Never an issue goes by that the magazine doesn’t receive photos of interesting new combat knives we feel deserve to be given special notice. Here are eight of the nicest that have arrived in the last two months.
HANDY MANDT: Joe Mandt’s handy little 5 ½-inch Moran style combat knife is forged from W-2 carbon steel and handle in black walnut. The maker can be contacted at 3735 Overlook Dr. NE, Dept. TK, St. Petersburg, FL 33703; 813-244-3816 jmforge@mac.com
HANDSOME HANSON: Don Hanson’s long-pointed Bowie is 8 ¾-inches in blade length and is forged from W-2 carbon steel. The handle is fossil walrus ivory with Damascus mounts. The maker can be contacted at P.O. Box 13, Dept. TK, Success, MO 65570; 573-674-3045 info@sunfishforge.com
CROWDER PLEASER: Bob Crowder’s Damascus spear-point Bowie is 9 inches long. The quarter sawn and etched wenge wood handle features bronze and Damascus mounts. The maker can be contacted at P.O. Box 1374, Dept. TK, Thompson Falls, MT 59873; 406-827-4754 crowder@blackfoot.net
FARR-OUT FIGHTER: Dan Farr’s fighting knife offers an 8-inch blade of CruForge V steel on a handle of black walnut burl reinforced with carbon fiber. The maker can be contacted at 285 Glen Ellyn Way, Dept. TK, Rochester, NY 14618; 585-721-1388 ddfarr@me.com
LOVING THE WILD: Charles Vestal’s “Loveless Style Wilderness Knife” sports an 8-inch blade of CPM 154 stainless on a handle of mammoth ivory. The maker can be contacted at 26662 Shortsville Rd., Dept. TK, Abingdon, VA 24210; 276-492-3262 charles@vestalknives.com
ONE FINE BROADWELL: David Broadwell’s “MLR Sub-Hilt Fighter” features an 8 ½-inch blade of CPM 154 stainless on a handle of ironwood burl. The handle mounts are 416 stainless. This model is a special offering by Robertson Custom Cutlery, customknives@comcast.net. Broadwell can be contacted at P.O. Box 4314, Dept. TK, Wichita Falls, TX 76308; 940-692-1727 david@broadwellstudios.com
WEST POINTS: Spartan Knives’ new Horkos model was originally commissioned by the Combat Weapons Team of the United States Military Academy at West Point with custom etching to honor the graduating class. The 5-11/16-inch long blade is ground from S30V stainless and the handle can be provided in a choice of canvas Micarta colors. Spartan Knives, P.O. Box 620, Dept. TK, Aberdeen, NC 28315; 910-757-0035 www.spartanbladesusa.com
PERSONAL DEFENDER: Brian Wagner of Okuden Custom Knives tells me his PDW started out as an 8-inch blade combat model but after a buyer spent a tour in Afghanistan with that version it was decided a shorter blade would be more practical. The PDW offers a 6-inch blade of A2 carbon steel on a canvas Micarta handle. The maker can be contacted at 17404 Meridian E. Ste. F, Dept. TK, Puyallup, WA 98375; 253-906-5306 info@okuden.net
