Lets be honest, while the mantra of “judge the artist not his tools” is somewhat true I feel something has to be said about low quality gear-

It hinders your abilities to create art to its fullest.

There, I said it.

That’s not to say that alternative mediums such as burnt sticks (charcoal) or finger painting is not groovy and awesome but rather in a straight up test of good pencil vs bad pencil it is clear that the better pencil will aid you in your creation of art while the bad pencil will hinder you.

An example you ask?

I was sharpening a bad shit quality pencil from “WHSmith” (a store in the UK) and the lead kept snapping off over and over again, I used various sharpeners including the de facto industry standard “KUM” to no avail until the pencil just gave up and broke in half…down the middle.

Seriously…down the middle;

So you know what?

Quality does matter, I am sure there are some good bargains etc and yet I am confident that my Karismacolors, Polychromos and Gioconda’s will fare better in most if not all tests.

And now for some gratuitous arty shots of some Karismacolor pencils for your viewing pleasure!

Sorry about my absence! I have been mega busy with various projects, I havent forgotten about my Clairedfontaine, Diamine or fountain pen reviews- although I keep acquiring more and more stuff- specially notebooks so I have a huge queue of things to go through.

Just hold out for me people! Wont be much longer

A+

Diamine inks sent me 86 bottles of ink to review!

Whats the beef you ask?

Originally I presumed that I would steam ahead, easy as pie and bang out a review every 2 days like a pro! But when it came to it I just didn’t know how to write an ink review in a fun and “me” sorta way.

I don’t want to settle and be boring because I feel that will waste both my time and yours which just isn’t cool.

So I have been scrunching my gray matter over this with regards to conjuring up a solution that will please everyone and thus I bring you my official review formats!

Now, why have a review format in the first place you ask?

In the name of fairness.

All my reviews share the same format (based on product range of course) and if I use one format for one brand and another format for another brand then comparisons become very biased which isn’t fair to the companies sending me stuff thus I try to remain consistent while still having my own style.

Onwards with the formats then!

Papeterie

1) Model & specifications

2) Size, Feel & Appearance

3) Features

4) Writing Performance

5) Conclusion

Stationery

1) Model & specifications

2) Size, Feel & Appearance

3) Writing Performance

4) Conclusion

Ink

All the others are self explanatory, but ink was a tough one to think of.

How do you create a review format with pro’s and cons on something as ubiquitous as ink?

All inks for all intents and purposes “work” , the flow and consistency when writing with them is derived from a number of external third party factors that cant be quantified in a scientific format in a way that can be replicated by the viewer since you may not have my paper, humidity, fountain pens etc.

How viscous ink appears to be can be attributed to the pen utilized (nib + feed etc.) or the paper and your mileage will vary regarding how you feel it rates as either a good ink or a bad ink, some like dry inks and others like wetter more flowing ones.

Which is good and which is bad?

Its not up to me to tell you to like or dislike an ink brand, ink is about color which is 100% emotion and personal taste.

Not science.

So I wont be writing on a glorified “pros and cons” basis but rather I will show the ink in question with sexy photographs (and not a boring swatch or writing sample but something more groovy) along with a segment on evoking emotion that I will call “Colorful musings”.

So, onwards with the format!

1) Reference & specifications

<I will list out the reference in terms of manufacture & model + any other specialty information that may be pertinent such as waterproof’ness & other miscellaneous attributes.>

2) Sample

<The ink in action! Will be done on Rhodia paper in a more fun way than just a swab of ink, most likely Japanese calligraphy because I dig it and its sexy.>

3) Colorful musings

<Just something cool that I will attach to the review in order to (hopefully) evoke some emotion. Might be a drawing, might be a song…perhaps even a poem.>

Anyway I hope you like my conclusions on review formats and are looking forward to my ink reviews (to come shortly)!

A+

Specifications

• Designed by Jesper Voxnaes (Vox Knives)
• 5.3cm blade length
• 10cm overall length
• Green canvas micarta scales
• Sandvik 12C27 steel
• Kydex sheath
• 25 Euros approx!
• Official product page

My thoughts

So much to love about this knife I dont even know where to begin…the price? Its 25 Euros! For a VOX design & premium steel (in my opinion).

