Author: whitemountainknives

Two of the great things about your Spyderco pocket knife are that it (probably) has synthetic scales, and that it (also probably) has a full flat grind.

By and large, Spyderco knives embody these features. This makes it easy to resharpen them (the flat grind is forgiving) and if you accidentally slip and gouge the scales on a sharpening stone, it won’t be like you just ruined a horn or stacked leather handle.

So, let’s say you’re here because your Spyderco pocket knife is somewhat less than sharp.

Here’s how to get it back up to speed.

The Sharpening Stones: How to Bring Back the Edge 

First, you’ll need a good set of sharpening stones. What you’ll need will depend on how dull your knife is, but we’re going to assume that it’s still sort of sharp. Like – you could cut with a little effort, but it’s too dull to cut easily.

In that case, you’ll need a 400 to 600 grit stone, a 1000 grit stone, and a strop. This is a relatively simple process.

First, clean off the blade. If you try to sharpen a dirty blade, you will gum up your stone.

Then, start with the coarser stone of the two – that’s your 400 to 600 grit stone. Put some water on the surface. You can use oil, but be aware that if you do you can never get the oil out. It’s safer to use water, which evaporates.

The purpose of wetting the stone is to keep the stone’s pores clear and free of fine metal swarf.

Then, lay your Spydero pocket knife, flat of the blade down, on the stone. Raise the spine about a centimeter from the stone so that only the edge is in contact with the stone.

Depending on your blade’s dimensions, this will give you an angle between 15° and 20° or so. This is perfect for resharpening.

Pass the knife forward, as though you are trying to shave a small sliver off the top of the sharpening stone.

Repeat this process between 20 and 30 passes, then check the edge. You should feel a small, raised ridge along it. This is called a burr and will need to be removed.

You remove this by turning the knife over and repeating the process on the other side. Give the blade the same number of passes.

Check the edge again. After restoration on the coarser stone, it should be sharp but not quite scary sharp.

To finish it off, repeat the whole process on your 1000 grit stone. By the end of it, the knife should be nearly sharp enough to shave.

The Test of True Sharpness

After touching up your Spyderco pocket knife on two grades of sharpening stones up to 1000 grit, it should be reasonably sharp.

There are two good ways to test this. One is with your arm hair, the other is on paper.

Start by trying to shave a little bit of hair off your arm. If it shaves, you’ve done it. If it sticks a little, it might still be sharp but not truly shaving sharp (which is hard to do anyway).

Check it by slicing a few pieces of scrap paper. If it can run through these without hanging up or tearing the paper excessively, you’re good to go.

Here for a New Spyderco Pocket Knife (or Sharpening Stones)?

Want to expand your current collection with a new Spyderco pocket knife? Here because you need a new set of sharpening stones?

Either way, White Mountain Knives has you covered. Check out their collection; they offer a massive inventory of popular knives and tools from the top brands (Spyderco is just one of many) and they also carry a wide variety of sharpening stones, rods, systems, and kits.

For more information about Best Cold Steel Knife and Good Pocket Knife Brands please visit:- White Mountain Knives, LLC

There’s more than one ESEE knife that has a wide fanbase. Take the Laser Strike, beloved by bushcrafters, or the Junglas, which fills the role of a small machete. Then there’s the ESEE 3 for EDC for a mid-sized fixed blade.

But ESEE knives make some small options that hit hard, and the best of them is the ESEE Izula.

Named after an infamous South American species of bullet ant with a punishing sting, the ESEE Izula is a killer in its category. According to ESEE, over 100,000 have been made, and it’s earned a reputation as one of the stoutest of the tiny fixed blades in the industry.

Here’s a primer on this feisty little fixed blade.

Enter the Izula

The ESEE Izula is a tiny knife, only 6.25” overall with a 2.63” blade that’s just .156” thick. The standard models are made with powder-coated 1095 steel and weigh just about 2 ounces without the sheath.

Despite its diminutive stature, the Izula, when equipped with scales (note on that below) feels quite full in the grip, even for those with relatively large hands. It features a graceful drop point with sharply ridged jimping right in front of the handle on the spine.

