The Spyderco Dyad Jr. was a small two-bladed folding knife that was introduced for a short period in 1999. Spyderco occasionally produces what they call Sprint Runs; limited productions of previously discontinued knives. When I learned that Spyderco planned to do a Sprint Run of the Dyad Jr. in 2011, it quickly became one of the knives I was most excited for.
I had never handled a Dyad Jr. before, but it looked like it would be a really handy, practical knife, and since there would only be 1,200 made I figured I could always sell it if I didn’t like it. Well, I’ve been using mine every day for the last month, and I can already tell this little gem will be one of my favorites.
What makes this such a great knife is the efficiency of it. In terms of cutting edge per inch of handle, or cutting edge per ounce of knife, the Dyad Jr. cannot be beat. It’s a 1. ounce knife with 4.25” of cutting edge (not just blade length), all in a handle barely over 3”. That’s a hell of lot of cutting power in a very compact, lightweight package. [Read More…]
Volumes have been written about improvised weapons. There are always people who desire tools that fly below the radar at work and when traveling, especially today. Some like to dedicate a great deal of time to thinking about what they can get on a plane. Truthfully, I am more worried about my exposure on the ground between checking my bags and getting them back. Face it: if you are on a plane and there is a problem, you are more likely to be killed in the crash than by someone on the plane.
Recently I taught a pre-deployment course for the military. The students were given a homework assignment. They were told to come in the next day and tell us about one improvised weapon in their room. I was puzzled by some of the answers, which included lamps, irons, and even the TV. I asked the students to tell me which parts of the body they would target with their weapons. Most said the head. A few with the iron mentioned the head, but they said that they could also use the electrical cord to choke an attacker. My thought was that too many people have watched the Bourne movies. [Read More…]
There’s enough information out there about sharpening knives to fill an encyclopedia and in fact many books have been written on the topic.
Many of us that sit down to sharpen our cutting tools end up with a dull edge, or only occasionally achieve a nice sharp edge. While some of us can get a sharp edge consistently, we find that it doesn’t last long.
I was such an individual at one time and this article is aimed at laying a foundation for getting a consistent edge that will last. [Read More…]
Let me start off by saying I have a thing for knifes. I’m not sure if it is their simplicity, or their all around general usefulness, or maybe it just appeals to the more primitive part of my brain. One knife I own epitomizes all three of these aspects, my Strider WP tanto point.
This knife couldn’t be more simple, it is a solid piece of S30V steel with an edge, a point, and wrapped in 550 cord. It has proved itself to be exceptionally useful with it’s thick blade and sharp edge.
It has cut anything I have put before it, and also pried and bashed it’s way through jobs no knife should be asked to do and come out no worse for the wear. What could be more primitive than a sharpened hunk of steel with a piece of rope wrapped around it for a handle? [Read More…]
It’s Law! The President signed the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill (H.R. 2892) for FY 2010 late yesterday (Oct. 28, 2009) that includes a permanent “fix” so that any folding knife with a bias toward closure cannot be declared a switchblade by U.S. Customs.
The significance of the legislative victory that was led by AKTI and supported by several other organizations cannot be overstated. If U.S. Customs had succeeded in broadly redefining a switchblade, domestic manufacturers and all owners of folding knives would have been in jeopardy. [Read More…]
We just received this exciting email from American Knife & Tool Institute (AKTI) and wanted to share the great news with everyone!
The U. S. Senate’s Solution to Customs’ proposal to ban assisted-opening, one-hand-opening and other folding knives has passed in both the House and the Senate. [Read More…]
Today we’ll share our thoughts on hook knives with a review on the Benchmade Rescue Hook Model 7.
We consider a hook knife to be an invaluable piece of equipment in almost any situation.
The purpose of a rescue-hook type tool is to not only enable you to provide assistance in a rescue, but to also aid in self-rescue. [Read More…]
We just received an update on the next step in the battle against the U.S. Customs and their proposal to revoke earlier rulings that assisted opening knives are not switchblades.
To recap, the proposal would not only outlaw assisted opening knives, but its overly broad new definition of a switchblade would also include all one-handed opening knives and most other pocket knives! [Read More…]
We wanted to take this opportunity to bring you an update to our previous article on the fight for your knife rights.
U.S. Customs has proposed revoking earlier rulings that assisted opening knives are not switchblades. The proposal would not only outlaw assisted opening knives, its overly broad new definition of a switchblade would also include all one-handed opening knives and most other pocket knives! [Read More…]
While reading one of our favorite sites, SoldierSystems.net, we came across this article on a new organization called KnifeRights.org. Their number one goal is to provide knife and edged tool owners an effective voice to influence public policy and to oppose efforts to restrict the right to own, use and carry knives and edged tools.
U.S. Customs has proposed revoking earlier rulings that assisted opening knives are not switchblades. The proposal would not only outlaw assisted opening knives, its overly broad new definition of a switchblade would also include all one-handed opening knives and most other pocket knives!
Please support this organization and go here to download a model letter to send to the Customs and Border Patrol, as well members of Congress!
Knife Rights is spearheaded by Doug Ritter of Equipped to Survive, who is a highly respected member of the survival community.
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