Knife designer and artist Paul Munko returns to The Knife Junkie Podcast to discuss his growing body of work, the inspiration behind his most popular designs, and what the future holds for Munko Knife Designs. Paul started his knife-designing career with the 2022 blockbuster hit, the Kizer Comet, an Art Deco-inspired modern gentleman folder. His third production knife, the Mystic, quickly became a fan favorite and Bob's favorite folder of 2023.

The Mystic draws inspiration from New England whaling culture and specifically the town of Mystic, Connecticut. When Paul visited Mystic Seaport as a young person, the old harpoon guns on display in this preserved whaling museum captivated him. Those harpoons directly influenced the blade shape and handle design of the knife. The Rex 45 steel develops a beautiful patina over time, adding to the historical aesthetic and making each knife unique to its owner. It remains one of Paul\'s largest blade designs to date.

Paul also discusses his recent collaboration with Kansept on the Quasar, which features a crossbar lock and hole-opening mechanism. This knife launched with eight different configurations, from high-end Timascus scales to budget-friendly G10 versions, even including a unique Glow Fat Carbon option that actually glows in the dark. The variety allowed collectors at different price points to own the design.

As a multi-faceted artist who works in graphic design, music, and visual arts through his company Colorful Filth Graphic Design, Paul brings a unique perspective to knife design. He has collaborated with companies like Northern Knives and designer Jonathan Styles while maintaining knife design as a passion project alongside his full-time work.

His signature design philosophy involves creating blades that look almost too big for the handle when open, creating a visual impact that sets his work apart.

Looking ahead, Paul has clear goals for Munko Knife Designs. Eventually, he wants to launch an OEM project under his own brand, though he is thoughtful about the responsibilities that come with that step. He promises that when he does make that move, it will be something special for the collectors who have supported him from the start. With nine production designs currently on the market, Paul Munko is a designer worth following.

Find Paul Munko online at https://www.colorfulfilth.com, on Facebook at https://facebook.com/ColorfulFilth, and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/colorfulfilth and https://www.instagram.com/paulmunko.

Listen to the full episode at https://www.theknifejunkie.com/648.

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 [email protected] 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 this episode of The Knife Junkie Podcast, Bob "The Knife Junkie" DeMarco sits down with custom knife maker and designer Calvin Richardson. Calvin is the creative mind behind the Steadfast, a popular design produced by Work Tuff Gear. They talk about how this blade updates the classic combat utility knife for modern users and discuss the release of the new Steadfast Large model.

Calvin explains his old-school approach to design, revealing that he doesn't use computers but draws everything by hand with pencil and paper. He shares his "radius rule" and focuses heavily on how a handle feels so that you will actually want to keep using the knife. He also describes the "meditative flow state" he gets into when grinding and shaping his custom pieces.

Later in the show, the conversation turns to the specific steels Calvin prefers for his handmade custom knives, like Nitro-V and CPM-154. He explains why he prefers making fighting knives over kitchen knives and gives a preview of upcoming projects inspired by military history, including his take on the MacV SOG Bowie and the Mark 3 Fighting Knife.

Guest Links:

• Instagram: @calvinrichardson.1981
• Facebook: Calvin Richardson Custom

Show Links & Sponsors:

• Support the Show on Patreon: theknifejunkie.com/patreon
• BattlBox: theknifejunkie.com/battlbox
• Launch Cart: theknifejunkie.com/launch
• Watch on YouTube: theknifejunkie.com/youtube
• Website: theknifejunkie.com

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 [email protected] 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.

What makes a production folder a modern classic? In Episode 646 of The Knife Junkie Podcast, host Bob DeMarco shares his personal list of 10 modern classic production folders that changed the knife industry.

These are not custom pieces or vintage collectibles. These are factory-made knives you can buy today. They are designs that set new standards, influenced other makers, and earned their place in knife history through proven performance and lasting popularity. From tactical workhorses to refined gentleman folders, each knife on this list made an impact that still echoes through the knife world today.

Bob opens with a pocket check featuring four very different folders: the Kansept Deadite, Jack Wolf Knives Little Bro, Hogtooth NoVA-2, and Cold Steel Vaquero XL.

