Now I’m interested in acquiring a portable knife, in fact more than anything else I will use it to look at it and show off. At first, the front opening ones caught my attention because of how striking it is to see them unfold, but I understood that having a complex system of several parts working is more likely to break, in addition to the fact that the blade has less firmness inherent to the way it is attached to the handle.
I saw some tubes where they explain that the lateral deployment ones have fewer moving parts which gives the blade more firmness. But then in the recommendations there was a video in which they commented on the knives used by the Marines, the fixed blade ones, whose features make them the most reliable and easy to use.
Well, if your primary purpose is simply to look at it and show off, not carry and actually put to use… then just buy whatever visually appeals to you within your budget.
The SOG Tomcat II has a very striking design. I didn’t bother to pick up one because I’ve got a SOG Vulcan Tanto San Mei. And it’s a superb knife. It’s a bit more aggressive looking than I typically like to EDC, so I rarely use it… but periodically flick it out and admire the design. It has drilled slots in the blade near the spine, large enough to fit in very small tritium vials.
The original clip developed a crack at a stress point… and while it didn’t affect the clip for carry (plus I don’t really carry it these days), I still wanted something a little smaller and sturdier. I discovered a compatible model and was able to get it from SOG for free (they have a clip replacement service).
Tritium vials. They’re only visible in lower light and pretty easy to spot in complete darkness. This one shows just 2 vials, but I managed to get the 3rd slot filled later on.
I’ve long admired the Spyderco Spydiechef, but the LC200N steel is not a good match for my use. Plus, it’s hard to find one used in great shape for cheaper than $200 USD. But I lucked out on a great deal for a Kizer Wanderer, paying less than $90 USD for brand new. It has a “Spydiechef” vibe about it, but in my mind is superior. It has a more elegant look about it, plus the stonewashed blade finish with chamfered spine is more appealing. And the grip is so superb.
I remember when I was a kid finding a knife like this in my dad’s sock drawer. (I was a nosey kid - got me in a lot of trouble)
It was a switchblade of sorts. The hook end would flip open when you pressed the button. He told me that he carried it when he parachuted to cut the lines if necessary. He was a Navy UDT aka frogman in Vietnam. They eventually became what we call the SEALS. (He had some craaaazy stories).
Since he’s passed I’ve been searching for it, but still can’t find it. Hopefully it’s in one of his toolboxes I haven’t sorted through yet.
I’m thinking what exactly could be in this pdf about collecting buttons… but what a nice surprise! I LOVE there’s this guide book! Especially the helpful tips around organization, etc.
My favourites are jazz, funk and soul from the 1960s and 1970s as well as soundtracks from that time but I also enjoy completely different genres.
A few years ago I became aware of the Italian band Calibro 35 and have since bought almost everything by them (but only a little on vinyl, mainly on CD and digital). At the moment I’m going through another phase where I can’t get enough of their great music
The Bullitt soundtrack is amazing. Did you know that the first issue of the soundtrack was a re-recording? The original score was not released until 2009 (see Bullitt (1968)). And in 2000 Lalo Shifrrin visited the German TV channel WDR and re-recorded the score plus some other tracks with the WDR Big Band (see Bullit). Needless to say, every version is fantastic
reminded of it.
I’m thinking what exactly could be in this pdf about collecting buttons… but what a nice surprise! I LOVE there’s this guide book! Especially the helpful tips around organization, etc.
