Timberline Vallotton Kickstart Steel Blade

Posted on June 4, 2013 by Wilson

Timberline 1243Timberline Knives, founded in the early 1980’s by the late Jim Hardenbrook and Vaughn Neeley, has a history of successful collaborations, whether the early ones with Bob Lum and Ernest Emerson (the Emerson-Neeley SPECWAR won Blade Show’s Best American Knife in 1995), or their later work with Chuck Ochs, Greg Lightfoot, and Butch Vallotton.

The Timberline Kickstart model 1243 folding knife above is a prototype designed by Mr. Vallotton.  It carries an AUS-8 stainless steel blade, unlike Timberline’s similar ceramic bladed Kickstart model 8018.  This is a very nice gentleman’s folder with a 3.25″ blade, left side carbon fiber handle scale, and framelock.  Vallotton’s Kickstart assisted opening mechanism actuates the blade.

Though Timberlines’s Zirconium ceramic blades are wicked sharp and super light, some users prefer the overall durability of steel.  Ceramic composites are a little on the brittle side and can chip or break when dropped.  This is not a problem if the intended use for Continue reading →

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HTM Kirby Lambert SNAP Folding Knife

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Wilson

IMG_3273New for 2013 is the HTM Knives (Hand Tech Made) SNAP.  Famed Canadian knife maker Kirby Lambert designed the SNAP and HTM picked it up as a semi-custom production knife.  I immediately thought of an old WWII-era U.S. Mk 2 pineapple hand grenade when I saw the knife’s handle.  But, of course, the SNAP is actually a friendly thing to have in the hand.

SNAP’s 3 1/2″ clip point blade has a recurve, which gives the edge extra belly. The blade rolls open on either HTM’s Maxx Glide Pivot Bearing System or via their Spring Assisted Opening system.  This knife is a well-executed version of Lambert’s 2012 Blade Show and West Coast Custom Knife Show Best Continue reading →

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Blade Show 2013: My Last Hours

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Wilson
Mayhem at Busse

Mayhem at Busse

Here are some more photos I just snapped in the last several hours at Blade Show.  I’ll be finding transport back to the airport shortly.  It has been an inspiring show for me as I intend on making my own knives again in the future.  I told quite a few makers that I admired their work and their artisanship.  Nearly everyone told me to get back into it, if even making only Continue reading →

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Blade Show 2013: The First Hours

Posted on May 31, 2013 by Wilson

imageBlade Show has started off with a sea of humanity crashing upon a shore of steel.  VIPs and Press were admitted early at noon, but you would have thought it was General Admission.  There was a huge line snaking through the Cobb Galleria Center at this “selective” pre-show entry.  Still, for a knife enthusiast, it was worth it. I was pleased to have spoken with a few of the up-and-coming makers, such as Jason Brous and DJ Urbanovsky today.  Both were very nice and had some comments about the industry that I will share at a later date.  After handling some of their work in person, I only wish I could have been a buyer.  I have posted some photos of the show floor below.  More to come!

Continue reading →

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Blade Show Airport Shuttle

Posted on May 31, 2013 by Wilson

BladeShowI had an enlightening ride from Hartfield-Jackson to my hotel.  I took the shuttle in and ended up sharing a van with a gentleman helping out his aging uncle man his custom Scagel-style knife booth.  The other fellow was a product development manager for a maaaajor American knife manufacturer. Both were very affable guys.  The talk was mostly about hunting/dressing/skinning knives and, well, hunting in different locales and terrain.

The ProdDevMgr said that other than SHOT Show, NRA Show, and Safari Club International Convention, his personnel try to attend the smaller trade shows to see what The-Other-Guys are putting out there, especially the custom makers.  Another benefit is gauging the specialty markets for new product ideas.  He hinted at a new mid-year-release item he said I could see tomorrow at their booth…hmmm.

I was a minor player in the conversation, but saw that the PDM was truly interested in what the field user had to say about what he took into the woods.  Nice to see an exec from a multi-million dollar company really care about his potential customer base.

The ride was well worth the $35.00 flat rate, plus tip.  Double Scotch rocks and off to bed.

by Wilson

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Blade Show 2013

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Wilson

BladeShowBlade Show 2013 runs from May 31 to June 2 at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta, GA.  I will be attending the show floor as press, so I’m charging up the camera batteries and dragging out the notebook, pen, and iPad.  I hope to get some great photos, interesting stories, and scope out what will be new from the manufacturers and makers.

