Hogtooth Collaboration Update 2

The Knife Junkie Newsletter (Aug. 31, 2022)

I think we’re going to give this collaboration a mission name… let’s call it Project Ares.

After many attempts, tries and retries, I have finally designed a clip point/bowie blade for the EDC fixed blade knife collaboration I am doing with Matt Chase of Hogtooth Knives.

It all started with his amazing EDC Tanto fixie I’ve been carrying for over a year now, it has a great size and profile for everyday carry and has stood up to real combat (not mine) as well as backyard adventuring. Such a great platform deserves different blade shapes, so the idea was born, to produce limited edition collaboration knives with one of my favorite (ABS Journeyman) smiths and bring them to my fellow Knife Junkies.

The first blade shape of this new collaboration is inspired by the Ka-bar blade, which is as useful as it is meaningful.

First off, usefulness: this clip point will feature a decent length of hollow-ground straight edge with belly upfront, terminating in a midline point. The swedge will be nearly zero ground, so as not to be officially double-edged, but have the geometry to gouge, tear and split on a back cut and penetrate easily on a thrust.

In terms of meaning, this Ka-bar inspired blade is a tip-of-the-hat to Matt’s 22-years of service with the USMC as a scout/sniper. This Bowie’s quintessential American shape sets the perfect tone for this project.

Time to figure out the finances of this project, not the most interesting part for me but obviously, an essential part in making this work for both Matt and myself. Not only do we need to recoup our cost with a little profit, so we can ensure future releases featuring different blade shapes.

In the long-term we hope that with the release of each new model, we expand the availability of the previous design.  So, this week I attempt to figure that all out, then once Matt has a prototype ready for me to show off, I begin my charm offensive and work to get these practical, tactical beauties in hands of those who want/need them!

Thanks for being a “knife junkie” and email subscriber!

Bob

P.S. We just published the mid-week supplemental podcast — “Drop Points That Have Won My Heart” (Episode 347). Check it out below in both audio only and video.

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