KNIFE COLLECTOR FROM THE NORTHWOODS

 Swiss Army Knives come in a huge variety of models. I currently own only three (Rambler - 58mm, Executive 81 - 74mm, Swiss Army Champ - 91mm). Here is the link for a chart of all the SAK models:  https://nobliecustomknives.com/swiss-army-knife-identification-chart/

 After watching a lot of reviews, commentary and videos on knives, especially as EDC (Every Day Carry), I realize that you don't always need to carry everything on a daily basis.  Especially if you are more of an urban dweller.  Now I do live in the country, about 7 miles from the city, so I see the need for outdoor tools.  I am also a hunter, so I also recognize the need for specialized tools here.  Likewise my work on a rural fire department.  But as a pastor my daily needs are really more 'urban'.  I spend a lot of time either in my car going to visits, at my computer, or in church.  So, even though I own a SOG multitool and the SAK Champ, I realize I don't need many of the tools on them most of the time. After reviewing and reviewing, I realized that Victorinox offers the best in the urban EDC world.  I also realized that I didn't always need a large knife, which at the end of the day became a burden to carry.  All that said, I disco...

 Every year I enjoy going to the local military show.  Besides viewing the vintage vehicles (including a tank this year!), and possibly even a reenactment, I especially like browsing through the various booths of the vendors.  I am now on the lookout for military knives.  Last year I picked up a 1973 US Army Camillus "Demo" folding knife and a KA-BAR knife, both of which I believe have their own posts on this blog.  This year I picked up a second "Demo" knife, but my celebrated purchase was a US Navy Pilot's Survival Knife, often referred to as the "Giant Jack" for "Jumbo Jack" for its size and weight (about 13 oz.!). It dates from the WWII era, which makes it special to me considering my father served in that war.   These knives were made by Colonial Cutlery Co., Providence, RI and United Machine Tool Co., Grand Rapids, MI .  My knife was made by the latter.  I understand there are also versions of this knife without any manufacturer's ...

 I'll be honest, as a newbie knife collector knife steel is one area where I often glaze over.  Obviously, my less expensive collections fall within the lower end.  But now even so-called 'budget knives', say Ozark Trails from Walmart, are upping their game and providing better steel and other features.   So, I thought I'd put some charts and info here as much for myself as anyone else who might stumble on this site.... On Gearjunkie.com  (https://gearjunkie.com/knives/common-knife-blade-steels) I found one of the more helpful comparisons for those of us who do not regularly purchase the really high end knives.  Here's their info:    420HC Soft steel with low carbon content Relatively stain-resistant and tough, but doesn’t hold an edge well Easy to sharpen 1095 Old high-carbon (non-stainless) steel, known for toughness Prone to staining and corrosion, often coated Performance varies with heat treatment AUS-8 Common st...

 Besides knives I have developed the related interest in multitools.  SAK (Swiss Army Knives) provides one of the best, although they lack a good, robust set of pliers.  My SAK Champ does have pliers, but they are small.  I have now settled on two multitools - one a smaller EDC, and one more robust, especially for work at the fire department and on calls.  The first is the SOG Powerpint , the second is the GERBER Dual Force.   One thing I have learned, however, in reading reviews of multitools, is that everyone has an opinion and they vary widely from high praise to disapproving mockery.  If I went with some reviews I would not only have passed on these two good tools, but I would never have learned firsthand their value.     I have also learned that you need different multitools for different settings.  My  Powerpint  is perfect for EDC where I might need smaller tools for limited uses.  The  Dual Force  h...

 Like BUCK knives, CASE knives also have a way to be dated by checking the stamp on the blade.  Below is a chart I found that goes from 2020 to 2029.    

I find myself with certain 'categories' of collecting as I venture further into this hobby.  One is what we might call the 'mini knife'.  I now have several.  One highly rated one from a well-known brand is the Smith and Wesson Beji Folding Knife .  This time I allowed myself an exception and purchased it at full price, although that's not saying a lot since it is quite affordable.  It retails under $30.  

