Edged Combatants

As many art knives as there are in the world, and as many beautiful interpretations of hunting knives, swords, daggers and all blades in between, one tends to forget that there’s still knife work to be done, or working knives to make so that they can perform the work. In other words, we still need knives that cut, slice, chop, poke and even prod. Try not to pry or you’ll end up with a chisel-like tool with no tip. Some say that early tanto designs came from broken sword blades.

Combat knives could be the most important of the knife bunch. Lives really do depend on them. In an effort to avoid the broken-sword-tip-turned-tanto dilemma, knifemakers become metallurgists and aspire for unbreakable steel blades, a target that is elusive to say the least. Synthetic handle material is most often chosen over aesthetic natural offerings, while gemstones and precious metals tend to be saved for the collector’s showcase. Pearl, mammoth ivory and tortoise shell are seldom seen in the war zone.

And just as real heroes rarely appear on the silver screen, in television commercials, on basketball courts or on football fields, rarely do the knives of soldiers make it into coffee-table books … until now. It’s time they got their day in the sun, and this is just the sunny source to let them shine.

So take off your hats, tuck in your shirts and stand while Knives 2013 allows the makers of these edge combatants to sing their national anthems and wave their flags. It’s the least we can do for those who serve their country and fight for freedom.

LARRY LUNN: The Scottish dirk is a presentation piece fit for an officer and showcasing a carved ebony handle, silver dollar pommel, engraved guard and a foot-long damascus blade. (Eric Eggly, PointSeven Studios photo)

LAWRENCE LITTLE: A brass knuckle bowie boasts an 8-inch 1080 blade, a brass D-guard and pommel, and red fiber spacers.

LEE OATES: Called a “Sand Snake” by soldiers in Iraq referring to the textured pattern of the Teflon^™-coated 5160 spring-steel blade, it is a fitting description for the double-edged knuckle knife with a rag Micarta^® grip.

DOC WACHOLZ: A differentially heat-treated 52100 blade takes care of the business end, while a nickel-silver guard and black-linen-Micarta^® handle anchor the piece. (Eric Eggly, PointSeven Studios photo)

DANIEL WINKLER: Measuring 9.75 inches overall, the edged combatants feature extended “striker pommels,” camouflage finishes, and cord-wrapped and otherwise synthetic handles. (Eric Eggly, PointSeven Studios photo)

JERRY HOSSOM: A black-and-green linen-Micarta^® grip leverages the hollow-ground CPM-3V fixed-blade. (SharpByCoop.com photo)

JAY FISHER: A tactical, combat and survival knife all wrapped into one, the “Imamu” includes a bead-blasted, ATS-34 blade with saw-tooth serrations, a stainless steel guard and pommel, and a fiberglass-reinforced G-10 composite handle. The knife locks into a black Kydex^® sheath, and comes with a fire starter, sharpening pad and MagLite^™.

MACE VITALE: Integral 1084 and 1095 fighters adopt Paracord-wrapped handles and edgy attitudes. (SharpByCoop.com photo)