The Knife Junkie Podcast

Bob "The Knife Junkie" DeMarco

The Knife Junkie podcast is the place for knife newbies and experience knife collectors to learn more about knives and knife collecting and become true "knife junkies." Twice per week, Bob DeMarco talks knives and brings you special sections such as Knife Life News, pocket checks and more. In addition, your calls and comments will be featured on the podcast -- dial The Knife Junkie Listener Line at 724-466-4487. And be sure to visit The Knife Junkie online at www.theknifejunkie.com

  1. 1D AGO

    K.C. Spiron, Tempest Knives: The Knife Junkie Podcast (Episode 645)

    What happens when a knife reviewer gets tired of waiting for the perfect blade? He designs it himself. This week on The Knife Junkie Podcast, host Bob DeMarco talks with K.C. Spiron, the founder of Tempest Knives and host of the popular KnivesFAST YouTube channel. Spiron shares how reviewing hundreds of production folders taught him exactly what he wanted in an EDC knife and how that knowledge turned into a thriving knife company. The conversation covers how Spiron started KnivesFAST to create shorter, more focused knife reviews for people who did not have time for long-form content. But as he handled more knives, patterns emerged. "As I saw more, it became clear to me what I really liked and what I did not like," Spiron explains. That led him to start designing knives that matched his ideal specifications, with a heavy focus on ergonomics and practical features like contoured handles and nested liner locks. Spiron also reveals a new collaboration with Kubey, which is producing a fixed-blade version of his popular Microburst design in 14C28N steel. He teases upcoming releases, including the Tornado model in mid-January. The episode also touches on the manufacturing debate, with Spiron explaining how his business model supports American workers and companies even while using overseas production facilities. Most importantly, he shares the pure joy of seeing his designs become real products that people carry every day. Visit the full show notes and links at https://www.theknifejunkie.com/645. Connect with K.C. Spiron and Tempest Knives at https://tempestknives.com, on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tempestknivesus, and subscribe to the KnivesFAST YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@KnivesFAST. You can also follow KnivesFAST on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/knivesfast. Be sure to support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details. You can also support The Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase. Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives. Let us know what you thought about this episode and leave a rating and/or a review. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions. To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

  2. 5D AGO

    The Coolest Tanto Blades: The Knife Junkie Podcast (Episode 644)

    Episode 644 of The Knife Junkie Podcast celebrates the tanto blade shape. Host Bob DeMarco presents some of the coolest tanto designs in modern knife making. This blade style combines Japanese tradition with contemporary performance. The episode covers tanto blades across different categories. From tactical automatics to fixed-blade hunters, Bob shows how makers interpret this angular geometry. He explains the practical benefits that make tantos more than just good looks. The reinforced tip provides extra strength. The multiple cutting edges within one blade offer versatile performance. Bob shares his pocket check featuring the Spyderco Police, Jack Wolf Knives Gateway Equal End Jack, TKell Agent 001, and Cold Steel Voyager Vaquero XL. Knife Life News covers GiantMouse working with Pro-Tech on an automatic, TOPS releasing a slip joint Tex Creek, and Kizer\'s take on a utility knife design. And the First Tool segment celebrates the sodbuster pattern. The main topic showcases tanto blades from Microtech, Fisher Blades, 3 Dog Knife, Hogtooth, TKell Knives, Two Sun, Reate, Civivi, and Cold Steel. Each knife demonstrates different approaches to this distinctive blade shape. Bob explains what makes each piece special and how tanto geometry serves different purposes. This episode helps collectors understand why tanto blades remain popular. Bob\'s selection spans various price points and styles. Whether you collect tactical folders or outdoor fixed blades, this episode provides helpful details regarding an important blade design. Find the list of all the knives shown in the show and links to the Knife Life news stories at https://theknifejunkie.com/644. Support the Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase. Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives. You can also support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details. Let us know what you thought about this episode and leave a rating and/or a review. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions. To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

  3. NOV 30

    Scab, Choirboyz Cutlery Outdoors!!: The Knife Junkie Podcast (Episode 643)

    Join host Bob DeMarco for Episode 643 of The Knife Junkie Podcast, featuring Scott Baldwin, better known as Scab from Choirboyz Cutlery Outdoors. This episode delivers an honest, inspiring conversation about knife collecting, content creation, personal transformation, and building community through shared passion for quality blades. Whether you are a seasoned collector or just starting your knife journey, this episode provides practical advice from one of Knife Tube's most authentic voices. Scab shares the personal story behind Choirboyz Cutlery Outdoors, explaining how his channel began during recovery from addiction and grew into a respected source for real-world knife reviews. He discusses his favorite part of Blade Show (hint: it is not just the knives), offers advice for new content creators, and breaks down his daily carry philosophy of carrying three pocket knives plus a pocket fixed blade. The conversation also covers affordable American-made knives from Self Reliance Outfitters, the advantages of pocket fixed blades, and why authenticity matters more than perfection in content creation. Throughout the episode, Scab demonstrates why he has become such a trusted voice in the knife community. His reviews come from actual use rather than marketing hype, his advice comes from real experience, and his passion for helping others shines through every topic. From Magnacut steel to lifetime warranties, from Blade Show connections to the transformative power of finding your passion, this episode covers it all with honesty and heart. Listen to the full episode at www.theknifejunkie.com/643. Find Scab on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@choirboyzcutleryoutdoors and Instagram at www.instagram.com/choirboyzcutleryoutdoors for regular knife reviews, outdoor content, and genuine passion for quality blades. Be sure to support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details. You can also support The Knife Junkie channel by making your next knife purchase through our affiliate links found at www.theknifejunkie.com/knives. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions. To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

