The Knife Collector Magazine

THE

Knife Collector COLLECTORS SHARE THEIR GRAILS

INTERVIEW

wit Countes Ann

Photo by Zoran Borojevic

IN THIS EDITION SEARCH FOR THE HOLY KNIFE GRAIL

eorge Magnum's

Grail Links are active >>

Spartan Harsey Folder THE OCULUS This Spartan Blades Harsey Folder, Referred To As The Oculus, Is Hand Ground by Williams Harsey, Making This a Special Limited Edition - Only 3 made. 3.95" Chad Nichols Damascus Blade, Oculus Engraved Titanium Handles, and All Titanium Custom Machinery Except for The Pivot and Stop Pin. Price: $800.00

I was attending Blade Show 2019 in Atlanta, GA. I went from booth to booth, each one presenting knives nicer than the next. Then, I came across the booth of Spartan Blades and laid my eyes on the "Oculus" (pictured.)

Spartan Harsey Folder

Spartan Harsey Folder

I just didn't want just a beautiful knife, I wanted a great collectors item - a blade that had potential to, just maybe, even go up in value. Not only did I find the details on this knife stunning, it also was only one of three hand ground by Williams Harsey, the designer. The one pictured is number 3 of 3.

Time, Providence & Direction

There are 3 symbols engraved into the show-side scale. The first is a clock, the second an oculus and the third is a compass. Accoridng to Spartan Blades, the meaning of the engravings are time, providence and direction.

Spartan Harsey Folder

Shield of Oden Long sleeve tee

One Available

Though my initial budget was pretty small, once I saw this knife I began to find every rationalization I could to spend the money (don't all collectors?) Well, I finally figured, this is what credit cards are for. Today, the Oculus is my grail.

Specifications: Blade Length: 4" Overall Length: 8 13/16" Finish: Stone Washed Blade Thickness: 0.154" Thickness: 0.5" Blade Steel: CPM S35VN stainless steel Blade Hardness: 58-60 RHC Frame: 6AL-4V Titanium

@ knife is a bitch

CONAN'S GRAIL

The Sukhoi 3 Dominance, The 3rd Generation of the famous Sukhoi knife designed by Anton Malyshev.

Photos by @knife_is_a_bitch

The Sukhoi 3 Dominancee

By @knife_is_a_bitch The Sukhoi 3 Dominance has kept most of its original design features of the earlier generations, although it has gained some weight, size and thickness but it's all muscle and sexiness. The main frame is sandblasted titanium with beautiful milled marbled carbon fiber scales.

The handle is very ergonomic, making the knife feel smaller in hand than it really is. A beautiful gear shaped pivot collar blued to match the backspacer adds an extra touch of flare to the handle. The black stonewashed pocket clip blends in well with the marbled carbon fiber scales.

The blade is simple and functional. It is wider than it was on the previous generations, making it more robust. The vapour finish is sublime and also helps reducing glare and light reflections.

The Sukhoi 3 Dominancee

Specifications Length: 9.29" (236mm) Blade Length: 3.98" (101mm) Blade Thickness: 0.14" (3,5mm) Blade Material: M390, ckfwash Blade Finish: hand rubbed satin Edge Type: Plain Handle Length: 5.31" (135mm) Handle Thickness: 0.55" (14mm) Handle Material: Titanium anodized, Chaotic CF, zirconium backspace

Frame Material: Titanium (steel lock insert) Pivot: Sinkevich mrbs (multi row bearing system), torx10, anodized collar Weight: 4.86 oz. (137gr) User: Right hand Pocket Clip: Tip-Up, titanium (black stonewashed) Knife Type: Manual Opener: flipper Lock Type: Frame Lock Brand: Custom Knife Factory (CKF) Model: Sukhoi-3 "Dominance" Designer: Anton "Tohus" Malyshev

The Sukhoi 3 Dominancee

The Sukhoi 3 Dominancee

@Long_Island_Knife_Guy

visit

Custom Koenig Arius

On May 11th, two thousand and twenty, a 6 ounce amalgamation of 6AL4V titanium, CPM 154 steel, and gold dust was born.

Custom Koenig Arius s

CUSTOM KOEING ARIUS

An amazing custom Koenig Arius is my Holy grail. With an astonishing price tag for the #001 of $1360.00 it is well worth the hustle, the blood, the sweat and a little bit of tears. This Koenig Arius Gold Dust can't be beat and will forever be my Grail.

CUSTOM KOEING ARIUS

CUSTOM KOEING ARIUS

CUSTOM KOEING ARIUS

CUSTOM KOEING ARIUS

CUSTOM KOEING ARIUS

Bartholomews Grail

H E AT S E E K E R DESIGNED BY TASHI BHARUCHA

Hi, I'm Bartholomew, but on Instagram, I go by bearded_edc. I'm 30 years old, I come from Poland, and people consider me being a pro at EDC flat lays. My serious knife collecting started right after my first serious knife purchase, that was my Apurvisblades Primordial Mk2, and then it went straight down the hill, with even more expensive ones. The whole knife addiction started with my dad, who always liked knives. But he couldn't afford to collect them, so I'm making a dream come true for both of us.

