nick lefort
208 articles

Nick LeFort

Title: Contributing Writer
Email: ragged@rmkw.net
Location: Middletown, Connecticut, USA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nlefortrv/

Expertise

  • Topics of Expertise: Hiking, Backpacking, Camping, Knives and Tools, Knifemaking, Mechanical Engineering, Product Development, Marketing Strategy, Roof Racks and Accessories, Off-Roading, Overlanding, Being a dad
  • Years of Expertise: 25+

Education and Certifications

  • Education: Bachelor of Arts in English and Creative Writing, Minors in Native American Studies and American History
  • Years of Writing: 25
  • Certifications: SolidWorks Certified Mechanical Design Professional, Cicerone Certified Beer Server
  • Clubs or Association Memberships: Overland Bound, Member #2183
  • Awards or Recognitions: Being a father to two of the most amazing people on the planet
  • Previous Publications: Gear Institute

A Word From Nick LeFort

I am a contributing writer for GearJunkie and make guest appearances in a handful of other outdoor and craft beer publications. I am also the author of my own blog, The Tribe of Flannel, and part-owner of Ragged Mountain Knife Works.

I have been writing for over 30 years but spent 10 years writing professionally about knives and tools, off-roading, overlanding, and outdoor living. Prior to GearJunkie, I was the Director of Knife and Tool Testing for Gear Institute.

Based in Connecticut, I am an avid wanderer and love spending as much time as possible in the outdoors with my two daughters. That includes doing my best to find all the best muddy ruts throughout New England to see if I can ever get my 4th Gen 4Runner stuck. So far, so good.

In 2017, I helped open a brewery in Connecticut and am an avid supporter of local breweries and helping them market themselves successfully in a real bear of a market.


a woman holds the CRKT Biwa knife

Purified Water on the Go, Just Add Salt: Aqua Research H2gO Global Purifier Review

GM ACE Jagt - Nessmuk

Ankylo knife

Longbeard Taken with HE508T X2

Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T Tires

WE Knife Co. OAO knife

1620 Workwear Double Knee Utility Pant 2.0 - Carry

SOG-Tellus-FX-design

Move Over MagnaCut: Old-School ‘Steroid Steel’ Makes the GiantMouse Biblio XL a Knockout

Cook With Heat, Not Fire: Fire Maple Sunflower Stove Review

Classic Tomahawk, Modern Chops: TOPS Hammer Hawk Review

CRKT Padawan knife review

Off-Grid, Overland, in Case of Emergency: Dakota Powerbox+ 60 Review

Part Hatchet, Part Machete, All-Purpose Camp Tool: Silky Saws NATA Outback Edition Review

Legendary Knife Designer Hits (Another) Home Run: Ritter RSK Mk1-G2 Review

durston x-mid 1 tent buried in snow

Classic Steel Finds Perfect Match in Modern Design: Arcform Slimfoot Automatic Knife Review

CIVIVI Sendy Review

BearBolts allow you to bear-proof your bear-resistant cooler

knaf lander 2

Cut the Cord and Get Lost — This Solar-Powered GPS Lasts Forever: Garmin eTrex Solar Review

Bushcraft-Ready Folding Knife From the Land of Trolls: Helle Bleja Review

Garmin Foretrex 801

CRKT MinimalX

Big, Fat, Beautiful Beast: Sniper Bladeworks TOG Folding Knife Review

Wuben X3 flashlight & the whole kit and kaboodle

Benchmade’s Freek 560-03 knife

CRKT Pursue knife displayed on top of small branches

JMT 25l backpack; (photo/Nick LeFort)