Archive for the ‘Knives’ Category
The Buck Knives Tradition
For over 100 years Buck Knives has been manufacturing top-of-the-line cutlery. Although the company was founded in San Diego at the turn of the century, Buck is now headquartered out of Post Fall, ID. The company’s founder, Hoyt H. Buck, wasn’t originally known for making knives.
Hoyt started as a blacksmith, and at the tender age of 13 had already developed a heating method that produced longer lasting edges than ever before. Although his company is renowned for their knives, Hoyt didn’t begin producing them in large quantities until he heard of a military shortage during WWII. Today the company continues to turn a healthy profit and produce some of the world’s best knives.
Which Switchblade
Assisted Opening Knife
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) wants a NEW definition of a switchblade to include one hand opening knives. They tried to re-write the law (Switchblade Knife Act of 1958) but were forced to re-think their position after much protest form the public.
The House Dems have pushed through a bill and now the Senate is taking up the controversy.
It isn’t too late to write your Senator and protest the inclusion of one hand opening knives and assisted opening folding knives.
If they get their way, millions of Americans will be criminals. Your favorite Buck knife, Case knife, SOG knife and even your box cutter will be outlawed.
Write your Senator TODAY!
Chop, Chop
Fallkniven Thor Knife
Survival hiking / camping is becoming more popular for today’s health enthusiasts. One knife that is useful and versatile is a good chopper. It can be used for felling small saplings to build a lean to, cutting small limbs for firewood or all around general use at a camp site.
A knife that fits all these tasks is a Bowie style blade made by Fallkniven. The “Thor” blade is made of a combination of all stainless 420J2 steel sides and an edge made of VG10 steel. With the resistance to torque and edge durability combined in one blade you can not go wrong with this knife. The knife also has a cow hide grip for long lasting durability and comfort. A hand made knife with a convex edge for cutting performance makes this knife a must for the ultimate survivalist.
What is your favorite chopping knife?
In Case You Don’t Have a Case
Since the turn of the last century Case knives have been in pockets, purses, display cases and weathered hands of millions of people around the world. Born in upstate NY and in Bradford, PA since 1905, WR Case Cutlery Company has a reputation envied by many knife manufacturers.
Case knives have been in the trenches of WWI to outer space on the “Molly Brown” NASA flight. Heralded by Presidents, NASCAR drivers and country music stars the case knife is made for collectors and users alike. Whether you are a whittler or knife connoisseur, a Case pocket knife or hunting knife should be in your collection.
Kitchen Knives Made Easy
Chef's Knife
Do you have all the kitchen knives you need or do you have kitchen knives that are rarely used? The two knives needed for the basic kitchen are the chef’s knife and the paring knife. While most will use the chef’s knife over ninety percent of the time there are many other designs that can make life easier. The major knife manufacturers offer configurations for those who are not trained chefs.
Fillet knives can be used for filleting and boning, however the boning knife is less flexible and more durable for those tough boning jobs. A bread knife can be used for carving. However the carving knife makes a cleaner cut and you can slice thinner sections. A sharp pointed steak knife can be used for paring but the paring knife is smaller and more manageable.
Whatever you choose, two, four, eight or more, always select quality knives such as J A Henckels, Al Mar or other well made knives. These knives will last for generations and require less maintenance.
Boy Scouts Can’t Carry Pen Knives
In the United Kingdom Boy Scouts are no longer allowed to carry pen knives on camping trips! A recent article in the UK Telegraph quoted the following:
“Sadly, there is now confusion about when a Scout is allowed to carry a knife,” wrote Dave Budd, a knife-maker who runs courses training Scouts about the safe use of blades. “The series of high-profile fatal stabbings [has] highlighted a growing knife culture in the UK.”
Troops leaders however have said the decision is “very sad”. Sheila Burgin, from 4th Sevenoaks Scout Group in Kent, said: “Scouts by law are allowed to have Swiss army knives. I think this is going too far – you just don’t know when a Scout will need a knife.
Miss Burgin, who offers lessons in carving using penknives, added: “If you teach children to use a knife properly they won’t abuse it. If someone wants to cause harm they will do it anyway. It is a real shame it has come to this.”"
Will the same be happening here in the US? The US Customs is already trying to classify all easy open pocket knives as switch blades.
People harm people, not knives. Next they will be banning sharp pencils and screwdrivers!
What is your opinion?
