After a long but conclusive experiment, here are my results! If that wasn't enough to earn it a place on the list, Buck has sold more than 15 million of these knives, making it one of the best-selling knives ever. This is the weirdest of the knives on this list. Clarissa Wei Five decades from when he first started blacksmithing, Wu is still capable of crafting 80 knives in a workday. The falcata is most famously associated with the Carthaginian general Hannibal, who equipped his African troops with it during the Punic Wars against Rome. Ulfberht swords featured in a vikings exhibition in cooperation with the Danish National Museum and the British Museum. In the hands of the highly-trained Roman legionnaire this was the most deadly of all weapons produced by ancient armies, the historians Richard A. Gabriel and Karen S. Metz have written, and it killed more soldiers than any other weapon in history until the invention of the gun.. The Kukri knife is symbolic of the Nepalese nation and its Gurkha army. The Nontron knife has incredible precision, and I find it really sad that such an iconic, quality knife has been completely out-competed by larger, industrialized brands, mainly due to a lack of advertising, which makes it now not much but a relic of the past. The D.H. Russell Canadian Belt Knife are recognized around the world for their exceptional beauty, balance and quality.,,,Mike in Canada . The bolo knife was originally an all-purpose tool used for clearing brush or harvesting crops, but in the hands of revolutionaries, it became a formidable weapon of war. The knife industry has prospered throughout history and is still incredibly active today. The wood handled, brass-finished design is also old enough to be called vintage, but its design language makes it not really an antique either. Fiddleback Forge was started in 2007 and originated from the founder's knifemaking passion. This allows this knife to be very versatile, compatible with many outdoor and everyday activities and necessities. Along with the KA-BAR, the Mark II was heavily relied upon during the war and it likely saved many lives. Introduced in 1935, the Classic SD is by no means the oldest Swiss Army knife, but it did help influence countless other knives. Knifemaker Kit Carson was truly a master at innovation and put tons of thought into his knives, but the CRKT M16 is by far the most iconic of his creations. Issued to the famed Devil's Brigade, the V-42 is a stiletto and fighting knife based on the Fairbairn-Sykes design. The M16, based off Carson's custom design, has been one of CRKT's best-received and best-selling series. knife, and the blade locks when in the upright position. Kukri knives are still handmade in Nepal. I decided to include two of the most famous Morakniv knives: the Classic Mora and the Companion. The most common ones are No.7 and No.8, although No.4 and No.10 are also quite popular. The carbon-blade one is easier to sharpen and is very nice to work with. A bit of research convinced me I really didnt know anything about it I decided to fix this and share my progress with you: here are 26 things you didnt know about the swiss army knife. For centuries, this short, inwardly curved blade has been a traditional tool and weapon in Nepal. There are currently five Sebenza models, including two classic versions, two regular versions, and the Sebenza 25. Aside from the cutting power, the higonokami is also very easy to use, with an extended edge on the tang of the blade that allows for a swivel opening. The M16z is the culmination of these improvements with a 3.5-inch AUS8 steel blade with an InterFrame construction and CRKT's patented AutoLAWKS. Despite weighing less than an ounce, the Classic SD features seven tools: a pen blade, nail file, screwdriver, key ring, toothpick, tweezers, and scissors. The K55K model became very popular in the United States after the Second World War when American soldiers brought them back with them from Germany. $195 at Amazon. 26 things you didnt know about the swiss army knife, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), The History of the Knife Throughout the Ages, 26 Things You Didnt Know About The Swiss Army Knife, You can check out its current price on Amazon. But it runs Micarta handles, as a funky slipjoint system, and is thin and slicey. The term "traditional knives from around the world" is almost impossibly broad. It has a nice slim design for anyone who wants a truly portable knife that can handle nearly anything. and around the house for countless people over the years. Higonokami knives are relatively safe, cheap, and easy to use. Other handle materials include rosewood, oak, or cow horn, and blades are either inox (stainless steel) blades or carbon blades. The name of this very peculiar knife comes from the Inuit word for womans knife. In design and construction, the Mercator knife is very similar to the douk-douk, since it consists of a black-painted folded-sheet metal handle engraved with a leaping cat and the label K55K (with the second K written backward. However, this