Expat Knives

It’s the annual post of Cleaver #1. I do this each Spring as a long term review. This thing gets abused inside the house and out. It was a passaround for months on the ESEE forum. It’s cut hundreds of pounds of wild and domestic animals.

It routinely gets used for kindling in the woods, and landscaping in the yard. As well as every single day in the kitchen. It gets left in the sink from time to time in abject negligence.

It’s been about 5 years now. The logo is still going strong. Rest assured, you’ll get your money out of this if you make a point to use it.

It’s never been oiled as far as I can remember for you obsessed rustaphobics.

One of the pleasures of Fall in a free country. This photo brought to you by Red Eyed Hog, CVA, Randall's Adventure & Training / ESEE Knives, Expat Knives, and by the 2nd Amendment.

To all of you Americans, and all of you that love America, Happy Independence Day from Expat Knives.

The Cleaver. For when you need to spatchcock a chicken. Or chop through a 2 x 6.

https://youtu.be/uFQU52XXuuo

HBB LBK-01 Vs ESEE CL1 Knife Chop Off My buddy Red Eyed Hog invited me over for the day & we did a head-to-head chop off between the Halfbreed Blades ...

If you’re within 100 miles of this place, you need to take your kids there when they open again. Not only for award winning food, but to see a good, hard-working family, building something worthwhile with their own hands.

If you’re homeschooling your kids, this counts as Economics, Social Studies, and Government.

If you’re over 100 miles away, buy something from their store to support a great company and better people!!

https://smokeycsbbq.com/store/

Every year or so, I take a pic of Old No 1 to show y’all how the cleaver continues to age. It gets used daily, both inside and out. It gets rinsed and sharpened. It doesn’t get pampered. There is probably some rust under the scales. I don’t know.

But it continues to do a great job slicing pizza in the kitchen and batoning kindling in the woods.

See you next year :)

Another few hundred stickers heading out today from Expat Knives World HQ. So if you didn’t get any yet, there’s still hope....

A good reminder in this time for all of us, that at one point, we were stronger...

"I do not choose to be a common man. It is my right to be uncommon. I seek to develop whatever talents God gave me—not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me. I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed. I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia. I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any earthly master nor bend to any threat. It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say – 'This, with God's help, I have done.' All this is what it means to be an American." Dean Alfange, 1952

Official Sticker Ordering Thread

Follow these rules or NO SOUP FOR YOU!

-the only accepted communication is email: [email protected] FB messenger, texts, DM's, or spray painted numbers on my truck will not be acknowledged unless you are Becky Quick from CNBC, in which case I'd like to talk to you about something.

-if your email doesn't contain a name and address it will be deleted. each time, I get at least one email saying nothing more than "I'd like some stickers, thanks."

-limited supplies. first come, first served and I am SURE I will run out of these. If you made the list, you'll get a packet next week. If you don't get nothing, you got nothing.

-I will not ship to China or its governmental territories: Chinatowns, Harbor Freights, etc.

-these are free-no cost to you (we lose $ on each shipment, but we make it up in volume)

-each packet will contain 4 stickers

-good luck

The new Expat Knives Sticker Pack will be available soon. All stickers inspired by true events, ripped from the headlines.

Details on how to get them forthcoming....

Since I have seen this question bantered about on the WWW, I'll explain a little. What does the name Darien mean?

There are precious few places you can travel on this globe and not be able to pull over to get a Coke and a hamburger. The Darien Gap is one of those places. It is a very thick jungle covering the bottom part of Panama and the top part of Colombia. It is called the "Gap" because of a gap in the road system (and civilization for that matter!) of somewhere about 60-70 miles. You can drive from the tip of Argentina to the tip of Alaska fairly easily...except for the Darien Gap. It is too wild to build a road there. The last time anyone bothered to try was in the 90's.

There have been a handful of vehicles to drive through it, but many more have failed, and they aren't on an actual road, just sort of driving overland. It's still so remote, if you are able to drive through it, you'll make the news. Even if you can cross it on foot, it's a newsworthy accomplishment. Many people have entered and not been seen again.

