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Press Releases

One of the favorites in Benchmade's line of products for outdoors people is their Griptilian series.  New for 2009, the Griptilian (551) is now offered with high-visibility orange handles.  For outdoors activities where dark colors or camoflauge patterns aren't necessary, this new variation is a great addition to the Griptilian family.  The bright orange color makes this a hard knife to lose out on the trail.  The Griptilian is a no-nonsense folding knife with great features and specs that even the non-knife person would appreciate.  It can serve as a main blade for through hikers, or it can serve as a back-up to those more dedicated knife users.  Either way, it's a great value, and it won't be as critical to remember where you set it down while you're doing your camp chores.  Here are some specs from Benchmade's product PDF:

BENCHMADE.COM
551 griptilian®
Pardue design — Made in the U.S.A.
Ambidextrous Thumb-Stud Opener
Grip Textured Molded Handle
Premium AXIS Function
Multiple Configurations Available

MODEL 551
LOCKING MECHANISM AXIS Lock
BLADE STYLE & OPENER Modified Drop-Point; Ambidextrous Thumb-Studs
BLADE STEEL 154CM Stainless Steel (58-61HRC)
HANDLE SPECS Black Glass Fill Noryl GTX®/Color Valox®; Double 420J Liners;
Reversible Steel Carry-Clip

MSRP 551 $100, 551S $100, 551SBK $115, 551SBKOD $115, 551-ORG $100,
551S-ORG $100, 551SBKSN $120, 551T (440C Stainless Steel) $75

BLADE LENGTH 3.40" (8.64cm)
BLADE THICKNESS 0.115" (2.92mm)
OPEN 8.07" (20.50cm)
CLOSED 4.62" (11.73cm)
WEIGHT 3.82oz (108.39g)
HANDLE THICKNESS 0.64" (16.29mm)

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN USA
 

Press Releases

Boker, manufacturer of knives out of the fabled city of blades, Solingen, Germany, has reached another milestone in their history by turning 140 years old.  There aren't too many companies that can claim that particular accomplishment.  In celebration of this achievement, Boker dispatched a press release about the company's birthday and about a great new limited edition product they are manufacturing in remembrance of this event.  Here is the information as taken from Boker U.S.A.'s press release earlier today:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Boker Celebrates 140 Years

Lakewood, Colorado (March 3, 2009) – Entering into 140 years of production gives Boker of Solingen, Germany good reason to celebrate.

Read more: Boker Turns 140 Years Old!!

Latest

Stop the presses!!  All work will be put on hold!  We wanted to let everyone know that we just received our sample RAT Cutlery RC-5 just a few minutes ago.  Because we've gotten so many inquiries about it and whether or not we were going to do a review, we thought everyone wanted to be updated when it arrived.  Also, we are going to set about to accomplish an unprecedented feat here at Woods Monkey.  Because of the anticipation of RAT Cutlery's new RC-5, we are locking ourselves into having a review online by tomorrow evening 9:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. 

That gives us less than thirty hours to put the knife to a test, write the article, take the pictures and get it on the web.  Because you always find things about a product the more you use it, we will also do an update in approximately one week once we've had a chance to get more in-depth with it.  The initial review, however, is for those anxiously awaiting RC-5 information and its release to dealers.  So, make sure to check back with us tomorrow for a full review of the new RC-5.  We may have it online before our self-induced deadline, but it will be here no later than 9:00 pm E.S.T.  See you then!!

Press Releases

Streamlight announces a new addition to their line of lights dedicated to hunters in the field.  The new Buckmasters Stylus Pro model has an Ultra-Bright Green LED for low-light purpose use including navigation, signalling, and other tasks.  This LED is used specifically to avoid spooking game out in the field.  Here is additional information as taken directly from Streamlight's press release about this new item.

STREAMLIGHT® INTRODUCES NEW BUCKMASTERS® STYLUS PRO® LED MODEL

New Penlight Model Features Camouflage Finishes and Green LED That Won’t Spook Game

Read more: Streamlight Announces New Buckmasters Stylus Pro!

Latest

Author's note:  The pictures used for this article were taken as stills from the video produced by Hedgehog Leatherworks with their permission.

Well, Hedgehog Leatherworks is at it again.  Still feeling the shockwaves of success from their new sheath designs for the Fallkniven Northern Lights series of knives, they've already taken up the challenge of releasing a new offering that's a bit more mainstream.  In fact, this new sheath is for a knife that's been around for quite a long time.  Your Grand Pappy might have used one in WWII.  Hedgehog's new sheath design is for the KA-BAR line of fighting knives.  There's several unique twists and turns in the story of the development of this sheath, the first of which that I'd like to point out is that it's for a knife that's over sixty years old.  The KA-BAR has become so well-known in our society that even people unfamiliar with knives or weapons can tell you what a KA-BAR is.  That's true brand development.  But, that's not the only unusual aspect of this story.

Read more: The Hedgehog Is At It Again!!

Latest

As a follow-up to our Aqua Survival Kit review, we contacted Ultimate Survival Technologies about some specific information about their WetFire Tinder cubes which we updated in the review.  We were also able to get some more specific information about their new BASE Kit which is due out this spring.  The BASE Kit is a scaled down survival kit that's lighter and even easier to pocket than the Aqua Survival Kit!  The main difference between it and the Aqua Survival Kit or the Deluxe Survival Kit is the lack of the SaberCut Saw which constituted the largest amount of bulk in those two kits.  While we like the quality of the Sabercut Saw and enjoyed using it in the field, it's not the most important piece of gear in the kit.  Another minor difference is that UST will be using their Sparkie fire starter for the kit rather than the larger BlastMatch.  The changes with the SaberCut Saw and the different fire starter allow UST to put together a much smaller kit that weighs only 2.8 ounces!  The contents of the BASE Kit are as follows:

Read more: New UST BASE Kit

Old Press Releases

Spyderco has recently come out with a couple of attractive updates to their product line, particularly their Military and Paramilitary models.  One of the more recent trends in tactical gear and apparel is digital camoflauge.  It's a new development born out of research into human visual performance.  Besides the practical benefits of this type of improved camoflauge, when you pair it with the already appealing aesthetics of the Spyderco knives, you've got a great-looking tool to turn to for help out in the field.  So, yes, Digicam is the new black.  Below is the press release information on both the Military and the Paramilitary models with the new digital camoflauge G-10 handle models.