Blade Show KnifeAbove is the limited edition CRKT Kit Carson designed M4-02.  It features a 3.25″ drop point blade of 8CR13MoV, OutBurst assisted opening mechanism, and handles scales of black G10 and white bone.  Of course, it sports the Blade Show logo.  I had to have one, but it cost me less than $50.00.

by Wilson

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Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Review

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Wilson

Woodford ReserveI made a call.  My old friend answered his cell phone, saying, “Oh, you…very bad man!”  Yeah, I am half Asian.  Funny.  I said Hi and I have a problem.  I am going on a trip.  I am standing in a big box liquor store.  I need to buy some Kentucky bourbon.  What do you guys drink up there in BlueGrassia?  He said without hesitation, “Labrot & Graham’s Woodford Reserve.”

He added, “But you have to like vanilla.”  My friend explained that, to him, Woodford Reserve has an assertive vanilla flavor.  Intrigued, I purchased a bottle–along with an entire box full of other liquors.  Hey, it was a long trip.

Woodford Reserve is made at the vintage distillery near Versailles, Kentucky which once housed the Old Oscar Pepper Distillery, then Labrot & Graham.  The Brown-Forman Corporation had owned the property since 1941, but distilling ceased between 1971 and Continue reading →

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CRKT Alan Folts S.P.E.W. Fixed Blade Knife

Posted on May 11, 2013 by Wilson

CRKTSpewCustom knifemaker Alan Folts began his career crafting art knives in the mid-1990’s.  He won awards for his edgy visions.  Of late, Mr. Folts has been collaborating with Columbia River Knife and Tool to make production versions of two of his custom designs.  The S.P.E.W., or Small Pocket Everyday Wharncliffe, is one.

CRKT S.P.E.W. is a full tang fixed blade knife knife with a 3″ Wharncliffe cutting edge that is hollow ground.  Knife steel is 5CR15MoV at 55-57 RHC.  The finish is an even bead blast.  Steel thickness is 0.10″, which tapers to a thin point.

I love the look and feel of the black and red G-10 slabs.  They have a pleasant contour and are textured to stick to your fingers.  These attributes are important for a downsized handle.  The recessed pin at the butt anchors a lanyard.  CRKT provides a short braided nylon lanyard, which gives some additional purchase for those of you with over-sized paws.

Of course, I went about the property finding things to test against the 5CR15MoV.  Ultimately, I learned that the Wharncliffe blade shape is aggressive at cutting certain things like Continue reading →

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Wemyss Malts Smooth Gentleman

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Wilson

Wemyss MaltsI was in New York City this week and needed a scotch for the hotel. I like having a nightcap in the quiet and comfort of my room, this time overlooking the Hudson. We went to a spirits purveyor in the Chelsea Market and I decided I wanted to try something new. I saw an unusual squat bottle on the shelf. Wemyss Malts (said “Weems) is a blend of barley malts selected for a particular flavor profile.

The Wemyss Malts spirit I chose was their Smooth Gentleman, whose 16 ingredients include Speyside malts, mainly Aultmore. At 8 years old, this is a less-aged blend that nonetheless lives up to its name as smooth and gentlemanly.

Nose–Very light nose. I detect fruits and vanilla.

Palate–Nutty, chocolaty, mildly peated. Warm mellow feel in the mouth.

Finish–Short and light with a bit of oak.

For a forty-four dollar bottle containing 750 mL’s of 80 proof blended scotch malts, I was genuinely happy with the Wemyss Malts Smooth Gentleman. Its refined notes were very relaxing at the end of the day, which is what I was looking for in a nightcap. Sadly, there were about two fingers left in the bottle when we went to check out. I hope the maid enjoyed it!

by Wilson

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Kahr PM9 Review

Posted on May 4, 2013 by Wilson

PM9.2I have been remiss over the last few months in not posting some photos of handguns.  One of my favorite pocket carry guns is the Kahr PM9.  I took these snaps after I received a box of grain-fed beef from Hearst Ranch of California.  It had a pack of dry ice inside, so I put the gun into the container.  Voilà, dry ice fog.

Kahr Arms builds a high quality line of semi-automatic pistols.  There are many different models from which to choose, but I was looking for an easily carried gun that delivered a punch.  The PM9 definitely filled that dance card.

My main method of concealed carry is in the right front pants pocket.  I have an Uncle Mike’s Inside-the-Pocket Holster (size 3) that fits everything from my J-frame Smith & Wessons to a diminutive Kel-Tec P3AT.  For bringing along that spare magazine, I have a DeSantis Mag Packer, which is a pocket holster for a mag.  It keeps the magazine oriented in the left pocket for a reload and prevents detritus from getting down into the bullet holder.

As an alternative to a revolver, I really warmed up to this Kahr.  It has a wheelgun-like DAO trigger pull, but it holds two more rounds than a five shot Smith.  The PM9 clocks in a 14 oz’s, so it is not so much of a burden in your pants pocket.  9 X 19mm wins over .38 Special +P in the energy transfer department.

I won’t carry an auto-loader unless it has at least 400 rounds through it and Continue reading →

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