Monday Night Knife Fights: Sayoc WarHawk Alexander Crown
You know that feeling when you get left out of something awesome? Like when all the Breach Bang Clear guys are writing sweet pieces on tomahawks and you don’t find out until all the articles get posted?
I thought we were friends. Bastards. I’ll write my own article, that’ll show ’em.
As with most self-respecting Americans I see great value in owning a tomahawk, but unfortunately I use one very little in my day-to-day activities. I suppose I could make more effort to change that, but given today’s modern office environment it seems irresponsible and expensive. I do fantasize about laying waste to my laptop from time to time, and a tomahawk seems more than appropriate for such task.
My tomahawk is the Sayoc WarHawk, designed by Tuhon Tom Kier and handmade by Tuhon Harley Elmore of Head Hunter Blades. This hawk was designed for the modern warfighter to destroy his enemies in CQB, aid in extraction from precarious situations, and most importantly, make me feel cool and my friends jealous. The design features of the WarHawk are an elegant blend of modern and historical with each feature having a specific purpose.
The most notable feature is the front spike. The spike is there to assist in penetration, even with oddly shaped objects like heads where a traditional flat-faced hawk may skip off. The material of the WarHawk is CPM154 steel and the handle is grooved G10. The handle design allows a more choked up grip for fine work and a small “hook” on the end to maximize control when your hand is lower. The spike on the back is primarily for demo/breaching/extraction and is unsharpened.
The sheath for the hawk is the usual kydex, and is designed to be used on a plate carrier with the included MALICE clips. I was told it could be mounted on your chest and the handle would sit snugly between your mags, which would allow quick access. That seems feasible, as the overall length is 12” and the head is roughly 6 ½“wide. But I think the hawk is better mounted on your back, or in my case in my Vertx Gamut. The weight is 1.55 pounds for those who are curious.
Admittedly, my day job and dad duties don’t lend to a lot of tomahawk-appropriate situations. I’ve used it to cut up a pallet and it may have been thrown in a few trees, but generally it gets carried for that “just in case” moment. -Alexander
[This article was brought to you by JTF Awesome member Daniel Defense. In case you have been living in a cave or communist country: they’re the semi-subtle-yet-totally-baller AR manufacturer that the free world knows and loves]
Monday Night Knife Fights: The Attleboro Knife Alexander Crown
A few years ago a good friend of mine, Ken Hunt, started a small knife outfit with his much-cooler-than-him wife, Kat. Ken is a retired Special Forces officer who fortunately spent time enlisted first, and I remind him often that is the sole reason we can be friends. His company is named Attleboro Knives.
Attleboro Knives gets its name from a large operation in Vietnam during the fall of 1966. Ken’s father, MSG William Hunt, was a Special Forces radio operator who had already been in Vietnam four years before his involvement in Operation Attleboro. When Attleboro kicked off MSG Hunt happened to be in the area and was diverted for a MEDEVAC. Upon arrival, MSG Hunt and his MIKE Force hopped off the helicopter to face shoot Charlie and cover evacuation of the wounded. MSG Hunt and his company commander were both shot and lost consciousness. After being stripped by the enemy, they came to and began a long, slow movement to an LZ with the help of some Chinese Mercenaries.
MSG Hunt did not make the journey, and searches of the area were fruitless. In 1985 a list of POW names was found through the Freedom of Information Act, and MSG William Hunt’s name was on it. He’s still listed as MIA today. Ken Hunt has chronicled his trips to Vietnam in search of answers about his father here A more in-depth writeup of Operation Attleboro can be found here.
The “Attleboro” Knife was created as a tribute to Ken’s Father, and has become the flagship knife of the company. I was fortunate enough to get two of the first hundred knives produced, serial numbers A-035 and A-069, because I will forever be a thirteen year old boy at heart.
The meat and potatoes of the knife is the CPM S35VN steel blade with a cutting edge measuring roughly 4.5” and overall length of 9.75”. The grip is made from black micarta and is machined with a not-too-aggressive checkered pattern. My blades are the partially serrated models and are cerakoted graphite black. The sheath is your standard Kydex with various mounting options, available in black or tan. Each knife also comes with a commemorative MSG William B. Hunt Memorial Chapter coin and certificate. Also, a percentage of every knife sale goes to the Green Beret Foundation.
The Attleboro knife embodies a great American Warrior and is produced by a great family (which is a hell of a lot of fun to drink with). Attleboro has a new neck knife out now, the Dau Tranh, that I haven’t had a chance to get a hold of yet but it is on the ever-growing list. -Alexander
[More information on the Attleboro Knife can be found here]
More about Daniel Defense: Chances are that if you’re reading this page, you’re at least familiar with AR-15’s. Most all of us here at BreachBangClear have carried AR’s or M4’s in professional capacities the world over, and we’ve even managed to learn a thing or two about guns along the way. We won’t sell you a line of shit–Daniel Defense is definitely a go-to manufacturer for us and has been for a long time. It’s easy to go cheaper (note that we didn’t use the term ‘inexpensive’) but much harder to do better. We are proud and enthused to have them in JTF Awesome, and it’s through JTF Awesome we make this all possible. Read about our exploits with them at SHOT Show, be sure to visit their homepage here, and give them a follow on Facebook and Instagram.
[This post brought to you in it’s entirety by Gemtech, a member of JTF Awesome]
Monday Night Knife Fights: New & Shiny Edition
We’ve yet to meet anyone who doesn’t like a great knife, so we thought we’d show you a few new ones. Some of these just debuted at SHOT Show 2017.
1. The first comes from TOPS Knives. They were founded in 1988 and have been making knives ever since. Their founder’s resumes show extensive backgrounds in the military. They use this combined knowledge and skill to enhance their designs.
Here’s what TOPS has to say about the I.C.E:
In Case of Emergency – The I.C.E. Dagger was designed with law enforcement and military personnel in mind. It will serve as a backup blade in case their firearm is inoperable or inaccessible. The ICE Dagger’s compound grind combines a ferociously strong tip with an edge that slices through flesh and material effortlessly. It is comfortable in forward and reverse grips. The finger ring aids in rapid deployment and retention of the blade and has contours to maximize its ability to be used as an impact weapon. Add in a smartly designed Kydex sheath that provides multiple carry options and it’s easy to see why this knife will be popular.
Specifications
Overall Length: 7.75” Blade Length: 3.0” Cutting Edge: 2.88” Secondary Cutting Edge: 2.88” Blade Thickness: 0.13” Blade Steel: 1095 RC 56-58 Blade Finish: Black Cerakote Handle Material: Black G10 Knife Weight: 4.5oz Weight w/ Sheath: 6.5oz Sheath Material: Black Kydex Sheath Clip: Neck chain or beta loops Designer: Andy Tran MSRP: $180 or $190
There are two options on the ICE Dagger. Basic option comes with a neck chain and then customers can add whatever clip system they prefer for attaching the knife to a belt or their gear. 2nd option costs $10 more and comes with Beta material loops that give multiple options for carry.
2. The second blade is from DoubleStar Corp. They call it the CrashHawk, a mix of a crash axe and tomahawk; hmmm…
DoubleStar Corp, manufacturers of high-quality, US-made AR components, rifles and pistols, is proud to announce the first edged weapon that brings the best elements of a crash axe and tomahawk together in the truly modern “CrashHawk”. The Wrath was purpose-built, combining the close proximity weapon, chopping capability of a crash axe with the multi-use functionality of a tomahawk from prying to piercing, splitting and breaching.
The face and beard of the Wrath have the power and stroke to cut the A-pillar out of a full-size car and still maintain surgical precision in the proper hands. Utilizing a scalloped spike, the Wrath increases penetration with the same slicing effects of serration and will go right though most sheet metals with ease. Cabrera custom designed the handle and texture to give the right amount of retention without being too abrasive on the hands. Last but not least, DoubleStar’s selection of .285 S7 tool steel is way beyond bullet-proof. The Wrath weighs in at 2 lbs. 1 oz. and measures a compact 16.5″ with an MSRP of $564.99.
Here’s more about DoubleStar, in their own words:
DoubleStar Corp. was formed when customers of J&T Distributing, a leading supplier of thousands of AR parts and accessories, requested complete rifles and pistols crafted from the same high-quality, U.S.-made components. DoubleStar now supplies not only the commercial market but military and law enforcement forces across the world with rugged and dependable firearms.
Here’s a video to tell you a bit more.
Finally, to keep your knives in the best condition possible, check out the F23 Knife Maintenance Kit, collaboratively designed by Breakthrough Clean & Jake Hoback Knives.
The F23 Knife Maintenance Kit addresses a need in the industry for the ongoing care and maintenance of knives. Although cleaning kits are very common in the firearms industry, and everybody knows you have to clean a gun to keep it in top operating condition, there are many knife users and collectors who are unaware that they need to clean and maintain their knives in a similar way.
Jake envisioned a product that could cater to the specific needs that knives have and firearms don’t, and partnered with Breakthrough Clean Technologies to design an edged-tool lubricant that features a boundary additive to aid in lubricating, protecting, and enhancing the operation of all types of knives (especially folding knives).
The F23 Knife Oil is a specifically-designed knife and cutlery lubricant. Jake spent months testing different formulations and additives in search of an effective, long-lasting lubricant that won’t evaporate. The goal was to create a lubricant that will protect edged weapons and enhance the bearing and pivot movements on a folding knife. Special attention was also paid to the capillary effect that is present when joining two pieces of steel together; it is critical to provide and retain sufficient lubrication in those capillary spaces.
[Today’s post is made possible by JTF Awesome Team Member Grey Ghost Gear]
Monday Night Knife Fights: Ka-Bar TDI Law Enforcement Knife Richard Kilgore
The Ka-Bar TDI Law Enforcement Knife isn’t new, and no doubt you’ve seen it before even if you weren’t exactly sure what it was. Its distinctive curved handle gives the knife an extremely low profile, so it’s right at home tucked away on a duty belt or under your shirt. Which is exactly the point. Though it can be used as a primary blade with your dominant hand, we mostly see mounted on the support side of the body for use in protecting yourself during a gun grab.
Admittedly, there are a ton of knives that can accomplish this, but none at the cost/value ratio that the Ka-Bar TDI brings to the table–they can regularly be found for $35-$50. That’s fairly budget friendly for a beat cop.
A number of different blade configurations are available, from traditional to half-serrated to fully serrated. And you can sometimes find it in baby poop brown instead of the traditional black. The grip is textured, though some skateboard tape would make for a marked improvement.
Of course at the lower price point, a custom Medford Knife it ain’t. As you can see it’s manufactured in Taiwan and there are some other downsides too. Here are the listed specifications:
•Blade Length: 2-5/16″ •Overall Length: 5-5/8″ •Blade Shape: Drop Point •Stamp: KA-BAR •Edge Angle: 15° •Steel: AUS 8A Stainless Steel •Grind: Hollow •Handle Material: Zytel •Sheath: Glass Filled Nylon with Black Metal Belt Clip
What is AUS 8A steel? KnifeUp explains it like this:
AUS-8 Steel is similar to 440 steel. It has Vanadium to give the steel more hardness. AUS-8a steel is very easy to sharpen to a razor edge but it will dull fast. Some reviewers online say that it’ll dull by just being out in oxygen. Others say that they have used it daily at work and only sharpen it once a week. The quality of the blade does depend a lot on use and tempering techniques from the manufacturer. AUS-8a will withstand rust very well. It is similar to 440 steel in this regard as well.
