The Knife Junkie Podcast

In episode 636 of The Knife Junkie Podcast, host Bob DeMarco takes a close look at TKell Knives and explores why their models make outstanding everyday carry options. This episode features 11 different TKell designs, from the sleek Agent series to the robust Combatant and tactical Nightstalker. Each knife brings something unique to the table while maintaining the quality and value that TKell has become known for in the knife community.

Bob starts with his daily pocket check, showcasing the Emerson Knives Super CQC-7, Cold Steel Urban Edge, and other tools he carries regularly. He also announces the November 2025 Gentleman Junkie Giveaway featuring the TKell Knives Agent 001, giving listeners a chance to experience TKell quality firsthand.

The Knife Life News segment covers recent releases from Civivi, Buck, GiantMouse, and Victorinox, keeping you up to date on what matters in the knife world.

The First Tool segment examines the Ulu knife, a traditional cutting tool that has served indigenous peoples of Alaska and Arctic regions for thousands of years.

Bob then shares his State of the Collection thoughts on the TKell Guardian, which was his introduction to the brand and set his expectations for their entire product line.

The main topic dives deep into multiple TKell models, including the Agent 001 and its limited editions (Storm LE and Zombie LE), Agent 002 through 004, Nightstalker, Nautilus, FLN 2.0, Combatant, and Adversary.

Throughout the episode, Bob emphasizes the exceptional value that TKell Knives delivers. These folders use quality steels, feature solid construction, and offer smooth action that competes with brands charging much more. Whether you need a slim office carry or a tough outdoor knife, TKell has options that will serve you well without draining your wallet. This episode gives you all the information needed to choose the right TKell knife for your everyday carry needs.

Find the list of all the knives shown in the show and links to the Knife Life news stories at https://www.theknifejunkie.com/636.

Support the Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase. Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives. You can also support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details.

Let us know what you thought about this episode and leave a rating and/or a review. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions.

To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

In Episode 635 of The Knife Junkie Podcast, host Bob DeMarco talks with Jeff Schafer of Schafer Knives, an American Bladesmith Society Apprentice whose combat-ready custom knives have caught the attention of martial artists and collectors across the country.

Schafer combines decades of martial arts training in Tang Soo Do, Bujinkan, Escrima, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with traditional bladesmithing skills to create knives that actually work. From massive Bowie choppers with sharpened clips to everyday carry fixed blades, his designs focus on balance, performance, and classic American knife profiles.

In this conversation, Schafer shares how a small family knife sparked his lifelong interest in blades, why he decided to build a shop and teach himself bladesmithing, and what it takes to pursue American Bladesmith Society certification. He discusses his design philosophy, steel choices, heat treatment methods, and how his martial arts background influences every knife he makes.

Schafer gained wider recognition when knife enthusiast Rolando Estocada featured one of his massive choppers on his channel after Blade Show 2025. Made with a convex edge and careful attention to distal taper, the knife demonstrates how Schafer balances size with maneuverability.

Whether you are interested in fighting knives, classic Bowies, or everyday carry fixed blades, this episode offers insight into a maker who understands how knives move in the hand and perform under pressure. Schafer also discusses his plans for his ABS journeyman test, his favorite handle materials, like a crown stag, and why he does his own leatherwork for custom sheaths.

Find Jeff Schafer online at Instagram @schaferjeff, on Facebook at Schafer Knives, and at www.schaferknives.com. For show notes and additional resources, visit theknifejunkie.com/635.

Be sure to support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details. You can also support The Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase.

Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives. Let us know what you thought about this episode, and leave a rating and/or a review. Your feedback is appreciated.

You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions. To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

Join host Bob DeMarco for Episode 634 of The Knife Junkie Podcast as he explores the world of ESKs, or Emotional Support Knives. These are the big, bold blades that make collectors feel confident and capable, even if they never get used for everyday tasks.

Bob starts with his weekly Pocket Check, featuring the Piratech Tsunami, JWK Midnight Jack, Fisher Blades McNasty, and Cold Steel Espada XL. Knife Life News covers three exciting releases: the robust KA-BAR Mark 25 folder, the sleek Benchmade Successor slipjoint, and the return of the Kopis Designs L-Via with new variations.

