null Skip to main content
    ​Lessons from George and Horace: The Woodcraft Trio(Post)

    We love hearing from our friends and customers, of course. Some days, though, it feels to us like  everyone is looking for The Knife, that one do-it-all blade that can take on everything from kit

    FAQ: Is it ok to chop wood with my knife?(Post)

    Maybe -- but probably not. Very few knives are designed to handle the rigors of chopping (the way an ax is, for example). A purpose-built chopper is big enough, heavy enough and possesses the pro

    3 Things We Wish Non-Knife People Knew(Post)

    3 Things We Wish Non-Knife People Knew Much as we hate to admit it, we really do separate the people in this world into two groups: Those who "get" knives, and those who don't. Here are

    How to Choose a Knife(Post)

    How to choose a knifeOkay, we know what you're thinking -- "How hard can it be to pick out a knife? For cryin' out loud, do I really need instructions for this?"Truth is, with so many choices avai

    3 Good Reasons to Sharpen Your Own Knives(Post)

    3 Good Reasons to Sharpen Your Own Knives A sharp knife is more effective, more efficient and safer. No edge lasts forever, of course, and we find no joy in using a knife that's about as sharp as

    Mike Stewart talks about the Bark River Knives' Golok(Post)

    We asked Mike Stewart of Bark River Knives about the Golok.  This is what he said.The Golok is an Indonesian design where they encounter jungle like foliage — vines and heavy secondary growth, mostly

    ​Lessons from George and Horace: The Woodsman's Slipjoint(Post)

    George Washington Sears (a.k.a. "Nessmuk") called it a "pocket knife." Horace Kephart's term was "jackknife." Both men appreciated having a nimble cutting tool for finer tasks, but with so much att

    FAQ: "Are Chris Reeve Knives worth the Money?"(Post)

    Question: "Are Chris Reeve Knives worth the Money?" As a daily carrier of a Chris Reeve Mnandi, I may be slightly biased, so bear with me. Now, depending on your budget, Chris Reeve Knives ar

    FAQ: What is Kirinite?(Post)

    Kirinite is a next-generation acrylic, billed to be as tough as the more-familiar Corian. Knifemakers like Kirinite because it's easy to shape using conventional woodworking tools. It's also r

    Interview: Mike Stewart(Post)

    Back in 2009 and 2010, KnivesShipFree published a monthly newsletter called From the Edge. One of its recurring features was an interview with a knifemaker or industry executive. We thought you'd b

    3 Reasons to Give a Knife to a Kid(Post)

    3 Reasons to Give a Knife to a Kid As knife people, it can be immensely satisfying to share our passion with the young people in our lives. Here are three good reasons why you should give a kid a

    In praise of the 'gentleman's knife'(Post)

    Once upon a time, every gentleman carried a pocketknife -- everywhere he went, every single day. He didn't have one knife for the office, another for household chores and another for Sunday

    FAQ: Is there a secret to knife sharpening?(Post)

    Yes, as a matter of fact, there is: Don't sharpen your knives.Ok, we said that just to get a rise out of you. Put another way: Don't sharpen your knives -- maintain them.If you're playing the game rig

    Knife Sharpening(Page)

    Whether you're a veteran knife nut or you just received your very first knife, we believe you should sharpen your own knives. Sure, it might seem easier to hand your blade to a sharpening service or...

    FAQ: What's the perfect number of blades for a slipjoint pocketknife?(Post)

    That's a great question, albeit one that opens a big can of worms. We'll be glad to share our opinions here, without presuming that we'll be able to settle the matter. Some folks are adamant that

    FAQ: Why are good knives so expensive?(Post)

    As the saying goes, you get what you pay for.And what do you get when you spend a little more for a knife?You get better engineering and design -- a knife that'll do what it's meant to do and hold up

    ​Paracord -- what's the use?(Post)

    Yes, we love paracord, that tough-as-nails nylon line that's become a staple of preppers, survivalists, Scouts and campers everywhere. Versatile as it is, however, the same question keeps a-nagging:

    How-To: Replacing Benchmade Griptilian Handle Scales(Post)

    Replacing Benchmade Griptilian Handle Scales Note: According to Benchmade's warranty policy, "[The Benchmade Lifetime Warranty] does not cover...disassembly of any knife by any person other than

    The Best Bushcrafting Knife? (Post)

    A Review of Bark River Knives: Bushcrafter When it comes to bushcraft/survival knives, how much is enough? How do you make sure your knife will be up to the task? Here’s a product from Bark River Kn

    FAQ: What are the advantages of multiple blades on a pocketknife?(Post)

    Some folks insist that you only need one blade -- the right blade -- on a pocketknife. Most people, however, see the advantages of having at least two, or even more. Although the debate wil