Fine cutlery, EDC, and pocket jewelry": Here we post reviews, recommendations, tips about and appreciation of.

[LA Guy]

Someone recently asked for somethjng from The James Brand - beloved of hipsters, hated on my knifenuts. I like some models (The Kline, the Barnes), but the prices are definitely not low, though in line with the prices of goods sold alongside it. (www.thejamesbrand.com). Some models are hot garbage, but whatever.

On the flip side is a small, venerated, if you know, you know, company like Carter Cutlery (www.cartercutlery.com), led by master bladesmith Murray Carter. I have one here right now, and it is masterful. The Japanese style chef knives are amazing. i am ashamed to use them with my truly terrible knife skills. I feel like someone who can carve a tomato into a swan, and not me, bucher of the julienne cut, should be using it instead.

 

[mak1277]

Well the last thing I need is to start another hobby of acquisition, but here I am after adding two basic folders in the last month (spyderco Delica and benchmade mini griptilian). Hopefully I can enjoy just looking for a while but I am interested in learning more about blades.

 

[LA Guy]

Well the last thing I need is to start another hobby of acquisition, but here I am after adding two basic folders in the last month (spyderco Delica and benchmade mini griptilian). Hopefully I can enjoy just looking for a while but I am interested in learning more about blades.

@emptym
@justridiculous
@Jr Mouse
Educate this man

@emptym - MurrayCarter is half retirng - I may get a full set of his amazing kitchen knives. Or at least the basics.

@justridiculous - how is the James Brand Kline breaking in? It feels nothing like any Benchmade. It's very smooth, but not as snappy. If you want snappy, get this: https://www.rei.com/product/192225/benchmade-273-mini-adamas-pocket-knife

@Jr Mouse - You haver a pretty awesome Pena coming your way. Jen says sorry for the wait.

I have a bunch of stuff coming. The technically coolesr is the magnetic Winter Blade Co factor. And this should be here tomorrow:

MW Steel Works Old Crow - Balbach Damascus

MW Steel Works Old Crow - Balbach Damascus Slip Cover Included Knife Specifications Blade Length: 2.75" Overall Length: 6" Blade Metal: 15/64" Balbach Damascus Steel Handle Material: - Tang: SFT - Skeletonized Full Tang Grind: Slight Convex Knives fabricated, assembled, and finished in the...

fiddlebackforge.com

I'll carry it in a slip in my pocket if I feel like some pocket jewelry.

These days, I am only carryng small, fun, and non aggressive knives. This gets a lot of pocket time:

Benchmade 535-2204 Bugout AXIS Folding Knife 3.24" Ladder Pattern Damasteel Blade with Blue Anodized 6AI-4V Titanium with BM HQ Geolocation Laser Etch

Benchmade 535-2204 Bugout AXIS Folding Knife 3.24" Ladder Pattern Damasteel Blade with Blue Anodized 6AI-4V Titanium with BM HQ Geolocation Laser Etch

www.wildaboutsportinggoods.com

For pure utility, this is amazing:

Demko Knives AD20.5 Shark Lock Stonewash 3V Sharks Foot Blade with Smooth ALL Titanium Handles

The All New Ad20.5 by Demko Knives features the all new Shark Lock™. The Shark Lock mechanism is situated on the spine of the knife and operated with a ramp-like ‘fin.’ Specifications: Overall Length: 7.30" Blade Length: 2.875" Blade Material: 3V , Stonewash Blade Shape: Shark Foot Handle...

www.knifejoy.com

That is used 90% of the time I use a knife, Unbelievably strong lock, very useful bladeshape, and very slim and comfortable in pocket. I have the more prestigious full sized semi custom ones, but 100% don't njed it except in the wilderness.

Because Styleforum, I will also carry a true custom as a daily carry, that looks like this but with a different, drop point, bladeshape

A2D Attn2Detail Mercantile Mark 3 Medium Barlock Paper Micarta 3" Satin Tanto

EKnives offers a widest selection of pocket knives, OTF automatic knives, hunting knives, survival knives & quality accessories for top brands. Shop now!

eknives.com

 

[LA Guy]

I can discuss forging vs stock removal, lock types, handle/scale materials,.bladeshapes, blade steels, sharpening on stones or using a guided system, makers, designers, manufacturers, retailers, whatever you liker.

 

[Jr Mouse]

I’m a light hobbyist compared to Fok, but will provide input where I can.

I’m currently carrying the Vampire Jack by Jack Wolves Knives. Modern slipjoint with titanium and natural micarta handle. The blade is M390, has a hollow grind and is a wonderful slicer.