I just cant get over how accessible this knife is going to be, pretty much everyone can afford to sport 1 or 2 as an EDC, backup etc. the blade profile is discreet which is great for defensive purposes but its belly and ergonomics makes it an attractive EDC solution.

A truly great package introduced at a mind numbingly good price point, I cant wait to receive one- I dare say it will feature prominently in my EDC rotation.

Kudos Boker, Kudos.

Boker Plus Rhino

Specifications

• Designed by Jesper Voxnaes (Vox Knives)
• 7.6 cm blade length
• 15.5 cm overall length
• G-10 (I think) Scales
• Sandvik 12C27 Steel
• Leather sheath
• Approx 40 Euros
• Official product page

My thoughts

My feelings are truly mixed regarding this knife, its price point makes it a must have for me but realistically if it was priced in the 100 Euro range I probably would not get it.

The blade pattern has plenty of belly and just screams “use me” in a utilitarian fashion, I view this offering as an outdoors fixed blade for the discerning traveler. Its profile is not pointy and as such should come across pretty well with the sheeple. My biggest issue with this knife is the black G-10 (basing this purely on the one photograph we have, correct me if I am wrong) I just dont understand why Boker did not go with the green canvas micarta which is far more attractive in my opinion.

The G-10 utilized is definitely a good functional choice but the aesthetics part of me just doesn’t feel it. I also dont understand why they went with a leather sheath- for a hard use outdoors blade I would prefer a more weather resistant kydex sheath.

Somewhat dissapointing but not a deal breaker- specially at that price point. For the cost of a Vox custom I can have 5 of these knives + custom kydex sheaths so who am I to complain?

Overall I am really loving the direction Boker is taking! Less of the boring traditional clip point slipjoints with stag scales and more daring, micarta clad designs by truly talented and industry noted designers.

This is my last post on Boker’s new collection and I am just bowled over by the choice. Boker really does offer something for everyone and if they continue in this vein, I see them being on par with Spyderco.

A+

Specifications

• Backlock
• G-10 Scales
• Aus-8 Blade
• 20,2 cm overall length
• 8,6 cm blade length
• 3,4 mm blade thickness
• 118g
• 70 Euros roughly
• Official product link

My thoughts

If you knew the sort of knives I liked then you would not think the Boker Clip is my sort of knife, it does not have a choil, uses the backlock locking system (which I don’t like) and its not a Spyderco (my company of choice for folders).

But I will be damned if I can hate it! For some reason it just appeals to me on an aesthetic particularity! it has a 3.4mm thick blade which I think is kinda neat even though I generally tend to avoid thicker/tank/heavy duty knives.

This folder is my contradiction, I know for a fact I will buy it even though it doesn’t have the sort of features that traditionally appeal to me, the steel is unremarkable- AUS-8 is a good steel but not a super steel by any stretch of the imagination but I just cant seem to bring myself to give a damn.

Even the thumb stud deployment method doesn’t manage to piss me off.

(Also it has a weird clip, which I guess gives it its namesake).

I like.

Boker Anti-MC

Specifications

• Ceramic blade
• Frame lock
• 19,5 cm overall length
• 8,2 cm blade length
• 2mm thick blade
• 71g weight
• 70 Euros roughly
• Official product link

My thoughts

I don’t know what to feel about this folder, it has alot of cool features which initially appeal to me but the more I think about it the more I firmly believe they would annoy me.

The ceramic blade is very cool on the surface- looks great, keeps and edge and anti-magnetic (dont know why I like this but I just do) however I know I would get frustrated sharpening it, I would be scared of it breaking if I did anything strenuous due to the impossibly thin grind and the more I think about it the less I like it.

I find the thumb stud extremely ugly too, and kinda tacky unlike the one on the Boker clip.

It has an weird/annoying pivot that looks like it would require special tools to disassemble unlike the de facto standard of torx screws utilized on Boker’s more sensible offering and pretty much all Spyderco’s.

