Novelty features on knives and sheaths.

[Tsujigiri]

Here are a few, some pretty common or well-known but worth noting:

Tops/Buck CSAR has an oxygen wrench in the blade and holes to bend wires underwater. I've only been scuba diving twice, so I have no idea what that means, but it's apparently useful for the intended user.

Chris Reeve had a series of one piece knives made from a solid block of steel with a hollowed out handle that could be filled with matches, tools, etc, and then sealed shut. A lot of other companies have made hollow handle knives, but this one is actually a workable knife because it's a solid piece and won't break at the joint like the others do.

Since the Alkaid I posted earlier isn't readily available, I'll point out that We has something simpler and a little less impressive, but along similar lines. The Typhoeus is considered a fixed blade since the blade doesn't fold into the handle, but you can shift it between a regular knife and a push dagger. You can't lock it in either position, though, and the sheath is only set up to hold it as a push dagger, so it'll be obvious to people that that's what it is.

Alternatively, even simpler than that is the Brous Silent Soldier, which is designed so you can loop your fingers through the holes a few different ways, with one of them being putting your middle finger through both holes with the round butt in the palm of your hand, essentially making the knife a push dagger.

 

[Danke42]

 

[Danke42]

 

[badmatt]

Hinderer Project X.

 

[MolokaiRider]

Here are a few, some pretty common or well-known but worth noting:

Tops/Buck CSAR has an oxygen wrench in the blade and holes to bend wires underwater. I've only been scuba diving twice, so I have no idea what that means, but it's apparently useful for the intended user.

Chris Reeve had a series of one piece knives made from a solid block of steel with a hollowed out handle that could be filled with matches, tools, etc, and then sealed shut. A lot of other companies have made hollow handle knives, but this one is actually a workable knife because it's a solid piece and won't break at the joint like the others do.

Since the Alkaid I posted earlier isn't readily available, I'll point out that We has something simpler and a little less impressive, but along similar lines. The Typhoeus is considered a fixed blade since the blade doesn't fold into the handle, but you can shift it between a regular knife and a push dagger. You can't lock it in either position, though, and the sheath is only set up to hold it as a push dagger, so it'll be obvious to people that that's what it is.

Alternatively, even simpler than that is the Brous Silent Soldier, which is designed so you can loop your fingers through the holes a few different ways, with one of them being putting your middle finger through both holes with the round butt in the palm of your hand, essentially making the knife a push dagger.

I had no idea that Buck knife had those holes designed for that purpose. You learn something everyday!

Hollow handled knives seem to have a hard time shaking the stigma left from those old cheapie "survival knives", which is unfortunate. Chris Reeves and Sam Wilson have made some serious strides in changing that perspective.

Gotta hand it to WE for pushing the envelope.

That thing is cool, but I've never understood the purpose of those guards.

Built in wire cutter!

Hinderer Project X.

View attachment 2320921

What does that little piece do? Is it part of the backspacer?

I appreciate all the great posts!

 

[K.O.D.]

Sog used to (maybe still do) folders with a seatbelt cutter integrated into the handle, and some of their fixed blades had it in the sheath (20 years ago I cut my finger good accidentally gripping the sheath on my Seal Pup).

My Becker BK-5 sheath has a mini sheath on the front for the remora, an izula type knife.

The DPX Hest I once had had a bottle opener/wave and wire strippers on the blade spine, and a bit driver it in the handle.

The opening mechanism on the old Camillus lev-r-lok was interesting.

Gimmicky stuff I see more and more these days, some functional. I hate the trend of glassbreaker sticking past the end of a deep carry clip.

I don't own much of anything with "novelty" features except perhaps unique handle materials.

I also consider compound grinds a novelty, and dislike them.

 

[Drop bear]

The wire cutters. Nice.

 

[JPD1998]

The Buck CSAR-T folder has the same holes in the blade as the fixed bladed version.
Also, one side of the lanyard hole will accept a driver bit.
But I've never used either feature

 

[Burke]

What does that little piece do? Is it part of the backspacer?

Yes. It is the right size key for disassembling the knife.

