Some Matt Helm Knives, different tools for different uses.
There is no way I can cover all the nice knives out there, but I can give a sampling of some makers you may or may not have considered before. This is in no way a comprehensive list of good knife makers. I have no experience with any of these makers other than the ones mentioned in their description. Just mentioning some knife makers I have been following, if you have experience with any of the makers listed below please comment with your experiences.
***All images belong to the companies who’s knives are represented***
RUSTICK KNIVES:
I’ve reviewed Rustick Knives before, but Jack continues to come out with good hard use tools, made to be abused. A retired member of SOCOM, Jack’s insane amount of experience shows in his knifes. My two current fixed blades I rotate between come from Rustick.
https://www.facebook.com/RustickKnives
Matt Helm Knives:
Matt’s style caught my eye, as well as his reputation in the precision rifle circuit. His no nonsense, clean lines and functional designs make his knives perfect for real world carry.
https://www.facebook.com/MattHelmKnives/
Bush Monkey Knives:
I heard about bush monkey knives through Tony Burkes at TAB Gear. Multiple friends of mine own and use their knives as field knives and have nothing but rave reviews about their durability and design.
http://www.bushmonkeyknives.com
Vehement Knives:
Sometimes Instagram and social media gets it right. I simply saw Vehement through some other knife pages. Reminding me very much of a modern Randall knife. They are most definitely on my short list of knives I would like to add.
Compliance Edge:
A husband and wife company, Compliance edge has already formed quite a reputation in SOCOM as a good hard use knife. They love the military and work with units on group orders regularly. They were very anxious to answer any questions I had and will definitely be a company I look to order from in the future.
http://www.complianceedgeknives.com
Chaves Knives:
Chaves knives caught my attention simply with their no nonsense folding knives. No frills, just thick metal parts with a good simple blade design. Compared to similar knives made by other companies their cost is very reasonable for what you receive as far are materials. I will get my hands on a Chaves folder soon.
http://chavesamericanmadeknives.com
Ban Tang Knives:
When I started looking into Ban Tang knives the first thing I read is how they magically seem to cut you without you realizing it. His reputation for RIDICULOUSLY sharp,every-day carry knives is firmly established and another knife I would like to try for myself in the future.
http://bantangknives.com/wordpress/
Coye Knives:
While fairly well known I have to add Coye Knives to my list. Coye’s entire line of knives look to be made for use rather than sitting on a shelf or in a safe. I have had my hands on multiple Coye knives and am always impressed. At the end of the day there just seems to be too many nice knives and too little belt/ kit space.
Berg Blades:
While Berg Blades does make a ton of really fancy knives, the pictures I saw of their more basic blades really caught my attention. You decide for yourself.
Tactical Combat Tools:
Retired SOCOM Sergeant Major, making some really nice practical blades. I was actually shown his knives by Bill Harsey which is as good a recommendation as any out there.
Crusader Forge:
I was very close to getting my hands on a Crusader Forge knife multiple times with life coming in between myself and a knife. Always been a fan, no frills, good material, made to be used. What more could you ask for?
http://www.crusaderforge.com/index.htm
Borka Blades:
No website that I can find, but they seem to sell through custom knife retailers. Really cool smaller blades. I really like their finishes and blade treatments. Definitely unique looking knives.
Between my boyfriend, an EOD Tech, and I, we own 5 Bush Monkey knives (and another coming for Valentine’s Day…. for me). To a blade, they are all expertly made and sharp enough to shave with and to literally cut painlessly. (I know that firsthand. I didn’t even know I had done it until the blood started welling.) As of yet, we’ve not needed to sharpen any of them and that’s after using several to skin and butcher deer. Jeff, the man who makes them, is a no frills kind of guy (and a hell of a nice one as well) who produces solid, functional, quality blades with clean lines. They aren’t knives to be decorative. They’re tools that are meant to be used and are made to stand up to use and abuse. They do so beautifully. I want to get another for my dad, who’s a farrier, for Father’s Day.
Compliance edge knives are the epitome of what a service knife needs to be. I own three blades of his with another own the way, a few of my soldiers have purchased his blades after handling mine.
Two other makers to watch tho are
DMO Knives
And
Tactical pterodactyl
NUTS…you had to write about knives didn’t you–because getting a new fixed blade is a priority in the next month. Thank you for showing and giving a brief description of “some” of the great options out there. I too have settled on a less than 5″ blade…