An edged weapon has a primitive appeal that is hard to deny. In many ways, proficiency with a knife in your hands can be more viable than relying solely on firearms. Knives can be specialty models tailor-made for CQB hand-to-hand applications or more utilitarian versions that can handle a variety of roles including survival tasks.
The Para 3™ is the latest generation of the Spyderco Para Military™ line of folding knives. With the Para 3, Spyderco took the time-proven features and functionality that have made the iconic Para Military™ 2—one of Spyderco’s best-selling knives—and put them into a more compact, all-purpose cutting tool that’s perfect for everyday carry. The Para
In a close-quarters lethal-force encounter, we may not have the time or ability to deploy our firearm. A dedicated knife for personal defense is an essential component of everyday carry for anyone serious about self-defense. We not only need to carry a knife but must also be able to deploy and use it effectively. I
Axes have served as a tool and weapon throughout history, from the dawn of toolmaking through today. The hand axe or tomahawk is a diverse instrument with multiple applications from general utility to tactical. It’s a true multi-mission tool. In a survival scenario, it can be your best friend. Tomahawk is a derivation of the
SOG Specialty Knives & Tools was founded in 1986 by designer and toolmaker Spencer Frazer. Named after the elite Vietnam-era Special Forces military group known as the Studies and Observation Group, the company’s first knife was a replica of the original SOG Bowie knife. The SOG Strat Ops Auto is an impressive recent addition to
Heckler & Koch and Hogue, Inc. have partnered to release a family of high-performance knives designed and built for law enforcement, military, and first responders. Hogue is now the exclusive knifemaker for Heckler & Koch. The first three knives of the HK Knives series collaboration were unveiled at SHOT Show 2018. They’re the HK Exemplar,
TOPS Knives Mini Pry Knife (MPK-01) is a hardcore tool for hardcore tasks. It was designed at the request of a group of law enforcement officers, many of whom were involved in high-risk warrant service and fugitive recovery. They weren’t looking for a team tool but a smaller pry knife for individual carry that could
The 101BK Follow-Up is one of the newest members of Benchmade® Knife Company’s Black Class of professional-use knives. The Follow-Up is a compact fixed-blade knife designed for back-up, self-defense, and utility applications. Designed for discreet carry, the Follow-Up has an overall length of 5.99 inches. It has a black Cerakote® coated 2.6-inch long, 0.14-inch thick
TOPS Knives recently provided me with its much-awaited Hammer Hawk tomahawk and Backup fixed-blade knife combo for evaluation. It’s a very impressive combo that will meet the field requirements of many readers. Designed by TOPS Knives president Leo Espinoza, the Hammer Hawk and Backup combo is a versatile paired-blade system for the outdoors that’s capable
The Spyderco® Matriarch™ 2 folding knife has its origins in the C12 Civilian™—one of Spyderco’s oldest and most unique designs. The Civilian was developed at the request of a U.S. federal law enforcement agency that wanted for its undercover agents an easily concealed knife that could serve as a potent defensive weapon when wielded with
