3-pBHrdRD5iN5U0VaQOgcBokWNWvpC7N1S31C36Gw/w640-h429/total2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three of my favorite kitchen paring knives</td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">These knives are called utility or paring
knives, and they are always a welcome gift.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">My wife has several and I recently had a
chance to work with a few. Let me tell
you what I found.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Master Parer</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">That's a mouthful. Don't be confused by Henckels high-end
semi-custom kitchen knives. This is a
little plastic handle kitchen worker.
The blade is 4 inches long and has a 4.25-inch plastic (polypropylene, I
suspect) handle. The blade is FRIODUR
steel. No, it is not the mystical steel
seen in Lord of the Rings. It is cryogenically
treated 440C steel, which maximizes the blade's properties. Now, 440C is the best of the 440 series and
is a very economical steel with good properties. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7q4dUpqG9ZPGMXOOjSHBSw10llp2sBDauyLQgfCHuu8DOi_c4rOKZ6ChH_prm4E1aO-POT11vf05Hrf1SZs1fZgJPzTt6xNxuX7sDwdUaRIwEhzPHfDPIUnvOO0WCY4qxthjbBz8bDkVL6tixTUyMSPtadRmwdxuEae6qAuY5kG8n6nb1tSUnOEPhg/s3481/twin1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1716" data-original-width="3481" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7q4dUpqG9ZPGMXOOjSHBSw10llp2sBDauyLQgfCHuu8DOi_c4rOKZ6ChH_prm4E1aO-POT11vf05Hrf1SZs1fZgJPzTt6xNxuX7sDwdUaRIwEhzPHfDPIUnvOO0WCY4qxthjbBz8bDkVL6tixTUyMSPtadRmwdxuEae6qAuY5kG8n6nb1tSUnOEPhg/w400-h198/twin1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left; text-indent: 48px;"> Master Parer</b></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">The knife has a Wharncliffe blade anchored
in a nice microtextured handle.</span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">The blue
polymer handle is shaped to provide a slight guard that flows into a reverse
"S" shape, helping to lock the knife in your hand.</span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">The blade's spine is slightly offset to the
handle’s top or spine.</span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">This little step
makes a nice marker to determine where the blade stops and starts.</span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">After using the knife for a couple of weeks,
I found the blade is holding its edge and remained sharp. I like the way it feels in my hand. The steel blade is the most flexible of these
three, most likely due to its thinness.
Mine has the blade slightly bent from the handle. I'm not concerned about that, yet. All three of these knives are work tools; I
expect they take a beating during normal use.
After three months of use, I'll have to see what it looks like.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can find Twin Master Parer for under $14
without trouble.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's no secret that I have a genuine
affection for Spyderco. There, it’s out
in the open. They have made kitchen
knives on and off for years with different levels of success. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">We have their <b>Counter Puppy</b>. It’s a 7-inch-long knife with a 3.5-inch
blade. The blade steel is 7CR17, a
Chinese stainless steel with good hardness, edge retention, and even better
corrosion resistance. The blade is a
flat grind drop point with Spyder’s trademark hole. Study the drop point blade and you will
notice the blade’s spine has a gentle curve that softens the working appearance
of the knife.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VSKOtfjRoYupNg-VlXFHdmjt54OkJhV95bzI7MgvyUfiIxOjGqi2qstAq0EbdDqmwO26FVZeiMpJCdKKKG05TPilJypqrn1wBkXZgv02IxVfEnbcGBq-WAH4IuFCHHS47B8-EC_sBXQnOHt2v_FDVloAzZvk42H2RdVuXcjIYY6sP0NTR1F3OI_NVw/s3636/puppy1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1969" data-original-width="3636" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VSKOtfjRoYupNg-VlXFHdmjt54OkJhV95bzI7MgvyUfiIxOjGqi2qstAq0EbdDqmwO26FVZeiMpJCdKKKG05TPilJypqrn1wBkXZgv02IxVfEnbcGBq-WAH4IuFCHHS47B8-EC_sBXQnOHt2v_FDVloAzZvk42H2RdVuXcjIYY6sP0NTR1F3OI_NVw/w400-h216/puppy1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left; text-indent: 48px;">Counter Puppy</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">The blade edge has a slight curve that
allows for a longer, flowing cut.</span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Since we’ve
owned this knife the longest, I’ve sharpened it with my go-to sharpener,
Spydie’s Sharpmaker.</span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">What is most noticeable are the ‘feet.’ The almost purple polymer handle has four
feet arranged so you can put the knife down and the feet will hold it above the
counter. It’s a slick idea. I’ve seen it before on pocket knives, but
never in a kitchen knife.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">The feet near the blade act as a terrific
guard to protect your fingers. The rear
feet get in your way. Look, I wear an
X-large glove, and the knife handle is too short. I've tried placing the rear feet between my
little and ring finger, but it just doesn't work for my hand. Spyderco could have achieved the unique look and
kept the blade edge off the counter surface by eliminating the rear feet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can find your Counter Puppy for around
$28 to $29.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">The last up is the <b>Dexter</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">The manufacturer describes Dexter knives as
a basic paring knives. The blade is a thin,
flat grind slice of a 400 series high carbon steel. I suspect they mean 440C. The drop point-shaped blade is 3.25 inches
long with an almost 4-inch-long polymer handle.
