John Dennehy’s replica of his father’s Dan D Alamo Bowie, was accepted by the site on the 190th Anniversary of the historic battle.
We should always remember the Alamo, but 2026 is a particularly good year to keep the battle top of mind. It’s the 190th anniversary of the defining fight for Texas independence, and a fitting backdrop to a father-son knifemaking tale.
When Dan Dennehy donated his custom Dan D Alamo Bowie to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas in 1968, little did he know that a reproduction of the very same knife would be presented almost 60 years later to representatives of Alamo Trust just a few months before the historic anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo.
Made by Dan’s son John, the presentation reproduction is based on the original donated by Dan to the DRT in 1968. Save the engraving on the accompanying brass plaque. John did the entire repro project, which included 5/16-inch O1 tool steel like the blade material on his father’s original Dan D Alamo Bowie, and an embellished oak presentation frame.
Engraved number 5 of 10 by Pearce Richardson, the brass plaque reads: “Commemorative Dan D Alamo Bowie” over “In Honor of Those who Lost their Lives defending the Alamo in March 1836 and to the late Daniel J. Dennehy, Knifemaker, whose Alamo Bowie has proudly been on display at the Alamo since 1968.”
“It’s an honor that we can say we have knives from a father and son in our collection,” Alamo Senior Researcher and Historian Kolby Lanham said. “We are grateful to both Dan and John, two generations of knifemakers who chose to create works of art honoring James Bowie and the Alamo.”
John’s project started soon after his father’s death in 2011.
“The Alamo let me take pictures of Dan’s original knife in the spring right after his death,” he said. “I used those pictures and his knife pattern to make the reproductions. I wanted to jazz up the handle a bit since they are special editions with ivory Micarta and imitation ivory Micarta, along with some brass spacers for bling.”
From his own retelling of the story, Dan was inspired to make the donation during a visit to the Alamo, when he realized the historic site then didn’t have a single bowie knife. The namesake of the blade—Jim Bowie—was among the heroic men who fought and lost their lives at the battle.
The original Dan D Alamo Bowie is displayed inside the lobby of the Alamo Exhibit at the Ralston Family Collections Center, according to Lanham. John’s knife resides in the Alamo’s artifact vault.
There are other storied knifemakers whose works are displayed at the iconic Texas site, including a reproduction of the Joe Musso bowie by BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member Gil Hibben.
A founding member of The Knifemakers’ Guild, Dan Dennehy was also a member of the Cutlery Hall of Fame and the International Knife Throwers Hall of Fame, and for many years conducted knife-and-tomahawk-throwing demonstrations at the BLADE Show. John makes knives and sheaths and has conducted seminars on how to make sheaths at both the BLADE Show and BLADE University.
New York-born, Dan was always a Westerner at heart, John pointed out, known as “Tex” in the Navy and wearing cowboy boots and a hat most of his adult life. He also loved and revered the history of the Alamo, finding it as sacred a location as native Texans.
“Having one of his knives on display [there] was one of his most cherished accomplishments,” John said.
Fowler had a lasting impact on handmade knives and knife writing.
The cutlery world recently lost one of its most steadfast creators and philosophers. Ed Fowler, a man who epitomized the spirit of the custom knife movement, passed away on January 17.
Ed’s journey in the industry began in 1962. Over the following six decades, he became a driving force in the evolution of functional cutlery. While he didn’t invent the use of 52100 ball-bearing steel, he was arguably its greatest champion, popularizing the material alongside his then-controversial methods of multiple quenching during heat treatment. For Ed, a knife wasn’t just a tool; it was an ongoing experiment in maximum performance.
To the readers of BLADE Magazine, Ed was a household name. For over a quarter century, he penned his monthly “Knife Talk” column, which consistently ranked at the top of reader surveys alongside BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame® member Wayne Goddard. His writings were eventually compiled into two essential volumes: Knife Talk I: The Art & Science of Knife Making and Knife Talk II: The High Performance Blade. Whether he was conducting demos at BLADE Show or teaching at BLADE University, Ed was always eager to share his findings with anyone who sought a deeper understanding of the craft.
