Sunday, April 25, 2010

Smith & Wesson CK5TBS Bullseye Extreme Ops 4.1" 40% Serrated Black Tanto Blade









Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Smith & Wesson CK5TBS Extreme Ops serrated knife is ideal for camping, hunting, fishing, and a host of other applications. The folding knife offers a comfortable black aircraft aluminum handle that measures 4.06 inches long, along with a 3.22-inch partially serrated stainless tanto blade that cuts through everything from vegetables to fishing line. The blade also secures tightly via the liner lock, but opens quickly with either hand thanks to the thumb rest and dual thumb studs. Other features include a stainless pocket clip and a lanyard hole. The knife weighs 2.8 ounces and carries a limited lifetime warranty.

Product Description

The blade has a thumb rest and dual thumb studs for ambidextrous one hand opening. The stainless steel handle with black G10 inset, 4.32" closed, has a liner lock and lanyard hole. A removable stainless steel pocket clip is included.


Customer Reviews



68 of 70 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars SUPERIOR QUALITY KNIFE!, November 15, 2007
By Kilibreaux "RK" (Madera, California) - See all my reviews
I recieved this knife as a present last year and was immediately impressed by two things. First, the level of fit, finish, and function, and second, the ridiculously low price for such a quality knife.

The construction is solid...black anodized, micro-grooved scales with large, appealing "lightening holes". Oversized blade pivot, and well-finished, tiny screws holding it all together. On the right side is located a strong, spring-steel pocket clip, also finished in a deep, matte black, attached by three tiny screws just behind the pivot pin.
The blade is just shy of 3.25", a dropped, tanto style with serrations along half its lower edge. The blade is also "single sided" meaning the "front" (left) side has the contour shaping, serrations, and logo, while the "back" (right) side is flat. This is of no import on this type of knife to any degree more than holding the price down since only one side of the blade needs to be machined. The blade is a deep black matte finish of S&W's proprietary process and has proved to be quite durable over a year of less than gentle handling. The blade is activated by a large thumbstud located near the hilt along the spine...on BOTH sides of the blade for ambidexterous use.
Blade locking is accomplished by a spring-steel liner lock affixed to the inside of the right scale (handle), and snaps in behind the blade when opened to positively lock the blade against accidental closure. I've heard of liner-locks failing, but it's hard to see how this one could.
Overall fit is well above average. The blade operates smoothly...VERY smoothly and snaps into lock with a reassuringly audible click. Despite being light, the blade can also be snapped into lock with a quick flick of the wrist after the thumb has opened it about 20 degrees.
Once locked open the blade is solid...no wobble, no looseness. To release the thumb (ideally the right thumb) is pressed against the inside of the liner lock, and the lock disengages smoothly without roughness, completely freeing the blade to be rotated into the handle.
The knife is light...easily carried in a pocket without need for being clipped.
As delivered the blade was sharp...not razor, but quite sharp, and a few strokes with an Arkansas stone quickly brought it up to RAZOR sharp and it has held that edge for a long time now.
For the price it would be hard to beat this knife. I guess S&W is now having its knives manufactured in China, which does keep prices low, yet contrary to what some would imply, the QUALITY of S&W knives in general, and this one in particular is superb...well above what one would expect for the money paid, and quite on par with all the big-name domestically produced blades costing oodles more.
To me a "good" knife not only fulfills a useful function, and possesses well-executed, crisp details, but DOES SO at a price that makes it practical to be USED. I don't know anyone who shells out hundreds of dollars for some faux-custom and then uses it hard. THIS knife can be used to the full extent of what it's relatively light-weight construction was meant to allow...and then some, because it didn't cost a small fortune...on top of being VERY well put-together.
You can generally find this knife and several variations of it listed through various online sellers for around $12....TWELVE BUCKS for a knife this good? Amazing. I've seen truly CHEAP pieces of junk at swap-meets selling for more. Let me be very clear: This knife is a truly outstanding value any way you slice it (pun intended).


20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Solid value, May 17, 2008
By Gary L. Herstein (Prescott, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This seems like a good knife, especially at the price. I've not been pounding on it with a hammer, or using it to chisel marble, but the constrction seems sound, the blade well mounted and of high quality, the grip easy on the hand, and the mechanism locks positively and well.

Reflecting upon another review, it is possible that a smaller hand might find the thumb-knurl on the small side and difficult to open, for lack of leverage and inadequate purchase. This is only a guess, but may be a matter of consideration for others. As already noted, I find the blade easy to open and the lock mechanism tight and solid.

One other point of approval -- the belt-clip is very solid, tight and well-mounted. Many other manufacturers seem to go cheap on the clip, which makes carrying the knife a problem after a while. The clip loosens up and the knife will easily fall off the belt if one is in an awkward position or brushing past things. This guy looks like it will stay on the belt long after the belt itself has fallen away. This, for me, is another positive.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

CamelBak BPA-Free Better Bottle with Bite Valve





Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The CamelBak Better Bottle represents a new standard of performance and convenience in re-usable water bottles. Available in multiple colors and in three sizes--1 liter, 0.75 liter, and 0.5 liter--this innovative bottle is also BPA- and Phthalate-free. The bottle's integrated handle makes it easy to carry with the crook of a finger or clip to a backpack with a carabiner. CamelBak's Big Bite Valve offers a proven design that contains no moving parts--just bite and sip for easy hydration. The cap fits most other bottles and the Better Bottle attaches to most water filters and fits in most cup holders. It's dishwasher safe.



The Better Bottle with Big Bite Valve makes it easy to hydrate on the go.
What is BPA?
Bisphenol-A is an ingredient used to make polycarbonate. In recent months, there has been increasing consumer demand for a bottle that is not made with Bisphenol-A (BPA), and CamelBak is proud to introduce BPA-free bottles with the same great properties customers have come to expect from polycarbonate: vibrant color, clarity, durability, dishwasher-safe, and with no residual taste. As of the end of April 2008, the entire CamelBak bottle line will be available in BPA-Free materials in North America.

What are phthalates?
Phthalates (pronounced thal-ates) are a component added to some plastics to make them soft and pliable. None of CamelBak's bottles have ever contained phthalates.

What is the BPA-free Better Bottle made from?
The CamelBak Better Bottle line is made from a new copolyester polymer called Tritan, made by Eastman. It offers the same great qualities that we have come to expect from polycarbonate bottles and is 100 percent BPA-Free. The Big Bite Valve is made of medical-grade silicone for long life and taste-free performance.

About CamelBak
CamelBak is the originator and world leader in hands-free hydration systems. The first CamelBak products proved to be very popular among mountain bikers and motocross riders, because it allowed them to drink without taking their hands off of the handlebars in technical terrain. The product began to cross over into other sports when scientific studies showed athletes drank more fluids and performed better when they wore a CamelBak. Since then, athletes from an ever-growing list of sports and activities use CamelBak hydration systems for their convenience and performance benefits.

In addition to cycling, CamelBak has Hands-Free Hydration systems for hiking, running, snowboarding and skiing. CamelBak’s state-of-the-art packs and hydration systems have benefited athletes, outdoorsmen, and soldiers around the world. While CamelBak has grown tremendously since the early days, one thing hasn't changed: CamelBak still believes in the performance advantage that proper hydration delivers for just about any activity. The privately-held company is headquartered in Petaluma, California.

Product Description

The spill proof bottle that makes it easy to stay hydrated on the go. Available in 3 sizes and BPA FREE



Limited Time Offer!