The blade is relatively stiff.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXA4KOR3YDrDwoiehNkLovGckf7IhdfCrm7R2SfUUCRMrb8sfbrJk76J85sjFpxDrKQlI6zxKSV7WbkvP9axMXctpmk6Tx-ThMhW1jnTVliTYdXdqpAWtdilGw7SbCx9rmxvczLuUxMvIxXvCmFe_T5oLs5nx7CdlAVltIxyYYMB8DGV_yOY28foqPg/s3553/dexter1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1826" data-original-width="3553" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXA4KOR3YDrDwoiehNkLovGckf7IhdfCrm7R2SfUUCRMrb8sfbrJk76J85sjFpxDrKQlI6zxKSV7WbkvP9axMXctpmk6Tx-ThMhW1jnTVliTYdXdqpAWtdilGw7SbCx9rmxvczLuUxMvIxXvCmFe_T5oLs5nx7CdlAVltIxyYYMB8DGV_yOY28foqPg/w400-h205/dexter1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left; text-indent: 48px;"> </span><b style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left; text-indent: 48px;">Dexter</b></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">The black handle (more polypropylene) has a
finger indentation and a relatively deep and well-defined groove in the
handle.</span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Both of which increase your
grip.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is by far the most basic kitchen knife of
this group. This is not a slam against
the knife. Function and form are
related, and if form interferes with function, like the Counter Puppy's feet,
you begin to move away from the utility nature of a paring knife. A Dexter Basic Parer can be yours for $4.55.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Both the Spyderco Counter Puppy and Dexter
Basic Parer are made in China. The Twin
Master Parer is made in Spain. Nobody
makes affordable, economical kitchen knives in America, so get over it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">My favorite?
Based on price and performance, it’s the Dexter.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">But the one I grab is the Twin Master Parer. It's newer, and sharper, and I like the feel
and look and I'm willing to pay more for it.</span><o:p></o:p></p>knifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668471324798770048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141494072483348631.post-22210005503267623202022-11-10T20:05:00.003-05:002022-11-10T20:05:59.116-05:00What's up Watu?<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> <span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Spyderco Watu</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Where does one
start with Spyderco’s Watu? It is one of
many knives in Spyderco’s ethnic series.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Let’s start with
the knife. The original pattern of the Chokwe
people was a fixed blade with a wedge-shaped handle to keep the knife from
slipping out of your hand. The handle
sports two holes that appear to go all the way through.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The original
Spyderco was the Chokwe folder released in 2009. It was very much in keeping with the historic
fixed-blade pattern. It was a large
knife and was eventually discontinued and replaced in 2020 by the Watu, a
smaller version.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicMCb1yXZlIGOgM7GhlKdIRaFA4uGyAT5Sod7beXBrGTKS1JUt1r5piKwS4km9OjP3nPlYQHofKswP62ItOywUmEO-BBo0u3p3zQankBBDdpIi49aSNKbBgB7e5eNLn0DE-XkaOaQWbJZA7kzFBuXDlHnlYmPGB6fiqmOlwp9MvmqecZmHzQ6RlbPCw/s3872/DSC_0260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicMCb1yXZlIGOgM7GhlKdIRaFA4uGyAT5Sod7beXBrGTKS1JUt1r5piKwS4km9OjP3nPlYQHofKswP62ItOywUmEO-BBo0u3p3zQankBBDdpIi49aSNKbBgB7e5eNLn0DE-XkaOaQWbJZA7kzFBuXDlHnlYmPGB6fiqmOlwp9MvmqecZmHzQ6RlbPCw/w400-h268/DSC_0260.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Since the blade is
the heart of any knife, let’s dive in there.</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">The 3.25-inch long, Watu blade has a distinctive triangular shape.</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">It is a flat-ground blade carved from a chunk
of CPM® 20CV.</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">This is a martensitic
stainless steel with excellent wear and corrosion resistance.</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Chemically the blade is just iron with 1.9%
carbon, 20% chromium, 4% vanadium, 1% molybdenum, and 0.6% tungsten.</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">The heat treatment and powder metal
technology promote the formation of this powerful combination of chromium and
vanadium carbides.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The blade is edge
tough but not as resistant to breakage or chipping as other premium
steels. In this size blade you will not
see any problems. Where it shines is
edge retention. CATRA test, which
measures a blade's sharpness and edge life (referenced to 440C), rates CPM 20CV
180% better. The downside is that 20CV
can be extremely challenging to properly sharpen. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The good news,
Spyderco offers a sharpening service. Contact them at <a href="mailto:customerservice@spyderco.com">customerservice@spyderco.com</a> for
