New Knife - Al Mar B-21 Folder

I recognize this knife, perhaps some attentive reader will note. That is both true and not. That is to say, I have previously both presented and reviewed another knife from  Al Mar that is very similar to this one. I am, of course, talking about the B-21, and this model therefore has the logical name B-21 Folder. At first glance, it is actually only the ability to fold that separates them.

This version is also the result of a collaboration between Kirk Rexroat and Al Mar.

Al Mar B-21 Folder

The B-21 Folder is a solid piece; in fact, it is almost identical in size to its fixed blade cousin. It is not always the case that manufacturers are so close when it comes to "translating" knives between folding knives and fixed blades. But in this case, they have made an effort to make it so.

This means that this knife also has a blade that is 95 mm long. Then it can be discussed whether it is exactly the same as the original, but it mostly depends on how they are measured. The shape of the handle is what makes things more complicated. The height of the blade is at most 35 mm, and the thickness is 3.3 mm. The steel used is D2 with a stated hardness of 59-60 HRC. The blade shape is also a modified Bowie. That is, a sturdy clip point that, here, has a significantly curved back. The finish is an elegant satin.

The distinctive modified clip point blade is back

The handle is built on a sturdy steel frame, and on the outside, you will find 3D-shaped sides of G10. It is a full 13 cm long, which gives the knife a total length of 226 mm open. It is therefore not a small knife. The weight is also substantial at 195 g.

The lock is a liner lock, and the opening is mainly done via thumb studs. Two hands are, of course, always an option.

No clip here, instead you get a sturdy belt sheath included

A little more unusual is that the knife lacks a clip and instead comes with a solid leather sheath. It is not only well-made but also quite elaborate. The question is, will I use it? If there is anything that points in that direction, it is the weight of the knife.

That question and others will be answered when the knife is reviewed.

Al Mar

/ J - have a déjà vu experience

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

New Knife - Al Mar Rescue Assist

Without a doubt, this is an item that is completely unique in my otherwise quite extensive knife pile. But today's news excellently complements the collection. What was missing was a real rescue tool. This is where the Al Mar Rescue Assist comes into the picture.

Of course, I have knives that (unfortunately) are equipped with a glass breaker at the end of the handle, and I have also tested a pen with that function. That's when I discovered that carbide tips don't get scratched, but the rest of the object, the pen in this case, does. But that's another story.

But this is a pure tool with a knife blade intended for various emergency situations. Getting out of a crashed car is, of course, a scenario that comes to mind, but also things like quickly needing to cut a rope, fishing net, mooring line, or rope at sea or on land, cutting open a pair of trousers if someone has been injured, and so on.

Al Mar Rescue Assist

Rescue Assist is a tool centered around a knife blade designed for just such tasks. It means a blade with a partially serrated edge that is curved to better bite into ropes, for example. In addition, it lacks a tip so that you don't accidentally stab someone if you need to remove clothing. Special scissors are often used for this if you work in rescue services, but this can be an alternative in an emergency situation.

The blade is made of D2 but blackened to increase rust protection. It opens either with a flipper, with a thumb stud, or with two hands. Additionally, it is equipped with spring assistance to ensure the blade opens when it should. It locks with a cross-bar lock, which in the Al Mar version is called Max Lock.

In addition to the knife blade, there is also a fold-out belt cutter that certainly doesn't lock, but still feels solid. Then, as I mentioned in the introduction, there is a glass breaker at the end of the handle. There is also a wrench for oxygen tanks. That's the square hole in the handle.

Everything is finished with a signal orange color so it won't be lost, and a shaped handle with fairly coarse G10 on the sides to maximize grip. When such tools are needed, you don't want to slip!

Rescue Assist offers a partially serrated blade, a glass breaker, an oxygen tank wrench, and a belt cutter.

Overall, an exciting tool that I won't fully review as a regular folding knife, however. Details that immediately come to mind are that how long the edge stays sharp is not of the utmost importance. Just that it does its job when it's supposed to. On the other hand, other aspects are more important, such as whether the blade can really open under stress and whether it locks stably.

The answers to those questions and more will be provided in a future review.

Al Mar

/ J - better safe than sorry

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

New Knife - HX Outdoors Rock Sapphire

Sometimes, you find new companies that you didn't know about. In this case, I have to admit that they found me through my Instagram account. That's how it is.

