More Updates Coming - Anticipated Delivery Date?
over 7 years ago – Wed, Nov 16, 2016 at 09:44:02 PM

Hey Guys,

A Better Project Update System Coming...

The first order of business is that I want to improve communication with you on the MSK-1 project. Communicating through Kickstarter is flawed (at best) and it seems that many are not getting the updates that I post.

So, I in the next few days, look for an email directly from me "David @ Ultimate Survival Tips". Please open the email and do what it says... This will get you in our new direct email communication stream for all NEWS on the MSK-1.

NEXT... I apologize that it's been a few weeks since my last update...

Here's the deal... I have honestly been holding out for some sort of a ballpark idea from our manufacturing folks on when I might have knives in hand so I can (at the least) guesstimate when we might start shipping.

Because, let's face it... I know that's what you REALLY want to know.

However, I still don't have that for you...

For this I apologize... The wait is driving me nuts too. I keep thinking to myself, "They're just custom knives - how complicated can making a few hundred of them be?"

But then Jeff @ Freeman Outdoor Gear (our manufacturer and my co-designer of the knife) is kind to help me understand the multiple process and all the steps to ensure that every knife is perfect.

And then it dawned on me that all the things that we designed into this knife, the things that makes it special are the things that are taking all this time to get perfect.

The MSK-1 is essentially a custom crafted knife (that because of the success of the campaign and your support) - we are building on a large scale WHILE maintaining the impeccable standards that we demand for each and every blade.

Jeff is a genius to manage this insanely complex knife build... but then again he was the lead designer and innovation manager at Gerber for more than a decade...

SO rest assured... he / we are doing everything possible to expedite the manufacturing process and get your MSK-1 and / or Mini Knife - done right!

To speed the process... Jeff even wants me to help sharpen them... what do you think? Do you trust me? :)

OKAY... HERE'S a Little Update...

The Mini-Neck Knives - for various reasons are ahead in the processes. They and the MSK-1s (the big knives) are being ground at one of the top companies in the USA. Millit Knives. They are precision craftsman... and believe it or not are saving us weeks of time.

Below are photos and a short update from Shane, our project lead at Millit...

"Here are photos of samples off the grinder. Swedge (the false edge on the spine side) is next. Blades are grinding great. You will receive complete samples [of the Mini knife] this week. Thank you!

~Shane"

MSK-1 Manufacturing Update FROM Jeff (PHOTOS Included)
over 7 years ago – Tue, Oct 25, 2016 at 09:00:09 PM

Hey Guys... I just talked with Jeff Freeman Owner of Freeman Outdoor Gear (he's the other dude in the MSK-1 videos with me). I asked Jeff about the knife progress and asked him to give me an update to give you guys... Here goes:

FROM JEFF (PHOTOs Below): 

Millit (a manufacturer subcontracted to do certain phases of the knife) is doing the bevel grinding on a CNC grinder. This is after I machine all the needed features into the blanks and after heat treatment. Grinding the knives hard (after heat treat) will give a really nice finish on the bevel.

After grinding, they (Millit) will tumble debur in a ceramic media to round all the edges and take off any machining or grinding marks.

Right now, neck knives are staged to go into their (Millit's) grinding process. I will have him send pics.

MSK-1's (the big knife) are still being machined (at my shop). I have about 300 done and hope to finish up this week. Then they are off to heat treat then bevel grinding.

________

There you have it... the latest from Jeff.

Here are links so you can follow Jeff's Facebook page and Millit's Instagram feed for any updates they post about the MSK-1 knives...

FREEMAN Outdoor Gear: https://www.facebook.com/FreemanOutdoorGearLLC/

Millit: https://www.instagram.com/millitknives/

MSK-1 Knife Build - Progress Report...
over 7 years ago – Thu, Oct 06, 2016 at 10:30:21 PM

Knife Production is Going Well...

Pretty much everything (including packaging) is here - in stock - waiting for knives and sheaths (See packaging photos below)... 

Sheaths would be here except for the fact that Jeff and I made some small dimensional changes to the last Mini Neck Knife and the MSK-1 Knife Protoype Run... that further improved the usability of the blades. 

So the sheath manufactures are waiting for the first blades to be complete so that they can accurately form the sheaths. 

Again, all of this to do whatever it takes to get you the absolute best blade possible. Fortunately this was planned months ago and isn't holding up production. 

But we are done with changes, and I am SUPER expectantly awaiting knives... as I know you are. You're gonna love this knife!!! 

Knives Update...

ALL (yep, I said "all") MSK-1 Mini Neck Knives are being machined this week and go to heat treat next week. 

40% of the MSK-1s (the big knife) are being machined and ALL the rest are enroute to surface grinding. Progress is better than I expected. 

Lots more steps... but we are making good progress. 

Stay tuned for more updates... 

- David

MSK-1 Tested in the Amazon Jungle
over 7 years ago – Fri, Sep 30, 2016 at 11:12:26 PM

I'm just back (literally I'm sitting at the airport in New York City waiting for my flight home) from 14 days of jungle training / expedition / adventure in the Amazon Jungle - Colombia. I used the MSK-1 extensively and nearly exclusively and it performed great!!! MSK-1 again proved to make my machete unnecessary and did most of my medium and fine carving work with also. Stand by for more updates...

MSK-1 Production Begins...YES! Knife Blanks are Cut...
over 7 years ago – Sat, Sep 10, 2016 at 08:38:50 PM

Exciting News... MSK-1 Production Has Begun!!!

Here are some photos... 

So... we are moving forward! I will keep you updated as I get news from manufacturing. 

Have a great day!