This the first of what will hopefully be a series of podcasts where I go on a gear-related adventure.  First up, exploring the upper limit of sharp.

After two years of use by me (and eight decades of us my someone else), my straight razor needed a new edge.  Fortunately, Howard Schechter of The Perfect Edge, lives less than half hour away.  My son and I visited and Howard was kind enough to play along.

If you need something sharpened, Howard is the man.  He could put a shaving sharp edge on a tennis ball.

Ben Schwartz, New Editor over on Knife News, joins me for a discussion of our favorite budget knives.

Boy did Ben and I ramble and I took horrible notes, so I apologize.

Ben can be found at:

Knife News

Goodman Darkness on Twitter (is controversial, so be warned)

Ben_L_Schwartz

He has some good book and video game recs: Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay and Bloodborne.

VPD:

Ben: Benchmade 940 and Tactile Turn Slider

Me: Spyderco Chaparral, UltraTac K18, and Prometheus Writes Pen

After that I have nothing for ya'.

Nick and I took listener submissions for gear recommendations and thanks to Urban EDC Supply, one rec request was chosen as a winner and gets a $50 gift certificate for any of the lush pocket gems Urban EDC Supply sells. Here are the recommendations:

Nasty Trigger wanted a good food prep knife.

Nick: Endura or Opinel

Me: Perceval La Francais, Spyderco Chaparral, CSC Boy's Knife

4rmless wanted an inoffensive knife

Nick: A traditional folder, a Swiss Army Knife

Me: Spyderco Roadie

Gadgetman 7 wanted a keychain light

Nick: Manker LAD

Me: UltraTac K18

Johnmatsubayashi wanted nice looking light other than the Beta QR

Nick: Whiff

Me: Lumitop Worm

Mike Rixman wanted a bag to carry a dog in that had MOLLE and could take a patch

Nick: Whiff

Me: Skookam Dog Citizen Canine

Mike Rixman also wanted a knife that would challenge your sensibilities

Nick: Razel or ZT452

Me: Ver Steeg Imp or EPK

Grayson wanted a knife that had lots of complex criteria involving hipsters, old people yadda yadda

Nick: Pakkawood Delica

Me: Shinola Benchmade Valet

Grayson also wanted on knife/light combo for all time

Nick: Slycz Bowie and Fenix UC35

Me: Small Shamwari and Aeon Mk. 3

EDC Dad wanted a modern folder for Dads

Nick: Urban Trapper, Mnandi, Valet

Me: DF2, Gerber Dime, AG Russell K12

Everdaygary wanted to know what our desert island knife would be

Nick: Spydie Chef

Me: PM2 in M390

Cedric and Ada wanted an Apple watch replacement

Nick: Citizen Perpetual

Me: Damasko DA36

Everydaygary wanted our two knife set ups

Nick: a Traditional and a Modern folder

Me: Whiff

Stonehurstknive wanted a bombproof light

We both agreed: HDS Rotary

Grayson Parker - @g.r.parker (Instagram), @g_r_parker (Twitter), http://bladereviews.com/author/gparker/

Mike Rixman - @mrixman (Instagram), @MikeRixman (Twitter)

Patrick LaFollette - @dplafoll (Instagram), @dplafoll (Twitter), dplafoll (forums, mainly Spyderco)

 

Patrick’s carry: CRK small Inkosi Insingo black canvas micarta, Olight S1R,Nock Co. Fodderstack XL w/ Nock Co. DotDash Notebook, Lamy AL-Star, Bellroy Slim Sleeve wallet, iPhone 7, Tom Bihn Synapse25, NOT Seiko SNK809.

Mike’s carry: Giantmouse GM2, Muyshondt Aeon MK III, Esee Candiru with micarta scales with new Aramatus Carry Architect Sheath

Grayson’s carry: Protech Runt J4, Great Eastern Cutlery #13 “Clerk”, Peak LED Solutions Eiger with Prometheus clip, Tactile Turn Slider, Seiko SRP779 “Turtle”, AroundSquare Titan Begleri, Nock Co. DotDash Pocket Notebook, Crankyhankyco Hank, Bond HALO Carabiner, Bellroy Note Sleeve, Samsung Galaxy S6. Peak Design Everyday Messenger with Nikon D5500

 

Spyderco Dragonfly 2 ZDP-189

Cold Steel Mini Tuff Lite

Cold Steel Spartan

Mark’s Outdoors

CRK small 21 Sebenza Insingo micarta

CRK Mnandi

Field Notes

Rhodia

Atlanta Pen Show

Pen Addict Podcast

Nock Co.

