Thursday, May 20, 2021

Thoughts on the Sniper Bladeworks LPC and DMF knives

I'm addicted to Kickstarter.

It's a problem.

So back in the midst of the pandemic chaos (okay, earlier in the pandemic chaos) I decided to back a Kickstarter to reboot production of a selection of knives. The company was called Sniper Bladeworks. I liked the look of the LPC (Lance Personal Carry) knife and, having recently gained some bonus money, decided to back said Kickstarter for one of those knives. I later expanded it for the DMF, a burlier, shiny beast of a knife that called to me.

Time passed. Kickstarters almost never hit their target delivery, and that was before a plague swept the planet. To the full credit of Sniper Bladeworks, there was good communication as to the very valid reasons for delay in delivery on the Kickstarter.

And then they did deliver.

The LPC

The LPC is a tough, burly, monster of a knife. It weighs just under a half pound and has a blade that's a shade past three and a half inches long. It's got a slightly-bent "pistol" grip that feels great. My initial reaction was that it's a bugger to open one-handed. I've since practiced a bit and gotten the hang of opening it. I think this is my new favorite knife.

And I own a lot of knives.

It's a sturdy beast of a thing that feels ever so slightly over-made in all the right ways. It's built for right-handed sorts, but that works fine for me. Fresh out of the box (okay, awesome zip-lock package) it was a bit stiff to open one-handed but is now smooth as silk. If I were to be marooned on a desert island, I'd want to have this on my person. I'm actually so enamored with it that it's become a sort of fidget-toy for me. Good thing I work from home these days!

The DMF

I don't properly know what "DMF" stands for. Do massive f*ckery? I honestly can't say. I thought the LPC was a brute as far as folder knives went, but the DMF makes my LPC folder feel almost dainty in comparison. The DMF weighs a bit over a half pound and has these cool bronze accents on the handle and the pivot screw. I'm not really much for bronze coloring, but I have to say it makes the DMF look awfully purdy. The DMF comes in a S30V blade but the Kickstarter offered a "damascus" style blade that's really quite lovely. The blade is beefy and feels indestructable. It's a chopping blade, with less emphasis on the point. More of a working style knife, to my mind. It has the same, slightly-bent, "pistol" style grip. Like the LPC, it takes a bit of practice to get used to opening it one-handed.

It's become my other fidget tool.

Sniper Bladeworks came out with an assortment of blades for their Kickstarter. I didn't really have a reason to get the fixed blades, but they do look cool. Their folding knives are truly outstanding, though!

Damnit Kickstarter! Every time I think I'm past you...

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