Jason Wang, aka jwongedc on IG, joins us for a great show about the new wave of custom traditional knives.  As a a busy Dad I can relate to the audio equivalent of a photo bomb at the end of the episode.

VPD:

Jason: Lanny’s Clip, Muyshondt Maus, Damasko DA34, TT Glider in Zirc and a TAD Bolt

Tony: GEC Toothpic, Surefire Plus, Kamakadze Pen

Nick: Casio Oceanus 55000C, Pena Front Flipper

New Stuff:

Nick: Sal Glesser Respect, Jet Beam RRT-01 v.2

Tony: Zipchip

Jason: Lanny’s Clip Custom Romaneau, Frelux Synergy I

Main Topic:

Great makers in the Custom Traditionals World:

Tony Bose, Reese Bose, Enrique Pena, Tyce Meades, Craig Brewer, Brett Dowell

Podcast: Download

This episode of GGL is a really cool one.  Seth from Gerber stops by to discuss the Fastball, a wide range of industry topics, and Gerber’s efforts to reinvigorate the brand in the eyes of gear enthusiasts.  This episode has a pair of companion pieces: my review of the Fastball and Nick’s video trip to Gerber.

VPD:

Nick: Fastball

Tony: Fastball (see a theme?), Strelsov Pen

Seth: Custom Engraved Fastball, iPad Pro

Seth’s Knife Making Process (Fastball took 2.5 years from start to finish, something with all new mechanicals takes longer):

1. Draw on iPad

2. Drop into Illustrator

3. Import existing mechanical pieces

4. Render in Solidworks

5. Engineering Phase

6. Concept Review Process (Marketing, Catalog, Leadership teams all review)

7. Product released

Seth Background

Grew Up in Montana, worked as a rancher, diesel mechanic, truck driver, but had a degree in industrial design.  Worked at Calebas, ID firms, and Nautilus

Some Seth Observations:

Fastball was a design victory–new level of detail and performance

Gerber Flatiron is another Seth design, handle has cues from Fastball

Seth and I both hate finger scallops

Seth really likes the Harsey Air Ranger, the XM-18, Ace Biblio Micarta

No 7Cr in Portland, lowest grade steel is 420HC, which he likes because it is easy to field-maintain

Seth understands complaints regarding the liner edging but none of the fixes worked and other fixes would have increased costs beyond what market would support

Engineering team lead by Lyle helped with detent–did a comprehensive study on detent depth, strength, and size, also added the oversized pivot to house the race of bearings

The Fastball clip is a direct import from 39 series folder

Podcast: Download

Holy Moley this thing is late.  But as you know, better late than never.  Grabbed the wrong file last time.

VPD:

Tony: Leafstorm 9, Kamakadze Pen, and BOSS 35

Nick: Mido Oceanstar, Herman Knives Bartosz

Massdrop Armor Lite Ember T100

New Stuff:

Steel Will Tasso Ant Lock

Smock SK23

Blade Show 2019

Two rooms stinks

The Pit could be replicated

Too many knife supplies and “glassholes”

Logical separation to the rooms

Passes early bird, cap pass

Bali Boys in the smoking area

Podcast: Download

Holy Moley this thing is late.  But as you know, better late than never.

VPD:

Tony: Leafstorm 9, Kamakadze Pen, and BOSS 35

Nick: Mido Oceanstar, Herman Knives Bartosz

Massdrop Armor Lite Ember T100

New Stuff:

Steel Will Tasso Ant Lock

Smock SK23

Blade Show 2019

Two rooms stinks

The Pit could be replicated

Too many knife supplies and “glassholes”

Logical separation to the rooms

Passes early bird, cap pass

Bali Boys in the smoking area

Podcast: Download

In this episode Nick and I go deep into the value gear category.

VPD:

Nick: Breitling Aerospace, Kizer Minitherium, Machine Era Pen, Thrunite Neutron

Tony: Aurora A2 Rovy Von, Leatherman PS4, Citizen BM8180

New Stuff:

Tuya Knives Hive

Hogue Microflip X-1

Gear Draft: Under $60

Round 1:

Tony: Citizen BM8180

Nick: Opinel No. 6

Round 2:

Tony: CRKT Drifter

Nick: CRKT Ruger LCK

Round 3:

Tony: Zebra F-701

Nick: Hacked Mont Blanc

Round 4:

Tony: Gerber Shard

Nick: Civivi Backlash

Round 5:

Tony: Ruike p801

Nick: TWSBI Eco

SK Blades Goodfella

FRN Chaparral

TWSBI Eco

Frank Clegg

Podcast: Download

In this episode we go deep on the world of Spyderco Sprints with @thomasomoore.  If you thought EDC was a niche, wait until you hear about the crazy world of Sprints–from the ones we all know about to Bento Box Shop to some random lock and key company that has some of the sweetest Sprints in the world.

