BLADE Show is Headed West to the “Knife Capital of the United States”
Join your friends at BLADE magazine and the knife industry at-large Oct. 5-7, 2018, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland for BLADE Show West.
It is the best place to engage expert knife handlers, precision craftsmen, and master knifemakers in one location. Explore your passion for knifemaking and knife collecting while checking out high-end blades and everyday gear.
Plus, learn a new skill during exhibitor demos and chat with your favorite knife and gear makers in-person.
200+ Exhibitor Booths and Tables
Find brand name knives, one-of-a-kind custom knives, edc gear and materials from industry leaders like Smoky Mountain Knife Works, CRKT, Kershaw, Benchmade, Leatherman, WE Knife and more.
Take your knife knowledge to the next level as you learn from industry professionals and see firsthand how knife legends craft, sharpen and forge their knives. Learn everything from how to grind a knife blade to all about Nitro V, the new super steel. All demos come free with the purchase of any BLADE Show West ticket.
See which exhibitor wins a BLADE Show West award, with separate categories for both custom and factory makers. Keep an eye out for the best “weird” knife, too!
About
BLADE Show West is brought to you by BLADE and Caribou Media LLC, hosts of the largest knife show in the world, BLADE Show, each June in Atlanta. After 37 years, BLADE Show is expanding to Portland for BLADE Show West.
Shaped like a dragon, bat and lion, menuki (handle charms) are tucked under the cord-wrapped stingray skin handles of a trio of tanto knives by RJ Martin. (SharpByCoop image)
In Japanese sword culture, menuki are handle charms, often tucked under the silk wrappings of stingray skin grips. Like all aspects of Japanese swords, the charms are handmade—fashioned one at a time, sculpted, carved and engraved. They are for decorative purposes only, though one could argue that, if appropriately shaped, they’d add palpability, and perhaps, if lucky charms, good omens for sword wielders.
Along with “Agyo” and “Ungyo,” two Japanese temple guardians, engraved on the VG-10 blade of the “Yari” spear, this knife by Glenn Waters also sports an ebony handle and a silver dragon handle charm.
Knifemakers being knifemakers, whether American, German, Nordic, Australian, Indian or South African, these little handle charms have not gone unnoticed. They’ve been adopted by knifemakers wanting to add more elements of intrigue to their knives.
A knife’s ability to perform the cutting chores for which it was designed is the first priority, but ask any knifemaker, and he or she will tell you that form follows function. And sometimes it’s the aesthetics of a knife that catches the eye of a potential buyer.
So knifemakers pay attention to the details. They add amenities, embellish the pieces and fashion handle charms. And knife collectors are charmed, we’re sure.
These four assisted opening knives sit at the intersection of value and performance. They’re proof you don’t need to spend a bundle for a knife you can enjoy day in and day out.
They might not look real, but the knife photos don’t lie. These fantasy knives, each made by a wizard of custom knifemaking, bring to mind sword-and-sandal TV shows and movies.
Aaron Schwartz
Some dyed zebra bone and Alabama damascus, and a tree came to life in the blue woods, horns protruding from its skull as it wreaked havoc on the land. (PointSeven image)
Josef Rusnak
You don’t see much antelope bone on knives, nor too many 440C blades shaped like the “Dragon Claw,” which, in turn, wears the skin of a stingray with pride.
Logan Pearce
The Valkyrie, with filed O1 wings and blue mammoth ivory body, chooses those in battle who may live and those who die. (Ward image)
Jeff Knox
The main tusks of the “Trandoshan Mount” are hollow-ground 440C bent at 30 degrees, the horns ground using 1- and 3-inch wheels and the body of white Corian. (PointSeven image)
Glenn Paul Smit
The integral “knuckle duster” guard of the “Myrlande Machete” would dust ’em off if the 18-inch tool steel blade didn’t take care of them first. Silver skulls embellish the purple swirled acrylic grip, and the skull pommel is carved bone with purple glass eyes.
Like “Weird” Knives? Come to BLADE Show West 2018
BLADE Show West is taking place Oct. 5-7, 2018, in the home of weird, Portland, Oregon. Expect high strangeness and masterful custom knife presentations. Details here.