Arkansas Sharpening Stone
Arkansas Sharpening Stone
Arkansas sharpening stones (Novaculite) are sedimentary rocks, ninety nine percent silica with small amounts of various amounts of other minerals (Boron, Manganese, Aluminum, etc.) interspersed during the 200 to 300 million years of development. These other minerals cause the varied shades to the color of the stone. Some stones are called Washita whetstones. They have typically been mined in or around the Ouchita mountains.
Arkansas stones are considered oil stones. Honing oil should be used during the sharpening process. This suspends the steel shavings during the sharpening of the knives as well as providing lubrication between the metal and the stone. A little additional honing oil added to the stone after use will assist in keeping the stone clean. Just wipe away the excess oil with a clean cloth and your stone will be ready for you next knife sharpening project.
Fighting, Combat, Tactical Knives
Marine Force Recon
What are the differences between fighting knives, combat knives and tactical knives?
The differences are very slight, if any. Fighting knives, developed for trench warfare, haven’t changed much through the years. Only the name has changed (political correctness maybe?). 
Navy Seals Insignia
Present day tactical knives have innovations in design and materials. However, as in the days of trench warfare, the look and usage of the combat knife is still the same. That is to render the opponent helpless or dead with silence and swiftness.
It’s been said that there isn’t much need for these types of knives in today’s hi-tech warfar e. I’ll wager you will get stiff resistance to that comment if you are talking to a Force Recon, Navy Seal, Ranger or any other myriad of special operations forces. 
75th Ranger Regiment Coat of Arms
Ka-Bar knives which have been around since early 1920 and relative new- comer SOG are still providing the military with exceptional “Tactical” knives. And I dare say there will always be a place for such knives as long as the regimes of this planet continue to disrupt the peace of other nations.
Hen & Rooster – What’s In a Name
Hen & Rooster Pocket Knife
C.R. Bertram of Solingen, Germany, established Bertram Cutlery in 1865 and the company became, for a short time, the manufacturer of the very best pocketknives in the world. Because he raised fancy chickens as a hobby, he used the Hen and Rooster as a trademark.
A.G. Russell purchased the company in 1975 and created the firm of Bertram GmbH. When Russell bought the factory he insisted on thicker liners, always nickel silver, the finest handle materials, and the best possible workmanship.
Five years later the name and trademark were bought by the firm of Robert Klaas, who has made knives marked with the Hen and Rooster trademark and the words Bertram Cut.
The company has since been purchased by Frost Cutlery of Chattanooga, TN. To date Frost has maintained the quality of the Hen & Rooster keeping it one of the premiere knives available today.
Unconventional Warfare – SOG Knives
SOG Seal Knife
The following is an excerpt from a Wikipedia article titled “Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group”.
The Studies and Observations Group (aka SOG, MACSOG, and MACV-SOG) was a joint unconventional warfare task force created on 24 January 1964 by the Joint Chiefs of Staff as a subsidiary command of the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV). The unit would eventually consist primarily of personnel from the United States Army Special Forces, and also from the United States Navy SEALs, the United States Air Force, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Special Activities Division, and elements of the United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance units. The Special Operations Group (as the unit was initially titled and still exists in CIA/SAD) was in fact controlled by the Special Assistant for Counterinsurgency and Special Activities (SACSA) and his staff at the Pentagon. This arrangement was necessary since SOG needed some listing in the MACV table of organization and the fact that MACV’s commander, General William Westmoreland, had no authority to conduct operations outside territorial South Vietnam. This command arrangement through SACSA also allowed tight control (up to the presidential level) over the scope and scale over the organization’s operations. The mission of the organization was
“to execute an intensified program of harassment, diversion, political pressure, capture of prisoners, physical destruction, acquisition of intelligence, generation of propaganda, and diversion of resources, against the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.” [end]
This elite group, (SOG, MACSOG, and MACV-SOG ) was the inspiration for Spencer Frazer to found SOG Specialty Knives. Today SOG is recognized as one of the premier manufacturers of fixed blade knives, folding knives and multipurpose tools. Frazer’s inventions and futuristic styles of tactical knives, hunting knives, folding knives and tools have earned many awards. SOG knives have become known around the globe for their performance, durability and unique design.
To that end SOG Specialty Knives won the contract to produce a new generation of knives for the Navy SEALs, winning out over 14 cutlery manufacturers.