The Fulltrack has the same feature with the bonus of a little compartment under the scales.

I appreciate all the great posts!

Yes, cool idea for a thread, I’ve liked seeing everyone’s comments.

 

[Stelth]

 

[VorpelSword]

A "feature" not a novelty:

On a knife sheath, I feel that a pocket for a stone can be a plus. Maybe even a pocket sized for a specific multi tool . . .as long as it is not so big it interferes with its use as a knife sheath.

On a pistol holster: In some configurations, a built in pocket for a magazine seems to be attractive.

I like a no nonsense laced on buttstock cartridge holder for a hunting rifle.

 

[MolokaiRider]

Those are nice. I have been considering grabbing a folder with a marlin spike for times I go out on the water.

A "feature" not a novelty:

On a knife sheath, I feel that a pocket for a stone can be a plus. Maybe even a pocket sized for a specific multi tool . . .as long as it is not so big it interferes with its use as a knife sheath.

On a pistol holster: In some configurations, a built in pocket for a magazine seems to be attractive.

I like a no nonsense laced on buttstock cartridge holder for a hunting rifle.

I agree about the usefulness of having a sharpener handy, and having a dedicated home that travels with the knife.

Carrying a multi-tool in tandem with a fixed blade is a very good practice.

 

[MolokaiRider]

This CRKT Razel has a lock that moves a latch around the pivot, that keeps the liner lock from being able to move. The jury is still out of its a feature or novelty. Leaning towards the latter.




The knife also came with a second pocket clip that can attach as an alternate carry option, by placing the clip on the back side of the knife. I didn't car for it, and kept the regular clip.


Kershaw Leeks, while great little folders, have a tendency to deploy in pocket, which has bit me twice.

They have a lock that prevents this, and I use it religiously now. This model would be better served with a solid detent and no SpeedSafe.

 

[DocJD]

I almost don't want to admit how strongly I've been considering picking up one of these lately. I wouldn't be surprised if I go ahead and pull the trigger at some point, likely some Friday or Saturday night

EDIT: You know what? Eff it! DLT had them at a decent chunk off retail, cashed in some points and got one on its way

Victorinox Wine Master

Wine cellar survival knife !

 

[killgar]

You want "novelty"?

How about a sheath that doubles as a crossbow.

Or this thing.

The "sling/bow" detaches from the knife.

 

[K.O.D.]

Wow, interesting lock types completely passed my mind.

The Buck Marksman has a really interesting lock by G&G Hawk. That knife is so drop shut I cut myself the first time handling it. I ended up giving one to my brother in law.

Lionsteel has their "mono-lock" I think its called.

I've got a new knife arriving Saturday from Seamus that is a bearing flipper with a double detent slip joint type lock. Very interesting.

Another interesting trend, if not a gimmick, is natural handle materials on modern folders. Bone, horn, antler, etc has normally been reserved for "traditional" folders. As of Saturday I'll have a knife 3 "one hand openers" with something other than G-10, micarta, etc. Alan Davis with Corsican ram horn handles, Seamus Nor'easter with blue giraffe bone, and my Manix 2 has ironwood scales.

 

[XJ-linux]

The dreaded ballistic knife...

 

[John A. Larsen]

I had no idea that Buck knife had those holes designed for that purpose. You learn something everyday!

Hollow handled knives seem to have a hard time shaking the stigma left from those old cheapie "survival knives", which is unfortunate. Chris Reeves and Sam Wilson have made some serious strides in changing that perspective.

Gotta hand it to WE for pushing the envelope.

That thing is cool, but I've never understood the purpose of those guards.

Built in wire cutter!

What does that little piece do? Is it part of the backspacer?

I appreciate all the great posts!

Molokairaider. One time it was suggested the guards allowed the knife to be used as a grappling hook, but doubt you would be wanting to throw that knife up in the air to try and catch on a ledge. Not big enough anyway. I think a more likely answer was, since it was supposedly designed for the SEALS, you are working on something underwater, like metal pilings of a dock, strong current, you hook the guard on the edge of a piling, short cable from the "Lanyard" hole to you, and it would hold you in place while you completed your work on say placing demolitions. John