The brand is HX Outdoors, and judging by the website, they have a fairly extensive model range. However, I must admit that I was a bit skeptical about some of the models based on the specifications, as there are knives with not only 5Cr but even 3Cr steel in the blades. It's not much to brag about, and it makes me wonder about the priorities in production.

But in the range, I saw this knife, called Rock Sapphire, as a candidate for a review. A knife that, in my eyes, has a really nice appearance. Add to that a low price tag, and the basis for an affordable knife is there.

I can agree with the slogan on the box, that everyone deserves an exceptional knife. The question is, is this one? That remains to be seen.

The model designation is ZD 114-S, which means that the handle is made of titanium. Or not really. This means that the knife has a simple steel frame but elements of titanium, to be precise. It contributes to a "Symphony in titanium," according to the website. To be honest, it's mostly the sides that are made of that material* Nothing else. Maybe nothing you should expect from a budget knife either, but the sales jargon promises more. It's always a danger when marketing people get their hands on products they don't know much about.

The model has a sibling, 113-S, which mostly means a different blade finish. In addition, there is also a cousin who is a bit more angular in expression.

HX Outdoors Rock Sapphire

Rock Sapphire is a considerably smaller knife than I thought, 170 mm in total. Of that, the handle length is 97 mm, which at first sounds decent, but then I discover that the flipper/finger guard steals a good chunk of it. This means that this is not a full-size knife for me, but a "three-finger knife", which changes the conditions for what it can be used for.

The blade is 60 mm long with a thickness of 3.2 mm, which is solid for such a small knife. The material used is D2, which is approved but often has a tendency to rust. It remains to be seen how it will cope with the upcoming, hopefully warm spring and summer months.

You should be careful with terms like "budget brand", as it can have bad connotations. But that's a bit of what this is. If nothing else, it's revealed by the price tag as this knife costs around 284 SEK plus shipping at the time of writing. That's equivalent to about 26 euros/dollar.

However, it remains to be seen whether it is a good budget brand. That is, whether you get value for the money you actually pay. It's not enough to have a low price. If something, regardless of type, is to be worth the effort, the products must maintain a certain level.

My first impression of HX Outdoors is that they do. The Rock Sapphire feels solid, and the materials in this version are not bad. However, there are details in both the design and finish that immediately reveal that the knife does not belong to the highest levels of knife making. Especially where some elements "clash".

But I think that what remains is good enough for me to call the knife worth the price. However, that remains to be seen, and I intend to return to it in a review in the future.

HX Outdoors

 

/ J - trying new things

* Compare, for example, with the Ferramonster Glideman which has titanium screws, titanium sides, titanium lock, titanium back spacer and titanium clip. There we are talking about both a symphony of materials, but of course, also a considerably higher price tag. 

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

New Knife - Shieldon Empoleon

I predicted that the first Shieldon knife would be joined shortly and I was right. Now it's time for number two. The first model I presented was the big, rather bold Bulbasaur. It was also from Shieldon's middle segment, which in their case is dubbed "high-end" and called "Crusader". In addition to that, they have a premium segment they call "Alchemist". It feels a bit confusing, but that's how it is.

This knife, on the other hand, is from their budget series called "Bard". This is reflected in, among other things, somewhat simpler material. But otherwise, the Empoleon, feels extremely well constructed.

A knife from Shieldon

Simpler material means D2 steel in the blade and G10 in the handle. However, it is not a bad starting point if used and treated correctly. The steel is stated to be 58-60 HRC in hardness and the G10 sides are apparently of good quality and quite properly worked. The sides are both three-dimensionally shaped and provided with two patterns.

In the same way, the frame is both lightened and well-polished without sharp edges. The blade is centered and, not least, the knife has a really efficient and fast flipper opening. In other words, not much gives the appearance of a "budget knife". Possibly it would be the designer "Django" who is not familiar to most and small details like the clip not being able to be flipped reveal a somewhat simpler origin.

Shieldon Empoleon

The Empoleon belongs to that typical group of slim mid-range knives regarding size. It measures just over twenty centimeters in opened position, 204 mm, and of that the blade accounts for 83 mm. The weight falls below one hundred grams, which makes it lightweight. The completely flat-ground blade is 3 mm thick.

Overall, the knife feels extremely solid and therefore I am looking forward to testing it properly. I will return with a review!

