January 23, 2013
By Eric Conn
As every hunter knows, the blade or tool you carry into the field could save your life.
At the same time, a quality tool or blade is often what turns a messy task like cleaning a animal into light, efficient work. That's why Petersen's Hunting did the leg work for you at the 2013 SHOT Show in Las Vegas to track down all the coolest new blades and tools for the new year.
Some — like the Gerber Downrange Tomahawk — were made with combat use in mind but carry over nicely into the hunting and outdoor world. As a hatchet/hammer/crowbar in one, the Downrange Tomahawk is made to breach any door, window or obstacle, but could also be used to prepare kindling, cut rope or fight off a charging mountain goat.
With all the latest from SHOT Show, Petersen's Hunting brings you 10 new blades and tools for 2013.
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Victorinox Swiss Army Folding Lockblade Everybody knows
Victorinox Swiss Army for their signature red handled knife, but new this year at the
2013 SHOT Show in Las Vegas was the Folding Lockblade.
As a tactical and trusted older brother to their flagship product — relying on the same quality materials and processes that made them famous — Victorinox developed the Folding Lockblade with the serious hunter or tactical guru in mind. The heavy gauge stainless steel blade locks securely in place and the sturdy ergonomic grip allows for easy maneuvering. The Folding Lockblade will be available this summer with an MSRP of $80 (with nylon pouch).
Victorinox Swiss Army Hunter XT With the avid hunter in mind,
Victorinox Swiss Army introduced the Hunter XT at the
2013 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. With a blaze orange finish that makes it both stylish and easy to find in the woods, the Hunter XT has quite a lot to offer.
The Hunter XT comes equipped with a gut-hook, saw, screwdriver and high quality stainless steel blade — the perfect tool for any hunter. MSRP on the Hunter XT is $60 (with pouch).
Victorinox SwissTool Spirit If you thought
Victorinox Swiss Army only made little red knives, think again. The SwissTool Spirit is their flashy multi-tool that's made for serious jobs and for taking a serious beating.
Unlike other multi-tools, the implements on the Spirit can be opened from the closed position without opening the pliers. This allows for easy access, while individual springs on each handle keep the tools locked in place. At just five ounces, the Spirit gives you a handful of options for your outdoor excursion.
Price: $114
Gerber Downrange Tomahawk One of the coolest new toys at the
2013 SHOT Show in Las Vegas was the
Gerber Downrange Tomahawk . The Tomahawk was designed for breaching and features an ergonomic handle in the head. It can be used as a crow bar, hammer, hatchet and just about anything else in between.
The Downrange Tomahawk is made from high carbon steel and weighs 1.9 pounds. While it was designed with combat in mind, it could also make a pretty trusty survival tool in the outdoors.
Leatherman Raptor With military and paramedic purposes in mind,
Leatherman introduced the Raptor at the
2013 SHOT Show in Las Vegas.
The Raptor is a set of collapsible stainless steel medical sheers, combined with a strap cutter, wed to a ring cutter and ruler, thrown in with an oxygen tank wrench and glass breaker. Not only is it a great tool for medics, it's a nice addition to your vehicle or pack as part of your emergency kit.
Leatherman OHT New last year,
Leatherman showcased their OHT multi-tool at the
2013 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. The OHT was made for one-handed operation, featuring spring-loaded pliers with an assortment of unique individual tools.
The OHT comes in three colors, features a strap cutter, serrated and standard knife, saw, screwdriver and pliers.
Price: $80
Spyderco Enuff Spyderco introduced its new Enuff knife at the
2013 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. The Enuff knife comes in three variations — point blade, sheepfoot and leaf blade.
As serious knife users know, most of the cutting work is done nearest the handle, which is why the Enuff was built with a 2.75-inch blade that is compact and easy to maneuver. The handle is extremely ergonomic and firm in the hand, which protects it from slipping.
Spyderco Nilakka Spyderco was at the
2013 SHOT Show in Las Vegas for the launch of their new Nilakka knife, which is a variation based on the Finnish puukko knife.
Award-winning Finnish knifemaker Pekka Tuominen is a world-renowned expert on the traditional puukko knife and one of only seven master bladesmiths certified by the Finnish Ministry of Education. His new Nilakka satisfies Spyderco's longstanding quest to translate
the puukko to a modern folding knife.
Benchmade 915 Triage Benchmade is know for its ruggedly dependable, high quality knives. Made from premium materials and built to work, Benchmade knives are the ideal hunting and survival tool.
Benchmade brought the 915 Triage with them to the 2013 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, a folding knife with an insanely sharp cutting hook. The blades are available in multiple options (serrated or standard, coated or uncoated), and you can also get them with different handle variations. Either way, the 915 Triage is one of the most reliable knives on the market.
Kershaw Camp 10 Kershaw was at the
2013 SHOT Show in Las Vegas for the release of several new products, including its new Camp 10.
The Camp 10 is built as the do-it-all outdoor knife, perfect for clearing brush, making kindling or fighting off zombies, should you meet them in the wild. The Camp 10 features a 10-inch blade made out of powder coated steel and has a full tang wrapped in a Sure-Grip overmold handle.