more information.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatOFPeAfbR-4dsuE4dL5j6EsAApthTvULkse1Ab3OoMWJWfGf6SJtkJhjDZjmsDg2jeVwX69Z0SUaiGsEVjIWQ9xXdIpUzkcixaqszih7eIvnXzu6lRl2InQSw0w-YMKT30Fogtl9SCFGKApr3z8UtR_1ejeDopGHIOYw23oiWc3zyUR3q1B2F2ie8w/s3872/DSC_0246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatOFPeAfbR-4dsuE4dL5j6EsAApthTvULkse1Ab3OoMWJWfGf6SJtkJhjDZjmsDg2jeVwX69Z0SUaiGsEVjIWQ9xXdIpUzkcixaqszih7eIvnXzu6lRl2InQSw0w-YMKT30Fogtl9SCFGKApr3z8UtR_1ejeDopGHIOYw23oiWc3zyUR3q1B2F2ie8w/w400-h268/DSC_0246.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">The Watu utilizes
a compression top lock which I really like.</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">The knife is set up for tip-up carry, but the wire clip can be reversed
for left or right carry.</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">The handle is a
unique composite of carbon fiber laminated to G-10 and then applied to steel
liners.</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">The handle has the two holes
characteristic of the traditional native pattern.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It’s a sweet
knife. Despite the 3-ounce weight, I see
it as a dress knife. It has an elegant
look and the clip is designed for deep pocket carry. The carbon fiber has a cool, silky feel and I
love that initial snap when the blade slips off the detent ball. I can see the Watu in the board room, at
church or carried for a night out at the movies.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpPA79J8Bg38m1likuJoU45XFxGBXDEBesfTsagg6LOPGg-5mSlBGPupTigoTTvvqV84apqlqyz3-_A3nmITgH6jGUQTm2k5wwyV293Yg7rX6mavlI-v2SGTgCNdyTb1VzdD3iNASdWGBUdcBsW1iQPV9PxkfOqmbjT9l--wPUjlqemZXGK5OEtqWfw/s3872/DSC_0250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpPA79J8Bg38m1likuJoU45XFxGBXDEBesfTsagg6LOPGg-5mSlBGPupTigoTTvvqV84apqlqyz3-_A3nmITgH6jGUQTm2k5wwyV293Yg7rX6mavlI-v2SGTgCNdyTb1VzdD3iNASdWGBUdcBsW1iQPV9PxkfOqmbjT9l--wPUjlqemZXGK5OEtqWfw/w400-h268/DSC_0250.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As I said, I like
the knife. But equally important to me, Spyderco
is supporting Keep a Child Alive. KCA is
an organization that provides life-saving anti-retroviral treatment, care, and
support services to HIV/AIDS-afflicted children and their families in Africa.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Yeah, that's
important too!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">But let’s not
forget the source of the inspiration, the Chokwe people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Who are the Chokwe
people of Central and Southern Africa? They
are found primarily in Angola, southwestern parts of the Democratic Republic of
the Congo (Kinshasa to Lualaba), and northwestern parts of Zambia.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Chokwe was once
one of the twelve clans of the great Lunda Empire of 17<sup>th</sup> and 18<sup>th</sup>
century Angola. They were initially
employed by Lunda nobles and eventually became independent when they refused to
continue paying tribute to the Lunda emperor.
The Chokwe were prosperous traders and their abundant resources caused
them to be one of the wealthiest groups in Angola. But eventually, they fell to the industrial
nations of Europe, who carved the African continent into domains. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3ZuxXKySizQrCKODr92Z7g5zbUJTQkisEKD7_RXLsHp22gKaj3NY3s5PZP4i0U4yKmYqbF1Bg7DJhYaB6WsXeZr2vRAbcE46xy_OIRVa0JHWCoyrqy9LkMHEdYJEkAD69ISObX4Nen6GC9ay5aka_iorMfTd9yDbLv7bteg-hTT3kGjdJAOQY4HGjQ/s3872/DSC_0254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3ZuxXKySizQrCKODr92Z7g5zbUJTQkisEKD7_RXLsHp22gKaj3NY3s5PZP4i0U4yKmYqbF1Bg7DJhYaB6WsXeZr2vRAbcE46xy_OIRVa0JHWCoyrqy9LkMHEdYJEkAD69ISObX4Nen6GC9ay5aka_iorMfTd9yDbLv7bteg-hTT3kGjdJAOQY4HGjQ/w400-h268/DSC_0254.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Watu’s suggested
retail price is just under $300. You can
find your connection to strong and proud people at <a href="https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details/C251CF/1841">https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details/C251CF/1841</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>knifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668471324798770048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141494072483348631.post-72995575864562942022-08-20T11:34:00.001-04:002022-08-20T12:16:46.295-04:00Spyderco Ayoob<p><span style="font-size: large;"> “Captain,
she’s phasing. I can’t stop the
dilithium drive occultations. We’re
entering intercostal space!”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Don’t
worry, the brilliant chief engineer and intrepid captain, with the help of a
beautiful alien female scientist, will solve the problem. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let’s
be real. Intercostal space is the
distance between ribs. Around 2001
Massad Ayoob designed a folding knife to fit between the ribs and lacerate the
heart. The design locked the blade open
at an angle of less than 180 degrees.