A former ABS master smith, Ed eventually founded the High Endurance Performance Knife Association. This organization was a reflection of his own soul—dedicated to understanding the limits of steel and ensuring every knife reached its absolute potential.
Ed’s voice was unmistakable. In his writing, a knife was never an “it”—always a “she” or “her.” He spent his life in a relentless search for what he called “Excalibur,” his version of the perfect knife. He drew deep inspiration from the legends of the past, including Hall of Famers Bill Moran, William Scagel, Rudy Ruana, and the 19th-century bowies of Henry Huber.
He was perhaps most famous for his insistence on testing. Ed had no patience for makers or companies that didn’t put their blades to the trial, and he was never shy about saying so. This commitment to truth in steel earned him a fiercely loyal following. Many of his readers didn’t just follow his column; they traveled across the country to visit him at his Willow Bow Ranch in Riverton, Wyoming, to spend time in the shop with the man who helped define the modern high-performance blade.
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
The latest American-made factory knives are sharp and sweet.
Reiff Knives Rangewolf
Knife type: A lightweight, compact utility model for hunting and EDC Designer: Stu Shank Blade length: 3” Blade steel: CPM MagnaCut stainless Blade grind: Full flat Blade finish: Stonewash Blade pattern: Drop point Handle material: G-10 or canvas Micarta® Handle material options: Black & orange G-10, black G-10, OD green G-10, green canvas Micarta, black canvas Micarta Weight: 4.5 ozs. w/G-10, 3.9 ozs. w/canvas Micarta Overall length: 7.12” Special features: Full spine gimping along 3/4 of the blade; gimped ramp on front of scales for pinch grip; textured, ergonomic handle for secure, comfortable use; recessed lanyard hole; gimping fore and aft of handle for added grip Sheath: Leather pocket model w/UltiClip (2 leather options); leather scout carry belt model (2 leather options); Kydex model w/2x IWB Pull-the-DOT belt loops MSRP: $325 Available: NOW
Kershaw Bareknuckle Duralock
Knife type: EDC folder Designer: Kershaw original Blade length: 3.5” Blade steel: CPM MagnaCut stainless Blade finish: Black PVD Handle material: Aluminum Weight: 3.4 ozs. Lock type: DuraLock Pocket clip: Reversible, extra-deep carry Closed length: 4.74” Special features: Manual folder blade pivots on KVT ballbearings MSRP: $269.99 Available: NOW
Boker USA Backcountry
Knife type: Fixed blade Blade length: 3.6” Blade steel: 154CM stainless Blade @the thickest: 0.09” Blade finish: Horizontally brushed Blade pattern: Drop point Construction: Full tang Handle material: Black G-10 Weight: 2 ozs. Overall length: 7.5” Sheath: Black Kydex MSRP: $199.95 Knife to know: The Backcountry is the first Boker knife made on American soil since 1945; detailed gimping at blade spine and near the tip; includes hole for a lanyard Available: NOW
Boker USA Backcountry Fixed Blade Knife Orange G-10 02BU0001
Knife type: Pocket fixed blade Designer: Anthony Marfione Jr Blade length: 2.5” Blade steel: MagnaCut stainless Blade material options: Will be available in Magnamax steel starting with the tanto pattern in 2026 Blade pattern: Bowie Blade finish: DLC Handle material: G-10; also available in carbon fiber Overall length: 6” Special features: Pressed G-10 scales available in different colors; comes w/lanyard Sheath: Leather by JRE Industries w/reversible UltiClip MSRP: Starting at $265 Available: NOW
Full model name: 4 3/8” White Smooth Bone Handle w/Carbon Fiber Bolster Lawman Knife type: EDC folder Designer: Bear & Son Cutlery Blade length: 3.25” Blade material: D2 tool steel (also available in damascus) Blade grind: Taper (flat) Blade finish: Satin Blade pattern: Drop point Handle material: White smooth bone & carbon fiber Lock type: Slide lock Pocket clip material: Steel Weight: 3.5 ozs. Closed length: 4.62” Special features: Ball bearing washers MSRP: $123.99 Available: NOW
Bradford USA Guardian 3.5 XL
