Although the storm to prominence of the tactical folder over the past half decade can be attributed in most part to U.S. custom knife makers, a couple of talented bladesmiths from north of our border have offered up a blitzkrieg of their own. Canadians Greg Lightfoot and Brian Tighe (pronounced "tie") have carved out a nice slice of the tactical folder market, and the duo show no signs of stopping.

If one needed proof that appearances don't count for much, look no farther than these two knifemakers. Greg Lightfoot -- replete with shaved head and muscular physique -- fits the part of a clean-cut commando from central casting. An expert in martial arts and edged weapons combat, Lightfoot's knife designs reflect the fluidity found in the controlled motion often seen in Asian weaponry.

Tighe, on the other hand, could easily be mistaken for a history professor. Wire rimmed spectacles, corkscrew shoulder length hair and a casual demeanor further add to the veneer. Ironically, his designs have a much edgier, more wicked quality about them than those of good friend and counterpart Lightfoot.

There is one huge similarity that runs parallel with both Canadians. Both are among the top tactical folder designers in the custom market today. Indeed, both Greg Lightfoot and Brian Tighe would make many experts' top ten list among all tac-folder artisans.

Lightfoot Enlightens

While any custom knifemaker can sit down and sketch out a simple design, very few can do it with Lightfoot's savvy. There is a difference between simple and insightful, and the latter is where this knifemaker excels. All of Lightfoot's knife designs -- fixed blade or folder -- have an unmistakable flow throughout their form from tip to base, While some look at a knife as the sum of its parts, Lightfoot looks at a knife as one piece, sculpted to perfection.

At 41 years of age, Lightfoot has accomplished more than many custom knifemakers do in an entire career. He's been considered a member of the elite top ten tactical knifemakers for half a decade and has his designs replicated by two major cutlery manufacturers.

Raised on a ranch in Alberta, Canada, Greg adopted a love for hunting at an early age and he credits his outdoor experiences for his love of knives, He spent his early job career as a machinist by trade, which prepped the way for his understanding of metallurgy and shaping steel. Throw in a passion for bodybuilding and deep interest -- and training -- in martial arts and it's easy to see how all these ingredients forged his mettle as a custom knifemaker.

Lightfoot designs both fixed blades and folders. He offers his customers a wide variety of steels, but his top choice is BG42, an American-made stainless steel originally used in high-speed ball bearings. According to Greg, "I like BG-42 best because of its all-around capabilities. It has excellent edge-holding capabilities, is very corrosion resistant and finishes well." A satin finish is standard on all of Lightfoot's knives but for those who prefer the darkness of night, he offers a black powdercoating as well. For handle materials, the knifemaker leans toward the more durable synthetics such as G-10 (a fiberglass lay-up) and carbon fiber.

Fixed Blades And Folders

Greg's latest tour-de-force fixed blade is 10-inches of cutting delight dubbed the Operative, a knife which may best be described as a double-edged B-2 stealth bomber in mid-flight. This knife is typical of Lightfoot's well-planned designs. A lengthy handle with double finger grooves allows the user the grip option of either choking up on the knife for slicing and dicing or gripping it using only the lower finger choil for heavy duty chopping. The 4.75-inch modified drop point blade is recurved for maximum slice and ground razor-sharp on the backside to add more puncture power.

It is tactical folders, however, that are Lightfoot's main thrust. His knack for clean-yet-powerful design put hint on the map, traits clearly seen in his more recent Max Velocity model. The Velocity's 3.25-inch blade, with its gracefully curved edge and deep hollow grind are poetry in steel. There is no departure in the handle either, just graceful curves that compliment the blade with both synchronicity and function. Smooth actions and sturdy liner-lock mechanisms for fixing the blade firmly in the open position are the Lightfoot norm. All of the knifemaker's folders come with a pocket clip as well.

At 7.5 inches overall, the Max Velocity is sized right where you want it -- small enough to carry with ease and stealth, but large enough to handle both field and combat chores. Titanium liners cut down the Velocity's weight, and it can be had in two base levels: the standard model with titanium bolsters and a lower priced "Black Widow" version with 100 percent carbon fiber scales and black powder-coated blade.

