A new stand-alone novel from the acclaimed author of the Engineer Trilogy and The Company. Basso the Magnificent. Basso the Great. Basso the Wise. The First Citizen of the Vesani Republic is an extraordinary man. He is ruthless, cunning, and above all, lucky. He brings wealth, power and prestige to his people. But with power comes unwanted attention, and Basso must defend his nation and himself from threats foreign and domestic. In a lifetime of crucial decisions, he's only ever made one mistake. One mistake, though, can be enough.

PACKED WITH OVER 50 POCKET KNIFE TRICKS, IDEAS, AND ACTIVITIES, FROM FUN GAMES AND PROJECTS TO BADASS FIGHTING MOVES AND SURVIVAL TIPS.You should never be without a trusty pocket knife, nor should you lack the skills to wield it properly and with purpose. The Guy’s Guide to Pocket Knives is sure to sharpen your skills and hone your appreciation for the pocket knife with nostalgic, humorous and informative sections on:• History and Evolution• Blade Types and Uses• Sharpening Guides• Games and Pastimes• Whittling Projects• Outdoor Survival Skills• Throwing Techniques

Steven Dick, the author, has worked with practically every form of folding knife currently available. If you need a handy little pocketknife, check out the chapter on "slipjointed folders under 4 inches closed". From the Classic American Barlow to exotic folders, The Working Folding Knife has it all.

Take your knifemaking skills to the next level and create your own folding knife with back-lock design. The fit, combination, and variety of shapes of each knife are always a new challenge and presented here in clear, easy-to-understand, step-by-step instructions.Illustrated instructions and 236 color images are provided for all stages of the knife's construction, from creating a template, to making the blade and locking mechanism, to making the bolster. Basic principles and technical solutions are also offered, as are instructions for creating and working with your own designs.

As elegant as they are practical, pocket knives have long been considered essential equipment for a gentleman. No cleverly programmed app is able to open blister packages, peel a pear, or cut off a thread hanging from a seam. Revealed are the most beautiful pocket knives from old standards of past generations such as Boker, Puma, Forge de Laguiole, Saladini, Case, Great Eastern Cutlery, and Queen Cutlery to the more modern Claude Dozorme, Neptunia, Fantoni, and Rockstead. Interesting facts about the history and technology of pocket knives add to an assortment of stylish and striking pocket knives that anyone can cut into.

Folding knife mechanisms, explanation and illustrations on how they work. Switchblade, assisted opener, slipjoint, friction folder, and many more. Profiles of some knife inventors and makers. Discussion on materials, fabrication and other topics of interest on pocket knife mechanisms.