The reason why I am writing about it is because its so different from the rest of the Bokers and I am sorta torn over it, it appeals to my geeky side but its lack of real world flexibility makes me shy about throwing down the Euros for it.

Then again I completely adore the blade shape/pattern.

Dont like the scales.

Arg.

I wont get it but I might if I see it. <– I am not a simple person!

What do you think about it? Anyone have any experience with ceramic blades?

A+

Specifications

• 7mm thick blade
• N690BO blade steel
• 16.5 centimeters long
• Hand fitted kydex sheath
• Designed by Vox
• Boker product link

Boker PryMini

Specifications

• 5mm thick blade
• N690BO blade steel
• 13 centimeters long
• Hand fitted kydex sheath
• Designed by Vox
• Boker product link

My thoughts

Since both of these knives are pretty much identical besides the 3cm difference in length, 2mm blade thickness and the scallops taken out of the g-10 grips in the PryMate, I will simply give my thoughts on both of these models at the same time.

First of all, they are perfect examples of beautiful collusion of form and function.

Really awesome utility knives with great great great looks!

The fit and finish appears to be perfect by Boker & with that red spacer between the scales I just cant help but be attracted to them. I might get the Boker PryMini as a fixed blade EDC but the one thing that does hold me back is the price tag, 180 & 150 euros. Ouch.

With regards to the high cost, one has to factor in both the design elements, premium materials and collectors appeal, this is a Vox design that is in production by a major manufacturer with awesome fit and finish so of course the price IS going to be higher than one would expect, not forgetting that they are made in Europe using European steel- a rare thing now days.

I personally prefer the PryMini due to the smooth scales & the fact that I dont see a use for a 7mm blade in my life.

What about you?

A+

Hope you all had a great Easter and as promised my thoughts on Boker‘s new line up!

Boker Savannah

Specifications

• Designed by Armin Stütz
• Micarta scales with dimples
• Full tang N690B0 blade
• 9.5mm blade thickness (3/8″)
• 23.8 cm overall length (9 3/8″)]
• 12.7 cm blade length (5″)
• Leather sheath
• Made in Germany
• Really really hot
• Approx 260 Euros
• Boker product link

My thoughts

YES PLEASE was the first thing that came to mind, I am really loving that dimple Micarta and that blade with the 2 tone polish is just stunning, very impressive.

On the flip side I would have loved to see it with a good sheath because the leather one that is issued is just terribad looking, I don’t approve at all.

Should you acquire that beautiful example of functional art I would heavily suggest that you invest in some kydex clothes for that blade!

With regards to the price I was a bit stunned but you gotta remember this is not a made in Taiwan/China Boker Plus model, its a high end fixed blade made in Europe with premium European materials so after some thought I am relatively comfortable with the price point this model is being introduced at.

Boker Eurofighter II

Specifications

• Aluminum scales
• 154CM blade steel
• 9cm blade length (3½)
• 21cm overall length deployed (8 3/16)
• Twin-Pin Lock
• Approx 180 Euro’s
• Boker product link

My thoughts

Full disclosure, I will most likely never ever purchase this knife; not because its not a good knife but simply because its not a liner or framelock, doesn’t have a Spyderhole deployment system and it not cheap enough for me to buy just for the hell of it.

So why is it here? Because its damn cool.

When I wrote my “Boker knives to babble on about” list I went through the catalog and decided on picking only the models I was interested in, hence the distinct lack of “Boker Magnum” knives on my blog.

Its not that Boker Magnum knives are badly made  or that they are not cool designs, its just that I don’t go for the cheap stuff and thus don’t write about it.

With regards to the Eurofighter, I feel its interesting enough to be worthy to grace my blog if I have no intention of getting it.

I am trying to think of a way to convey how I feel about this folder without coming across as a child. Regrettably I will fail in this endeavor with my next sentence;

I like the Boker Eurofighter II because it looks cool.

Thats all their is to it, take it or leave it!

Sure, I could talk about how funky the scales are and while I tend to avoid aluminum I can clearly see that Boker really did a good job but to be honest its not even the point so lets have a pro’s & con’s shall we!