More aggressive styling can be seen in Lightfoot's .458 Magnum model. The knife's 3.25-inch Japanese tanto-inspired blade has the tenacious styling found in the knifemaker's Zambezi collaboration with Timberline Knives (see sidebar). A short sabre grind on the backside of the blade improves its puncture power: a notched thumb ramp improves the grip. The Magnum opens up to 7.75 inches in length, with over four inches of that in a pugnacious handle stylistically befitting the business end of the knife. Once again, titanium bolsters and liners are standard.

Sometimes A Knife Won't Do

If "shock and awe" are on your agenda, Lightfoot offers a tactical axe that could scare the pants off of Attila the Hun. His 12.5-inch Combat Axe melds Medieval styling with modern-day design cues, bringing the art of chopping up to a new level. Four full square inches of razor sharp cutting surface do the chopping chores while a G-10 synthetic handle makes the experience all the more comfortable.

Tighe Intimidates

If Greg Lightfoot's knives come off as poetry in motion, Brian Tighe's read like a horror novel. His designs use wicked curves and angles to intimidate, and lest one take them for only a notion, he backs them up with quality materials and superb fit and finish. Not surprisingly, 48-year old master machinist Tighe enjoys the creative end of the knifemaking process. In his own words, "I truly enjoy designing and creating new models. I can see the knife in my mind's eye, then it goes to paper, and then I make it out of steel and titanium. This is the most rewarding aspect, from conceiving the design to finally holding the finished knife."

Tighe's most popular model is the Tighe Stick. One quick glance at the Stick is all it takes to know this knifemaker took a different fork a long time ago. The 3.5-inch BG-42 stainless steel blade is a creative cocktail of upswept Persian styling with a Japanese tanto grind. In the closed position the blade rests in a curvaceous handle with a deep finger groove for added grip enhancement. Using titanium as a palette, Tighe offers the knife in a full frame or bolstered and scaled. An optional blade flipper for quick opening is available, and a pocket clip is standard. All of Tighe's folders use the tried and proven Michael Walker liner-lock for positively securing the blade in the opened position.

Charging Rhino Effect

Straighter in overall form but curvaceous nonetheless is the knifemaker's My Tighe model. The knife's 3.5-inch modified spear point blade -- upswept to a double ground point -- has the look of a charging rhino. The handle of the My Tighe features a deep finger groove at the top, a bulged center to better fit the palm and a hooked base that helps trap the grip. The frame is titanium topped with unique black G-10 overlays with an array of curves and cutouts that give the knife an ornate look as well as improve the grip. A pocket clip and lanyard hole in the base of the knife fill out the design.

Those who appreciate the history of edged weaponry will enjoy Tighe's Folding Dagger. Certainly his most traditional design, this folder draws on medieval themes and Tighe's slick mechanics brings them up to modern day standards. This is one of the oldest models in Tighe's line and he has done it up in many ways over the years, from a scaled and bolstered version to an upscale interframe (solid handle with decorative insert) variation.

On the uptown models you're more likely to find the 3.5-inch blade done up in exquisitely patterned Damascus steel, and the knifemaker offers a wide range of exotic handle materials such as fossil mammoth ivory and pearl. In fact, Tighe offers all of his knives with such options, all designed around a particular customer's preferences.

Hot Properties

Pricewise, Greg Lightfoot's fixed blades average $300 for smaller models and $450 for the big guys. His folders start at $425 for certain base models and go up from there depending on materials and configuration. Brian Tighe's folders start at $450 and increase in price according to materials and extras. If you're on a budget, check out the sidebar accompanying this article for the wide variety of production knives based on Lightfoot and Tighe designs. For a closer look at current offerings from both knifemakers, see the contact information at the end of this article, or check out the current offerings on KnifeArt.com.

RELATED ARTICLE

Lightfoot's Combat Axe might be better described as the Hatchet from Hades. Four inches of surface and a finger-grooved linen Micarta grip make this one upscale whacker. The Lightfoot Operative combines clean-yet-innovative styling with unabashed stealth. The black on black theme features a powder-coated balde and scales are of linen Micarta. Two Lightfoot folders done up in titanium bolsters and carbon fiber scales. At left is the Max Velocity model, on the right the .458 Magnum.