This allows you to utilize the knife with the wrist very close to the
strong, neutral position. More on that
later. Spyderco has re-issued it as a
sprint run.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwt6oCenaz80OGRtf-tPOOKVYluNPMhvAI4VqqSeQTTeS2v6oX31VltQgK4dVxNfuxkrGAvmni_nfyfC8TLVwCH8ITdVSj175c-KTWHlSmGZvX_l6tGixt7PVUFLKMY3bfDRyKmwSn1Gh4hm5_GopVYqWIbceF-i8oKHNygvTQMTe-NweaK4ew2P6xKA/s400/cut_away_chest%20University%20of%20Nottingham.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwt6oCenaz80OGRtf-tPOOKVYluNPMhvAI4VqqSeQTTeS2v6oX31VltQgK4dVxNfuxkrGAvmni_nfyfC8TLVwCH8ITdVSj175c-KTWHlSmGZvX_l6tGixt7PVUFLKMY3bfDRyKmwSn1Gh4hm5_GopVYqWIbceF-i8oKHNygvTQMTe-NweaK4ew2P6xKA/w400-h400/cut_away_chest%20University%20of%20Nottingham.gif" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stolen from University of Nottingham - Note the heart and intercostal space.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The
original was produced as both a fully serrated and plain edge with a black
Almite handle and a blade made from VG-10.
Almite is a surface coating used on aluminum for decorative and
protective reasons. It is available from
“super hard” to “soft” with differing Vickers hardness.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9aJniO9-xiTvxVECEt1I1DdsUTfhzWDrZXTp1gpBT_W4IQ7WHz_BfrsIWw2ZhdQ0B4KS5jY6V8ehwzY1YA1wa_tHEjEGNsZgzc3AWJrbo4YtKbxld8WwzzqrCDFKjZo22f1XzQNUlbVdvdGsWBG57hNsPfn3PgZP1uwJ9MEk-LEnkvzt38uoFiuDsnQ/s3872/face2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9aJniO9-xiTvxVECEt1I1DdsUTfhzWDrZXTp1gpBT_W4IQ7WHz_BfrsIWw2ZhdQ0B4KS5jY6V8ehwzY1YA1wa_tHEjEGNsZgzc3AWJrbo4YtKbxld8WwzzqrCDFKjZo22f1XzQNUlbVdvdGsWBG57hNsPfn3PgZP1uwJ9MEk-LEnkvzt38uoFiuDsnQ/w400-h268/face2.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Ayoob sprint run. The handle is a lighter gray.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">VG-10
was initially produced for Japanese chefs.
Its properties soon caught the attention of other knife companies. Spyderco was not the only one to utilize this
steel. Kizer, SOG and Fällkniven are among
VG-10 users. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">By
the way - - if you aren’t reading this at “The Knife Edge: One Man, So Many
Knives,” it has been stolen and used without my permission. Please let me know at <a href="mailto:Frank1karl@yahoo.com">Frank1karl@yahoo.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Years
ago, Joyce Laituri told me Spyderco didn’t like making knives whose sole
purpose was to harm people. But they
would if agencies requested those designs.
