The Knife Junkie Podcast

Episode 585 of The Knife Junkie Podcast welcomes back Rolando Estocada, a lifelong Filipino martial arts practitioner and passionate knife collector.

In this follow-up to their February 2025 conversation, host Bob DeMarco and Rolando dive deeper into Rolando's impressive knife collection and his unique "philosophy of use" that guides his collecting choices.

The episode explores:

• Rolando's journey from impulse buying to purposeful collecting.
• The superior design elements of Bill Bagwell's Bowie knives.
• His appreciation for American knife classics like Randall Knives and Buck 110s.
• How Japanese martial arts training influenced his knife perspective.
• Upcoming projects analyzing tactical vs. utilitarian designs.

Whether you're a knife collector, martial artist, or simply appreciate fine craftsmanship, this conversation offers fascinating insights into how blade design connects to practical application.

Find Rolando Estocada on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/rolandoestocada and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@RolandoEstocada. 

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 The Knife Junkie's podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

In Episode 584 of The Knife Junkie Podcast, Bob DeMarco explores the concept of "fixed blade emotional support knives" -- and how his preference has evolved from fidgety folders to substantial fixed blades that provide security and confidence.

Bob showcases his impressive collection of fixed blade emotional support knives, including the APOC Smatchet, Cold Steel Big Bear Classic, Marcaida/Fox Kortada, and many more purpose-driven designs.

The episode also features his pocket check including a Cold Steel 4Max Scout with custom wooden scales, Knife Life News with updates on new Sebenza 31s and knife rights legislation, and his newest collection addition: the Cold Steel Desperado.

A must-listen for fixed blade enthusiasts and anyone interested in the deeper connection between knife owners and their tools.

Find the list of all the knives shown in the show and links to the Knife Life news stories at https://theknifejunkie.com/584.

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 The Knife Junkie's podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

In Episode 583 of The Knife Junkie Podcast, Bob DeMarco talks with Shawn Old of Gross Motor Gear, who makes custom knives designed specifically for self-protection.

Shawn shares his journey from martial arts instructor to knife maker, and how his artistic background influences his designs. Learn about his unique Japanese-inspired handle wraps, his philosophy on blade-to-handle proportions, and why his knives are optimized for real-world self-defense scenarios rather than knife fighting.

Gross Motor Gear makes purpose-driven tools (knives) and their products are made in the USA.

Gross Motor Gear offers a variety of tools/knives, including the Hawk, Hrafn, Hummingbird, Maahes, Mamushi, Mamushi Mini, Mosquito, Te-Yari, Tiamat, and Wraith.

Check out Shawn's work at GrossMotorGear.com, on Facebook, and on Instagram @grossmotorgear.

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 The Knife Junkie's podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

In Episode 582 of The Knife Junkie Podcast, host Bob "The Knife Junkie" DeMarco showcases his latest knife acquisitions in a comprehensive "New and New to Me Knives: Recent Acquisition Roundup."

From the patriotic TKell Knives Limited FMF to the tactical Gross Motor Gear Mamushi and the elegant Jack Wolf Knives Diamondback Jack, this episode is packed with detailed reviews of over a dozen remarkable blades. Bob also covers industry news including new releases from Auxiliary Manufacturing, CIVIVI, WE Knife, and Benchmade, plus he shares his daily carry items in his "pocket check of knives" and introduces the Off-Grid Knives Bolt Tactical Pen.

Whether you're a casual enthusiast or dedicated collector, this episode offers fascinating insights into the world of high-quality cutting tools. Visit www.theknifejunkie.com/582 for the list of knives, the video, and more.

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 The Knife Junkie's podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.

Bob "The Knife Junkie" DeMarco welcomes back custom knifemaker Tom Nugent of Knives by Nuge to discuss his journey from law enforcement to full-time knife making on Episode 581 of The Knife Junkie Podcast.

Fresh from the Texas Blade Show, Tom shares insights on his popular designs including the Wicket and Primitive Wicket, Chickpea, and the Big Boi.

They explore Tom's design philosophy, material choices, transition to limited production, and innovative sheath designs. Discover how Tom balances toughness with cutting performance and his plans for new models debuting at Blade Show Atlanta.

Knives by Nuge combines Tom's years of game processing, wilderness survival skills, and martial arts to create high-quality tools for camping, hunting, and adventure. And, each knife is made in Tom's New Jersey shop with 100% American-made materials.

Find Tom on Instagram @knives_by_nuge and the Knives by Nuge website (www.knivesbynuge.com).

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 The Knife Junkie's podcast platform of choice: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.