 When I purchased the Camillus Griddy at Menards (see previous post review), I remember being surprised that it didn't seem to be offered elsewhere, and its presence on the internet was minimal.  Then, the other night, when I purchased the Buck Exert at Walmart (on clearance, it was originally produced in 2021), and did some online searching for reviews and such, I was surprised again to see it referred to as a "Walmart Exclusive".  I guess it never occurred to me that major knife brands would produce exclusive models for big box store chains like Menards and Walmart .  But they do.  Apparently Swiss Tech is another exclusive made just for Walmart. Likewise, two models of the Old Timer brand are made exclusively for the Brass Pro Shops ( Old Timer 152OT & 72OT  in 2019, along with a Buck fixed blade knife).  

 I was curious as to what the most popular folding pocket knives were today, and ran across this list on Amazon.  Turns out I have a few of them in my new collection. They include well-known brands and lesser known ones. You might find it interesting.   https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Pocket-Knives-Folding-Knives/zgbs/hi/553232  The knives I now have from this list.... FUNBRO Small Pocket Knife - #1  [Note: Several other companies make virtually identical models that are also best sellers.] Victorinox Swiss Army Knife TINKER model - #33 [Note: Various models of the SAK are in this list.]  BARRYSAIL Mini Key Chain Knife - #49 [I will review this in a post soon.] HIGONOKAMI Japanese Folder - #76   OLD TIMER 24OT Splinter Carvin' Knife - #98 [I will review this in a post soon.] Other popular, well-known brands that occur in the list include: Kershaw, Civivi, Spyderco, Buck, Gerber, SOG. Some up-and-coming brands on Amazon, some of which I ha...

This is my first KERSHAW knife , albeit not one of their higher end models which can cost over $300 to $400 (e.g. the Livewire Rervese Tanto, or the Launch 21). Their premium line is the Zero Tolerance. Again, in this case, a Walmart clearance find.  On the Kershaw site it retails for over $70, but my purchase was $23.50.  On Amazon you can still find one for just under $30 on discount.  Turns out this model is officially discontinued, and any you might find will be the limit of the available stock. This may explain the steep discounts online. It was introduced in 2019, so it appears to have had a comparatively short run of only about 6 years. An AI overview states, regarding the discontinuance: 

As I collect knives, especially ones I want to carry for EDC, certain traits and characteristics are surfacing that I find important.  For example, a lot of folders utilize the thumb stud .  I don't mind this method, and have knives that utilize them effectively, but find that more than not it feels like it snags on the inside of my pants.  The flipper , on the other hand, is a smooth lever on the edge of the knife, rather than the side of the blade.  This method usually employs the addition of a kind of assisted opening, which the knives I own with a finger flipper often have.  The Camillus Wedge , while having a finger flipper without the aid of an assisted opening mechanism still opens with minimal effort.  The Wedge comes in a small size, which while not in the 'mini' category, rides effortlessly in my pocket with the aid of the pocket clip and is large enough to feel as if it can handle most average work.  

 I often add to my collection by seeking out clearance items at local stores.  Walmart, surprisingly, offers numerous finds (of which I will write about in another post or two).  Today I found one at Dunham's Sports.  This knife also fills another category in my collection: discontinued knives.  As far as I can tell this particular Cuttin' Horse model is not longer made or marketed.  You can still find Cuttin' Horse S & W knives (e.g.: the S & W CKMAR Cuttin' Horse Hawkbill Knife with Marlin Spike at Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Smith-Wesson-CKMAR-Cuttin-Hawkbill/dp/B000UV05VS). This particular knife can be found often on eBay sites and is sometimes noted as a "Seat Belt Cutter".  Although listed as having a lockback, it is clear a liner lock.  It is also listed as a knife produced by Taylor Brands , the manufacturer of S & W knives, as well as Schrade and Old Timer. 

 I honestly had no idea that GLOCK made knives, but that the manufacture of the knife actually preceded the manufacture of the well-known gun.  Stumbling upon it on Amazon I was attracted by the combination of the price point (it is very affordable!), and that it was military issue - and made in Austria!  Given its affordability I thought that this might give me a field knife that I could carry into the woods without concern about marring a collection piece. Designed for the Austrian military, this is a no-nonsense knife designed with a soldier in mind.  The Model 81, as opposed to the 78, adds a saw back which makes it even more suited for survival work.  Any number of videos online will demonstrate the knife in action, and overall it seems to pass the test of durability.  It has a blade made of spring steel with a hardness rating of 55 and is Phosphate treated.  In terms of overall size and weight it matches my Cold Steel SRK.  