Pen Addict Kickstarter

Pen Addict Franklin-Christoph fountain pen

Stub nib

Pilot Iroshizuku Shin-kai

Osprey Backpack

Spyderco Delica

Esee Knives

Giantmouse GMP2

Grayson’s Timex Weekender Review

Nuke it from orbit...It’s the only way

“You’re Welcome”

154CM, D2, VG-10, CPM S30V

Spyderco Dragronfly 2 VG-10

Spyderco Ourobourous

Patrick’s Spyderco Forum thread

Spyderco Sliverax

Peak LED solutions

Blade Show

Spyderco Nirvana

Kershaw Skyline

Recon One

Nelson

KME Sharpener Deluxe Kit

Spyderco Sharpmaker

Nick Shabazz’s KME review

Spyderco Techno

Spyderco Lil’ Nilakka

Kizer Feist

Urban Organizer Mini

Spyderco Roadie

Moleskine Volant extra small

Magic: The Gathering

Magic Grand Prix Las Vegas

Batman

The Dark Knight Rises

Wrist Sheathes

Renaissance Fair

Assassin’s Creed

Gauntlet/Bracer

Paisley

Spyderco Caribbean

LC200N

Spyderco Salt

Spyderco Fish Hunter

Spyderco Salt 2

Spyderco Shaman

Spyderco Lil Native

Spyderco Mid Year Product Guide

Spyderco Native

Spyderco Delica

Pakkawood

Spyderco Endura

HAP40

Spyderco Chaparral Raffir Noble

Spyderco Chaparral Lightweight

Spyderco Chaparral 1

ZDP-189, CTS-XHP

Spyderco Rhino

Spyderco Chicago

Spyderco Cat

Spyderco Meerkat HAP40

Spyderco Caly 3 HAP40

Spyderco Caly 3

Spyderco Hanan

Spyderco Polestar

Spyderco Alcyone

BD1

Spyderco Tenacious

Spyderco Efficient

Spyderco Persistence

8Cr13MoV

Top Lock

Spyderco Rubicon

Barlow

Spyderco Jess Horn Sprint

Peter Carey Magnitude

Spyderco Tatanka

Spyderco Dragonfly 2 in Zome

Zero Tolerance 0055

Mr. Scurvy

Kershaw Leek

Kershaw Knockout

Kershaw Echelon

Kershaw Al Mar

Al Mar, Kizer, Reate, We Knife

Griffin Pocket Tools

Keybar

Keydisk mini

Victorinox Swisschamp

GEC Smalljack 25

GEC 66 Calf Roper

Hogue X1 Micro

Tormek

Wilmont grinders

Wicked Edge

Miller Brothers Blades

Gerstner and Sons

Harbor Freight

CRKT Crossbones

CRKT Snicker

Bladeshow awards

Lionsteel

Chris Reeve Knives

SOG Baton Q2

Kershaw Dividend

Wicked Edge Go

SOG Bladelight Sheath

Shun Ayu, Wustof, Henkels

Spyderco Whale Rescue Blade

Spyderco fish-brain-stabber

Spyderco Cricket

Going Gear

Maxpedition

Tony cut his finger off and glued it back on, apparently

George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic with “Flashlight.”

Deftones “Knife Party”

Rihanna “Umbrella”

If you have suggestions of EDC-related songs, or know anything about how to license music please drop us an email at [email protected]. We are, of course, welcome to general questions as well. When (and if) we start getting emails, we have some gear to give away [unsubtle bribe].