In 2003, we spent an anxious week waiting to hear word of Robert Young Pelton, who was kidnapped here and held by a Colombian paramilitary group. Through a series of events, he was released. DPX GEAR was that close to never happening....

Anyway, the best tool you can have in this type of environment is a machete light enough to swing all day since doing just about anything requires cutting something. Hence the name associated with the newest Expat Knives tool.

And here's the sticker in the works, you know, because we will always be first and foremost a sticker company.

You can buy our machete pretty easily. The skills you’ll have to earn. Make sure you look at the end to see some of old RB’s mad skills.

https://youtu.be/Ck4ncHIa5PU

Cooking in Bamboo with Reuben and Patrick Patrick Rollins and Reuben Bolieu use some quarantine time to hone the finer art of cooking in bamboo. Reuben has traveled the world and has picked up many i...

Thanks to Patrick for showing off our newest machete during his self-quarantine, Expat Knives style. And for keeping all of his fingers while doing it.

Red Eyed Hog is a definite staple in these trying times. No virus can withstand it.

Darien Machete-Expat Knives Darien Machete-Expat Knives-- **Due to Covid-19 shipping may be delayed** The Darien features an ergonomic Micarta handle for all day comfort and a 12.38” bl...

All the latest stickers have gone out. If you don't get one, better luck next time. If you do get one, feel free to post pics of them on your Yetis, guns, cop cars, or wherever else you stuck them.

Free Sticker Time Again. We will always be a sticker company first and foremost, that occasionally comes out with a great cutting device. (As we've said, yes, we lose money on each one but our CPA firm says we make it up in volume.) If you've been around, you know the drill--Message me your address. Sounds simple enough, right? Some of you won't get one because you'll send me a message that says, "I'll take some stickers!" and then not include an address.

"Expat® Knives--Better than Nothing!"

*While supplies last. Offer may not be valid in all 50 states, most socialist countries, and in any household that cheers for Clemson.

You guys talked and we listened. You can’t always bat 1.000. Or perhaps more germane to my circles, you can’t always break 100 straight.

The Medellin as we all know it in it’s current form will be discontinued when this run is sold out. We are going to redesign it, or create an entirely new folder design (we aren’t sure yet), but we WILL be coming out with a folder again.

We are looking at all the input we received: steel, country of origin, ease of opening/closing, and tip up/down carry. The new one will undoubtedly be substantially more expensive but it will also undoubtedly have the quality to justify that price. Like the best recipes from your grandmother’s kitchen, we are starting with nothing but the best ingredients: S35V, titanium, and high quality G10 are just some of the components we are leaning towards right now. If you have input, let us know.

So it’s back to the workshop for us. Although in reality, our designs aren’t created in a shop. They are born out of caves, hiking trips, border crossings, hanging off a ledge by a rope, island life, jungles, hunting adventures, wilderness survival classes, and generally bumming around third-world countries.

We love you guys and want to put out stuff you’ll use for some of the best times of your life. Making memories has always been more important than making money for us. (Besides, we make more money on stickers than we could ever spend.)

So, stay tuned.....

On the two other upcoming releases:

First of all, no one on this planet is more frustrated than I am about how long this manufacturing takes. It’s not an industry for a patient man! I swear it would be faster to build those ships inside a bottle.

The super secret S35v project is suffering from the lack of steel availability in this country right now due to increased domestic demand. Which is apparently a result of tariffs. Just please understand we haven’t dropped the ball or been sitting on our thumbs. While you can’t make an omelet without breaking some eggs, you first have to have an egg to break.

The second project is an overseas sourced one. And apparently it’s full-time siesta over there. Still waiting. Mañana, mañana, mañana. If I could get in the garage and make them myself I would. But then they would be something no one would buy.

So that’s the State of the Expat Union (or Expat Confederacy, depending on your political bent). Just wanted to let you all know.