 Like CHASE knives, BUCK also has a system of markings/symbols on their blades to let you know the year of their manufacture.  For those interested, see the chart below from the BUCK website.  I looked at my meager collection of four knives and was quickly able to date them. It confirms that at least one of my knives qualifies as "vintage" since it is 34 years old.  I'll have to wait another 12 years for my Nobleman to be vintage.

When I open the browser on my iPad, they often inundate me with a list of articles they think might interest me.  The algorithms they use with AI are rather interesting.  The figure out from your browsing history just what you are looking at most of the time.  The other night I saw an article notifying me that Walmart had a sale on a small BUCK folder for $11.08.  Normal retail is closer to $25.  When I got to my local Walmart there was no sign of a sale and the price was marked at about $3 more than this.  Not a deal-breaker, but I know enough to ask before I settle.  Knife collecting isn't just about how many knives you acquire, but whether you can get them for reasonable prices.  Well, I asked if there might be a price match since the quoted sale was registering elsewhere.  In the end it did qualify, but more than that the 'team lead' knocked off two more dollars because the box was opened.  Now my little $25 knife was close to $9....

I suppose I got pulled in when I saw the "#1 Bestseller" on Amazon: A very little EDC knife with a carabiner, sporting an intriguing Karambit blade.  It is now advertised for $9.99, but at the time it was marked down to $7.99.  FUNBRO, admittedly, is an off-brand.  But what did I have to lose?  They do not tell you much about the blade's steel, save that it is a "high-quality steel".  All told, it feels like a quality piece of equipment.  The blade opens and locks into place with a liner lock, and while at first it was a bit difficult to close, I quickly learned to 'choke up' on the liner lock closer to the blade with my fingertip.  It is advertised mainly as a box cutter, and that is probably what it excels at.  But the blade is sharp, and while it is only 1.34 inches long, it certainly would be useful for more than this.  As a simple EDC it would do the job for most small, routine 'around-the-house' needs.  I am interested, as I have i...

  SOG Knives have been around for a while.  1986 to be exact.  They are known initially for a reproduction of a Vietnam era knife made especially for the Studies and Observations Group (S.O.G., or MAC-SOG: Military Assistance Command - Studies and Observation Group).  They now produce a wide variety of knives, many that would fall into the category of EDC and Tactical, along with other specialty tools.  On the spectrum of well-known knife manufacturers, competing with brands like Kershaw, Benchmade, BUCK, and such, they seem to fall a bit to the lower end with a lot of budget-friendly products, much like the one featured in this post.  That said, they have produced (and continue to produce) some high-end products, such as the SEAL 2000 , manufactured from 1995 to 2007 for SOG by knife designer Kinryu of Seki Japan.  They also offer many other military style knives including a tactical switchblade, available only to military/law enforcement personnel....

 I had decided to jump in and invest a bit more in an EDC, and set a budget for an Amazon purchase for $60.  Okay, that's still pretty low when serious investors easily pay $100 and up.  However, there are some established brands like CIVIVI and Kershaw and others where I could have secured a decent knife for my price range.  But, I'll admit, they all end up looking the same.  If I am going to collect knives I wanted variety. I wanted knives that looked unique.  And this one, as the pictures below will demonstrate, fits that need.  If you want Amazon's detailed description, including specs like steel type (Japanese VG10 Damascus steel), here is the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CTG4CGTG?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title .

 Admittedly, since I 'officially' started my hobby of knife collecting I have been scouring local stores, the gun show, and Amazon for the next great find. And I've collected some really iconic blades. I have especially been on the outlook lately for the ideal or best EDC for me to carry.  Right now, if I'm not sporting a 'gentleman's knife' in my dress wear, like the CKRT CEO or the BUCK Nobleman (see previous posts reviewing those), I simply pack in my pocket the Ozark Trail folder I also reviewed that took the internet by storm a year or so ago.  I have read scads of reviews on it, and while diehard knife aficionados will ultimately trash its value against the more trusted mainstays (and probably in some cases for valid reasons), others have settled on the conclusion that it will do what most people need it to do.   Which brings me to my question above: What knife do most people need?  The variety of knives, especially folders, is legion.  If you are lik...

