See the artistry and craftsmanship of seven custom swords from some of the best bladesmiths in the world.
Not only do swords bring out the best in some makers, those who make quality versions of them often seem to be among the best makers as well. Check out the long blades on this and the facing page and see if you agree.
Garbriel Turner: Jineta
The Jineta by Garbriel Turner has a 28-inch wootz blade, an ancient walrus ivory grip and iron/gold fittings. Blade grind: flat. Overall length: 36.5 inches.
Eric Estlund: Oak Themed Storta
Eric Estlund’s Oak Themed Storta is in a 17th-century Italian style. The 28-inch blade is 8670 carbon steel and the handle is oak burl. An acorn pommel helps complete the theme. A high-relief scabbard (not shown) and steel leaf chape with carved acorn finial add to the presentation.
Matt Parkinson: Arming Sword
The sword shown is an Arming sword with a complex laddered and mosaic damascus blade. Polished steel fittings and a spalted maple handle. 29-inch blade 36-inches overall, weighing in at 2 pounds 10 ounces.
Zack Jonas: Wakizashi
A Gordian core twist damascus completes the 22-inch blade of a Zack Jonas wakizashi. Fittings: W’s damascus and silver. The handle is interior mammoth ivory. Blade pattern: shinogi-zukuri. Overall length: 28 inches. The colorful scabbard (not shown) is by Matt Venier.
Ben Abbott: Viking Sword
A 26-inch blade of multi-bar damascus, a leather-covered wood handle and cast sterling silver fittings outfit Ben Abbott’s Viking sword repro. Ben carved the waxes for the guard and pommel.
Ryan Breuer: PhD Sword
We published a closeup of the handle of Ryan Breuer’s PhD Sword the September 2025 issue. Here’s the full-blown model. The 32-inch blade is a damascus of 1084 carbon and 15N20 nickel-alloy steels. The handle is birch, leather and sterling silver.Overall length: 40 inches.
Jordan Borstelmann: Elmslie Type I
Jordan Borstelmann’s Elmslie Type I of a falchion sword boasts a 28-inch blade of 1075 carbon steel and a handle of leather, cord and wood. Blade grind: flat. Guard: 1045 carbon steel. Overall length: 35 inches.
Explore the classic clip-point bowie knife from apprentice smith Robert Burns of Wilderness Ironworks.
ABS apprentice smith Robert Burns of Wilderness Ironworks wanted a project that would take him back to the roots of being a bladesmith, and appears to have satisfied that desire through his classic clip-point bowie.
“My goal was to combine the ancient and the contemporary,” he wrote.
For the ancient, he started with iron ore from Minnesota and iron sand from Connecticut. He smelted the two into bloom steel, which he then refined, “my goal being to make a steel fine enough that it could potentially pass for modern damascus”—thus the “contemporary.”
Robert Burns of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, used ancient materials such as iron ore and iron sand for the blade and a historic mix for the fittings of his sole-authorship bowie.
To augment the “ancient,” he used a “historic mix from the Bronze Age” for the bronze for the fittings.
As Robert noted, the knife is true sole authorship, from starting ore to the finished sheath.
Legislation expunges any related convictions under the old switchblade law.
As a result of Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signing the state’s switchblade ban repeal bill in June, Vermont not only becomes the latest state to legalize automatics but also expunges prior ban-related convictions, the Knife Rights website reported.
At press time, the effective date of the repeal was July 2.
Known as S.109, the bill removes “switchblade knives” from the existing Vermont statute that had banned a “switchblade knife, the blade of which is three inches or more in length.” The new bill also requires that “the Court” order the expungement of any related convictions handed down prior to July 1, 2025.
“This is the first time one of our bills has incorporated an expungement clause,” the site reported.
The American Knife & Tool Institute (AKTI), along with Knife Rights comprising the two major pro-knife legislative organizations serving the cutlery industry, credited the passage of the bill to “the longtime bipartisan work of two Vermont lawmakers—Patrick Brennan, a Vermont state senator, and Dan Noyes, a Vermont state representative.” According to the AKTI website, the Republican Brennan and the Democrat Noyes teamed up about five years ago to provide a unified approach that “eventually came to fruition.”
As the Knife Rights site indicated, Vermont has Constitutional (Permitless) Carry, so prior to S.109 you could carry any legal firearm open or concealed there, and you could carry any knife open or concealed except an automatic with a blade 3 inches or longer. Until the new bill, that was the only knife you were not allowed to possess in the state.
