I have been fascinated by Damascus knives for a long time. And I’m not alone. The allure of Damascus steel has long captivated craftsmen and enthusiasts alike with its unique patterns reminiscent of flowing water. Yet, with its growing popularity in the knife market, distinguishing a real Damascus knife from a cleverly crafted imitation has …
In the vast universe of bladed tools and weapons, there are numerous categories, types, and designs that often overlap and intertwine. Among them, two items often interchanged and occasionally misunderstood are knives and daggers. Both have been integral in human history for a variety of uses, including but not limited to hunting, preparing food, and …
When thinking of Italy, pizza and pasta may come to mind, but there’s another item to add to the list: Italian stilettos and switchblades. These two knives have a controversial history, having been linked to World Wars, and are currently restricted in many regions. However, their craftsmanship is impressive, and they have unique properties and …
Since its invention by Stephanie Kwolek at DuPont in the 60s, Kevlar has taken the tactical world by storm. Because it can provide a high level of protection for its (relatively light) weight it has become the go-to for militaries, law enforcement agencies, and backyard weirdos. With its excellent track record against violent crimes worldwide …
There aren’t many things more exhilarating in the world of knife collecting than finding a high-quality knife from a brand you’ve never heard of. This happened to me recently as I found a locked-up pocket knife in my 98-year-old grandpa’s basement. I was convinced that it was a 1930s Case XX with stag handles so …
Every kid has someone they want to impress and, for me, it was my uncle. He was old and crusty but he was also loud and opinionated so everyone wanted him to approve of what they were doing. It was just easier. So when I got my first pocket knife, he was one of the …
One of my best memories as a kid is visiting family in Idaho every holiday. I’m sure the food was great, but the most exciting thing we did was look for obsidian pieces and arrowheads. There was a site on my family’s land where we found dozens of 200+-year-old arrowheads that were still sharp enough …
Knives are considered a man’s (or woman’s) best friend. Why? They are versatile and come in handy for a variety of conditions. Knives are useful for hunting, hiking, camping, and self-defense. Whether you’re buying your knife for self-defense, combat purposes, or to be used as a weapon against wild animals when you go hiking in …
The number of women who carry pocket knives has risen in recent years. In fact, a recent report by BBC shows that the number has gone up by 73% over the past five years. But while the statistics look impressive to self-defense advocates, many people have questioned whether women should really carry pocket knives or …
In a perfect world, the main difference between a good knife and a bad knife would simply be the cost. Pay more, and get a better knife. However, that’s not even remotely true. There are very good knives available at bargain prices and knives that border on unusable but will set you back an entire …