American Handgunner articles from July 2004

American Handgunner archives from July 2004

May/June.(Speak out: your forum to pontificate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... I recently purchased my first issue of American Handgunner and as I started to read, I read all the letters from subscribers writing about the "Gun Crank Diaries" and how funny the writer was. At the time I didn't understand but as I looked...

Gun blow-ups.(Speak out: your forum to pontificate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... Charles Petty references secondary explosion effects (Handloading, May/June 04 and then states "Nobody has ever been able to duplicate it in the laboratory." Well, perhaps not inside the confines of the Michelson Laboratory but definitely out...

1911s rule.(Speak out: your forum to pontificate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... Just wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know how satisfied I have always been with my subscription. Am I entertained? Heck yes! Please continue to publish lots more articles on 1911s, pretty girls who like to shoot and jokes about...

Crusty old guy.(Speak out: your forum to pontificate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... Political-correctness is an oxymoron promulgated by morons. I believe in being as much in-your-face politically incorrect as I can possibly be. I believe in telling a woman she's beautiful. I also believe all women are beautiful, each in their...

Mae West as 1911.(Speak out: your forum to pontificate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... Thanks for a hefty May/June 2004 issue that will be around for a long time as evening reading. The cover was a "grabber" of note. Taste is in the eye of the beholder, as they say, and my instant reaction to the decorated Caspian-retro 1911 was...

The zen of skillets.(Speak out: your forum to pontificate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... In the "Yin and Yang of Mark Morris" article (May/June 2004) top of page 110: What's a "Ying"? Bubba Via e-mail Bubba, "Ying" is the opposite of "Yang" and is the sound you get when your wife bashes your head with one of those...

Peculiar taste.(Speak out: your forum to pontificate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... Just when I thought this magazine couldn't possibly cater more to my peculiar taste--first with a Damascus/Titanium 1911 (May/June 2003), then Larry Vicker's retro parkerized GI 1911 (March/April 2004), now the editor shares his deepest,...

Complaining morons.(Speak out: your forum to pontificate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... The Cobra Gunskin ad is so good you should run it for free. Run it full page and ill color. Stop running letters from morons complaining and you will have lots of space to ran more Cobra Gunskin ads. H. Phillips Via e-mail In...

Loves those ads.(Speak out: your forum to pontificate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... With the great ads like "Gunskin" (with Yana) and Karambit's "Sharp Curves Ahead" and the great "Guncrank diaries" with John Conner--I'll be signing up for another year! Brad Via e-mail Yana rules! I'd have to say she looks just...

Dubious accuracy.(Speak out: your forum to pontificate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... The May/June 2004 issue has prompted me to make a statement concerning misdirected political word slinging. That issue contained four uses of the word "liberal" in socio-political context and each one was of dubious accuracy. It appears in...

Wifely duty.(Speak out: your forum to pontificate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... You know you're gonna catch nine-kinds-of-hell for that one! I'm talking about the www.Karambit.com ad. So in light of the responses I know you're going to get, I wanted to pass along mine. When I showed the ad to my wife for her "review" she...

We ain't sophisticated.(Speak out: your forum to pontificate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... The next time someone espouses sophistication, clobber them with. "The effete sorcery of sophistry is fallacious." (Walt Kelly). And. if they object when you notice a pretty lady. whop them upside the head with scripture: "To the pure, all...

TV bias.(Speak out: your forum to pontificate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... In the May/June 2004 issue, Massad Ayoob tells of "The Andrew Patti Incident" where Patti scares-off the two teenagers by showing the killers his Glock handgun. Those same two later murdered Dartmouth professors Susanne and Half Zantop. On...

Taffin tops.(Speak out: your forum to pontificate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... Please pass on my personal thanks to John Taffin for the good test-review on the BFR .480 from Magnum Research (March/April 2004). By some coincidence I was vacillating between "Go and No-Go" with regard to buying one of them. His article will...

Sex sells?(Speak out: your forum to pontificate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... This is the first time I have ever written to any gun magazine and have been reading them for 18 years. Yours is the best. But since you have taken over as editor, the magazine has changed. We hope you will refrain from letting ads that have...