Alright, so keep an eye on the edge. Got it. The Ka-Bar TDI Law Enforcement Knife also comes with it’s own sheath.
With its terribly thin design, awkward belt clip, and extremely small hardware, the sheath is marginally better than a nylon special you’d find at a flea market.
Absolutely your best bet is to get a replacement sheath for it. You can go to your cousin who will form one for a six pack of Old Style, or you can go with a known quantity. PHLster makes one named the Gen 2 Fightworthy Sheath, and it’s everything the OEM sheath isn’t.
The PHLster comes with softloops, but with eyelets properly spaced out so you can swap out whatever hardware you want. Tuckable strut? Sure. Tuckable clips? Yup. MOLLE Lok? Why not?
If you already have a Ka-Bar TDI, you’ll be spending almost as much on the sheath as you did on the knife itself–but at least you’ll have a sheath worth owning. They can be purchased in a bundle for $70, so you can save a bit of coin that way.
Even at $70-$80 for a complete system, it’s still a sub-$100 knife that you can use day in and day out, provided you give it a little TLC from time to time. -Swinging Dick
About the Author: Richard “Swingin’ Dick” Kilgore is half of the most storied celebrity action figure team in the world (and the half that doesn’t prefer BBWs). He believes in American Exceptionalism, America, holding the door for any woman (lady or whore) and the idea that you should be held accountable for what comes out of your fucking mouth. Swingin’ Dick has been a warrior gyrovague for many years now and is, apparently, impossible to kill — he once had a complete body transplant after an IED hit the gun truck in which he was riding. True story, one of the Cav guys mailed his head and arm home. Swingin’ Dick comes from a long line of soldiers and LEOs (his Great Uncle commanded an Air Cav battalion in Vietnam and his many times removed great grandfather was one of the few original Burt Mossman era Arizona Rangers). Swingin’ Dick detests Joy Behar and Chris Matthews almost as much as he enjoys traveling the world to crush crime vice and evil. He believes the opportunity to lead eeeelight team of Breach Bang Clear minions is the most improbably awesome thing an action figure has ever done and he’s immensely proud of his perfect hair.
Loyalty and respect should start from the top down.
More about Grey Ghost Gear: This Pacific Northwest Powerhouse has been putting out badass gear from the word ‘Go’. Most companies would be more than satisfied with that–but no, no they didn’t stop there. They launched a lethal armament branch and named it Grey Ghost Precision. Some of the finest examples of both 5.56 and 7.62N AR’s can be found there, and they’re even bringing some new stuff into the mix (read more about our SHOT Shot adventures with them here). You can find Grey Ghost online here and on Facebook here. You can follow them on Instagram (@greyghostgear). And if you prefer Twitter, you can locate them here.
Monday Night Knife Fights; Behind the Hole: History of Spyderco Jake Call
Spyderco is a knife maker with such a distinctive design that you recognize their knives even before you see the logo. The ubiquitous Spyder Hole in the blade is a dead giveaway, much like the hole in a doughnut signifies cops eating them (we kid). We wanted to give you some random info on the company so you have an idea of where they came from and where they’re going.
So why did they call their company Spyderco? Company founder Sal Glesser said it came about while he and his wife Gail were looking for a company name that would be memorable. They looked at car companies and saw several “Spider” cars from the likes of Porsche, Maserati, etc. Sal liked “Spider” as a name, but to make things different he and Gail decided on Spyder Company, which was later shortened to Spyderco and registered in 1976.
Spyderco didn’t start off making knives; their first product was a mechanical soldering fixture. It wasn’t until they came out with the “Sharpmaker” knife sharpener that they had a knife-related item. They used to build and sell them on the road out of a bread truck, dragging a VW Bug behind it. It wasn’t until Sal and Gail’s daughter started school that they ended their semi-nomadic life. Sal still hit the road selling the sharpeners while Gail stayed in Golden, Colorado to raise their daughter, assemble Sharpmakers and mail them to Sal on the road.
So whats the plan for the future? Sal Glesser had this to say:
Spyderco celebrated its 40th year in business in 2016. I am starting to slow down and my son, Eric Glesser, has been taking over more of the daily responsibilities over the last five years. At some point he will run the company full time, and we’ll retire and focus on other passions. Our goal is to create a seamless transition while maintaining all of the core and company cultural principles that have allowed us the success we’ve been fortunate enough to have over the last forty years.
Check out more from Spyderco on their website or pretty much any place that doesn’t sell shit knives. -Slim
Hoback Knives has been offering a few unique blades.These are no doubt all sold out by now, but we’re sure more will be coming, which is a great reason to subscribe to their newsletter. Jake Hoback says, “Every Jake Hoback Knife is crafted of the finest, most durable materials. Rugged, reliable, and precision-engineered. Made for hard work, my knives are built to be tools, not just trophies!”
For your wishlist and viewing pleasure, here’s what Hoback knives has to say about the Camo Anodized Kwaibacks.
1. Camo Anodized Kwaibacks
These are available in Blue/Grey Camo, Brown/Green Camo, Blue/Brown Camo and Brown/Green Tiger Stripe Camo.
Like the samurai swords of lore, we have put many countless hours into perfecting the Kwaiback into a knife that is as flawless as we can possibly make it. We pulled out all the stops with this knife! We cut no corners, nor looked for any easier ways to do it. This knife was built with hard work, for hard work. Fully-engineered internal lightening pockets, hardened stainless steel lock insert, HRD (Hoback Roller Detent), hardened stainless pivot, and stainless pivot bearings. These are just a few of the things you get with a Hoback Knife. The rest you’ll just have to see for yourself!
This is what we know from Wiki about the “kwaiken” blade (and by the way, if you haven’t already figured it out, Kwaiken + Hoback = Kwaiback!):
The kaiken “was once carried by men and women of the samurai class in Japan. It was useful for self-defense in indoor spaces where the long blade katana and intermediate sword wakizashi were inconvenient. Women carried them in their kimono either in a pocket-like space (futokoro) or in the sleeve pouch (tamoto) for self-defense. When a samurai woman married, she was expected to carry a kaiken with her when she moved in with her husband.” “…the kaiken is now called kwaiken (pocket knife). The modern term has no reference in historical records; also called a futokoro-gatana.”
Overall Length: 9” Blade Length: 3.75” Closed Length: 5.3” Weight: 5.7oz Carry Option: Tip Up Right/Left-Handed
Other Features:
Pivot Thrust Bearings HRD (Hoback Roller Detent) Hardened Stainless Steel Lock Insert With Overtravel Prevention Engineered Internal Lightening Pockets Standard Sizes On All Screws For Ease Of Replacement Cold Formed Bearing Races (Work-Hardened To Increase Bearing And Knife Life)
2. Special Edition Carbon Fiber Kwaibacks
The Carbon Fiber Kwaiback is the culmination of 4 years of R&D that adds up to the most improved and refined knife in our current lineup. Our motto is “form follows function,” and our mission was to shave 1/3rd of the weight off a standard Kwaiback while maintaining the bomb-proof ruggedness that Hoback Knives has always been known for.
I’m proud to say “Mission Accomplished!”
The blade steel is the venerable CPM-Cru-Wear, with an excellent heat treat that seamlessly flows into and out of the titanium and carbon fiber frame set. There are several options to choose from to make this knife your very own — including pocket clips, pivots, backspacers, and inlays. This all adds up to a NPD (Never Put it Down), not just an EDC!
SPECIFICATIONS
Blade: .1875 Thick, CPM-Cru-Wear Stainless Steel w/ DLC Black Finish
Frame: .1875 Thick Carbon Fiber And Titanium w/ DLC Black Finish, Fullers, Carbon Fiber Inlay
Overall Length: 9” Blade Length: 3.75” Closed Length: 5.3” Carry Option: Tip Up Right/Left-Handed
Other Features:
Pivot Thrust Bearings HRD (Hoback Roller Detent) Hardened Stainless Steel Lock Insert With Overtravel Prevention Engineered Internal Lightening Pockets Standard Sizes On All Screws For Ease Of Replacement Cold Formed Bearing Races (Work-Hardened To Increase Bearing And Knife Life)
This article originally appeared in RECOIL Magazine (@recoilmagazine), Issue #30. It is republished here with their permission — which was actually pretty easy to get once we started buying Iain (@recoilboss) a few drink. Thankfully we got an answer before he climbed on the mechanical bull in just his silkies. Mad Duo
Big Folding Knives Patrick Vuong
Our EDC gear tends to be as compact and discreet as possible. But every once in a while, we like to get our gigantism on. Whether it’s an iPhone 7 Plus in your pants or a Ford Super Duty in the garage, having big powerful tools is indispensable.
So, we’re taking a stab at large folding knives. We don’t always carry them daily, but in certain circumstances they offer benefits that other knives can’t.
First is range. The longer the weapon the more reach and the less distance to cover in a self-defense situation. Second, longer blade means more cutting surface — whether that’s for harvesting game, batoning firewood, or intercepting a bad guy’s attack. And for those with big hands (insert joke here), a bigger overall length (insert second joke here) means there’s more leverage.
Of course, there are drawbacks. Bigger folders are heavier and take up more pocket real estate. And there may be legal ramifications for carrying them in nanny states and regions with tight knife restrictions.
As always, do your research and figure out which giant knife is right for your loadout. After all, it’s practically un-American not to have Supersize Me options.
411:
As the eponymous co-designer, Jared Wihongi teamed up with award-winning knifemaker Russ Kommer to create a whole lineup of tactical blades that combines his Maori warrior heritage, Filipino kali mastery, and hands-on SWAT experience. The results are eye-catching. Though it’s the smallest in this buyer’s guide, his folder is by no means the runt of the litter and can more than hold its own as an EDC or fighting knife.
Pros:
>From the large thumb-studs and comfortable G-10 scales to the ergonomic finger groves and excellent grip (both forward or reverse), there’s a lot of little details that equal big benefits.
>The modified Wharncliffe blade slices and punctures cardboard like it’s loose-leaf.
>Surprisingly, it retails for only 40 bucks.
Cons:
>Unfortunately, to keep those costs down, the blade’s made from Chinese stainless steel.
>Tip-up-only pocket clip means you’ll have to re-grip the handle before opening the blade, slowing deployment slightly.
Emerson Big Bulldog
411:
Emerson Knives has built its reputation by arming first-responders and the military (notably Navy SEALs) with hard-core knives that can thrive anywhere — this model’s no exception. Anyone who’s ever owned any breed of bulldog knows what to expect from this knife: strength, toughness, dependability, and a fierce bite should the need arise. Blade available with stonewash or black-coat finish. Made in the USA.
Pros:
>The blade’s chisel grind and 154CM stainless steel translates into insane cutting and stabbing power.
>Top-of-the-line craftsmanship and durability — and made stateside
>Lightening fast deployment, thanks to Emerson’s patented wave-shaped feature that opens the blade as you draw from your pocket
Cons:
>With a chopped tanto profile, the blade doesn’t have a belly, lowering its versatility a bit.
>Lefties will have to pay an extra $25 for “wrong-handed” carry
Camillus 9” Cuda
411:
Camillus has been around since 1876, so it knows a thing or two about knife-making. But it doesn’t churn out the same old same old. Case in point: There’s no thumb-stud on the side of the Cuda’s blade or a flipper tab on its spine. Instead, it has a thumb-button that you push along a curved track in the bolster, which in turn drives the blade out. Unfortunately, it’s awkwardly slow, but Camillus gets kudos for taking design risks.