knife was used in a variety of tasks, including home activities such as cutting hair, skinning animals, cutting food, but also in hunting, fishing, igloo construction. This is the knife of choice for those looking for versatility. Benchmade makes some of the best production balisong knives outside of the Philippines, and their model 62 features a 4.25 D2 steel spear point blade that excels at slicing and piercing tasks. Morakniv makes extremely strong yet very affordable blades making an excellent first bushcraft knife to own. Of course, one of the best features on the knife is Ken Onion's Speed-Safe assisted opening system, which uses a revolutionary torsion bar to allow quick and reliable deployment with one finger. Damascus Steel: Is My Knife Real or Fake. A good example of a traditional Leuku is the Helle Hellefisk Fixed Blade Knife. As Leatherman's most popular model, the Wave has set itself apart from the pack by offering 17 different tools made of durable 420HC stainless steel. Europeans first became fascinated with the kukri in the early 1800s, when the forces of the British East India Company clashed with Nepalese Gurkha warriors in a bloody war. The Nontron has a higher price than the more famous Opinel, its main similar competitor, but I think that this is justifiable, given that it is handmade with intensive quality control. The one I had was very similar to this one from amazon, although I bought it second-hand. RoseCraft Blades sources the best materials and manufacturers from around the world to produce its knives and plans to build a . Workers and casual knife users adopted this knife as an everyday carry, despite the fact that it was originally made for hunters. Today, there are also over 100 different Victorinox pocket knife models, to satisfy the needs of all pocket knife enthusiasts. While many of these knives have proven themselves by quietly helping build civilization, only a select few have truly transcended the ranks to become 'iconic.'. The Balisong is a traditional knife from the Philippines, made with a unique butterfly-style opening that allows the trained user to flick the blade open and lock it in place with minimal effort. I own a Victorinox Huntsman knife, which I bought 7 or 8 years ago in the Swiss Alps. Joseph Opinel began making a working man's knife in the 1890 that quickly won over locals. The name of Mora knives is a generic term for a Scandinavian knife of the Middle Ages, but it was mainly since the Mora of Sweden company started crafting these, that the Mora knife became known as the reference bushcraft knife. The locals prowess with the bladesincluding their ability to lop off limbs or disembowel a horse with a single blowpersuaded the British to enlist them as volunteer troops in their army. The venerable Swiss Army Knife is one of those EDC essential tools that are so ubiquitous it can be easy to forget just how long theyve served us. It was founded in 2021. I strive to share my research and experience to help you make the most of your time out there! The Mercator K55K Black Cat model is a type of folding pocket knife which has been in production in Germany since 1867. And while many of the designs of the knives of old are lost to history, there are an iconic few that survive to this day. However, many manufacturers to this day still take cues from the simple and easily adaptable Mora. Despite being severely out-gunned, these bolomen often used their knives to gruesome effect. FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $99* & 60-DAY RETURNS, In some form or another, knives have been around for millions of years. In 1897 he launched a series of. While German soldiers relied mainly on their Nahkampfmesser for close-quarter combat in the trenches, the US developed their own tactical trench knife: the Mark 1 Trench knife. Do you feel that I missed something? This little two-blade jacknife is available in far too many colors and handle materials than you can shake a stick at. Kukri knives are still handmade in Nepal. This is a hardcore knife for bushcraft and one I will definitely include in my collection at some point. These knives had a single blade, a reamer, a can opener, and a screwdriver. Today, ulu blades are usually made out of steel, but the unique design has stayed the same. And for a good reason: the concept of the cutting edge has remained unchanged for millennia! since it is an all-in-one tool for surviving in the harsh, cold forests of Northern Europe. To make our decisions more transparent, we are laying out the guidelines for why one knife made the list and another did not. If you're still not convinced of the Opinel's impact and popularity, 20 million of these knives were sold by 1939. The Buck 110 model ranks among the best-selling knives in the world, with more than 15 million sold since its launch in the 1960s. Our top pick was the Mac Knife Professional 8-inch Hollow Edge Chef Knife because it cut smoothly and easily through all the items we tested. Nakiri Knife. The knives soon developed a distinctive look that included a 9 to the 15-inch