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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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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