I’ve been a knife consumer and collector for many of my life. Over the past 4 a long time and alter, I’ve owned extra knives than anybody would wish for ten lifetimes. A few of them bought a variety of use, some had been carried only a bit right here and there, and some had been extra for present than the rest. I imply, there simply isn’t a lot name for a dagger in my day-to-day life, y’know? However they positive are cool.
If I had been pressured to do away with my knife assortment and will solely save 5, these are those I’d hold. These are my journey or die blades.
Phoenix – Dan Tope
Dan Tope is one in every of my favourite knife makers. He has an infinite vary of great-looking and really practical designs. The Phoenix is a mix of two fashions, the Lynx and the TDC (Tope Every day Carry). That is what I’d name a semi-custom knife. The Phoenix is one in every of Dan’s customary fashions, however the purchaser decides the metal, deal with materials, and such. Mine is CPM 154 metal with aged linen micarta deal with scales.
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The Phoenix is 8.75 inches from finish to finish, with a 4.5-inch blade. It weighs 3.9 ounces. The bottom worth of the Phoenix is $325, which doesn’t embrace a sheath. I exploit Pores and skin Bender Leather-based Works for nearly all of my {custom} sheaths. They made the one proven right here.
If I had been to design a knife from the bottom up, it will most likely find yourself wanting so much just like the Phoenix. It’s snug, with loads of attain for something I would must do with a knife.
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Fox River EXT-1 – Bark River Knives
Based mostly in Escanaba, Michigan, Bark River Knives produces a dizzying variety of knives yearly. One in every of their hallmarks is how they’ll make the most of dozens of various deal with supplies in a given run of knives. You’ll discover their fashions in every part from micarta and G10 to mammoth, burls, carbon fiber, and extra.
The Fox River EXT-1 is one in every of their customary fashions. The unique Fox River was designed to be the quintessential looking knife. The EXT-1 added a little bit of size, thickness, and curve to the deal with, making the knife much more ergonomic. It measures 8.625 inches in general size. The blade is 4.125 inches. All in, the knife weighs about 5.0 ounces, although this will change barely based mostly on the deal with materials.
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The Fox River EXT-1 is a superb general-use fixed-blade knife. It’s very at residence out within the subject in addition to round the home.
Redhawk – Tactile Knife Co.
That is the most recent of the bunch. I’ve solely had the Redhawk for a couple of months, however it’s earned a everlasting place within the EDC rotation. It was produced by Tactile Knife Co. and designed by Taylor Martin from Finest Rattling EDC. Within the time I’ve had it, the Redhawk has confirmed to be an eminently succesful EDC knife.
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It’s 6.9 inches lengthy, with a 2.75-inch MagnaCut blade. It has a tumbled end, which I like as a result of scratches don’t present up simply. And let’s face it, when you’re going to EDC a knife, it’s most likely going to get scratched. I actually just like the inexperienced micarta deal with scales, too.
The Redhawk comes with a pleasant Kydex sheath with an awesome pocket clip. Personally, if given a free and open selection, I’ll at all times go for leather-based over Kydex. That mentioned, the Redhawk sheath is completely appropriate right here.
The Redhawk runs $229 and is value each penny.
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Mess Maker – Vehement Knives
This knife is the results of a confluence of some fascinating tangents. Matt Martin, the maker behind Vehement Knives, is thought for designing beautiful knives which might be additionally sensible and have use in the actual world. His spouse, Jenna Martin, isn’t only a world-class leathersmith with Pores and skin Bender Leather-based Works; she’s additionally an unimaginable prepare dinner.
Discovering the utility knives obtainable in the marketplace missing in a technique or one other, she requested Matt to provide you with one thing appropriate. Thus was born the Mess Maker. She posted about it on Fb, and I knew I needed to have one for myself. To the perfect of my data, there are solely a handful of those Mess Makers out on the earth.
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It’s 8.5 inches lengthy with a 4-inch CPM 154 metal blade. It’s, undoubtedly, one of many nicest knives I’ve ever owned. Whereas that is completely a kitchen knife, I might simply see carrying it as an EDC. It seems to be wonderful, however it additionally slices like a laser beam. It’s one of many few knives that nobody else in my house is allowed to make use of.
This was a {custom} order from Vehement Knives. Sadly, their books are closed for the foreseeable future.
Violin – Night time Watch Knives
I’ve mentioned earlier than that Alex Harrison, the maker behind Night time Watch Knives, has no enterprise being as proficient as he’s, given the comparatively quick period of time he’s been making knives professionally. He’s devoted to the craft, and it reveals in his work.
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I personal a number of of Alex’s knives, however the Violin is much and away my favourite. It’s simply elegant. It’s 7.75 inches lengthy, and the blade is 3.5 inches. It options the Night time Watch Knives Warfare Wash end on the metal. It is a floor therapy utilizing a chemical etch. The brass guard actually provides some pop to it. I posted a full assessment of this knife not way back.
Alex takes orders for {custom} work frequently, however he additionally does small runs of varied fashions, together with the Violin. I imagine the Violin begins at $400.
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