KNIFE COLLECTOR FROM THE NORTHWOODS

 As readers of this little blog have come to know, one of the areas of my modest collection involves military knives, and specifically knives from World War II, the war in which my father fought.  Every year I try to attend the local gun show in town and the military show just south of town in search of more knives.  Yesterday I was blessed with an unexpected find.  Amazon carries the so-called "Official British Army Knife" and I have one of those; a simple one with only a blade, and obviously made for the civilian market.  But this one is the genuine article, and a real piece of history to hold in your hand.  The blade, I'm pretty sure, was a Sheepsfoot originally, but with repeated sharpening over the years has worn the blade into a different shape.  It lacks the can opener that the Army version has, but possesses the familiar Marlins Spike used in splicing ropes and untangling them and loosening tight knots.   The tang stamp on the blade r...

 I have watched a lot of videos (a lot!!!) and read more than a few articles online on EDC (Every Day Carry) since getting into my 'knife hobby'.  And my views have evolved.  There are a lot of ideas out there as to what a person should carry.  Here are a few of my evolving thoughts.... EDC is different for all people.  One size does not fit all.  Urban EDC is different than country or outdoor EDC.  And EDC differs for those in the trades vs. office workers.  And so on.  You can end up carrying more than you need.  I used to think that I needed to be prepared for any and every situation.  Screwdrivers, both Philips and flat heads were critical.  Yet now that I look at my actual daily routine and needs, do I really need all this stuff all the time?  Probably not. Most of my needs involve small tools, not large ones, and only a few at that.   I do have EDC rotations for different scenarios.  For example, my ED...

 Swiss Army Knives - or "SAK" for short - are addicting.  Part of the challenge is that they offer so many varieties  - dozens, if not over a hundred - to choose from.  Some discontinued, some still offered, some even modified.  You find yourself searching for that perfect one that will do it all.  Which won't happen.  I own the CHAMP which boasts over 30 different tools.  Great knife, but too bulky to carry for EDC.  Then there are knives that have good tools but also include some one seldom uses, if at all.  I currently own the following in my small, but burgeoning collection:  Tinker Super Tinker Classic Rambler Bantam Alox Pioneer Alox *UPDATE:  I have recently added the Explorer which is now my regular EDC, supplanting the Super Tinker. I bought some for their sheer usefulness, and some partly because they went on sale.  For example, I am expecting the Pioneer Alox to come in today.  Amazon offered a sale of over...

 I don't know if I'll use even half of the tools I've recently accumulated to accessorize my Swiss Army Knife (specifically the Super Tinker).  But it's the fascination in what you can do, and inexpensively, with a SAK without actually physically modifying it.  Two sources have helped: Nikos Doulas , known by his popular Youtube video https://www.youtube.com/@nikgyver7 , and Felix Immle r from his Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKqoiG45T1OkQkUEq5dEMzA .  There are others as well, such as Jony Fire at https://www.youtube.com/@jonyfire432 .  Without physically modifying your SAK (and thereby potentially violating the warranty!) they show you how to turn your knife into a makeshift bit driver, as well as a hack to adapt a t-shank saw blade to make your SAK into a temporary saw.  There are countless tricks and hacks to use with a SAK, and that's the reason for a lot of the interest in folks like me in discovering these lesser known uses....

 One of the things I've learned about EDC (Every Day Carry) is that 'one size does not fit all.'  I am often out making visits and doing other job-related work wearing dress clothes.  For that I am an EDC minimalist.  I carry a SAK Rambler and a Gerber Dime (see other post).  But if I know I'm going to be active at the Fire Department or some other non-work project or activity, especially outdoors, I have other carries: 1.) For lighter work a SOG Powerpint multitool and a SAK Tinker , or another pocket knife like a Civivi Mini Praxis ;  2.) For slightly heavier work  I carry a Gerber Multi-Plier MP600  and a SAK Super Tinker (which compensates with a pair of scissors not included in the MP600, a good multitool used by the military but lacking a few things), and 3.) a  Gerber Dual-Force and maybe a more sizeable pocket knife or very heavy work requiring a robust tool, maybe even a fixed blade.    Perhaps you are different, b...