The Knife Life News segment covers a new Civivi hobo knife, the Buck 117 Mini, and a collaboration between Melissa Backwoods and Jack Wolf Knives.

The First Tool explores the legendary KA-BAR combat knife, while State of the Collection features a Wild Turkey Western Bowie.

Then comes the main event: Bob's list of 10 modern classic folders. The list includes the Buck 110, Chris Reeve Knives Sebenza, Emerson Commander, Microtech SOCOM Elite, Spyderco Paramilitary 2, Hinderer XM-18, Cold Steel Recon 1, Benchmade Bugout, Zero Tolerance 0640, and Spartan Harsey Folder. Bob explains what each knife brought to the market, why it influenced other makers, and how it earned its place as a modern classic.

Whether you are new to knives or a longtime collector, this episode offers a guide to the production folders that shaped the modern knife industry. Listen to learn why these 10 knives became classics and what makes them worth owning today.

Find the list of all the knives shown in the show and links to the Knife Life news stories at https://theknifejunkie.com/646.

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 [email protected] 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.

What happens when a knife reviewer gets tired of waiting for the perfect blade? He designs it himself. This week on The Knife Junkie Podcast, host Bob DeMarco talks with K.C. Spiron, the founder of Tempest Knives and host of the popular KnivesFAST YouTube channel. Spiron shares how reviewing hundreds of production folders taught him exactly what he wanted in an EDC knife and how that knowledge turned into a thriving knife company.

The conversation covers how Spiron started KnivesFAST to create shorter, more focused knife reviews for people who did not have time for long-form content. But as he handled more knives, patterns emerged.

"As I saw more, it became clear to me what I really liked and what I did not like," Spiron explains. That led him to start designing knives that matched his ideal specifications, with a heavy focus on ergonomics and practical features like contoured handles and nested liner locks.

Spiron also reveals a new collaboration with Kubey, which is producing a fixed-blade version of his popular Microburst design in 14C28N steel. He teases upcoming releases, including the Tornado model in mid-January.

The episode also touches on the manufacturing debate, with Spiron explaining how his business model supports American workers and companies even while using overseas production facilities. Most importantly, he shares the pure joy of seeing his designs become real products that people carry every day.

Visit the full show notes and links at https://www.theknifejunkie.com/645.

Connect with K.C. Spiron and Tempest Knives at https://tempestknives.com, on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tempestknivesus, and subscribe to the KnivesFAST YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@KnivesFAST. You can also follow KnivesFAST on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/knivesfast.

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 [email protected] 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.

Episode 644 of The Knife Junkie Podcast celebrates the tanto blade shape. Host Bob DeMarco presents some of the coolest tanto designs in modern knife making. This blade style combines Japanese tradition with contemporary performance.

The episode covers tanto blades across different categories. From tactical automatics to fixed-blade hunters, Bob shows how makers interpret this angular geometry. He explains the practical benefits that make tantos more than just good looks. The reinforced tip provides extra strength. The multiple cutting edges within one blade offer versatile performance.

Bob shares his pocket check featuring the Spyderco Police, Jack Wolf Knives Gateway Equal End Jack, TKell Agent 001, and Cold Steel Voyager Vaquero XL.

Knife Life News covers GiantMouse working with Pro-Tech on an automatic, TOPS releasing a slip joint Tex Creek, and Kizer\'s take on a utility knife design. And the First Tool segment celebrates the sodbuster pattern.

The main topic showcases tanto blades from Microtech, Fisher Blades, 3 Dog Knife, Hogtooth, TKell Knives, Two Sun, Reate, Civivi, and Cold Steel. Each knife demonstrates different approaches to this distinctive blade shape. Bob explains what makes each piece special and how tanto geometry serves different purposes.

This episode helps collectors understand why tanto blades remain popular. Bob\'s selection spans various price points and styles. Whether you collect tactical folders or outdoor fixed blades, this episode provides helpful details regarding an important blade design.

Find the list of all the knives shown in the show and links to the Knife Life news stories at https://theknifejunkie.com/644.

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 [email protected] 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 643 of The Knife Junkie Podcast, featuring Scott Baldwin, better known as Scab from Choirboyz Cutlery Outdoors.