Shieldon Knives

/ J 

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

New Knife - Kershaw Heist

Kershaw was one of those companies that waited quite a while before entering the fray of knives equipped with some form of "cross-bar/sliding bar lock". A lock system that became available after Benchmade's patent on the Axis lock expired.

Kershaw's version, "Dura lock" saw the light of day on a couple of models in early 2023. Among them were the successful model Iridium and this model called Heist.

It's been a long time since a Kershaw appeared here on the blog

It should be noted that this is the simpler version of the knife. The more expensive version has a handle in G10, and a blade in S35V. Instead, D2 steel and GRN are found in the blade and handle sides. But they are not bad materials, just a little cheaper. Something that is also reflected in the price tag.

The Heist has a blade that is best described as a modified drop point and what sets it apart the most besides the stone-washed surface is that it is extremely thin. Both the blade stock and the thickness behind the edge. These are qualities that I look forward to exploring more closely.

Kershaw Heist

The blade is just over eight centimeters long and the entire knife is 19.3 cm long. The blade opens with thumb studs and runs on bronze bushings. As previously mentioned, the lock is a Dura Lock.

The most exciting thing about the knife, apart from the lock and the cutting-friendly blade, is that it is a real lightweight, weighing under eighty grams. That automatically makes it a "Bug Out" contender. Then it remains to be seen how well it can handle that comparison. But initially, it can be said that all the prerequisites are there. This is a "hidden gem" that I think is a really good knife!

Knivshop.se

/ J - revisiting Kershaw

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre

New Knife - Al Mar SERE Operator 40

Today I will present something as interesting as a new...old knife. What do I mean by that? Well, this model has been produced before and also in several different editions. Among others, it was manufactured by TOPS* a few years ago and then of course by Al Mar themselves back in the day. The original did not have the three tubes to attach the handle sides but screws instead and was slightly larger. Otherwise, this version and the original are very similar.

This is, as the title says, the SERE Operator 40, which is now back in the range, something that makes me glad.

Al Mar SERE Operator 40

It is enough to look at the dimensions and you will understand that this is both an all-round and very well-thought-out utility knife. Certainly, it looks a tad aggressive with its spearpoint blade or as Al Mar chooses to call it "talon", which to most others refers to a completely different blade shape. But if you study the design of the edge, the height of the primary bevel, and the length and thickness of the blade, you begin to approach a sturdier Mora knife in format, say Bushcraft Black for example, even if this knife is older.

The SERE Operator measures no more than 8" or 203 mm in total length and the blade is 4" or just over a decimeter long. It weighs as little as 275 g with the sheath and the knife at 177 g. It's good for a full-tang knife. This model can also be had in a smaller version with a 3" long blade.

A modern classic is back in production!

The blade features D2 steel with a stated hardness of 59-60HRC and the handle is made of polished G10. The sides are attached with three steel tubes. The finish is good.

The sheath is made of composite plastic and comes with a variant of a Tec-Lok mount that fits most things from belts and backpacks to MOLLE systems.

Overall it's a very interesting package and in my eyes, it's a damn good-looking knife. A modern classic. I look forward to testing and reviewing this in the spring which hopefully will be here soon.

Al Mar

/ J 

*A variant that, however, deviates from the original on several points.

Review AceJet Excalibur D2

The reviews of throwing knives are piling up here on the blog and that has its natural explanation. I'm practicing a lot at the moment. The fine weather that prevails at the moment invites to it. Around here it has been unusually nice for the season. 

AceJet Excalibur D2

The knives I will present today come from Czech AceJet and are of course designed by Adam Čeladin. These creations are named Excalibur. A name that commits. Then it only remains to be seen if the knives live up to their mythical name. To test it, I have since I got them in January managed to throw about 8000 throws with this set.

Appearance and dimensions

AceJet is one of the brands that is rapidly expanding its range and therefore this model is now also available in several versions. The origin was a knife with the same appearance but made in spring steel. It measured 24 cm in length with a thickness of 8 mm. Since then, this and several other models have been released in a "Breaker" version, which means that an already massive thickness has been increased further to 10 mm and the length to 28 cm, which gives an increase in weight from 240g to 360g. A noticeable difference in other words.

In the middle of the two is this model that measures 25 cm in length or more exactly 10 inches and with a thickness of 8 mm. It gives a weight of 255 g. A slightly longer and thus slightly heavier basic model in other words.