Knife type: EDC fixed blade Designer: Bradford Knives Blade length: 4” Blade steel: AEB-L stainless Blade grind: Sabre Blade finish options: Stonewash, nimbus or black DLC Handle material options: G-10, carbon fiber or Micarta® Weight: 4.7 ozs. Overall length: 8.25” Sheath: New vertical and horizontal model MSRP: $199 Available: NOW
Winkler Knives WK Belt Knife
Knife type: Outdoor/tactical fixed blade Designer: BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member Daniel Winkler Blade length: 4.5” Blade material: 80CrV2 carbon steel Blade grind: Flat w/false edge Blade finish: No-glare black oxide Blade pattern: Trailing point Handle material options: Walnut (pictured); black, brown, green & black, & natural (WASP); G-10 camo; maple Weight: Varies based on handle material; as pictured 7.2 ozs.; as pictured plus sheath, 11.4 ozs. Overall length: 9” Special features: Full tapered tang, thumb index filework Sheath options: Lined Boltaron® w/leather cover; black leather w/synthetic-handle knives; brown leather w/wood-handle knives; clip system facilitates multiple carry options/positions; Discreet Carry Concepts: spring steel belt clip (Monoblock) MSRP: $350 Available: Select configurations currently available; all others available for order (2-3 month turnaround)
Rick Hinderer Knives XM-18 3.5″ Bowie
Full name of knife: Aluminum Automatic XM-18 3.5” Bowie Knife type: EDC folder Designer: Rick Hinderer Blade length: 3.5” Blade steel: S45VN stainless Blade finish: Stonewash Handle material: Aluminum-orange w/Lava Flow FCF inlay Weight: 5.12 ozs. Lock type: Button lock Closed length: 4.75” Special features: The titanium half liners are patent pending MSRP: $475 Available: Spring 2026
Chris Reeve Knives Backpacker
Knife type: Outdoors Designer: Chris Reeve Knives Blade length: 4.019” Blade steel: CPM MagnaCut stainless Blade grind: Hollow Blade finish: Stonewashed Handle material: Canvas Micarta® Handle material options: Black or natural canvas Micarta Weight: 3.8 ozs. Overall length: 8.527” Special features: Drop-point-shaped blade w/ample belly; scales may be removed for extra-lightweight use Sheath: Kydex MSRP: $300 Available: NOW
Spyderco Para Military 2 Lightweight
Model number: C81PBK2 Knife type: EDC folder Designers: BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member Sal Glesser & Eric Glesser Blade length: 3.47” Blade steel: CTS® BD1N stainless Blade grind: Full flat Blade finish: Satin Blade pattern: Modified clip point Handle material: FRN Weight: 2.8 ozs. Lock type: Compression Lock® Pocket clip: Metal Closed length: 4.82” MSRP: $175 Available: To be announced
Spyderco Para Military Lightweight Clip Point Knife
Knife type: EDC folder Blade length: 3” Blade steel: MagnaCut stainless Blade grind: Flat Blade finish: Stonewash Blade pattern: Wharncliffe Handle material: Aluminum Lock type: Linerlock Pocket clip: Tip up Weight: 2.8 ozs. Closed length: 4.1” Knife to know: B.O.S.S. Tech (Balls of Stainless Steel technology) leverages a ball-bearing system providing Gerber’s smoothest, most consistent deployment to date; stainless steel balls reduce friction for seamless opening every time; the cage system is designed to keep the balls contained for stable performance over the long haul MSRP: $159.99 Available: NOW
Gerber Fastball Liner Lock MagnaCut Knife Urban Blue
Ed Schempp Reimagines the Classic Kukri Silhouette for Accessible Everyday Carry.
As Spyderco kicks off its 50th-anniversary celebrations, the brand has unleashed a wave of high-end releases featuring exotic steels and carbon fiber scales. However, among the titanium and super-steels, a more under-the-radar model is capturing the attention of enthusiasts who value historical design and practical ergonomics: the Spyderco Retract.
Designed by the renowned custom knifemaker and bladesmith Ed Schempp, the Retract is a study in leverage. Schempp is well-known for his ability to translate ancient blade shapes into modern folding platforms, and with this model, he has turned his focus toward the legendary Nepalese kukri.
