I recently reviewed the Hard Ready HR-1, a knife that I praised for being a very affordable defensive knife with a useable sheath and a trainer. The HR-1 is very affordable for a dedicated defensive knife but there is another more improvised option that beats even the HR-1 away on affordability… thanks to Engines of Mayhem.
Engines of Mayhem makes an array of items around the theme of ultra-affordable defensive knives including everything you need to start training with and carrying the now ubiquitous Victorinox Bird’s Beak Paring Knife that was largely popularized by Ed Calderon of Ed’s Manifesto. This includes modifications to the knife itself, inert trainers for the knife, and kydex sheaths.
Best of all, they do this more affordably than anyone else. After all, the low cost of procuring one of these knives is part of the entire point of the concept.
If you are interested in trying out the fruit knife “concept”, Engine of Mayhem makes it easy to dip your toes in the water. They offer just the pocket sheath for those who want to modify their own fruit knives all the way up to packages that include the knife, sheath, and a trainer. You can even order a separate sheath that fits just the trainer. All of these options are inexpensive.
I recently placed an order for the full kit (knife, trainer, and pocket sheath). I also requested a sheath for the trainer (it doesn’t fit the live blade sheath). They are made to order so it can take a couple of weeks to receive your order depending on timing but I am very pleased. I definitely recommend spending a little extra on the sheath for the trainer as drawing this knife is likely a little different than what you are used to.
The Skylark series of knives from WELmade Knives consists of a single design in multiple finish options. It’s design is both practical and radical… brutish and refined. It’s a very visual knife that is aimed squarely at the everyday carry (EDC) market and comes with everything you need to add it to your EDC right out of the box.
Overview
The Skylark is crafted for WELmade knives by Dauntless MFG. If you are familiar with Dauntless MFG, you’ll know they bring a custom level of fit and finish to both the knives and sheaths that they craft.
It features a 3.24″ long blade with a modified tanto/recurve shape that is ground from 154-CPM steel. This full-tang construction knife is 7″ long overall and weighs 5.5 ounces with the included kydex sheath. It is available with multiple handle scale options including the black G-10 over white G-10 liners on my example. The handle screws are blue anodized titanium.
Observations from Use
The Skylark is a striking knife – not just in the design but also in the details. The shape is eye-catching and very unique. The stone-washed blade finish looks great and the handle treatment brings to mind a tuxedo. The pop of color from the screws is subtle depending on the light but it makes you take a second look when they catch the sun. I just like looking at it and I have told others that I am not cool or classy enough to carry a knife like this.
Thankfully, WELmade Knives intends for you to do more than look at this knife. The blade shape, while unconventional, is very useful. The recurve section catches things like twine and cuts it aggressively. The leading edge has a slight amount of belly and reminds me of a chef’s knife or a kiridashi in how it orients in the hand and lays on a cutting board. The high flat grind makes this knife surprisingly “slicey” and the swedge grind gives a very strong, useful, and acute point. I would probably prefer a flat section of edge to the small section of recurve but I can’t deny that this blade shape wants to work.
The handle on this knife looked small to me in pictures but looks are deceiving. WELmade Knives gave us some nice, thick scales. It is actually quite hand-filling while still remaining compact for carry. The handles are mostly round but with flats that prevent the knife from turning in the hand. The finger choil behind the well-rounded guard is somewhat compact but works well for my average-sized hands. It might be a little cramped for sausage fingers. I easily fit all 4 fingers on the handle and find it to be comfortable for edge-out and edge-in grips.
The sheath that is included with the Skylark is excellent. It is a fold-over, kydex sheath that is very compact. It is machined to fit the contours of the knife perfectly and the included Discreet Carry Concepts clip makes it very easy to clip on and go. It carries well in a pocket or on your belt line. Dauntless MFG is well-known for their sheaths and sheaths like this are the reason why that is. It’s very well designed.
This offset rivet in the sheath is one of the keys to how well the Skylark carries.
There are a lot of thoughtful touches on this knife that really only come out when you spend time with it. It has a nifty shallow thumb rest on the top that falls naturally and comfortably under the thumb. This ramp provides just a little more control for cuts in both directions. I also appreciate how the shape of the handle sort of grips the first 3 fingers with a broad, shallow finger groove which also works in concert with the thumb ramp to provide more purchase for both push and pull cuts. The tapered shape of the handle lets the user orient the edge to a flat surface easily while providing clearance for the knuckles. Finally, the sheath itself has a clever offset rivet that makes it so the clip can ride more vertically and closer to the centerline. This is extremely clever and really improves how the knife carries.
Nothing is perfect. As good as this knife is, it could be even better. It works really well in a pinch grip so it would be nice if the scales were relieved just a little bit to better support this useful grip. The edges of the sheath were a little sharp around the opening and these edges can be pushed into your side when the knife is out of the sheath. I trimmed the sharp parts easily but it would be nice if that was already done.
Wrap Up
This is a visually striking knife that is easy to carry and offers a ton of utility in a small amount of space. The quality and design touches exude pure class but the materials and shape beg for work. If you are looking for a unique fixed blade for EDC that is both gentlemanly and rugged, the WELmade Knives Skylark has to be on your radar.
Beez Combat Systems just released a video that gives a detailed look at their new Antenna Relocation Pouch. The new pouch gives the user a lot of options and flexibility when integrating a radio into their plate carrier.
The Antenna relocation pouch is 100% laser cut and manufactured in the United States. The antenna relocation pouch is designed to fit a wide variety of different style antennae, wires and cord and mounts vertically to help keep the wearer free from the hassle of common issues when operating comms. The elastic band comfortably secures the antenna while the 1″ x 3.5″ Velcro loop secures the base of the antenna, wire or cord into place. This pouch is a new piece of equipment that everyone should own.
TangoDown® Inc. is excited to announce the color expansion for the TD® AK BATTLEGRIP®. The new colors are available for the BG-AK (with storage plug) and BG-AKOE (without storage). We’re pleased to offer the grips in the following colors: Bakelite Orange; Dark Red; and Dark Plum. To learn even more about the AK BATTLEGRIP® options, see the links below.
After a number of years of being one of the top rated LPVO’s on Optics Planet, the XP8 has been reborn into the illustrious OPMOD EDITION line up from Optics Planet. Joining the ranks of Steiner, EOTech, Vortex, and more. The FDE Cerakoted Atibal XP8 1-8×24 SFP OPMOD EDITION low power variable optic is not only highly versatile, but it is also highly durable.
The Atibal XP8 1-8x is one of the most versatile 1x variable scopes on the market with the Atibal Rapid View Lever allowing you to make lightning fast magnification changes. This optic was made for 3 gunners in mind!
The XP8 utilizes the Diamond Tactical Reticle (DTR) with a .5 MOA center red dot with a BDC calibrated for 5.56 62gr. ammo. The DTR reticle allows you to quickly obtain your target with the diamond reticle in CQB scenarios and for more precise shots at longer distance with it’s fine .5 moa center red dot.
This LIMITED EDITION OPMOD EDITION optic is only available through OPTICSPLANET.COM, see the link below.
