“It is with a heavy heart that I write to tell you that Blackie Collins passed away [July 20] around noon Eastern time,” Mike Manrose of Meyerco informed many in the knife industry yesterday via an e-mail. He said Blackie’s wife, Jane, was riding also but was not involved in the accident. “She has asked that we keep her in our prayers during this very difficult time,” Manrose noted. “We are very saddened at the loss of an industry icon, a prolific designer and most of all, a friend.”
For the past few years, Blackie had designed a number of knives for Meyerco.
Blackie was known for any number of different knives, knife materials and knife mechanisms, including the assisted opener, the first use of thermoplastic for knife handles (Gerber LST), the Bolt Action lock and much more. He also invented a number of sheath mechanisms for the diving knife industry.
Details on services for Blackie were pending as of this writing.
Blackie had set up a profile here on Blademag.com only a week ago. If you’d like to pay your respects, click here to leave a message on his page.
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