Dauntless Mfg. is teasing a new axe design that they are developing. The renders show a 13″ overall length with 1/4″ thick steel stock. According to Dauntless Mfg, the steel would likely be 5160 or S7 – both incredibly tough steels.
The design is feature-packed. The spiked head features a deep cutout behind the bit to allow the user to choke up for fine work. The haft has heavy jimping to enhance grip behind the cutting edge.
If you like axes, this is one to watch.
TOPS Knives just released two new cutting tools at two different ends of the size spectrum. Both are additions to two lines for which TOPS is becoming very well known. The Mini Tanimboca Puuko fits well into the bushcraft lineup and the Ucon Hawk is a great addition to their line of hatchets.
TOPS Tanimboca Puukko has been a big success since it was made available in 2017. So, it was only fitting that when Goran approached TOPS about making a mini version, we were interested. The Mini Tanimboca Puukko is a great tool for making bushcraft items (utensils, kuksa, baskets, blow guns, etc. are all things that Goran had in mind with this), whittling around the fire, and even accomplishing some EDC uses.
This knife is smaller than most and has no guard (so use caution). The knife can be held close to the cutting edge and in multiple grips. If you like making things with your hands especially in the woods, this knife is going to be a must-have. It has the classic Puukko look, but in a much, much smaller package. The spine is ground to 90 degrees for scraping tasks. Well-rounded Black Canvas Micarta handles make the handle comfortable despite its size. The brown leather sheath is set up for a tip-down neck carry, but also has a loop that will fit most belts.
The Mini Tanimboca Puukko was designed by Goran Mihajlovic, who also designed the original one made by TOPS. Goran is originally from Serbia but grew up in Germany. He has lived in Colombia now for many years. He owns a nature reserve called Tanimboca that houses hundreds if not thousands of species of plant, animal, and insect. Throughout his entire life, he has been a knife user and enthusiast. In recent years he has begun making knives at his forge in the Amazon jungle. He prefers Puukkos for their ability to perform well at large variety of cutting tasks.
| Overall Length | 4.00″ |
|---|---|
| Blade Length | 1.63″ |
| Cutting Edge | 1.63″ |
| Blade Thickness | 0.090″ |
| Blade Steel | 1095 RC 56-58 |
| Blade Finish | Tumble Finish |
| Handle Material | Black Canvas Micarta |
| Knife Weight | 1.4oz |
| Weight w/ Sheath | 2.6oz |
| Sheath Included | Yes |
| Sheath Material | Brown Leather |
| Sheath Clip | Neck – none |
| Designer | Goran Mihajlovic |
Mini Tanimboca Puuko at TOPSKnives.com
Hatchets have proven their usefulness over the years, time and time again. They are great for splitting smaller pieces of wood, chopping branches, limbs, and even small trees when necessary. They’re helpful when you need to clear a country road of debris and you forgot your chainsaw again. Some people even prefer them to large chopping knives. That’s why the Ucon Hawk was made.
This tool is similar in dimension to the Hammer Hawk, but it is a little lighter and made with 1095 instead of 1075. TOPS famous differential heat treat gives a tool that will be strong and hold its edge very well. The handles are made from a new material that mixes layers of G10 and rubber to provide maximum grip. The portion of the tang between the handle and the bit is rounded allowing the user to choke up for detailed cuts. So this can do all of the jobs of a hatchet and some of the jobs of a knife. It comes with a 2-piece leather sheath so that it can be carried multiple ways with safety in mind. It’s sure to become the go-to hatchet in your collection.
| Overall Length | 15.00″ |
|---|---|
| Blade Length | 4.87″ |
| Cutting Edge | 4.87″ |
| Blade Thickness | 0.250″ |
| Blade Steel | 1095 RC 56-58 |
| Blade Finish | Tumble Finish |
| Handle Material | Orange/Black SureTouch G10 |
| Knife Weight | 31.1oz |
| Weight w/ Sheath | 35.6oz |
| Sheath Included | Yes |
| Sheath Material | Black Leather |
| Sheath Clip | Belt Loop |
| Designer | Leo Espinoza |
Morakniv’s newest addition is the Eldris LightDuty. This new version of the popular Eldris is dimensionally the same but removes a couple of features. It also has a lower price tag to match.
From Morakniv:
Here is a reliable knife for your everyday situations, a small but sharp helper to a wide range of tasks. Even though the blade is only 59 mm long and has a 2 mm thick blade, you can use Eldris LightDuty (S) in the garden, in your workshop, or even in the kitchen. Over and over again. Even though the blade is only 59 mm long and has a 2 mm thick blade, you can use Eldris LightDuty (S) in the garden, in your workshop, or even in the kitchen.
The blade is polished and made of high-quality Swedish stainless steel, and the barrel-shaped handle in polymer provides a secure and stable grip in each cut. Thanks to the material and geometry of the handle, optimal friction is created, which means that the knife always feels right in your hands. The stainless steel blade keeps sharp for a long time and is not affected by moisture or oxides making it perfect for both outdoor or indoor work. The knife can advantageously be supplemented with a belt loop. Eldris LightDuty (S) is a knife to count on, a tool for everyone. Eldris LightDuty (S) is a knife to count on, a tool for everyone.
New Eldris LightDuty (S) is available in the colours Mint Green, Dusty Blue & Dark Grey.
The marketing copy doesn’t really get into how the Eldris LightDuty differs from the original Eldris. There is one cosmetic difference in the available colors but there are two functional differences. The first functional difference is that the LightDuty has a standard Scandi grind, lacking the compound grind of the original Eldris. The second functional difference is that the LightDuty’s spine is not ground sharp for striking a fire steel.
The compound grind is hardly necessary and user’s have been grinding/filing their own sharp spines on Mora knives for years so I imagine this model will be quite popular with users who like the Eldris form but would like to save some cash.
When we reviewed the sleek Resolute Tools X1 Titanium Knife, they were still in the process of crowdfunding. Now they have launched sales for the X1 via their website: ResoluteTools.com
The X1 is such a bleeding-edge exercise in minimalist design, engineering, and material science that I can’t help but wonder what Resolute Tools will cook up next.
We recently mentioned the new Architect Knife Systems Field Buddy 5.5 from The Knife Connection (TKC). Now TKC has already dropped a teaser image for the direction (or directions) that Architect might head next.
The teaser shows a prototype for the Field Buddy 6.5, a knife with the same handle as the 5.5 but a longer blade. It also shows a potentially new grind option for the series in the form of a Scandi grind and a new contoured burlap micarta handle option. TKC has also been floating the idea 3V steel as a new premium steel option. That is a lot of options for a company that already offers a lot of options to the buyer.
Stay tuned for more details on availability.
