All About Pocket Knives

Was surfing around online for Wharncliffe knives and came across this rare little gem:
Gayle Bradley designed Spyderco "Air" made in Taichung, Taiwan. Couple interesting things about this knife: it has full-length, skeletonized (inside) titanium liners, silver twill glass fiber laminate scales, CPM M4 steel Wharncliffe blade (which I'd never heard of previously), and, unlike most Spyderco knives, no pocket clip.
Closed length = 3 5/16"
Weight = 1.3 oz (it's so light it almost feels like it's made of Balsa wood!)

That is a very interesting and attractive knife, Q. A fine acquisition.

Nice new ones everyone!

cody6268 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 23, 2022 11:19 pm Schrade Walden 204--this time, the right knife.

Looks good, and you got a pretty decent two-for-one deal.

#goldpan wrote: ↑Sat Apr 23, 2022 11:51 pm A Camillus long line 72 with brown stagged handles and a Sears Craftsman 72 clone.

Nice duo! I'm discovering that the 72 is a most excellent knife.

QTCut5 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 24, 2022 7:31 am Gayle Bradley designed Spyderco "Air."

One I've not heard of. Those scales look great!

And thanks to all for the kind words!

Went to Lowe's today for a vacuum cleaner belt and hardware to repair a set of bifold doors on my closet. Spent about double the price of the stuff I needed on stuff I really didn't...

Had been meaning to pick up a CRKT Piet for quite some time.

At 3 3/4" closed and just 2.5 ounces, it fits my needs for a "just right" knife fully, especially now that I'm wearing shorts a heckuva lot more. CRKT has a D2 version as well, but it's $20 more. It could be even lighter without the liners, but they make it a sturdier folder.
In my opinion, the place to find decent tools at Lowe's is in the electrical supply section. They have Ideal there; but Lowe's for a couple of years has listed Knipex on the website, but I never found them in store. I read somewhere this was due to an agreement Knipex had made with Home Depot, which we don't have here.

However, that agreement must have expired, as I found a pair of 250mm Cobras in the electrical section all by themselves. I have the 125mm model for about 5 years now and love them, but have been wanting something that was truly heavy duty.


Also picked up a Nite Ize Doohickey. I had an older version that was just the prybar, bottle opener, and useless wrenches, but this one adds serrations to the bottle opener arc, a nail puller to the prybar, and a Phillips on the butt end of the carabiner. Phillips works great, and the serrations and "package opener" at the edge of the screwdriver will cut clam pack. This will be carried alongside the CRKT or on other days when I'm just going with a small, lightweight folder around the house and need a screwdriver and prybar.

Went to Ollie's beforehand as my grandmother wanted a round rug. Found this Utica Minimaster clone for $3, and impulse-bought it. Blades are actually sharp for once, and the saw and file work great (which are usually crap on most "off-brand" cheap tools). However, the drivers need some work, as they are overly polished and rounded slightly. Figure this will be a good "backup" tool that will take up little room.

QTCut5 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 24, 2022 7:31 am Was surfing around online for Wharncliffe knives and came across this rare little gem:
Gayle Bradley designed Spyderco "Air" made in Taichung, Taiwan. Couple interesting things about this knife: it has full-length, skeletonized (inside) titanium liners, silver twill glass fiber laminate scales, CPM M4 steel Wharncliffe blade (which I'd never heard of previously), and, unlike most Spyderco knives, no pocket clip.
Closed length = 3 5/16"
Weight = 1.3 oz (it's so light it almost feels like it's made of Balsa wood!)

Nice knife! Steel, size, blade shape, and weight are all perfect. Surprised Spyderco crammed a 2.5" handle in a quite small 3 5/16 frame. Usually, I only see that in bigger knives 3.5" or larger.

Several years ago, I bought a lot that included a beat-up Gerber EZ OUT with the skeletonized blade. The knife weighed like nothing. The blade had some damage (and looks like it had been heated in a flame), and I sent it in on warranty. and Gerber gave me a new one. I wasn't too confident in the blade's strength, so I gave it away. In recent years, I got bitten by the lightweight folder bug, and trying to keep the weight of my EDC down. Got a Beretta Air Light a few years later out of curiosity, and it impressed me. However, people want a mint for the things. Gerber has retired the EZ OUT Skeleton, but my local knife store still has one as new-old stock, and it will be coming home with me soon.

