Pocket Compasses

There are many great locations to go camping in the continental united States.  We all get caught up in the every day hustle and bustle of making a living and we forget about living Life.  Here are the just a few of the best and most frequented camping locations in the United States.

It is a long lost past time of the American people that will once again bring the family together with fun and adventurer. There are many benefits to camping that we can share with our families and friends, the experiences and memories that await you and your family, friends, and children will last a lifetime. Once you have the equipment all that is left to do is use it. All of us at  knife reviews 2 want to make this not only a rewarding time for you but a memorable time as well.

We are putting together a list of states and camping locations that will prove to be as valuable to you as the camping trip itself. As we all know the planning of the trip is as important as the trip itself.

With pictures of destinations and lists of activities for when you arrive at  your camp site. The information here will prove to help you, not only plan one trip but many camping trips to come. so if you have any suggestions on where you would like to take your next camping trip feel free to share with us about it. Tell us where you want to go and we’ll find information about your destination. Or share with us about past trips that you have taken we would love to hear about it.

Date: June 3, 2009

Categories: Pocket Knives

Gil Hibben is a fascinating man with widely varied interests and talents. Among being a master knife maker he is also a 3rd degree black belt in the martial arts style kenpo.

picture from hibben knives.com

He crafted the Rambo III knife and also the prototype of the original bat’leth for the Cling ons in star trek although it was redesigned later. Gil Hibben is responsible for many movie knives and fantasy knives and swords. he also has a practical outlook on knives and swords so that they are functional as well as a good addition to any collection.

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Gil Hibben Knife making time line

1956   Seattle, WA: Discharged from Navy. Working for Boeing. Began making knives part-time. Sold first Bowie knife for $45.

1963-1965   Sandy, UT: Began making knives full time. Began using 440C stainless steel. Some knives were marked “Ben Hibben” through a partnership in 1963-1964.

1965  Hibben knife featured on the cover of “Guns and Ammo”.

1965-1970   Manti, UT: Making knives under the Hibben name.

1968  Designed Browning’s original knife line.

1968 Designed the “Ed Parker Fighting Knife” as part of his black belt thesis in Kenpo Karate.

1970   Springdale, Arkansas: Made knives here for about 6 months. No city or state on the stamp.

1970-1975   Alaska

1975-1979   Silver Dollar City, MO. Resident knife maker. He met his wife, Linda.

1979-1991  Louisville, KY: Making knives under the Hibben name.
Also Charlton LTD. produced some Hibben Knives under contract 1988-1989 (small Damascus scale replica of the knife used in the movie “Rambo III”).

1987 Designed and made knives used in the movie “Rambo III”.

1990  Designed the Silver Shadow, the first of the annual Fantasy Series from United Cutlery.

1990 Inducted in the Blade Magazine Knife makers Hall of Fame

1991-Present: LaGrange, KY - Still making knives every day in his shop.

2000 Inducted into the Martial Arts Masters Hall of Fame

2003 Inducted into the International Knife Throwers Hall of Fame

2004 Inducted into the Action Martial Arts Magazine Hall of Fame

2006 Commissioned by Sylvester Stallone to make the new knife for the 2008 movie “Rambo”

2006 Featured in the December 2006 issue of Knives Illustrated

2007 Celebrating his 50th year as a custom knife maker

2007 Featured in the September Issue of Blade Magazine

2008 Gil’s knives featured in the February 2008 issue of Blade Magazine

2008 Gil and his knife designs featured in April 2008 issue of German knife magazine “Messer Magazin”.

Date: March 17, 2009

Categories: Pocket Knives

C.R.K.T. now offers two of their most popular folding
knives the Crawford/Kasper and Ryan Model Seven.

It’s the professional’s choice: But you must match the knife design to the task at hand. Choosing a tactical folding knife is a matter of personal preference. They are all similar in performance, but give the operator a choice of blade length & shape, weight, handle thickness, and grip features.

Both knives have AUS 6M stainless steel blade with a Razor-Sharp/Triple-Point serrated cutting edge. Plus the patented- Lake and Walker Knife Safety, which make the folders virtual a fixed blade when opened.

Both of these CRKT have a heavy duty Inter-Frame build, with 420J2 stainless steel liner, one lock, and 6061 T6 hard anodized aluminum back spacers.