Spyderco Retract Angle
The most striking feature of the Retract is its dramatically curved, recurve blade. By utilizing a negative angle—where the blade cants forward relative to the handle—the design naturally enhances cutting leverage. This is particularly noticeable during draw cuts, where the geometry of the 3.4-inch blade does much of the work for you.
To keep the knife high-performing yet accessible, Spyderco opted for 9Cr18MoV stainless steel. While it sits on the more budget-friendly side of the spectrum, it is a capable steel that is famously easy to maintain and sharpen in the field. The blade features a full-flat grind and the iconic Trademark Round Hole for easy, ambidextrous deployment.
Retract Ergonomics
Despite its unusual silhouette, the Retract is surprisingly pocket-friendly. The handle is built on a foundation of skeletonized stainless steel liners, providing a rigid and reliable LinerLock mechanism. The lock is machined nearly flush to the scales, a thoughtful touch that prevents unintentional closure during heavy use.
The handle scales are crafted from peel-ply-textured G-10, offering a secure, non-slip grip that holds up in wet conditions. Combined with the jimping on the blade’s spine, the knife allows for a high degree of control and stability when exerting downward pressure.
Cost
Perhaps the biggest story surrounding the Retract is its price. In a market where high-end folders are climbing toward the mid-hundreds, Spyderco has positioned the Retract as a formidable entry-level tool. With an MSRP of $95—and street prices often dipping even lower—it offers a chance to own a Schempp-designed integral-style worker without a massive financial commitment.
To round out the package, the Retract includes a deep-pocket reversible wire clip for tip-up carry and a lined lanyard hole, ensuring it remains as discreet as it is capable.
BLADE Show Texas will kick off the ’26 show slate in style.
Knives and knifemakers planetwide and most everything else keen, utilitarian and covetable will inundate the 5th Annual BLADE Show Texas March 20-21 in the Fort Worth Convention Center.
The show will host over 400 exhibitors and thousands of knives from such countries as Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and elsewhere, not to mention top American custom knifemakers, ABS master and journeyman smiths and knifemaking members of the Knifemakers’ Guild; the lion’s share of members of the South Texas Slipjoint Cartel; the BLADE Show Texas custom and factory knife judging awards; and some of the world’s leading factory knife companies, including current and past winners of BLADE Magazine Knife-Of-The-Year® Awards.
Get ready for some Texas steel set on sizzle.
The Fort Worth Convention Center will be crawling with cutters, with gobs of custom and factory knives—from low end to high end, stock removal to forged, fixed blade to folder—tomahawks, swords, sharpeners and more. And if the exhibiting makers don’t have what you want, the exhibiting custom knife purveyors and factory retailers probably will—and if they don’t, they can put you in touch with who does.
For knife hobbyists and novice and veteran makers alike, the show’s comprehensive selection of knifemaking supplies and suppliers will have the materials, tools and equipment to make the knife of your dreams. From the latest steels, handle materials, hardware and sheath materials to most every knife part extant, the show’s suppliers should have it.
Knife Awards
Zero Tolerance will be among the top factory exhibitors featuring the sleekest folders and fixed blades. ZT’s ultra-lightweight (1.9 ounce) 0117 Duralock folder in CPM MagnaCut stainless
steel and carbon fiber will be among them.
Country of origin: USA. MSRP: $300.
The knife judging competitions will recognize the best of the show’s custom and factory knives that are entered. The custom award categories, with last year’s winners in parentheses: Best in Show (Dionatam Franco); Best Bowie (David Lisch); Best Fighter (Dionatam Franco); Best Damascus (Pedro Fornari); Best Hunting Knife (Josh Fisher); Best Folding Knife (Tom Overeynder); Best Kitchen Knife (a Luke Dellmyer/Richard Patterson collaboration); Best M.A.C.K. (Jared Oeser); Best EDC (Evan Nicolaides); Best Art Knife (Paul DiStefano); Best of the Rest (Josh Taylor); and Best Slipjoint (Evan Nicolaides).