Editor’s note: A long-time vintage knife enthusiast originally from England, Jim Taylor wrote a number of stories on antique knives for BLADE®, including this one on a knife that belonged to Abraham Lincoln and fetched almost $100,000 at auction in 1989. Help us celebrate BLADE’s 45th anniversary with his story from the July/August 1989 issue.
by Jim Taylor
The hammer fell. The auctioneer at Sotheby’s January 1989 auction in New York couldn’t get another cent. The buyer, an anonymous American collector, had bought a 4.25-inch pearl-handled pocketknife.
The facts reported above are true. The sums of money mentioned are certifiable. Add the 10 percent buyer’s premium and the knife’s new owner got back $175 change out of 100 grand! Yep, the net price was $99,825.
The knife in question was not one you’re likely to find on a dealer’s table. This one was special!
An “Historic” Knife for President Lincoln
On June 16, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln spoke at the Great Central Fair in Philadelphia. To mark the occasion, prominent Philadelphians presented him with what Sotheby’s catalog described as an “historic mother of pearl presentation ‘American Army’ multi-bladed pocketknife of slightly serpentine outline. Paneled with mother of pearl and inlaid with a gold plaque engraved ‘Abraham Lincoln,’ the pocketknife is fitted with polished steel scissors, nail file and five various blades, two of which are damascened (decorated with inlaid patterns of gold or silver) with foliated inscriptions.”
Accompanying the historic knife is the original presentation box, made of fitted oak and lined with velvet and satin. The inscription inside the lid states that the wood and iron used in the box’s construction came from the “Old Liberty Bell.” The lid is inlaid on the outside with a spread-winged eagle surrounded by 13 stars. The sale also included a handwritten letter of thanks from Lincoln. The letter, dated Oct. 17, 1864, states:
“I have received at the hands of the Hon. Wm. D. Kelley a very beautiful and ingeniously constructed pocketknife accompanied by your kind letter of presentation. The gift is gratefully accepted and will be highly valued, not only as an extremely creditable specimen of American workmanship, but as a manifestation of your regard and esteem which I most cordially appreciate.
Your ob’t serv,t A. Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln lived at a time when knives were carried by most everyone on a daily basis—not only as a convenient tool but because, quite simply, knives were indispensable for a wide variety of tasks and personal needs. And, back then at least, Lincoln apparently was no different than anyone else.
The inscription on the clip blade reads, “LIBERTY, July 4th, 1776. Abraham Lincoln, Jan. 1st, 1863 EQUALITY.” The blades all carry the tang stamps “J. Ward & Co., Bronxville, New York.” It also is apparent from the photograph—kindly supplied by Sotheby’s—that various implements are fitted behind the pearl handle, such as a tweezers, pick and more.
Ward originally made the knife to the order of Albert B. Justice, a Philadelphia hardware merchant. Justice presented the knife to the fair’s board of directors, of which he was a member. He then solicited some 130 wealthy Philadelphians to endorse its subsequent presentation to the president. When presented, the knife was accompanied by a document containing the 130 Philadelphians’ signatures.
The document is currently in the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Other items sold with the knife include a bronze medal commemorating the fair, as well as photographs of the presentation document, photocopies of a publication called Our Daily Fair that described the fair, and the text of Lincoln’s address.
The Bronxville factory in New York was originally a grist and saw mill prior to the Revolutionary War, and the four-story building housing the factory came into the hands of James Swain circa 1849. Swain utilized the building for the manufacture of axles, among other things.
In 1880, James Ward bought the property solely for the manufacture of cutlery.
Ward, like so many of his countrymen of the day, sought the aid of qualified and experienced Sheffield cutlers, and he even advertised for them. One tiny fragment of a prospectus survives. It reads:
“Dear Sir,
The undersigned, Manufacturers of PEN AND POCKET CUTLERY, are now prepared to sell to the trade, a first class article, manufactured on the English system…”
Knives made by Ward in Bronxville are certainly not plentiful, nor are the records clear about how long the company lasted. The factory later became the police headquarters for the Bronx River Parkway before its eventual demolition circa 1959.
Editor’s note: The current location of the Lincoln pocketknife was unknown at press time.
