Hey all, it was bothering me that “September” was featured so prominently on the website. Made things look stale. I am a couple of days early in posting this. Hopefully I get things on track next month.
In the mean time, enjoy the October Knife News column. Some of this has been seen before, but it will be new for some, and is a snapshot of what I feel are the important releases or other news for the month.
KNIFE NEWS October 2023 Edition:
Ken Onion Redemption is latest USA-made CRKT
Columbia River Knife and Tool, better known to enthusiasts as CRKT, is continuing its 2023 string of American-made releases, this time with the Ken Onion designed Redemption. Like the LCBK and Definitive, designed by Matthew and MJ Lerch respectively, the Redemption is being produced in partnership with Hogue Knives, and is the first Onion design being produced with an ambidextrous, crossbar-style lock.
The knife itself is patterned after Onion’s “Deadman’s Hand” custom design, harkening back to the days of riverboat gamblers and wild west saloons.“The Redemption blends design elements of a bygone era with modern attitude and premium materials to create a truly extraordinary folder,” said Doug Flagg, CRKT VP of Marketing and Innovation. “The combination of MagnaCut steel which delivers incredible strength and superior edge retention with the versatile Crossbar Lock and American manufacturing delivers not only an incredible product but is emblematic of the heights CRKT is reaching towards as a brand.”
The CRKT Redemption features a 4.06” CPM MagnaCut stonewashed, spear-point blade, which disappears completely into the handle when closed. The handle scales are Black G10, paired with stainless steel bolsters. There is a reversible pocket clip, and an embedded oval-shaped shield inlayed on each scale. MSRP is $225.
Find out more about Tualatin, Oregon based CRKT by visiting their website – www.crkt.com, or by calling 800-891-3100.
Kansept Knives releases Jonathan Styles designed Tuckamore
Kansept Knives is another of the “2nd Generation” Chinese knife manufacturers, founded by people who got their start at companies like Kizer which led the Chinese knife renaissance over the past decade-plus. These companies are fast catching and even passing their forbearers while carving out a niche for themselves in the marketplace.
Kansept’s latest design is the brainchild of Canadian knife maker Jonathan Styles, and is called the Tuckmore. The name comes from the gnarled, wind-dwarfed pines that dot the coastline of Styles’ native Newfoundland.The titanium frame lock Tuckamore features a 3.5” CPM 20VN sheepsfoot blade with elongated thumb-hole, and one’s choice of 4 inserts in the handle. The titanium handle is stonewashed on the copper carbon fiber, green CF, and Micarta versions, which come with a titanium deep carry clip, while the handle on the Shred carbon fiber is left bright, and the pocket clip is made from colorful Timascus. MSRPs range from $260-$320 depending on the handle style chosen, but even Kansept’s website reflects the Tuckamore’s street price of closer to $200.
For more information on Kansept Knives, visit their website www.kanseptknives.com. Best route for correspondence is through email, info@kanseptknives.com.
Buck adds 663 Guide knife to Alpha Series
Buck Knives made a splash this past SHOT Show when they unveiled the fully redesigned 664 Alpha Hunter, and the scaled down but similarly profiled 662 Alpha Scout. The original Alpha Hunter and its variants were a part of the Buck catalog from their 2002 debut through 2019. This past January, they hosted a launch party at their SHOT booth celebrating the return of the Alpha line of knives.
They are now adding a third model to the line, the new 663 Alpha Guide. It features a larger, 4.375” drop point blade is that is less biased towards skinning and better suited to a wider range of camping and bushcraft tasks, such as kindling and food preparation.
Like the 664 and 662, the 663 Alpha Guide is made from Bos-treated S35VN steel, and is available with either green Richlite or walnut brown Dymalux removable scales. These are aggressively textured, and there is jimping on the spine, for maximum grippiness in wet or slippery conditions. The full tang construction leaves a lanyard hole exposed at the pommel.
The 663 Alpha guide is made in Post Falls, Idaho, and comes with a leather sheath and Buck’s “Forever Warrantee”. MSRP is $224.99. For more information on Buck Knives in general or the Alpha Series in particular, visit www.buckknives.com or call (800) 326-2825.
Cold Steel releases USA-Made Republic Fixed Blade
When Cold Steel founder Lynn Thompson sold the company to GSM Outdoors in 2020, the knife community was skeptical of a large conglomerate absorbing a niche brand with a passionate following. This following was built on both the quality of their knives, but also through Thompson’s highly entertaining viral product demonstration videos. They needn’t have worried, Cold Steel still puts out great videos, and the company has continued to innovate, including bringing a new locking mechanism – the Atlas Lock to the market in 2023.
Cold Steel is known mostly for importing their knives, largely from Taiwan, but their new fixed blade model is made here is the USA. Called The Republic, Cold Steel is calling it their “Ultimate Blade for Outdoor Pursuits”. As one would expect from Cold Steel, the Republic is not a delicate knife. Its 5-inch CPM S35VN blade measures 3.9mm thick, with a durable and rust preventing “Ionbond” blade coating. 3D textured Micarta scales and extensive jimping on the spine provide a solid grip no matter the environment. Despite the overall size and robustness of the knife, it weighs in at a relatively svelte 8.4 ounces.
The Republic comes with a premium leather sheath, and an MSRP of $269.99. For more information about Cold Steel visit www.coldsteel.com where they have a contact form, or drop an email to info@gsmorg.com
Premium online members can see the whole issue in the Member Area