Al Mar Mini SERE 2000 Folding Knife Review

Posted on March 1, 2013 by Wilson

Al Mar Mini SEREAl Mar Knives‘ Mini SERE 2000 knife is a distillation of design which has produced a folder unlike the original, yet in the same lineage.  Col. James “Nick” Rowe was a U.S. Army Special Forces lieutenant during the Vietnam conflict.  Captured by the Viet Cong and held in a bamboo cage for much of five years, he not only survived, he escaped.

Col. Rowe retired from the service in 1974, but was recalled to active duty in 1981 to draw upon his survival experience and found the U.S. Army’s SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape) training program.  In 1985, the collaboration between Col. Rowe and former Special Forces soldier and knife maker Al Mar produced the SERE folding knife.

The SERE knife, as envisioned by Rowe, was a folder that could be carried by a soldier in the field as constant companion, serving as a survival tool and, if necessary, a weapon.  The original SERE folder was conceived before pocket clips and blade opening devices.  A large folder, the SERE was carried in a belt-mounted pouch.  Its blade was deployed via a simple nail nick.

Though modern technological advances have changed the materials in an Al Mar SERE knife, the profile and purpose of Col. Rowe and Mar’s vision remain. A saber ground, spearpoint blade and dual “guards” at the front of the handle are signatures of the knife.

photo: Tony LaPetri

Early SERE Folder photo: Tony LaPetri

In recent SERE knives, the front lock has been supplanted by a Walker-style liner Continue reading →

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TAG Heuer 1000 Professional Dive Watch

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Wilson

TAG Heuer 1000 ProfessionalFor some strange reason, the desire struck me to buy an old watch.  I own a TAG Heuer Aquaracer 2000 that my wife purchased for me around 2006.  I love that watch’s blue dial and brushed and polished case and bracelet.  But for just knocking about, I wanted a used watch that already had a mysterious history and a few scuffs.

Off I went to an online website to search for something that had the right balance between low cost and high quality.  It is not an easy continuum on which to teeter.  Based upon previous satisfaction, I settled on finding a watch by Heuer or TAG Heuer.

Swiss watchmaker Edouard Heuer (HOY’-er) founded Heuer Watchmaking, Inc. in 1860.  The company made chronographs, pulsometers, dashboard timers, and watches.  Heuer was bought by Techniques d’Avant Garde in 1985.  Pre-1985 watches read Heuer on the dial, while post-1985 watches read TAG Heuer.   I think they make great timepieces.

My horological hunt was not easy, because as the price drops, the condition of the watch does, too.  I did not want to spend more Continue reading →

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Spyderco Yojimbo 2 Review

Posted on February 12, 2013 by Wilson

Spyderco Yojimbo 2Yojimbo is a 1961 Japanese period film in which two feuding crime bosses attempt to hire a wandering samurai (ronin) who has arrived in their town.  Yojimbo, or “bodyguard,” is a fitting name for Spyderco’s Michael Janich-designed defensive folding knife.  Spyderco’s current Yojimbo 2 is an improved version of the original Yojimbo, which debuted in 2005.  Martial Blade Concepts founder Michael Janich worked the original Yojimbo’s proportions into what he considered a superior defensive knife.

Janich takes his experiences with the original Spyderco Yojimbo and with his Blackhawk! design, the Be-Wharned, and uses them to pare down the Yojimbo 2 into a more refined knife.  I spoke with Janich at SHOT Show about the morphing of the Yo 2.

He said in making the Yojimbo 2, he no longer felt the need for the butt of the knife to be used for striking or manipulating pressure points.  As such the overall length of the handle was shortened by half an inch.  Gone are the dimples in the sides of the scales that were placed for reference points when manipulating the knife.

The Yojimbo 2’s blade, though still CPM S30V steel, is now hollow Continue reading →

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Coast Products FX350 Folding Knife Review

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Wilson

IMG_1258 copyIf there was one knife at the SHOT Show 2013 that I could have bought outright, it would have been Coast Product’s FX350 folding knife.  I asked…they said they could not, would not, should not sell me the prototype in my very hands.  Oh, despair, curse my wretched lot in life!

Coast Products is expanding its line of knives.  Knife and Tools Catagory Manager and designer Doug Hutchens toured me through a display case full of offerings, giving me his thoughts about each one and showing off their special features.

Still, I kept coming back to that FX350.  It had a leaf-shaped blade.  Maybe that was it.  In my Asian heritage, the leaf profile has both strong utilitarian and combative connotations.  Coast’s flat ground 9Cr17MoV blade was 3.5” in length and coated in a beautiful smooth gray Continue reading →

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CRKT Otanashi noh Ken Review

Posted on February 3, 2013 by Wilson

CRKT Otanashi Noh KenThe Sword of Silence.  Columbia River Knife and Tool designer James Williams states it is the Japanese translation of Otanashi noh Ken, the name of CRKT’s new folder.  With its large 4.6″ tanto blade in Osoraku style, the Otanashi noh Ken resembles a pocket samurai sword.  I was able to handle and photograph this prototype OnK at the 2013 SHOT Show.

In doing a little research, I discovered that the osoraku-zukuri blade shape has a long kissaki or tip section, which may extend to 2/3 of the blade length.  It makes for a rakish, very pointy blade which has superior penetrating ability.  As a former U.S. Army officer, martial arts instructor, and President of the Bugei Trading Company, Mr. Williams’ designs are steeped in martial prowess.  It is said the OnK was made at the request of SOCOM personnel.

IMG_1432Okay, let’s talk basics.  OnK is a frame lock folder with the left side scale done in textured G10.  A thumb disk brings the knife open, the frame lock secures the blade, and the manual LAWKS™ feature provides a mechanical safety.  The LAWKS switch has a long throw and feels comfortable under the thumb.  Obviously, this proto functioned to specs.

