Hogue Elishewitz EX-01 Folder Review

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Wilson

Hogue Elishewitz EX-01With backgrounds in the U.S. Marine Corps, criminal justice, and martial arts, you just knew Allen Elishewitz would make…custom watches.  Huh?  Well, he does make handmade watches and pens, but his award winning knives are what made Elishewitz a rising star.  His latest collaborations with Hogue reflect his style and aesthetics.  I bought a Hogue EX-01, in green G-Mascus, to see what the hype was about.

Hogue Inc., maker of gungrips and accessories since 1968, began a professional relationship with Elishewitz in 2009 with the intention of producing what they called “high-end sporting cutlery.”  Hogue Knives’ EX line, for EXtreme, was the payoff.  It includes four folding knife variations and a fixed blade.

The EX-01 was introduced in 2010 and is the flagship of the fleet.  It comes in a tanto or drop point and with aluminum or G-10 handles.  Blade lengths in the EX-01 are either 3.5″ or 4.0″.  Hogue Knives are Made in the USA.  That proclaimed, Hogue’s blades are flat ground from American 154CM steel, RHC to 57-59.  The blades are cryogenically treated, given a nice tumbled finish, and hand sharpened.  My 3.5″ drop point has Continue reading →

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Laco B-Uhr Luftwaffe Navigator’s Watch Review

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Wilson

Laco B-Uhr WatchAt the outset of World War II, the German government commissioned five watchmakers to produce the Luftwaffe’s Fliegeruhr and B-Uhr aviator watches.  “Fliegeruhr” means pilot’s watch.  B-Uhr is short for “Beobachtungs-Uhr,” or observer’s watch.  Both watches were a gigantic 55 mm in case diameter, for best visibility and for strapping over a flying jacket and gloves.  Faithful replicas of these two timepieces are made by many manufacturers.  Laco is proud to be one of the original five WWII aviation watchmakers.

Today’s Laco Flieger and B-Uhr watches, sometimes called the Type-A and Type-B, respectively, radiate the same industrial instrument-quality good looks as the vintage issued ones.  I wanted a Laco watch and agonized over which one of the two dial designs I would purchase.  I settled on the B-Uhr.

IMG_2846Vintage Flieger- and B-Uhr’s had cases that were 55mm X 16.5 mm, and weighed 6.4 ounces (185 grams).  Impractical for today’s casual wearers, the gargantuan proportions have been scaled down to 42mm X 12mm.  Lacking a rotating bezel, the Laco’s stainless steel case still seems huge because the crystal reaches Continue reading →

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SOG Knives Mini Aegis Review

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Wilson

SOG Mini Aegis ReviewSOG Specialty Knives gets its name from the Studies and Observation Group.  SOG.  More specifically, the U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam–Studies and Observation Group.  MACV-SOG.  The acronym did not use the word “special.”  MACV-SOG ran cross-border covert ops, rescue, and reconnaissance during the Vietnam War.

A special, sometimes sterile (no identifying marks), fighting knife was commissioned for the teams.  It became known as the SOG Bowie.  It would inspire SOG Knives’ founder and tool and die maker Spencer Frazer to start a knife company in 1986.

SOG Knives makes a range of items from knives, to tomahawks, to multi-tools, to flashlights.  I happen to love the curves of a leaf shaped blade.  When I saw SOG’s Aegis design a few years ago, I was visually intrigued.  When I saw the Mini Aegis, I had to have one.

IMG_2794Aegis (EE-gis), Greek for shield, denotes protection.  Since this knife is a called a “mini,” I think the diminutive is appropriate.  It is a bit light on features for personal protection, but in terms of utility Continue reading →

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The Macallan Select Oak Review

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Daniel

DSCN1497When I hear the name Macallan, I think about one of the largest and finest distilleries in Scotland.  They began distilling whisky in 1824 along the Spey River in the village of Craigellachie, located in the Moray council area of Scotland.  In 2009, the distillery released a line of whiskies in commemoration of when the distillery was first licensed.  The 1824 Collection is a range of four superb whiskies at varying price points ($70-$2000).  The Select Oak is the first of this quartet which is “crafted from an exceptionally wide and unique combination of five cask types, delivering extraordinary smoothness, remarkable sweetness and depth.”  It is a combination of first-fill European oak casks seasoned with sherry, and American oak casks seasoned with either Oloroso sherry or bourbon.