So what do you do with all your knife money in the meantime now that you’ve bought every ESEE? I suggest checking out Randall Knives. Current wait is about 6 years so you might want to get on it sooner rather than later. If you want something awesome and can’t wait that long, try Smith & Sons Knife Company.

As always, thank you for your support.

—Expat

Thank you, Stanley Kubrick, for 50 years of American pride! The special effects were amazing by 1969 standards!

Contrary to what you are being force fed from CNN, Fox and everything else, this is still the greatest country in the history of the world, a 243-year experiment in freedom and success. We saved the entire world. Twice. When you're watching the fireworks, take a glance over at the moon and note that somewhere on that ball is OUR flag, made by the good people of New Jersey.

Remember to smile and be thankful tomorrow--there are literally people living under a Queen right now.

Happy Anniversary of Brexit - 1776 Edition, y'all.

Maybe about time for another mug design????

Morning coffee and a little Knife Maintenance.

We're big fans of hunting little orange birds. They ain't much for eating, but they are fun to bust. Even more funner when you're busting them with good people.

We are fans of Shoot for a Cure and this month they are highlighting some of their featured sponsors, of which Randall's Adventure & Training / ESEE Knives is one. Go check them out. Find a shoot near you--they'll probably let you use some high-dollar guns!

http://www.shootforacure.us/news/2019/6/7/june-sponsor-spotlight-shooters-choice-and-esee-knives

June Sponsor Spotlight: Shooter's Choice and ESEE Knives This month we're honoring two longtime supporters of Shoot For A Cure, sponsors Shooters Choice and ESEE Knives!  Over the last 30 years, Shooter's Choice has worked to provide the most effective gun care solvents and lubricants in the world. Their custo

When we say Tested on Real Animals, we mean it. No soy-based prime rib, plant sausage, or impossible pulled pork allowed around us!

Here are a few shots from a recent coup of carnivorism in the Palmetto State. It's not every day you need to chop up a 300 lb cow, but when you do, you'll need the cleaver. It also easily clears out saplings when you need to build an impromptu grill outdoors, or you need to split some firewood. It's an impressive tool. It's well known in the pork industry that pigs literally lose their minds over our cleaver.

Come find me at Blade and you get a free pack of stickers!

Here's a nice user pic from the ESEE Forum (thanks, Hammer). It's summer, so get outside and grill during the 30 minute break between thunderstorms!

It's that time of the year again, folks. As a public service message from Expat Knives, here's your guide to Blade Show:

On today's episode, we'll take a look at fitting in while hanging with the brothers from your favorite knife brand. Brands in every industry have their own culture and the knife industry is no exception. So, without further fanfare, let's take a peek at just what makes each brand tick. In no particular order:

Emerson Knives
You want to tread lightly in this crowd. The Emerson people could actually physically monkey-stomp you without spilling the whiskey they're holding in their other hand. Large forearms and hints about black ops when you were forced to cut yourself out of a downed chopper play well here. They'll also be some secret handshakes and liberal usage of the word "brother". If you really want to fit in here, you'll need a lot of black clothes. Emerson fans have the tightest t-shirts, hands down. If you can't rip a phone book in half, you want to stay in the background.

Busse Knives
Steel dominates the conversation here. As in INFI steel. No one knows what INFI steel is so don't let that disturb you, just nod knowingly with a 1,000 yard stare as you contemplate just how awesome INFI steel is. The main hobby of Busse fans is the acquisition of another Busse knife that cost more than the last one. In an odd mating ritual, raffles are conducted where a lovesick fan is bestowed the right to pay more for knife than any other person. If you find yourself in this frenzied mania, get down on all fours with the rest of the grown men and fight, son, FIGHT for your right to be fleeced! This is really the grand sum of the activities of the Busse culture since it has not been determined if anyone has actually ever USED a Busse to cut something.

