Reminiscent of a traditional pocket knife, the T4 is the second model in Leatherman’s FREE line. It incorporates a magnetic locking system and one-handed operation.
Features:
– 420HC main blade
– Scissors
– Pry Tool
– Package opener
– Awl
– Bottle opener
– Wood/Metal file
– Phillips screwdriver
– Medium screwdriver
– Small screwdriver
– Extra Small screwdriver
– Tweezers
www.leatherman.com/free-t4-581
At Blade Show I got a chance to check out the three different knife models from Viking Tactics‘ Bloodline series.
Manufactured by TOPS Knives, they include the Patriot, Crusader and Norseman.
The Patriot features an overall length of 6.75 and a cutting surface of just over 3 inches.
Drawing from the Bloodlines of VTAC’s first ever knife design, “The Assault”, the Crusader is nearly 9 inches long and has a cutting surface 3 ½ inches in length.
Inspired by a knife made by one of SGM Lamb’s Soldiers who was killed in action in Iraq on 17 June 2005, the Norseman offers an overall length of 11.63” and a cutting surface of 5 ½ inches.
Common features include blades made from 1095 steel and hardened to RC 56-58, they all have a spine tastefully decorated with a Viking Vine, Blood Colored handle liners, and Micarta handles. Each also comes with a Kydex sheath.
The Edge Maintenance Tool is a collaboration between Benchmade and Work Sharp.
The tool incorporates a ceramic rod, which can be rotated 360 deg as it is worn down, as well as a leather strop to finish the edge.
The device incorporates built-in angle guides for a consistent bevel while using the ceramic hone.
It also features a pocket carry clip.
www.benchmade.com/edc-edge-maintenance-tool
The Parashears from SOG Knives we previewed last year are finally ready. It was designed in conjunction with emergency medics as a single tool they’d want to take when weight is a factor.
It integrates a glass breaker, line/seatbelt hook, rope cutter, inch rule, millimeter rule, tweezer,, serrated blade, awl, oxygen wrench, Phillips screwdriver, standard screwdriver/bottle opener and of course, compound leverage shears.
Yet, Parashears fold up into a compact form factor.
The holdup has been development of a version with Red handles and matte finished shear blades which will actually be released first as an REI exclusive. The other variant is finished completely in a Matte Black finish. Made from 3CR13 Stainless Steel with glass reinforced nylon handles.
The new Gerber Axiom and Principle were designed for the Bushcraft community.
The Axiom features a 3.9″ blade made from S30V steel with a linered G10 handle. The sheath is American leather.
The Principle has a 3.1″ Blade made from 420HC with a rubber oversold handle. It features an innovative 3-mount click retention sheath.
The American Tomahawk from RMJ Tactical debuted at the recent Blade Show in Atlanta.
Made entirely in Tennessee, it features a drop forged 1055 carbon head and either a nylon or Hickory wood handle. The sheath is Kydex.
Teased on social media for the past few months, the Victor 3 Knife from Geissele Automatics offshoot Abraham & Moses Survival Gear made its official debut at last weekend’s Blade Show in Atlanta, Georgia.
The story behind this knife is pretty incredible. I’m going to give a very abbreviated version because Recoil magazine did an in-depth article.
Bill Geissele showed me the knife during last month’s SOFIC and I took a few notes. Many years ago, Bill bought a knife from a Vietnam Veteran he knew and wanted to learn more about it. During last year’s Blade Show he set it out on the table in the A&M booth and sure enough, someone recognized it and after referencing a 35 year old issue of Blade magazine, filled him in on a few details.
Turns out, the knife was originally called the Victory 2 and made by Pennsylvania custom maker Dan Valois. Many Soldiers from the local area bought and carried it back in the 60s. Bill described the original knife’s design to me as a cross between a Bowie knife and a short sword. Bill found out that Dan was from a nearby town and attempted to contact him, only to find that he had passed away. Fortunately, Dan’s widow got back with him and gave him permission to carry-on with the knife’s tradition.
The Victory 3 is not an exact copy of the Victory 2, but it’s still what Bill referred to as a “Classic American Knife.” It’s a survival knife, and although it’s a full tang design, one side of the handle opens in order to store small Survival items. The blade is made from 440C stainless steel and heat treated to 58-60 Rockwell hardness. A&M states the blade is 6.875″ with an overall length of 11.75″.
Bill told me they had to purchase a machine to hollow ground the blades, like on the original. The team also preserved the large brass guard which gives the knife its unique look.
One interesting feature is the hex wrench in the butt. It also accepts a cutdown bandsaw blade into that channel, which gives the knife a different functionality than others out there.
A&M also recreated the sawtooth cuts on the back of the blade, so it’s available with or without. Additionally, they’ve introduced a serrated option for the blade.
While the Victor 2 came in a leather sheath, A&M offers a Boltoron version in Black, Coyote or Green.
Although it’s not on the website yet, it’s available now at abeandmoe.com
Terrain 365’s Patrick Ms showed us the prototype of his Mini-Butterfly collab with Darriel Caston. It’s going to be cool when it’s ready.