VPD:

Nick: Spyderco Druken, TWSBI Classic, Omega Seamaster

Thomas: Para3 River’s Edge Sprint

Tony: Chapter Knife Gen 2, TWSBI Eco, Rotring 600 Ballpoint, 47s Mini Turbo Mk. III

New Stuff:

Nick: Drunken, Midtech Razel, Kizer Yorkie, TWSBI Classic

Thomas: New son Camden (YAY!), Jade Shaman from BHQ, Spydiechef, 10x PM2s, Jade Native, Shirogorov Hati R

Tony: CRKT XOC, Cold Steel AD-15, Tactile Turn BAK, Sheath for the Busse Forsaken Steel Heart

Main Topic Linx:

PM2OG

Idahoedc.com

www.safeandlockstore.com

www.knifeworks.com

www.riversedgecutlery.com

www.bentoboxshop.com

Podcast: Download

VPD:

Tony: Gen 2 Chapter Knife, Titan Plus, Rotring 600

Nick: Aerospace Breitling, Pena Trapper Front Flipper

Incoming:

Nick:

M4 Shaman

Kizer Beigleiter

CRKT Crossbones in Italy M390

Spyderco Waterway

Tony:

Forsaken Steel Heart

Reate T2500

Notes end here for they are a record of stupidity.

Podcast: Download

Tonight’s topic deals with all of the ways that we Gear Geeks are crazy.  From “church knives” to “high end beaters,” Nick and I bear our souls in a hour plus of gear therapy.  Have strength brothers and sisters, for you are not alone.

VPD:

Nick: Omega Seamaster, Hinderer Half Track, Machine Era Classic Pen

Tony: Mnandi in Box Elder with old nail nick, Muyshondt Aeon Mk. III, Edison Nouveau Goulet Pens Limited Edition

New Stuff:

Nick:

HEA Designs Hunter

Spyderco Subvert

Hinderer Full Track

Seiko Samurai

Tony:

CRKT Seismic Deadbolt

CRKT Slacker

CRKT Avante

Something from Busse (later discovered to be the Forsaken Steel Heart)

Monterey Bay Knives EZC

As always Blade HQ is a sponsor of the podcast.

Podcast: Download

Tonight Nick and I take a trip around the Gear World for the Best Of, circa 2018.

VPD:

Nick: Omega Aqua Terra Quartz, Techno 2, Machine Era Classic Pen

Tony: CRKT Pilar, Surefire Titan Plus, Rotring 600 Ballpoint, Monta Ocean King

New Stuff:

Nick: Techno 2, Kapara, Pleroma, Riticulan, JE Made Slipjoint

Tony: Rovy Von 2, XM-18, Surefire Stiletto, Kershaw Atmos

GOTY (my post and Nick’s post)

Overall Winner:

Nick: TRM Neutron

Tony: MassDrop Gent

Innovation:

Nick: Holt Specter v2

Tony: Tom Bihn Nik’s Minimalist Wallet

Value:

Nick: Spyderco Chaparral (nominees: Ocean King, Civivi)

Tony: Blade HQ CRKT Pilar

Surprise:

Nick:  Buck Slim Pro 110 (nominees: AD-15, XM-18)

Tony: Frelux Synergy I

Company:

BOTH: Massdrop

Knife:

Nick: Holt Specter v. 2

Tony: TRM Neutron

Light:

Nick: Thrunight 2C

Tony: Fenix E16

Pen:

Nick: Machine Era Classic

Tony: Prometheus Writes Bamboo

Podcast: Download

Today Nick and I tackle an interesting topic–what gear will suit you for the long run?  After thinking about it we come to surprisingly similar conclusions.

VPD:

Tony:

Nick:

New Stuff:

Boos Blades Hound

Buck 110 SK Bladeworks

Half Track Tanto Tri-Way pivot

Frelux Synergy I

PDW Badger

Nik’s Minimalist Wallet

Draft: Weird Gear

Tony

1. Demko AD-15

2. Spyderco Zulu

3. Graham Razel Stubby

4. AG Russell K12

5. Spy Tri V

Honorable Mention: Darrell Caston Kadima

Nick:

1. Buck Marksman

2. Pilot Vanishing Point

3. Grimsmo Norseman

4. Chris Reeve Ti Lock

5. Spyderco McBees

Honorable Mention: WE Knives Eschaton

Grow Old Knife:

Tony: Mnandi

Nick: Sebenza

Grow Old Watch:

Both: Mechanical Watch

Grow Old Pen:

Fountain Pen

Grow Old Flashlight:

None, but HDS Rotary if you had to pick.

You can find some of this gear at the Gear Geeks Live Amazon Influencer’s Page.

Podcast: Download