With the signing of S.109, Vermont becomes the 21st state to repeal switchblade bans or restrictions, the Knife Rights site stated. Beginning with New Hampshire in 2010, those states also include Alaska; Colorado; Hawaii; Illinois; Indiana; Kansas; Louisiana; Maine; Michigan; Missouri; Montana; Nevada; Ohio; Oklahoma; Pennsylvania; Tennessee; Texas; Virginia; and Wisconsin.
UltiClip’s sales and marketing specialist provided a friendly face to the cutting-edge brand.
Ryan Allen Thompson of UltiClip passed away suddenly from a heart attack on July 7. He was 46.
Thompson’s specialty was sales and marketing at UltiClip, a maker, distributor and retailer of an award-winning range of assorted synthetic clips and accessories for sheaths and holsters based in Chicago. UltiClip makes items in the USA that focus “on providing ease of carry, concealment, retention and versatility in one product.”
In June the company’s APH spring steel clip was named the BLADE Magazine 2025 Accessory of the Year. UltiClip also won the Accessory of the Year in 2021 for the UltiLink rapid-attachment, modular linking system.
Ryan made many friends in the knife industry, and his death came as a shock to those who knew him. He is survived by Chastity, his wife of 21 years, and their three children: Isaiah River, Anna Rose and Joshua Rainn.
Remembering Others The Knife Industry Has Lost:
Betty Dowell, Driving Force Behind Knifemaker Ted Dowell, Passes
B. R. Hughes, Pioneering Writer And Bladesmithing Teacher, Passes Away
We captured in film the knives, knife people and lots of fun that marked another great show.
Nothing beats the BLADE Show.
Nearly 1,000 vendors, countless knives and throngs of attendees crowded the Cobb Galleria from June 6–8 for the world’s largest knife shindig. That’s a lot of action—and plenty to take in over the course of three days. But armed with our trusty candid cameras, we at BLADE Magazine gave it our best shot.
Roving the main hall, “baller” room and convention center corridors, we captured glimpses of the knife event no words can fully describe. Take a moment to relive—or get your first look at—BLADE Show 2025 through the lens of those who were there.
Editor’s Note: Click on any photo to launch an enlarged gallery.
Show Saturday was bumper to bumper.CRKT fans get their fill of new knives.A Rosecraft BLADE Show ad greeted guests of the show’s host hotel, the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly, each time they took the elevator.Knife fans converge on the Rick Hinderer Knives booth.Mardi Meshejian has a firm hold on one of his custom sickles.Blade HQ held Balicomp 25 with Brycen Nelson winning the title, Steve Ash placing second and Landon Morrison third. (Blade HQ image) Tim Reeve (center with arms raised) directs traffic at the Chris Reeve Knives booth as Anne Reeve and Dean Felides (directly to Tim’s right) look on.Jens Anso conducts his BLADE University class.HEPK master smith/BLADE® field editor Ed Fowler (left) enjoys a customer visit.Knife deals were there to be had.Patrons wait in line patiently for the BLADE Show to begin.Who says BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® members can’t have fun? Michael Walker gives Bob Terzuola the rabbit-ear treatment. (Larry Hirsch image)Walter Brend (left) and Les Robertson enjoy another BLADE Show.A contestant flips a giant butterfly knife during Balicomp 25.The smiling face dead center is custom knifemaker Koji Hara.Aaron Frederick is back making knives and had a few on hand to show.Knife fans try their hand at foosball at the Big Idea Design booth.
See what’s soon to be cutting up the scene with the new knives debuted at the 2025 BLADE Show.
As the world’s largest knife show, BLADE Show is a prime venue for the introduction of new knives. Every year, manufacturers unveil fresh creations at the Cobb Galleria, hoping to get the hottest new blades in front of the most motivated buyers and collectors.
The 2025 BLADE Show was highlighted with a ton of factory knife drops—some of them available as of the show, others trickling out later this year. Here is a look at some of the soon-to-be most coveted blades hitting the scene at your local cutlery.