Pricey for a slipjoint but the materials and build quality make up for it. I scored mine with a discount code from UrbanEDC.

Jack Wolf Knives

Modern Interpretation of Timeless Design

www.jackwolfknives.com

 

[Jr Mouse]

I can discuss forging vs stock removal, lock types, handle/scale materials,.bladeshapes, blade steels, sharpening on stones or using a guided system, makers, designers, manufacturers, retailers, whatever you liker.

What do you sharpen with?

 

[Jr Mouse]

I’m a light hobbyist compared to Fok, but will provide input where I can.

I’m currently carrying the Vampire Jack by Jack Wolves Knives. Modern slipjoint with titanium and natural micarta handle. The blade is M390, has a hollow grind and is a wonderful slicer.

Pricey for a slipjoint but the materials and build quality make up for it. I scored mine with a discount code from UrbanEDC.

Jack Wolf Knives

Modern Interpretation of Timeless Design

www.jackwolfknives.com

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One thing I forgot to mention is out of the box the “pull” for this knife was not pleasant. I ended up using a little oil and now it’s nearly perfect.

 

[LA Guy]

I’m a light hobbyist compared to Fok, but will provide input where I can.

I’m currently carrying the Vampire Jack by Jack Wolves Knives. Modern slipjoint with titanium and natural micarta handle. The blade is M390, has a hollow grind and is a wonderful slicer.

Pricey for a slipjoint but the materials and build quality make up for it. I scored mine with a discount code from UrbanEDC.

Jack Wolf Knives

Modern Interpretation of Timeless Design

www.jackwolfknives.com

View attachment 1873293 View attachment 1873294 View attachment 1873295

The walk and talk on those in phenomenal. Great pull, crisp half stop, with flush backspacer in the half stop position. My favorite are the cyborg Jack and the venom Jack, the first for the looks, the second for Utility, aka opening packages or making art cuts. The only thing: I wish they had a pocket clip. I have a Serge Panchenko slip joint with a clip, and it’s so much more comfortable.

 

[Jr Mouse]

I feel his designs work better without a pocket clip. Helps boil the design down to what he's trying to achieve. Traditional slip joint designs with modern materials and manufacturing.

The Laid Back Jack is also nice looking and has good execution of the swayback design.

 

[LA Guy]

What do you sharpen with?

I use a Wicked edge with stones up to 2200 grit and ceramics. I can use a water stone okay, but the ease of getting a super steel knife to shaving sharp in a half hour from a completely blunt or even slightly chipped blade. How you sharpen depends so much on the steel though.

 

[LA Guy]

I feel his designs work better without a pocket clip. Helps boil the design down to what he's trying to achieve. Traditional slip joint designs with modern materials and manufacturing.

The Laid Back Jack is also nice looking and has good execution of the swayback design.

I agree, aesthetically. But it is so much easier in pocket with a clip.

 

[mak1277]

Do you all mainly buy online or only after handling in person? Seems like action and ergonomics can’t really be judged until you hold the knife. But I’ve certainly adapted to buying online so maybe this will be no different.

 

[LA Guy]

Do you all mainly buy online or only after handling in person? Seems like action and ergonomics can’t really be judged until you hold the knife. But I’ve certainly adapted to buying online so maybe this will be no different.

Nearly all online. The best makers, and the hottest stuff, they sell out in minutes or even seconds, so online it is. Also, you learn that some brands are super reliable, some much less so.

As in clothes, unless you are willing to put in a lot of time and effort, always buy production, not handmade, especially for folders. Anything made in China by WE or Reate? Will nearly always be terrific. Want a barlock? Go to Benchmade. Want a framelock flipper, never ever go Italian, etc...

 

[Jr Mouse]

The owner of Jack Wolf is not allowed (under contract) to disclose which Chinese factory produces his knives but it’s heavily rumored to be Reate.

If so, they are perfectly able to produce a stellar knife.

 

[LA Guy]

The owner of Jack Wolf is not allowed (under contract) to disclose which Chinese factory produces his knives but it’s heavily rumored to be Reate.

If so, they are perfectly able to produce a stellar knife.

I think so. The satin grinds, the finishing of the scale material, especially their micarta, all seem very Reate-like.

Incidentally, expect a Pena in the mail, and then you can compare.

Of all the knife-y things I am wating on, this one I am waiting on most:

Shortcut

www.hawkknifedesigns.com

Gavin Hawk is basically a master tinker.