Category Archives: Knives

New Gerber Downrange Tomahawk

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Randall

New for 2013, Gerber’s Made in the USA Downrange Tomahawk.  I took a couple of quick photos of the Tomahawk and their new Rescue Axe at SOFIC.  The Downrange Tomahawk sports an axe face with a hammer head at its rear.  The handle is full tang and has a pry bar at the lower end.  Finger grooves in the head of the axe allow the user to get leverage to force the pry bar into jambs and seams. The steel for the Downrange Tomahawk is 420HC.  It is blackened with KG Gun Kote.  Desert Tan G-10 handle scales are bolted on.  The Tomahawk is 19.27″ overall and weighs in at … Continue reading →

Posted in Knives, SOFIC, SWAT | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

T.U.C.Rig — Tactical Under Carry for Equipment

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Randall

A West Central Florida police officer/SWAT member has come up with a simple carry method for ancillary equipment with external clips or sheaths.  She calls it the T.U.C.Rig for Tactical Under Carry Rig.  Consisting of a nylon strap, single buckle, and hook and loop closure, it can secure items that have clips, such as knives and flashlights.  It can also be threaded through pouches with belt loops or MOLLE attachments.  The T.U.C.Rig mounts on the ankle, arm, or even on body armor vest straps. For the last two months, I have been using the T.U.C.Rig to tote my C.A.T. Tourniquet while on shift.  I attach the hook and loop of … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Florida Companies, Knives, Medical, Technology | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Spyderco NLEOMF Commemorative Knife

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Randall

Spyderco’s OpFocus division shows this knife in its 2013 catalogue: “In the year 2000, the United States Congress and President Bill Clinton authorized the establishment of a National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, D.C. The goal of this museum is to tell the story of American law enforcement through exhibits, collections, research and education. Designed as a natural extension of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, it will be the largest and most comprehensive museum to honor the duty and sacrifice of America’s law enforcement officers. Building and exhibit designs for the museum are currently in progress and countless artifacts are being collected and catalogued to document the contributions and … Continue reading →

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CRKT Otanashi Noh Ken and Sakimori Fighting Knives

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Randall

I wrote about the Columbia River Knife and Tool Hissatsu in my last knife review.  Here are video press release for two new James Williams-designed Japanese fighters that will be debuted at the upcoming SHOT Show in January. Randall

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CRKT Hissatsu Folding Knife Review

Posted on November 27, 2012 by Randall

Columbia River Knife & Tool has always produced a very diverse line of sharp things.  In collaboration with stellar knife designers such as Frank Centofante, Brian Tighe, Ken Onion, Flavio Ikoma, Kit Carson, Ron Lake, Pat Crawford, and still more, CRKT has brought us a galaxy of practical and artistic products. CRKT tapped into another talent for its Japanese-inspired series of Hissatsu knives.  James Williams is a former U.S. Army officer with decades of experience in the martial arts and as a military and police trainer.  In envisioning the Hissatsu folder, Williams said, “Our goal with the Hissatsu Folder was not to replace the fixed blade knife, but rather to … Continue reading →

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Brous Blades Silent Soldier Neck Knife Review

Posted on October 18, 2012 by Randall

Jason Brous is a custom knifemaker whose work is the melding of his experience in CNC machining and his love of Biomechanical art.  Biomechanical art is a synthesis of machine and organic forms.  It was popularized by the renderings of artist H.R. Geiger, whose eerie designs are seen in the Alien series of movies (think of the curvy exoskeleton of the Alien). Brous Blades have their own synthesis of curves and lines that make them visually attractive and strong.  I saw one of Brous’ knives on a co-worker’s desk and I think I asked to examine it after I already had the knife in my hands. The Brous Blades Silent … Continue reading →

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KA-BAR TDI Knife Review: Unsafe for Duty

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Randall

When I arrived at work yesterday, there was some buzz about a training incident between an FTO and a recruit that had occurred earlier in the day.  It seems that it was our new recruits’ first day in the blue uniform.  Some of them were assigned to Daywatch.  After roll call, they were examined by their training officers. One of the FTO’s noticed a strange handle sticking out of the front of the recruit’s gun belt.  Yes, it was a KA-BAR TDI knife, ostensibly designed for an officer’s last ditch self defense. The FTO had never actually handled a TDI, but he had heard of them.  To demonstrate the vulnerability … Continue reading →