Interested in purchasing a bottle?  Be prepared to travel, as one can not simply head down to his local liquor store and purchase a dram from the 1824 Collection.  In order to acquire a bottle from the 1824 Collection, one must travel abroad as the line is distributed exclusively to the “Global Travel Retail Market.”

This past summer, I acquired a bottle of the Select Oak from a shop at Glasgow International Airport in Scotland for right around $75.  The box is a foiled kelly Continue reading →

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ESEE Izula Knife Review

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Wilson

ESEE Izula BladeBarrelBezel.comParaponera Clavata would have made an unfortunate disease-worthy name for a knife.  And it would not have fit along the length of a 2.75″ blade.  But, the Peruvians call this particular genus and species of fierce indigenous ant the isula!  ESEE Knives felt that Izula makes a fine name that can be adequately laser engraved on a diminutive sharpy.

Jeff Randall and Mike Perrin of Randall’s Adventure and Training and ESEE Knives designed the Izula as a small fixed blade jungle survival knife, but I put it to you that it can acquit itself quite well as an urban partner of considerable value.

Ultimately, a knife is for cutting things (duh).  Izula’s modestly-sized full tang blade of 1/8” 1095 high carbon steel, hardened to 55-57 RHC, is a serious tool for parting objects.  Izula’s flat ground, powder coated blade is expertly made by Idaho Falls’ Rowen Manufacturing.  My experience has been that, sans moving a rubber tree plant, the little ESEE Izula will stand up to almost all users’ small knife Continue reading →

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Vintage Waltham Pocket Watch Review

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Daniel

Waltham1(Ed. note:  We are excited to bring Daniel on board to share some of the writing and photography fun!)

In 1850, three men banded together and started a company that would later be known as the Waltham Watch Company. These men were David Davis, Edward Howard, and Aaron Lufkin Dennison. Their revolutionary vision to manufacture fully interchangeable precision watch movement parts would eventually be perfected and patented by Howard and Dennison.

Pocket watches hold with them a sense of nostalgia. There’s something about sitting down to breakfast and winding a mechanical watch each day. Taking out a handmade precision piece of machinery and contemplating the days it’s seen.

I have wanted to purchase an antique pocket watch for sometime now. In fact I had recently gone to a high end jeweler and discovered an 1890’s Waltham hunting style pocket watch for sale. The watch did not run and came with a $200 price tag along with a $130 repair bill to get the watch “functioning.” This was a bit beyond my price range for a first pocket watch purchase.

Last week, I entered a local antique store and to my surprise I discovered an open face side-winding Waltham pocket watch sitting in a display case. The watch was worn but upon holding it and winding the crown I discovered that Continue reading →

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Make Your Own Knives

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Wilson

BladeBarrelBezel HandmadeA few years ago, I had some time and some tools, so I decided to make my own knife.  Back then, I needed a heavy duty knife/pry bar as I was in SWAT.  The knife you see above is the first one I made.  I won’t say it wasn’t hard, but I will say it was well worth it when I was done.

Through Sheffield Knifemaker’s Supply, I ordered some 3/8″ ATS-34 stainless steel bar stock, black canvas Micarta™ scales, epoxy, and stainless steel rod.  Okay, I said I had some tools.  They were mainly hand tools.  I did have a small drill press at the time, but all the other chores were done on the bench by hand.

I had read a few books on knife making and knew that the stock removal method was what would work for me.  Nowadays, you can fire up the Internet and learn much about this style of making sharp things.

I drew out a template for the blade on some cardboard.  The profile for my knife was loosely influenced by some Ernest Emerson fixed blade knives I had seen.  My knife would be 9″ overall, with a 4 3/4″ blade.  In marker, I traced the profile on to the steel.  With my drill press, I drilled holes around the perimeter of the profile.  I also drilled three holes for pinning the scales.  The next step was to cut through the holes with a hacksaw to reveal the very rough blade shape.