Pros:
>With a carbonitride titanium coating and a hollow grind, the AUS-8 blade slashes and penetrates cleanly.
>Simple G-10 handle feels secure and comfy in hand.
>Won’t break the bank.
>Lightweight for its length
Cons:
>Marketed as having a “quick-action blade release,” but quick compared to what? A geriatric Scottish knight unsheathing his claymore sword?
>Carried only with the tip up on the right side.
Coast TX399
411:
While Coast is known for its lights, it does make solid yet affordable knives. The TX399 is the biggest entry in its most recent tactical knives lineup. This one’s based on parameters from former special-operations members and features Coast’s Double Lock technology, which prevents the blade from accidentally closing by jamming the liner locker open (and reminds us a bit of CRKT’s Automated Liner Safety system).
Pros:
>Pocket clip can be switched for righties or lefties.
>A budget buy that you won’t be afraid to beat up or lose in the field.
>At 3.7 ounces, this is the lightest knife of the bunch.
Cons:
>The weight savings comes mostly from the fiberglass-reinforced nylon handle, which is strong but gets slick when wet.
>The Chinese construction is questionable; we can wiggle the blade laterally by a couple of millimeters with our thumb and index finger.
Steel Will Bruiser 500
411:
With its distinct lines, aggressive texturing, and thick components, it looks like the kind of knife an assassin droid would use. Conversely, this beefy Bruiser is the kind of knife you’d need to shank said assassin droid should you drop your lightsaber (tsk, tsk). The PVD-coated blade is 0.16-inch thick while the G-10 handle (not counting the pocket clip) is almost ¾-inch thick. Beefy like marbled wagyu. Made in Italy.
Pros:
>Comes with Cordura sheath if you don’t want to pocket carry
>Integrated glass-breaker at the bottom of the handle
>Pocket clip can be positioned for tip up or tip down and for both right-handed and left-handed users.
Cons:
>Not the smoothest of openings; requires a wrist flick to generate enough momentum to open via flipper tab.
>Takes up a lot of space and tips the scales at more than a ½ pound.
Ruger All-Cylinders +P
411:
At first glance, we thought this was comically huge, a novelty at best and a clunky space-waster at worst. But after fondling it for some time, we quickly realized that it feels and operates much like its more compact brethren with suitable craftsmanship and good ergonomics. No surprise, though, since it was designed by iconic knife-smith Bill Harsey and manufactured by CRKT.
Pros:
>Despite its Chinese origins, the blade cuts, slices, stabs, and hacks with authority.
>Smooth deployment and tight lockup
>Feels good in hand, thanks to well-shaped G-10 scales
>Inexpensive for the amount of knife you’re getting, and that’s without searching for cheaper online prices.
Cons:
>Big and heavy; unless you’re Brock Lesnar or Steve “Yeti” Fisher, carrying this would be like EDCing a machete.
>Though adjustable for righties and lefties, there are only tip-down pocket clip positions.
Spyderco Tatanka G-10 Black
411:
Tatanka isn’t just the name of a pro wrestler or the Lakota word for “bull buffalo.” It’s also the moniker for this big honking knife. It features Spyderco’s PowerLock, a souped-up lock-back that applies additional wedging to prevent any accidental closing when it’s open. It has a saber profile, but the blade geometry and the handle’s finger groove allow for everything from slashing to fine detail work.
Pros:
>Though no longer the flavor of the month, the blade’s VG-10 steel still cuts like a laser sword.
>Gargantuan handle with G-10 scales feels surprisingly comfortable in our medium-sized hands.
>Adjustable four-way pocket clip
Cons:
>At nearly a foot long overall, this is getting close to pocket wakizashi territory here. Great for a samurai, not so much for the grayman. -PV
About the Author: Patrick Vuong (pronounced Wong) is the Editor-in-Chief for OFFGRID Magazine, the Senior Editor for RECOIL, a writer for Off-Road Magazine and a former contributing editor and film critic for Black Belt Magazine. Though you’d never know it by his last name, he’s Asian (!) and very likely a member of the SOCAL Asian Mafia nominally run by SMG Lee (though we cannot prove it). A prolific writer and longtime student of both hoplology and all things sharp and stabby, Vuong has little patience for lexiphanicism. He wears PIG Alpha tactical gloves to make up for using a sissy Prius type lawnmower during yard work, and may or may not have done some script work for Larry Long and Cinemaview for Naughty Canadian Girlfriends. Vuong is far, far more dangerous than he let’s on and is the only man we’ve ever met who knew the difference between analepsis and anadiplosis, or cared — or didn’t assume they were venereal diseases). You can follow him on Instagram if you’d like, @calmbatives. Surprisingly, there’s hardly any pictures of food.
Our tamed Australian breaks things. This time–an Mtech. Mad Duo
Monday Night Knife Fights: MTech “Tactical” Tomahawk Apocalypse Josh
I have a great fondness for hatchets and tomahawk and quite a collection, ranging from the low-key Fuller camping hatchet to the knockabout United Cutlery M48 to the singular Boker Tomahook. A new addition to my armory was the very blingtastic MTech – Tactical axe.
At 36cm (14 1/4″) overall, this is a decently sized chopper and at 650g (1.4lbs) it’s lighter than I expected. It has a black rubberized ABS handle with lightly textured lanyard loop, and is peppered with seven locking bolts and nuts with Torx fittings. The axehead is 18cm (7 1/8″) with a 9cm (3 1/2″) cutting edge. It has a spike on opposite end, interesting secondary edges, and to top it all off it’s titanium anodized to a gold finish.
One thing that struck me was that ABS, which felt really flimsy. Not that it was flexing under my grip, more that it was light and sounded hollow. The black nylon sheath was simple enough, with a press stud retention loop, and press-stud closures at the rear to keep it in place.
The blade was shipped sharp and had a knife edge, with deep secondary grinds not only along the primary face but also a deep inwardly curved bite in the top of the axehead as well as the underside of the beard. The top of the axe features a set of aggressively cut jimping.
I was hard pressed to think of what that top scalloped edge would be useful for, other than an “upwards” axe thrust. However, scalloping the blade inward rather than having it sweep forward into a point like in a Dane Axe seemed counter productive. Perhaps as a branch trimmer? More likely to make it look extra cool and scary. Gold. Plated. Scary.
The edge at the underside of the beard was alright as a down-sweeping cutting edge although it did come back quite close to the very top handholds, and my delicate pink flesh, when using a choked-up grip. There are cutaways in the bottom of the axehead for thumb and forefinger to rest in, and they were well placed. But again, there was no beveling, and the sharp edges seemed too close and unguarded.
At the back of the axehead is a spike, ground down into a diamond cross-section, and down to quite a significant point. I liked the geometry of it, and it certainly had a fair “bite” when punching holes in logs, chipboard and cans.
Overall, the cutting power of the axe was somewhat limited by its lightweight design. The knife-edge blade was sharp with a thin cross-section, chopped into boards well enough and cut through bike tyre like nobody’s business, but on a meaty target like a log it bit and stuck.
Too light to travel deep enough to cleave, too narrow to form a splitting wedge.
I gave the butt-end a strike to test durability and its utility as an impact weapon, and THIS happened. The ABS plastic, which is what LEGO is made out of, shattered at the shock of impact.
It also exposed the inside of the axe handle, which is something else I wanted to mention. Having felt how light and “hollow” it sounded, I had taken the handle apart with my trusty min/Inch TORX screwdrivers, and popped it open.
It turns out that as well as the thin and hollow framed handle, which I could have lived with and probably filled with resin or replaced with a cord-wrap, the handle itself was made of three separate pieces of different steel. One for the Ti-anodized blingtastic head, a powder coated lanyard loop piece at the butt-end, and a plain piece through the middle.
I’m sure that made the fabrication easier. But I don’t know what kinds of steel are in there, and the welds don’t look all that flash to me. I would have some concerns about wailing too hard on a solid door, wall, or even a tree-trunk with this.
Perhaps a metallurgist out there can tell me otherwise, but I’m going to relegate this to the back of the collection and save the serious work for serious tools. It seems my MTech Extreme Cleaver was the exception to the rule that these are not hard-use tools. -AJ
Emergency: Activate firefly, deploy green (or brown) star cluster, get your wank sock out of your ruck and stand by ’til we come get you.
About the Author: Josh Orth is a second generation expat currently dwelling in the arguably civilized outskirts of Melbourne, Australia. He’s lived in deserts, jungles and urban sprawls around the world and traveled/adventured into assorted inhospitable places around the world and has a keen sense of the speed with which the trappings of ‘civilized Western life’ can disappear. This has led him to begin writing about his interests and observations when it comes to the gear, skills and other necessities of self reliance of being equipped for whatever a capricious, occasionally indurate life might throw at him. This isn’t by any means to say our eccentric friend truly experiences genuine vorfreude about dystopian life, but if he had to he might not complain. Read more by Josh at Apocalypse Equipped.
Brought to you today in part by the WARCOMP, from SureFire.
Monday Night Knife Fights: Mall-Ninja Wall Hangers Apocalypse Josh
I talk about good knives, swords an axes a fair bit. I’m fan of dense steel with an edge. There’s a lot of it out there, some good, some amazing, and some unspeakable trash. It’s the latter stuff I want to discuss for a bit.
Lets talk Mall-Ninja wall-hangers. First you might ask, what’s a mall-ninja?
A mall ninja is a breed of weapons and combat enthusiast characterized by being so ungrounded in reality as to make even the most hardcore gun nuts shake their heads. Equal parts naïveté, delusion, and obnoxiousness, the mall ninja contributes to countless ill-informed online debates concerning arms, armor, and warfare, and is a common consumer of assorted paramilitary woo, broscience, and shared misconceptions about history and the world. The term “mall ninja” is pejorative; no one self-identifies as such. We hope.
Now, if you’re an avid Master Ken of “Enter the Dojo” disciple, you’ve probably had all the training and experience you’d need to make your own correct choices when purchasing your own pointies.
When it comes to some real Mall-Ninja wall hanger blade there are some key aspects that seal the classification:
Black. Real Ninja’s need black weapons for their Tier One Wet Ops. Powder coated, painted, teflon coated, oxidised, it doesn’t matter.
Cord-wrapped handle. Every real street-samurai wants their blade wrapped samurai style, and that means cord-wrapped.
Curves. Like every bad-lady has a curves and ever mall-ninja want’s a bad lady of their very own.
More curves. See Above, but unnecessary curves are even better.
Extra cutting surfaces. Primary edges aren’t very high speed-low drag. For true body-dropping power, you need blades on all faces.
Unnecessary serrations. It’s not a sharks mouth, buddy, its a knife. You need a chainsaw, get a Husky!
Tactical sheath. Drop-leg, back-scabbard or just “ballistic nylon”.
A scary name. “No one would surrender to the Dread Pirate Westley.”Add a few “NINJA, ZOMBIE or DEATHs in there for good measure.
However; there’s a lot of shiny bling out there. Here’s a quick guide to some examples.
A – Zombie ass kicker. This is a bad-assed blade, but a serious wall-hanger. Extra serrations, extra edges to catch and snag, it’s styled after the Aztec war swords to look extra scary. Ribbon-wrapped rather than cord, and a pretty thin, light steel. I don’t have much faith in it’s utility.
B – Living dead apocalypse full tang ninja sword. Twin blades are better than one, obviously. Extra curves and serrations along the non-striking edge of the blade, as well as holes cut into the blade to lighten it, adding weakness.