Cold Steel
Cold Steel is basically what the offspring would be if Marvel Comics escaped from an Asian nut house, and had an affair with a science fiction themed circus. You never know what you're going to get here so when deciding on wardrobe, think GENCON. Just to be on the safe side, pack an eye patch and some parachute pants. Spears and sword canes are de rigueur. These knives actually get used. But mostly to unnecessarily cut things that don't need cutting with the gusto of a 70's kung fu flick. (Just don't tell Lynn Thompson I said so. I've been scared of him since I watched him calmly dispatch a water buffalo with a handgun).

Becker Knives
You won't see too many people at the Becker Knife booth-they're out in the woods actually using their knives. No one's ever captured a picture of more than 3 of them together at one time. They are like BMW motorcycle riders in that regard. Strangely, they are almost all decent cooks and they have an affinity for cast iron. They call themselves Beckerheads with Ethan being the HBIC. Urban legend has it that one beckerhead actually starved to death waiting for a phone conversation with Ethan to end.

Mora Knives
If you see a Mora knife fan at Blade, he'll be easy to spot. He's the one that looks embarrassed because he's in an actual building with A/C and food and he'll look guilty that he's not actually in the wild for part of the mandatory 359 days of bushcrafting they are required to put in each year. Mora knife fans love to wear their knives around their necks so as not to be confused with those who believe in such wizardry as unicorns and pocket knives.

Strider Knives
Strider is similar to the Emerson crowd but no one here actually has the ability beat you up, they will just act like they can. This group constitutes the highest concentration of 300+lb "snipers" and "force recon" individuals ever spotted in the wild. If you find yourself in this crowd, you must remember to never, EVER use the word "use". For any reason. The appropriate verb, the ONLY appropriate verb is "run". As in, "What kind of kit are you runnin?". Kit is also the preferred term for gear of any sort. You must be willing to instantly scratch the eyes out of a fan of another knife company if they mention that one of Strider's owners is a convicted felon who did time in the federal slammer. Rolexes, challenge coins, tattoos and vulgar pvc patches all help you fit in here.

Tops Knives
This might be the easiest crowd to fit into because regardless of what you do as a profession, Tops makes a model for it. Accountant? Get the TOPS ACCOUNTANT MODEL. Structural Engineer? Don't worry, there's an app, err, model for that. Police officer, biker, indian chief, seaman, construction worker? They've got you covered. Unemployed? No worries. Much like those revolving stands in the t-shirt shops at the beach where you can buy a magnet with your name on it, Tops has knife models for Bob, Mike, John, Steve and even Kristen (spelled 4 different ways!). There's not a lot of snobbery here so no need to feel unwelcome. They'll just be glad for ANYONE to come by.

Randall Made Knives
This is the crowd with the largest percentage of pacemakers. If you want to fit in here and you still have hair, you'll need to dye it white. A Rolex will help, too. You'll have to change your idea of value as well. Learn to say, "Only $4,000 for a mammoth fossilized femur bone? That will leave me plenty of money in my budget to have Gen. Robert E. Lee scrimshawed on the handle!" These guys (they're ALL guys) are pretty nice unless they see some kydex on you somewhere or you ask, "Why are these knives so expensive?", in which case, you'll find yourself digging your own grave in the back of some orange orchard in Orlando. RMK owners are literally willing to fight to the death in arguments over whether Sullivan's or Johnson made a particular sheath.

ESEE Knives
These fans have the thickest skin of any other crowd. No topic is off limits so prepare yourself if you're going to be around them. They are the ones most likely to have returned from Tibet or the Amazon having actually used their knife in the field. They have some unnatural obsession with constantly trying to change the color or appearance of the blade using everything from German mustard to unicorn urine. They are often observed lacking all ability for logical thought--they will pay to suffer indignities at their leader's farm to get a knife when they could buy a knife for 1/2 the cost and 1/50th the agony. If you want to be known as a good conversationalist in their midst, say things like, "Izula folder, yeah right!" and "Look at some pictures of my backpacks."

ESEE was named by Field and Stream as the "THE ULTIMATE SURVIVAL KNIFE" in the May 2016 issue. So, I guess that settles that. The rest of the companies can start producing plowshares from their remaining stock.