The Ayoob was in the 2001 and 2002 catalogs but disappeared in 2003.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfLDDln623qoe-jgE1lDQRzgR0hhHFrxcMkambMhmYIoTigFa2S-rJJj7yxTz8gl1RKwdD0cdDyQDiUObS5Yz_c2LTW-92LJujRukDdSu8HEC5YHvRxB9QWS7YzypzuuBXmXSQ5_GDOVpsCedOoo6VeodB2WpVcTrydBDRH0P1AsJZ23W13mys2lx_A/s3872/DSC_0004.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfLDDln623qoe-jgE1lDQRzgR0hhHFrxcMkambMhmYIoTigFa2S-rJJj7yxTz8gl1RKwdD0cdDyQDiUObS5Yz_c2LTW-92LJujRukDdSu8HEC5YHvRxB9QWS7YzypzuuBXmXSQ5_GDOVpsCedOoo6VeodB2WpVcTrydBDRH0P1AsJZ23W13mys2lx_A/w400-h268/DSC_0004.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Note the angle between the blade and handle.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;">Despite
the short run, the Ayoob knife picked up a vocal following and Spyderco has
brought it back as a sprint run. I really
like mine. </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
current Ayoob C60GPGY has a G-10 handle over steel liners. The scales are set up so you can move the
pocket clip to facilitate your favorite carry method. The clip holds the knife slightly visible in
your pocket, an important consideration for anyone concerned about concealed weapons. The visible portion of the knife eliminates
the concealed aspect. A David Boye
release lever is incorporated to reduce the possibility of your grip accidentally
unlocking the knife. I don’t believe
there are any actual documented cases other than those few that were engineered
to demonstrate the potential.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OmUXVYPmMbKLc7K1Ay8alfdOgwr9bq51qIMMEnMBLPysKgNaTko8rWBbJkjY6mKt449QmkozT09TiSbWhlYxPuJVTX-nKjzP48P7JzltLRh4vhDsT3m63Avd6K-uUp85_SwN_3xztDP4mtVOzw19xt3p-KxDxM216_jLLcmRf0CZsJULnU-qE3mBBg/s3872/face%20one.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OmUXVYPmMbKLc7K1Ay8alfdOgwr9bq51qIMMEnMBLPysKgNaTko8rWBbJkjY6mKt449QmkozT09TiSbWhlYxPuJVTX-nKjzP48P7JzltLRh4vhDsT3m63Avd6K-uUp85_SwN_3xztDP4mtVOzw19xt3p-KxDxM216_jLLcmRf0CZsJULnU-qE3mBBg/w400-h268/face%20one.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
steel used on the sub-four-inch blade is CPM CRU-WEAR. It is an interesting steel, but you should know
its limitations. The elemental
composition gives it better wear properties than D2 tool steel, better
toughness than M2 steel, and more compression strength than either. The properties of any metal are essentially a
teeter-totter. Raise one property and another
property sinks.<a name="_Hlk111715583"> </a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">CRU-WEAR has
only 7.24% chromium. The steel’s carbides
are primarily produced by 2.4% vanadium and 1.6% molybdenum. These tiny carbides are more of a ceramic
particle, very hard, and they pin grain boundaries preventing movement. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">With
less chromium bound up as carbides, more chromium is available for corrosion
resistance. Unfortunately, CRU-WEAR is
not a stainless steel. The chromium
levels are too low, and Spyderco warns you about that. I’d avoid cutting acid fruit and vegetables,
as the acid content will attack and stain the blade. This could be good news to the ketchup patina
fans out there. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
choice of steel utilized by any manufacturer can be a rabbit hole exercise in
futility. Sometimes it’s market pressure
to keep up with the other guys. Sometimes
the steel you prefer is no longer available for various reasons. Sometimes it is just a way to keep your staff
engaged. Joyce once commented that
Spyderco sometimes acts like a small independent maker and tries new steels to
stay fresh. It makes it hard on Spyderco
collectors, but I like it. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">So
what makes this fighting knife special? </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">There
are several things. The first was
already mentioned. The blade is designed
to fit between the ribs and penetrate deep into the chest cavity, lacerating
lungs, heart and other vital structures.
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznS97M-zbmH1O6JnbHr5JUjxpbTey_iYWpPqaBCsHZ1yfrm_o5XiXQStb6rST6NVymWZjqfFP98ZURUKdm7G35A-laECh1V75mbhAMGYWoADnHPAdKW_7-9OUK7W8g_wOm9l67y4PoBMS4atULdDsb9Eza7paVRctr3MEwF7m8cvHlo1ISPYDTybXDw/s3872/DSC_0092.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznS97M-zbmH1O6JnbHr5JUjxpbTey_iYWpPqaBCsHZ1yfrm_o5XiXQStb6rST6NVymWZjqfFP98ZURUKdm7G35A-laECh1V75mbhAMGYWoADnHPAdKW_7-9OUK7W8g_wOm9l67y4PoBMS4atULdDsb9Eza7paVRctr3MEwF7m8cvHlo1ISPYDTybXDw/w400-h268/DSC_0092.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Deep penetrating injury.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps
the most notable feature and innovation is the angle between the blade and
handle. I’ll let Massad Ayoob explain
it. "With a typical knife,
thrusting lifts the blade's point above the line of the forearm, like a boat
prow going through water. The faster, harder or more resistance encountered,
the higher the prow rises deviating the blade off course from its original
target which can mitigate the depth of the cut.”</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">What