blade and a clip point, and they became all the rage on the frontier, where they were used for everything from skinning animals and chopping wood to barroom brawls. Made in Thiers, this particular style of knife found popularity with knife users in the former French colonies of North Africa. Essentially, it is a very simple folding knife, consisting of only 6 parts. Such Old Timers can be bought on Amazon here. In order to make it on the list, the knife must be the following: We're starting off the list with one of the most iconic knives around the world. The one is clearly a bit different from the others. Since its release, the F1 has become a sort of benchmark for all other survival knives and started a trend in which functionality and simplicity beat out flashiness and gimmicks. No signup required. There is a lot more to find out about the Swiss army knife. In some cases, individual weapons were even given names and became just as legendary as the people who wielded them. A fixed blade construction makes these designs much more durable than folding styles, and with one in hand you can take on much bigger tasks with confidence. 10am-7pm Tuesday - Friday 8am-5pm Saturday. This Japanese knife finds its origins with the end of the samurai era. Cleavers made from bomb steel turn out durable and tough. Traditional knives are like genre fiction: they're expected to follow certain tropes. Having been produced for nearly 100 years, it's no surprise the Trapper is not only among Case's most collected pattern but also one of the most iconic. (Read More). The loyal following and the legend behind the CRK Sebenza has helped propel it to an iconic status that's well known in the knife world. The back of the blade is ground specifically for use with a fire starter, and the handle is made of rubber with a shape that conforms to your hand for extra control during use. Their Large model adds an iron pin reinforcement on the pivot, which ensures safe operation after long term use with bigger tasks. Utility Knife. In 1960, the 8OT was only the second Old Timer ever produced (the 2OT was the first but is no longer in production). Traditional Pocket Knives (566) Special, Vintage & Custom (936) Clearance, Closeouts & Deals (27) Pre Owned (80) Carving Tools (87) Custom Knives (636) Due South . Pdruig Live and Let Die. More than a decade later, the company is renowned for crafting thousands of beautiful handmade knives, with a special focus on a quality convex grind and handles that are both solid and visually appealing. They are very practical as survival knives and their design resembles that of the iconic samurai sword. Yanagi - The Sushi Knife. The first most important period of Sakai city is the Kofun period . Similar to what happened with the Buck 110, the Sharpfinger essentially became a generic term used for knives in this style, but the Old Timer version was the original. Along with the pilum (spear) and scutum (shield), this two-foot, double-edged short sword was one of the primary arms of the legions that conquered the Mediterranean basin. Hi there! Plus, these knives have a unique design and a story that represents the needs of the time, the place, and the people who used them. Introduced in 1999, this relatively new knife has had a big impact on the knife world with a new take on what an affordable tactical knife for everyday carry could be. It is a very wide-bladed tool, which can be used as a machete, a hatchet, and a butcher knife. I think that it is the right size for a utility, multi-tool pocket knife, and has enough tools to perform a variety of tasks, but not so many that it becomes too big and too heavy. So far on the list, we've had iconic knives from Switzerland, France, the United States, and South Africa. Curves dominate the design of the Douk Douk, from its 3.875 carbon steel blade with an upswept shape to the stainless steel handle for more ergonomic control. Plus, it looks so cool! The difference between the Mercator K55K and the douk-douk, however, is that while the douk-douk is a slip joint knife (no locking mechanism), the K55K is a Lockback knife, and the blade locks when in the upright position. Its design evolved over the centuries, but it typically featured a sharpened point and a firm, reliable blade forged from high-grade steel. The CQC-7 is produced in large numbers by Emerson Knives, allowing people to get their hands on the knife without the long wait and exorbitant prices. RoseCraft Blades is an American knife company based in Maryville, Tennessee. Since the Military, other manufacturers have been trying to copy the ergonomic design, durable liner lock, and slim but powerful profile. The dagger-like knife was specifically designed for the First Special Service Force for use in combat. While the. Functional recreations of the knife have been made by brands like Boker Plus and CAS Hanwei. When it was released in 1990, the Endura was mocked for its weird and unconventional appearance, but it became highly regarded and frequently copied. The falcata was a curved, two-foot-long sword that was