Dauntless Surgeon-R
Knife type: Fixed EDC scalpel Designer: Chris Moss Blade length: 2.5” Blade material options: AEB-L and MagnaCut stainless and CPM 3V carbon steel Rockwell hardness: 60 HRC for AEB-L and 3V; 63 HRC for MagnaCut Blade grind: Flat Blade at the thickest: 1/8” Blade pattern: Scalpel Blade finish options: Tumbled, black oxide, and nitride Construction: One piece Handle material: Steel Pocket clip: Deep carry Overall length: 7” Sheath: Polymer, deep carry Country of origin: USA MSRP: Starts at $245 Available for sale: NOW
TOPS Knives Tick
Knife type: Fixed blade Designer: Leo Espinoza Blade length: 3” Blade material: 1095 carbon steel Rockwell hardness: 56-58 HRC Blade grind: Flat Blade at the thickest: 3/32” Blade finish: Tungsten Cerakote® Construction: Full tang Handle material: Tan G-10 w/black liner Weight: 2.2 ozs. (3.4 ozs. w/sheath) Overall length: 6.38” Sheath: Black Kydex w/UltiClip for pocket carry Knife to know: The Tick is the first TOPS knife with a sheath specifically set up for pocket carry. Country of origin: USA MSRP: $220 Available for sale: NOW
Spyderco Shaman(SMKW Exclusive)
Knife type: Folder Designer: BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member Sal Glesser Blade length: 3.58” Blade steel: CPM S45VN stainless Blade at the thickest: .145” Blade pattern: Drop point Blade finish: Black DLC Blade opener: Spyderco round thumb hole Handle material: Grey canvas Micarta® Lock: Compression Closed length: 4.67” Country of origin: USA MSRP: $279.95 Knife to know: Made by Spyderco, the Smoky Grey Shaman is sold exclusively through Smoky Mountain Knife Works Available for sale: NOW
Bradford USA 6” Utility Kitchen Tool
Knife type: Culinary Designer: Bradford USA Blade length: 6” Blade steel options: AEB-L and MagnaCut stainless Rockwell hardness: 61-62 HRC Blade grind: Full-height flat Blade at the thickest: Thin .1” distal taper Blade finish: Satin stonewash Handle material options: G-10, carbon fiber, G-Wood G-10 Weight: 5 ozs. Overall length: 11” Sheath: Flat black leather sleeve Country of origin: USA MSRPs: AEB-L $169 and MagnaCut $209 Available for sale: NOW
Chaves Knives Dissident
Knife type: Double-action out-the-front Designer: Ramon Chavez Blade length: 3.7” Blade steel: S35VN stainless Rockwell hardness: 58-60 HRC Blade grind: Flat Blade at the thickest: .15” Blade finish: Stonewash Construction: Screw Handle material: Aluminum Lock: Trigger Opening mechanism: Auto Pocket clip: Titanium skull model, tip down, right-handed Weight: 4.73 ozs. Closed length: 5” Knife to know: The Dissident has the new Petrified blade finish. Country of origin: Utah, USA MSRP: $400 Available for sale: Summer 2025
Demko Knives AD20XL Double-Wide
Knife type: Manual folder Designer: Andrew Demko Blade length: 4” Blade steel: MagnaCut stainless Rockwell hardness: 60-62 HRC Blade grind: Flat Blade at the thickest: .18” Blade pattern: Drop point Blade finish: Stonewash Handle material: Titanium Lock: Shark-Lock® Pivot materials: Ball bearings Pocket clip: Stainless steel /standard carry Weight: 9.6 ozs. Closed length: 5.5” Country of origin: USA MSRP: $850 Available for sale: NOW
Bear Edge Brisk 2.0 Zytel Assisted Sideliner
Blade length: 3 1/8” Blade steel: 440 stainless Blade finish: Black Blade pattern: Drop point Blade opener: Ambidextrous thumb studs Handle material: Rift Blue stainless Lock: Sideliner Pocket clip: Reversible Knife to know: The handle has gimping for enhanced control Weight: 3.4 ozs. Closed length: 4 5/8” Country of origin: Alabama, USA MSRP: $40.99 Available: NOW
Reiff Knives The Vicon
Knife type: Tactical fixed-blade field knife Designer: Stu Shank in collaboration with a group of active U.S. Special Forces members Blade length: 5.19” Blade steel: CPM MagnaCut stainless Rockwell hardness: 60-62 HRC Blade grind: Flat saber Blade at the thickest: .188” Blade pattern: Clip point Blade finish options: Black DLC, FDE PVD and stonewash Construction: Full tang Handle material options: Black or OD green G-10 and black or green canvas Micarta® Weight: 9.8 ozs. Overall length: 10.22” Sheath: Modular ambidextrous Kydex w/removable drop plate and removable Kydex belt clip Special features: False edge clip point, fuller, gimping; partially exposed pommel w/gimped thumb ramp for reverse grip use Country of origin: USA MSRP: $420-$435 Available for sale: NOW
Maserin 632 CB-1
