Showcase: Knives UK 2017

Knives UK is the UK’s only dedicated knife show. Now in it’s twelfth year, the show features some of the country’s top knife-makers and high quality custom blades, and is aimed at outdoor professionals, enthusiasts and collectors.

Many thanks to KnivesUK’s founder and organiser, Mike Keogh, for his continued dedication to organising and running the show. The mark of a great event is that as this year’s show comes to an end we are already looking forward to the next one; I certainly am.

‘Showcase’ on Tactical Reviews:

The ‘Showcase’ is an opportunity for me to share photographs, videos and thoughts about interesting or exceptional knives, lights or other gear.

Video Edited with – Cyberlink Director Suite 5 (PowerDirector 15 and AudioDirector 7)
Camera – Panasonic HC-V770    Microphone – Tonor TN120308BL and/or Takstar SGC-598

Knives UK 2017: – A Tour of the Show

Competition Knives Gallery: – The Entries

Run by the Edge Matters Forum, Knives UK hosted a knife makers competition; these are the entries received for consideration.

Competition Knives Gallery: – The Winners

Best Fixed Blade – Steve Nawacki
Best Folder – Ignatius
Young Maker – Oliver Slocombe
Amateur – Best from Scratch – Craig Burton
Amateur Best from Blank – Lee Bessant

 

Discussing a Showcase:

Please feel free to start a thread on any of the following forums as these are the ideal place to freely discuss it. If you started reading a forum thread that has brought you to this page, please return to that forum to discuss the Showcase there.

EdgeMatters – Sponsored Reviews (UK based Forum for Knife Makers and Collectors)

BladeForums – Knife Reviews (US based Forum for Knife Discussion)

CandlePowerForums – Knife Reviews Section (Largest and Friendliest Flashlight Community Forum)

Instagram Giveaway CLOSED! (Ends 10 Mar 2017)

This Giveaway is a combined celebration of passing the 10k mark and of IWA 2017. There will be two winners.

The two prizes are, a Morakniv Companion Heavy Duty (you must be over 18 years old to win this), and a Nitecore T360 Headlamp. Also included will be a Fenix and Chris Reeve patch, plus a Spyderco pin for the first winner. The first winner can choose which main prize they get.

To enter, complete BOTH steps below:

1. Comment on this post and ‘@ Mention’ a Friend. (Mentioning a company or spoof account will invalidate your entry.)
2. Like the Giveaway post.

You must be following @tacticalreviews to have a valid entry. (One standard entry per Instagram account.) Full rules (and bonus entry information) can be found here: Full Competition Rules

The closing date for entries is 10th March 2017 or if I reach 20k followers.

Thanks to everyone who has followed Tactical Reviews. Good Luck!

By entering you agree that Instagram has no responsibility for this Giveaway.
This Giveway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram.

(CLOSED) Instagram Giveaway Now ON! (Ends 1 Oct 2016)

CLOSED – Winners are @olivern246 and @ladynra1.
As a thanks to all my followers, and to celebrate passing the 5k mark, here is a Giveaway which will have two winners.

The two prizes are, a Surefire T-Shirt and Cap, and a Fällkniven T-Shirt and Cap. Both T-Shirts are ‘XL’ and the first winner can choose which prize they get.

To enter, complete all three steps below:

1. Follow @tacticalreviews (you do not need to re-follow if you are already a follower).
2. Like this post.
3. Comment on this post and ‘@ Mention’ a Friend. (Mentioning a company or spoof account will invalidate your entry.)
(One standard entry per Instagram account.)

Full rules (and bonus entry information) can be found here: Full Rules.

The closing date for entries is 1st October 2016 or if I reach 10k followers. (There will be a 10k Giveaway as well)

By entering you agree that Instagram has no responsibility for this Giveaway.
This Giveway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram.

Don’t miss out on your chance to enter this giveaway – Good Luck!

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Special Preview: The New Large Inkosi from Chris Reeve Knives

Tactical Reviews is fortunate enough to be able to bring you a quick preview of the new Large Inkosi from Chris Reeve Knives which was launched at BLADE Show 2016. A full review will follow once I’ve been able to test it properly.

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The original Inkosi was designed to include improvements to Chris Reeve’s already tried and tested (and industry changing) Sebenza models. Never one to stand still, Chris knew he could improve on his original design with certain key changes to the pivot, bearing, frame and lock. Rather than apply all these changes to the established formula of the Sebenza models, a new line was created to allow these features to be incorporated into the most advanced Chris Reeve folding knife yet. With a trend to smaller more pocketable models, the first Inkosi was created as a compact folding knife, but demand has been strong for a larger version of this knife.

A look over some key design features:

At first the Large Inkosi looks very similar to the Sebenza 25, but we need to look a little closer.
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Notice that the stop pin as viewed from this side has no bolt head, just a rounded dome. This is actually floating on this side of the fame with a very precise fit to the hole.
 photo 12 L Inkosi pivot pin stud P1200364.jpg

The sharp-eyed will spot the pocket clip sitting differently.
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To prevent the pocket clip changing the lock bar tension, it has been angled to sit onto the frame and not push on the lock bar.
 photo 17 L Inkosi clip angle P1200376.jpg

A hint at the extend to which the washer design has been improved with a very large diameter with perforations. The full review will go into this in more detail.
 photo 23 L Inkosi washer lock groove P1200402.jpg

Looking very closely at the lock-bar/blade contact point you can see the ceramic ball sitting into a groove in the blade tang providing positive engagement.
 photo 33 L Inkosi ceramic ball P1200442.jpg

Some first impressions:

This preview is only intended to give a quick first look at this new knife, and though I’ve not been able to put it to any real use yet, the first impressions are strong. The famed CRK quality and precision are clearly evident, and one of the reasons many owners find it hard to start using and mark these works of art.
 photo 28 L Inkosi angle open P1200420.jpg

Though the Inkosi is an excellent and easy to carry knife, living in the UK, I can only carry a lock-knife with ‘good reason’ so when I do, I prefer a larger knife. The Large Inkosi is just right.
 photo 38 L Inkosi in hand P1200460.jpg

Attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the knife’s design, and every corner and feature has been given a deliberate finish.
 photo 41 L Inkosi spine P1200476.jpg

Though this has been a very brief look over the new Large Inkosi, the full review will contain the normal sections:

The Blade and Handle Geometry:

Explained by the Maker:

A few more details:

What it is like to use?

 photo 43 L Inkosi blade part open P1200494.jpg

Return from a Fantastic IWA 2016

IWA 2016 has been fantastic and there is just not enough time to do everything, even attending all-day, every-day of the show. IWA 2016 has been a great opportunity to put names to faces, meet new people, see new products and get together with like minded people.

I’m looking forward to getting my teeth into the IWA inspired reviews and sharing the results.

Here are the first few review candidates which came back from the show with me. (please excuse the hotel bedroom photo) With samples from Spyderco, CRKT/Ruger, Morakniv, Zero Tolerance, Fällkniven, Surefire, Nite Ize and Walkstool. There will be more, so make sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for all the latest exclusive updates.

IWA first reviews

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IWA 2016 approaches!

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It is now just one week to go until IWA 2016 opens its doors to showcase the best in hunting guns, shooting sports, outdoor equipment and equipment for official agencies, especially for civilian and official self-defense.

I will be there to bring you as many Tactical Reviews as I can.