We brought you the first installment of this collaboration between C-Store , Sandqvist and Ekstedt in an earlier post. Here we feature its Khaki brother.

Both apron and bag made with heavy duty canvas and featuring leather detailing, this one’s for the butcher/carpenter/wild-eyed barman in your life. You see this time round they’ve recruited photographer Salvatore Scappini and the mysterious drinkmaker/chef of back door club Kåken to produce some vodka soaked images in celebration of part two of this release. This guy looks like he could make a mean martini whilst sawing a mini van in half, all kitted out in this tough guy collab.

Click for images

An easy bone handle knife available from Blackbird. It is an easy gift for those who need a quick stocking stuffer. Comes with pouch as well. The blade include a “re-pay” coin to give back to the gift giver in order to avoid all those old bad luck clauses involved in this matter. Available from Blackbird.

More looks after the click.

England’s Edge of Belgravia sent over two more kitchen knives – this time from their Damascus Steel series. The Damascus Steel line is Edge of Belgravia’s top tier offering of knives. Both elegant and incredibly functional, the Damascus Steel is composed of 67 layers of hardened carbon steel. We’ve been using both their chef’s knife as well as the paring knife.  As expected both performed very well in our kitchen tests. Balanced well, the Damascus Steel extends into the handle as well. For those looking for a separation on grip, this may be a consideration. Overall, Edge of Belgravia offers a strong alternative to more expensive knives on the market. Nothing in lost in quality, cut, or design.

Photography: Jeff Carvalho/Selectism.com

More looks after the click.

Victorinox Swiss Army show us that they too are more than willing to re-imagine their iconic pocket tools for the modern consumer. Their new Swiss Army Tomo series (Japanese for ‘friend’ or ‘companion’) was designed by Kazuma Yamaguchi, who took a very minimalistic approach to the classic form by placing the toolset inside a molded rectangular handle. No compromise of the essential tools is made with the Swiss Army Tomo design; a blade, a nail file with cleaner and scissors are packed nicely into the sleek form. The Tomo is available in blue, green, pink, lemon and other colors.

Find them at Swiss Army online and Amazon.

Photography: Jeff Carvalho/Selectism.com

More looks after the click.

We’ve been using the Edge of Belgravia “santuko” ceramic knife for a few weeks now. The mincing and slicing cermaic makeup has been working like a charm. While the impressed grip is something new to our kitchen, it holds well and cuts just as well. Based in London, Edge of Belgravia, based in London aims to produce “bold, contemporary culinary works of art.” While we tested their ceramic knives they also offer Damascus steel version of them all as well as lime green handled ceramics. The options are there and the price point is fair for these well-balanced knives.

More looks after the click.

Century old blade maker, Opinel, works with Colette on this pocket knife special for their shop. The No. 8 knife features a Colette “blue” handle so people will know where you found yours.

Just outside of historic Charleston, South Carolina, Quintin Middleton produces handmade blades “Full of artistry, craftsmanship, and style.” He’s been making knives since 2003, just now stepping from his mentor Jason Knights’ shadows to launch his own signature line – Middleton Made Knives. The steel blades are custom formed for each customer, and as such they become the perfect tools for creating the perfect meal.

A look at some of Middleton’s beautiful blades and a short film after the jump.

When this one came through via Berlin, the carbon fiber title set me back, but once I viewed this money clip knife by John Kubasek. I could see why it came recommended. The description below says it all. It’s all about the size on this one.

There is a reason why this blade won the Most Innovative Knife Design.  Custom-made by John Kubasek, unfolded the knife is a little over 6 inches long, but folded up it’s just 3.5” x 1 1/4″.  It’s the thickness of just three credit cards, so it’s meant to fit in a wallet, hence the name “Creditor”.   If you remove the clip it will be the size of a credit card and will fit in your wallet. The knife uses a Delrin ball detent so it will lock when opened and pressing down on the side of the handle unlocks it.

More looks after the click.

The king of the multi-tool turned me onto the SOG brand. Given the opportunity to hold one in hand, I can see why. Prior to the SOG, my experience was limited to the complexity of the utilitarian swiss-army sized pocket knife. Jumping into the plier/gripper based arena that SOG works in (they also make knives that have almost cult status amongst users)  brings new variations in tools and weight. The Powerlock S60, that SOG sent over, sits in a nice position in their multi-tool line. It’s fully constructed from stainless steel and includes 22 tools and formations. You can feel it in the weight of the S60.

Handle covers protect and secure the hand when using the SOG in the open plier position as shown above.  Lift either handle cover open and you’ll expose a strong series of tools including a serrated blade, an impressively aggressive hand-held saw, and various drivers. It has what I consider to be fairly standard but necessary tools. Having the v-cutter, found in their SOG S63, would be interesting, but probably unnecessary for some. Decide for yourself as both are quality and rugged multitools. Amazon has them.

Looking for a late Valentine’s gift for your mate (it’s late now you know). This Wenger “walnut” utility pocket knife is a great gift. “This version utilizes sustainably harvested walnut from Switzerland that would otherwise be discarded. The carved out handle fits within the contours of the hand for ease of use.” (ofs)