Martin
Knives Hollow Handle TAD Edition
Ever since
I was a kid I loved knives. Watching
Rambo/Predator with my father I became fixated on fixed blade knives. Martin Knives Hollow Handle TAD Edition is a
nod to that kind of blade capable of performing under strenuous circumstances
during field outings. Newt Martin started with a basic survival knife design
and evolved the concept into a hollow hand knife capable of carrying essential
survival tools without compromising the integrity of the knife. Integrity is a
critical point when talking about hollow handle survival
knives. Mainly due to other two piece
hollow handle designs made of either metal or plastic handle that is simply held on with a nut
or roll pinl Meaning they can break under the abuse, leaving you FOA. Another concern is that should you
unfortunately lose your knife, your survival supplies stored in it are also
lost. Anything I would place in the handle would redundant to my pack load out.
To address the two piece design critical point,
Martin assembled the blade by screwing the
hollowed out handle to the blade and epoxying them together so it still retains
its strength and durability and allows the blade to perform as well as other
fixed blades. From Martin’s site; “My hollow handle knives have a great reputation for strength
and durability. I have never gotten one back with the handle broken off.” Whether you are looking to set a trap, cut branches for
camp, or skin an animal, or in Rambo’s case create a spear to hunt hogs, the
Martin Knives Hollow Handle TAD Edition fixed blade is up to the task.
In my opinion a survival knife is more than a tool
or blade. It’s a means to support a
junkie in the best or worst of times. In
good times you have a stylish fixed blade packaged in a classic leather sheath.
In the worst of times you have a blade yet to be broken by any of their users.
It’s no secret I all us junkies love Triple Aught
Design gear (TAD Gear). They are a ‘Made in USA’ Company out of San Francisco
which makes some of the highest quality gear on the market, and if they want to
sell something they don’t make, they seek out the best in the business to partner
with. Regardless of rumors and talk of
competition, I proudly purchased this blade knowing and trusting the quality I’ve
experienced firsthand throughout the year.
The first observation most have is how a blade feels
in one’s grip or hand. In this case the cord
wrapped handle. The cord provides solid grip along with being redundant cord if
you are in need. After removing the
compass screw cap I measured the survival capsule portion of the knife at about
3 inches deep and half an inch wide. I am still deciding on what to store in
mine beyond the standard fire kit, water tablets, line and hook, needle and
thread type builds.
How sharp is it?
On my scale of sharpness I give this one a rating of hattori hanzo (more
on my rating system soon J).
That is very very sharp.
I will be expanding my review as I carry and use
this blade more and more. But I am confident that if you are in the market for
a knife in the style you can do no wrong with this purchase.
Remember Junkies to continue to be safe and share your
TAD Junkie life through experiences both good, bad, and ugly.
Features
from Triple Aught Designs:
- A 5.00” CPM S35V modified bayonet point blade was made
to perform a variety of cutting tasks and punctures. The large guard has
two lashing points and the hollow handle is large enough to secure to a
large pole for spear hunting applications.
- At approximately 3.14” deep, the knurled hollow handle
provides storage space large enough to fit Survival
Spark, water purification tablets, cash or water
proof matches
for on-the-go access to survival tools.
- Always find your way with a mini compass built into the
durable aluminum butt cap of the handle.
- Fitted with a custom drop leg leather sheath made by
Steve Shepard, quickly draw your knife from various positions.
- The TAD Edition features chemically-etched Triple Aught
Design and Martin Knives logos on blade base and the number 14
stamped into the heel of the blade to mark the manufacturing year.
Behind
the Scenes from Triple Aught Designs:
Martin Knives is the small family
business of father-son duo Ed and Newt Martin. Their techniques have been
perfected over the years and their recognizable style show influences from the
likes of Bob Loveless and Bo Randall. Best known for their commitment to
providing high quality, durable, versatile knives they specialize in an
assortment of different fixed blade variations including tactical, survival,
hunting and bushcraft fixed blades. http://www.martinknives.com/