C36CMO Military Model with Camo G-10 Handle
By Spyderco®

Digital camouflage or Digicam is the outcome of applying engineering psychology with the study of visual biophysics and human visual performance.  The pattern is made up of small micropatterns, optically reducing the eye’s ability to detect and discern what it covers.  Various digital patterns are developed and used for the U.S. Military to make more effective concealment for the men and women who go in harms way to protect our freedom.

Read more: New Digicam G10 Spyderco Models

Old Press Releases

Here's a new offering by Streamlight for those folks that need a compact light for personal area use such as in the tent or out on the trail.  The Enduro can be used either with the supplied headband, or can be attached to the brim of a hat.  Lightweight and compact, appears to be a nice addition to their line and well worth checking out in the near future.  Here is the information from Streamlight's press release:

Enduro Headlamp

Impact resistant ABS case available in black or REALTREE Hardwoods® Green High Definition® (HD)
camo pattern
Facecap Diameter: 1.3 in. (3.25 cm) Maximum Width: 2.25 in. (5.7 cm)
Maximum Depth: 1.6 in. (4.0 cm) including headstrap & mounting plate
2.75 oz (78.5 grams)* with batteries and strap

Read more: New Streamlight Enduro

Old Press Releases

Brunton is solidly entrenched in the outdoors technology industry, and their new line of stoves is an example of that commitment to outdoors enthusiasts.  The new Bantam and Vesta (essentially the same stove except for fuel type) are aimed at the person who wants/needs a lightweight stove that is still robust and performs well at a strong value point.  The Bantam operates with liquid fuel and the Vesta uses butane for its operation.  These are certainly products well worth investigating before making a stove purchase, and Woods Monkey intends on doing a review of these stoves as they become available.  In the meantime, here is additional information on the two stoves from Brunton's press release.

New Bantam Liquid Fuel Stove

The Bantam is a snap to operate and performs with elegance. Lighter, hotter and sturdier than it’s competitors, Bantam takes the title for the best liquid fuel stove buy in backpacking.

Read more: Brunton's New Bantam and Vesta

Old Press Releases

Guys, it's just a hair over a week away from Valentine's Day, and what says love like a knife with an S30V blade?  Yes, it's just a bit sterotypical, but it can't be denied.  We like tactical black and the ladies love the color pink, and Spyderco has a new product that might help you out with an idea for the perfect Valentine's Day gift for your true love.  It's a variation on their Native line with the CPMS30V blade, pink handle, and at a great price point that just about anyone can afford.  Aside from that, Spyderco will donate additional funds to the Breast Cancer Network Of Strength based on the sales of the Pink Native.  So, you'll be doing two good deeds this year instead of just one.  The Pink Native has an MSRP of $109.95, but can be found for substantially less with a bit of judicious shopping online.  But, get moving quickly on this one because Valentine's Day is just a week away!

Here's more information about the Pink Native from Spyderco's press release:

Read more: Spyderco's Pink Native Idea

Old Press Releases

Here's an exciting new product released by Brunton for 2009.  It's their Lamplight 360.  Essentially, it's an LED light that can be used as a flashlight or an area light depending on whether or not it is open or closed.  But, that in itself isn't the exciting part of this new product.  Convertible lights have been around for a while, but what makes this one unique is that it can run on basically whatever size batteries you have available--AA, C, or D!  This is a new patent-pending technology that allows the user to "make do" with the batteries they have available in order to have light either in the tent or on the trail.  We think this product has a lot of potential and are hoping to review it in the near future and convey our thoughts to the Woods Monkey audience.  Here is more information about the Lamplight 360 found in the press release issued by Brunton!

The first 360 º LED lantern brings new technology to a classic. No reflectors are required to pour an even beam of light on camp. No dead or black spots. This lantern runs for hours on D, C, or AA batteries whichever you have handy. It’s called Omnivore Variable Battery Technology, a patent-pending design exclusive to Brunton. Push the head in to use as a flashlight, pull it out for a lantern.

Read more: Brunton's New Lamplight 360

Old Press Releases

Benchmade has swung for the fence again with another of their products for 2009--the NimCub II.  It's due out in the next few weeks.  Actually a more tactical design having been put together in collaboration with military airbone personnel, we still see great potential for the NimCub II as an outdoors knife.  Its compact size makes it an easy knife to pack for the ultra-light people, yet it still retains all the best qualities of a fixed blade.  It comes with a fitted sheath we are told can be attached to different types of gear which would make this a great companion for whether you're a day hiker or a through-hiker.  It has a deep finger guard that allows for a strong grip to be had, and it boasts a blade made of 154CM steel--one of our favorites!  We've been told that Woods Monkey has been added to the list for a demo unit so we can give our readers a hand-on review of this great-looking new product.

With an MSRP of about $135.00 U.S., it'll actually hit the streets for a little bit less.  As some would say, "Black is in when it comes to knives", I can't help wondering what this gem would look like with a high visizibility handle in orange/red and with a regular satin blade finish instead of the black coating.  It might be a more appealing product to the regular outdoors recreation crowd.  But, beauty comes through in function, and soon, we'll have a good idea of what role it can play in the backcountry!