Roger: I carry a concealed handgun on my right-side hip
or in a shoulder holster; Either way it is primarily available to
my right hand. Therefore, I carry a knife on my left or “weak”
side to defend a gun takeaway. I carry a second knife that is
typically more utilitarian in nature with serrated edge. I find
that serrated edge knives will cut even after hard usage that
will dull a typical plain edge. The reason to split the assignment
of a work knife and a fighting or tactical knife is in the course of
say, opening a box not only am I using the knife better suited
to the chore, but my fighting knife stays concealed. Or, at least
it is safely retained in its proper ready position. The same goes
for when I’m not carrying a gun. But I might have two fighting
knives (one for each hand) and still have a work knife.
PMCI: For your standards, what sort of criteria does a knife
and its manufacturer need to meet in order to be considered a
great blade?
Roger: The blade should be hard enough to maintain a sharp
edge but not so hard that it can’t be sharpened or maintained
without special equipment. The handle should not be slippery
when wet. The handle or the contour of the blade itself should
offer more than one grip. If the knife is drawn with a reverse
grip the pinky finger should not be in danger of being cut. Feel
of the grip should be informative. Meaning, if I pick it up in
the dark, I should be able to perceive when the cutting edge
is facing up or down. Also, during thrust into soft material or
tissue I want to know if the blade is going to travel off center.
Travel is okay, just so long as the flow is consistent and remains
predictable.
PMCI: Of all the blades you have tested and carried over the
years, what is your favorite style or manufacturer?
Roger: For a weak side folder carry I prefer the pocket clip
: GUN
Since meeting Roger years ago, he has become not only a
great industry mentor but good friend as well. Recently, I asked
Roger to join us for a PMCI Magazine interview and share his
thoughts on the industry, how he got started and other topics
to give our readers closer insight on a man that will one day
reflected on as one of the best of the good ones. In typical
Roger flair and fashion, he was ready to go from the start with
a signature Texas swagger and glint in his eye!
PMCI: Roger, welcome to PMCI Magazine and thank you for
taking time out of your busy schedule to join us today. Please
start with sharing with our readers a little about your back
ground and how you came to be a gun and knife writer.
Roger: Knives and guns have for me never really been
separate. Our dad had us playing mumble-ty peg and shooting
a CO2 BB gun in the backyard by the time I was 5. My brother
was about 3 years older, so I got to do whatever he got to do
probably sooner than I would have otherwise. The game was
usually played with folding knives, but my father hated slip-
joints (he had a nasty scar from where he almost lost a finger
to a Boy Scout knife closing unexpectedly). Lock blade knives
weren’t around yet so we began with a screwdriver for safety’s
sake. Some time later there was a shortage of steak knives in
the house. We had a pistol, I think it was a Daisy, and when my
dad wanted to make things interesting the target was a half-
dollar coin. Winning the dented coin was a thrill. One day my
dad brought home a miniature cannon. It didn’t actually have a
chamber we could load with projectiles, but it was loud. I doubt
we could get away with firing it in a suburban street these
days, but it was great fun and we were the envy of our friends.
PMCI: In your opinion, what is the main importance of
carrying a good blade every day?