This episode delivers an honest, inspiring conversation about knife collecting, content creation, personal transformation, and building community through shared passion for quality blades. Whether you are a seasoned collector or just starting your knife journey, this episode provides practical advice from one of Knife Tube's most authentic voices.

Scab shares the personal story behind Choirboyz Cutlery Outdoors, explaining how his channel began during recovery from addiction and grew into a respected source for real-world knife reviews. He discusses his favorite part of Blade Show (hint: it is not just the knives), offers advice for new content creators, and breaks down his daily carry philosophy of carrying three pocket knives plus a pocket fixed blade.

The conversation also covers affordable American-made knives from Self Reliance Outfitters, the advantages of pocket fixed blades, and why authenticity matters more than perfection in content creation.

Throughout the episode, Scab demonstrates why he has become such a trusted voice in the knife community. His reviews come from actual use rather than marketing hype, his advice comes from real experience, and his passion for helping others shines through every topic.

From Magnacut steel to lifetime warranties, from Blade Show connections to the transformative power of finding your passion, this episode covers it all with honesty and heart.

Listen to the full episode at www.theknifejunkie.com/643.

Find Scab on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@choirboyzcutleryoutdoors and Instagram at www.instagram.com/choirboyzcutleryoutdoors for regular knife reviews, outdoor content, and genuine passion for quality blades.

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 www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details. You can also support The Knife Junkie channel by making your next knife purchase through our affiliate links found at www.theknifejunkie.com/knives.

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. You can also email [email protected] 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.

Bob DeMarco digs into his collection and pulls out 11 of his biggest Cold Steel fixed blade knives in Episode 642 of The Knife Junkie Podcast. From the 30-year-old Trailmaster that remains his number one recommendation to the Cinquedea that he shadow boxes with, each knife gets the spotlight it deserves.

The episode kicks off with a stacked pocket check featuring the North Mountain BBMN, Jack Wolf Knives Gateway Barlow, TKell Agent 001, and APOC Survival Waning Moon Yatagan. DeMarco also reveals the Gentleman Junkie giveaway knives for November (a TKell Agent 001) and December (a Gunfighter Customs Gunfighter).

Knife Life News covers the RoseCraft Blades Cumberland River Coke Bottle Jack, the Kizer Topsail collaboration with Jonathan Styles, a limited Winkler and Dead Air Silencers battle axe, and a sobering look at knife turn-in boxes in the UK. The First Tool segment tells the story of the Randall Model #1, the handmade fighting knife that soldiers carried through World War II and Vietnam.

State of the Collection highlights include the new Jack Wolf Knives Gateway Equal End slip joint, a Fenix LD30 flashlight, and an Opinel folding vegetable peeler that DeMarco could not resist.

Then came the big Cold Steel fixed blades: Trailmaster Bowie, Laredo Bowie, Tanto XII, Jimmy Slash Competition Chopper, Wild West Bowie, Rondel Dagger, 1917 Frontier Bowie, Chieftain\'s Seax, Natchez Bowie, Chaos Kukri, and Cinquedea.

Find the list of all the knives shown in the show and links to the Knife Life news stories at https://theknifejunkie.com/642.

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 [email protected] 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 Bob DeMarco for Episode 641 of The Knife Junkie Podcast as he welcomes back Tomas Alas of The Tactical Tavern to discuss the latest drop in the Agent series collaboration with TKell Knives.

The Agent 007 tanto features a limited run with traditional Bastinelli Tsukamaki wraps using genuine ray skin—bringing centuries of samurai tradition to modern everyday carry. Tomas breaks down the design philosophy behind the aggressive tanto point, explaining how the blade angle was measured for optimal everyday use. From opening packages to potential medical applications, this knife was designed with real-world functionality in mind.

This episode goes beyond product discussion. Tomas shares details about his upcoming documentaries featuring legendary martial arts instructors James Keating and Kelly Warden. These projects aim to preserve the knowledge of living legends whose expertise and teaching go beyond technique—they represent a complete way of living. Tomas interviewed students and captured the emotional connections these teachers create, offering viewers something deeper than standard training content.

