Northern invasion! A look at talented Canadian knifemakers Greg Lightfoot and Brain Tighe

Guns Magazine, August, 2003 by Pat Covert

Although the storm to prominence of the tactical folder over the past half decade can be attributed in most part to U.S. custom knifemakers, a couple of talented bladesmiths from north of our border have offered up a blitzkrieg of their own. Canadians Greg Lightfoot and Brian Tighe (pronounced "tie") have carved out a nice slice of the tactical folder market, and the duo show no signs of stopping.

If one needed proof that appearances don't count for much, look no farther than these two knifemakers. Greg Lightfoot -- replete with shaved head and muscular physique -- fits the part of a clean-cut commando from central casting. An expert in martial arts and edged weapons combat, Lightfoot's knife designs reflect the fluidity found in the controlled motion often seen in Asian weaponry.

Tighe, on the other hand, could easily be mistaken for a history professor. Wire rimmed spectacles, corkscrew shoulder length hair and a casual demeanor further add to the veneer. Ironically, his designs have a much edgier, more wicked quality about them than those of good friend and counterpart Lightfoot.

There is one huge similarity that runs parallel with both Canadians. Both are among the top tactical folder designers in the custom market today. Indeed, both Greg Lightfoot and Brian Tighe would make many experts' top ten list among all tac-folder artisans.

Lightfoot Enlightens

While any custom knifemaker can sit down and sketch out a simple design, very few can do it with Lightfoot's savvy. There is a difference between simple and insightful, and the latter is where this knifemaker excels. All of Lightfoot's knife designs -- fixed blade or folder -- have an unmistakable flow throughout their form from tip to base, While some look at a knife as the sum of its parts, Lightfoot looks at a knife as one piece, sculpted to perfection.

At 41 years of age, Lightfoot has accomplished more than many custom knifemakers do in an entire career. He's been considered a member of the elite top ten tactical knifemakers for half a decade and has his designs replicated by two major cutlery manufacturers.

Raised on a ranch in Alberta, Canada, Greg adopted a love for hunting at an early age and he credits his outdoor experiences for his love of knives, He spent his early job career as a machinist by trade, which prepped the way for his understanding of metallurgy and shaping steel. Throw in a passion for bodybuilding and deep interest -- and training -- in martial arts and it's easy to see how all these ingredients forged his mettle as a custom knifemaker.

Lightfoot designs both fixed blades and folders. He offers his customers a wide variety of steels, but his top choice is BG42, an American-made stainless steel originally used in high-speed ball bearings. According to Greg, "I like BG-42 best because of its all-around capabilities. It has excellent edge-holding capabilities, is very corrosion resistant and finishes well." A satin finish is standard on all of Lightfoot's knives but for those who prefer the darkness of night, he offers a black powdercoating as well. For handle materials, the knifemaker leans toward the more durable synthetics such as G-10 (a fiberglass lay-up) and carbon fiber.

Fixed Blades And Folders

Greg's latest tour-de-force fixed blade is 10-inches of cutting delight dubbed the Operative, a knife which may best be described as a double-edged B-2 stealth bomber in mid-flight. This knife is typical of Lightfoot's well-planned designs. A lengthy handle with double finger grooves allows the user the grip option of either choking up on the knife for slicing and dicing or gripping it using only the lower finger choil for heavy duty chopping. The 4.75-inch modified drop point blade is recurved for maximum slice and ground razor-sharp on the backside to add more puncture power.

It is tactical folders, however, that are Lightfoot's main thrust. His knack for clean-yet-powerful design put hint on the map, traits clearly seen in his more recent Max Velocity model. The Velocity's 3.25-inch blade, with its gracefully curved edge and deep hollow grind are poetry in steel. There is no departure in the handle either, just graceful curves that compliment the blade with both synchronicity and function. Smooth actions and sturdy liner-lock mechanisms for fixing the blade firmly in the open position are the Lightfoot norm. All of the knifemaker's folders come with a pocket clip as well.

At 7.5 inches overall, the Max Velocity is sized right where you want it -- small enough to carry with ease and stealth, but large enough to handle both field and combat chores. Titanium liners cut down the Velocity's weight, and it can be had in two base levels: the standard model with titanium bolsters and a lower priced "Black Widow" version with 100 percent carbon fiber scales and black powder-coated blade.

More aggressive styling can be seen in Lightfoot's .458 Magnum model. The knife's 3.25-inch Japanese tanto-inspired blade has the tenacious styling found in the knifemaker's Zambezi collaboration with Timberline Knives (see sidebar). A short sabre grind on the backside of the blade improves its puncture power: a notched thumb ramp improves the grip. The Magnum opens up to 7.75 inches in length, with over four inches of that in a pugnacious handle stylistically befitting the business end of the knife. Once again, titanium bolsters and liners are standard.