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Writer · knives & outdoor gear
Travis Smola
Travis Smola is a knife and outdoor writer from southwest Michigan. A childhood interest sparked by a Swiss Army-style knife grew into years of using and evaluating knives, alongside hunting, fishing and camping gear.
He graduated from Western Michigan University with a journalism degree in 2013. His bylines include Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, GearJunkie and Wide Open Spaces. His Knife Informer articles cover outdoor blades, knife materials and buying advice.
Selected articles
Outdoor knives
Best Bushcraft Knives
Blade, steel and handling differences for carving, camp chores and heavier woodwork.
Blade materials
Best MagnaCut Knives
A selection of knives using MagnaCut, across different designs and uses.
Knife makers
40 Years with Fällkniven
The Swedish maker’s background and approach to survival and hunting knives.
