Maxpedition has been going for more of a classy look meets hard user design lately and the Excelsa knives are a good example of that. Made of great materials and quality the function is there, but a good amount of attention has been put into the aesthetics as well to give what I would call a modern gentleman's knife look.
I think I've been quite lucky on what I've come across for blade opportunities and this Fantoni HB-01 does not disappoint the streak. A collaboration between Fantoni of Italy and William W. Harsey a USA designer, the result is what I would describe as a very classy tactical knife. It has the durability and functionality desired in a tactical knife while keeping the design overall simple and sleek in appearance.
This may seem a little random, but I came across this fun blade while working on a MSM side project (to be revealed soon). Zombie Tools is a small USA company that makes no messing around blades with the intent of "accessories for the apocalypse". Now everyone will have their opinion on "zombie" stuff being fun or a silly waste, but the zombie tools brand being viable weapons is stone cold fact. Everything they offer emanates the concept of deadly efficiency. Offering many designs for the size class desired, even rowdy big, their blade construction starts with 5160 spring steel and feature unique distressed effects on the final look. I'm a fan as I feel it adds to the personality of the blades and encourages the user to beat the shit out of it; to actually use it rather than coddling it like a baby trying to keep a clean look.
This here stabby tool is another example of looking fairly plain yet has clever design features that make it stand out in other ways. SAH stands for Safety Auto Hook so the big show is definitely the integrated cutting hook built into the handle. I've seen designs where hooks are built into the handle, but this is certainly the first time I've seen a hook that retracts back into handle. The retracting design cuts down on bulk and accidental snagging while giving a more "basic" knife appearance. To make up for the speed of an open hook design that is always ready, the auto hook is spring loaded with button on the side.
I've been on the lookout for some fixed blade action so was fortunate to have the opportunity to check out this here DPx HEST knife. The backstory is that ESEE (formerly RAT Cutlery) teamed up with Robert Young Pelton to make this bad boy. DP is an abbreviation for Dangerous Places while HEST stands for Hostile Environment Survival Tool. Mr. Pelton is apparently no slouch on the dangerous places subject and has done a lot of high adventure action in his day. (BIO) As for what the knife can do, it has some pretty nifty features that make it an adaptable blade to many environments.
SPECS
Steel: S30V stainless-steel with Plain Edge & Tungsten DLC Black coating
Handle: Textured G-10
Blade: 3 1/4 in. (8.25 cm) Closed: 4 5/8 in. (11.75 cm)
Overall: 7 5/8 in. (20.002 cm) Weight: 6.2 oz.
For those who thought the ZT 0300 was pretty snazzy, but just a little too big, the 0350 was made for you.
SPECS:
Steel: Sandvic 13C26 stainless steel with Tungsten DLC coating
Overall Length: 6 in.
Weight: 2.4 oz. (3.4 oz. w/sheath)
• 270 degrees of non-exposed cutting surface
• Carbide glass breaker
• Oxygen tank wrench
• Slip-wrench accept 3/8, 7/16 and ½ in. hex heads
• Jump rated sheath
SPECS:
154CM stainless-steel with Tungsten DLC coating, partially serrated: 3 3/4 inches (9.5 cm), .156 inches thick
-Handle: 6061-T6 anodized black aircraft aluminum: 4 7/8 inches (12.4 cm)
-Scales: Textured black G-10 overlays
-Lock: CrossFire with safety (patent pending)
-Weight: 5.7 oz.
SPECS:
Steel: S30V stainless-steel with Tungsten DLC coating with Tiger Stripes
Handle: 3D machined, G-10 and Titanium
Blade Length: 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm)
Closed Length: 5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm)
Overall Length: About 8-5/8" open
Weight: 8.6 oz.
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COUNTY COMM Stainless Steel Peanut Lighter 
5.11-TACTICAL HRT Urban Boot 
Smokejumper Wildland Rigger Belt 
N-Vision Optics NVAT (Night Vision Adapter for TwistMount) 
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