SOG Knives
RIP Gunny. He was the only adult at the SOG booth. Everyone else is under 18 and is only there because they heard that's what the SEALs carry. Unless you play COD or MW for several hours a day, don't bother trying to fit in here.

Smith and Sons Knives
They are literally the only normal knife company that exists. If you aren't normal, don't even bother. And in some strange twist of fate, they make some of the best hot sauce on the market today.

Case Knives
Case customers more closely resemble coin collectors than knife users. They generally stopped using knives years ago. They spend their days cataloging their collection in 3 ring binders full of plastic page protectors and in search of the ultra-rare double stamped error Peanut John Deere 1985 model. You know the one--where the green is off by TWO WHOLE SHADES! You'll need a lot of money to be in this crowd. Not because the knives are expensive but because for every knife you buy, you have to purchase the accompanying memorabilia: 1940's milk truck, John Wayne tin sign, wooden wi******er box, etc. This crowd is basically the hoarders of the knife world and if you go down this rabbit hole, your living room will look like a Cracker Barrel within 5 years. You've been warned.

Spyderco, Benchmade, Buck Knives
These have been in the pockets of their users for a couple of decades. Just quietly cutting things that need to be cut. They've never attacked a cinderblock and they've never worn face paint pretending to be a SEAL. They don't take pictures of their knives stuck in a hammerhead shark or on their dinner plate bragging that their knife cut up sausage! Many times they'll be unaware of the rest of the knife industry and if they were aware, they wouldn't understand what drives the fanatics. To them the knife is a tool and they'd no more get a tattoo of a knife brand than they would get a tattoo of a screwdriver or chainsaw brand. When asked about what kind of steel their blade is made of, they'll look at you strangely and say, "I don't know--stainless?" They are, however, voted "Most likely to know how to sharpen a knife". So, if you want to fit in here, you better be able to keep your blade in working order, which automatically separates you from the majority of those companies listed above.

Swiss Army Knives
These guys are sort of like the Spyderco crowd but do occasionally like to brag about their knives and the fact that their new one has a combination coax cutter/toilet plunger/shoe horn. They have a savior complex and will often whip out their knife at a party before you can finish saying, "The screw in my glasses is loo-". And they're probably the only ones capable of opening a bottle of wine at any given time without shards of glass being embedded in the wall. They are generally humble, non confrontational types that accept pretty much anyone. But understand within the SAK community, there are the Victorinox royalty and then there's the inferior Wenger peasants and this can create some friction at times. If you want to fit in here, it's pretty easy--keep it loose and make sure your Macbook is handy. And wear a t-shirt with MacGyver on it, their patron saint.

Here's a little insight into the best warranty in the industry. Most companies dance around specifics about their warranty. They certainly don't volunteer pictures of warrantied products. ESEE is different. Transparency rules. Look at some of the ridiculous abuse these knives were put through. It's hard to even guess what some users were doing with them.

Couple of new products in the works. The development takes WAY longer than you think it should, but that's business. Of the two products, I'm not sure which one will get released first, but I will give you a few hints for one of them: S35V. Tumbled finish. An approximate 7" overall length. Proudly made here:

Recent Review Of the Libertariat. https://bladereviews.com/esee-expat-libertariat-mini-machete-review/

The ESEE Expat Libertariat Mini Machete Review I’m a big fan of ESEE knives. They tend to be strong, well made, and designed to last. On top of that their knives tend to be very affordable and very simply made. Their target audience is often the outdoorsman, the hunter, the prepper, and general adventurer. The Expat line is a specialty line of...

Great week at the ESEE International Headquarters!! (We were together discussing some new product ideas.) Of course there was a bit of woods and range time as well with some super awesome individuals.

Special thanks to world famous Red Eyed Hog/Smokey C's Bar-B-Que & Wings for the best picnic I've had in a while. Old No. 001 got out of the kitchen and back into the woods as well. When you hear all that stuff on the news about the country being a complete mess, just remember there are a ton of great people out there. Get out there and meet them! (Photo courtesy of Shane Adams.)