Red Horse Knifeworks

Posted on June 14, 2015 by Wilson

Red Horse Knifeworks razorEdward Kim is the driving force and maker behind Red Horse Knifeworks.  He brought some incredible wares to BLADE Show 2015.  Kim is a martial arts practitioner and a former private security contractor.  These facets of his background give him inspiration for the designs.  But his eye for good lines truly makes his knives stand out.

Kim makes mid-tech knives that he hopes owners will actually employ in the field.  He kicked about words like aesthetics, usability, affordability.  As you can see, the results of the merging of these three concepts are beautiful blades.

Red Horse razor reverse Continue reading →

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New Fox Knives FX520?

Posted on June 11, 2015 by Wilson

Fox Knives FX520Fox Knives had this beautiful “art knife” in their collection of new items for BLADE Show 2015.  It had a damascus blade and beautifully anodized aluminum handles.  It was so stunning, I forgot to ask for its description as I peered through the Canon while attempting to get adequate shots of such a nice product of Maniago, Italy.

It had a framelock with a bolted steel insert to assure blade lock-up.  It lacked either thumb studs or a flipper for deployment, but it had a long fuller in the upper quarter of the blade that could be used to open the blade with one hand.

When I did get to ask a booth rep about the steel and pattern in the damascus, he said it was Continue reading →

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New Spyderco Para Military 3 Prototype

Posted on June 9, 2015 by Wilson
image

Para Mil 2, awaiting a little brother.

In the Spyderco booth at BLADE Show 2015, there was a knife labeled the Para Military 3, as in a “three-inch blade.”  It appeared to be a scaled down PM 2!  I am frankly partial to smaller EDC-carry knives.

They can perform daily chores, but in the hand of a trained martial artist can have definite defensive capabilities.  Think Delica.  Just what you need and none of what you don’t.  Bigger may be better, but when one’s EDC can dispatch some boxes or an apple, then deal with a mortal threat with the same tool, all is well.

If I was going to see the elephant, a large fixed blade would be appropriate.  A knife should fit your use and environment.  For most of us civilians, a small folding knife will suffice.  In Para Military guise, it should be very handy.

As usual, photography was forbidden at Spyderco’s prototype case.  I did not find out too much more about the Para Military 3 proto than this, so let’s see if a release date comes out.  I was told Sal, himself, was working on this project…

by Wilson

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My New Zero Tolerance Hinderer 0566CF Folder

Posted on June 7, 2015 by Wilson

imageIf you were following the BladeBarrelBezel.com Facebook page during the last few days, then you saw this photo.  I went to BLADE Show 2015 with an empty pocket.  I credit this to hurried packing, not a conscious agenda.  Because I “needed” a knife and I was at a knife show, it was akin to being hungry in a deli.  Salivation began.

At this time, I cannot afford a custom folder.  Hell, semi-custom was not really in the budget.  The currency in my wallet would have to suffice.  A bit less than $200.00 could be spent and still leave me enough to get home.  And time was growing short.  I had to be on I-75 in under an hour.  Fretting began. Continue reading →

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Posting Now on Facebook at BLADE Show!

Posted on June 6, 2015 by Wilson

If you click on the Facebook link to the right, or go to the BladeBarrelBezel.com Facebook page, you’ll see I’m posting some photos from the big show.

Wilson

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BLADE Show 2015 Coming Up

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Wilson

imageCobb Galleria beckons.  BLADE Show 2015 is this week.  There will be 300 booths and nearly 700 tables at this, the world’s largest knife show.  For an enthusiast, it is Nirvana.  No, not the band.  I will be driving up for Friday and Saturday.  I am trying to get a Facebook page set for BladeBarrelBezel.com so I can snap some photos and post directly to FB.  Bear with me on this process.

I am really excited to be able to wander about the thousands of products on display.  There is always something new around each corner.  My plan is to hit as many of the booths and tables as I can to give some varied coverage of both production, semi-production, and handmade knives.

Keep your eyes here.

by Wilson

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Delica 4 Goes Hiking

Posted on May 17, 2015 by Wilson

Tomales Bay DelicaI have not been posting for the last two weeks because I have been on vacation in California.  I took my well-worn Spyderco Delica 4 with me for over 40 miles of day hikes on the beautiful trails in the Point Reyes National Seashore, which is in Marin County.