First timers.(Speak out: your forum to pontificate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... This is the first issue of American Handgunner I've seen (May/June 2004)--darn. I was dropping off a film in our local grocery store and stopped at the book rack. The beautiful engraved 1911 on the cover caught my eye. The beautiful gal in the...

Something for nothing.(Speak out: your forum to pontificate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... I've always been a person who believes you get what you pay for but with Marc Morganti and Gemini Customs you get far more than you pay for. When I first saw your ad for Gemini Customs, it was unbelievably affordable for the work, almost too...

Handy widgets.(Pistolsmithing: the inside scoop on pistolsmithing techniques)
July 1, 2004... Philadelphia company, PI Incorporated, has come up with a cool fixture that sells for $99.50 and will help you install dovetail sights on any number of semiauto slides. It won't dent or mar the fragile sight dovetail and the Delrin ,jaws keep...

Blowed-up pistols.(Pistolsmithing: the inside scoop on pistolsmithing techniques)
July 1, 2004... When you run an active gun shop you get to see a lot of handguns damaged after having been dropped, shot out of battery, fired with an obstruction in the bore or fired with a big overload of powder. In all of the cases I have seen the shooter...

Unhappy Glock.(Pistolsmithing: the inside scoop on pistolsmithing techniques)
July 1, 2004... These blow-ups are always interesting to inspect so I thought you might like to see one. The Glock pictured is a Model 35 in .40 S&W. It was brought into my shop by an experienced shooter who wanted an analysis of exactly what happened. The...

Langdon's SIG magic.(Winning edge: solid advice to keep you ahead of the competition)
July 1, 2004... Ernest Langdon has been a top practical shooting competitor since winning his first national title in 1998. Previously he was a U.S. Marine; and his duties included instructing at scout-sniper school and the Marine's high-risk personnel...

World-Class handgun champion and SWAT trainer reveals little-known shooting secrets that will save your life if you ever use your gun in self-defense! This is your chance to experience self-defense & weapons training at the highest level available.(Advertisement)
July 1, 2004... This elite "training course" explains everything you need to know to survive and fight successfully in virtually any hostile confrontation that you're likely to find yourself in. Taking the exact same skills Ben Cooley teaches to big-city...

"Dude-amatics" and cowboy foolishness.(Handloading: sage advice from the handloading guru)
July 1, 2004... I know recoil is not our friend but you simply have to have some to push a bullet down a barrel. I have always been an advocate for moderate loads, regardless of the cartridge, but even moderation can be taken too far. Cowboy shooting is...

Hodgdon warning.(Handloading: sage advice from the handloading guru)
July 1, 2004... Hodgdon has issued a warning, about an error in .45 Colt data in their latest Annual Manual. Loads shown with Longshot for Hornady 250 gr. XTP and 300 gr. Sierra JFP are excessive and meant only for use in Ruger and other strong guns. They are...

How stupid is this?(Hand oading: sage advice from the handloading guru)
July 1, 2004... When I got home I pulled a couple of the bullets and found a charge of 3.5 grains of an unknown flake powder under a 150 gr. cast bullet. To give you an idea of how really bad this is, my normal .45 Colt load is 5.5 gr. of Tite-group with a 250...

Ninja-fied.(Guncrank diaries: excuses, alibis, pithy observations & general ephus)
July 1, 2004... And this is our new Ninja Warrior model," the factory rep burbled. It looked like a black 1911A1 to me. I started pickin' around the grips and magazine well with my fingernails. "Uh, Mr. Connor," he asked, "What are you looking for?" ...

New Year's Eve fireworks: the Ann Leybourne incident.(The Ayoob Files)
July 1, 2004... Situation: The serial rapist has made his first and last mistake: he has chosen an armed victim tonight. Lesson: Surprise favors the victim who knows how to fight back, and if he's close enough to take your gun, you're close enough to take...