  4. NOV 19

    Big Cold Steel Fixed Blades: The Knife Junkie Podcast (Episode 642)

    Bob DeMarco digs into his collection and pulls out 11 of his biggest Cold Steel fixed blade knives in Episode 642 of The Knife Junkie Podcast. From the 30-year-old Trailmaster that remains his number one recommendation to the Cinquedea that he shadow boxes with, each knife gets the spotlight it deserves. The episode kicks off with a stacked pocket check featuring the North Mountain BBMN, Jack Wolf Knives Gateway Barlow, TKell Agent 001, and APOC Survival Waning Moon Yatagan. DeMarco also reveals the Gentleman Junkie giveaway knives for November (a TKell Agent 001) and December (a Gunfighter Customs Gunfighter). Knife Life News covers the RoseCraft Blades Cumberland River Coke Bottle Jack, the Kizer Topsail collaboration with Jonathan Styles, a limited Winkler and Dead Air Silencers battle axe, and a sobering look at knife turn-in boxes in the UK. The First Tool segment tells the story of the Randall Model #1, the handmade fighting knife that soldiers carried through World War II and Vietnam. State of the Collection highlights include the new Jack Wolf Knives Gateway Equal End slip joint, a Fenix LD30 flashlight, and an Opinel folding vegetable peeler that DeMarco could not resist. Then came the big Cold Steel fixed blades: Trailmaster Bowie, Laredo Bowie, Tanto XII, Jimmy Slash Competition Chopper, Wild West Bowie, Rondel Dagger, 1917 Frontier Bowie, Chieftain\'s Seax, Natchez Bowie, Chaos Kukri, and Cinquedea. Find the list of all the knives shown in the show and links to the Knife Life news stories at https://theknifejunkie.com/642. Support the Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase. Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives. You can also support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details. Let us know what you thought about this episode and leave a rating and/or a review. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions. To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

  5. NOV 16

    Tomas Alas, The Tactical Tavern: The Knife Junkie Podcast (Episode 641)

    Join Bob DeMarco for Episode 641 of The Knife Junkie Podcast as he welcomes back Tomas Alas of The Tactical Tavern to discuss the latest drop in the Agent series collaboration with TKell Knives. The Agent 007 tanto features a limited run with traditional Bastinelli Tsukamaki wraps using genuine ray skin—bringing centuries of samurai tradition to modern everyday carry. Tomas breaks down the design philosophy behind the aggressive tanto point, explaining how the blade angle was measured for optimal everyday use. From opening packages to potential medical applications, this knife was designed with real-world functionality in mind. This episode goes beyond product discussion. Tomas shares details about his upcoming documentaries featuring legendary martial arts instructors James Keating and Kelly Warden. These projects aim to preserve the knowledge of living legends whose expertise and teaching go beyond technique—they represent a complete way of living. Tomas interviewed students and captured the emotional connections these teachers create, offering viewers something deeper than standard training content. The November 21, 2025, drop includes limited Bastinelli-wrapped 007s, S35VN versions of the ontos, and pre-orders for ADCR V2s. **Save 10 percent with the discount code knifejunkie at TKell Knives. Find Tomas Alas and The Tactical Tavern on YouTube at www.youtube.com/@tacticaltavern and Instagram at www.instagram.com/tacticaltavern for knife reviews, martial arts demonstrations, and updates on upcoming documentary releases. Listen to this episode at www.theknifejunkie.com/641 for the complete conversation about blade geometry, traditional craftsmanship, and preserving martial arts knowledge. Be sure to support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details. You can also support The Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase. Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives. Please let us know what you thought about this episode, and leave a rating and a review. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions. To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

  6. NOV 12

    Mrs. Knife Junkie's Folders: The Knife Junkie Podcast (Episode 640)