Ayoob doesn’t explain, Jim Davis does:
“Regarding wounds, stab wounds are far more prone to kill a person than
slash wounds. Stabs tend to penetrate
and hit arteries and organs, causing internal bleeding.” <a href="http://tactical-talk.blogspot.com/2021/01/jim-davis-on-knives.html">http://tactical-talk.blogspot.com/2021/01/jim-davis-on-knives.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">When
you are fighting for your life, severe measures are called for.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The
blade/handle angle allows your wrist to lock into its strongest position, which
we call the neutral position.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">The
medical terms for the positions associated with a bent wrist are adduction,
extension, and flexion.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">The joint loses
strength when your wrist is in these positions, even if not at the extremes. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Ayoob Clipit lets you cut and stab with your
wrist in the neutral position.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZ537yob4TSKB2xMBn1jPOlnUU2rk-uk7ex9f1MI5GyMEZMGXqPz3nlGU83b8iHWNovc0JmWGfcMwmPTYk5jQyjNra5hv3VQQMKypg04SPpIJXtBMwFILGvMSS-OhVyXXyZcUxPgHe07Ak1xUONLIlzIM9Z6c1BiX66jzDVinANhmNV7YlFh855RQNQ/s3872/DSC_0052.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZ537yob4TSKB2xMBn1jPOlnUU2rk-uk7ex9f1MI5GyMEZMGXqPz3nlGU83b8iHWNovc0JmWGfcMwmPTYk5jQyjNra5hv3VQQMKypg04SPpIJXtBMwFILGvMSS-OhVyXXyZcUxPgHe07Ak1xUONLIlzIM9Z6c1BiX66jzDVinANhmNV7YlFh855RQNQ/w400-h268/DSC_0052.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Spyderco's Endura with the wrist in neutral position. The blade tip points upward.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFnPWo_mrj4Bm3TrnA5psKq7lYaw_awIHu2VLrcwbOSOecKtG3vqT_D3so_3irNzrsdrZw4I_NZ1ba1S-kVnaconrTUgnBCy7k69xakrOpgjlC2GoUQJtQ16bTbvnEErQayXbQggmLZ_KtDksDPZ-QH4i8LZwn0YYSoGxbh10EpBY9MOkCsWV2I3i3g/s3872/DSC_0057.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFnPWo_mrj4Bm3TrnA5psKq7lYaw_awIHu2VLrcwbOSOecKtG3vqT_D3so_3irNzrsdrZw4I_NZ1ba1S-kVnaconrTUgnBCy7k69xakrOpgjlC2GoUQJtQ16bTbvnEErQayXbQggmLZ_KtDksDPZ-QH4i8LZwn0YYSoGxbh10EpBY9MOkCsWV2I3i3g/w400-h268/DSC_0057.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Spyderco's Endura with tip canted to engage target. Note bent wrist, compromising grip.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Spyderco amplifies these ideas, stating: “The C60's radical angle brings the blade
into line with the long bones of the forearm, channeling the body's force
directly behind the line of the cut resulting in minimized blade deviation and
maximized accuracy.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oqHnm8Pl_p4PMzY416rdb4-7M51svcRV8-KQucNgn3STy8htuzr-qGYkDCZnMJ3ZP7VVgBhA5KmTDTE-0HajZ0hHN9X1xVj3eSKvQOVJqjxQ5UeELryT6hChPJDxgo1z-BqU3_8mv9x7H_STalAagGWJz15T7VIA0RndCVu10d5VMk0v7kuIrRoInQ/s3872/DSC_0063.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oqHnm8Pl_p4PMzY416rdb4-7M51svcRV8-KQucNgn3STy8htuzr-qGYkDCZnMJ3ZP7VVgBhA5KmTDTE-0HajZ0hHN9X1xVj3eSKvQOVJqjxQ5UeELryT6hChPJDxgo1z-BqU3_8mv9x7H_STalAagGWJz15T7VIA0RndCVu10d5VMk0v7kuIrRoInQ/w400-h268/DSC_0063.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Spyderco's Ayoob on target neutral and strong grip position.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Any knife will open your mail and packages, cut cordage,
and slice pizza. Many of these knives
will end up as Safe Queens, only seeing the outside on special occasions, holidays
and barbeques when you want to show off the knife. </span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">That’s okay. This
is a special-purpose knife. I remember
listening to a British WWII commando explain how to properly use an F-S
fighting knife. You couldn’t use the
Ayoob C60GPGY for that. You wouldn’t want
to use it to split kindling to build a fire or to saw through a can top when
you lost your opener in the back forty acres of nowhere.</span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lastly, who is Massad Ayoob, and why should his ideas
be put into production? Google his name,
will you? Anything I write would sound
like hero worship. I admit, he’s a
pretty cool guy and someone you want on your side when you’re getting into
trouble or trying to survive the aftermath.</span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Spyderco Ayoob is a limited sprint run. I find the Ayoob C60GPGY an
attractive knife. You’ve been warned. They’ll run out fast.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1dcGtmh3yS80OKffVw5tlcvJXn_3dhXyClDimT11aRf_4XC53laOOR9KdOkrWK2dwE7FQDwSgUjbXVQJBwN46VDKYnnUEZaaG_9fLiEsYDnHPmb3Y-ZCHvecURx_it-CTzj24YMhR7wDj56mITB4dqemdqFhS0GArltyixhSTyYKHy2WnNNCMBPfdA/s3872/DSC_0007.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1dcGtmh3yS80OKffVw5tlcvJXn_3dhXyClDimT11aRf_4XC53laOOR9KdOkrWK2dwE7FQDwSgUjbXVQJBwN46VDKYnnUEZaaG_9fLiEsYDnHPmb3Y-ZCHvecURx_it-CTzj24YMhR7wDj56mITB4dqemdqFhS0GArltyixhSTyYKHy2WnNNCMBPfdA/w640-h428/DSC_0007.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Might be the right backup weapon.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p></div>knifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668471324798770048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141494072483348631.post-43735487586539416852022-08-01T19:37:00.001-04:002022-08-09T15:06:38.589-04:00Color me Anodized<p><span style="font-size: large;">I like anodized titanium.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3333792792285491"