Double action angst.(Tactical advantage: tips and training on tactics, guns and equipment)
July 1, 2004... For decades the traditional wisdom has been you can't shoot a DA auto pistol as well as a single action. Champions of the 1911 pistol routinely proclaim the superb single action trigger/sear release of the Government Model pistol is one of the...

Cop-proof action?(Tactical advantage: tips and training on tactics, guns and equipment)
July 1, 2004... When the police officer has his own choice, he almost always selects a DA/SA model. Because his ability to shoot his sidearm well is a key factor in his survival, he takes every advantage. Which action is best seems to come down to...

Langdon learned.(Tactical advantage: tips and training on tactics, guns and equipment)
July 1, 2004... At the 2003 IDPA National Championships Ernest Langdon won CDP Division shooting a SIG P220 .45 ACP pistol. It's my opinion that IDPA is the most realistic of pistol competition disciplines, and the use of a practical sidearm is the rule....

1911 Mil-Specs from Springfield Armory: a "super-super" and a "fine .45".(Taffin tests: the sixgunner himself: guns, gear and more)
July 1, 2004... After attending a Springfield Armory writer's event, I asked for several models to be shipped back to me for some serious testing. Cold weather had put a chilly end to much of the shooting at the event. Two of the guns ordered were Springfield...

The ins & outs of better shooting.(Sharp Shooter)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2004... English supplement improves vision and allows you to pick up, focus, and lock in on moving objects faster than you ever thought possible. Recently, I received this letter from Brian Howe of Richmond, VA. Sharpshooter: A couple of...

Barbecues & picatinney rails.(Handgun leather: from classics to cutting-edge in carry methods)
July 1, 2004... I've never been one to favor black, green, cammo, plastic, advanced hydrocarbon, injection molded, firearm carrying devices. I've always been partial to real leather. The mingled smell of tanned leather and dyes used to color it are like the...

Enlightenment.(Handgun leather: from classics to cutting-edge in carry methods)
July 1, 2004... Epiphany occurred when I met Chuck Buis at the recent SHOT show in Las Vegas. He showed me his new design for Blackhawk Products Group, the Close Quarters Concealed Carry Carbon Fiber SERPA holster. Say that three times fast. This patented...

About the election.(Cop talk: opinion and facts from the mean streets)
July 1, 2004... The upcoming Presidential election is shaping up as a replay of four years ago. For gun owners civil rights advocates, the re-election of President Bush is an obvious necessity. Less obvious is the fact Bush is also a much better choice on...

Assault weapon sunset.(Cop talk: opinion and facts from the mean streets)
July 1, 2004... The nation's more than half-million cops have good reason to want the "Assault Weapons" ban to sunset this year. Under its provisions, they can keep their LEO (law enforcement only) high capacity magazines only until they retire, then they may...

Serious issues.(Cop talk: opinion and facts from the mean streets)
July 1, 2004... Following the Clinton model, Kerry made a big deal during this campaign of taking an entourage of reporters with him while he hunted upland birds, using what appeared to be a side-by-side double barrel shotgun of unmentioned manufacture....

The big 3.(Reality check: first-person thoughts on surviving in the real world)
July 1, 2004... This year I had the opportunity to attend the Shooting and Hunting Outdoor Trade (SHOT) show held in Las Vegas. All of you are familiar with the normal run down of new products by many of the attending writers, and since I am not really a gun...

The two best lines I heard at the SHOT show.(Reality check: first-person thoughts on surviving in the real world)
July 1, 2004... While standing at the Colt booth, Shooting Times Classic Arms editor Mike Venturino asked about a .32-20 Colt Single Action Army revolver. The boob at the counter blows him off with a: "We've never heard of you... who are you?" Let's see, if...

The one stupidest thing I saw at SHOT.(Reality check: first-person thoughts on surviving in the real world)
July 1, 2004... A booth-babe leaning over the display counter blahing about whatever to some other booth babes while the company-displayed pistol in the rack is pointing through the counter, aimed at her groin. There she stands, muzzle at the "groin-ready"...