H

E

A

T

S

E

E

K

E

R

H

E

A

T

S

E

E

K

E

R

The last grail that I have acquired is the Massdrop Heatseeker, designed by one and only Tashi Bharucha. He came into my possession by luck. While swiping through Instagram, I came across a post from Levon from knifenutspodcast, who was making a labor day sale. I got this knife for 200$, where the Massdrop MSRP was 280$, so with the run of 145 pcs, it was a deal.

You may be wondering, "Why this knife?" well, it's simple, Tashi makes and designs one of the most beautiful knives in the industry. All the lines combine so organically. The lines of the Heatseeker are quite simple, but as you look at the knife, it mesmerizes you.

The hand rubbed satin on the blade makes amazing light reflection.

The bronze anodized, stonewashed, semiintegral handle is very comfortable in hand.

The only hot spot on the knife is the flipper tab, but anyone can smooth it out with ease.

The action is quite nice, not the best yet still satisfying.

The RWL34 blade steel has an aggressive edge, but I still have to work with it more to know it better. The clip is nicely milled. He's llong but goes well even on thick jeans pockets. Lockup is solid and early would say 1/3, the blade drop shuts with a little help.

For me, a grail knife is a piece that I personally think is amazing. A grail can be a knife designed by a famous maker/designer I respect and like his designs. It doesn't need to be a custom (I can't really afford them). A great design made in good quality, not by the maker, but by a well-known production company, still counts as a grail to me.

H

E

A

T

S

E

E

K

E

R

SPECS Designed by Tashi Bharucha Manufactured by Reate Produced by Massdrop Country of origin: China Blade: Damasteel RWL34 stainless steel Blade profile: Trailing point Grind: Flat Finish/coating: Satin and hand rub Handle: Titanium Handle finish: stonewashed bronze anodizing Opening mechanism: Flipper tab Lock: Frame lock Pivot: Caged bearings Pocket clip: 3D-milled titanium Hardened steel lockbar insert, stop pin, and pivot barrel Hardware: Torx T8 all around Blade length (from tip of blade to forward-most aspect of handle): 3.7 in (9.4 cm) Cutting edge: 3.5 in (8.9 cm) Blade thickness (at spine): 4 mm Blade thickness (1 mm behind apex): 0.5 mm Handle length: 4.9 in (12.4 cm) Handle width: 0.5 in (1.3 cm) without clip, 0.7 in (1.7 cm) with clip Overall length: 8.5 in (21.6 cm) Weight: 4.8 oz (136 g)

H

E

A

T

S

E

E

K

E

R

"May the lord give me strength to find the grail and demolish CNN."

INTERVIEW wit

Countes Ann @countess_anne

1. Tell me a story about you and a knife? Any good stories?

I was always into knives. Sadly there is no romantic backstory involving my old grandpa's knife that I found after he passed. None of that. Actually, for me it started with Rambo, honestly.

John Rambo and my grandma's red victorinox swiss army that she carried as her edc in 1970’s while she was working in Siemens. But again, more Rambo than Grandma though they were both comparably tough :D. I’m into guns for the very same reason.

Only thing that prevents me from driving in fully armopured Pinzgauer or Tank are stupid eruopean laws. I’ll be drowning in both assault rifles as well as knives if the legislation ever changes.

2. When did you start collecting knives and why?

Somewhere in 2004 I bought my very first traditional pocket knife and opinel carbone no8. But semi serious collecting started after i got my first Spyderco. Mind you the price for pm2 where i live goes up to 250 Euros for basic s30v model. That’s around 300 bucks. It took some time before knives and collecting could become a top priority expense item along with food :D, and equally important.

3. What's the favorite knife you own?

Again, I had limited experience with most brands out there and I am just getting started. It has to be my Pm2 which I bought for myself :D. Chaves next just because they have that flare I truly like. Not Reate made but custom. Good luck with that eh :D

5. What do you like most about the knife community?

Knives and few people that do not feel threatened by a woman with knives. It’s really not important if you pee standing up or sitting as long as you have proverbial balls to stand your ground.

Great people i’ve met and knowledge on how to spend money i don’t have on the knives i don’t need

6. Do you hunt, fish, camp, use knives in the outdoors?

Let me put it this way, I've dispatched quite a few burgers with my fixed blade esee 3hm but never went hunting cause the laws we have.. I am very much pro ethical hunting. I don’t fish for now. I camp a lot.

Anne Sells Hanks!

HERE

Brian's Grail

@bbobe123

My name is Brian Bobé. My experience with the custom knife maker, Kurt Merriken, was second to none.

I'm not sure how he prepares, but from ordering the knife, to it creation, to shipping was just a couple months.

Kurt gave me constant updates, feedback, and regularly sent me pictures and videos. This knife is made right here in the USA. I carry this blade daily and it gets used a lot, lol. I highly recommend a build from Kurt.

