I happened across Estwing’s Facebook page the other day, where I saw that they’re coming out with a new line of knives. Yes, knives.
Estwing, the hammer and striking tool company, is coming out with outdoors knives. Don’t worry, they’re still coming up with innovative striking tools too, such as their new aluminum framing hammer.
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Here’s a snazzy-looking animated gif that Estwing uploaded to their Facebook page:
Umm… okay. That’s pretty cool, that they’re expanding into new territories. But is this completely new territory for them? Not really.
So, apparently Estwing launched a new line of outdoor tools last year, mainly including camping and hunting axes.
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Camping axes and the such aren’t too far from Estwing’s competency. Before launching their line of outdoors tools, they already produced a couple of short hatchet and axe designs. But knives? That seems like a huge step, and one that required quite a bit of R&D.
I did buy an Estwing folding knife a while back, so they have offered knives before, but it was a basic design and I’m not sure if it’s something they designed and produced themselves.
It looks like the new knives are hunting and camping-focused, and their handles look absolutely beefy, with interesting ergonomics for where your thumb and pointer will go.
Oh, and judging by the USA on the handles, I think it’s safe to assume that these are made domestically. Thank you, Estwing!
I don’t have much need for camping and hunting knives, but I’ll be very curious to see where Estwing is going with these new products. Plus, that handle design looks rather interesting.
fred
Nice
Hard to know exactly which of early man’s prehistoric tools came first – but maybe it was the hammer (a rock) – then the knife (flakes of rock with sharp edges.) So maybe Estwing is just following in this ancient tradition.
Good to see we can still make things in the USA
William Butler
Lighters then next?
Rusty
I’m surprised they don’t have one with a stacked leather handle. Come on Estwing that’s kind of your thing.
Don
Im curious with that hole in the handle is this a full tang knife and the tang also has the hole or does it stop at the handle?
Nathan
Color me curious – now they need a folder knife. but the axe intrigues me.
Paul Moore
Need more information before I can pass judgement. Blade material, handle material, and like stated above, construction methods. I know they make high quality hammers and such, but so did SOG, Gerber, and many others at one time.
Paul
Michael
Looking forward to more information
Jerry
If the handle is some kind of overmold over a one piece blzde/tang, I think I’ll get one unless the price is outlandish.
logan
not really a comment at all on the knives, but I much prefer their older, less edgy logo.
Brice A Moss
Estwing has made some of the finest hard use axes available for at least as long as I’ve been alive, and their camp axes and boys scout style hatchets have always taken and held a knife sharp edge. So it’snot like they don’t know how to make knife steel. I look forward to trying a few of their offerings. From my experience with eastwing the worst case will be that I don’t like the hadle much and it gets left in the back of the car for emergencies.
rob
Estwing had some EKA folders with their name on it.
I think it was promotional only, but I’ve seen them sold, individually.
I think this may be a first for actually manufacturing their own.
Koko the Talking Ape
Are the handles overmolded, or are they just painted steel? If the latter, they appear slippery AND uncomfortable. If the former, they might be slightly less so, in both aspects.
G10 is grippy, easy to shape, relatively cheap and lasts forever. There is nothing functionally superior. Why didn’t they just go that way?
Stuart
Looks like a surface coating to me.
Leonard DeBerry
I have a vintage Estwing stacked leather handle 4″ fixed blade knife, blade is marked Estwing USA and the sheath is also marked Estwing. No clue who made it, though it looks similar to a Western fized blade knife.
Wilfred James Jacques III
The handle and knife are all of one piece of continuous steel, forged in one piece. This is a drop-forged knife, as all Estwing tools. There are very few drop-forged knifes on the market. I’ve got two of these knifes and I’ve put them through the hardest tests: Slamming on a oak knot, driving the point into a dead oak tree and trying to break the tip by bending it over. This will ven cut a copper pipe in half with no damage what so ever. There is not a mark, fold, or chip, nothing.
As for handling, the Estwing handles like a classic Navarro Gypsy fighter, with its wide belly and ergonomic pointed handle. The Estwing is much heavier (and does not fold, of course) but the flow of the knives is similar. The Estwing is balanced like a fighter, with the balance point just perfectly handle heavy. This perfect balance makes even a heavy knife fast and maneuverable.
Kevin James Scruggs
I have had several Estwing hammers over the years and they were always my personal favorite and my go to when visiting/helping a friend with a project or job. I have an Estwing axe that I have loved for several years. I am eager to put my hands on some of the new hunting and camping knives. maybe they will come out with a fillet knife I would be proud to take fishing .