Hot Knives & Tools
The knife universe is so diverse today you can pick from a plethora of options to tailor to your needs for the day at hand. Have a low stress day working around the house or office and just need a little something light to unbox packages and such? There’s a knife for that. Going to be around crowds where you feel more comfortable with a tactical EDC at your side? Got you covered. Or does business require you travel in uncharted waters where you might be exposed to the seedy side of life? There are knives for those circumstances, too. Oh, and we’ve also included some hot ones for hunters and survivalists in the great outdoors, too. Check ’em out!
Pro-Tech Malibu Blue
For over two decades Pro-Tech Knives has been known for their automatic, spring-loaded openers, but recently they have been offering de-programmed manual models — the latest being their Malibu series of flipper operators. The 7.50″ overall Pro-Tech Malibu Blue is as clean in design as it is to operate. Its 3.25″ CPM 20CV stainless steel stonewash finished Reverse Tanto blade rolls out like butter on glass via an easy-to-access flipper mechanism atop the rear handle spine. Deploying the blade is as simple using the plunge lock located within easy thumb distance on the Malibu Blue’s attractive 4.5″ anodized handle. Out back is a tip-up pocket clip for easy carry. MSRP for this spic-n-span EDC is $270. ProTechKnives.com
Böker Knives Rangebuster
Böker Knives’ Rangebuster is a thoroughly modernized version of the old traditional Sodbuster farmers’ knife. Böker has given the pattern a whole new life by adding a 3.03″ drop point style blade of top shelf N690 high-end stainless steel, yet retained the classic pocketknife feel with a nail nick for opening. The Rangebuster’s 3.75″ handle has the original’s strong brass “birdseye” pivot, but the profile has a more stylish grip and a lockback mechanism is added for greater safety during blade lock-up. The frame eschews liners for stiff, durable Micarta slabs that lighten the knife’s weight to a welcome 1.52 oz. Green or maroon handle options are available for the Böker Knives Rangebuster at a suggested retail of $229. BokerUSA.com
Bradford Knives G-Necker
Bradford Knives’ G-Necker breaks the mold of common neck knife zeitgeist. While “neckers” are often thought of as bantams of the fixed-blade breed, the G-Necker is crafted of 0.26″ top shelf Bohler-Uddenholm Elmax stainless steel — twice as thick as the norm for such knives. At 6.125″ overall and sporting a 2.874″ flat ground drop point blade, this is not an overly large knife, but its hefty steel expands its ability to perform field and tactical tasks outside the typical neck knife bubble. The G-Necker’s handle has been skeletonized to reduce its weight to a very manageable 2.69 oz. Bradford provides a black Kydex pull-down sheath with a necklace of black paracord. MSRP for the Bradford G-Necker, shown here in Blackwash version, is an affordable $99. BradfordKnives.com
A.G. Russell Light’n Bug
The A.G. Russell Light’n Bug is a feathery ounce of pure pleasure. This little dandy falls into the “dress tactical” category meant for carrying around the office or with your Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes. The 5.75″ (overall) Light’n Bug keeps its weight in check with a 3.40″ handle of Carbon Fiber scales over attractive blade anodized Titanium liners with a liner-lock mechanism to keep the extended blade in check. The Light’n Bug’s 2.50″ spear point blade is black-coated 8Cr13MoV stainless steel and the whole 1.0-oz. package is accented with a gold anodized thumb stud and Torx screws. A blue anodized Titanium pocket clip completes the Light’n Bug. MSRP is $75. AGRussell.com
CRKT Septimo Multi-Tool
