BLADE Staff

Just a friendly reminder that the 41st Knife Makers Guild Show is coming up soon (just 3 weeks away) September 17-19, at the Seelbach Hotel in Louisville, KY. This has always been one of the premier knife shows to attend. I will be there and I am looking forward to seeing all of you there! Be safe in your travels!

With The Expendables leading in box office receipts for the second weekend in a row, the current issue of the November BLADE with Gil Hibben’s knife for Sly Stallone in the movie on the cover is no doubt flying off newsstands.

Linda Hibben told me she, Gil and Mike went to see the movie and, of course, really enjoyed it. (What’s not to like with Gil’s knives in it?) She also said Gil received recognition for the knife in the credits at the end of the movie, which is somewhat unusual these days as most movies no longer give such credit to knifemakers and/or knife companies for their knives. Apparently, the main reason for that is all the royalties movie production companies can make off knife reproductions these days.

Linda also said if the movie makes a pre-set amount of money, there will probably be a sequel. The way things are looking in the movie’s box-office performance so far, chances look good that pre-set amount will be met.

To My Knife Showcase Friends,

Since Knife Showcase launched earlier this week, I’ve received many questions and requests regarding the site. I want to let everyone know that I will respond to you. I’m running a bit behind due to the volume of messages, but that doesn’t mean your questions are any less important. I’m committed to giving you the best experience and I will get back to you.

Stay sharp, Edgencia!

Ben

I just got word that at least one of the knives used by Mike Statham as knife expert Lee Christmas in The Expendables is one of Darrel Ralph’s old AXD folders. Darrell says his list price for the knife as shown in the movie is $775. He says it was one of the first 3D machined knives on the market. He says no one from the movie contacted him about the knife being in The Expendables—not that he minds the publicity, of course—and that it may have been a knife from the collection of one of the movie’s principals. For more info on the AXD and or knives like it, visit www.darrelralph.com. Or, for pictures of the knife and scenes with it from the movie, see Steve Shackleford’s “My Page.”

If any of you are in the area or simply want to get away this weekend, the American Bladesmith Society will have its 2nd All-Forged Blade Exposition Aug. 20-21 at the Sheraton Gunter in San Antonio, Texas. Check out some of the world’s best handforged knives, damascus knives and much more, visit the Alamo, check out the riverwalk, and just plain have a good ol’ time in ol’ San Antone. For more info go to www.americanbladesmith.com.