{"id":13312,"date":"2016-05-05T15:56:50","date_gmt":"2016-05-05T15:56:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/?p=13312"},"modified":"2016-05-05T15:56:50","modified_gmt":"2016-05-05T15:56:50","slug":"my-sharp-things","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/my-sharp-things\/","title":{"rendered":"My Sharp Things"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n\"SG<\/a><\/p>\n

I’m not one who blindly follows a brand just to be loyal. I like things that work and use them regardless of the logo they carry or where they\u00a0were\u00a0made. That being said, I do prefer American made products and I’m partial to products that come from one-man or small operations. I like to support small businesses, especially those that give back.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As much as I’m brand blind, an\u00a0exception is my infatuation with Southern Grind<\/a> knives. After almost 20 years of outdoor and gun writing I have a drawer full of sharp things. There are some very good blades in that drawer but most of them have lived out their existence there. They’re nice, but just don’t\u00a0fit my needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

From the time a friend handed me my\u00a0first Southern Grind<\/a> knife, I knew I had something special. Since then I’ve procured all of their blades and they see serious and frequent use. No, they’re not inexpensive but good things never are.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"SG<\/a><\/p>\n

Southern Grind’s GranDaddy<\/a> is best described as a machete. Its blade is almost 12 inches long and is cut from a 30 inch saw blade and can be bent at a 90 degree angle without risk of complete fracture. The 8670M HCS steel is a great tool steel, especially if you like the characteristics of high carbon blades. Though not as resistant to corrosion as some performance steels, with a light coat of oil it survives just fine.<\/span><\/p>\n

The sheath for my GranDaddy<\/a> is attached to my UTV; wherever I go, it goes. My Grandfather taught me early on the value of a large blade for clearing brush, sharpening sticks, and even for cutting down small trees. The sheath is held in place with two drywall screws and a can of Ballsitol<\/a> to keep the blade rust free stays in the buggy with it. (Ballistol is a good thing to keep with you at all times, considering the many things it can be used for. CLICK HERE To watch video<\/a>.)<\/span> With its differentially heat treated edge, its rock hard\u00a0cutting edge is built to last with unmatched flexibility and durability. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"SG<\/a><\/p>\n

My everyday carry knife is the Spider Monkey<\/a>. It is sized perfectly for pocket carry in an everyday social environment. The blade is S35VN steel, which was\u00a0created to provide\u00a0high hardness, edge retention, ease of sharpening, and to be more corrosion resistant than your normal high carbon tool steels.\u00a0 This is an ideal steel\u00a0when moving parts are involved and toughness is required. Though not my “hunting” blade, it has skinned a critter or two and works wonderfully for that purpose.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"SG<\/a><\/p>\n

The Southern Grind Rat<\/a> is an interesting sharp thing. It is a neck knife. Now, I’m not one to commonly wear a neck knife but there are times when it makes sense, particularly for a man who goes nowhere without a knife. When in shorts without pockets, like when on the river, the Rat hangs around your neck and is easy to access. It only weighs 1.5 ounces, is made from the same steel as the GranDaddy, and is easy to conceal.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"SG<\/a><\/p>\n

Every outdoorsman needs a serious survival blade. One that he can used to cut open a 55 gallon drum or split the skull of a brown bear, after he busts some rocks with it and builds a lean to.\u00a0Southern Grind’s Jackal<\/a>\u00a0has a\u00a0solid 3D milled G10 handle, which provides a sure grip, wet or dry. The blade is\u00a08670M high carbon steel, which provides extreme toughness with great edge retention. Though not really a bushcraft design, the Jackal is the one knife I’d have, if I could only have one knife. Right now mine is with Mike Barranti at Barranti Leather<\/a> so he can make me a custom sheath.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"SG<\/a><\/p>\n

As much as I am convinced I’d choose a Jackal as that one knife, the Bad Monkey <\/a>would come a close second. I’ve used this knife for more different chores than any other knife I’ve owned. Its been used to kill wounded warthogs, to dispatch a blesbok, its been used as a hammer, a pry bar, a toothpick, a screwdriver, a shovel, to cut a steak and make dinner, and I’ve used it to dig thorns out of my body. The Bad Monkey<\/a>\u00a0has<\/span>\u00a0solid titanium liners, 416 stainless fasteners, and a 14C28N performance blade steel that allows for better corrosion resistance and edge retention, along<\/span>\u00a0with greater strength and\u00a0durability. Though not in Hugh Glass<\/a> fashion, I did kill a bear with my Bad Monkey by\u00a0driving it into a tree and using it as a rifle rest.<\/span><\/p>\n