Mike Voigt on the speedload.(Better Shooting)
July 1, 2004... At a 1990 match near Reno, Nev., the organizers had an El Prez side match, unlimited runs for a buck each. I recall watching Mike Voigt, after a few warm-up runs, post a time of around 3.6 seconds, one or two points down. Voigt's reloads were...

Blunders.(Handgun hunting: tips, techniques and political incorrectness)
July 1, 2004... Occasionally my highly esteemed editor comes up with a good column idea. Here goes with some of "The things I see being done wrong" quite a lot. Quite probably the #1 screw-up inexperienced hunters make while hunting with a guide is not...

Optical oddities.(Handgun hunting: tips, techniques and political incorrectness)
July 1, 2004... It's true you can't shoot any better than you can see. However a beginner is often very discouraged by selecting a scope with far too much power (often a high powered variable) and attempting to use it by looking through the scope and then...

Anatomy 101.(Handgun hunting: tips, techniques and political incorrectness)
July 1, 2004... Failure to learn the anatomy of the animal, shooting for center of mass, simply pulling the trigger when the animal is in the scope and becoming fascinated by the rack are all common faults. "I had him in the scope" and "I couldn't take my eyes...

The first K-frame: S&W'S military & police model.(The Sixgunner)
July 1, 2004... From 1869 until 1941 and the start of World War II, a seesaw battle occurred between Colt and Smith & Wesson. Smith & Wesson was the first manufacturer to bring out a practical, big bore, cartridge firing sixgun with their Model #3 American in...

Lilliputian-style elegance: NAA's pocket rocket guardians.
July 1, 2004... It'd be easy if they weren't so damn appealing. Just like miniature ponies, scale model airplanes and Mini-Coopers, cool, tiny things simply make you want to go all wiggly and goo-goo. They may be "mouseguns" but gads, they're hard to resist....

Can you say recoil? This .44 mag 'lite' delivers the goods at both ends!(Smith & Wesson's 329 PD)
July 1, 2004... One of the perennial questions that just keeps going around is, "What handgun should I carry for protection in bear country?" The last two words are spoken in bold italics to indicate their weighty importance which is right up there with, "Do...

Passing gas: one man's journey toward air-gun Nirvana.(Too Cool For Kids!)
July 1, 2004... Snortin' hard enough to suck up yogurt, I said "Yeah, right. Me and air pistols? Then I'll ride down the street on a little pink Barbie-Bike, the one with the dangly-flutteries on the handlebars." The editor, His Royness, looked like he was...

Future force! Knifemaker Mike Snody slices the envelope!
July 1, 2004... The history of the knife is an intriguing one dating hack to simple flint tools knapped by prehistoric man. Every bit as interesting is seeing how some custom knifemakers interpret the older knife designs, while others morph them into cutting...

Slick factory Snodys.
July 1, 2004... There's excellent news for those who would like to pick up a Mike Snody design without the custom knife price pinch. Two of the nation's finest production knife companies, Spyderco and Benchmade, have collaborated with the knifemaker to come up...

MEU (SOC) 1911. 45: the legend lives in the hands of today's marines.
July 1, 2004... This pistol is the same one some friend/acquaintance/annoyance has probably told you he knows most certainly, positively, and absolutely does not exist--a current issue US military single stack 1911.45 ACP automatic pistol. But it does exist....

The .72 magnum: the ultimate crew-served handgun.(Cover Story)
July 1, 2004... I absolutely detest poisonous snakes. And, it would appear I'm not the first human in history to be of this opinion. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for being a good steward of the environment but it seems to me the world would have been just fine...

Big bad .50: guncrafter brings a whole new meaning to the term 'thumper'.
July 1, 2004... Fifty caliber handguns aren't new. We've got the .50 Action Express which has been around a long lime but doesn't really seem to have much of a following these days. My guess is the gun is largely responsible for the interest, since the Desert...

Bruin medicine .475: the 'number 7' Bear Gun.
July 1, 2004... Yes, I confess it. In the deepest recesses of most of our minds lurks that movie that plays at times having to do with "our adventure" in the backwoods. I have it. You have it too, if you're willing to be honest. It generally goes something...

