- Joined
- Feb 15, 2002
- Messages
- 1,705
At the AKA Show in Little Rock recently this knife from John Horrigan's table jumped all over me. John and I were looking at and talking about the full-sized version which is one heck of a military duty blade and can be seen here http://www.eliteknives.com/fightervanaalst.htm when this smaller version caught my eye.
Bringing it home from the show and messing around with it some confirmed my hunch that it would make a terrific belt knife or carry blade for just about any imaginable activity. :thumbup:
Handle and guard design are evolved and super functional. That dip along the top of the spine toward the end of the handle is one of those little things that seems to work magic in the service of a comfortable and secure grip.
Another thing I appreciate is the ability to advance one's thumb along the spine in front of the guard especially useful with a shorter blade in that it facilitates uses for which a longer blade is just too awkward. On the belt it rides high and close to the body - excellent concealed carry attributes.
Per John:
"I came up with the original (full-length) Van Aaslt after MSG Jared Van Aalst was killed in action Aug 4th 2010. I liked the Van Aalst, but at the same time I new there would be a need for a smaller version. The guys I normally sell to are in the special operations area, most of these guys are carrying heavy (kit) to begin with, and most don't want to throw on a extra two pounds of knife.
The design is small, but plenty big enough to do it all. The handle design allows the point of the knife to pointed forward, not down or up, that is due to the slight modification on the back of the handle. The false edge is sharpened for a back swing if needed, also give ease of penetration. Handle is Linen Micarta with male and female sex bolts. Blade steel is bead blasted ATS34 rockwelled to 59, sheath is Boltron.
What I like about this knife is it's bad ass feel in the hand, it makes you want to (
bleep ). 
Just a great overall design, with a even better feel. A few people know me in the high end custom area which is what I really like to do, but most of my orders and sales are to the military. I have had knives in most every engagement we have been in since Panama."
Bringing it home from the show and messing around with it some confirmed my hunch that it would make a terrific belt knife or carry blade for just about any imaginable activity. :thumbup:
Handle and guard design are evolved and super functional. That dip along the top of the spine toward the end of the handle is one of those little things that seems to work magic in the service of a comfortable and secure grip.
Another thing I appreciate is the ability to advance one's thumb along the spine in front of the guard especially useful with a shorter blade in that it facilitates uses for which a longer blade is just too awkward. On the belt it rides high and close to the body - excellent concealed carry attributes.
Per John:
"I came up with the original (full-length) Van Aaslt after MSG Jared Van Aalst was killed in action Aug 4th 2010. I liked the Van Aalst, but at the same time I new there would be a need for a smaller version. The guys I normally sell to are in the special operations area, most of these guys are carrying heavy (kit) to begin with, and most don't want to throw on a extra two pounds of knife.
The design is small, but plenty big enough to do it all. The handle design allows the point of the knife to pointed forward, not down or up, that is due to the slight modification on the back of the handle. The false edge is sharpened for a back swing if needed, also give ease of penetration. Handle is Linen Micarta with male and female sex bolts. Blade steel is bead blasted ATS34 rockwelled to 59, sheath is Boltron.
What I like about this knife is it's bad ass feel in the hand, it makes you want to (
bleep ). Just a great overall design, with a even better feel. A few people know me in the high end custom area which is what I really like to do, but most of my orders and sales are to the military. I have had knives in most every engagement we have been in since Panama."
