Show Us Your Knife (And Pipe)

[BriaronBoerum]

There is a well known knife guy named Ben Peterson. He worked for Blade HQ for years. He was one of their youtube guys. Then he went to work for WE knives, which include Civivi and Sencut.
I met him at Blade Show West years ago, and we became friends. Its impossible to not like Ben.
Look him up if you dont believe me.
A few years ago he started his own knife company called Knafs.
He is a very goofy guy. The name comes from the way people in the deep South say knives.....Knafs.
Last year he started a "Kickstarter" to make his first fixed blade. He wanted a small edc knife of great quality, that everyone could afford.
I put in my $35 and kinda forgot about it. About 6 months later, I recieved my Knafs Lander 4.
The knife is 5.9 inches, with a 2.5 inch 14c28n drop point blade, and Micarta scales. It comes with a lanyard and brass bead shaped like the Saturn V rocker booster. I removed the lanyard because I like it without. I believe they are around $65. He also has a bunch of free files so you can 3D print your own scales.

The man who designed the Banter gets a lot of respect in my book. Nace Knaf!

 

[Living Luggage]

Here's a springless blackjack I made recently. The knife is one I made in about 91. I was making smallish neck knives and hunters for guys that would come to hunt on the neighboring ranch. The pipe is my oldest Dunhill 5101.

 

[tmc]

 

[Sig]

View attachment 432782

Years ago I left Bark River Gameskeeper in A2 steel stuck in a tree in remote Alaska. After returning to our cabin, I realized I left the knife. This was in 2008 or so. The 8 hour round trip back to the spot was out of the question. There is a near zero percent chance anyone will ever find it.
I have Bravo 1 in 3V but it just sits in a drawer now.

 

[Living Luggage]

Years ago I left Bark River Gameskeeper in A2 steel stuck in a tree in remote Alaska. After returning to our cabin, I realized I left the knife. This was in 2008 or so. The 8 hour round trip back to the spot was out of the question. There is a near zero percent chance anyone will ever find it.
I have Bravo 1 in 3V but it just sits in a drawer now.

Call it prepositioning.....

 

[lelik]

 

[Sig]

I love small edc fixed blades. They have become extremely popular the last few years, and im here for it!
As ive said before, I've carried an Esee Izula 2 sinse the day they came out. Its great around the farm.
But, 99% of the new fixed blades come with crappy sheaths, which are made to be carried on your belt.
I prefer pocket carry. The only truly comfortable way to pocket carry a fixed blade, is in a pancake style leather sheath. But, to buy one of even adequate quality, they cost between $60-$150. Thats ridiculous for a knife that cost $60 in my opinion. Im not saying they arent worth the price. They are handmade to order.
So, with zero experience working with leather, and zero experience making sheaths....I set out to make my own.
I decided to start with making one for my Knafs Lander 4.
I bought a piece of un-died Italian, vegetable tanned, 7-9 ounce leather. I have no idea what any of that meant. Then I bought a tube of rubber cement, and used a Discrete Carry Clip and the inside stting from 550 cord I already had.
With no leather working tools, here's what I ended up with. Mistakes were made, and my next one will be better. I bought enough leather for 2 knives, so this sheath cost me $7. I have to say, it works perfectly.

 

[Sig]

I showed my wife the sheath I made. She asks, "why is it pink?".
Thats all she said....then walked away. She's very supportive of my possible career change.
My answer was that from the little research I did, I learned that some tanning processes and leather dyes can react with blade steel.
The consensus in the sheath world is that vegetable tanned, or tree bark tanned leather is the best. And "raw" undyed is the best.
I could use a safe dye, but I prefer a natural patina.
PINK???? WOW!!

 

[bluegrassbrian]

Got my first Reate made knife yesterday.
Over the last 10 years or so, it was obvious Reate built quality knives with an eye for detail. They, along with WE and a couple others, really elevated the meaning of “Chinese made” in the knife world.
So, up til now they’ve never made a knife that appealed to me AND checked all my detail boxes.

Seems this Steven Kempa design did it for me- the Vulpex VK-anub. (How’s that for a name?)

Copper Dark Matter cf, zirconium clip (!), Elmax blade, front flipper, and absolutely minimal visible hardware.
… and the action is on par with customs that cost triple.
Considering the price, I’m pleased.

Reate doesn’t skimp on the packaging either- included in the padded box was a Torx wrench, extra washers/screws, a sticker, a Velcro patch, and a COA with DOB lasered on to a square of titanium.

 

[Speak Easy]

Got my first Reate made knife yesterday.
Over the last 10 years or so, it was obvious Reate built quality knives with an eye for detail. They, along with WE and a couple others, really elevated the meaning of “Chinese made” in the knife world.
So, up til now they’ve never made a knife that appealed to me AND checked all my detail boxes.

Seems this Steven Kempa design did it for me- the Vulpex VK-anub. (How’s that for a name?)

Copper Dark Matter cf, zirconium clip (!), Elmax blade, front flipper, and absolutely minimal visible hardware.
… and the action is on par with customs that cost triple.
Considering the price, I’m pleased.

Reate doesn’t skimp on the packaging either- included in the padded box was a Torx wrench, extra washers/screws, a sticker, a Velcro patch, and a COA with DOB lasered on to a square of titanium.

View attachment 435031View attachment 435032View attachment 435033

That copper dark matter is sick!