In the First Tool segment, Bob shares how the iconic Buck 110 Folding Hunter started his knife-collecting journey. State of the Collection highlights the Ontario Knife SP-10, a backyard bruiser built for serious survival tasks.

The main event counts down the top 10 most carried ESKs in his collection, including fighting bowies, tactical daggers, and war knives from makers like Hogtooth, Cold Steel, Station IX, TKell Knives, CRKT, TOPS, KA-BAR, Spartan Blades, and Work Tuff Gear. Bob explains what makes each knife special and why these impressive blades earn their place in any serious collection.

Whether you carry a big knife for confidence or just appreciate the craftsmanship of large blades, this episode celebrates the knives that make us feel ready for anything. Bob brings his usual knowledge, passion, and humor to a topic that resonates with collectors everywhere.

Find the list of all the knives shown in the show and links to the Knife Life news stories at https://theknifejunkie.com/634.

Support the Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase. Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives. You can also support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details.

Let us know what you thought about this episode and leave a rating and/or a review. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions.

To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

Ben Belkin of Jack Wolf Knives returns to The Knife Junkie Podcast to discuss the remarkable growth and diversification of his knife company. Host Bob DeMarco explores how Jack Wolf evolved from a premium slip joint maker into a multi-line brand with offerings at every price point.

Ben shares the good, better, best product strategy that guides his business, from the entry-level Gateway series with pin construction and steel bolsters to the flagship slip joints made of titanium that built the brand. The conversation covers the exciting JW Kollab line of modern folders designed with talented young makers like Nick Rogers, Chris Ortiz, and Jacob Ginsburg, which serves as an innovation lab for testing new features and construction methods.

Learn about the USA-made Prickly Pear project, manufactured by Misfits Machining, and the collaboration with LT Wright Knives that produced handmade Vampire Hunter fixed blades.

Ben discusses the challenges of planning products two years in advance, the evolution of Jack Wolf's Blade Show presence from an eight-foot table to a 20-foot booth, and why customer service remains one of the most important aspects of his business.

This episode offers valuable insights for knife collectors, aspiring makers, and anyone interested in building a successful business through quality products, exceptional service, and strategic partnerships. Ben's philosophy of never compromising quality while serving customers at different price points offers a masterclass in smart business growth.

Visit the episode page at https://www.theknifejunkie.com/633 for show notes and additional resources. Find Jack Wolf Knives online at https://www.jackwolfknives.com and follow them on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jackwolfknives.

Be sure to support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details. You can also support The Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase. Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives.

Let us know what you thought about this episode and leave a rating and review. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions.

To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

In Episode 632 of The Knife Junkie Podcast, host Bob DeMarco explores kukri knives from traditional Nepalese examples to modern folding interpretations.

The episode begins with a pocket check featuring the Kansept Bison, Jack Wolf Knives Laid Back Jack, Cold Steel Desperado, and a custom Hogtooth Fighting Bowie. Knife Life News covers the Tashi Bharucha collaboration with Civivi, the upcoming Civivi Lunaris, and RoseCraft discontinuing its modern folder lineup.

The First Tool segment examines the TL-29 electrician knife, a World War era military utility blade that served Signal Corps soldiers and remained popular with tradesmen for decades. The State of the Collection introduces four new additions, including a vintage Sheffield straight razor, the Piratech Tsunami, Cold Steel Kudu, and Cold Steel Rajah 3.

The main segment provides comprehensive kukri coverage, starting with traditional examples from Nepal and progressing through modern folders from Cold Steel, Artisan Cutlery, and the Jason Knight collaboration with Fox Knives. Fixed-blade kukris include the Spartan Blades Harsey design, a massive Traditional Filipino Weapons kukri, and the Cold Steel Chaos with its distinctive D-guard.

Bob explains kukri history, addresses common misconceptions about design features, and demonstrates why these curved blades remain relevant for both collectors and users.

This episode offers a detailed examination of blade geometry, handle ergonomics, and how traditional designs inspire contemporary makers. Whether you own kukris or find them interesting, this episode delivers the information you need to understand why these distinctive blades have endured across generations and cultures.

Find the list of all the knives shown in the show and links to the Knife Life news stories at https://theknifejunkie.com/632.

Support the Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase. Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives. You can also support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details.

Let us know what you thought about this episode and leave a rating. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions.

To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.