The Knife Junkie Podcast

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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 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 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.