Knife type: Folder Designer: Coltellerie Maserin Blade length: 3.15” Blade steel: MagnaCut stainless Rockwell hardness: 62 HRC Blade grind: Compound Blade at the thickest: .13” Blade pattern: Drop point Blade finish: Stonewashed Construction: Screw Handle material: Neon yellow G-10; other options include Micarta and FatCarbon® Glass Lock: Crossbar Pivot materials: Steel ball bearings Pocket clip: Deep carry, tip up, reversible, stainless steel Weight: 4.23 ozs. Closed length: 4.48” Special features: 632 CB-1 is Maserin’s first knife featuring a crossbar mechanism; drop point blade w/a sporty, futuristic design; four blade opening options enhance ambidextrous deployment: dual thumb stud, thumb hole, crossbar and flipper Country of origin: Italy MSRP: $199 (Micarta and G-10) and $215 (FatCarbon Glass) Available for sale: Mid-September
Emerson Knives COMANCHERO
Emerson Knives COMANCHERO
Designer: Ernest Emerson Blade length: 3.8” Blade steel: MagnaCut stainless Rockwell hardness: 62-64 HRC Blade grind: Conventional “V” Blade at the thickest: .125” Blade pattern: Bowie Blade finish options: Stonewash and Thunderstorm Blade opener: Thumb button Pivot materials: Teflon washers Handle material: G-10 Lock: Titanium linerlock Pocket clip: Hardened stainless steel, tip up Weight: 5 ozs. Closed length: 5.1” Special feature: Emerson Wave opening Country of origin: USA MSRP: $319 Available for sale: NOW
Utica Critical Hit II
Knife type: Necker Designer: Utica Blade length: 2.5” Blade steel: MagnaCut stainless Rockwell hardness: 55-57 HRC Blade grind: Taper Blade at the thickest: .12” Blade pattern: Spear Blade finish: Powder coat Construction: Full tang Handle material: G-10 Pocket clip: Stainless steel, tip down Weight: 2.45 ozs. (4.2 ozs. w/sheath) Overall length: 6.75” Sheath: ABS synthetic w/paracord Country of origin: USA MSRP: $170.71 Available for sale: NOW
Condor Tool & Knife Jungle Bowie
Knife type: Fixed blade Designer: Arlan D. Lothe Blade length: 11.2” Blade material: 1075 carbon steel Rockwell hardness: 50-55 HRC Blade grind: Convex Blade at the thickest: .12” Blade finish: Natural stonewash Construction: Stick tang Handle material: Thermoplastic elastomer Weight: 16.93 ozs. Sheath: Handmade welted leather Country of origin: El Salvador MSRP: $89.98 Available for sale: NOW
CRKT Redemption Compact
KNIFE TYPE: EDC folder Designer: BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member Ken Onion Blade length: 3.28” Blade steel: MagnaCut stainless Rockwell hardness: 61-63 HRC Blade grind: Flat Blade at the thickest: .13” Blade pattern: Spear point Blade finish options: Stonewash and black Cerakote® Construction: Screw Handle material: G-10 w/stainless steel bolster Lock: Crossbar Pivot materials: IKBS ball bearing Pocket clip: Reversible, deep carry, tip up Weight: 4.1 ozs Closed length: 4.31” Country of origin: USA MSRP: $225-$250 Available for sale: NOW
Hogue Knives Mysto Water
Knife type: EDC folder Designer: Scott Bruhns Blade length: 3.4” Blade steel: CPM MagnaCut stainless Rockwell hardness: 62-64 HRC Blade grind: Flat Blade at the thickest: .115” Blade pattern: Clip point Blade finish: Stone tumbled Construction: Screw Handle material: Blue Canyon Richlite Lock: ABLE Lock® Pocket clip: Deep carry, tip up, ambidextrous Weight: 2.5 ozs. Closed length: 4.4” Special features: Titanium backspacers anodized a light blue Country of origin: USA MSRP: $179.95 Available for sale: NOW
Davidson’s integral salutes a unit that lost over 800 men on D-Day.
Made to support The 29th Division Museum in Verona, Virginia, Edmund Davidson’s integral subhilt fighter celebrates an American combat unit that’s served valiantly for almost 284 years.
The Augusta County Regiment formed on Nov. 3, 1741, in Staunton, Virginia, and fought in most every American war, including the American Revolution and the battle of Manassas in the Civil War. It became part of the U.S. Army’s 29th Division in World War I and adopted the theme of “Ever Forward.”
As the 116th Regiment it was in the first wave on Omaha Beach on D-Day, where it lost over 800 officers and men and was later cited by the War Department for extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of duty. The regiment also saw action in the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. Today, the 116th remains active as a National Guard Unit.
Scrimshander Linda Karst Stone (left) and sheath maker Paul Long (right) hold the completed project. (knife image by Whetstone Studio)
Linda Karst Stone scrimmed the Omaha Beach battle scene on one side of the handle and unit members from the American Revolution, Civil War and today’s 116th on the flip side. The copious scroll engraving on the butt and guard is by Jere Davidson. Paul Long made the shark-skin sheath.
