- You are here:
- Home
- Knife Reviews
- Demko
On my hunt for knife sharpeners around the world I came across a gentleman on Etsy by the name of Zeljko Mihanovi. He runs a carpentry shop out of his house and makes an assortment of handcrafted items. One of those items just so happens to be a knife sharpener, that's not something you see very often. The sharpener is similar to other designs I've seen by folks who've made their own. Zeljko says these do pretty well for him and he's shipped them to many countries around the world from his home in Croatia. This sharpener is quite unique and it's a creative take on what we typical think of when we hear guided knife sharpener.
The latest news from Opinel in France is a new limited edition model featuring an ebony wood handle and forged carbon blade. Registration for this new limited edition model is now open and can be accessed HERE.
Have your say about this Limited Edition knife on our forum.
We got a chance to check out the new Roxon Flex. Check out the video below and see what makes the new Flex heads and tales above the competition.
TSProf is a Russian brand that got its start back in 2010. Thier goal was to make comprehensive sharpening available to all by using only the best, safest and most sustainable materials. The company produces the sharpening systems in Izhevsk, and it's known for its defense, engineering and metallurgy industries. TSProf wanted to reflect the craftsmanship that Izhevsky was famous for. All the parts of their sharpeners are CNC machined with extremely tight tolerances, while all final assembly and inspection is done the old-fashioned way.
Today we're taking a look at the company's latest model, the Pioneer. It's the most compact and lightweight system TSProf has made, coming in at 1.4kg (3.08 lbs). TSProf's models share similarities but you can see that each model fits a niche, some are better for some things than others. The Pioneer is meant to be extremely compact and have the ability to fold down and be disassembled with ease. That's a cool feature, because the company's other models can dominate a tabletop like the K03.
Vosteed is an innovator, and they are constantly pushing the boundaries rather than resting on their laurels. Whether it be new and interesting designs or creating new locking mechanisms for future releases like the Ankylo Racoon. This new release from the company is both a first and a mini variation of a popular model, the Labrador. Mini versions are popular with customers because it gives that same feel as the full-size version in a more compact form.
The mini-Labrador comes with a blade of 14C28N that's 2.73", a titanium handle that's 3.5", and an overall of 6.23". This cute yet capable package comes in at a feather light weight of 1.93oz. There's a lot going on with this mini, and good thing really do come in small packages. Let's take a look at what makes this Labrador man's best friend.
Wayne Thornton of Wayne's Sharp World has been covering the knife scene for a few years. His love for knives has spawned a collaboration with Vosteed Knives. Wayne worked with the company to produce a knife that pays homage to his grandfather, Wayne Thornton Walter, along with his love for aviation and travel. His grandfather was a mechanical squad leader for aircraft in the Solomon and Philippine Islands during World War II. Wayne designed the knife to capture that love and wanderlust spirit. Hoping that this knife will make a great companion, taking you on many adventures.
One of the most beloved designs in the Vosteed lineup is the Corgi. It's classy look, clean lines, and multiple deployments make this fidget friendly knife a hit with crowd. It was only a matter of time before the company decided to give this canine themed cutlery the mini treatment. Vosteed fans love the minis of thier full sized counterparts, they're great for those who like a particular design but are looking for something a little smaller. However with those who collect it's kind of like Pokemon and they've gotta catch em all .
I tend to gravitate towards knives that hit my sweet spot when it comes to blade size, which is in the 3.25-3.5" range. They give me just enough blade to handle most of my daily needs without wishing I had something larger. I do on occasion like something a little smaller, maybe I'm going to a function were using such a large blade would draw unwanted attention. I would usually carry a Swiss Army knife or perhaps a slip joint, but lately I've been carrying something different. Adrian from Damned Designs offers regular and XL sizes of most his lineup, and the standard Anzu makes a perfect choice for a knife that's just right in those situations.
Gerber has dabbled quite a bit in the box cutter or utility blade market for a while. Whether it's an EAB, the Edge, or maybe a Prybid series tool, we've all got one stashed somewhere. We all have them because they're great for beating on and they go places we don't want our pocketknives going. Gerber has listened to feedback from its Prybid series and have added a much-needed accessory, a pocket clip. This may feel like something that should have been added right from the get-go but who knows why decisions get made the way they do.
KME has been around for over a decade and was conceived when a friend was having difficulty sharpening his broadheads. Ron volunteered to see if he could come up with a way to make it easier. He came up with a device that was rudimentary but functional. After refining the design their self-aligning broadhead sharpener was born. A few years later Ron adapted this system to knife sharpening and the rest is history as they say.
The company's ethos is to create products that simplify the process of sharpening. They take tremendous pride in their products and it's evident in materials, craftsmanship, and customer service. Today we're taking a look at the KME Sharpening system and some accessories.
Edge Pro Inc is another one of those companies whose founder had developed a product for his personal needs. Ben Dale president of Edge Pro developed the sharpener for his own use on a commercial knife route, he built 100 prototypes and sharpened over 100,000 knives over a 10-year period. His father taught him to sharpen, and he has always been fascinated by it. Dale felt working with knife sharpeners by hand was too slow and he began working on a better way. For years, he just kept sharpening and designing.
That rich history is translated into the quality products that Edge Pro makes. Today we're checking out the Apex model, it's a model that's a staple in the company's lineup and the most popular. The Apex can handle any blade up to 3 ½ wide including serrated knives. Because of its design knives can be sharpened at the same angle every time. This helps take the guess work out of finding your angle and making sure you keep it. This unique system doesn't have a clamp like similar systems, this allows for a variety of blade lengths and shapes. I'm a sucker for domestically made product and the Apex is proudly made in Hood River, OR.
One hallmark of any good knife company is the ability to produce limited editions and runs that are unique to the model. Vosteed is one of those companies; they've got more variants than Marvel has Loki. Not long ago, we checked out the White Mountain Knives exclusive Raccoon with a crossbar lock and frag pattern micarta. This release isn't exclusive to WMK but is limited in number. Today, we're checking out the Raccoon in aluminum.
It's been a while since I've touched base with 394 Components and wanted to see what else he has cooked up. He has a unique eye for things and creates this heavy-duty products that are meant to last. What we are checking out today is his take on an everyday carry screwdriver. A lot of us have multitools on here but sometimes you just want a dedicated driver. Dubbed the EDC Pocket Driver, it's built like a tank, and true to the 394 life.
Rive is a fairly new company that gained a bit of popularity with their Rogue Mini. The Mini is a small folder that is offered in limited quantities and the companies first release. This knife tested the waters and showed this team that the community was very interested. Rive went all in, announcing the Recon and the Striker late last year. The Recon being a new folder and the Striker a multipurpose pry tool.
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.