The November 21, 2025, drop includes limited Bastinelli-wrapped 007s, S35VN versions of the ontos, and pre-orders for ADCR V2s.

**Save 10 percent with the discount code knifejunkie at TKell Knives.

Find Tomas Alas and The Tactical Tavern on YouTube at www.youtube.com/@tacticaltavern and Instagram at www.instagram.com/tacticaltavern for knife reviews, martial arts demonstrations, and updates on upcoming documentary releases.

Listen to this episode at www.theknifejunkie.com/641 for the complete conversation about blade geometry, traditional craftsmanship, and preserving martial arts knowledge.

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.

Please let us know what you thought about this episode, and leave a rating and a review. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email [email protected] 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.

Episode 640 of The Knife Junkie Podcast brings a special perspective to the show as Mrs. Knife Junkie joins Bob DeMarco to discuss her personal folder collection. This episode offers practical insights from someone who carries knives for utility rather than collecting them. Her honest take on what works and what does not provides valuable guidance for anyone looking to choose or gift folders.

Bob opens with his pocket check featuring the Manganas Steel Aurelia, Victorinox Compact, TKell Agent Nautilus, and Cold Steel Recon 1 XL. He announces the November 2025 Gentleman Junkie giveaway: the TKell Knives Agent 001, designed by Bob himself, now machined by Nick Chuprin of NCC Knives. The Knife Life news covers new releases from Les George with KA-BAR, Civivi, CRKT, and Sencut.

The main segment features Mrs. Knife Junkie walking through her folders, including the Buck Mini Range, Spyderco Delica with Emerson Wave, Kershaw Leak, Kershaw Atmos, Kershaw Volt 2, Civivi Mini Praxis, Civivi Elementum, Civivi Primitrox, Sencut Citius, Guardian Tactical GTX-025, and the Bastinelli Creations Diagnostic.

She shares what makes each knife work or not work for her carry needs. The Bastinelli Diagnostic gets special attention as her essential running knife that goes on every run. Her practical concerns about width, clip design, deployment, and how knives interact with clothing and bags provide a perspective rarely heard in knife content.

This episode succeeds by offering a real user experience from someone who carries folders daily without the collector mindset. Mrs. Knife Junkie speaks candidly about features that create problems despite looking appealing on paper. Her collection spans budget to premium options, proving that effective carry does not require massive spending.

Find the list of all the knives shown in the show and links to the Knife Life news stories at https://theknifejunkie.com/640.

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 bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details.

Let us know what you thought about this episode, and leave a rating and a review. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email [email protected] 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 639 of The Knife Junkie Podcast, host Bob DeMarco sits down with martial artist and media producer Paulo Rubio to discuss practical training methods, knife design philosophy, and the reality of self-defense situations. Rubio, formerly known for his work with Funker Tactical, shares his transformation from documenting martial arts masters around the world to becoming a dedicated instructor himself.

The conversation covers Rubio's approach to creating training drills, including his innovative reverse blink drill that tests reactions in fractions of a second. Based on research showing that knife thrusts occur in just 0.14 seconds, this drill reveals what your body actually does under extreme pressure, rather than what you think it should do. Rubio explains his philosophy of creating hundreds of drills and discarding most of them, encouraging students to develop their own training methods based on honest self-assessment of their weaknesses.

DeMarco and Rubio discuss the complexity of real defensive scenarios, including split-second decision-making when multiple people might enter a violent situation. Rubio shares insights from his years of learning from masters across every fighting discipline, explaining how he alchemized that knowledge into teachable skills. The episode also explores knife selection and design, with Rubio advocating for simple, functional tools rather than Frankenstein blades trying to solve every problem at once.

Whether you train in Filipino martial arts, study knife techniques, or want to understand practical self-defense from someone who has learned from the best and tested it all himself, this episode offers valuable perspectives on training, teaching, and the honest assessment of what actually works when it matters most.

Listen to Episode 639 at www.theknifejunkie.com/639. Find Paulo Rubio online at www.paulorubio.com and follow him on Instagram at @gn_funkertactical for training videos, drills, and honest commentary on martial arts.

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 a review. We value your feedback. You can also email [email protected] 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.