This aids in control and handling, and a full, flat grind makes the Izula quite the slicing machine. However, despite its small size, it’s also great as a chisel, for short draw cuts, and yes, even for batoning. Few knives of this size could say the same.

Most models are made with powder coated 1095 steel; it’s available in several powder coat finishes and colors, depending on where you buy, including black, OD green, FDE, desert tan, gray, purple, blaze orange, venom green, and red. There is also a stonewashed version, as well as versions made with 440 stainless steel and a special variant with S35VN.

In terms of general toughness, there’s hardly a match for the Izula. If you need a small knife that packs and conceals easily and can be carried just as comfortably as a neck knife as it’s used for batoning rounds on the trail, this is for you. There’s nothing else in the price class that genuinely competes.

A Note Before Buying

Just be aware, most sellers of the Izula sell it with a MOLLE-compatible thermoplastic sheath and a clip plate. It is generally sold without handle scales. If you want a model with scales be sure it includes them before buying, otherwise your knife will come without them. Many sellers also sell the scales separately, and versions are available in canvas Micarta and black G10.

Why ESEE Knives?

The Izula is an excellent small ESEE knife but there are other reasons besides what’s covered here to get one that have more to do with the brand than the model.

For one, ESEE knives are proudly made in the United States, and they have one of the best warranties in the industry, period. Actually, they have one of the best warranties in any industry.

ESEE warranties their knives against failure, for the life of the knife, and the warranty is transferable between owners. If you have an ESEE and break it, send it back and they will either repair it or send you a new one.

If that alone isn’t a reason to get one, we don’t know what is.

Where Can You Learn More About This ESEE Knife?

Want to get one of these ESEE knives for yourself? Start your search online at White Mountain Knives. They carry many ESEE knives, including the Izula (with Micarta scales). Check out their catalog to learn more and contact them at WhiteMountainKnives@gmail.com if you have any questions.

For more information about Victorinox Swiss Army Knife and Good Pocket Knife Brands please visit:- White Mountain Knives, LLC

Had a Banter from WE Knife Company on you for the better part of the last few years? Has that thing not touched a sharpening stone in all that time?

Worry not – it doesn’t matter how dull your WE Knife is, as long as there’s no damage to it. You can get it back to shaving sharp with the right stones, even if it’s so dull you could use it as a spoon.

Here’s what to know about the relative grits of sharpening stones, and when and where to use them.

100 to 240 Grit Stones

These are the coarsest of all sharpening stones and will feel like rough concrete on your hands. They are used for reprofiling damaged edges, as well as for putting brand new edges on badly dulled knives. If your knife is extremely, bluntly dull, start here.

240 to 400 Grit Stones

Still aggressive, but not quite as coarse, sharpening stones between 240 to 400 grit will feel like relatively coarse, but not uncomfortably coarse sandpaper. These are used for mild reprofiling and can be used for restoring edges that are fairly dull.

400 to 800 Grit Stones

Sharpening stones between 400 and 800 grit can be used to get a relatively serviceable edge back on a knife but will not be able to make it razor sharp. These are used for the intermediate steps between restoring an edge before progressing to finer stones. They can also be used to sharpen coarser tools, like shovels, axes, and shears.

800 to 1000 Grit Stones

Sharpening stones between 800 and 1000 grit can be used to make a knife sharp, but not scary sharp. For most general applications, you won’t need to move past this unless you want to put a really fine edge on your knives.

1000 to 3000 Grit Stones

Starting at 1000 grit, you can start to make a knife really sharp. Beyond that, you’re getting into razor territory. You should not be using stones this fine unless you’re starting with a knife that has an edge that’s already in pretty good condition and simply needs to be touched up. 

3000 Grit and Above

Above 3000 grit, you’re working with a stone that is used to finish wood working tools, straight razors, and the sharpest of knives. These can only be used for edge refinement and cannot be used to make a dull tool sharp. Above 3000 grit you can also use the stone to create a mirror polish.

A Word on Natural Sharpening Stones

Natural stones are somewhat unreliable in their grit ratings since no two are exactly alike. Nonetheless, a common material used in natural sharpening stones is novaculite, also known as Arkansas stone.