How to do it: one man's adventure.
July 1, 2004... This isn't about preparing a list of how many shirts and socks to pack. Planning the gear you take is important on any hunt, particularly one to Alaska. You're going after an animal capable of killing you and is very much inclined to do just...

How fast is fast? Gentleman Jerry Miculek tackles McGivern's record.
July 1, 2004... A lot of guys like me grew up with awesome respect for the feats of Ed McGivern. Legendary is the only word that fits. I remember those grainy black and white movies of the short squat man in the big hat and the five shots that sounded almost...

Bowling for Columbine--Part I.(Gun Rights)
July 1, 2004... Filmmaker Michael Moore's Bowling for Columbine won an Oscar for Best Documentary of 2002. If, like me, you have avoided seeing this because you have heard Moore is anti-gun or can't stand his particular form of film "journalism," I recommend...

Win this 'Pac-Lite upper-receiver combo kit!
July 1, 2004... Tactical Solutions' "Pac-Lite" is an ultra-lightweight receiver/barrel assembly for the Roger MKI, MKII and the .22/45 semi-automatic pistols. The Pac-Lite is available in 3", 4.5", 6", 8.5" and 10" bull barrel lengths, as well as a 4.5" bull...

Tactical box openers? Hardly!(Check It Out)
July 1, 2004... There's nothing like a little teamwork when it comes to making quality knives. Buck Knives decided to collaborate with Strider Knives to produce the new 882 SBT Police Utility Knife. This bad-boy has a 3 1/2" partially serrated, drop point...

Hipsters.(Speak out: your forum to pontificate, ponder and probe)
July 1, 2004... I've been a subscriber to your fine publication for over three years now and I'm more and more impressed with the quality of your magazine with each issue I receive. I've even hooked my father in-law on your well-crafted workmanship. But what I...

Ed Brown mainspring housings.(Gunnysack)
July 1, 2004... One of shooting's great mysteries involves the mainspring housing of the Government Model pistol, The one on the original 1911 was flat but when we got to the 1911A1 it became arched. For years you could order a Colt either way. Today...

Zeiss Scopz shooting glasses.(Gunnysack)
July 1, 2004... Anyone who fires even a single gunshot should use ear and eye protection. And when it comes to our eyes only the best should do. I'm sure everyone knows about the beautiful scopes and binoculars made by Carl Zeiss Optical but they are also a...

Spyderco D'Allara rescue knife.(Gunnysack)
July 1, 2004... In the aftermath of 9/11 Spyderco won the hearts of many members of FDNY and NYPD by sending a large number of rescue knives to help those working at Ground Zero. Then they issued a very special knife adorned with a piece of steel taken from...

Kimber conversion unit.(Gunnysack)
July 1, 2004... A few issues ago we told you about the Kimber Rimfire Target .22 caliber pistol. Now the top half--with a few changes--is available as a conversion unit that will fit most Government Model pistols. Mechanically it's the same with the exception...

Lasergrip for the S&W 643 J-Frame.(Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Crimson Trace/Smith & Wesson Smith and Wesson is now making its popular 642 J-Frame revolver available with Crimson Truce Lasergrips from the factory. The Lasergrips on this hammerless, compact revolver will sport the legendary S&W...

Magazine & Handcuff case.(Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Fobus USA The latest Fobus innovation is the new Magazine and Handcuff pouch to accommodate magazines used in Glock Models 20/21 and 29/30. The entire unit weighs less than 2oz and is perfect addition to the Fobus on-duty/concealment line....

The Seeker Handheld Metal Detector.(Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Mogul Company, LLC Mogul Company, LLC, makers of the Life Jacket, now introduces The Seeker Handheid Metal Detector. The Seeker Plus and the SeekerOne are tailored towards security and law enforcement applications but have many civilian...

Hybrid[TM] snap-on holster.(Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Hoffner Holsters Out of Hoffner's factory comes a new breed of holsters, part kydex, part leather, and all performance. The masters of leather and kydex ore making a Kydex hoister that is extremely fast with its low cut front, and holds...