Grayson Parker - @g.r.parker (Instagram), @g_r_parker (Twitter), http://bladereviews.com/author/gparker/

Mike Rixman - @mrixman (Instagram), @MikeRixman (Twitter)

 

Mike’s carry: Leatherman Skeletool, Giantmouse GM2, Muyshondt Aeon MK. III, Tactile Turn Slider

Grayson’s Carry: Spyderco Zulu, K’roo Sheepsfoot Slipjoint, Veleno Designs Quantum DD, Tactile Turn Slider, Seiko SRP779, AroundSquare Titan Begleri, Bond HALO Carabiner, Bellroy Note Sleeve

 

Marcel Marceau

Home Depot Kid’s Workshop

Benchmade 940-1

Ka-Bar Jarosz 7505

Benchmade G10 MiniGriptillian

Kizer Alter Ego

Kizer Guru

CRKT Compat Batum

Spyderco Paramilitary 2

Spyderco Rock Lobster

Spyderco Pingo

Tactile Turn Shaker

Powdered graphite

Ti Pocket Pro

Ti Arto

Fantoni Hide

CRK Mnandi

Graham Stubby Razel

Prometheus Writes Alpha

Prometheus Beta QR

Spartan Blades Metis

CRKT Minimalist

Bark River Knives Adventurer

Morakniv Eldris

KA-BAR Jarosz Rambler

Esee Candiru with micarta scales

Kizer Feist

Bruce Banner

Ver Steeg Imp

Spyderco Mid-year Product Guide

Spyderco Rhino (original design)

Spyderco Rhino Update Announcement

Spyderco Chaparral

Spyderco Techno

Benchmade 319 Proper slipjoint

Spyderco Roadie

Kickstarter

#wifeknifepermission

Magic: The Gathering

Magic Grand Prix Las Vegas

Seiko Blue Lagoon Samurai

Kaweco Al Sport fountain pen

Cold Steel Espada XL

Bat’leth

Viper Dan2

Zero Tolerance 0900

Victorinox Classic

 

Mailbag questions: [email protected] to win a future giveaway. “What should (or shouldn’t) Grayson carry to a giant [self-proclaimed] nerd convention?”

EDITOR'S NOTE: Grayson and Mike sent me one title for the episode, but then, as I listened, Mike hit Grayson with an all-time great zinger and that became the title.  Kudos to Mike.  Zinga!

This episode I had Peter from the YouTube channel Cedric&Ada on.  He was a great sport and we talked about steel, our favorite but not best gear, and Australia.  We also talked about dogs.  I am very mad about the fact that I need to have conversations about dogs with people.

VPD

Peter: Al Mar Falcon Ultralight, Surefire Titan, Karas Customs Render K, and Das Offene Meer Wallet.

Me: Spyderco Chaparral in Raffir Noble, Muyshondt Aeon Mk. 3, and Flowfold Vanguard

The musical equivalent of spectacles, testicles, wallet and watch: Wallet, Puffer, Smokes, Keys

We talked a lot about steel.  I am converting Peter's data to a post.  Look for it in the future.

Michael Christy's YouTube channel

Advanced Knife Pro's YouTube channel

Favorite Not Best:

Knife: Peter: Falcon; Me: Spyderco Techno

Fixed Blade: Peter: Gerber Strongarm; Me: Schrade SCH36

Light: Peter: Titan A; Me: Leatherman Serac S3

Movie: Peter: Dredd (not Judge Dredd, just Dredd); Me: Aliens

The great Nick Shabazz joins me for an all out recommendationathon.

VPD:

Me: SAK Rambler Custom, 40DD, MaxMadCo Bolt

Nick: Slysz Bowie

Recs:

$50

Nick: Kershaw Dividend and cellphone's flash

Me: Skeletool KB and Eagletac D25AAA

$200

Nick: PM2/Delica/Sage 5 and Eagletac D25A or oLight S2R

Me: Dragonfly II in ZDP-189 and Surefire Titan Plus with Prometheus Clip

$600 ("The Sebenza Barrier")

Nick: Slysz Bowie, D25A, and Leatherman Wave

Me: Dauntless Mk. 4 and HDS Rotary with clip

$1000

Nick: Shirogov Neon/Olamic Swish/Grimsmo Rask and HDS Rotary

Me: Steelcraft Mini Bodega and Torch Lab BOSS 35

$2000

Nick: Grimsmo Rask, HDS Rotary, Leatherman Charge TTi, and Citizen Perpetual Diver

Me: Rockstead Hizen and BOSS 35

Custom

Nick: Stan Wilson Flipperless Flipper and McGizmo Haiku

Me: Michael Walker Zipper Blade and Photon Fanatic Indian Princess

We'd both get a Roger W Smith watch and a Roland Iten belt buckle and mechanical shoe string tips.