The coarsest of these is soft Arkansas, which is usually a white to gray color, and has a grit somewhere between 800 and 1200. Then you have hard Arkansas, with a slightly higher grit rating, followed by hard black Arkansas, which is usually between 1000 and 3000 grit. The finest of all Arkansas stones are translucent Arkansas stones, which are extremely fine and can be used for sharpening razors.

Here for a New WE Knife?

Here not for a sharpening stone, but for a new WE Knife? Get it online at White Mountain Knives. They carry a wide range of popular models including but not limited to the Banter, the Mini Buster, the Roxi 3, the Vision R, and the Miscreant 3.0.

They also carry a wide variety of sharpening stones, along with diamond sharpeners, rods, pull-through knife sharpeners, and complete kits. Visit their website to learn more.

For more information about Kershaw Pocket Knife and Swiss Army Knife Tools please visit:- White Mountain Knives, LLC

So you’re in the market for a new folding utility knife? Don’t just buy any old thing even if it isn’t one of your top tools.

If you’re replacing one for any reason, here are 4 of the most important things to consider before getting a new one.

Type of Lock

There are folding utility knives that don’t fold. That’s fine if you don’t need a locking knife. In some instances, it might be more of a hindrance than a benefit, especially in some areas.

However, having a folding utility knife with a lock can be safer and often can be put to much harder use.

There are lots of different types of locks that folding knives often have. Among the most common are frame locks and liner locks. These are easy to use with one hand.

There are also lock backs, which are among the strongest, but they do require two hands to close.

Recently, button locks have become more popular. These are stronger than liner locks and frame locks. Like them, they can also be used with one hand, but they are safer too.

Get what works for you.

Blade Profile

Chances are if you’re looking for a folding utility knife, you might just end up with one that accepts those standard razor blades. That’s fine if that’s what you need.

However, if you’re shopping for a more conventional knife, blade profile is one of the most important things to look at.

Blade profile will influence how the knife can be used. For most general applications, spear points and drop points are practical.

For a strong tip, you might also consider a tanto point or a sheepsfoot point, as these are good for hard use, too.

If you’re making a lot of draw cuts, a hawkbill blade might be the best option – but remember, these are difficult to sharpen.

Size

The truth is, in most instances, less knife will be more – especially for general utility, and if you’re looking for a folding model in the first place.

The whole point of a folding utility knife is convenience. No one buys a folding knife because they expect it to be tougher than a fixed blade.

And so, keep in mind the diminishing returns that accompany size increases with a folding knife. A blade between 3 and 4 inches is probably all you’ll need for most of the work that you’ll do – if not smaller.

Steel Chemistry

You don’t need to be a metallurgist here, but the truth is the more you know about steel alloys, the smarter a shopper you’ll be.

For instance, if you need a corrosion resistant knife, there are two elements you’ll want to look for: chromium and nickel. Both are typically added in varying concentrations to improve steel’s rust-resistance.

Chromium keeps rust at bay, but too much will make the steel too soft to hold an edge, so be aware of that.

If you’re the type that uses your knives hard and doesn’t provide them with a lot of TLC, being aware of chemistry can help you select a corrosion-resistant alloy that won’t need a lot of love to keep it from rusting.

Here for a New Folding Utility Knife? Visit White Mountain Knives

If you want to see what some of your options are for a new utility knife, visit White Mountain Knives. They carry a wide range of folding knives (as well as utility knives and work knives) from the top brands, they offer competitive prices and they also offer free shipping in the U.S. too.

For more information about Benchmade Pocket Knife and Victorinox Swiss Army Knife please visit:- White Mountain Knives, LLC

WE Knife Company may be new but it has made waves in the industry. Ever since the release of the Banter it has been a top-seller. That might just be the WE Knife that put the company on the map.

But it is far from the only successful design. Enter the Vision R, designed by Snecx Tan, which offers everything the Banter offers and more.

Here’s what you need to know about it and why, if you can excuse the pun, it is “vision”ary.

