BLADE Staff

Each week, we’ll pick one member of Knife Showcase to be the Knifemaker/Knife Company of the Week. These members will be featured around the site. We encourage everyone to connect with these members.
To start things off, Emerson Knives is the Knife Showcase Knifemaker of the Week for Oct. 18. Although Emerson Knives is most known for its line of tactical blades, knife enthusiasts may be surprised by all the other products and services the company offers.

Click here to connect with Emerson Knives on its Knife Showcase page.

The latest BLADE®—the January 2011 issue—is on most newsstands as of today, and the knives and swords therein are among the best the industry has to offer.

In chronological order, the custom and factory makers with knives covered editorially in the issue include:

Joe Olson’s “It’s Only Rock And Roll” folder on the cover; Darrel Ralph; CAS Hanwei; Albion; Spyderco; Ontario; Dakota; and knifemaking equipment and supplies from Tormach, Wood Lab, Halpern Titanium, Knives Plus, Kayne and Son, Hawkins Knifemaking Supplies, Midwest Knifemakers Supply, Giraffe Bone, Burr King, Jantz, Bohler Uddeholm, Knife & Gun Finishing Supplies and Sheffield Knifemakers Supply.

Also: Dee Hedges; Benchmade; Meyerco; Gerber; Pro-Tech; Jeff Harkins; Terry Vandeventer; John White; Jim Batson; Harry Mathews; Jerry Fisk; Warren Thomas; Johnny Stout; Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© member Rudy Ruana; A.G. Russell Knives; a John LeBlanc belt grinder; EdgeCraft sharpener; Tom Ploppert; Les Voorhies; Leatherman Tool; Busse Combat Knife Co.; Mick Penfold; Wild Boar Blades; John Cohea sheathmaking DVD; and Surface Strike Management.

Also: Bill Ruple; David Sloan; Sean O’Hare; Jason Brous; David Brodziak; Tai Goo; Brian Tighe; Tom Overeynder; Todd Begg; Mike Williams; Yoshio Sakauchi; Kunihiko Tamatsu; RJ Martin; Steven Rapp; Columbia River Knife & Tool; Kershaw; Boker Plus; Jody Samson; Joe Szilaski; and Jack Levin.

There are also special reports, including a farewell tribute to Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer Bob Loveless, the rebirth of Old World swordplay, sweet deals on knifemaking supplies, cool factory autos, custom S-guard bowies, factory frame-lock folders, the legacy of Jody Samson, the first 25 years of BLADE now available on DVD, yet another knife used in the movie “The Expendables” and much more.

Anyone that likes knives, and can attend, needs to check out the Handmade Knife Show in Big Spring, TX at the Hog Heaven BBQ Party Barn on Oct.23!!!!
The show is being hosted by the Big Spring Knife Collectors Club….a $3 admission fee will be charged. Some of the knife makers having tables are: Weldon Whitley, Jim Barnes, Martin Knives, Dwayne Dushane, Tim&Harvey Hull, Bill Middlebrook, Loyd McConnell, J.B Moore, and many more well known knife makers. This is the first show hosted by the club, but they hope to make it an annual event. If you are within driving distance be sure and give them your support.

Congratulations to new Journeyman Smith Dee Hedges, Australia whose journey to obtaining an American Bladesmith Society JS stamp was detailed in an article titled “The Slipper Fits Just Fine” that was written by Master Smith Wally Hayes, Canada in the January 2011 issue of Blade magazine.

I also want to draw your attention to some other articles in the January 2011 issue of Blade Magazine about our ABS members. ABS Journeyman Smith Joe Olson, Montana has one of his knives featured on the cover of the magazine and is profiled in the article titled “Guitar Knives of Geyser”. In the article Joe notes assistance in his bladesmithing career from Master Smiths Rick Dunkerley, Shane Taylor, and Wade Colter.

In another feature article titled “S is for Style” about elegant knife design there are knife photos and/or quotes by or references to Master Smiths Jerry Fisk, Jim Batson, Terry Vandeventer, and John White.

In the “Knifemaker Showcase” there are knife photos and profiles for Apprentice Smith Bill Rupple, Texas and Journeyman Smith David Sloan, Nebraska. In the profile Bill Rupple gives credit for assistance in his knife making career development to ABS members Apprentice Smith Johnny Stout and Master Smith Harvey Dean.