A Trio of Field-Worthy Blades

by
posted on November 6, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
bsheetz2015_fs.jpg

Modern manufacturing and materials, particularly in blade steels and their heat treatment, have led to production knives that offer greater utility and performance, and better value, than ever before. When it comes to cutting tools, the modern outdoorsman has never had it so good.

The three examples shown here, which have proven worthy throughout a variety of camp chores and shooting sports activities, are: Cold Steel’s Recon Scout, a classic fixed-blade Bowie that was recently reintroduced in 01 tool steel; the Kershaw Piston, a full-size, spring-assisted folder with a flipper and dual thumb studs; and the Benchmade 531 Axis, a featherweight folder with dagger DNA and a utilitarian spear-point blade.

Cold Steel’s Recon Scout; Kershaw Piston; Benchmade 531The Recon Scout’s 7½"-long 5/16"-thick blade is weighty enough to chop with yet trim enough that it packs and handles more like a large fighting knife—just right for splitting kindling or constructing a shelter. Its 5"-long Kray-Ex rubberized handle means that it is unlikely to inadvertently leave your hand while in motion, and the ovalized steel guard snaps into the polymer Secure-Ex sheath ($200).

The U.S.-made Piston is a 3½"-bladed folder with 5" scales of machined and textured G10 that do not require separate metal liners, allowing it to weigh a reasonable 4 ozs. Its 11⁄8" wide blade of Sanvik 14C28N and sweeping point make it a great utility knife for everything from spreading peanut butter to cutting cardboard target backers—perhaps not in that order ($115).

Finally, Benchmade’s 531, at only 2.1 ozs. and 4.1" overall (closed), offers a lot of utility while still being nearly compact enough to carry in a front pants pocket. The symmetrical design of its grooved G10 scales combines with a reversible tip-up pocket clip, the proprietary bilateral Axis lock and dual thumb studs to make it attractive to both right- and left-handers. The 531’s modified drop-point blade geometry makes it excellent for finer tasks ($155).

Latest

Kimber 2K11
Kimber 2K11

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Ruger Helps Families In Need Through The Kids & Clays Foundation

In the effort to help tens of thousands of critically ill children and their families across the nation through local Ronald McDonald Houses, Ruger is among some of the industry’s foremost Platinum-level sponsors of The Kids & Clays Foundation.

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 6, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

FEMA Notes Decline In Disaster Preparedness

A recent report from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) noted a decline in local government preparedness for natural disasters, putting increased pressure on individuals to prepare themselves for emergencies.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.