C -“Hunting Knife.” Perhaps if you’re the Predator tracking Dutch and the other Rescue Team members.. This no-name piece actually performs pretty well, regardless of its extra curves, useless serrated spine and extra holes. Its “full-tang, one-piece construction” is quite sturdy and the cord wrap handle well done. It’s pretty well balanced, well finished, and were not for the extra holes and the saw on the spine, it might not even qualify as a Wall-hanger for Mall-Ninja’s were it not for the dual shoulder strap back-holster and the extra holes.
D – Black legion undead machete. Scary name, and wicked post-apocalyptic hammer finish. Now just add to the list the impressive looking spiked knuckle-guard, the “zombie-green’ cord wrap and the drop-leg sheath and you’ve a “take-em-all-out before they getcha”special to scare mom with if she ever busts in on you practicing kata in the basement. water-bottles and melons of the world beware. To be fair, the blade appears to be well made, but the fitting are a tad flimsy for my tastes.
E – Z-hunter-axe. Not really an axe. Not really a hunting knife. Unnecessary saw-back serrations, extra curves and hooked edges. Great cord-wrapping and a single piece of steel for resilience, with sick jolly roger logo for extra-scary pirate aesthetic. Maybe if you’re going from to room on a beached Somali cargo ship? I have a feeling it wouldn’t serve too well dressing a water-buffalo either. But zombies? narp.
F –KA-BAR War sword On first glance, this one looks like a prime candidate for Mall-Ninja wall-hanging. It’s got some curve to it, a lurid green scale grip, for extra zombie killing power, and a fully decked out nylon thigh sheath. However, its a serious work horse of a knife, but the scary name, and green scale gives them the potential for Mall-Ninja wall hanging.
G – Ontario Black Wind. Not every Mall-ninja wants a blingtastic katana straight out of Highlander or Blade. Some might prefer a more-or-less traditional “ninja-to style” short, straight and heavy sword, which is exactly the kind of blade that the Ontario Knife Co. put into Army Disposals and into the pages of martial arts catalogues. This is a bad-ass blade, undeserving of any scorn, and is in fact one of my go-to blades in the event of Apocalypse or civil unrest. Even with its high-speed looking kydex scabbard, just too good to be a wall-hanger.
H –Cold Steel Gladius. Last up from my own collection is the hungry-for blood Gladius from Cold Steel. Now, even the mighty Roman armies had their own groupies and modern-day hangers on, thanks to a steady stream of “sand and sandals” action pictures. The humble Roman ground-pounder was issued one of these Gaul-stickers and bade go forth and pacify the Empire. The modern version hanging on my wall would have been a high-tech marvel of construction but fit in nicely in the shield-wall. I don’t recommend trying to take that angle when trying to explain why you have one lashed to your hip with your Company First Sergeant, but, if you wanted a big ass blade for defending the empire “outside the wire” you could do a lot worse than one of these.
Lets take a moment to talk thickness. Cheap blades are often cut or pressed from sheets of thin steel. This doesn’t offer much cutting mass, strength or rigidity, all things I would want in a fighting blade. Different steels have different densities so its hard to gauge what steel is in the kick-ass zombie slayer you found at the disposal store, but the thickness of the blade can be a good indicator. I’ve found the thinner the blade, the less likely to be a practical tool (unless you’re cutting sushi or shaving).
So. My last bit of advice to prospective blade collectors: Buy quality. It needn’t be expensive, but should be from a reputable maker, be it a big company or a small smith. Be sure to give your new-found tool a run through its paces, before staking your life on it, (and get some formal training if possible). Don’t be a mall-ninja.
Josh
5.11 Tactical (@511tactical) is a member of JTF Awesome.
Made possible in part by the support of 5.11 Tactical – Always Be Ready
Emergency: Activate firefly, deploy green (or brown) star cluster, get your wank sock out of your ruck and stand by ’til we come get you.
About the Author: Josh Orth is a second generation expat currently dwelling in the arguably civilized outskirts of Melbourne, Australia. He’s lived in deserts, jungles and urban sprawls around the world and traveled/adventured into assorted inhospitable places around the world and has a keen sense of the speed with which the trappings of ‘civilized Western life’ can disappear. This has led him to begin writing about his interests and observations when it comes to the gear, skills and other necessities of self reliance of being equipped for whatever a capricious, occasionally indurate life might throw at him. This isn’t by any means to say our eccentric friend truly experiences genuine vorfreude about dystopian life, but if he had to he might not complain. Read more by Josh at Apocalypse Equipped.
Tomahawks. Either you like them, you’re lying about not liking them, you’re one of them nervous type rakhâs, or you’re a damn sissy. Don’t worry, it’s okay to like tomahawks (we’re talking about the classic type, in the Algonquian/Renape style), even if you don’t really have a need to hew off someone’s head. Today we’re revisiting our tame Australian’s report about just such a tool, this one built by MTech. Mad Duo
This article was brought to you today in its entirety thanks to 88 Tactical of Omaha, Nebraska. 88 Tactical: those who respond, prevail.
Report Revisited: the MTech “Tactical” Tomahawk Apocalypse Josh – originally published Monday, Nov. 28, 2016
I have a great fondness for hatchets and tomahawk and quite a collection, ranging from the low-key Fuller camping hatchet to the knockabout United Cutlery M48 to the singular Boker Tomahook. A new addition to my armory was the very blingtastic MTech – tactical axe.
At 36cm (14 1/4″) overall, this is a decently sized chopper and at 650g (1.4lbs) it’s lighter than I expected. It has a black rubberized ABS handle with lightly textured lanyard loop, and is peppered with seven locking bolts and nuts with Torx fittings. The axehead is 18cm (7 1/8″) with a 9cm (3 1/2″) cutting edge. It has a spike on opposite end, interesting secondary edges, and to top it all off it’s titanium anodized to a gold finish.
One thing that struck me was that ABS, which felt really flimsy. Not that it was flexing under my grip, more that it was light and sounded hollow. The black nylon sheath was simple enough, with a press stud retention loop, and press-stud closures at the rear to keep it in place.
The blade was shipped sharp and had a knife edge, with deep secondary grinds not only along the primary face but also a deep inwardly curved bite in the top of the axehead as well as the underside of the beard. The top of the axe features a set of aggressively cut jimping.
I was hard pressed to think of what that top scalloped edge would be useful for, other than an “upwards” axe thrust. However, scalloping the blade inward rather than having it sweep forward into a point like in a Dane Axe seemed counter productive. Perhaps as a branch trimmer? More likely to make it look extra cool and scary. Gold. Plated. Scary.
The edge at the underside of the beard was alright as a down-sweeping cutting edge although it did come back quite close to the very top handholds, and my delicate pink flesh, when using a choked-up grip. There are cutaways in the bottom of the axehead for thumb and forefinger to rest in, and they were well placed. But again, there was no beveling, and the sharp edges seemed too close and unguarded.
At the back of the axehead is a spike, ground down into a diamond cross-section, and down to quite a significant point. I liked the geometry of it, and it certainly had a fair “bite” when punching holes in logs, chipboard and cans.
Overall, the cutting power of the axe was somewhat limited by its lightweight design. The knife-edge blade was sharp with a thin cross-section, chopped into boards well enough and cut through bike tyre like nobody’s business, but on a meaty target like a log it bit and stuck.
Too light to travel deep enough to cleave, too narrow to form a splitting wedge.
I gave the butt-end a strike to test durability and its utility as an impact weapon, and THIS happened. The ABS plastic, which is what LEGO is made out of, shattered at the shock of impact.
It also exposed the inside of the axe handle, which is something else I wanted to mention. Having felt how light and “hollow” it sounded, I had taken the handle apart with my trusty min/Inch TORX screwdrivers, and popped it open.
It turns out that as well as the thin and hollow framed handle, which I could have lived with and probably filled with resin or replaced with a cord-wrap, the handle itself was made of three separate pieces of different steel. One for the Ti-anodized blingtastic head, a powder coated lanyard loop piece at the butt-end, and a plain piece through the middle.
I’m sure that made the fabrication easier. But I don’t know what kinds of steel are in there, and the welds don’t look all that flash to me. I would have some concerns about wailing too hard on a solid door, wall, or even a tree-trunk with this.
Perhaps a metallurgist out there can tell me otherwise, but I’m going to relegate this to the back of the collection and save the serious work for serious tools. It seems my MTech Extreme Cleaver was the exception to the rule that these are not hard-use tools.
-AJ
By the way, if you like tomahawks, you prob’ly oughta check out the Tomahawkology group. Purty interdasting. Plus, how cool would it be to put tomahawkologist on your CV? Mad Duo
Find 88 Tactical on the Book of Face right here, or on Instagram @88tactical. You can subscribe to ’em on Vimeo too. 88 Tactical is a member of JTF Awesome.
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Contingency: Exercise your inner perv with us on Tumblr here, follow us on Twitter here or connect on Google + here. Emergency: Activate firefly, deploy green (or brown) star cluster, get your wank sock out of your ruck and stand by ’til we come get you.
T&C: All original material published by Breach-Bang-Clear is the copywritten property of Breach-Bang-Clear, Inc. If you wish to repost, republish, or otherwise share our content, feel free to reproduce an extract of up to 225 words and one complete, unaltered image, preceded by attribution crediting the source and author’s name, to include a link to the Breach-Bang-Clear home page, with a link back to the full article on our website, BreachBangClear.com. You do not require our permission to do this. Please do not reproduce our content in its entirety without contacting us first. We do allow full syndication on a case by case basis (credited, and posted with a canonical link, as is common practice and in good form) but only when mutually agreed upon beforehand. If you wish to reproduce a complete article, please contact us for permission to publish first.
About the Author: Josh Orth is a second generation expat currently dwelling in the arguably civilized outskirts of Melbourne, Australia. He’s lived in deserts, jungles and urban sprawls around the world and traveled/adventured into assorted inhospitable places all over the globe, from near-dystopian parts to cities to Gabon, west Africa. Thus he has a keen sense of the speed with which the trappings of ‘civilized Western life’ can disappear. This has led him to begin writing about his interests and observations when it comes to the gear, skills and other necessities of self reliance of being equipped for whatever a capricious, occasionally indurate life might throw at him. This isn’t by any means to say our eccentric friend truly experiences genuine vorfreude about dystopian life, but if he had to he might not complain. Read more by Josh at Apocalypse Equipped.
Grunts: vorfreude.
We’re not saying Josh flies a PL-12 Airtruk. We’re just saying this guy and Josh have never been seen in the same room together at the same time.
Tonight’s Monday Night Knife Fight comes to you as part of our everyman/everywoman series – which we run whenever we remember to do so. With Mother’s Day coming up fast, we thought it apropos. This MNKF isn’t about a gozillion dollar handcrafted blade, written by one of our badasses. Nope, this one is a look at the SwissCard, from Victorinox, by someone who is a Plain Jane (well, she’s far from plain) end user who wants to tell you about it. Enjoy. Meanwhile we shall begin seducing her into sordid and sultry alliterative lexiphanicism. Mad Duo
US Elite Gear has the new lineup of 2018 Dead Bird – gtf on over there and check it out.
MNKF: Any way You Slice It, Go SwissCard
Sharon Durand
BLUF: I’m not a knife person, but I’m well aware of their value.