• Merriken Knives Ultamatum • Kurt Merriken • 3.5” Nitro V Blade • Zirc backspacer • Black Ti pocket Clip • Contoured and blasted scales • $800

Ulltamatum

Ulltamatum

Ulltamatum

MY KNIFE GRAIL

Kyle Boehnm AKA @Kyle_Carries Location: Ontario Canada Biography: A little about me. I am a 33 year old, IT professional, who has far too many expensive Hobbies. Those include biking (mountain and road), fish keeping, and posting my EDC situation on Instagram. I have no children, but 3 cats and a dog. Happily married, and have been for 8 years.

Koenig Arius Gen 3

My Knife Journey by Kyle Boehm We all know that knives are a tool, to be used to make your day easier. Countless times throughout some days I need into something, and my trusty knife is always there. I first started carrying a knife when I worked in a machine shop. The material arrived to me with thick plastic straps, attaching it to the skid. The knife allowed me to get my job done faster and more efficiently. Soon people started to ask me to borrow it, and it gave me a small sense of purpose. I liked being that guy. The guy who could help.

The knife was a daily addition to my pocket. The knife at this point had a flipper tab, for faster deployment. I started just flippin it when I was waiting for the machine to finish whatever it was doing. I discovered some Youtube channels which actually reviewed and tested different knifes. This opened my mind, my eyes, and my wallet to what the knife world was about. Different steels, handle materials, opening mechanisms, and blade shapes.

The knife I had at this point was a $40 Buck Vantage Select small.

I still own it, as a reminder to where the addiction started. It will never be sold.

Over the next few years, I had made a couple upgrades. I now had 3 knives to choose between. And you can bet your bottom dollar, one of them was with me at all times. Buck vantage Select Small, Buck Paradigm Pro, and a Benchmade Mini Griptilian. Mini Grip and Vantage were my work users, and the paradigm was my fancy knife.

And this is how my collection stayed for about 7 years. During this time I was changing careers, and eventually became an IT professional. The first day, at the first full time IT job, was where the addiction REALLY got boosted.

Koenig Arius Gen 3 SPECS Overall Length:8.50 Blade Length:3.50 Blade Width:1.375 Blade Thickness:0.15 Blade Material:Bohler M390 Blade Style:Drop Point Blade Grind:Hollow Finish:Stonewash Edge Type:Plain Handle Length:4.875 Handle Width:1.25 Handle Thickness:0.55 Handle Material:Titanium Color:Gray Weight:4.78 oz.

User:Right Hand Pocket Clip:Tip-Up Knife Type:Manual Opener:Flipper Lock Type:Frame Lock Brand:Koenig Knives Model:Arius Country of Origin:USA Best Use:Everyday Carry Product Type:Knife

By Kyle Boehm My new co-worker and I were in one of the storage rooms, gathering printer cartridges which we were going to distribute. I have my vantage in my pocket, because of course I did. I hear the distinctive “thwack” of a knife being opened. I catch the blade out of the corner of my eye and I ask him, “Is that a Kershaw Skyline?” He turned around with a smile and said, “You know knives?!” I am not totally sure how much work we got done that day, because all we did from that point was chat knives.

We both started talking about what other knives we had at home, what knives were on our wish list, and talking about how crazy it would be to own a Sebenza. I mean, can you imagine spending that much money on a knife?? Soon we were showing each other new knifes we bought, ripping each other for our choices, and talking about which one was the next one. At lunch we sat with someone from the marketing department. He had no clue what we were talking about. Soon, he was asking to look at our knives. Started flipping them, asking steel questions, and asked to borrow them. Within a couple weeks, he had 3 knives of his own.

By Kyle Boehm The knives I was looking to purchase next, started becoming more and more expensive. I started noticing minute differences in knives, and started developing a ttaste for certain aspects. I started on instagram, with knives as the central focus. I joined Facebook groups, and found some people local to me whom shared my affinity for these wonderful tools.

One of these folks agreed to meet up, and we could show each other our collections. And that’s where I met my grail.

As I was leafing through his collection, I pulled out a knife I had heard about, but never handled. It had very pleasant curves, the finish was smooth, there was no sharp edges, and it was lighter than I thought. I pulled back on the flipper tab, and the blade presented itself with such authority, and a great sound. The Koenig Arius entered my mind, and refused to leave.

We hung out for an hour or so, and I just couldn’t put the Arius down. It flipped so well, it was nice and easy to unlock, it looked amazing, it felt amazing… it was amazing. I asked him if he ever wanted to sell it, please let me know. We parted ways, and on the drive home I was coming up which schemes to try and purchase one. Sell x, y, and z, and I will be able to get one. A few weeks later, I got the text. I put up a couple knives I didn’t really want to sell, but that I could buy back later if I missed them. And I was able to purchase my grail.

THE

Knife Collector

Join us for our next quarterly edition.

Photo by Zoran Borojevic