Knives Illustrated

“See, you did it all by yourself.” We’ve said that many times to our kids to voice our pride and boost their confidence as they’ve reached milestones in their growth, whether it was the first time they tied their shoes or rode a bike without us racing along holding on to the back of the seat. As adults, part of the allure of knives, I think, is that they are tools that give us the ability to handle little jobs that, in turn, give us the confidence to tackle life’s bigger challenges. Whether it’s something as simple as opening a package or cutting a string, knives provide us with a certain satisfaction in knowing that we’re capable and handy, that we can accomplish useful things all by ourselves. In this issue, we have…

1. Boker Plus Shovel M1874 I know knives, axes, and even machetes are probably sexier tools, but a good shovel is an invaluable tool around camp or tucked away in your truck or Jeep. Whether digging catholes, drainage trenches or fire pits, or clearing your campsite, it’ll do jobs that your other tools can’t— while still doing a lot of the chopping and cutting that they can. I’ve tried all sorts of folding shovels, and have a good bit of time spent with a military tri-fold entrenching tool, but I always come back to a fixed-handle shovel. The old military styles with the wooden handle are my preference, as the straight handles also let you use the shovel edges like an axe or machete to chop roots and branches, clear out…

Have you ever spotted a knife, say in a catalog or on a website, and you just can’t get it out of your head? Maybe it’s the blade profile that catches your eye. Or the handle is shaped just right and seems perfect for your hand. Whatever it is, that knife is never far from your mind. That’s what happened to me the first time I came across the Sparrow. I stumbled upon it while searching for something else and knew in an instant I had to get my hands on one. However, as is all too often the case when it comes to being a knife collector, my wants at the time exceeded the size of my wallet. So, I had to bide my time for a bit until the…

“THE BIT WAS VERY SHARP FROM THE BEGINNING AND THAT WAS A WELCOME FEATURE THAT YOU DON’T FIND ON INFERIOR AXES AND HATCHETS.” New, up-and-coming companies in the edged-tool industry tend to get lots of attention as if they have somehow reinvented the cutting edge. But what about the companies that turn out quality products based on more traditional designs and have done so consistently well over many years? Hults Bruk is one of those companies that keeps providing top products that perform year after year with little fanfare. How long have the people there been doing it? This Swedish axe company has been in business since 1697. How’s that for longevity? I figured they must be doing something right, so I decided to find out for myself. On looking over the…

T wo legends in the outdoors industry, Robert Young Pelton and William W. Harsey, came together to create a knife to honor a hero, Army Special Forces and CIA paramilitary legend Billy Waugh. Robert once asked Billy, “Which knives did you use [during your service], and what did you wish you had?” The answer was an Army-issued, stainless steel folding pocketknife called the DEMO. Thus, it seemed only fitting that the Pelton-Harsey knife collaboration would feature a knife by the same name. RYP DESIGN RYP Design is a newer venture for which Robert Young Pelton partners up with designers and legends to create products that are unique, ranging from books to graphic novels, and knives to survival designs. Robert recruited another Special Forces legend, William W. Harsey, to honor a hero and legend of…

Several years ago at a knife trade show, I saw a table full of rustic knives and one very large Parang. A sign there read PB&J Handmade Knives, which were made in the USA. I thought it was an interesting name; I always liked peanut butter and jelly as a kid. PB&J comprises three guys: brothers Phillip and Barry Jones, and Jake Kirks. The P stands for Phillip, the B stands for Barry, and the J stands for Jake—all coming together to make up PB&J Handmade Knives. “IF YOU AREN’T USING YOUR OWN KNIVES, HOW CAN YOU EXPECT YOUR CLIENTS TO?” — BARRY JONES“THE HANDLE WAS COMFORTABLE, AND THE BLADE WAS BEYOND SHARP.” THE PB&J WAY These guys like cooking just about as much as I do. Be it indoors or outdoors, PB&J…