The Crawford/Kasper Black model is based on CRKT’s extremely popular Pat Crawford/Bob Kasper folding blade. The 6783K is dressed with all-black treatment, with a black Teflon blade plating,black liners and hardware, and black Teflon plating on the clip as well.
Bob Kasper developed this knife to be very flat so it is not visible in the pocket.
The clip is mounted near the edge for nearly invisible knife exposure when clipped inside the pocket. Each design feature has a clear purpose in the Crawford/Kasper tactical training session.

MSRP is only $74.99.

The Ryan Model Seven (Black) is based on the civilian version (Model Seven). This popular folder has been the talk of many professionals. The Ryan Model Seven’s handle is designed with dual finger choils, palm swell, and ergonomic curve, textured Zytel handle, zig-zag scales and ample friction grooves at the top and bottom of the knife blade that grips you back making this knife extremely controllable. The dual oversize thumb studs make the knife easy to wield with both right and left hand, and aids opening when wearing gloves. The 6813K also features AUS 6M blade steel with black Teflon blade plating, black liners and hardware, and black Teflon plating on the clip.

MSRP is only $69.99.

So ultimatly it comes down to preference and budget. Both knives are an exceptional value, designed to withstand the worst treatment and harsh environments under daily professional use.

Crawford/Kasper Black Specifications:

*6783K: Combined Razor-Sharp & Triple-Point Serrated Cutting Edge
*Blade: Overall length: 3.87” (9.8 cm)
*Cutting edge: 3.62” (9.2)
*Thickness: 0.16” (0.40 cm)
*Steel: AUS 6M, 55-57 HRC

Tri-Metal Sawzall Blades - These sawzall blades are a new invention, no sawzall should be without.

Date: February 18, 2009

Categories: Pocket Knives

From the days of cavemen man has been using knives as a vital tool for his survival.  The earliest forms of knives were shaped by a method called “knapping” which is the percussive flaking of rock. Chipping away little chunks until a blade was formed. The most common rock used in this process was obsidian, which is a naturally formed glass, or a hard stone we all know as flint.  Before these materials, blades were formed from wood and bone.

Now from the stone age of knives so to speak the knife was constantly evolving becoming more and more proficient in its design.  During this evolution man had discovered alloys such as copper, bronze, and iron. These metals served their purpose as a better material then stone and glass. Still these materials were soft and proved to be inferior. Not having the capability of holding an edge with prolonged use, even after a few cuts the blade would become dull.  Even though this would be a problem the knife was still superior to it ancestors of wood, bone, rock, and glass versions.These knives still resembled their predecessors in look and style.

Most of which were forged as a double-edged dagger.  These times were known to many as the Dark Ages.  Medieval times are where the knife evolved with leaps and bounds. The knife transformed with the aid of greed and power into the sword.  The way of life and the rule of the land was “live by the sword” which brought upon the inevitable “die by the sword”.

During this era the double-edged dagger was also evolving into the blade we most commonly use today the drop point blade. The material was changed from the softer alloys bronze and copper in what we are familiar with the metal known as steel.
This is a prime example of how mankind is always building on products and technology, always growing in knowledge and using it to his advantage.  Steel being much harder and having the capability of holding an edge much longer with extensive use. Steel was the metal of choice and used for forging swords, spears, arrowheads, axes, knives, and much more.  Having resilience and flexibility at the same time.  Still through out all this the fixed blade was the only blade wielded by farmer and Knights alike. <br<br>>The next major step in the evolution of the knife was the pocketknife. Although we are not real sure of the date the first pocketknife was forged, we do know that the production of lock back blades wasn’t until the 1900’s.

There are now two broad types of knives that we still use today, fixed blades and folding knives a.k.a. pocketknives.  These two categories cover everything from swords to Swiss army knives, and everything in between.  The materials of the blades have changed as well due to the technology that we have today.  Knife blades are primarily steel though, but they are also made of a variety of materials as well such as carbon fiber, ceramics, titanium, plastic, and still yes still wood. Wooden blades are used as training tool for law enforcement and martial arts. (Self defense training.)<br><br> Ceramic blades are generally used in kitchen cutlery. The edge on this type of blade will out last the traditional steel blade up to ten times. But they are not with there faults; they are extremely brittle and can shatter. For example if you cut frozen food or try to cut through bone they can shatter like a drinking glass hitting a tile floor. If used properly with this in mind these knives will bring the person who uses it a lot of satisfaction while cooking. Even though the ceramic blade is primarily used in the kitchen there are still a few companies that make a folding ceramic knife, Precision ceramics, Tachi knives, Flint knives, and Boker knives just to name a few.
Titanium, carbon fiber, and plastic are mostly found in tactical knives.  Carbon fiber and titanium also hold there edge longer than steel, and it should go without saying, but the plastic does not even come close. Tactical blades come in various designs and blade styles. Among the most popular are the drop point, the tanto, and the serrated blades.