Blade Steel and Profile

This is going to be a bit of a variable since there are a few different Vision R models out there, but as far as the blade profile and deployment go, you’re getting a 3.45” blade with thumb holes that are naturally ambidextrous.

The blade profile is what WE Knife Company calls a “reverse tanto” but it may as well be called a sheepsfoot. It even has a bit of the air of a wharnie about it.

Anyway, this profile is exceptionally versatile and has a very strong tip that is unlikely to break, even in the face of abuse.

The nearly straight edge is good for shaving, splitting, and slicing, and with such a robust tip, you shouldn’t be shy about putting it to hard jobs.

As for the steel, that’s the variable part. WE Knife Company makes several different versions of this knife, with 20CV steel and “Damasteel.”

The flagship version, however, is made with 20CV, a martensitic stainless steel made by CPM (Crucible Particle Metallurgy) that is very rich in vanadium carbides. These make the alloy very hard, very strong, and give it great edge retention and wear resistance. It also happens to be a very corrosion-resistant alloy, too.

The Super Lock

Now let’s turn our attention to what is most certainly the biggest selling point of the knife, unique profile and super steel aside: the lock.

The Super Lock, to be more specific.

Think of the Super Lock like a lock back, as it contains a lock bar, except the bar is at the front of the blade, near the shoulder, and the spring orientation is reversed.

The lock is not only extremely strong – among the strongest of all types of folding locks – but disengaging it is the reverse of what you might expect. You need to pull the lock bar up, not push it down, as in the case of a conventional lock back.

As a result it is nearly impossible for the lock to accidentally fail, allowing the blade to close on your fingers. It also makes it so the lock cannot be disengaged except by a deliberate, manual action that requires you to remove your hand from the grip.

All in all, that makes the knife harder to close, but the lock is much, much stronger and more reliable.

Carry and More

Other things that make this WE Knife Company highlight great include:

• A deep carry pocket clip
• A caged ceramic ball bearing mechanism
• Solid ergonomics
• A strong, lightweight titanium handle (multiple finishes available)

Looking for This Or Another WE Knife Company Product?

Whether you’re interested in the WE Knife Company Vision R or some other highlight from their catalog, you can learn more (or get one) online at White Mountain Knives.

White Mountain Knives carries tons of WE Knife Company products, offers competitive prices, and moreover offers free shipping on orders in the United States.

You can learn more on their website, but if you’re looking for something specific that you can’t find, get in touch with them at WhiteMountainKnives@gmail.com.

For more information about Buck Survival Knife and Good Pocket Knife Brands please visit:- White Mountain Knives, LLC

You’re probably not alone out there if you haven’t gotten yourself an ESEE because of the price tag. For the simplicity of design and materials used, the price of ESEE knives is ambitious, to say the least.

Their staples are G10 and 1095, both of which are budget materials. You can get a solid knife made with those materials for $20 or so. When the ESEE comes in at like $100, at a starting point (with a few exceptions), that’s a bit of a turn off.

But these are rock solid knives, and in many ways are worth the price. So if you’ve been putting it off, here are a few good reasons to break and just get one.

Simplicity

You know, this is something that often gets overlooked. There really isn’t a single ESEE in the whole darn catalog that’s going to turn heads. These are plain, generally boring patterns and profiles in stale colors and blade finishes.

Truly, the only thing eye-catching about these knives – and only some of them – is when they’re finished with the purple, orange, or venom green powder coat. By and large, though, they are black or drab.

The patterns are plain, too. They are mostly flat-ground drop point profiles, but you know what? That works. You could send one of these to hell and back and you’d probably come up for air before the knife did.

Their Warranty

One of the biggest selling points of ESEE knives, and a big justification of the cost, is the warranty. If you break an ESEE, send it to them and they will fix it. No sales receipt or proof of purchase is needed.

This is one company that really stands behind their knives. If you break it, they fix it, no questions asked. The warranty covers the knife for its lifetime and is transferable, by the way. How many other knives with price tags this ambitious will honor such a warranty?

