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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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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