In field testing, the Mink XL's performance was not just noteworthy, but truly impressive under extreme conditions. As fate would have it, I found myself in the aftermath of a hurricane, facing weeks without power. The Mink XL quickly became my go-to blade, proving its versatility in ways I hadn't anticipated.
Roxon Flex Companion Review: A Pocket Powerhouse for Customization and Everyday Carry
Roxon has always been a brand with an eye for innovation, and with the Flex series, they’ve accomplished something truly groundbreaking—the modular multitool. For decades, DIY enthusiasts and tool hobbyists have dreamt of a multitool that could be customized to fit their specific needs, rather than just accepting a fixed set of tools where some might be redundant or unnecessary. With the Flex, Roxon created an adaptable system that quickly won fans in the multitool community. Now, they’ve refined and reimagined that concept with the Flex Companion, a compact, customizable multitool designed for users who don’t need pliers every day but still want a reliable toolkit in their pocket.
Leatherman has announced some new colors to the Skeletool and KB line
I am all for new colors, some people like to color coordinate, but I prefer innovation.
The Benchmade Intersect is a compact fixed-blade knife that’s tailor-made for the folks who spend more time near water than on dry land. Whether you're reeling in the catch of the day or knee-deep in some murky adventure, this little guy has your back. Benchmade's new Water series got a fair amount of chatter when it dropped—some good, some...well, let's just say people had opinions. The main comparison was to Spyderco’s Salt series, which has been the go-to for wet work with their H1 steel. But instead of diving into that turf war, I’m here to talk about why the Intersect can stand on its own fins.
The Kansept Mistaken, designed by Jonathan Styles from Newfoundland, reflects his passion for nature and functional art. Named after a small bay on the southwest coast of his home island, the Mistaken is meant to be a clean and simple gentleman’s knife, with a focus on function and premium materials. At 7.54 inches overall and with a 3.15-inch blade, it strikes a balance between form and functionality for everyday carry enthusiasts.
Kansept continues to impress with its 2024 lineup, delivering one hit after another through strategic collaborations with top-tier designers. Today, we take a closer look at the Havørn, a knife that generated plenty of buzz during the last Blade Show—and for good reason. Designed by Jonathan Sibley, a master craftsman whose journey through multiple disciplines (from jewelry-making to competing on Forged in Fire) converged into knifemaking, the Havørn is an exemplary blend of artistic vision and functional precision.
Halloween is right around the corner and Gerber is excited to offer this years limited edition "Fastballoween"! The exclusive zombie lasermark on both sides of the handle and the S30V wharncliffe black oxide blade bring home that spooky fall feel. It's also adorned with an orange aluminum backspacer and an intuitive finger flipping opening that uses B.O.S.S Tech™, offering quick smooth deployment - every time.
Roxon is releasing a companion tool to the Flex series. This tool features the same ability to swap out tools and customize it the way you want. The Flex has been a huge success for the company and I feel this will be equally as popular, bringing a Leatherman "T" series kind of feel to it. Here are the tools features according to the site:
Kizer’s Militaw Series: A New Wave of Innovation and Design
Kizer has truly outdone itself with the latest expansion of the Militaw series, combining their hallmark quality and innovation with new, exciting options for knife enthusiasts. From premium models to the more accessible Vanguard offerings and the introduction of a fixed blade and mini versions, there’s something in this lineup for everyone. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just looking for a reliable everyday carry, the Militaw series continues to impress.
The Raider Creek EDC is not just a knife; it’s a testament to clever engineering, embodying simplicity and utility in an elegantly minimal design. With a compact, 3-inch CPM-S35VN drop point blade that fully retracts into a sleek titanium handle, this knife’s standout feature is its sliding bolt mechanism, providing a unique take on a sheathless EDC knife.
The Vosteed Parallel
Inspired by the book Parallel Universes and the Deep Laws of the Cosmos, the Ultra-Thin Vosteed Parallel is Yue’s latest Cross Bar Lock design.
The Early Days
Leatherman's story began in the mid-1970s when Tim Leatherman and his wife, Chau, embarked on a road trip across Europe and the Middle East. Faced with frequent car breakdowns and plumbing issues, Tim found himself repeatedly needing a versatile tool to make quick repairs. This inspired him to conceptualize a pocket-sized tool with pliers, a groundbreaking idea at the time.
When discussing multitools, the name Victorinox often comes to mind, conjuring images of the iconic Swiss Army Knife. This brand has not only become synonymous with quality and innovation but has also woven itself into the fabric of everyday life for millions around the globe. The history, heritage, quality, and community surrounding Victorinox are integral to understanding its long-standing impact on the industry and its cherished place in people’s lives.
When the Leatherman Signal was introduced nearly a decade ago, it was groundbreaking with its unique blend of traditional multitool functionality and survival-specific features. As I reflect on my prolonged use, it's clear that while the Signal has many strengths, several design issues have surfaced over time. This review will highlight both the positive attributes and the areas that need improvement.
Vosteed Mini Acorn Review: Small Size, Big Performance
Overview
The Vosteed Mini Acorn is a testament to Vosteed’s dedication to creating high-quality, compact knives. Building on the success of their larger models, this mini version retains the design ethos and functionality, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer smaller EDC knives without compromising performance.
The Kizer Drop Bear is a versatile and high-performance knife, perfect for both everyday carry (EDC) and specialized tasks. Here's an in-depth look at its features, performance, and overall appeal.
Blade Material and Performance
*S45VN Blade*
For the first time, the Drop Bear incorporates S45VN steel, a premium material known for its increased toughness and exceptional edge retention. S45VN is a knife steel that uses a powder metallurgy process, resulting in fine grain structure and high uniformity. This makes the blade not only durable but also efficient in cutting tasks, ensuring long-lasting sharpness and reliability.
*Excellent Performance*
The Drop Bear's design includes a Thumb Stud and Clutch Lock, enhancing the safety and speed of opening and locking the knife. This classic structure has earned widespread recognition, contributing to the Drop Bear's enduring popularity. The quick deployment and secure locking mechanism make it a dependable tool for various applications.
"Nebula Fatcarbon Scale*
The handle of the Drop Bear is crafted from Fatcarbon material, featuring a striking Nebula pattern. This material is lightweight yet durable, providing a comfortable and stable grip. The unique patriotic color combination and graffiti-like fashion style add a distinct aesthetic appeal to the knife, making it not just a tool but also a stylish accessory.
*Scratch Resistant*
Both the blade and pocket clip are treated with a DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coating, giving them a deep black color that's highly resistant to scratches. This is the first instance of Kizer using DLC coating on a product, significantly enhancing both the aesthetics and durability of the Drop Bear. The coating ensures the knife maintains its sleek appearance and robust performance even after extensive use.
What kind of people would write collect and review multitools? Quite simple really- we are designers and do-ers, outdoors types and indoor types, mechanics, doctors, problem solvers and problem makers. As such, we have, as a world spanning community, put every type, size and version of multitool, multifunction knife, pocket knife and all related products to every test we could manage in as many places and environments as there are.