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Titanium anodizing is an
electrolytic finishing process that creates varying thicknesses of a titanium oxide
layer on the metal surface. The titanium
item forms the anode (positive electrode) of an electrolytic cell, hence the
name “anodize.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZ4y-XS9cTvi9ZDFrdF5iFzi7ivzQlHBuvb1IV83cZ65a3nTJwQvvz2Arf6C6iESL3yety8utgm1YjVNrUY8BjJARjTJ1_PN48SMosXZzicpF5MDrdPKzUtde-moV07gRTS-GSlwbA9GXArZh_fAJlkxKqF9v-lAag3TJtV2JWI4Efzwkj8qC4TlWcQ/s3872/_DSC0287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZ4y-XS9cTvi9ZDFrdF5iFzi7ivzQlHBuvb1IV83cZ65a3nTJwQvvz2Arf6C6iESL3yety8utgm1YjVNrUY8BjJARjTJ1_PN48SMosXZzicpF5MDrdPKzUtde-moV07gRTS-GSlwbA9GXArZh_fAJlkxKqF9v-lAag3TJtV2JWI4Efzwkj8qC4TlWcQ/w400-h268/_DSC0287.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spyderco's Shaman in anodized titanium</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Anodizing titanium has been
around for almost a century. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">It was
first used in 1923 to protect British seaplane parts from salt-water corrosion.
</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Aerospace companies continue to use
anodizing processes today to protect metals from the effects of aging, wear and
corrosion.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are three types of
anodizing. The first is a high-temperature
process. I used to etch titanium wire
with molten sodium nitride into amazingly sharp points. I would find little splotches of concentric color
on portions of the metal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">The second is called type 2. Type 2 is used chiefly to protect the metal
surface against the effects of wear. When
untreated titanium parts rub against each other, they produce titanium dust. Titanium dust is not a major health problem,
unless it builds up in joints utilizing orthopedic implants. Type 2 anodizing provides a wear-resistant
surface and helps prevent seizing or friction between sliding titanium
surfaces. AMS 2488E has the engineering
specs if you’re interested.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqC5dvfAm05eZHDlAn6E6YUknDB5qlktHIm60qXJEoqJEd7Wd2e4g1T6rD06v0nER3_Mj0LoEuZzx4Z3IIvXD6Glv0vLWL3K761ZOnDLFRmssi9j0NJWSUIHWqYLumpRGmklBP7z6s-U02KjRzTA1f3cCEFYuySBK6-3hLnOQKcEfoh-gLfx6QUU9E2A/s3264/IMG_2606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqC5dvfAm05eZHDlAn6E6YUknDB5qlktHIm60qXJEoqJEd7Wd2e4g1T6rD06v0nER3_Mj0LoEuZzx4Z3IIvXD6Glv0vLWL3K761ZOnDLFRmssi9j0NJWSUIHWqYLumpRGmklBP7z6s-U02KjRzTA1f3cCEFYuySBK6-3hLnOQKcEfoh-gLfx6QUU9E2A/w400-h300/IMG_2606.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shaman tear down - remove the clip</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Type 3 is the color.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">You’ll find colorful titanium used in the
orthopedic field to help surgeons ensure the correct plate, screws, and what-nots
are used.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">You’ll also find colorful
titanium in jewelry.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">The color is not produced by
dyes, but by manipulating the oxide layer to create an “illusion of color.” This is similar to the rainbow colors an oil
film forms on water. These layers are
very thin. The entire range of colors is
produced over a 30 to 55-nanometer range, very small stuff indeed!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">The process isn’t complicated. The titanium part is immersed in a trisodium
phosphate (TSP) solution and a direct electrical current is applied. Most people use a specialized rectifier to
convert AC to DC and control voltage and amperage. Since it is just a thin, durable coating, color
mistakes can be stripped off with the right detergent, and you can try again.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fN9riIRFSzUGppMYdIRgPprgOLFMI97qurQOsUvGkyAeICkD03__mDeqA1e-i9C-QxMmu0Nej9TgcsVONfXr8Oxi1zjPpRw1CiY2AiNVBO7irDL4ETpb8Q0tgXDs2sYnw6z5_x1I8U9IPlQT5xYSxkZ1TJA99Ge0M3uR57iZJ7HA6_exv9zoIZTXrw/s3264/IMG_2609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fN9riIRFSzUGppMYdIRgPprgOLFMI97qurQOsUvGkyAeICkD03__mDeqA1e-i9C-QxMmu0Nej9TgcsVONfXr8Oxi1zjPpRw1CiY2AiNVBO7irDL4ETpb8Q0tgXDs2sYnw6z5_x1I8U9IPlQT5xYSxkZ1TJA99Ge0M3uR57iZJ7HA6_exv9zoIZTXrw/w400-h300/IMG_2609.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guts!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The prep for industrial products
can be a bit daunting.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sean Krizan at Meton Boss (<a href="https://www.metonboss.com/">https://www.metonboss.com/</a>) produced
anodized titanium scales for Spyderco’s Shaman.