EDITOR'S NOTE:  Grayson, Ben, and Mike all have helped out the site and podcast in one way or another for years.  They also have a burning interest in chatting about gear and have done so for years.  Now, they are running their own podcast, GGL After Hours.  It will air regularly or as regularly as they can make it and I can edit it.  Think of it as Skinemax of Gear.  Actually, don't.  There is no Shannon Tweed content.  Clancy Brown content, but no Shannon Tweed.  Also, these opinions are theirs not mine.  Email them with comments, questions, and complaints.

Here are the excellent show notes from the AH crew:

Grayson Parker - @g.r.parker (Instagram), @g_r_parker (Twitter), http://bladereviews.com/author/gparker/

Mike Rixman - @mrixman (Instagram), @MikeRixman (Twitter)

Benjamin Schwartz - @ben_L_schwartz (Instagram), @schwartz_ben (Twitter), http://bladereviews.com/author/benjaminschwartz/, knifenews.com

Tactile Turn Slider

James Brand Folsom

Kershaw Dividend

James Brand County

Spyderco MiniSouthard

Muyshondt Aeon MK. III

Citizen Ecodrive Stiletto

Olight S1

Kizer Alter Ego

Zero Tolerance 0900

Kizer Guru

Veleno Designs Quantum DD

Seiko SRP779 on a ToxicNato Strap

AroundSquare Titan Begleri

Hanksbyhank Subdued Clover, Nock Co. DotDash Pocket Notebook, Vox/Bond HALO Carabiner, Bellroy Note Sleeve

Zero Tolerance 0450

Zero Tolerance 0808

CRKT Compat Batum

Giantmouse GM2

Viper Fortis

Viper Odino

James Brand Warranty

Ka-Bar Jarosz 7505

CRKT Minimalist Bowie

Ver Steeg Blades Imp

K’roo Sheepsfoot Slipjoint

GEC Ancient Barlow

GEC 71 Bullnose

GEC Beer Scout

Canal Street Cutlery Boy’s Knife

Case Sodbuster Jr

Christy Knife

Spyderco Roadie

Ben’s Instafame Spyderco Euroedge

Clancy Brown

Ron Pearlman

Joker reads Trump tweets

Mark Hamill

Spyderco Warranty clarification

Spyderco Paramilitary 2

Chris Reeve Knives Service

Nick Shabazz

Jesse Jarosz Warranty

Ti Pocket Pro

Ti Arto

Tactile Turn Movers & Shakers

7075 Aluminum alloy

Aluminum Muyshondt Aeon and Maus

Spyderco Sharpmaker

Lansky Sharpening system

Opinel No. 8

Honing steel

Mailbag questions: [email protected] to win a future giveaway

Virtual Pocket Dump:

Me:

Dragonfly II in ZDP-189, Surefire Titan Plus, and MaxMadco Bolt Action Pen

Ben:

Case Mini Trapper, Leatherman PS4 Squirt, Fenix E05

Blade HQ

Robot v. Samurai

I have wanted to have TM Hunt on the podcast for a long time.  Not only is he a nice guy and a hell of a knife maker, but his M18 is probably one of the most intriguing knives I have ever laid eyes on.  The massive blade, unusual shape, and classic handle have piqued my fancy for many years.  But this is a fixed blade for woodsman masters and so, before I venture into the world of the M18, I thought I'd have the man himself on to breakdown the blade in almost microscopic detail.  If you ever wanted a piece by piece tour of a knife and the chance to hear its designer tell you why everything is the way it is, this is a podcast for you.

You can find TM Hunt at the following places:

His website

His Facebook page

USA Made Blades

Smokey Mountain Knife Works

VPD:

Todd: Wedding Ring, Hubertus Auto, ZT 630, and a Leatherman Skeletool

TM Hunt Brassback

Spetznaz Machete

01 Tool Steel

Ver Steeg Imp