At this point, the real fun began.  The rest of the blade was shaped with a mill file.  This is what I meant by “I won’t say it wasn’t hard…”  Filing metal is an arduous and Continue reading →

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BLACKHAWK! Be-Wharned Folding Knife Review

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Wilson

BLACKHAWK! Be-Wharned Folding KnifeIt seems some knife buyers out there are suffering from Yojimbo 2-envy, as the supplies for that particular knife have been short to non-existent from last year into this one.  Let’s look at another Michael Janich-designed defensive folder with a Wharncliffe blade, the BLACKHAWK! Be-Wharned knife.

Between stints at Spyderco Knives, Mr. Janich was the brands manager for the Masters of Defense Knife Company and BLACKHAWK! Blades.  Around 2009, Mr. Janich and BLACKHAWK! released what I considered Yojimbo 2.0, the Be-Wharned.  Company designations not withstanding, that would really make the latest Spyderco model the Yojimbo 3.0.  But I digress…

When looking at the evolution of the Yojimbo, the Be-Wharned is a refinement of that knife which bridges the gap between the two Spyderco productions.  It is a sort of stepbrother to the other two knives.

IMG_2019Dimensionally, the Be-Wharned is 7.85” in closed length, with a 3.4” blade.  Though a Continue reading →

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Spyderco Delica and Endura with Emerson Opener Review

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Wilson

Spyderco Delica with Emerson OpenerWhen you pair the ideas of knife designers Sal Glesser and Ernest Emerson, you end up with products of both gigantic capabilities and diminutive proportions.  In the early 1980’s, Mr. Glesser brought us his patented Spyderco round opening hole, Spyder Edge serrations, and integral pocket clip.  In the late 1990’s, Mr. Emerson invented his Wave, or Emerson Opener, which was first seen on his Commander series of knives.  The melding of all these great innovations can only lead to a line of outstanding folding knives.

Spyderco’s Delica4 and Endura4 knives stand apart from the crowd.  The latest iterations of these folders have VG-10 saber ground blades, skeletonized stainless steel liners beneath the Volcano Grip FRN scales, and four-position pocket clips.  A back lock, with David Boye Dent for the thumb, allows Delica and Endura to be ambidextrous.  What could make these knives a little better?

Ernest Emerson, of Emerson Knives Inc., added a hooked protrusion to the top of his Commander knife.  It was originally put there as a blade catcher, specified by West Coast U.S. Navy SEAL team officers while they were tinkering with Emerson’s SERE knife concept for U.S. Army soldiers.  It was discovered that the blade catcher would Continue reading →

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BLACKHAWK! Introduces New Line of Watches

Posted on March 3, 2013 by Wilson

BLACKHAWK! Deep Sea Operator WatchBLACKHAWK! Products Group has announced a new line of watches.  The example at the right is called their Deep Sea Operator.   There are several variations of the timepieces in the collection, including the Field Operator, Advanced Field Operator, Race Operator, and the Deep Sea Operator.  MSRP for these watches run from $159.00 to $299.00.

General features of the watches include 316L stainless steel cases, Miyota quartz movements, PVD blackening on some models, and sapphire crystals with anti-glare coating.

The Deep Sea Operator has specs from BLACKHAWK! as such:

  • “Less is more” dial graphics increase human factors recognition reaction time.
  • Information output has been designed for maximum human factors clarity during user fatigue under poor conditions
  • Built with the finest materials, made to take on the toughest missions
  • 316L stainless steel has the highest resistance to oxidation
  • Cases are precision milled from billet 316L stainless steel to ultimate tolerances for maximum waterproofness
  • Silicon watch bands resist sweat and chemicals for years
  • Sapphire crystals resist scratches
  • PVD – thin film metal vapor deposit on the stainless surface
  • Standard lug design lets you change bands easily
  • Movements are time-proven precision Miyota standards
  • Billet screw-off case back makes Continue reading →
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