They are designed with one thing in mind and if I have to explain it you just wouldn’t understand.  The butterfly knife and the switchblade or spring assisted blade would also fall under the tactical knife category. These knives like all others have many laws that govern them. And these laws differ from state to state and country to country.
This is because as we all know a knife has the potential of becoming a weapon and this is the cause for these laws.  In many areas switchblades are illegal with the exception of a one handed individual, law enforcement, and the military. Carrying a knife with a blade over a certain length is also prohibited in some states. Carrying s knife in an airport in a school or a county building is strictly prohibited and enforced.  Even with the potential of turning into a weapon in a split second they are also vital tools to everyday life.
We have followed the evolution of the knife from its earliest years up to the present. From custom blades to the more traditional knife the ever evolving forging techniques and manufacturing of the knife is far from over. As technology and ingenuity also take it’s ever changing course of evolution.  We here at imalluneed.com are looking forward to the future with great anticipation, eagerly waiting for the next generation of the constantly changing knife…

Date: February 11, 2009

Categories: Pocket Knives

Fixed blade knife Review

Fixed blade knives are generally the more rugged and reliable. Fixed blade knives like the Bowie Knife or the Puma Rolled Stag White Hunter are both good examples of high quality fixed blade hunting knives because of their superior stainless steel blades and sturdy handles. Fixed blades are also very easy to clean.Fixed blade knives, however, are generally bulkier, heavier, and potentially dangerous if not packed and handled properly. Hunters planning to do a lot of hiking or climbing might want to steer clear of a fixed blade or purchase a high-quality protective sheath.

Military knife Review

The military issues fixed blade knives because they are durable and practical for field operation more so than folding knives. Military personal tend to carry boot knives and tactical knives to carry out there jobs. The thing to look for in a tactical knife is  first the brand and the uses you have in mind,you don’t want a big bulky knife because you’ll be stuck carrying it around and you don’t want it getting in the way of you job at hand. Second you want it to be carried in a place that is easily accessible but you also want to carrying case to release the knife quietly.  In and out of the case you want to depend on your knife to be there and ready for use your life could depend on it.  A good tactical knife should be versatile and durable without sacrificing a secure convenient sheath.

Folding Blade knife Review

Folding blade knives are strong and durable enough for every day task. Whether at work, on the road, or at home durability and convince is exactly what a folding pocket knife offers its user. Folding knives do exactly what the name implies – the blade folds into the handle, protecting and prolonging the blade while keeping the user from cutting themselves. Also by folding the blade into the handle it reduces the overall size of the knife. There are three main types of folding knives – lock back blades – pocket knives –and line lockers.

Lock-Back Folding Blade Review

Lock-back folding blades have nearly the same strength and durability as a fixed blade knife, but have the added benefit of being safer and easier to pack. Many lock-back blade knives allow for one hand operation making it easier to use when you are by yourself and juggling multiple pieces of equipment or material. Lock-back blades are also much safer because their blade locking mechanism ensures that the blade will not flip closed unexpectedly cutting the user.

Line Lock Blade Knife Review

Line lock blade knives are a lot like lock back blades the only difference is the location of the locking mechanism. Line lock blades have the locking mechanism in line with the blade and can be released by using the thumb of the hand that is holding the knife, allowing the user a true one handed operation. While the lock back blade has the locking mechanism located at the butt of the handle on the back side which requires the user to flip the knife over to close it. This action requires the use of both hands to close the blade and making it a little bit more unsafe than the line lock.

Pocket Knife Review

Pocket knives are usually more versatile than lock-back or fixed-blade knives. These knives are more compact and easier to carry if purchase a reputable brand that is. A pocket knife can and will provide all the strength needed to skin or gut game or do most chores around the house.

Date: February 5, 2009

Categories: Pocket Knives, Uncategorized