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Archive | Knives
ESEE 5&6 Custom Handles from T-K-C
The-Knife-Connection (T-K-C) has expanded its line of custom handle slabs for ESEE knives once again. Their custom scales for the ESEE 5 and ESEE 6 are now available.
The handles on the stock ESEE 5 and 6 are some of the most comfortable in the ESEE line but there are some out there who prefer a more contoured handle over the flat scales that come standard on the 5 and 6. The drop-in custom handle scales from T-K-C feature pronounced swells to lock the hand in place. They also have a slight texture to increase grip. On top of all of the functional issues, if we are being completely honest, there are many out there who will prefer the looks of the new T-K-C handles. Some people just can’t help customizing their gear.
Check out the new scales at The-Knife-Connection.
Blade Rigs Knife Sheaths
The vast majority of kydex knife sheaths on the market are fold over designs or simply two pieces of kydex sandwhiched over the knife. Both styles are typically secured with large rivets that, while handy for attaching things, add a lot of width to the sheath which can make them less comfortable for certain types of carry.
Blade Rigs can make you a sheath like the ones mentioned above but they also build some really slick purpose built sheaths that are very unique. Their IWB and Pocket sheaths both use smaller rivets that really cut down on the bulk of the sheath. This makes them much better suited to their intended carry methods than typical sheaths.
The Blade Rigs IWB Kydex Sheath features a steel clip that can be used to secure the sheath in a number of ways. They can be attached to belts of various sizes, MOLLE webbing and even belt loops. The sheath is molded so that the knife can be inserted with the edge oriented in either direction. These sheaths seem to be very well suited to center line carry for some classic back up knives like the Gerber Guardian, Cold Steel Braveheart, and the Gryphon M-10.
The Pocket Sheath features a hooked cutout that is used during the presentation to snag the sheath to remove it on the way out of the pocket. The sheath is stippled to serve as a push off point for removing the sheath and as an index point so you can tell by touch how your knife is oriented.
You can find more information at BladeRigs.com.
TOPS Knives Machete .230
Those of you who have been reading JTT for a while will know that I am a big fan of machetes as general purpose outdoors tools. In my corner of the world a good machete can nearly replace a hatchet and fixed blade knife for most camp chores. This is even true for places that aren’t what you typically picture when you think of machete country.
TOPS Knives just introduced a new machete option that has all the hallmarks of a great tool – the Machete .230. The new machete is a collaboration between TOPS Knives and Joe Flowers who knows more than a thing or two about machetes, the outdoors, and survival skills. Joe is somewhat of a machete apologist and much of my own appreciation for them as a tool, even in North American forests, comes from his influence.
The Machete .230 has several features that set it apart from other high end machetes. One of the most interesting features to me is that this machete is 100% made in the USA. This is extremely uncommon among machetes. Typically, the best quality machetes come out of South America which is no surprise given their prominence there.
The handle also sets the Machete .230 apart. It features micarta handle slabs and a distinct long shape. Micarta is tough stuff that is more than capable of standing up to abuse in the woods. The long handle shape allows the user to choke up on the blade for maximum control for tasks like notching or the user can slide lower on the grip to maximize chopping power. In addition to the handle that allows choking up, the ability of this machete to do detail work is enhanced by the fact that the sharpened edge comes much closer to the handle on the Machete .230 than a typical machete. In skilled hands, this machete can do anything from fine work like creating deadfalls to rough work like splitting wood for a fire.
The handle also features an interesting set of 3 lanyard holes that allows for some unique lanyard configurations. A lanyard is often a good idea on a machete, especially when working around other people. Large sharp knives flying through the air unexpectedly in the presence of polite company is rarely a good thing.
The Machete .230 has a 15 3/4″ long, 1/8″ thick 1095 steel blade. 1095 is a classic machete steel (and an all around great cutlery steel). The much loved US military issue machetes that are manufactured by Ontario Knife Company have long proven 1095’s suitability as a machete steel.
Very few machetes come with serviceable sheaths. The Machete .230 comes with what looks like a more than decent sheath. The sheath offers full coverage for the blade, can be belt worn, and has two pouches so that you can add sharpeners or survival kit items.
The Machete .230 from TOPS Knives is one of the slickest machetes that I have seen in quite some time. I hope to be able to spend some quality time with one soon. Check out the Machete .230 on TOPSKnives.com.
Multitasker Series 2X
I fell in love with the Multitasker Series 2 last year. Since I received it, I haven’t been to the range without it and I use it at home frequently when working on my ARs (and other things). I guess that I was so absorbed in my Series 2 that I forgot to mention that the Series 2X is now available.
The Multitasker Series 2X offers several great improvements over the Series 2. The most noticeable of which are the new larger and beefier jaws. The Series 2 had really fine teeth that were very grippy, but not necessarily the best for gripping items with large angular surfaces like large bolts. The Series 2X has teeth that would make a T-Rex jealous. These will definitely grip just about anything you can throw at them. The wire cutters have also been improved which is saying a lot because they were already pretty darn good.
The Series 2X also features a new pivot design. The Series 2 ball bearing pivot has been replaced with a self lubricating hybrid pivot design that is bull strong and very smooth.
The melonite coating of the Series 2 has been replaced with a more durable PVD or Titanium Nitride coating. This new coating will offer increased wear resistance versus the melonite treatment that was used originally.
Glock shooters will find the 2X to be more useful. It will come with a 3/32″ punch attachment that replaces the cleaning pick that was found on the Series 2 (except for the Brownells models which will still feature the cleaning pick). Many Glock shooters will know that a 3/32″ punch is basically the only tool needed to detail strip a Glock down to small parts.
The Series 2X is a worthy successor to the Series 2. Get all the latest Multitasker information at MultitaskerTools.com and at the Multitasker Tools Facebook Page. You can purchase your own Multitasker Series 2X from TacStrike.
You can also check out the earlier Series 2 at Brownells.