 Like many users of pocket knives and multi-tools I have torn up the fingernails on both of my thumbs.  Obviously I am not alone.  For users of Swiss Army Knives one popular trick is using the head of the toothpick.  Sometimes that works for me, but not always.  I have oiled and worked to 'break in' the various tools, but sometimes that doesn't get me far enough.  Many sites will hail the virtues of using a paperclip with your edc item, but I don't seem to find it used so much as a way to loosen those tight tools.  The paperclip is sturdier than the tooth pick and has the added advantage of having a loop at the end.  A paperclip can also be hidden under the Philips screw diver, or to the side of the corkscrew in a SAK, depending on which you have. On other tools that have key rings or lanyard rings you can easily attach them here.  It can still be tricky as the paperclip will often slip from the nail nick, so various tricks must be used to fi...

 I am continually adjusting my regular EDC and I think I’ve found a great combo that’s small and light. Like the You Tube commentator at Accoutrements I am sold on the SAK Rambler , which I have already reviewed in a previous post. After reading a number of reviews I recently added another very small multitool, the Gerber Dime . It’s been around for years and has plenty of pro and con reviews. I think one thing people forget with small “keychain” tools like this is they have their limitations.  They are only intended only  for light duty work. And not every multitool will have the tools you want in an ideal combination. That’s why like many I pair up two to cover what may be lacking in one or the other. The Gerber Dime gave me two tools I lacked on my Rambler: a dedicated package opener (which surprisingly is absent in many other multitools), and needle nose pliers. Now I think I have the necessary group of tools for my average urban needs. 

 Marbles is a familiar brand to many in the knife world, but as with most of my collection, it again sits on the budget end.  No apologies.  As I indicated in another post, inexpensive does not mean cheaply constructed.  Such is the case with this "rigger's knife".  It retails on Amazon right now for around $17. As with many well-known knife brands, this once USA based company began to manufacture their knives overseas years ago. This particular knife is made in China and is so indicated on the blade. The company,  Marble Arms & Manufacturing Company,  technically of Gladstone, Michigan, was founded in 1892.  It manufactures a number of various specialty knives, even a reproduction of the US Army "Demo" Knife I have mentioned before.   At first I didn't have any interest in purchasing a knife with a "marlin spike".  It seemed like a specialty knife geared toward those only in boating and work on ships.  But then I started t...

 In my ongoing search for knives from the WWII era I stumbled upon one in an antique store for $90 and snatched it up.  It is the Cattaruagus 225Q , where the "Q" stands for "Quartermaster".  Sometimes known as the Quartermaster's Knife it was supposed that it was used primarily for opening boxes and crates and other utilitarian needs.  However, it is also referred to elsewhere as a "fighting knife". A truly hefty knife I have no difficulty imagining it in a combat setting. As the pictures below show, this knife is substantial and in remarkable condition considering it may be 80 years old.  I was especially impressed that the leather sheath was in as good a condition as it is.  It is purely a collection item for me, but looking at the knife I can see that it still has years of use.   The blade is thicker and shorter than the more familiar K-BAR.  Here is a nice description of the company and history and description of the knife from Gunmag Wa...

 In a world dominated by Leatherman, Gerber, and Victorinox, not to mention other competitors, I seem to often gravitate to the budget category. And sometimes you actually find a gem.  It was marked down and I was able to purchase it for around $16, a truly 'budget' price in a budget category.  Often, as in any purchase, you 'get what you pay for.'  Yet, sometimes you find a quality item others look down on simply because it is in that 'budge' category.  The Mossy Oak 12-in-1 Multitool is just one of those finds.  It is now a regular EDC for me along with my SOG Powerpint multitool.  It's an all steel construction (the blade is 440C, I think) reminding me of my US Military "Demo Knife".  It has heft and feels substantial, not light and flimsy as you might almost expect at this price point.  The tools fit my needs in a compact package, minus the pliers, which I compensate with the SOG in a separate nylon belt pouch.  The blade and sciss...

When I started my little hobby of knife collecting it did not occur to me that one would carry more than one knife at a time.   Of course, I suppose there are always subtle extremes where people load up with knives and tools as if they are ready to embark on a cross-country expedition.   But the idea of EDC, or Everyday Carry, is to be prepared for normal needs that may arise on a daily basis.   Yet this also varies depending on your daily work or event.   I have come to discover that EDC is not the same if I am in dress clothes vs. when I am in casuals vs. when I am going to the fire department vs. when I am hunting, etc.   You get the point.   Over at Knife Center on You Tube they have a brief exploration of this on their FAQs on this question: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTP1zb5Vzuk (David C. Anderson – see also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m22MRO6S5tY ).    The Blade Forum also has a section devoted to this: https://www.bladeforums.co...

 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...