Their Patterns Are Proven

Back to the knife patterns, which are pretty plain. They’re plain for a reason. A 3 to 6 inch drop point with a flat grind can pretty much do it all. They’re good camp knives, good game processing knives, decent for food prep, can split, shave, carve, and more. You can even use them as draw knives or chisel with them, if you make a maul.

Ergonomics

Get an ESEE in your hand and you will realize that these are remarkably comfortable knives to hold, and they balance well. Even tiny models like the IZULA and Candiru, which look like they’d be hellishly uncomfortable (especially if you have large hands) index well and don’t produce big hot spots. It’s really a thing of beauty, actually, and one that must be experienced rather than communicated verbally.

What Are the Best Models of ESEE Knives?

If you’ve gotten this far, chances are you’re thinking about getting one seriously. Perhaps you just need some recommendations. These are some of the best.

• ESEE 3: The perfect “everyman’s” knife, neither too large for small tasks nor too small for large tasks.
• ESEE 4: Indistinguishable from the ESEE 3 but for the fact that it is one inch bigger. Also a generalist.
• ESEE Junglas: One of ESEE’s larger knives, the Junglas (pronounced HOON-gluss) is great as a machete or a chopper.
• ESEE Izula: A tiny knife, the Izula is still large enough for hard jobs like batoning wood rounds or making camp furniture.
• ESEE Candiru: Smaller than the Izula, the Candiru is still capable enough for breaking down big game or carving tools, yet it carries with impossible comfort.
• ESEE Sencillo: The Sencillo is like the Izula but a bit larger, making it suitable for those that like the profile of the former but want a little heft.
• ESEE Churp: If you must have a folder, make it a Churp. These little slip joints are built tough and are endlessly utilitarian.

Where to Get ESEE Knives?

Interested in any of these ESEE Knives? You can learn more or get one of them online at White Mountain Knives – and they offer free shipping there, too.

For more information about Benchmade Pocket Knife and Victorinox Swiss Army Knife please visit:- White Mountain Knives, LLC

Name some top sporting, everyday carry, or folding utility knife brands. What comes to mind?

CRKT? Spyderco? Zero Tolerance? Gerber? Kershaw? Kizer?

All great names. Does LionSteel strike you?

If not, no big deal. There are hundreds of brands in the industry and most of them deserve some attention. An oversight of one should almost be expected.

Yet, at the same time, many of these overlooked brands deserve more consideration, and LionSteel knives are among them.

Here’s why you should get more familiar.

Rooted in Knifemaking Heritage

Have you ever heard of MKM, or Maniago Knife Makers? It is actually a collaboration of four Italian knife makers. These are Viper, FOX, Mercury, and the focus of this article, LionSteel knives.

LionSteel knives actually hail from Maniago, way up in the north of Italy. The company has its roots in the vision and passion of Gino Pauletta, who began the company more than half a century ago.

Today, his sons have taken up the torch, but the company’s roots in knifemaking heritage still run deep.

Unique, Practical Designs, Top-Tier Materials

LionSteel Knives sport practical designs that are inspired by a commitment to function, and make use of top-tier materials.

Spear point, clip point, drop point and sheepsfoot blade profiles are common in their catalog, as are simple handle ergonomics that perform well under a variety of conditions.

As for materials, LionSteel knives make use of the best, with MagnaCut and M390 blades, along with some other specialty stainless steel alloys like the exceptionally corrosion-resistant H1.

The company also makes artistic use of natural materials like olive, santos wood and ram horn, along with synthetics like carbon fiber and micarta.

But perhaps the biggest thing to bear in mind here is that, in a world of mass production, LionSteel knives are outliers. Each of them is entirely made by hand.

Industry Collaborations

LionSteel knives are no stranger to collaboration, and the company has worked closely with other industry insiders, like Michele “Molletta” Pensato and Ernest Emerson. They’re committed to working with visionaries in the industry to continue coming up with unique designs.

Warranty Coverage

LionSteel Knives, being handmade, are warrantied by the company to be free from defects in material and manufacturing. If for any reason a LionSteel fails to function as it was intended, it can be returned for examination and assistance.

What Are Some Top LionSteel Knives?