Knives are useful, even a necessity, for both work and defense, but I’ll admit some of them intimidate me. Even the seemingly innocuous ones. The idea of cutting myself makes my skin crawl. I believe I’d rather be shot than stabbed, given the choice, though neither prospect is terribly appealing.
Borderline aichmophobia aside, a knife should be part of your everyone’s everyday carry (EDC). If I still have your attention after my ridiculous but honest disclaimer, allow me to introduce for your consideration my EDC; the SwissCard, by Victorinox.
Wait, what? Swiss…Card? Yes indeed. A few years back I was in the habit of carrying a Swiss Army knife on my keychain. Then one night while shopping at Target, I came across the SwissCard. It’s not just a pocketknife, it’s a compact multi-tool with scissors, tweezers, toothpick, nail file, pressurized ballpoint pen, and stainless steel pin. All that functionality is stored in a surprisingly durable plastic credit card-esque holder that also doubles as a small ruler up to three inches. It easily fits in a wallet, pocket, or purse.
In terms of protection, with a blade less than three inches in length (2.3 inches to be exact), you’d most certainly get laughed at in a knife fight — right up until you opened an artery. You wouldn’t have to be a typical Breach-Bang-Clear reader ninja type to do some damage, though. The blade itself is surprisingly sharp, and holds a great edge. Mine has retained its sharpness after fifteen-plus years of use, even without sharpening.
Perhaps more importantly, for all you frequent travelers out there – like me – you’ll be pleasantly surprised to know that the SwissCard clears TSA Pre-Check security for domestic air travel. Really. How many knives out there can say that? Having this knife as a form of self-defense on the airplane is certainly better than nothing.
For more everyday practical purposes, I frequently use the blade on the “why is this so damn hard to open?” packages that kids’ toys come in. You now the ones. They always needs to be opened RIGHT NOW. I also use it for such pedestrian things as stray strings on clothing or those pesky tags that clothing companies insist on putting in the most itchy and uncomfortable places.
On a more serious note, I read an Amazon review that said the knife cut through a seatbelt to free a young boy when the belt became tangled and dangerously tight. If true, it shows the utilitarian advantages not just of the SwissCard, but of most all edged tools.
Pros:
• Multi-use tool. I use not only the blade but the scissors, tweezers, and toothpick almost daily. There are also other versions that have different tools like a LED light, magnifying glass, and Phillips screwdrivers.
• Durable Construction. Mine is well over fifteen years old yet you’d never know it by looking at it. And the ballpoint pen? Somehow it still works. What is this sorcery?!
• Compact and discreet. It will fit in credit card slots in wallets or in pockets. No one will realize you’re carrying a potentially lethal (again, ninja types!) weapon in what looks like a thicker credit card.
• Clears TSA Pre-Check Security for domestic travel.
• Price. At around $30 on Amazon, you get a lot of functionality for your money in one compact card!
Cons:
• The 2.3” blade is not intended for heavy-duty use or self-defense.
• Not manly (or womanly for the knife loving ladies out there) enough!
Overall, the Victorinox SwissCard suits my basic EDC needs. The $25 I paid for it at Target was small price to pay for the value it has brought me over the years of use.
US Elite Gear is a member of JTF Awesome.
I highly recommend it for anyone who doesn’t want to carry a larger knife or multi-tool but still wants the functionality for everyday life.
SPECS:
• .2” x 3.2”
• 0.9 ounces
• Comes in transparent black, red, blue, and ice blue
Emergency: Activate firefly, deploy green (or brown) star cluster, get your wank sock out of your ruck and stand by ’til we come get you.
About the Author: Sharon Durand is an avid outdoorswoman who is #tacticalbyassociation. An auditor by day, wife and mother by night, she’s fairly certain her husband married her for either her fried chicken or her skill with an HK USP .45…perhaps both. Sharon prefers a Winchester lever gun to most any AR and uses her 6′ 3″ Wonder Woman tall girl powers mostly for good.
This article made possible by JTF Awesome member Armageddon Gear (and their Boss Redneck former Ranger founder).
MNKF: Colonel Blades
Alexander Crown
I was told at a young age to, “…never do anything without a knife.” This has proven sage counsel in the years since. Thus, except for those occasions when I’ve been disarmed by the sad, prufrockian functionaries running the TSA, I always have a knife on me. Over the years these knives have changed from multi-tools to automatics to small folders to fixed blades.
Of late (and out of pure laziness) I’ve been daily carrying a Spyderco Endura 4 for its lightweight and slim profile. However I’ve been pondering the wisdom of throwing a fixed blade knife into the EDC rotation, so when Colonel Blades (@colonel_blades) asked for a couple of us to report on their knives I jumped at the chance.
There were two blades inside the package I received from Colonel; the LowVz Colonel kit and the Full Bird kit. The Full Bird was sent along to another Minion for a longer term review, while I retained the LowVz.
Colonel Blades are fighting knives, plain and simple. They’re dubbed the “Blade made for Shooters,” which is apparent by the distinctive shape.
Specifications:
Blade Material: N690Co steel
Blade thickness: .2” (at thickest point)
Blade OAL: 2.75”
Coating: QPQ (Quench Polish Quench)
Grip Size: 3.5”
Grip Material: G10 with jimping
Sheathe: Kydex
Trainer: Injection molded plastic
N690Co steel is a popular material for higher end knives and is also used in making surgical instruments. It can be hardened to desirable levels and can still be sharpened relatively easily. The LowVz is a compact sized knife for easy carry and concealment but also large enough to fit the hand without feeling like you’re holding a banana. The coating on the blade is a durable QPQ which is well known for lubricity, durability, and corrosion resistance. G10 and kydex are pretty standard these days in well-made knives.
As soon as I got the blade and adjusted the G-Code sheathe, I did the most hardcore gunfighter thing I could think of. I shoved it in my pants and went to a 3 hour long meeting. The Colonel Blade has been hailed by other reviewers for its ability to wear like a pistol. As I usually carry AIWB with a Glock 19, I simply put the blade on the opposite (left) side and sat for the next 3 hours going over spreadsheets and PowerPoints.
At first the feel of the knife was evident and distracting, but just as my mind grew numb to the endless numbers and graphs, so my pliable dad bod grew accustomed to the new piece of EDC.
Now, realistically the Colonel Blade is meant for fighting. However, despite wearing it for several weeks now, I’ve yet to encounter a situation that actually calls for knife fighting — so I can’t tell you how well it performs when called upon to carve some miscreant into portable pieces. What I can give you are my impressions of it.
While it might functionally be doing the blade a disservice, the Colonel does make for a decent everyman’s EDC knife, particularly given the strength and thickness of the blade. I have used it to open packages of (course) and even to pry open some crates, which it did well. To me, an EDC blade has to do more than just stick bad guys. It needs to be a utility tools that can dig holes, cut various materials, break glass, etc.
The Colonel is a robust blade and can handle these tasks without issue, although some might find a more conventional knife better suited.
The Colonel ships with an injection molded trainer that is blunt tipped and shorter than the actual blade, which is a nice touch. This of course is so you do not develop training scars by not having full blade thrust into the target receiver.
Final tally? The Colonel LowVz Kit is a great option for folks that want to carry a fixed blade knife comfortably every day. The unique shape does require some getting used to and to be truly proficient you will (like with any new fighting implement) need to hammer out a lot of reps. Luckily the guys that designed it included a trainer and made it ergonomically similar to that thing so near and dear to so many of us all, the Glock 19.
You can find Colonel Blades online at ColonelBlades.com and also on Facebook, /colonelblades/.
Please note: the pictures here are of the NCO which is made in Taiwan.
This article was brought to you today in its edificationally edificacious totality (we made those words up) by Armageddon Gear – “Pray you never need gear this good.”
Follow Armageddon Gear on Instagram, @armageddongear.
If you wish to share or repost, please so kind as to follow our terms and conditions.
Emergency: Activate firefly, deploy green (or brown) star cluster, get your wank sock out of your ruck and stand by ’til we come get you.
T&C: All original material published by Breach-Bang-Clear is the copywritten property of Breach-Bang-Clear, Inc. If you wish to repost, republish, or otherwise share our content, feel free to reproduce an extract of up to 225 words and one complete, unaltered image, preceded by attribution crediting the source and author’s name, to include a link to the Breach-Bang-Clear home page, with a link back to the full article on our website, BreachBangClear.com. You do not require our permission to do this. Please do not reproduce our content in its entirety without contacting us first. We do allow full syndication on a case by case basis (credited, and posted with a canonical link, as is common practice and in good form) but only when mutually agreed upon beforehand. If you wish to reproduce a complete article, please contact us for permission to publish first.
About the Author: Alexander Crown was the littlest big mistake Gemtech ever hired–and they even manage to continue to promote him to higher positions. Prior to his early retirement (caused by an enemy winning a marksmanship award at the cost of his hamstring), Alexander served in the 3/509 PIR out of Ft. Richardson and spent a little time in Iraq. In addition to dabbling in the world of silencers and science fiction, he has a BS in biology and is an avid gardener — like, the kind of gardener Hugh Farnham would appreciate and Alec Holland would envy.
This is not your typical knife report – we’re not looking to carve up someone engaged in violent criminal fuckery with this one…but we do like how it looks for some culinary activity. We first mentioned this thing back in May; now we have a field report on it. Mad Duo
Today’s article was made possible in part by Daniel Defense (@DanielDefense). Daniel Defense: Lighter. Stronger. Better.
Report: the TOPS FMS XL
Craig Metzger
Lets assume we’re all into knives. We have our “EDC” pocket pokers, our bushcraft widdlers and our “oh-fuck-I-just-got-into-some-real-shit” sneaky slicers, but one type of knife we need to talk about is the kitchen knife.
I did an internship in college with the NYC Sheriff’s department, and besides putting stamps on envelopes and answering phones I got to go to the car auctions. The Sheriffs would let me search the cars for weapons, and the most popular weapon I found (besides cut-down bats) was the kitchen knife. So in honor of my getting-coffee/licking-stamps experience with the Sheriffs, we are going to look at no-ordinary-kitchen-knife but instead the TOPS Frog Market Special, also known as the FMS XL.
The FMS was designed by Steven Dick, who on a recent trip to Vietnam was inspired by a style of blade used by butchers and fish mongers in the local markets. The FMS comes in two sizes but we had the pleasure of slicing and dicing with the XL version.
The XL version is a large knife. The overall length is 12.75″ but it looks bigger in person. The actual blade is 7.50 inches with a cutting surface of the same length. Thickness is about 3/32 and the steel is 1095. The blade has the TOPS Black River Wash which gives it a unique look. The handles are green canvas Micarta. I should also note the knife comes with a kydex sheath for storage or carrying during an end-of-days type event.
The knife I received would be relegated to home kitchen duties. In person, the knife is impressive looking and the finishing is top quality. The weight felt balanced and according to TOPS it’s about 9.4oz. The FMS XL saw a variety of kitchen chopping duties from ribs, whole chickens, tuna steaks, tofu (yeah I said tofu) and veggies. It’s first day was spent cutting pizzas for the kids. When ever we had guests at the house I would showcase the knife and the initial response from the guests was that this was some sort of “tactical trinket” I just bought, but after they spent any time cutting with it, they were impressed and asked questions about it. They weren’t just impressed by its cutting prowess but even how detailed you could get with the scalpel-like tip.
When laid down beside my normal kitchen knifes you realize how the FMS is a stand out. Sure, it’s not a normal-looking kitchen knife but its ability to slice and dice with minimal effort has won a special place in my heart. Before I continue to ramble I thought I’d give you a quick guide to my experience.