Con’s

• Mega expensive
• Blade not a supersteel (Would have prefered S30V, ZDP-189, SGPS etc. in that price point)
• Aluminum scales instead of titanium
• Mega expensive

Pro’s

• Cool as fuck (only way I can possibly put it)

So here you have it, 11 more knives to write about and all will be posted very very very shortly.

A+

If you are new to my blog you will soon come to realize that I have a fondness of gallivanting around in nature wielding awesome tools made of steel with sharp edges and as you can imagine this particular hobby of mine (one of many) does come with its own downsides… namely the unavoidable cuts that sporadically crop up on my hand leaving me bemused as to why I like to play with knives in the first place.

Thankfully man has invented the perfect remedy for small cuts and to a lesser degree deep ones as I discovered yesterday, although what I did is not recommended for sane people, please visit the doctors etc. !

I am either stupid or very lucky and I take NO responsibility in what you do after reading this entry.

Envision if you will this scenario; I am innocently sharpening a knife while simultaneously engaging myself in a stimulating conversation with my homie (JJ to be precise) when completely unexpectedly the knife which was previously behaving itself decides to bite down on my innocent pinkie.

Ouch you say?

Nay.

It was mega sharp and as such, while it cut down to the bone I felt not a thing.

Nada!

My first reaction was naturally to do what I always do when small cuts happen which is to seal it up with some Superglue, a technique I assure you, that works extremely well.

However this was my first time with a wound this deep and being a manly man and as such not phazed by gore which would make lesser men weep like little girls, I went ahead with my little experiment.

After emptying half a tube (2grams roughly) of Superglue on my pinkie, it has more or less healed with not lingering pain!

Somewhat graphic photographs coming up!

The cut was about 8mm deep and thus did bite the bone but due to the sharpness of the knife in question (an Opinel No. 8 Carbon) I felt absolutely nothing.

Before

After

Anyway, I will be back with normal sort of posts very soon, sorry about the break but I was burning out with pressure from work! ,

Diamine inks & other fun things coming up as well as Boker’s new 2010 collection.

A+

In my review of the Clairefontaine Graf it sketch pad I made the observation that the cover was epic fail in terms of design, towards the end of my conclusion I mentioned that I would sandpaper off the design and redo it!

This will be a progression of sorts and I will show my efforts (and mistakes) along the way so bear with me.

On a related note, Clairefontaine has contacted me & they have given me the go ahead to redesign the cover range but that will be in a separate post!

Part 1

My first plan of action is to get rid of the design on the cover so I have a blank slate to work with and like all good boys I approached the task with subtlety and delicacy.

Power tools with diamond bits of various grit, what could possibly go wrong?!

I began this quest by utilising sand paper, so far so good I thought but when it came to the creases in the cover I required something with a bit more oomph …and in hindsight, precision.

However my love of oomph won out.

So out came the dremel!

Before you look at me in disbelief and question why I didn’t see the inevitable problems coming my way, I would like to point out that paper is made of wood and wood generally plays nice with my dremel.

And thats all the logic I required to give myself a reason to play with things that go vrrRRZZzzzMmMZZzzzzzz .

So yes, it seems diamond bits rotating extremely fast on an electric motor does go through paper pretty fast.

Not being the sort of person to give up, I deployed the one thing men all over the world would trust their lives to; …duct tape!

And as usual it salvaged my efforts into something somewhat presentable!

So now that I have a sketch book that has a blank cover, my next plan is to decide what sort of design I want on it and how I will actually apply it, will it be paint? graphic pens? or traditional ink? Who knows!

But that’s for part 2!

As a side note, the fish on the cover is done in photoshop & is not representative of what will be on my sketchpad when I get round to inking it.

(By the way, the designs I will do for Clairefontaine will be computer generated and not as rough as my “do it yourself” version so no need to panic!).

So that’s it for part 1, check back soon for part 2!

Diamine inks!

On another note, Diamine inks (thanks Chris!) have sent me 86 30ml bottles of ink (their entire range as a matter of fact) for me to review, I am still working on a review format that will be more fun than talking about boring things like color saturation and ink flow.

If you are wondering as to how something as trivial as a bottle of ink can be fun then I invite you to mix a a few ml’s of florida blue with 1 litre of rum.

Chaos ensues.

So lots things to come, if you have any recommendations with regards to what you would like to see in an ink review then drop me a line and I will muse over it!

A+

All credits & rights; Wouter/Spydercollector.com

Go to his website and check out the pretty pictures, out of respect for his work I will not repost them here individually because he really does deserve full credit!

Sorry about the time it took to get this updated, this will be a mega post following Wouter’s format so if you have not read it already please check out part 1!

And now on with the show!

Part 2

For photographs click here!

Matriarch Sprint Run

To be honest the hawkbill blades have never been my style, while I am all for edc blades that can also be used defensively I have to admit that I am not really comfortable with a blade shape like that for just regular use.

I am sure fans of the Matriarch and Civilian are currently dying of happiness! Glad to see Sal is listening to the community even if the model in question is not for me!

Grasshopper

We all knew this was coming, the slightly larger addition to the chinese made slip it line, I dislike the like of a choil but beyond that for the price it will be introduced how can you complain? Looks like a keen slicer & with decent blade steel that edge should last a while.

Not on my to buy list but if I see one I will no doubt pick one up.

Native 4

I love the leaf blade, like the choil and like the style.

Dont like the lock and for me that is a deal breaker, the only lock back/mid lock I like is the Caly 3 Carbon fiber model and for me that is my dress knife. Not for heavy use.

As a side note, my dislike for this style of lock is not out of any concerns over its solidity but rather a purely personal preference in terms of comfort so please refrain from lashing out at me!

Delica Damascus Sprint Run

I dont like the Delica (or the Endura for that matter, I know! Blasphemy!) in terms of styling & lack of a choil but this elegant (if slightly gaudy) number will no doubt please a great many aficionados of this venerable lightweight folder.

Part 3

For photographs click here!

Caly 3.5

I truly want to love the model, the blade is my kinda blade- long and pointy!

Iit also features great ergoes and a very nice aggressive styling however I just don’t see myself utilizing this knife and I am firmly against safe queens (with the exceptions of duplicates for user knives that I have grown to love) so with that it is unlikely I will get it unless the price is really really low or if I happen to stumble across one here in beautiful (and very cold) Europe.

Bob Lum Chinese Folder Carbon Fiber

Oh what a wonderful knife! A superb gentleman folder with really really stunning scales. That carbon fibre pattern is simply out of this world! I will most likely get it as long as the price is reasonable!

Bob Lum Large Chinese Folder

Hell yes! Poiny tip? Check! Open construction? Check! Liner or Framelock? Check! Oozing sex appeal? Double check!

I really cant wait for this knife- it is a MUST have! 12cm blade (4.5inches) is just a fantastic folding camp knife, to say that I am excited is the understatement of the year!  Amazing design by an amazing knifemaker that left us too soon.

Rest in peace bro.

Super Leaf

Like with the Caly 3 this is a folder I WANT to love but I just cant. Its far far far too utilitarian and while that might seem weird to some of you its truly my main problem with this knife. Its just boring and looks very boring.

I like useful knives that are fun to use AND fun to look at. When dropping $$$ on sharpened steel I expect a little oomph too.

So I am afraid the Super Leaf will not be gracing my collection (unless its mega cheap and/or I stumble across it and fall in love!).

Sage 3 – Blackie Collins

The Bold Action lock looks…like an axis lock which I do not like so I am not sure about this knife, the reason why I am even considering it is based on the prototype photographs that show a really really stunning set of contoured G-10 scales that have been rounded off to perfection.

Just screams comfort to me & I cant say its aesthetically displeasing either! So for this model I will reserve judgement until I see one in the flesh!

UKPK Slipit FRN

Cheap, legal everywhere (pretty much), useful blade, comfortable, uber sexy.

These will be the knives I push to people who ask me for a good all rounder. We all knew about this model hitting the stores soon so its not surprising to see it which may explain my lack of anxious enthusiasm but I assure you that this model will not only be a best seller but will also be a defining model for 2010.

UKPK Slipit Titanium & Carbon Fibre

I love the titanium one and its definitely in my to buy list!  I can only hope its not ridiculously expensive. I will probably keep it as a pure edc and not a collection piece, it just screams utility to me!

I am less enthused with the carbon fibre model although thats down to personal preference- I am sure both models will do just fine sells wise.

Part 4

For photographs click here!

Eduard Bradichansky Shabaria Sprint Run

Now this will make *alot* of knife collectors happy! The Shabaria and its unique blade/handle shape combination truly is a legend in the knife world.

A true style icon and while I would love to own one I am almost flinching at the price that I expect will most certainly be quite high and certainly too high for my “just to collect” category.

Because to me the Shabaria really is a collection knife, not a utility knife.

The handle just isn’t practical enough unfortunately!

Paramilitary 2

I don’t like the paramil because to me its just a smaller military with a different lock and I dig big folders so I never bought one or ever considered purchasing one.

The word on the forums is that the paramil 2 solves alot of the gripes levelled against the original paramilitary so I guess it can be considered a success.

Different bevels for different people I guess.

Fred Perrin Folder / PPT

Oh dear god.

Sometimes I get the feeling Sal is trying to bankrupt me, the PPT is by far and large the greatest high-end folder to be released this year, I cant stress this enough.

Amazing design with a great (and very interesting) lock, blade and handle.

When I first saw it my eyes glazed over in sheer lust, its just unimaginably beautiful.

Do. Not. Click.

Jens Anso Zulu

Its…different.

Not sure what to say about it besides; Wow.

I will need to hold it so I can write about it actually knowing what it feels like because I fear if I judge it on initial impressions only then I will be doing it a great disservice.

Jens Anso is an amazingly talented designer and I have faith that the Zulu will prove to be a very good utility knife even if I cant see it myself at this stage!

Laci Szabo Folder

Oversized MBC knife with a crazy blade, looks comfy and it features very very aggressive styling + a very strong lock so I am sure it will please many martial bladecraft folks.

I wont get it because it will be crazy expensive and I have no use for it but if I had the kind of disposable income to drop $$$ on a collection piece then I hazard to say that this would be near if not *at* the top.

Very cool.

And thats it for the Spyderco prototypes this year, my thanks to Wouter for amassing all those photographs and to Sal & Co. for giving him the opportunity to take those photographs and report to us mere fanboys!

A+

All credits & rights; Wouter/Spydercollector.com

From Wouter we get to catch a glimpse of the new 2010 Spyderco prototypes, this is part one and I will keep you updated on part two when it arrives!

Go to his website and check out the pretty pictures, out of respect I will not repost them here because he really does deserve full credit!

My thoughts on the new models;

Ed Schempp Balance

It is simply stunning, very much a throwback to the true Spyderco vision- Function before form! It is in my opinion the best thing coming up besides the PPT.

I will no doubt get the RIL/Framelock plain stainless steel version since to me this is a great EDC folder, it looks like it will simply melt in your grip!

Jason Breeden Rescue

To be honest I always had a love hate with the captain and I sense this model will be no different. The handle and generally look is very comfortable and utilitarian however something about it just puts me off. Perhaps I need to hold it to fully appreciate it for what it is!

Kiwi SS Slipit

Thank you Sal! What a great lil slipjoint! I love everything about this model and I cant wait to get it- I wonder how the new “rough” feel/opening resistance will be like although I am sure if you really wanted to you could smooth it out with some judicious use of sandpaper and polishing compound.

Manix 2 FRN

And finally the “lightweight” version of the Manix 2, not really sure of how I feel about it- on one hand I think its way more sheeple friendly compared to the original tactical g-10 version but its just so very different, once the shock has been fully absorbed perhaps it will grow on me but for the time being its just a bit too much like a toy for me to view it seriously!

Overall I am pretty excited with what is coming, I did not expect such designs in these economic times but once again I am taken by surprise!

Cant wait for part 2 and great job Wouter!

A+