An exquisitely carved version of Tighe's neo-classic Floding Dagger. The frame is all titanium with multi-color anodizing, the blade a tight blend of patterned Damascus. The My Tighe. is a cocktail of combat delight. The carbon fiber scales have been curvaceously cutout to both accent the handle and enhance the grip.

Two Tighe Sticks spell double trouble! The left model sports titanium bolsters and carbon fiber scales, the model at right has an all-titanium frame with machined arcs to enhance the grip.

Canadian Connections Factory Tighes and Lightfoots

If you're like me, and were not born with a Roman numeral after your name, there is very good news concerning Lightfoot and Tighe knives. Several top cutlery manufacturers are producing the designs of both knifemakers, making affordability a nonfactor, The factory collaborations may not have the fancy handle materials or exotic blade steels found in the custom makers' wares, but they are quality knives nonetheless and will serve the average user admirably for many years.

Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT) offers several models from both makers. First off, there's the Tighe Tac model, a factory rendition of the tactical folder that helped put Brian Tighe on the map. Just over 6 inches in overall length, the CRKT Tighe Tac has a 2.63-inch spear point blade of AUS 6M stalnless steel. A 3.38-inch handle with stainless steel bolsters and black Zytel[R] scales along with a stainless steel pocket clip complete the equation. Affordable? You bet! The knife, available with a plain or partially serrated blade retails for just $64.99.

CRKT has just released a new Lightfoot collaboration code named Ml. This is a beefy, blacked-out tactical folder with Lightfoot's trademark "Millennium Thnto" blade design. At just over 7.5 inches fully opened -- 3.21 inches of that in AUS 8 blade steel--this is a beefy folder with a few interesting twists.

First, it has a "flipper" feature that allows the blade to be. accessed quickly. Next up is a Ron Lake/Michael Walker designed locking system -- dubbed LAWKS[R] that allows for extra strong blade lockup. Finally, the handle has Zytel scales that carry a large hex-pattern resembling oversized checkering. A lot of knife for a suggested retail of just $69.99.

Lone Wolf Knives offers a version of the Tighe Pan that is as close to a custom knife you'll find. This tactical folder features a finely finished machined titanium frame with ball-milled grooves for grip enhancement and blue anodized liners for added eye appeal. The 3.56-inch blade is made of CPM S30V stainless steel -- the same steel many of the hot custom makers are using today. At 7.88 inches fully extended, this is a nice size tactical capable of performing a wide variety of cutting chores. A pocket clip and a padded zippered carrying pouch are included.

The Lone Wolf Tighe Pan sells for a suggested retail of $280. This may sound high, but considering that the overall quality of workmanship and top flight materials are right up there with the majority of fine custom knives and the price is some two hundred dollars less, this knife a heck of a deal.

Timberline Knives latched onto Lightfoot a couple of years ago and produced the Zambezi fixed blade, 11.75 inches of highly versatile knife that can handle every type of field and combat chore. With 6 inches devoted to blade, nearly half of the Zambezi's length is in the handle, which incorporates a large finger choil in the upper part of the grip. When gripped with the index finger above the choil, the Zambezi becomes an agile cutter with a feisty 6-inch 440C stainless steel, black powder coated blade. When gripped with all fingers below the finger choil more weight shifts to the blade, and the knife can be used for some serious hacking. In addition, the Zambezi comes with one of the most versatile Kydex[R] sheaths ever designed, all for a suggested $150. A lot of knife for the money!

Timberline followed with Lightfoot's Mini Pit Bull neck knife, a small 6.60-inch bit of business that can be easily concealed until the necessity of using it arises. A 3-inch double-ground spear point blade does the cutting chores, Zytel handle scales makes them more comfortable. A nifty Kydex sheath with a belt clip on it that can be reversed or removed is included, as well as a bead chain for neck wear. The entire package sells for just $39.99 suggested retail.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Publishers' Development Corporation
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group

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