Mitylite[TM] Plus 2AA LED.(Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Pelican has added the MityLite[TM] Plus 2AA LED to its popular LED Series. This is one of Pelican's longest burning lights and with 10,000 hours of lamp life, you no longer have to spend extra money on replacement lamps and batteries....

CZ 2075 RAMI sub compact.(Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... CZ-USA CZ-USA is pleased to announce the release of the CZ 2075 RAMI sub compact semi automatic based on the proven CZ 75 line of pistols. The trigger operates in selective DA and SA mode depending on the shooter's preference. Several...

Mr. Softy Holster.(Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... High Noon Hoisters O.K. guys, an immature Viagra jokes on this. The Mr. Softy Holster as the name implies is a soft shell Inside the Waistband holster that molds itself to your handgun providing extra retention security. Mr. Softy features...

Sword canes.(Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Burger Knives The Burger Knives 2004 line of sword canes has increased to include the Mark 6 in a beautiful Sadele Mahogany shaft. The Slim Line MK4 comes with a new look turned titanium handle and integrated release button. The folks at...

Field Tweezers.(Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... A.G. Russell Knives This is one of those gizmos that fails under the "Dang, why didn't I think of that?" category. The A.G. Russell Field Tweezers are so well loved by our troops that Stormin Norman Schwarzkopf once said of them, "These...

G-Line light adjusting shooting eyewear.(Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Wiley X Eyewear Those wiley folks at Wiley X have come out with the G-Line LA (light adjusting) lenses that change the strength of each shooting tint based on the amount of sun exposure to the eye. This is truly a break through in target...

The California Auto.(Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... California Knives California Knives presents the "California Auto" by Visalia Manufacturing Inc. It's convenient, compact, end 100% American Made. The one-handed operation makes it a natural for the outdoors and sporting industry and with...

P500 Universal Sight Tool.(Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... PI, Inc. Not every item we put in Spotlight is purdy but it always must be useful. The P500 Universal Sight Tool fits that bill. A low cost, light weight, rugged sight tool that removes/installs/adjusts almost all dovetailed front and rear...

External extractor slide.(Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Pistol Dynamics Pistol Dynamics is now offering for sale its external extractor slide assemblies. Available in all traditional slide lengths and 1911 compatible cooler fire cartridges (including .45ACP, .40S&W, 10mm, .38 Super, 9mm, etc)....

The Terminator holster.(Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... DeSantis Gunhide Look out Ahhhnold, the DeSantis Terminator has rolled in to town to take your place. This Bandoleer Shoulder Holster was developed for dangerous game and quick access. The thick foam padded bandoleer strap even takes the...

Add it up.(Insider)
July 1, 2004... 348 Union workers locked-out by Colt in April 2004. 1,000 Colt workers who walked off the job into a 4-year strike in 1986 190,000 Words of gun-crime stories on ABC, CBS and NBC news in 2001. 0 Words covering anytime a gun was...

Shot silliness.(Insider)
July 1, 2004... Speaking of SHOT show, we saw a few semi interesting things. Ichi insists this is NOT his new Bianchi Cup pistol, but we have our suspicions. The brown 1911 is STI's new "UPS" model. Okay, just kidding, but if UPS had a pistol, we'll bet STI...

Handgunner advice.(Insider)
July 1, 2004... Handgunner Advice: "Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night."

A seriously lost diamondback.(Insider)
July 1, 2004... This is a genuine photo of a genuine Colt, recovered from a "box a guns" found in Iraq. It was slated to be issued to cop-trainees there. If only guns could talk, I'll bet there's a story there someplace.

It's a big little knife.(Insider)
July 1, 2004... How about this cool miniature S&W revolver and tiny William Henry knife? And, if you believe that, I've got a bridge for sale. Actually, what your brain is trying to make sense of is a Chinese-made "biggie-sized" folder that's a rip-off of a...

Diamonds are our friend.(More Cool Things)
July 1, 2004... Eze-Lap has been making sharpening stuff for years but the other day I was reminded yet again why diamond hones are the way to go. I had a custom knife with about a 65 Rockwell edge. I ground away on a standard stone and then tried a new...