The knife is not an assisted opener, like the Hissatsu or Heiho.  I am not enamored with the CRKT Outburst™ assisted Continue reading →

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What’s In Your Knife Pocket? Part π

Posted on February 1, 2013 by Wilson

CRKT Brian TigheBoy, I was really having some fun with the “What’s In Your Knife Pocket?” game at SHOT Show 2013.  And then it happened.  I was at the Columbia River Knife and Tool booth photographing a new James Williams Otanashi Noh Ken, when I was able to harass converse with another knife making giant, Canadian Brian Tighe.  I moved in for the kill and posed my interrogatory.  And he said, “I’m not carrying one.”  The room kind of spun.

Mr. Tighe explained that he doesn’t normally bring knives with him to trade shows such as SHOT Show.  He usually pockets a CRKT booth knife when he arrives.  I had caught him in a bladeless moment.

Despite my deflated hero-worship (not really), I had a wonderful talk with him.  All these guys are great ambassadors of the knife making craft.  During these shows, they endure constant waves of human curiosity and remain open and personable.  I appreciate their patience.  It made playing my little game this year a pleasure.

by Wilson

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Bear & Sons Announce New Knives for 2013 at SHOT Show

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Wilson

From Bear & Sons Cutlery Press Material I received at SHOT:

Las Vegas – Bear & Son Cutlery unveiled a wide range of new knife products at the 2013 SHOT Show, including several from their Bear OPS Tactical Division.

Stiletto Sideliner

MC-300-B4-S StilettoThe Bear OPS tactical knives are headed by the new Model MC-300-B4-S Stiletto Sideliner lock. The 3-1/4” satin finish dagger blade, which opens easily with one hand, is made of premium CPM-S30V stainless steel for superior edge retention, and corrosion- and rust-resistance.

This new Stiletto liner lock has smooth, contoured G10 handles, with an anodized black aluminum frame.  G10 is unmatched for its toughness, light weight and insulating qualities in extreme hot and cold conditions. MSRP, $140.

 New Neck Knife

CC-400-B Neck KnifeFor those who prefer the convenience of a neck knife, Bear OPS has created a new series including the CC-400-B. It has a 2-7/8” blade made of 1095 carbon steel with a black epoxy coating. Overall, it is 6-1/4” long in a Kydex® sheath, and with neck chain. MSRP, $60.  There will be additional knives in this Neck Knife Series.

–I’m liking the Bear OPS concept.  They have a 41,000 square foot production/warehouse facility in Jacksonville, Alabama, dedicated to building affordable tactical knives that are Made in the USA!

by Wilson

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Al Mar Knives Introduces New Eagle HD’s

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Wilson

Al Mar Eagle HD'sAl Mar Knives introduced their new Earth Brown, International Orange, and Blue Eagle Heavy Duty folding knives at SHOT Show 2013.  I have watched the Eagle evolve since the early 1980’s, before thumbstuds and pocket clips came along.  The original AMK Eagle was a “protection” knife–thin for ease of carry and serving up a 4″ blade, which many believed was the minimum for a defensive folder.  Back then, it was quietly said that operatives of “alphabet agencies” favored the Eagle folder as a secondary.

The Eagle Heavy Duty is an “up-armored” version of the Al Mar’s venerable canvas Micarta/AUS-8 Eagle Ultralight.  The new HD models have full length 400 series stainless steel liners under the textured ‘glass scales, a departure from the smooth Micarta-only handles of its predecessor.

The Eagle HD has Al Mar’s front lock and reversible tip-up pocket clip.  The black handled model has an AUS-8 blade (HRC 57-59).  An new Earth Brown Eagle HD features a high performance ZDP-189 powdered stainless steel blade (HRC 64-65).  Both blades wear dual thumbstuds and the AMK Talon grind, which features an unsharpened false edge.

The changes to toughen up the Eagle Heavy Duty add only an ounce compared to the Ultralight, bringing the HD to 3 ozs.  While photographing Continue reading →

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Szanto Timepieces Debuted at SHOT Show 2013

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Wilson

Szanto TimepiecesTime Concepts, LLC has unveiled a new line of watches with an eye to vintage looking, rugged designs.  Szanto Timepieces will offer various models of field watches, chronometers, and dive watches.  They are scheduled to enter the market in May or June of this year.  I hope to obtain one for T&E.  More to come on this interesting and handsome series…

Szanto Field Watch Szanto Dive Watch IMG_1205 Szanto Watches 1Szanto/Time Concepts Jennifer Leonard was a gracious host in the Szanto booth and she helped me get some good photos of their timepieces.

by Wilson

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What’s In Your Knife Pocket? Part 3

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Wilson

Coast Products Ron LakeIn this latest installment of my new found SHOT Show 2013 game, I sidled into the Coast Products booth and schmoozed knife great Ron Lake.  I sort of interrupted his sandwich, but he was patient with me and very friendly.  I sprung the question on him.  He obliged by unclipping his Coast Rapid Response Knife from the right pocket.  Mr. Lake designed this knife and it has some unique workings.

The RRK opens with Mr. Lake’s Smooth Assist Technology.  The 3.9″ blade unfolds with a small bearing rolling along a spring to kick the blade open.  It is definitely smooth.  The liner lock, perfected by Lake’s former knife making partner Michael Walker, catches the 5Cr15MoV blade.  Coast’s Max-Lock™ backs up the liner lock by using a sliding detent to manually keep the blade either open or closed.

I sincerely thanked him for the design, as I have a satin-finished 3.9″ RRK model and a black oxide coated 3″ RRK model.  I think both are terrific knives.  I also thanked him for his hospitality.

by Wilson

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