Postive
Shape of blade and ergonomics make it a real joy cutting any thing
Even with its large size the sharp tip allows for some surgical-like cuts
The Micarta handle is comfortable and stable when wet
The finishing qualities is top notch and precise
I would describe it as a nimble cleaver
Negative
You must wash and thoroughly dry the knife or rusting will appear on the cutting edge. It happened once but after some better care it’s been a non-issue.
Overall
The FMS XL is an excellent addition to your kitchen. My wife even says it’s become her favorite knife. There are two sizes to fit your needs but I found the XL to be a perfect size for most home kitchen/BBQ cutting duties. It cuts extremely well and feels really comfortable. You can learn more about the TOPS FMS XL here.
This article was made in part by Leupold (@leupoldoptics), a member of JTF Awesome.
Leupold Optics – accurate, rugged, and now customizable.
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Emergency: Activate firefly, deploy green (or brown) star cluster, get your wank sock out of your ruck and stand by ’til we come get you.
T&C: All original material published by Breach-Bang-Clear is the copywritten property of Breach-Bang-Clear, Inc. If you wish to repost, republish, or otherwise share our content, feel free to reproduce an extract of up to 225 words and one complete, unaltered image, preceded by attribution crediting the source and author’s name, to include a link to the Breach-Bang-Clear home page, with a link back to the full article on our website, BreachBangClear.com. You do not require our permission to do this. Please do not reproduce our content in its entirety without contacting us first. We do allow full syndication on a case by case basis (credited, and posted with a canonical link, as is common practice and in good form) but only when mutually agreed upon beforehand. If you wish to reproduce a complete article, please contact us for permission to publish first.
About the Author: Craig Metzger is some sort of evil creative genius who enjoys everything from Billabong to Zev Tech. He’s one of those dudes who mountain bikes, hikes and snowboards with the same enthusiasm he has for spending time on the range, offroading in Moab and attending Renaissance Fairs. He’s definitely our first minion so far to have a subscription to Thrasher magazine. Kyle Lamb (the Viking Tactics Kyle Lamb) really does call him the Tactical Hippie, that’s a true story. Although we cannot confirm rumors that he played the role of Everett in Delta Farce, we can advise you to check out his work on his website or on his blog.
This article was brought to you today in its entirety thanks to 88 Tactical of Omaha, Nebraska. 88 Tactical: those who respond, prevail.
MNKF: The Mora Eldris
Ryan Houtekamer
You call that a knife? Now, this is a knife… albeit a very small one.
Mora came out with the Eldris in the past year and we were itching to get our hands on it. If you’re not familiar with Mora Knives, or Morakniv (which sounds much better when uttered by drunk Europeans), they tend to be some of the best bang for your buck when it comes to knives.
The designs are solid, comfortable to use and did we mention the come almost filet knife sharp? Not only that but their prices can’t be beat – unless you’re buying a Swiss Swarmy knife from an Asian knife store in Chinatown.
We were interested in the Eldris for several reasons. First of all, it’s a small handy-sized neck knife with a flat spine which can be used to strike ferrocerium rods. Its convenient retention system means you won’t be stumbling around on a beach at night in a drunken stupor and have it fall out, never to be seen again (I’m looking at you, nemesis neck knife).
Speaking of the retention, the Eldris comes in two forms: with neck knife kit and without. The neck knife kit has a ring with a snap on it and a leather strap. This slides onto the knife with the strap straddling the butt of the knife to keep it in place while inverted.
The kit also comes with paracord to make a neck lanyard and a ferrocerium rod. We would have liked to see a holder on the sheath for the Ferro rod, but the lanyard loop can be looped onto it if need be. The Eldris has a full thickness handle and isn’t skeletonized so while it is noticeable under a shirt, that’s okay – it’s not designed to be concealed, it’s made to cut stuff in the woods.
The thick handle on the Eldris lends itself to a very comfortable and usable grip. Your hand won’t fatigue which means tasks like making large feather sticks can be done with ease. ‘What the heck is a feather stick?’ I hear some of you ask. Well, it’s when you take a dryish piece of wood and cut long slivers into it that you leave attached, sort of ‘feathering’ the stick. After your tinder is burning, the long thin slivers ignite easily catching the larger piece of wood on fire, so it’s like having tons of tiny pieces of kindling.
The Mora Eldris also cuts through meat like a damn shark with a frickin laser beam attached to its head and the rear of the blade is ground flat to be used for striking a Ferro rod. The neck kit comes with one such rod that throws a ton of sparks. Over the past several months we have used it exclusively to light our wood-fired BBQ, fire pit and anything else that needs fire. The included Ferro rod works fantastically, however, we did replace this one with a much larger rod.
If you’re looking for a bombproof knife that can pry open steel drums and be used for an ax, perhaps you should look elsewhere. But if you’re looking for a small, razor-sharp knife with finesse, then the Mora is the knife for you. At around $30 for the knife and another $25 for the neck kit, it’s a screaming good deal. You can also buy the whole thing as a single kit for $50 if you aren’t buying it bit by bit.
You can get yours from the North American importer Industrial Revolution here.
Find 88 Tactical on the Book of Face right here, or on Instagram @88tactical. You can subscribe to ’em on Vimeo too. 88 Tactical is a member of JTF Awesome.
88 Tactical provides training to citizens, military personnel, and first responders across the country.
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Emergency: Activate firefly, deploy green (or brown) star cluster, get your wank sock out of your ruck and stand by ’til we come get you.
T&C: All original material published by Breach-Bang-Clear is the copywritten property of Breach-Bang-Clear, Inc. If you wish to repost, republish, or otherwise share our content, feel free to reproduce an extract of up to 225 words and one complete, unaltered image, preceded by attribution crediting the source and author’s name, to include a link to the Breach-Bang-Clear home page, with a link back to the full article on our website, BreachBangClear.com. You do not require our permission to do this. Please do not reproduce our content in its entirety without contacting us first. We do allow full syndication on a case by case basis (credited, and posted with a canonical link, as is common practice and in good form) but only when mutually agreed upon beforehand. If you wish to reproduce a complete article, please contact us for permission to publish first.
Aboot the Author: What can we say aboot Ryan Houtekamer? Well, he was a cannon cocker in the Army for a while, then moved on to some sort of metal-bending aircraft structural engineering type billet in the Canadian Air Force. He’s a keen outdoorsman, spelunker, and fisherman who loves to tinker with all the things. Houtekamer is Breach-Bang-Clear’s northernmost Minion; he actually lives where it costs us extra to ship stuff to ‘cuz if has to go by dogsled part of the way.
True story.
Houtekamer actually enjoys cold weather and revels in bombogenesis. Come to think of it, he’d fill a pretty good supporting role in a Jack London story. You can follow him on Instagram, @2centtac if you like (his tag is not, as you might expect, @Rhinopithecus bieti Canadius giganticus); there you will discover that he’s not just gear-curious, he’s a nerd too.
A Monday Night Knife Fights (and one well suited to the name) from the archives. Mad Duo
US Elite Gear – code MadDuo2017 gets 10% off most gear. Getcha some good stuff now (unless you’re someone who needs a trigger warning; you get bent).
MNKF: The TOPS TAC-Raze Straight Razor
Chris Hernandez, revisited from the archives; originally published 19 September 2016
Now Leroy he a gambler
And he like his fancy clothes
And he like to wave his diamond rings
In front of everybody’s nose
He got a custom Continental
He got an Eldorado too
He got a 32 gun in his pocket for fun
He got a razor in his shoe
-Jim Croce, Bad Bad Leroy Brown
I’m old enough to remember both Jim Croce and a time when it wasn’t unusual for someone to carry a straight razor. When I first became aware of knives in the 70’s, straight razors were being replaced by switchblades as the weapons of choice for hoods and street thugs. Even though my favorite “street” knife was a Balisong butterfly, I always admired the coolness factor of an old school straight razor.
A scene from The Warriors, the most realistic street gang movie ever made. Honest!
Since I thought straight razors had gone the way of the Dodo bird and ‘NSync, I was surprised to see two TOPS “TAC-Raze” knives this past week at Breach Bang Clear’s #Trails Found16 event in Arizona. One was in the hands of Tim the Russian, and he was positive he’d slash his own throat if he tried to use it. He passed it off to me, and I fell in love in seconds (no, not with Tim).
As you should know, TOPS makes fantastic stuff. Their TAC-Raze ($130 on the TOPS website, $85 on Amazon and Prime eligible) just screams quality, and feels built to last forever.
“One of the first things people notice about the Tac-Raze is that it’s reminiscent of a straight razor (although with the recurved blade we don’t recommend actually shaving with it). Leo Espinoza designed it with that type of blade in mind.
This is TOPS’ first ever friction folder. Leo wanted it to fill two purposes specifically. It had to be a good-looking gentleman’s EDC that could be carried and used in public, and it had to be a functional tool. To accomplish those needs, he started with simple shapes and added curves in all the right places. Even the sheath is stylish, but also gives the wearer a variety of carry options.
It’s not just about looks though. This knife will perform everyday tasks quickly and easily, such as opening packages, cutting down boxes, cutting rope, etc. The TAC-Raze is also a devastating slasher with its recurved blade. It never hurts to have that last line of defense.
It comes with TOPS’ classy Cryptic Cyber Scales on Black G10 handles. The tumble finished 1095 steel blade looks great and has TOPS’ famous differential heat treat. The strong brown leather sheath can be worn vertically or horizontally on a belt for ease of carry whether open or concealed.”
The TAC-Raze’s specs, as listed on the TOPS web site:
Overall Length
7.63″
Blade Length
3.25″
Cutting Edge
2.88″
Closed Length
5.75
Blade Thickness
0.130″
Blade Steel
1095 RC 56-58
Blade Finish
Tumble Finish
Handle Material
Black G10
Handle Style
Cryptic Cyber Scales
Knife Weight
2.7oz
Weight w/ Sheath
3.5oz
Sheath Included
Yes
Sheath Material
Brown Leather
Sheath Clip
Belt Loop
Despite having only a scant few days experience fondling this knife, I’m pretty impressed with it. As TOPS says, and just like straight razors of old, its intended uses are limited. This isn’t what I’d mount on my gear for a patrol in northeastern Afghanistan or Amazonian trek, but it’s good for light tasks like cutting 550 cord or MRE throats. It also seems to be one hell of a good “slash and break contact” tool for when you inconveniently empty your last mag, or the locking lugs on your issued M9 crack.
As TOPS also points out, the TAC-Raze is a “friction lock” knife; that is, there is no locking mechanism whatsoever. If you hold this knife wrong, or hit the blunt side of the blade hard enough, the sharp edge of the recurved blade is going into your fingers (or your throat, if you’re a Russian named Tim). That’s cool and to be expected with this type of weapon, but you should thoroughly understand the risks before you ever draw it from its sheath.
This woman, who clearly gave no fucks, cut off her husband’s weiner with a straight razor. DO NOT buy your wife a TAC-Raze.
Speaking of the sheath, that’s the only thing TOPS needs to improve. The sheath is small, stylish and fine for carrying in a gentlemanly fashion, but under stress it doesn’t securely hold the TAC-Raze. I learned this the hard way during a horse ride, when my knife was knocked from its sheath and lost forever. I wound up off the horse and on my ass twice during that ride, but didn’t find the knife at either of my crash sites. Somewhere on that rocky trail, the TAC-Raze got knocked or jostled out of its case. I got the other TAC-Raze later, but I’ll be depressed forever about losing that first one.