Posted in Knives, Officer Safety | Tagged , , , | 33 Comments

CRKT Zilla Tool Jr. Review

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Randall

I carry too much stuff.  My Blackhawk MOB Bag began to weigh waayy more than it should.  I started trying to pare down its load.  A heavy full-sized multi-tool was one thing to go.  I must have at least two big pliar/knife/driver combos in the Crown Vic.  A smaller tool can make do in my daily tote. I chose a Columbia River Knife and Tool Zilla Tool Jr. to satisfy my everyday engineering requirements.  The CRKT Zilla Jr. can turn a bolt or screw, strip wire, or cut that which needs parting.  It can perform these chores and save me a quarter pound in travel weight. The Zilla is not … Continue reading →

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Benchmade Knives 175 Adamas CBK Push Dagger Review

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Randall

Push daggers speak to me of power.  No pretty pass cuts or fancy foil grips, just gritty jabs and slashing blows thrown in a clench.  Boxing with a blade. Benchmade Knife Company’s 175 Adamas CBK Push Dagger was made with input from customers of the law enforcement sort.  This is a purely defensive knife.  CBK stands for concealed backup knife.  And there you have it:  all business. With full tang construction of 440C stainless steel and a chisel ground blade, this knife was purpose-built for toughness.  The 2.5” blade is double-edged, spear point in shape, and given a Rockwell Hardness of 58-60.  Blade and handle are subdued with Benchmade’s BK1 … Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Knives, Officer Safety | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Blackhawk! Blades Kalista and Kalista II Knife Review

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Randall

Back when he was working for Blackhawk! Products Group, Michael Janich designed a number of tactical knives such as the Be-Wharned, Tatang, and the Kalista.  Janich left Blackhawk! in late 2009 to become Spyderco’s Special Projects Manager. Janich brings a vast amount of expertise to the personal defense game, and this is especially true in knife combatives.  His grasp of blade training and implementation seems to directly influence the construction and dimensions of his knife designs.  Further, Janich’s base of knowledge affects the performance of his knives in the hand. One of Janich’s contributions to Blackhawk!’s fixed blade line-up is the Kalista.  Roughly, a Kalista would be a practitioner of … Continue reading →

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SOG Knives FastHawk Review

Posted on July 3, 2012 by Randall

Some missions require specialized tools.  We are not always loaded down with them.  There is a balance between power and portability that is weighed toward portable in mobile operations, unless your team has a MOLLE-covered Tactical Donkey.  Hmmm… SOG Specialty Knives & Tool‘s FastHawk is a scaled down version of their popular Tactical Tomahawk.  Light and easy to carry, I found the FastHawk to be a good compromise of size and functionality.  At 12 ½” in length and only 19 ounces, it is a compact package. The FastHawk can be used to cut, chop, dig, pry, and hammer.  I did these things during some late night T&E sessions.  I started … Continue reading →

Posted in Knives, SHOT Show | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Mantis Knives Stolen In Atlanta

Posted on June 11, 2012 by Randall

While in Atlanta for The BLADE Show this weekend, Mantis Knives’ rental SUV was broken into and 25 pre-production MK-4 Vuja De balisong/karambits were stolen.  The following letter was sent out to Mantis Militia (knife club) members.  Thanks to ThinBlueFlorida reader M@ for forwarding it. On Friday June 8th, at about 8:15pm, Mantis’ rental car was burglarized outside of a restaurant on West Paces Ferry Road in Atlanta, GA. The passenger-side rear window of our SUV was busted out and EVERYTHING of value was taken. My backpack that contained a camera with priceless video footage and still shots of our booth, my iPad, and assorted folders with vast amounts of … Continue reading →

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Hogue/Elishewitz EX-01 Extreme Folder Review

Posted on June 7, 2012 by Randall

Hogue Inc., founded in 1968, is a company best known for quality firearms-related accessories.  Aaron and Patrick Hogue now run the family business.  In 2009, Hogue expanded their product line to include Hogue Knives.  They immediately sought out and brought aboard a legendary knifemaker in Allen Elishewitz. The collaboration of the Hogues and Elishewitz resulted in the EX Series of Extreme Folders in 2010.  Upon seeing the finished knives, I bought an EX-01 late last year and have been infected with the pride of ownership ever since. Texan Allen Elishewitz began making knives in 1988.  He has been a Recon Marine, is a martial artist, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree … Continue reading →

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Spyderco Waved Endura4 For Duty Carry

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Randall

I have carried many, many knives on duty.  It seems I am always trying to find one better than the last.  My uniform pockets have contained uncounted blades unleashed by nail nicks, thumb studs, opening holes, coil springs, leaf springs, and even centrifugal force (yes, a Bali-song).  I recently decided to try something completely different:  mechanical fabric resistance! In the 1990’s, custom knifemaker Ernest Emerson patented an interesting design he originally called The Wave.  The folding knife’s blade has a “hook” at the top that catches the edge of the pants pocket and pulls the blade open as the knife itself is withdrawn.

Posted in Knives, Officer Safety, Street | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments