Ed Martin Makes Great Knives ( Very Photo Heavy)

[Mistwalker]

I was recently looking through some old photos. That and a recent talk with Ed with the word retirement being tossed around, inspired me to put this post together. So I went through the folders, collected several photos, then whittled them down to the 150 photos posted here in this thread.

Back in 2011 I was made aware of Ed Martin and his knives by two friends here on the forums who are in the U.S. Army, Cain and Rock 6, and hearing their tales and seeing the knives I was intrigued. I had learned the year before that I really like CPM S35VN very much for my ebvironment, at least I knew I did when it had a good heat treat and cryo-quench. I only had limited experience with it in the field at that time, but was very impressed with what I had seen so far. It was a great steel as far as edge taking, edge holding, and corrosion resistance here in the high humidity and coastal areas I like to frequent.

In 2011 I had just gotten started collecting material for a flora data base specific to the southeast U.S.. This study would take me from the temperate regions of North East Tennessee and the Carolinas to the coasts, coastal plains, and swamps of Southern Florida. Which it was in South Florida that I had learned just how much I preferred S35VN in the field over hi-carbon steels or even the other stainless steels I had experiences with previously. Also, working with Mother Nature's time line meant going out to the field regardless of weather conditions. I had already seen more than adequate proof of it's ability to take and hold an edge, and take a good bit of abuse before the Florida trip, there I was mainly extremely happy with the corrosion resistance versus the 1095 and O-1 Tool Steel knives I had with me.

The first knife I got from Ed was one of his Runt models. It is a full tang model that has an overall length of 7.5 in / 19 cm, a blade length of 3.25 in / 8.2 cm and 5/32 in / 4 mm thick CPM S35VN stainless steel, and black G10 handle scales. It served as a companion blade for me on a lot of outings while I study it in use, and it served as a size ref and focus backdrop for a lot of photos I took. While I had it Rock 6 loaned me his Bushcraft Tactical model to compare the Runt with a larger blade with a metal hilt which I really like for knives for rough use.

The next model I got from Ed was one of his Rio models. It is 9.75 in / 24.75 cm overall, with a blade length of 4.5 in / 11.5 cm, made of 3/16 in / 4 mm O-1 Tool Steel, a mortised tang, with natural micarta handle, and a brass guard. It is an exceptionally nice working knife in my opinion. The grinds are beautifully done, the fit and finish are spot on, the ergonomics are sublime, and the balance couldn't be better for me. I also like the high-ride sheath very much. Minimal movement on a belt and comfortable in a vehicle.

Ed does nice edges.

The Rio went with me on several outings as well

Even my partner got to play around with it for a while. There are three friends who have had that knife in their possession the last couple of years, all three of them are fellow forum members. The first, my partner in the pics below, still holds a bit of a grudge for me talking him back out of it, the second ordered one just like it minus the choil, and the third told me straight up that I was never getting it back so don't ask I do sometimes miss it just because, but I am happier with the S35VN for my uses.

….

 

[Mistwalker]

In 2013 a friend was selling some knives so even though I really shouldn't have afforded it...I jumped at a chance to buy his EMK Blanco. It helped him out and though ideally I would have gotten a different handle color, the Blanco was the model I was really wanting to try at the time. It is full tang, 9.75 in / 24.8 cm overall, and has a blade length of 5 in / 12.7 cm. The blade is 0.25 in / 6 mm CPM S35VN, with black micarta, and a stainless guard.

There are no in-use pics of this knife yet. At the time I got it I was doing good to deal with the subzero temps long enough, and maximize camera battery enough, to do my work. Personal use just wasn't recorded. But I will say that after some tests it was my trusted fail safe knife while I was out working testing lot of other equipment. I took this one shot from those days just to be sure to remember them later. We have spent a lot of time together bonding, and it still gets carried now and then.

Last year I was in the market for a few knives of a specific, steel, size, shape, and handle configuration. I wanted them for use in workshops and skills demonstrations. Large enough to perform and small enough to not distract young students. Tough enough to work hard, and lite enough to combine with a sheath kit and not be a burden in the field. Something with an overall around 8 in / 20.3 cm , a blade length of 3.5 in / 9 cm, 0.160 in / 4 mm thick CPM S35VN steel. I really liked the mortised tang of the Rio. It reduced the weight, had a nice balance, and was plenty durable in use. So I called Ed to ask some questions about it. As it turned out, Ed wanting to do a small-ish hidden tang model anyway, and said that if weight was a real concern for me he thought that might work better for me. He told me how he builds his hidden tang knives, and said he imagined it should be plenty strong enough for my needs, and asked if I would be interested in testing it to see and we could go from there. Sounded like a plan to me, so we discussed dimensions. I suggested that his Bush Hunter model looked like what I was after in size and he made up a few hidden tang Bush Hunters. He sent the one for me to test, give feedback, and decide if it was what I was looking for.

I did a full test and review on that knife here about a year ago.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...nives-Bush-Hunter-Hidden-Tang-Bushcraft-Knife



When I was through testing I ordered two more just like it, except with natural micarta and a brass hilt much like the Rio, One for me, and one for my partner. Then Blaine (Swonut here on the forums) of Suffolk Metal Works was kind enough to make matching ferro rods for them. I hoped that would ease Andrew's grudge over the Rio...and for the most part I think it did

Mine has spent a lot of time with me in the field.

I actually bought 3 of these. When I learned from Ed that he had made an extra in that batch I bought it too, to have as a spare because I like the model so much, even though it was black and stainless. And asked Blaine if he would do up a matching ferro rod for it as well. But It was an impulse buy that was really beyond my budget, and I needed other gear more urgently, so I sold it to friend for what I had in it.

In October I decided to revisit the Runt model with a hilt for an edc. It's nearly the same size as the Bush Hunter but the blade is about ¼ inch shorter. It is a full tang with OD green micarta and orange G10 liners on .160 CPM S35VN but more on it later.

…..End Part 2 of 4

 

[Mistwalker]

In December when Ed and I had talked he let me know that later on this year he would be retiring and not taking many more orders just mostly making small batches of knives and selling them. At that point there were three specific models I still wanted, with specific modifications on one. His Bush Fighter model appealed to me very much as an all around field craft and hunting knife, and I liked the added touch of the canted hilt. So I put in an order for one of those then, and got it in February. It is 9.25 in / 23.5 cm overall with a blade length of 4.6 in / 11.7 cm blade length. Fill tang on .180 CPM S35VN with OD canvas micarta and a stainless hilt. I love the contours of this handle, it locks in my hand really well in multiple holds.

It arrived on a Saturday when I was pretty busy, but it got in on breakfast the next morning. I prefer cutting my own bacon, I like it a little on the thick side, and I like fresh eggs. They go well together

With spring coming I needed to get some things prepared. So to get acquainted with the knife I used it to de-bark a cherry branch I had gotten last winter into a walking stick. You can see the sap marks on the blade afterward.

Then after walking with the stick for a couple of outings I used it to carve the handle area.

In use I really like the oval cross section of the handle, it gives me good control of the blade.

I also like how secure the handle is when dropping back to a three, or even two-finger, grip for light chopping. It isn't really big enough for a lot of chopping, so being able to drop back helps it perform better if pressed into service.

I enjoy using the knife very much. I find it to be a user-friendly and versatile design.

…......End Part 3 of 4

 

[Mistwalker]

And so now we go back to the Runt...which at this point had been laying around in a drawer for some time. I decided that since I had started spending more time on my daughter's wilderness skills lessons that it would be a good knife for her to use for the learning. It has a guard which offers good hand protection, it has great ergonomics which gives her great control of the edge, and it minimizes wrist fatigue for her. The blade is plenty stout enough to deal with any abuse she will put it through. She likes the knife and she has done really well with it so far. I hope to get her one with a brighter colored handle just because she likes color, but as far as I'm concerned she can use this one as long as she wants.

I have a K&M match case I carry in a pouch on my knife sheath, and she likes the idea of having her gear set up like mine. I think K&M has gone out of business, so I couldn't find another to buy. So a good friend sent her one for her kit. It arrived just in time to cheer her up after a fall at a local park that got her 25 stitches in her left hand, so when she's healed up and we do get back out in the field it is all set up for her.

As an aside, about those ferro rods from Suffolk Metal Works, Blaine makes very nice gear that works very well. The weekend before the accident, she had gotten her first ever flames using her fire steel and striker that Blaine made for me.

That triumphant feeling the moment you raise your self one link higher on the food chain

She came really close with a feather stick I made, we will work on that more

And, bless her little heart if her hand wasn't so fatigued and sore she would have gotten our cooking fire started. She came oh so close with the actual fire, but by that time she had spent a LOT of time learning why hand control is so important. By the time we had the fire lay set up, she had smacked her little hand into the stump so many times it was hurting. Even then she didn't give up, she soldiered right on, but the sparks she was throwing were getting weaker and weaker. I could tell what the issue was just by watching her hands and the expressions crossing her face. So I told her she needed to give her hand a rest and showed her how easily it could be ignited. I also told her that next time she could skip all the practice and practice while actually lighting the fire.

She was really annoyed when we didn't get to go out the next weekend, so we'll get to practice more as soon as her hand heals.


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[gutsy]

Still a little butthurt about the Rio .....jus sayin .

 

[Mistwalker]

Still a little butthurt about the Rio .....jus sayin .

Lol, I know... I said "for the most part"

 

[Ankerson]

Very nice tribute. :thumbup:

 

[Mistwalker]

Very nice tribute. :thumbup:

Thanks Jim. As much as I have enjoyed using Ed's knives the last five years, and having them with me in some very harsh environments, I just wanted to take the time to acknowledge that publicly

My daughter and I went up to hang out at my partner's house for the day yesterday. She was a bit traumatized by her accident and the amount of blood involved and we wanted to "get her back on the horse" so to speak. So we did a few quick lessons with her on how even with the use of only one hand that one isn't as limited as they may think so we showed her how she could prep tinder and even start a fire one handed.

I'll preface this with the statement that am usually against the idea of using a knife as a fire steel striker in a survival situation, regardless of using the spine of the edge. It works fine on picnic outings and on the patio, but I have just seen it cause enough problems in the woods to be against the idea if there is another option. I keep a dedicated striker on my sheath, and those of my family, and our back up systems all have their own on-board strikers that aren't sharpened like knives or pointy. That said, in one hand techniques when someone has injured a hand, and needs a fire, is one of the exceptions for me.

We helped her prep her tinder, and set up her fire lay, and then showed her how she could prop the knife on a branch with the blade overhanging the tinder, hold it in place with her foot, and then throw sparks directly into her tinder bundle when she pulled the ferro rod across the knife edge. It took her a few tries, and I didn't get pics of the fire starting because she was so excited (after being stuck in a house and moping for ten days with 26 stitches in her hand) that she just left the knife there sticking in the fire as it started and so we had to talk about that and how to go about it in the future. She is still really excited that she did it, and so now she wants to do it again so she can share the pics with a friend who moved back to Germany a few years ago. So, one day after school, today is her first day back and I hope that goes well, we will go to some local woods and redo the scene for photos.

The Runt got a little dirty, but the edge handled it very well and took only minimal clean up with a ceramic stone. Ed's triple tempering and double cryo-quenching of his CPM S35VN steel makes for a hell of a tough knife. She got such a kick out of seeing her knife along side the ones Andrew and I use. It was good to see her back on the horse

Since Ed is retiring, I put in an order for two more knives for this year. One is sort of a grail of mine, a simple stacked leather knife reminiscent of the old Randalls with a stacked leather handle but made with CPM S35VN.

The other is a more complex version of his Bushcraft Tactical with a saw on the spine and serrations for some projects I am working on.

They are both in the works, and I am really looking forward to working with the BT in a couple of weeks No idea who the upper knife belongs to, it's not one of mine.

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[Ankerson]

Brian,

I bet, it's nice to see the young ones getting involved.

S35VN is a very nice steel, very versatile indeed.

If he is retiring then it's good to get what you need now. :thumbup:

 

[Mistwalker]

Brian,

I bet, it's nice to see the young ones getting involved.

S35VN is a very nice steel, very versatile indeed.

If he is retiring then it's good to get what you need now. :thumbup:

She has been going to the woods with me for the last seven years almost eight. Ever since she was three years old. I'm glad she still enjoys it, now I am training her to be my assistant

I know there are other steels that are better individually at some of the aspects I like about the S35VN, but as a whole it works really well for me. I will continue to try other steels as they come along or get more affordable, but I am happy with the S35 as it is really.

My thoughts too. It caught me off guard, and it is causing some delays. There are some new knife maker's whose work I have been wanting to check out....but there are some Martins I really just don't want to miss out on all together...

 

[Ankerson]

She has been going to the woods with me for the last seven years almost eight. Ever since she was three years old. I'm glad she still enjoys it, now I am training her to be my assistant

I know there are other steels that are better individually at some of the aspects I like about the S35VN, but as a whole it works really well for me. I will continue to try other steels as they come along or get more affordable, but I am happy with the S35 as it is really.

My thoughts too. It caught me off guard, and it is causing some delays. There are some new knife maker's whose work I have been wanting to check out....but there are some Martins I really just don't want to miss out on all together...

Wished we lived closer so we could hang out.

Some of the steels can surprise you if they are done well and have the geometry set correctly.

I have my own opinions on steels as you know and I have used a lot of them over the years.

Yep, get all you can out of him while you still can.

Jim

 

[ron finkbeiner jr]

Mr. Martin is a good man, he's patient and kind and will answer questions to the best of his knowledge. He does some really nice work.

 

[Mistwalker]

Mr. Martin is a good man, he's patient and kind and will answer questions to the best of his knowledge. He does some really nice work.

Ed really is a great guy, ad one of the nicest people you will ever meet. It has always been a pleasure doing business with him, and I love just talking about life with him on the phone when we have time.

 

[Mistwalker]

Wished we lived closer so we could hang out.

Some of the steels can surprise you if they are done well and have the geometry set correctly.

I have my own opinions on steels as you know and I have used a lot of them over the years.

Yep, get all you can out of him while you still can.

Jim

Damn I hate forum-ing on a phone, I always miss stuff...

I wish we did to man

I am hearing a lot of good things, but I need to try some things for my self. I want to buy some small knives in M4, 20CV, and Super90 to check out as well as a few others. Clearly I need to increase my income

Yep, and that is exactly what I told him too. That he is not allowed to completely retire till I get the three or four knives I wan...err need

 

[caine]

awesome thread. I wish Ed wasnt retiring. He makes some of the best stuff. Hope to see some of these at the becker gathering to fingerprint

 

[Mistwalker]

awesome thread. I wish Ed wasnt retiring. He makes some of the best stuff. Hope to see some of these at the becker gathering to fingerprint

Thanks man, I wish he wasn't too, and I am glad you introduced me to his work when you did. But he is turning 70 in August I believe and ready to slow down a bit. He says he isn't stopping making knives all together, and guys like us who have been with him for a while will probably still be able to make orders for a while longer.

I will have these with me, and they are S35VN so I don't mind if you finger print them, it will just wipe off

I had forgotten all about adding pics of the SERE and Bandit. Considering that one is in my avatar that's pretty bad...

 

[DeadboxHero]

Wow, Im speechless

Great knives


Great Job Brian!

Thanks for sharing!

The amount of time this most of took looks legendary.

-Shawn

 

[Mikael W]

Since Ed is retiring, I put in an order for two more knives for this year. One is sort of a grail of mine, a simple stacked leather knife reminiscent of the old Randalls with a stacked leather handle but made with CPM S35VN.

.

What a great topic! :thumbup:
There's much knowledge and joy for the outdoors in those pic's.

That stacked leather knife really stands out and it's easy to see why You like it.



Regards
Mikael

 

[Mistwalker]

Wow, Im speechless

Great knives


Great Job Brian!

Thanks for sharing!

The amount of time this most of took looks legendary.

-Shawn

Thank you Shawn! For the last five years I have carried Ed's knives on some my most intense and most important outdoor adventures, and well as some of my most important working projects to date. Ed is one of the nicest people I have ever met and dealt with, and one of the most professional in the execution of his work. With as great of experience as I have had both in the meeting of Ed, the purchasing of the knives, and the using of them in the field It only seemed fitting that I take the time to put this together. The amount of time was spread out over a few weeks actually as I went through a lot of photos from several projects done over the last five years.

What a great topic! :thumbup:
There's much knowledge and joy for the outdoors in those pic's.

That stacked leather knife really stands out and it's easy to see why You like it.



Regards
Mikael

Thank you Mikael, I am very glad you enjoyed the post! My life started in a hollow in the Tennessee hills as the son of a Marine father who was born during the great depression, and in many ways will still stuck there even after he returned from Korea and worked his way up to operations manager of a printing company / outdoor advertising agency. Most of what we ate in my childhood came from the river, the woods, or the garden so it seemed I practically lived in the woods as a small child. Later when my father moved to south Florida where he was raised during the depression, to manage his firms Florida facility he taught me how to live off the land down there. In my late teens and early twenties I literally lived in the woods for a couple of years and continued to spend all of my free time there when I came back into society. Later on in my forties I was fortunate enough to find a way to make much of my living working in the woods. So yes, very much joy for the outdoors for me.

 

[BushOgre]

I own 2 of Ed Martin's knives. A BushTac in 1095 and a BushFighter in S35VN.
The man is a pure master of his craft. The Bushfighter in particular has what Ed calls a busy grip. Ed and I were talking and he wanted to make sure I would like the scales. So I sent him pictures of me holding the BushTac he'd made. Took shots of various grips and angles. This gave him an idea of my hand size and grip on a knife he intimately knows the shape of the handle. Then I busted out a ruler and measured my hands and send him pics.

When my Bushfighter arrived it was literally built for my grip. He sculpted the micarta to match my hand size, finger placement, and even somehow compensated for the fact that my fingers are carrot shaped. Very thick at the base and taper down towards the finger.

If thats not the work of a Maestro, I don't know what is these days.

I have a 3rd knife coming this year if Mit walker doesn't mess up the timeline with his own projects with Ed. (Damn you Brian).
I have my fingers crossed to add a Selous Safari and a Bushcrafter either later this year or next year.

I'll try and get some pics of my knives posted if u can get Photobucket to cooperate.