Someday, some lucky kid at the Triangle T Ranch in Dragoon, Arizona is going to stumble across my original TAC-Raze. He’ll probably fall in love just like I did. And hopefully by then TOPS will have a more-secure sheath available, so he won’t live his life crying over the coolest knife he ever lost.
Emergency: Activate firefly, deploy green (or brown) star cluster, get your wank sock out of your ruck and stand by ’til we come get you.
T&C: All original material published by Breach-Bang-Clear is the copywritten property of Breach-Bang-Clear, Inc. If you wish to repost, republish, or otherwise share our content, feel free to reproduce an extract of up to 225 words and one complete, unaltered image, preceded by attribution crediting the source and author’s name, to include a link to the Breach-Bang-Clear home page, with a link back to the full article on our website, BreachBangClear.com. You do not require our permission to do this. Please do not reproduce our content in its entirety without contacting us first. We do allow full syndication on a case by case basis (credited, and posted with a canonical link, as is common practice and in good form) but only when mutually agreed upon beforehand. If you wish to reproduce a complete article, please contact us for permission to publish first.
About the Author: Chris Hernandez, seen here on patrol in Afghanistan, may just be the crustiest member of the eeeee-LITE writin’ team here at Breach-Bang-Clear. He is a veteran of both the Marine Corps and the Army National Guard who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is also a veteran police officer of two decades who spent a long (and eye-opening) deployment as part of a UN police mission in Kosovo. He is the author of Tacos Are Racist, Females in the Infantry – Yes Actually, The Military Within the Military, and several other delightfully opinionated bloviations. He has also penned several modern military fiction novels, including Line in the Valley,Proof of Our Resolve and Safe From the War. When he isn’t groaning about a change in the weather and snacking on Osteo Bi-Flex he writes on his own blog. You can find his author page right here on Amazon.
Brought to you in part by 88 Tactical Group (@88Tactical), a member of JTF Awsome.
Report: the “Rambo” Hunting Machete
Apocalypse Josh
One of the post-stroke rehab tasks I assigned myself was to clear some backyard jungle and make way for a badly-needed cleanup. Normally for brush clearing, I would turn to my Ontario Blackwind, or perhaps another of my mid-sized blades, even turning to my petrol powered brush-clearer. But I wanted to get some physical exercise, and didn’t want to swing long blades where there were metal posts and the like.
As it happened, I had a RAMBO TACTICAL Combat Survival 14″ Fixed Blade Bowie Hunting Machete sitting on a shelf, unused. The backyard jungle is clogged with morning glory vine, a fast-growing and tenacious vine, that needs a fair amount of chopping to get through and I thought the Ontario Blackwind would really do the trick. It weighs in at 1.25kg (2.75 lbs) with an overall length of 37 cm (14.5″), with the blade making up a hefty 20cm (8″) of that.
Some of the things I liked about the Rambo’s big-ass blade are the wide broad blade with its keen edge and the steel bar handguard which runs from the base of the edge all the way to the pommel. A full tang gives it both sturdiness and rigidity. I am never too keen on cutaway holes, or the exaggerated sawback, but the simple short serrations on the front of the blade are a nice touch.
I don’t usually care about extra features like glass breakers and saw blades on my knives, but both felt useful and well thought out. The painted wooden handle, though lurid zombie-toxic-green, was well finished and it felt good in my hand, even though I wore heavy gloves to protect from the sap of the vines.
As a heavy-use tool, the Rambo Hunting Machete did its job admirably, allowing me to tame the jungle back into a Tactical Baby and Triceratops-girl stompable level in about half an hour. The trampoline was again visible and I didn’t damage anything, including myself, in the process. It handled nicely for a blade of its bulk. Not as nice as my kukris mind you, but well enough, and didn’t strain my arm or wrist.
The Rambo Tactical Hunting Machete comes with a decent nylon sheath with a wide, broad belt loop, and several press-stud closures to keep it secure. It seats nicely on the hip and was unobtrusive as I got on with the rest of my chores.
The black-powder-coated finish held up well, and even though it’s made from the fairly pedestrian 440 steel, it kept its edge nicely even though I DID find a couple of star-pickets in the jungle with it. It was certainly cutting as well at the end of the task as at the beginning, though I was tired. A quick lick of a sharpening stone and a wipe of oil and it was ready to go back on the wall, not nearly as ornamental as I first suspected it to be.
5.11 Tactical (@511tactical) is a member of JTF Awesome.
Made possible in part by the support of 5.11 Tactical – Always Be Ready
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Contingency: There will be an additional chance to read tactical news, gun reviews, outdoor gear reviews, adventure equipment reviews, and blade pr0n on our Google + account;
Emergency: Activate firefly, deploy green (or brown) star cluster, get your wank sock out of your ruck and stand by ’til we come get you.
T&C: All original material published by Breach-Bang-Clear is the copywritten property of Breach-Bang-Clear, Inc. If you wish to repost, republish, or otherwise share our content, feel free to reproduce an extract of up to 225 words and one complete, unaltered image, preceded by attribution crediting the source and author’s name, to include a link to the Breach-Bang-Clear home page, with a link back to the full article on our website, BreachBangClear.com. You do not require our permission to do this. Please do not reproduce our content in its entirety without contacting us first. We do allow full syndication on a case by case basis (credited, and posted with a canonical link, as is common practice and in good form) but only when mutually agreed upon beforehand. If you wish to reproduce a complete article, please contact us for permission to publish first.
About the Author: Josh Orth (“Apocalypse Equipped”) is a second generation expat currently dwelling in the arguably civilized outskirts of Melbourne, Australia. He’s lived in deserts, jungles and urban sprawls around the world and traveled/adventured into assorted inhospitable places all over the globe, from near-dystopian parts to cities to Gabon, West Africa. Thus he has a keen sense of the speed with which the trappings of ‘civilized Western life’ can disappear. This has led him to begin writing about his interests and observations when it comes to the gear, skills and other necessities of self-reliance of being equipped for whatever a capricious, occasionally indurate life might throw at him. This isn’t by any means to say our eccentric friend truly experiences genuine vorfreude about dystopian life, but if he had to he might not complain. Read more by Josh at Apocalypse Equipped.
US Elite Gear has the new lineup of 2018 Dead Bird – gtf on over there and check it out.
MNKF: Boker Subcom F
Alexander Crown
This Monday Night Knife Fight isn’t about a brand new blade. No, this article is about a knife I’ve had for well over ten years. The Boker Plus Subcom F is a micro lockback pocketknife that’s sized for easy everyday carry.
The Boker Plus Subcom line has expanded since I bought mine and now includes numerous blade types. The blades are constructed from AUS-8, a type of steel known for taking and holding an edge. This material is also generally known to cut down sharpening time. The blades are available in standard clip point with or without serrations, a rescue hook (the Rescom model), and even a hawkbill style.
The grip of the knife is made of Zytel, a high-strength nylon resistant to abrasions and impacts. Molded into the grip is a pleasant, not-too-aggressive texturing. The grips are also available in a variety of colors to match your outfit or mood, I suppose.
When unfolded the overall length is 4.625”, and the knife measures .29” at its widest. The knife locks via a frame lock and the blade features an ambidextrous thumb stud for quick deployment. The blade is a flat grind and is .08” thick with a cutting edge of 1.75”. Lastly, the pocket clip is configurable for tip up or down carry.
I can’t say I’ve carried this knife every day for the past ten years, but I do use it often, particularly when I don’t want a large pocket clip showing (for example, while wearing a suit). I’ve found one of the best places to carry this little Boker is inside the waistline of my pants with the clip behind my belt.
I affixed a 550 cord quickdraw piece to the knife many, many years ago, before it was cool. This helps with deployment of the knife from the waistline and in no way is a tacticool fashion statement.
I wouldn’t want to get into a knife fight with this little guy, but it’s proven very useful over the years for cutting mundane boxes, mail, string, etc. I’ve lost this knife on more than one occasion and am always very happy to find it again. For a knife that’s sub-three ounces, costs less than $40, and practically lets you forget you’re carrying it, the Boker Subcom F is worth its weight.
Salomon Boots are 25% off right now at US Elite Gear.
Breach Bang Clear
This has been another pulchritudinous installment of Breach Bang Clear. Breach Bang Clear is the warrior scholar’s choice for commentary and analysis of national and international events, gun news, tactical industry news, and of course gear reviews. Here we embrace the abstruse, encourage civil discourse, meet uninformed dogma with snarktastic vituperation, and always eschew sesquipedalianism. Think and be dangerous.
Contingency: There will be an additional chance to read tactical news, gun reviews, outdoor gear reviews, adventure equipment reviews, and blade pr0n on our Google + account;
Emergency: Activate firefly, deploy green (or brown) star cluster, get your wank sock out of your ruck and stand by ’til we come get you.
T&C: All original material published by Breach-Bang-Clear is the copywritten property of Breach-Bang-Clear, Inc. If you wish to repost, republish, or otherwise share our content, feel free to reproduce an extract of up to 225 words and one complete, unaltered image, preceded by attribution crediting the source and author’s name, to include a link to the Breach-Bang-Clear home page, with a link back to the full article on our website, BreachBangClear.com. You do not require our permission to do this. Please do not reproduce our content in its entirety without contacting us first. We do allow full syndication on a case by case basis (credited, and posted with a canonical link, as is common practice and in good form) but only when mutually agreed upon beforehand. If you wish to reproduce a complete article, please contact us for permission to publish first.
About the Author: Alexander Crown was the littlest big mistake Gemtech ever hired–and they even manage to continue to promote him to higher positions. Prior to his early retirement (caused by an enemy winning a marksmanship award at the cost of his hamstring), Alexander served in the 3/509 PIR out of Ft. Richardson and spent a little time in Iraq. In addition to dabbling in the world of silencers and science fiction, he has a BS in biology and is an avid gardener — like, the kind of gardener Hugh Farnham would appreciate and Alec Holland would envy.
The Buck Knives Buckmaster 184 big-ass survival knife – yeah, we have a couple. Don’t judge us.
Apparently, the 80s were a weird time for the “tactical” community. With larger than life heroes like Arnold, Stallone, and Weathers, I suppose it only makes sense that a knife like this came about.
The Buckmaster 184 Survival Knife – it’s a bit of a beast. Some guys can pull it off though…
The Buck Knives Buckmaster 184 is a huge, heavy survival knife. The blade is 425 modified stainless steel and measures 7 ½” long and ¼” thick. Three different cutting surfaces are applied to the blade: the standard straight edge graces the front of the blade, a serrated edge is nested on the top half of the back, and the venerable sawback adorns the bottom half. So you can pretty much cut anything.
Kinda makes you want to head off to Val Verde and hunt Latin American dictators, don’t it?
The hollowed handle is also stainless steel, and is home to the threaded guard (more on that later). The handle is sealed with an O-ring and would make a nice place to store firestarting materials, or a shot of whiskey, but we don’t judge. The pictured example is accompanied by OD green 550 cord, because what survival knife is complete without that beautiful seven-stranded mistress we all know and love? Tip to tip the Buckmaster is 12 ½” long and weighs a whopping 23.8 ounces. With sheath, it tips the scales at just over two pounds. The end of the handle also features a lanyard attaching point for more 550 cord.
Buckmaster 184 Survival Knife with case – you can still get the hard shell on Amazon (but not the pig-sticker).