It’s challenging to know which knife sharpeners are junk and which are worth the money. To help, BLADE staff and contributors assembled this list. These are the knife sharpeners that those “in the know” use, but they won’t break the bank.
How BLADE Chose These Knife Sharpeners
BLADE received no compensation for the items that appear on this list. BLADE does not benefit financially from affiliate programs on any of the links. These picks are based on experience, knife sharpener reviews from the magazine, and what’s hot in the marketplace. There are more excellent options beyond this list.
Remember: a sharpener can’t help you if it never leaves the drawer! Buy a knife sharpener you’ll enjoy using.
Top Pick: Electric/Manual Combo Knife Sharpener
Work Sharp Combo Knife Sharpener
PROS
For all types of knives
Simple to use for beginners, but yields advanced results
Offers electric sharpening (removing metal) and manual honing (straightening metal) in one unit
Easy maintenance with compressed air
CONS
Produces metal dust (store it away from food)
Only offers 25-degree angle for edges
The Work Sharp Combo Sharpener is designed for those who want simplicity along with the results that abrasive belt sharpening offers. One speed, one belt, one angle—everything is fixed. (DMS Captures image)
Winner: 2016 BLADE Magazine Accessory of the Year!
Featuring a flexible abrasive belt, the motorized Work Sharp Combo Sharpener (WSCS) from Work Sharp is simple and effective. It uses long lasting abrasive-belt-sharpening technology and puts a convex edge on any blade.
It has one sharpening angle, one motor speed and one grit of belt only. Simply plug it in and turn it on. Configured in a nice, compact form, the built-in angle guides eliminate the guesswork of holding a consistent 25-degree angle.
Pull the blade through each slot to sharpen both sides. After achieving a sharp edge using the belt, switch to the tapered ceramic rod to further hone the edge to hair-popping sharpness. Rest the blade flat against the yellow pads and move it from tang to tip in one sweeping motion using light pressure.
The McGowan DiamondStone electric sharpener is a singlestage unit with counter-rotating abrasive wheels that produce a keen edge quickly on any blade, though it does so especially well with kitchen knives.
PROS
Quick and easy to use
Works especially well on kitchen knives
Chrome finish doesn’t look out of place on the countertop
Design keeps metal dust to a minimum
Less noisy than other models
CONS
Boxy design may not be visually appealing to everyone
Housed in a combination metal/plastic housing, the DiamondStone is available in brushed chrome or black. The brushed chrome blends in nicely on a kitchen countertop with other kitchen appliances.
Out of the box, the sharpener looks well built with top-notch fit and finish. It is quite boxy in appearance, with a pronounced slot running down the middle. Inside the slot sits multiple diamond-infused ceramic wheels that interlock and rotate counterclockwise in relation to each other in order to sharpen both sides of the edge simultaneously. The unit runs smoothly with minimal noise.
Place the blade in the slot starting with the tang end and pull straight toward you, using a minimal amount of pressure on the wheels and drawing back at a moderate pace to allow the ceramic wheels to do the work. As you approach the blade tip, lift the handle slightly so you can sharpen the blade’s belly evenly as well. Once you reach the tip, lift the knife out of the slot and repeat. Usually, a few strokes through the DiamondStone yield a very sharp edge.
This is an ideal type of sharpener for novices because there’s only one motion involved—pulling the blade through the machine.
The best pull-through, manual knife sharpeners feature a secure grip, a sturdy design, and solid construction for durability. A $20 investment ought to last you several years. (AccuSharp image)
PROS
Rubber grip for secure sharpening
Sharpening and honing options
Heavy duty design
Compatible with most plain-edge knives
Could not be simpler to use
CONS
Sharpener/honer may become loose after years of use (as with most manual pull-through knife sharpeners
Lacks the “cool factor” of more advanced knife sharpeners
Yes, there are plenty of pull-through, manual knife sharpeners out there. Some of them even resemble the design of the AccuSharp Pull-Through Knife Sharpener. So why did this one make the list?
To put it simply, this is a well-built manual knife sharpener with a sturdy design. That’s really all you need to worry about, because the sharpening technique will be the same. Draw the blade through the sharpening or the honing V with gentle pressure. Let the tool do the work. So long as you can safely move the blade through the V, this manual sharpener will tackle any type of knife (except for serrations).