The scales were engraved to resemble an interlocking jigsaw puzzle, with
the ‘pieces’ having different anodizing colors.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was amazing, and I threw money
at him to make it mine. I didn’t have a
Shaman yet, but that shouldn’t be a problem, right?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was the beginning of the Covid
age of supply shortages. I placed an
order for one from a knife seller. A
year later, I was still waiting. I
called Spyderco and was told the knife was still in production, but supply
shortages ..yadda…yadda…yadda.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">What if they were discontinued? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">What if I couldn’t find one?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Was I FUBARed? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wVst7O0BvEdj3mtgqLq5iszRAtPZogJX5SlE3o_n7vaXIgaZWiDxXFmoY76XgQ_ToHkputC4hCHX6xIhS0b4chDczwvxP0ZjU3-j1acOVRckMWF7xa0kI164zDFJHP7JL_tDsY_3LPvwC4tSDcmjpBQ024-QTu5tdm_BWA_n9T5JjSMf8UMK_apCwg/s3264/IMG_2614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wVst7O0BvEdj3mtgqLq5iszRAtPZogJX5SlE3o_n7vaXIgaZWiDxXFmoY76XgQ_ToHkputC4hCHX6xIhS0b4chDczwvxP0ZjU3-j1acOVRckMWF7xa0kI164zDFJHP7JL_tDsY_3LPvwC4tSDcmjpBQ024-QTu5tdm_BWA_n9T5JjSMf8UMK_apCwg/w400-h300/IMG_2614.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, Igor threw the switch - Is it alive?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">I purchased a fully serrated Shaman,
despite wanting a plain blade, just in case. Now that I had one, even if it was a plan B
option, I could relax. Eventually, I
finally found a plain edge at a knife show and bought it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had to dissemble the knife to
remove the original scales, voiding Spyderco’s warranty. I took lots of snapshots of the process, just
in case I ended up with an extra washer or screw when I was finished re-assembling
my Shaman. I worked on a pile of newspaper
for the cushion and used painter’s tape for surface protection. I also discovered I was all thumbs. Still, it all worked out.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4eTNPdn3l5AjKHAav9QwGkLR2QTkt-K9E14-Qm5JvTW2XwZBUUQ2dvF8S97lKEwJqHoNJe9yT4H_G5MNifcWFhZlZQ8z340eBc5k7rDCfORdBoFMWBUtKWmWfM0iRduwS5M3DzT7X0x8AO9HmYLZx45fE6dI4pAvQ-j4Up-EN9RBPav2BNQlF-LTCg/s3264/IMG_2613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4eTNPdn3l5AjKHAav9QwGkLR2QTkt-K9E14-Qm5JvTW2XwZBUUQ2dvF8S97lKEwJqHoNJe9yT4H_G5MNifcWFhZlZQ8z340eBc5k7rDCfORdBoFMWBUtKWmWfM0iRduwS5M3DzT7X0x8AO9HmYLZx45fE6dI4pAvQ-j4Up-EN9RBPav2BNQlF-LTCg/w400-h300/IMG_2613.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I get nothing for showing his card. Still. there are some amazing products there!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoUTUm70HtpOEnHaNTQnYsDjA5T212d-YifQ6BnH5t8m-qO4tK5MlAZ0pnHxgAWXSTY6oD0wnpEjT0UWns27EmxfX4STajDRFWuk1sJRw-vPMMx6M5ggZWCCYR6iUQAKOKXeWsgNQ3teCyadkZtPd-X0jdn-NHL-d579AgbhJNTYK4yXUZy3ZOs43DQ/s2563/finished.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1711" data-original-width="2563" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoUTUm70HtpOEnHaNTQnYsDjA5T212d-YifQ6BnH5t8m-qO4tK5MlAZ0pnHxgAWXSTY6oD0wnpEjT0UWns27EmxfX4STajDRFWuk1sJRw-vPMMx6M5ggZWCCYR6iUQAKOKXeWsgNQ3teCyadkZtPd-X0jdn-NHL-d579AgbhJNTYK4yXUZy3ZOs43DQ/w400-h268/finished.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's alive!!</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Shaman is spectacular!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>knifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15668471324798770048noreply@blogger.com0