Last year, I brought my ESEE Izula along in my backpack, but the pack was so overloaded this year that the fixed blade knife did not make the equipment cut.  Just the same, I felt fine carrying my partially-serrated, black-bladed Delica.

This is my go-to knife for EDC.  The coating has withstood much abuse, evidenced by only a small bit of scratching and wear.  For sharpness, this blade has never let me down.  I find the Delica 4’s VG-10 gives outstanding edge holding.  I have an original Delica with GIN-1 steel that cannot come close to the performance of the latest iteration of the knife.

I was pleased with Spyderco’s decision to give the Delica 4 the added strength of steel liners under the FRN scales.  Compared to the 1990’s plastic handles, integrated pocket clip, and riveted pivot, the Delica 4 is much more solidly constructed.

It is comforting to know that you have a cutting implement that can cope with all manner of duties when you are out on the trails.  My Delica 4 was the right choice for this year’s vacation.  And it did not get stolen out of my suitcase like by brown Delica 4 once did!

by Wilson

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CRKT Williams Yukanto

Posted on April 29, 2015 by Wilson

2930-Yukanto-open-front-WEB_xlarge_739Martial Arts trainer and U.S. Army veteran James Williams is at it again!  Here is yet another collaboration with Columbia River Knife & Tool.  The new Yukanto has a definite target audience that would include soldiers and tactical law enforcement officers.

Yukanto is a fixed blade knife with a no-nonsense 4.56 inch Osaruku-style tanto of AUS 8 stainless steel.  The blade and fittings are black powder-coated.  Textured G10 slabs are deeply grooved on all surfaces.  Williams spec-ed them thick to fill the hand.  A cool triangular lanyard hole rides at the back.

The overall length of the knife is 8.69 inches.  It tips in at 3.9 ounces.  With the glass-reinforced nylon sheath, the whole she-bang weighs just 5.5 ounces.  Yukanto was made to be light and compact for easy carry, but was intended to conceal a serious bite. Continue reading →

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Granger Model 3b Review

Posted on April 19, 2015 by Wilson

Granger Model 3bFor good or bad, I am sort of known as the knife guy around the office.  There was a time when I was retailing (well, wholesaling) blades to my co-workers (cheap bastards).  Some of the more brazen still ask me for sharpening and other “warranty work.”  Because of my affiliation with things pointy, a colleague of mine gave me a neck knife.

He said the knife was languishing in his desk drawer and he thought I might appreciate having it.  Into my custody it went.  I pulled the little full-tang out of its sheath.  No markings or maker’s stamp.  “Who made it?” I asked.  My friend said the name escaped him at that moment.

The pattern was a mini-fighter having a drop point profile with an unsharpened swedge.  The edged portion of the blade measured about 2 1/2 inches.  My eye said the grind was convex.  Overall the knife was 6 5/8ths inches.  Simple OD green gutted paracord appeared in a single Continue reading →

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Vostok Komandirskie Watch Review

Posted on April 11, 2015 by Wilson

Vostok Komandirskie coral 2There is an antiques alley a few blocks from my house.  Clustered there are small shops and garages that during one Sunday a month become an outdoor plaza for buyers of furniture, paintings, and nicknacks.

One such Sunday, my wife and I were out on an exercise walk, but we slid in for a peek at the wares.  I tend to poke through boxes of mechanical items.  There were manual typewriters, assorted tools, knives, and watches at many sellers’ locations.

I was rummaging in a shoebox full of watches when I saw an old diver-style watch with which I was unfamiliar.  Curses!  I had not brought my reading glasses.  I hunted around on the folding table and found what was, I thought, a decorative hunk of glass.  It had some magnifying qualities, though quite a bit of distortion, as well.

Through the improvised device, I squinted at the worn watch.  The first thing that caught my eye was a red star on its face.  Next, I spied the Cyrillic lettering on the dial and caseback.  Russian?  I was not sure what I had in my hand, but I backed out the screwdown crown and wound the watch.  It ran! Continue reading →

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