used by Celtiberian warriors in ancient Spain. Despite the old-fashioned look and feel of the knife (or perhaps due to that fact), the 8OT became explosively popular and respected by casual and hard-core knife users. You might be surprised to see Opinel on this list if you live in the US, but Opinel knives are one of the best-known knives in Europe, and its 137-year-old history surely places it among the top historical knives still produced today. but arguably the most iconic in the history of Schrade. the optimal range for its traditional uses. It is a versatile tool that can be used for a variety of tasks, from preparing food to cutting cordage. This colonial knife was widely utilized in terms of lethal application, giving it a bloody history and reputation. To many people, having that familiar 'OLD TIMER' phrase emblazoned on a knife's handle instantly indicates it's made with quality and precision. The description from KA-BAR's site sums up this knife the best: 'The most famous fixed blade knife in the World - the KA-BAR' - was designed to serve our troops during World War II and is still doing its job, with honors, 70 years later.'. History is on the knife's side as well. A carbon-steel blade, a folded-sheet metal handle, a strong back spring, to compensate for the absence of a locking mechanism, two rivets to hold the handle and blade together, and a lanyard loop. Gerber still sells the Mark II, but it's marketed more as a survival knife. Pronounced Felk-nee-ven, Fallkniven is a Swedish-based manufacturer that's best known for supplying high-quality military and outdoor knives, and the F1 is the company's piece de resistance. Higonokami knives usually have no locking mechanisms, and as rather referred to as a friction folder, where the friction of the swivel or the pressure of the users thumb on the lever the chikiri kept the knife from folding during use. Hugely popular worldwide, the unique Opinel has a simple design that's been selected for many of the most prestigious awards. At the end of this article, you'll find more information about how we tested Japanese knives, plus a guide to everything you need to know . The name of the knife directly translates to Lord of Higo, which was used as an honorable name for a Samurai. In design and construction, the Mercator knife is very similar to the douk-douk, since it consists of a black-painted folded-sheet metal handle engraved with a leaping cat and the label K55K (with the second K written backward), and a blade that is either stainless steel or carbon steel. Some 170 Ulfberhts dating from around 800 to 1000 A.D. have been recovered from archaeological sites, but since blades of a similar quality did not reappear in Europe until the Industrial Revolution, their origins have been the subject of considerable scholarly debate. Other variations include the outdoors knife and the pruning-knife, but these are not as widespread as the classic design. An icon can be something that's extremely successful and admired or something that's widely recognized and representative of a whole. Designed by legendary knifemaker Ken Onion, the Leek transformed the factory knife market by sparking the assisted opening craze still present in folders. Final Verdict. But it rapidly turned into a lethal weapon, particularly during the 1954-1962 Algerian revolt. Traditional ulu knives had a slate blade (copper was also used in some areas) and a handle made out of caribou antler, musk ox horn, or walrus ivory, sometimes out of carved bone. All of these copies sold under the name of Buck knife, which also contributed to the original knifes popularity, The Kukri knife is symbolic of the Nepalese nation and its Gurkha army. These Ulfberht swordsnamed the signature present on each of their bladeswere forged from high-carbon crucible steel and were renowned for their superior strength, flexibility and sharpness. According to some historians, the swords effectiveness in close combat may have played a role in Hannibals crushing victory over the Romans at 216 B.C.s Battle of Cannae. This iconic knife is truly a piece of history. This type of pocket knife became very popular in Japan during the 20th century. The oldest ulu knives are dated back to as early as 2500 BC, which definitely ranks it as one of the most iconic historical knife types today. Some historians suggest the Ulfberhts were made from steel imported from the Islamic world, where metalworking was more advanced, while others contend they were forged from an ore deposit located in Germany. The knife in itself was designed for workers in the French colonies of Northern Africa (Algeria, Morocco). Since its launch in the 1990s, the Military which is the cornerstone of the Save and Serve lineup has been in the hands of tons of people, especially those in the military, police, and rescue services. However inox knives require less maintenance than carbon knives. Along with setting the standard for tactical folders, the CQC-7 also popularized Emerson's patented Wave opening device. 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