QTCut5 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 24, 2022 7:31 am Was surfing around online for Wharncliffe knives and came across this rare little gem:
Gayle Bradley designed Spyderco "Air" made in Taichung, Taiwan. Couple interesting things about this knife: it has full-length, skeletonized (inside) titanium liners, silver twill glass fiber laminate scales, CPM M4 steel Wharncliffe blade (which I'd never heard of previously), and, unlike most Spyderco knives, no pocket clip.
Closed length = 3 5/16"
Weight = 1.3 oz (it's so light it almost feels like it's made of Balsa wood!)

Very cool ~Q~! Reminds me of their "Native Chief" or even the Benchmade early "Spike" automatic by Mel Pardue, or their very early AFCK model! The Howard Viele and Frank Centofante models just crossed my mind too! Nice quality folder you have there my friend, enjoy!

QTCut5 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 24, 2022 7:31 am Was surfing around online for Wharncliffe knives and came across this rare little gem:
Gayle Bradley designed Spyderco "Air" made in Taichung, Taiwan. Couple interesting things about this knife: it has full-length, skeletonized (inside) titanium liners, silver twill glass fiber laminate scales, CPM M4 steel Wharncliffe blade (which I'd never heard of previously), and, unlike most Spyderco knives, no pocket clip.
Closed length = 3 5/16"
Weight = 1.3 oz (it's so light it almost feels like it's made of Balsa wood!)

Nice find "Q". If I remember correctly, the Air came out around 2015. As you said, very light and super durable. The CPM M4 is a tool steel, the standout element is the amount of Molybdenum; at 5.25%. Hardness was around 65 HRC. There was an excellent review of that particular knife on BladeReview back around 2018.

cody6268 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 24, 2022 5:35 pm
Went to Lowe's today for a vacuum cleaner belt and hardware to repair a set of bifold doors on my closet. Spent about double the price of the stuff I needed on stuff I really didn't...

That's usually the way it works with me also Cody. But looks like your set for your work now.

Went to Carlisle Auto flea market swap on Friday.

jmh58 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 25, 2022 2:16 pm Went to Carlisle Auto flea market swap on Friday.

Looks like the Mini Trapper was hardly carried, if at all. Those are some good flea market finds!

Dan In MI wrote: ↑Mon Apr 25, 2022 2:29 pm

jmh58 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 25, 2022 2:16 pm Went to Carlisle Auto flea market swap on Friday.

Looks like the Mini Trapper was hardly carried, if at all. Those are some good flea market finds!

Never carried, sharpened etc.. Came out of a private collection a Gent was selling.. He had some real nice pieces for realistic prices.. Gave him $45.00 for the one I posted..
Thanks Dan..
John

jmh58 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 25, 2022 2:32 pm Gave him $45.00 for the one I posted.

I'd say you both did well!

jmh58 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 25, 2022 2:16 pm Went to Carlisle Auto flea market swap on Friday. 47087E1F-CD69-47EB-8D43-C90B29C1E0C3.jpeg6CD39745-6222-433B-A6E6-A013F181E04E.jpeg3826B222-E633-46E8-BF64-046E788B2BC4.jpeg2FEDCE26-8C70-4C69-84EE-4E09B6C6999F.jpeg

Great finds, great scores. Congrats and good hunting.

Ivoryman wrote: ↑Mon Apr 25, 2022 3:10 pm

jmh58 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 25, 2022 2:16 pm Went to Carlisle Auto flea market swap on Friday. 47087E1F-CD69-47EB-8D43-C90B29C1E0C3.jpeg6CD39745-6222-433B-A6E6-A013F181E04E.jpeg3826B222-E633-46E8-BF64-046E788B2BC4.jpeg2FEDCE26-8C70-4C69-84EE-4E09B6C6999F.jpeg

Great finds, great scores. Congrats and good hunting.