The factory award categories, with last year’s winners in parentheses: Best in Show (Poikiloblade); Best EDC (Dauntless Manufacturing); Best American Made (Dauntless Manufacturing); Best Imported (Poikiloblade); Best Fixed Blade (QSP); Best Folder (a Pro-Tech/Vero Engineering collaboration); and Best of the Rest (Vero Engineering). The custom and factory knife judging is reserved exclusively for show exhibitors, all of whom received packets with complete details on category descriptions, judging rules and more prior to checking into the show.
What’s Next
World-class South African knifemaker Bertie Rietveld (left) returns to help headline the international contingent of knifemakers.
BLADE Show Texas will be the first of three BLADE-Show-sponsored events for 2026, the other two being the grandaddy of them all, the 45th Annual BLADE Show June 5-7 at the newly named Cobb Convention Centre-Atlanta (formerly the Cobb Galleria Centre), and BLADE Show West 2026 at the Salt Palace Convention Center Oct. 9-10 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The high-end integral folder gets a premium edition.
The James Brand has always been a design-led company, but their latest iteration of The Barnes pushes the pattern into a different tier of cutlery. While The Barnes has been defined by its integral construction, this newest version represents the most premium execution of that platform to date. As an integral design, the handle is CNC-machined from a single, solid billet of 6AL-4V titanium. By eliminating the traditional backspacer and scales in favor of a one-piece construction, the knife offers fewer moving parts, less maintenance, and a level of structural integrity that standard folders simply cannot match.
While the engineering is complex, the aesthetic remains strictly minimalist. The dark stonewashed titanium handle provides a clean, tactile grip that feels incredibly solid in the hand. This premium version of The Barnes steps away from standard stainless options to feature Damasteel DS93X Hakkapella. This material is a favorite among collectors for its striking pattern-welded look, but it is no safe queen; Damasteel is known for delivering world-class performance and durability that holds up to serious use.
The Barnes has long been known for a perfectly dialed-in detent and an action that feels like glass. This is thanks to the blade running on a stainless steel pivot supported by ceramic bearings. Deployment is handled via dual-sided thumb studs, making it accessible for a variety of opening styles and maintaining the symmetrical, clean lines the brand is known for.
The attention to detail extends to the carry system as well. The Barnes features a machined titanium pocket clip with a paint-filled Clovis detail and an integrated paracord lanyard. Despite its full-sized 3.5-inch drop point blade, the knife remains impressively light at just 4.6 ounces, making it an easy choice for a high-end daily carry.
Previous versions of The Barnes were already considered premium offerings at over $600, but this Damasteel integral version moves the needle significantly to $1,300. Designed in Portland, Ore., it represents the most technically advanced execution of their flagship folder—a style-conscious blend of high-end materials and architectural precision.
Barnes Titanium & Damasteel Specs Blade Steel: Damasteel DS93X Hakkapella Handle Material: One-piece Integral 6AL-4V Titanium Lock Style: Integral frame-lock with hardened steel lockface insert Blade Length: 3.5″ Overall Length: 7.8″ Weight: 4.6 oz MSRP: $1,300
Remembering Mike “Whiskers” Allen, known for his innovative hidden bolster automatics and collaborations with Pro-Tech Knives.
Mike “Whiskers” Allen, affable award-winning custom knifemaker and knife designer, passed away on November 8 after a short illness.
Nicknamed for his full bushy beard, the Malakoff, Texas, cutler started making knives in 1984. He made folders mostly, specializing in automatics. He suffered a stroke in 2015 that affected his right side and eyesight, so he had to retire from knifemaking. He designed a full line of autos for Pro-Tech Knives, including the BR1.7 LTD “Whiskers” Design, which opens via a nifty hidden bolster release and debuted at BLADE Show 2025.
Whiskers also made miniatures as well as swords. He was known all over the country for his reasonably priced, one-of-a-kind knives. He was a member of The Knifemakers’ Guild and the Professional Knifemakers Association (PKA) and carried Knifemaker’s Emeritus status in the Guild. He also served as PKA president during his last few years of making knives. He won at least one custom knife judging award at the BLADE Show, which he and his wife Denise attended on a regular basis.
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