Need a multi-tool, but not a big one? Columbia River Knife & Tool answers the call with their new Septimo Multi-Tool. A scant 4.84″ closed, the Septimo houses a 2.86″ Tanto-style blade for general purpose cutting and at its base is a deep Veff serration for ripping through paracord and webbing. The blade rolls out and stays put up via a liner-lock mechanism, and at the opposite end you’ll find an adjustable wrench for tackling nuts and bolts. In addition, there’s a Phillips and flat head screwdriver, bottle opener and glass breaker. Better yet, there’s a pocket clip on the back of the Septimo Multi-Tool for at-the-ready pocket or belt carry. All of this in a handsome black oxide finish for an MSRP of $59.99. CRKT.com
SOG Knives SOG-TAC CA Crimson Auto
Stuck in L.A. with the automatic blues again? SOG Knives can cure your ills with their SOG-TAC CA Crimson Auto. Legal in California, where auto blades over 2″ are banned, the SOG-Tac Mini has a 1.90″ AUS-8 stainless steel Trailing Point blade, black coated for reduced reflectivity. The 3.75″ handle is anodized aluminum colorized in a handsome crimson. There’s an easy-to-locate push-button blade release on the upper front handle and SOG has thoughtfully added a slide safety to keep the blade from accidentally opening during carry. On the back is a handy tip-up pocket clip. Lightweight at a paltry 2.5 oz., the SOG-TAC CA Crimson Auto has a suggested retail of $129.95. SOGKnives.com
White River Knife & Tool Exodus Series
Just when you thought there was nothing new under the sun in outdoor knives, White River Knife & Tool has shed new light on the genre. Originally produced for Exodus Knife & Tool, the White River gang liked their designs so much they decided to offer the Exodus series themselves. The Exodus 3 and 4 models are surprisingly slim. The 3 model checks in at 7.2″ overall, the larger 4 at 8.5″. These are full-tang designs with blades of premium CPM S35VN stainless steel; the Exodus 3 is 3.15″ in length and its big brother’s 3.88″. Their green Linen Micarta handles offer a subtle flare at the ends with a nice palm swell across the mid-section. Black Kydex sheaths are included with the Exodus 3 and 4, and their MSRPs are $155 and $190, respectively. WhiteRiverKnives.com
TOPS Knives Unzipper
At first glance you might think TOPS Knives may have mistakenly sharpened the back side of the blade on their Unzipper model. Have no fear, this is a Pikal “bird’s beak” style fixed-blade designed specifically for close quarters combat. TOPS’ rendition of the fighter is 7.75″ overall, 4.25″ of the total in a wicked 1095 carbon steel blade with a black traction coating. The Unzipper’s handle has a deep choil offering a bounty of finger protection and ribbed black G10 scales make for an excellent grip. The Unzipper tips the scales at 3.8 oz. and a black Kydex belt sheath is included. Suggested retail for this wicked bit of business is $145. TOPSKnives.com
Gerber Gear EXO-MOD SAW
Gerber Gear’s Ex-Mod line of skeletonized knives and tools is their latest in contemporary outdoor offerings. The 7.55″ Exo-Mod Saw struck our fancy as small, compact hunting and camp saws aren’t as common as other gear in the outdoors scene. Light in weight, the 2.6-oz. Exo-Mod Saw has a 4.4″ cutting blade of voracious crosscut teeth sharp enough to make a Piranha blush. A blade stop at the end helps keep the blade focused on the job at hand and the Exo-Mod Saw’s 4.6″ handle has rubberized inserts to take the sting out of extended use. A black molded sheath is perfectly suited for belt or pack carry and blackwash/black handle (shown here) or satin finish/bright orange versions are available. MSRP is $33. GerberGear.com
Spyderco Pacific Salt 2 Green
Serrations abound on the Spyderco Pacific Salt 2 Green’s 3.75″ satin finished Spear Point blade — the better to cut tough synthetic materials like rope and webbing. Ideally suited for outdoor types like boaters and rock climbers, the Pacific Salt 2 Green’s blade is made of LC200N stainless steel with high Nitrogen content making it totally corrosion proof against the nasty effects of salt water or sweat. It simply will not rust. The 5.0″ handle, made of tough, time proven FRN synthetic, is taken from Spyderco’s ever popular Endura model. For toting the Pacific Salt 2 Green serves up a user-friendly pocket clip that can be positioned for left- or right-hand grip and tip-up or tip-down carry. MSRP is $180. SpyderCo.com