Southern Grind knives<\/a> can be purchased through Cabela’s<\/a>, MidwayUSA<\/a>, and direct from Southern Grind<\/a>. Don’t be that Rob Lowe who has cable<\/a>, get a real knife. Better yet, get several real knives. Few things are less manly than a guy with a cheap blade or no blade at all!<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I’m not one who blindly follows a brand just to be loyal. I like things that work and use them regardless of the logo they carry or where they\u00a0were\u00a0made. That being said, I do prefer American made products and I’m partial to products that come from one-man or small operations. I like to support small businesses, especially those that give back.\u00a0 As …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[2509,2522,2500],"tags":[1546,657,2101,2652],"class_list":["post-13312","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-defense","category-hunt","category-shooting","tag-knives","tag-southern-grind","tag-survival-knife","tag-survival-tools"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5hujZ-3sI","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":12079,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/an-everyday-blade\/","url_meta":{"origin":13312,"position":0},"title":"An Everyday Blade","author":"gunwriter","date":"September 1, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Gun guys are also knife guys. Well, at least all the gun guys I know. Guns and knives go together like bikini tops and bottoms. On the floor or on a super model, they belong together. I have a drawer full of knives; lots of knives. And, I like them\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "DEFENSE"","block_context":{"text":"DEFENSE","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/defense\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"SG-1","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/SG-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/SG-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/SG-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/SG-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9078,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/bad-monkey\/","url_meta":{"origin":13312,"position":1},"title":"Bad Monkey","author":"gunwriter","date":"July 1, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"When I reached our camp along the Limpopo in South Africa, a friend traveling with us gave me a knife. I have a lot of knives and had brought several with me but the knife he gave me was, pardon the pun, a cut above the others. \u00a0It's a folder\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "DEFENSE"","block_context":{"text":"DEFENSE","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/defense\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Southern Grind Bad Monkey on the green and greasy Limpopo.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/image1-1024x682.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/image1-1024x682.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/image1-1024x682.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/image1-1024x682.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13667,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/new-from-zac-browns-southern-grind\/","url_meta":{"origin":13312,"position":2},"title":"New from Zac Brown’s Southern Grind","author":"gunwriter","date":"July 22, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 To me one of the appealing facets of Southern Grind is that they do not make 500 different knives. They\u2019ve figured out how to make ideal knives for specific applications and each is splendid in its own right. You don\u2019t have to look over hundreds of blades to find\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "DEFENSE"","block_context":{"text":"DEFENSE","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/defense\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"13669692_10207862884824520_3850119168133479468_n","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/13669692_10207862884824520_3850119168133479468_n-300x236.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":13088,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/shootn-and-cuttn-with-one-hand\/","url_meta":{"origin":13312,"position":3},"title":"Shoot’n and Cutt’n With One Hand","author":"gunwriter","date":"March 18, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"I realize being able to shoot with one hand is an important skill. However, in everyday life you 're more apt to have to cut something with one hand than you are to have to shoot it. Some might consider knives that you can open with one hand too tactical\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "DEFENSE"","block_context":{"text":"DEFENSE","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/defense\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"aa-100","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/aa-100.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/aa-100.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/aa-100.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/aa-100.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12887,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/add-a-little-southern-grind-to-your-edc\/","url_meta":{"origin":13312,"position":4},"title":"Add a little Southern Grind to your EDC","author":"gunwriter","date":"January 15, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"The acronym EDC is becoming as overused as the word cool was when I was in high school. Folks clean out their pockets and take a photo of the contents to brag about the stuff they claim to carry every day. It\u2019s even trending to the point that gen y\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "DEFENSE"","block_context":{"text":"DEFENSE","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/defense\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"SG Spider Monkey-2","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/SG-Spider-Monkey-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/SG-Spider-Monkey-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/SG-Spider-Monkey-2.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/SG-Spider-Monkey-2.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11822,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/the-spider-monkey\/","url_meta":{"origin":13312,"position":5},"title":"The Spider Monkey","author":"gunwriter","date":"July 19, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Every time I travel I always come home to a stack of mail \u2013 mostly bills \u2013 and an assortment of packages. Often the packages contain ammunition; after all a gun writer cannot function without ammo. Sometimes the packages contain unsolicited junk and on a rare occasion there is a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "DEFENSE"","block_context":{"text":"DEFENSE","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/defense\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"SG-3","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/SG-3.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/SG-3.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/SG-3.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/SG-3.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13312","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13312"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13312\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13328,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13312\/revisions\/13328"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13312"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13312"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13312"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}