 The fist multi-tool was one I found simply sorting through old things in a box.  It is a mini multi-tool marked with Vermont American .  I found one for sale on ebay for $8.95, so it's clearly not a collector's item.  However, it looks well made for an 'off brand'.  It appears to offer 11 or 12 tools, and I'm thinking of putting it in my turnout gear given its size.  Vermont American is a tool company that was acquired by Bosch (Automotive) in 2000.  You can still buy tools and parts from Vermont American at a number of outlets.  Lee B. Thomas, Sr. originally founded American Saw & Tool Co. in November of 1947. Over the years they acquired other companies and eventually is 'rebranded' as Vermont American in 1961. They specialized in a number of tools such as saw blades and screwdriver bits among other items.  By 1973 they were topping $50 million in sales.  It continued to acquire other companies.  In 2014 it notes that "hand t...

Okay, I'll be honest: I bought this because I had just a little left on a VISA debit gift card and the price was right.  But so were the reviews.  FLISSA is not what would be considered a top-shelf folder in the world of pocket knife collecting.  At just under $11 I figured I couldn't go wrong.  One reviewer wrote: " For years my EDC knife was a Kershaw Shuffle. That changed when I purchased the Flissa. In my opinion the Flissa is better than Shuffle in fit, finish, function, quality and value."  That's saying a lot considering the reputation of Kershaw.  It has a small blade of 8Cr13MoV steel with a pocket clip (only one option), bottle opener, flat head screwdriver and a liner lock. The handle is a G10. The basic Kershaw Shuffle (which at present is discounted at 40% on Amazon!!), has a slightly longer blade than the FLISSA, but the same steel composition.  The clip is reversible, and the handle is glass-filled nylon with K-Texture.  I'm sure...

 In my ongoing search for foreign-made knives, as well as knives used by the military, the next in my collection is this classic utility knife from Sweden , the MORAKNIV Companion MG (Military Green).  At an amazing price point ($15.80 on Amazon - discounted from the usual $19.99), it combines affordability with simplistic functionality and durability.  With a 4.1 inch blade made of hardened Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel , I am sure that I will not be afraid to put this bush craft knife to good use.  It also comes with a polymer sheath with a drainage hole at the bottom, so it's good in all weather conditions.  The knife snaps securely into the sheath, but admittedly, it takes a couple of hands to get it out, despite the thumb hold built into the sheath.  That said, at least I know it won't pop out unexpectedly. it also has a patterned high-friction grip handle, that gives it a secure feeling in the hand. 

 My collecting style is eclectic.  I don't favor one brand, or one type or style of knife.  I like the unique, the different, even the specialized.  The CRKT CEO is just one of those knives.  I also wanted to keep adding some of the major manufacturers to my collection, such as CRKT, and this model is truly different than the typical tactical knife one might associate with this brand.  And it was on clearance at my favorite store - Fleet Farm - so I saved at least $10 off the list price ($44).  The blister pack that it came in notes that it was designed by Richard Rogers * and that it has a IKBS ball bearing pivot system along with a glass reinforced nylon blade.  The packaging also notes: "A knife that’s dressed for success. At first glance, it could be mistaken for a pen tucked into a shirt pocket, that’s exactly the way the CEO folding knife was designed.

 This is a substantial fixed blade knife with some heft.  And in keeping with my goal of collecting knives from the US and outside the US, this knife is from Spain . Muela is considered a well-regarded Spanish knife maker with a history of producing high-quality, durable knives, particularly for hunting and outdoor activities.  The ALCE is a “tactical knife” or even a “survival knife”, but not specifically marketed or designed as a military knife. ALCE is  a specific line of knives within the Muela brand . My particular knife, appears to possibly be a "vintage" knife from the 1990s.  Eladio Muela León established the company in 1952.  They have annual production of around 350,000 pieces, produced in its factory in Ciudad Real, Castile-La Mancha, Spain. RUKO knives is the exclusive importer of these knives to the US.