LionSteel’s catalog is not as expansive as those of some other manufacturers, but nonetheless, the following are some of their more popular, acclaimed models:

• LionSteel T5 (a larger fixed blade that’s perfect for camping and the outdoors)
• Myto
• M4
• M7
• Gitano
• Thrill (a slipjoint that perfect for EDC)
• Bestman
• Jack (a highly utilitarian folder)

Where Can You Explore a Catalog of LionSteel Knives?

LionSteel knives are, in a word, among the highest quality knives in the industry today. If you’re interested in looking into a catalog of some of their top models, check out White Mountain Knives. They carry plenty from this and other manufacturers and also offer free shipping in the United States.

For more information about Buck Survival Knife and Swiss Army Knives For Sale please visit:- White Mountain Knives, LLC

Just like knife weight, size, and steel alloy, a folding pocket knife’s blade profile will significantly impact its utility. It’s something you should consider before you get a new knife for EDC. These are some of the most popular profiles, some of which are more practical than others.

Drop Point

Drop point knives have a spine that slopes gently downward to meet the point. These are perfect for general utility as they are not too specialized. It is also one of the most common blade profiles.

Straight Back

A straight back knife is just what it sounds like. It has a straight spine that meets the point. Generally, the belly is gently swept. Like drop point knives they are great for all-purpose applications.

Clip Point

A clip point blade is like a drop point, except that towards the point, a short radius has been “clipped” out of the spine. This leaves a swept, inward curve in the spine near the point that is generally swedged or sharpened to a false edge. It also results in a very fine tip.

Swept Point/Trailing Point

A swept point blade profile has a point that trails behind the spine of the knife, hence the other name. These profiles are best for making long, sweeping cuts.

Needle Point

A knife with a needle point profile, like a stiletto, has a very fine point. They may be sharpened on one or both edges. Generally, this style is best for piercing and not much else, as it is a relatively fragile profile.

Spear Point

A spear point profile is like a needle point but more robust. Both sides of the blade – the edge and the spine, come together to meet at the point, such that you can’t tell just by looking at the profile which is the sharpened edge. This is another very popular profile and useful for general utility.

Talon/Hawkbill

In a talon or hawkbill blade, the point of the profile is swept inward toward the handle. This profile is best for making draw and pull cuts, as well as for pruning. It has its applications, but the profile is somewhat limiting and the edge is very hard to sharpen.

Sheepsfoot

In a sheepsfoot blade, the spine of the knife is downturned toward the point, sloping to meet it, like a spear point but much more aggressively. The edge is usually but not always straight. Usually sheepsfoot blades have thick blade stocks and spines and very robust points that are not ideal for piercing. Like much larger cleavers, these blade styles are best for chopping, dicing and slicing.

Spey

A spey blade is a niche profile that was once very common on traditional pocket knives. In it, the belly is swept up to a point that drops to meet it, sort of like a hybrid between a sheepsfoot and a drop point. Historically, spey blades were used for neutering and spaying livestock, hence the name.

Wharncliffe

In a wharncliff, the edge of the blade is usually straight, with a sloped spine that comes down to meet it. This results in excellent piercing efficiency, like a needle point, with more stock near the tip, like a sheepfoot. As a result, wharncliffes, or “wharnies” as they are sometimes called, are ideal for both slicing and piercing applications.

Tanto

Tanto blades usually have straight or slightly swept spines and corresponding bellies. Near the tip, there is a differential grind that creates a unique bevel and geometry, resulting in a very strong tip that is unlikely to break.

Leaf

Leaf-patterned blades are narrower at the shoulder and flare out, sort of like a leaf shape, through the belly and spine, converging again at the tip. Normally the tip is not that fine. Many Spyderco knives have leaf-shaped blades.

Pick Up a Folding Pocket Knife from One of the Top Brands

Armed with this information you can talk more authoritatively the next time you’re showing off one of your prized knives. If you’re in the market for a new one, check out what’s available online at White Mountain Knives. They carry a wide range of pocket knives in a variety of shapes and styles, and offer competitive prices, along with free shipping in the U.S.

For more information about Benchmade Pocket Knife and Good Pocket Knife Brands please visit:- White Mountain Knives, LLC