Thank You Iman..
John

jmh58 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 25, 2022 2:16 pm Went to Carlisle Auto flea market swap on Friday. 47087E1F-CD69-47EB-8D43-C90B29C1E0C3.jpeg6CD39745-6222-433B-A6E6-A013F181E04E.jpeg3826B222-E633-46E8-BF64-046E788B2BC4.jpeg2FEDCE26-8C70-4C69-84EE-4E09B6C6999F.jpeg

Two beauties John, congrats! Being a big fan of all-metal knives your new Case checks all the boxes for me! How many inches when open? Thx!

Madmarco wrote: ↑Mon Apr 25, 2022 4:48 pm

jmh58 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 25, 2022 2:16 pm Went to Carlisle Auto flea market swap on Friday. 47087E1F-CD69-47EB-8D43-C90B29C1E0C3.jpeg6CD39745-6222-433B-A6E6-A013F181E04E.jpeg3826B222-E633-46E8-BF64-046E788B2BC4.jpeg2FEDCE26-8C70-4C69-84EE-4E09B6C6999F.jpeg

Two beauties John, congrats! Being a big fan of all-metal knives your new Case checks all the boxes for me! How many inches when open? Thx!

Thanks Mark..
5 5/8ths open..
This was new in box with all papers etc for $18.00.. Its got alot of shelf wear.. I couldnt pass it up..
John

Thanks John! I don't blame you for not passing up on that beauty!

jmh58 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 25, 2022 2:16 pm Went to Carlisle Auto flea market swap on Friday. 47087E1F-CD69-47EB-8D43-C90B29C1E0C3.jpeg6CD39745-6222-433B-A6E6-A013F181E04E.jpeg3826B222-E633-46E8-BF64-046E788B2BC4.jpeg2FEDCE26-8C70-4C69-84EE-4E09B6C6999F.jpeg

Dang nice finds John. You stole that Mini-T for that price. My oldest daughter and her family lives in Carlisle. Dadburnit, I need to make a road trip.

Papa Bones wrote: ↑Mon Apr 25, 2022 7:51 pm

jmh58 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 25, 2022 2:16 pm Went to Carlisle Auto flea market swap on Friday. 47087E1F-CD69-47EB-8D43-C90B29C1E0C3.jpeg6CD39745-6222-433B-A6E6-A013F181E04E.jpeg3826B222-E633-46E8-BF64-046E788B2BC4.jpeg2FEDCE26-8C70-4C69-84EE-4E09B6C6999F.jpeg

Dang nice finds John. You stole that Mini-T for that price.

Thank You Smitty. A little negotiation went on .
John

Lately I have been drawn to two-blade jacks. This little Colonial is a good example. It's seen some use and needs a more extensive cleaning, but I couldn't pass it up at such a low price.

Dan In MI wrote: ↑Mon Apr 25, 2022 11:14 pm Lately I have been drawn to two-blade jacks. This little Colonial is a good example. It's seen some use and needs a more extensive cleaning, but I couldn't pass it up at such a low price.

Colonial Open.jpg

Colonial Mark Side.jpg

Colonial Pile Side.jpg

Colonial Tang Stamp.jpg

Dan, Neat little Colonial Jack. If it's 3-1/4" Closed it is a model DC1950 Serpentine Jack, late 70's were 550 stamped. If it's 3-1/2" closed it is a DC4602.

Dan In MI wrote: ↑Mon Apr 25, 2022 11:14 pm Lately I have been drawn to two-blade jacks. This little Colonial is a good example. It's seen some use and needs a more extensive cleaning, but I couldn't pass it up at such a low price.

Colonial Open.jpg

Colonial Mark Side.jpg

Colonial Pile Side.jpg

Colonial Tang Stamp.jpg

Looks good to me Dan!!
John

Thabks, Smitty and John! It's a DC4602.

Dan In MI wrote: ↑Mon Apr 25, 2022 11:14 pm Lately I have been drawn to two-blade jacks. This little Colonial is a good example. It's seen some use and needs a more extensive cleaning, but I couldn't pass it up at such a low price.

I’m fond of colonials. Just a basic, no nonsense knife. Always glad to see one find a home here!