8 mm thick will not break easily. The material is D2

The man behind these knives is per usual with AceJet, Adam Čeladin. In this case, the inspiration is probably a traditional dagger of some historical kind, one might think. Excalibur is reminiscent of a stylized one. To resemble the sword it is named after, the blade would probably have had to be longer. Otherwise, the knife is very symmetrical as can be seen and there is a rudimentary finger guard. It certainly fulfills a function as well, however, it has nothing to do with protecting anything. Like all good throwing knives, these lack sharp edges. 

The knives come in AceJet's most used finish, a coarse satin. At the time of writing, this particular model is not available in their new "Shadow" version, which is blackened knives. Nice to look at but also damn easy to lose if you throw somewhere other than a dedicated area, read "a forest". 

The knives are sharpened like a traditional dagger, ie symmetrically. Despite this, Excalibur has chisel tips, they are flat the last three millimeters and do not end in a needle tip.

Material

Apart from the fact that these knives are one centimeter longer than the original, it is material-wise that they differ most from them. In this case, AceJet has given up the spring steel they normally use in favor of D2.

The tips hold well even if they in this picture are freshly sharpened with file and sandpaper after direct contact with each other and concrete slabs

I'm not really sure whether I think it's an upgrade or not. Certainly, D2 is slightly less prone to rust than spring steel. It is not tougher according to the theory, possibly it is more impact resistant, it is more than I can tell. 

On the other hand, in practice, it seems that the tips are slightly more durable than AceJet's other knives. Probably because they are a little harder, it is at least my guess after a number of close contacts with concrete slabs, asphalt, and each other. But whether it is due to the type of steel or hardening is difficult to say.

The regular knives are not bad in that respect either. Like I said before, the only thing that can destroy an AceJet knife is another knife. The knives are easily maintained with simple tools. I use a metal file, sandpaper, and a diamond sharpener.

To throw

Like the Appache-model I previously reviewed from AceJet, Excalibur is designed for allround throwing. That is knives that are very good for those who have not decided whether it is No Spin or rotation techniques that are most relevant or want to do both styles. I can immediately reveal that these knives can handle both main areas with bravura. But that does not mean that they behave exactly the same in all techniques. Excalibur has its clear advantages and disadvantages, I have noted.

A bit of weight towards the rear makes the knife excellent for both half-spin techniques and no spin

The balance point of these knives is found 14 cm from the tip and 11 cm from the end of the handle. This means that they are a bit back-heavy, even if the appearance tricks the eye a bit. The weight ends up in the handle just behind the finger guard. But with more normal proportions with a blade longer than the handle, the weight would have ended up at the blade base instead.

Rotational Throwing

The first thing that can be noted is that Excalibur is better for rotational throws than you might think at first glance. Especially as they are designed by a master of no spin with those techniques in mind. But as I said, the balance is more neutral than it seems. The weight is also enough for the knife to stick with some force. Then the extra centimeter in length is sympathetic and helps to calm down the flight a bit. Simply put, longer knives rotate more slowly and if they are heavier, they flutter less when they fly. However, it's not an absolute truth and there are plenty of exceptions.

Sometimes you are forced to group next to Bullseye instead of hitting it. A photo of an old target

Excalibur is surprisingly good for rotational throws and I then grab the knife quite far out and angle it slightly forward in the throwing direction

With that said, Excalibur spins pretty fast anyway. This means that to ensure that you stick the knife in the target, it should be thrown fairly calmly and in a controlled manner, as if it were a larger knife. I grip the handle quite far out, not too hard, and am careful with the "backswing" to get the right rotation from three meters. From four meters, with grip in the blade, it is even more important not to use too much force. This will inevitably lead to the knife over-rotating. It manages to get around anyway is my experience.

If you get this far, the knives are very accurate. They fly fairly straight and you do not have to "lob" so much. This makes the throwing path easy to calculate.

Half Spin

It's in this area that this knife excels. This might be the best model for the military half-spin I have tried. At least it's one of them! The longer handle and the trick of moving the finger guard further down on the knife make the knife easy to grip correctly. Then, of course, you always have to correct for what distance you are throwing from. The extra width right where the finger guard is located is as made to place a thumb on. The relatively narrow blade also makes it easy to grip around while the thickness feels a little more hand-filling, so to speak.