    Episode 640 of The Knife Junkie Podcast brings a special perspective to the show as Mrs. Knife Junkie joins Bob DeMarco to discuss her personal folder collection. This episode offers practical insights from someone who carries knives for utility rather than collecting them. Her honest take on what works and what does not provides valuable guidance for anyone looking to choose or gift folders. Bob opens with his pocket check featuring the Manganas Steel Aurelia, Victorinox Compact, TKell Agent Nautilus, and Cold Steel Recon 1 XL. He announces the November 2025 Gentleman Junkie giveaway: the TKell Knives Agent 001, designed by Bob himself, now machined by Nick Chuprin of NCC Knives. The Knife Life news covers new releases from Les George with KA-BAR, Civivi, CRKT, and Sencut. The main segment features Mrs. Knife Junkie walking through her folders, including the Buck Mini Range, Spyderco Delica with Emerson Wave, Kershaw Leak, Kershaw Atmos, Kershaw Volt 2, Civivi Mini Praxis, Civivi Elementum, Civivi Primitrox, Sencut Citius, Guardian Tactical GTX-025, and the Bastinelli Creations Diagnostic. She shares what makes each knife work or not work for her carry needs. The Bastinelli Diagnostic gets special attention as her essential running knife that goes on every run. Her practical concerns about width, clip design, deployment, and how knives interact with clothing and bags provide a perspective rarely heard in knife content. This episode succeeds by offering a real user experience from someone who carries folders daily without the collector mindset. Mrs. Knife Junkie speaks candidly about features that create problems despite looking appealing on paper. Her collection spans budget to premium options, proving that effective carry does not require massive spending. Find the list of all the knives shown in the show and links to the Knife Life news stories at https://theknifejunkie.com/640. Support the Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase. Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives. You can also support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details. Let us know what you thought about this episode, and leave a rating and a review. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions. To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

  7. NOV 9

    Paulo Rubio: The Knife Junkie Podcast (Episode 639)

    In Episode 639 of The Knife Junkie Podcast, host Bob DeMarco sits down with martial artist and media producer Paulo Rubio to discuss practical training methods, knife design philosophy, and the reality of self-defense situations. Rubio, formerly known for his work with Funker Tactical, shares his transformation from documenting martial arts masters around the world to becoming a dedicated instructor himself. The conversation covers Rubio's approach to creating training drills, including his innovative reverse blink drill that tests reactions in fractions of a second. Based on research showing that knife thrusts occur in just 0.14 seconds, this drill reveals what your body actually does under extreme pressure, rather than what you think it should do. Rubio explains his philosophy of creating hundreds of drills and discarding most of them, encouraging students to develop their own training methods based on honest self-assessment of their weaknesses. DeMarco and Rubio discuss the complexity of real defensive scenarios, including split-second decision-making when multiple people might enter a violent situation. Rubio shares insights from his years of learning from masters across every fighting discipline, explaining how he alchemized that knowledge into teachable skills. The episode also explores knife selection and design, with Rubio advocating for simple, functional tools rather than Frankenstein blades trying to solve every problem at once. Whether you train in Filipino martial arts, study knife techniques, or want to understand practical self-defense from someone who has learned from the best and tested it all himself, this episode offers valuable perspectives on training, teaching, and the honest assessment of what actually works when it matters most. Listen to Episode 639 at www.theknifejunkie.com/639. Find Paulo Rubio online at www.paulorubio.com and follow him on Instagram at @gn_funkertactical for training videos, drills, and honest commentary on martial arts. Be sure to support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details. You can also support The Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase. Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives. Let us know what you thought about this episode, and leave a rating and a review. We value your feedback. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions. To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

  8. NOV 5

    12 Great Full-Titanium Folding Knives: The Knife Junkie Podcast (Episode 638)

    Bob DeMarco takes you through his top 12 full-titanium folding knives in this week's episode of The Knife Junkie Podcast. From affordable production pieces to custom collaborations, these knives showcase why titanium has become the premium material of choice for serious collectors and everyday carriers. The episode covers designs that range from tactical to refined, including the Greek-made Manganas Steel Aurelia, the accessible Kansept Bison, and the show-stopping Asymmetrical Nighthorse. Bob shares his personal experiences carrying and using each knife, explaining what makes them special beyond just their materials and construction. Highlights include the J.W. Kollab Tango that Bob carried all summer, the art deco-inspired American Blade Works Model 2, and the Spartan Harsey Folder with his personal logo etched into the titanium. Each knife demonstrates how titanium construction creates folders that feel solid without wearing you down during everyday carry. Bob also covers his pocket check featuring the Cold Steel 4Max Scout with custom cocobolo scales, updates from Knife Life News, including new releases from Kizer and We Knife Co., and additions to his collection like the Artisan Cutlery Revel and Malice Co. Scorpion King. The First Tool segment features the Benchmade Bali-Song and its place in knife history. Whether you own titanium folders already or are considering your first one, this episode gives you solid information on what is available and what to look for. Bob explains why these 12 designs stand out and how titanium ages beautifully while maintaining strength and functionality through real-world use. Find the list of all the knives shown in the show and links to the Knife Life news stories at https://theknifejunkie.com/638. Support the Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase. Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives. You can also support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details. Let us know what you thought about this episode, and leave a rating and a review. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions. To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

4.4
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

The Knife Junkie podcast is the place for knife newbies and experience knife collectors to learn more about knives and knife collecting and become true "knife junkies." Twice per week, Bob DeMarco talks knives and brings you special sections such as Knife Life News, pocket checks and more. In addition, your calls and comments will be featured on the podcast -- dial The Knife Junkie Listener Line at 724-466-4487. And be sure to visit The Knife Junkie online at www.theknifejunkie.com

You Might Also Like