The sheath accompanying the Buckmaster is a heavyweight plastic and has two removable pouches for more survival paraphernalia. The knife originally included a Silva compass on a red lanyard, which fit perfectly in one of the pouches. The other holds the other more noteworthy feature of this knife, which we’ll address later. The ballistic nylon accessory pouches fit to the sheath via Velcro that wraps around the back and shields the embedded sharpening stone. The sheath also has places for more 550 cord tie downs, most likely for the survivalist’s leg.
Buckmaster 184 Survival Knife and case…either of which would make a fine cudgel.
But what is easily the best part of the substantial knife? The threaded guard mentioned earlier is for two large tines. Supposedly this somewhat unique addition was for anchoring divers in place (this knife was at some point issued to SEALs, from what I understand). Most others say this feature is for making the knife into a grappling hook. I know what you’re thinking: “That’s a bad idea.” I agree, and I would never use this knife as a grappling hook, ever. I can only imagine the knife coming loose and shooting into the top of your head with all 1.5 pounds of steel.
Most “survival” knives nowadays are more reminiscent of bushcraft styles like Moras, ESEEs, and several others, making the beefy Buckmaster a bit outdated (but nonetheless awesome). I mean, who doesn’t want a freaking grappling hook with them all the time?
Why? For the VIP Gear Whore Buyers Club, obviously. Exclusive discounts up to 50% off all kinds of gear. Unrivaled camaraderie where we only make fun of you most of the time. And to help us keep the lights on.
Gear Whore Buyers Club participants currently include: Grey Ghost Gear, Tactical Tailor, Flagrant Beard, and Propper International
Tonight’s Monday Night Knife Fight comes to you as part of our everyman/everywoman series – which we run whenever we remember to do so. With Mother’s Day coming up fast, we thought it apropos. This MNKF isn’t about a gozillion dollar handcrafted blade, written by one of our badasses. Nope, this one is a look at the SwissCard, from Victorinox, by someone who is a Plain Jane (well, she’s far from plain) end user who wants to tell you about it. Enjoy. Meanwhile we shall begin seducing her into sordid and sultry alliterative lexiphanicism. Mad Duo
US Elite Gear has the new lineup of 2018 Dead Bird – gtf on over there and check it out.
MNKF: Any way You Slice It, Go SwissCard
Sharon Durand
BLUF: I’m not a knife person, but I’m well aware of their value.
Knives are useful, even a necessity, for both work and defense, but I’ll admit some of them intimidate me. Even the seemingly innocuous ones. The idea of cutting myself makes my skin crawl. I believe I’d rather be shot than stabbed, given the choice, though neither prospect is terribly appealing.
Borderline aichmophobia aside, a knife should be part of your everyone’s everyday carry (EDC). If I still have your attention after my ridiculous but honest disclaimer, allow me to introduce for your consideration my EDC; the SwissCard, by Victorinox.
Wait, what? Swiss…Card? Yes indeed. A few years back I was in the habit of carrying a Swiss Army knife on my keychain. Then one night while shopping at Target, I came across the SwissCard. It’s not just a pocketknife, it’s a compact multi-tool with scissors, tweezers, toothpick, nail file, pressurized ballpoint pen, and stainless steel pin. All that functionality is stored in a surprisingly durable plastic credit card-esque holder that also doubles as a small ruler up to three inches. It easily fits in a wallet, pocket, or purse.
In terms of protection, with a blade less than three inches in length (2.3 inches to be exact), you’d most certainly get laughed at in a knife fight — right up until you opened an artery. You wouldn’t have to be a typical Breach-Bang-Clear reader ninja type to do some damage, though. The blade itself is surprisingly sharp, and holds a great edge. Mine has retained its sharpness after fifteen-plus years of use, even without sharpening.
Perhaps more importantly, for all you frequent travelers out there – like me – you’ll be pleasantly surprised to know that the SwissCard clears TSA Pre-Check security for domestic air travel. Really. How many knives out there can say that? Having this knife as a form of self-defense on the airplane is certainly better than nothing.
For more everyday practical purposes, I frequently use the blade on the “why is this so damn hard to open?” packages that kids’ toys come in. You now the ones. They always needs to be opened RIGHT NOW. I also use it for such pedestrian things as stray strings on clothing or those pesky tags that clothing companies insist on putting in the most itchy and uncomfortable places.
On a more serious note, I read an Amazon review that said the knife cut through a seatbelt to free a young boy when the belt became tangled and dangerously tight. If true, it shows the utilitarian advantages not just of the SwissCard, but of most all edged tools.
Pros:
• Multi-use tool. I use not only the blade but the scissors, tweezers, and toothpick almost daily. There are also other versions that have different tools like a LED light, magnifying glass, and Phillips screwdrivers.
• Durable Construction. Mine is well over fifteen years old yet you’d never know it by looking at it. And the ballpoint pen? Somehow it still works. What is this sorcery?!
• Compact and discreet. It will fit in credit card slots in wallets or in pockets. No one will realize you’re carrying a potentially lethal (again, ninja types!) weapon in what looks like a thicker credit card.
• Clears TSA Pre-Check Security for domestic travel.
• Price. At around $30 on Amazon, you get a lot of functionality for your money in one compact card!
Cons:
• The 2.3” blade is not intended for heavy-duty use or self-defense.
• Not manly (or womanly for the knife loving ladies out there) enough!
Overall, the Victorinox SwissCard suits my basic EDC needs. The $25 I paid for it at Target was small price to pay for the value it has brought me over the years of use.
US Elite Gear is a member of JTF Awesome.
I highly recommend it for anyone who doesn’t want to carry a larger knife or multi-tool but still wants the functionality for everyday life.
SPECS:
• .2” x 3.2”
• 0.9 ounces
• Comes in transparent black, red, blue, and ice blue
Emergency: Activate firefly, deploy green (or brown) star cluster, get your wank sock out of your ruck and stand by ’til we come get you.
About the Author: Sharon Durand is an avid outdoorswoman who is #tacticalbyassociation. An auditor by day, wife and mother by night, she’s fairly certain her husband married her for either her fried chicken or her skill with an HK USP .45…perhaps both. Sharon prefers a Winchester lever gun to most any AR and uses her 6′ 3″ Wonder Woman tall girl powers mostly for good.
This article made possible by JTF Awesome member Armageddon Gear (and their Boss Redneck former Ranger founder).
MNKF: Colonel Blades
Alexander Crown
I was told at a young age to, “…never do anything without a knife.” This has proven sage counsel in the years since. Thus, except for those occasions when I’ve been disarmed by the sad, prufrockian functionaries running the TSA, I always have a knife on me. Over the years these knives have changed from multi-tools to automatics to small folders to fixed blades.
Of late (and out of pure laziness) I’ve been daily carrying a Spyderco Endura 4 for its lightweight and slim profile. However I’ve been pondering the wisdom of throwing a fixed blade knife into the EDC rotation, so when Colonel Blades (@colonel_blades) asked for a couple of us to report on their knives I jumped at the chance.
There were two blades inside the package I received from Colonel; the LowVz Colonel kit and the Full Bird kit. The Full Bird was sent along to another Minion for a longer term review, while I retained the LowVz.
Colonel Blades are fighting knives, plain and simple. They’re dubbed the “Blade made for Shooters,” which is apparent by the distinctive shape.
Specifications:
Blade Material: N690Co steel
Blade thickness: .2” (at thickest point)
Blade OAL: 2.75”
Coating: QPQ (Quench Polish Quench)
Grip Size: 3.5”
Grip Material: G10 with jimping
Sheathe: Kydex
Trainer: Injection molded plastic
N690Co steel is a popular material for higher end knives and is also used in making surgical instruments. It can be hardened to desirable levels and can still be sharpened relatively easily. The LowVz is a compact sized knife for easy carry and concealment but also large enough to fit the hand without feeling like you’re holding a banana. The coating on the blade is a durable QPQ which is well known for lubricity, durability, and corrosion resistance. G10 and kydex are pretty standard these days in well-made knives.
As soon as I got the blade and adjusted the G-Code sheathe, I did the most hardcore gunfighter thing I could think of. I shoved it in my pants and went to a 3 hour long meeting. The Colonel Blade has been hailed by other reviewers for its ability to wear like a pistol. As I usually carry AIWB with a Glock 19, I simply put the blade on the opposite (left) side and sat for the next 3 hours going over spreadsheets and PowerPoints.
At first the feel of the knife was evident and distracting, but just as my mind grew numb to the endless numbers and graphs, so my pliable dad bod grew accustomed to the new piece of EDC.
Now, realistically the Colonel Blade is meant for fighting. However, despite wearing it for several weeks now, I’ve yet to encounter a situation that actually calls for knife fighting — so I can’t tell you how well it performs when called upon to carve some miscreant into portable pieces. What I can give you are my impressions of it.
While it might functionally be doing the blade a disservice, the Colonel does make for a decent everyman’s EDC knife, particularly given the strength and thickness of the blade. I have used it to open packages of (course) and even to pry open some crates, which it did well. To me, an EDC blade has to do more than just stick bad guys. It needs to be a utility tools that can dig holes, cut various materials, break glass, etc.
The Colonel is a robust blade and can handle these tasks without issue, although some might find a more conventional knife better suited.
The Colonel ships with an injection molded trainer that is blunt tipped and shorter than the actual blade, which is a nice touch. This of course is so you do not develop training scars by not having full blade thrust into the target receiver.
Final tally? The Colonel LowVz Kit is a great option for folks that want to carry a fixed blade knife comfortably every day. The unique shape does require some getting used to and to be truly proficient you will (like with any new fighting implement) need to hammer out a lot of reps. Luckily the guys that designed it included a trainer and made it ergonomically similar to that thing so near and dear to so many of us all, the Glock 19.
You can find Colonel Blades online at ColonelBlades.com and also on Facebook, /colonelblades/.
Please note: the pictures here are of the NCO which is made in Taiwan.
This article was brought to you today in its edificationally edificacious totality (we made those words up) by Armageddon Gear – “Pray you never need gear this good.”
Follow Armageddon Gear on Instagram, @armageddongear.
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Emergency: Activate firefly, deploy green (or brown) star cluster, get your wank sock out of your ruck and stand by ’til we come get you.
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About the Author: Alexander Crown was the littlest big mistake Gemtech ever hired–and they even manage to continue to promote him to higher positions. Prior to his early retirement (caused by an enemy winning a marksmanship award at the cost of his hamstring), Alexander served in the 3/509 PIR out of Ft. Richardson and spent a little time in Iraq. In addition to dabbling in the world of silencers and science fiction, he has a BS in biology and is an avid gardener — like, the kind of gardener Hugh Farnham would appreciate and Alec Holland would envy.
About the Author: Josh Orth (“Apocalypse Equipped”) is a second generation expat currently dwelling in the arguably civilized outskirts of Melbourne, Australia. He’s lived in deserts, jungles and urban sprawls around the world and traveled/adventured into assorted inhospitable places all over the globe, from near-dystopian parts to cities to Gabon, West Africa. Thus he has a keen sense of the speed with which the trappings of ‘civilized Western life’ can disappear. This has led him to begin writing about his interests and observations when it comes to the gear, skills and other necessities of self-reliance of being equipped for whatever a capricious, occasionally indurate life might throw at him. This isn’t by any means to say our eccentric friend truly experiences genuine vorfreude about dystopian life, but if he had to he might not complain. Read more by Josh at 