The penetration ability of Excalibur is very high

Throwing with half a rotation is almost instinctive with Excalibur. This applies to normal throwing if I may call it that. This refers to overhand throwing with the dominant hand from a distance of 3-6 meters. But Excalibur is just as good to use when throwing backhand or underhand. I only use my nondominant, left hand, on rare occasions so far. When I do, it is hardly the knife that is the limitation. But it works too.

This knife is extremely good to use for military half-spin

In addition, the knife works well both with more "slide" -emphasized techniques where you aim with the handle and let the knife slide out of the grip of its own weight and techniques where you control the rotation more with pressure from the thumb. I use the latter at slightly longer distances. That is four meters and up.

But there are also disadvantages associated with this look or rather the design. The finger guard, no matter how small, stops you from placing the index finger on the side of the knife. This means that if you use instinctive half spin, you are limited to putting your finger at the blade. It does not feel natural at all for me and therefore I completely avoid that technique with these knives.

No Spin

If instinctive half-spin felt unnatural, this variant of instinctive throwing is all the more enjoyable. The slim yet thick handle gives an almost square profile that makes it easy to get a good grip and the 8 mm thick knife provides plenty of contact area for an index finger to push against. The shape of the knife also guides towards the right grip. But here you have to think about what technique you use.

Variation in terms of targets. In no-spin throwing, it is the thrower who constitutes the limits, not the knife

You do not get a deposit for these soda cans

Excalibur can be used with different no spin grips

The balance point is located just behind the finger guards and when the finger is put there, it works well for "slide" techniques where you let the knife slide out of the grip when released. That grip is also good when you use a "push" technique where you press with your index finger but only IF the distances are long. On the shorter distances, up to 4 meters, at least I want to grip Excalibur with my index finger much further down on the handle to get a good and consistent throw. But I experiment with both grips.

Conclusion

It must be said that I was a bit skeptical about whether D2 was really an upgrade in terms of material when it comes to throwing knives. Had it been folding knives, that is another question. But in this case, other properties are sought. There is no sharpness to be kept. Then, of course, impact resistance is one of them, but toughness is even more important. Rust resistance is downgraded even though there are stainless steel throwing knives. Then I exclude the cheapest knives on the market that are always made of some more or less stainless material.

But in practice, it turned out that at least these knives were perceived to have slightly harder and more durable tips than my previous knives from AceJet. This is despite the fact that these are significantly pointier in shape than, for example, Appache. So maybe the material is a step up anyway. Or just a sideways step, "the jury is out" as the Americans say. However, the slightly increased length is sympathetic. Especially as the knives are quite good to use for rotation techniques as well and in that case a centimeter makes a difference.

However, it is when it comes to half-rotation techniques and then mainly military half-spin that this knife really comes into its own. There, Excalibur is not only good but excellent. It does not get much better than this!

It should be added that it is really good even for no spin. Sure, Excalibur is not as damn good as the model Stinger when it comes to this discipline, but it does not fall far behind.

AceJet Excalibur D2 are excellent knives for those who can't decide or do not feel like limiting themselves to one style of knife throwing

Overall, I am therefore very pleased with these knives. Especially as I'm improving my underhand throws thanks to them. The feeling is that it is possible to achieve what you want with these knives.

I often say that you have to "trust the knife" when throwing. If you do your part, it will take care of the rest. The limitations are not in the material but in the thrower. It's always a nice feeling.

AceJet Excalibur is definitely a knife to take a closer look at for those who like to vary their knife throwing but whose focus is on half-rotation techniques and especially military half spin, and no-spin. 

Since we are talking about premium knives, the price is not low. A set like this requires a price of 290 €/315$ directly from AceJet. The knives can also be purchased individually if desired. The knives are made in Bohemia, Czech Republic, and come with a lifetime warranty.

When you buy your Excalibur or other product from AceJet, enter code "JOHN" (in capital letters)
 and you will receive a 5% discount on your purchase at check-out.

Specification:

Steel: D2

Lenght: 25,3 cm/ 10"

Width: 19,5 mm handle/ 28,5 mm "guard"

Thickness: 8 mm

Weight: 255 g

Point of balance: back heavy, 14/11 cm from handle/tip

/ J - the enthusiastic thrower

#knivesandbikes #knivigtvarre