I had the chance to sit down with Dallas, Buyer and Brand Manager, over at Blade HQ. He is always outside, finding new ways to explore the world, and I heard rumors that he took his Arcade® Lite on every one of those adventures. So naturally, I had to talk to him.
What do you like about the Arcade Lite?
It's funny, because before the Arcade came out, I modified every Spyderco and Benchmade I ever bought. I was always adding and swapping parts out. Once the OG Arcade came out, I instantly loved it. I could make it my own by swapping out whatever I wanted. Then the Arcade Lite released. I don't know but something was different about it for me. Maybe the name "Lite," and my favorite color is purple. The green color also pops really well.
Overall, it's easy to carry. It's super light, slim, and fits in your pocket nicely. The functionality of the knife is great, I can use it when I'm hiking. And in the wintertime, I always have gloves or mittens on, and I can operate the knife as normal. You know, with the Shark Lock and the thumb stud. It's super accessible and easy to use in so many situations.
People have asked to borrow knives before. I don't worry about them hurting themselves using it or trying to close it.
I was just in Havasupai Falls and I took three different knives with me. But the only knife that really got used and was carried was the Arcade Lite. It's been to the top of Mount Timpanogos. It's been to Nebo. It's been to Spanish Fork Peak, Santaquin Peak, Loafer, and a bunch of other places up north. I mean, that's the knife that goes on all the hikes with me.
I have multiple different knives that I have a choice of carrying, ranging from the $10 range up to unlawful prices, but for whatever reason, the Arcade Lite always shows up in my pocket.
What other knives do you carry?
I'm trying to think of what's sitting on my nightstand right now that I rotate through... the Arcade Lite is always there. The TRM Atom is one that's in my pocket often. It kind of fights for the top spot. I usually choose a couple different TRM knives. There's the Spyderco PM2 that I've tricked out with Flytanium parts. That's about it.
Any situations where the Arcade Lite came in clutch for you?
Absolutely. There was a cow up the canyon that was wound up in some twine or something. My hiking buddy saw it and we stopped to help. Before we could do anything though, we had to distract the mom because she was losing it. I raised cows as a kid, and I told my buddy to keep her away while I got the calf out. He said, "I don't know what to do with a cow..." I told him to just wave his arms. If she charges, get out of the way. It's not that hard. We ended up getting the calf out.
Not about me, but I bought an Arcade Lite for my nephew as gift, and he ended up taking it with him on a few deer and duck hunts. On one of the trips, he forgot his hunting and skinning knife, so he used the Arcade Lite to completely dress out a deer.
Another time, I was carrying the Arcade Lite when I helped fix the radiator hose for a sweet couple at a gas station. I had to cut the end of the hose off and stick it back on so they could get to the mechanic. It definitely came in handy for me.
Oh also! I gave an Arcade Lite to a rodeo clown. I was up north at a rodeo, and I had the purple one on me. I was walking past the pens, and the clown was doubling as a horse groomer. I was walking past while he was trying to cut some rope on something they rigged. I let him borrow it to do the job and he loved the purple. I was like, "Well, you can have it." He's like, "What?" So, there's some random rodeo clown traveling the U.S. with the purple Arcade Lite.
But overall, just little daily things mostly. It does all the little things. For me, the ergonomics on it, I have wide hands and the handle fits great. The blade length is perfect. The thumb stud and Shark Lock make it easy. And it doesn't protrude in your pocket.
The Pocket Knife of Choice
Dallas was fun to talk to and could have gone on and on about his adventures, with knives as his companions. Let's just say the Arcade Lite is his go-to EDC for everything he does.
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