This is a knife sharpener to keep in the kitchen drawer, the work bench in the garage, at the cabin, or even in a backpack.
See Also: Just about any other manual, pull-through knife sharpener. Look for solid grips, a sturdy design, and solid construction. It’s OK to pay a few dollars extra for durability’s sake.
Knife Honing Rod Tips
What’s the difference between honing and sharpening knives?
Honing rods refresh an edge, but they do not sharpen. That’s an important distinction. Honing is something that’s done regularly to tune up a blade, such as before preparing a meal, or immediately after sharpening. That’s because honing straightensthe existing edge. Sharpening removes metal from the edge, which is why it shouldn’t be done as often as honing.
Confusing this entire category is how some honing rods are called sharpening rods, and vice versa. The key is to look at the material.
Three Types of Honing Rods
Generally speaking, there are three types of honing rods: steel, ceramic and diamond. While each has different characteristics, there are some things to watch for:
A secure, ergonomic grip
A sturdy guard that protects your hand
A ring on the handle for slipping a pinky through in case you drop it
The rod should be longer than the blade of the knife/knives you intend to sharpen
There’s no need to overspend on steel honing rods. This 12-inch rod from Utopia Kitchen goes for $15.99.
Steel honing rods are the most common type, and the least expensive. Because they’re made from metal that’s softer than what’s typically found on knives, they’re excellent honing tools. Don’t pay more than $20 for one.
The Idahone Fine Ceramic Sharpening Rod sells for $34.99 at most retailers.
Ceramic honing rods are a bit more aggressive than steel versions. They’ll remove some steel in the process of honing. Isn’t that technically sharpening? Yes! However, if you’re someone who doesn’t sharpen as often as you should, a ceramic honing rod is a way to delay the inevitable. Expect to pay between $30 to $40 for the best value.
The 12-inch Diamond Steel Sharpening Rod has an MSRP of $39.68.
Diamond honing rods remove the most amount of steel during the honing process, which is why they’re basically sharpeners. If you go down the diamond rod route, pick up a steel or ceramic honing rod, too. On the plus side, diamond rods will last a lifetime. Pay $35 to $45 for a nice ROI.
Portable Keychain Knife Sharpener
CRKT Knife Maintenance Tool (KMT)
The CRKT Knife Maintenance Tool is an excellent portable knife sharpener. (CRKT image)
PROS
Compatible with most folding knives
Tungsten manual sharpener on one side
Ceramic honing edge on the other
Attaches to keychain
Bonus: T6 & T8 Torx screwdrivers
CONS
Too small for larger fixed blade knives
Maybe you prefer a different screwdriver?
Winner: 2018 BLADE Magazine Accessory of the Year!
The KMT weighs in at only 2.2 ounces. It sports a glass reinforced nylon handle. (CRKT image)
Too many keychain knife sharpeners are garbage. They fall apart, don’t get the job done, or are challenging to hold safely. The CRKT KMT, however, is an exception.
Place the KMT horizontally on a surface, then pull a blade through the tungsten carbide sharpener or the ceramic honing edge. Use gentle pressure, because the classic V will automatically bite into the edge’s preset angle.
The T6 and T8 screwdrivers may seem like filler for a keychain knife sharpener, but they actually offer a nice grip while working the blade.
An MSRP of $29.99 may seem high for a keychain knife sharpener, but consider the abuse you put your keys through on a daily basis, and it’s worth the price.
Here’s how to sharpen serrated knives. (Bear & Son photo)
PROS
Tapered diamond rod makes sharpening knife serrations a breeze
Built-in carbide sharpener tunes up plain edges, too
Bonus: Magnesium fire starting rod
Compact design: Both rods fit inside the body
Rugged body keeps components safe
CONS
Best used in tandem with a separate, dedicated sharpener for plain (non-serrated) edges
May not want to pay extra for the fire starting rod
A view of the Scepter 2.0 fully assembled, with both rods inside the body. (Bear & Son photo)The two rods screw apart and back into the knife sharpener’s body. This is a serrated knife sharpener that should last you a lifetime. (Bear & Son photo)
The GATCO Scepter 2.0 leans toward the survival category, but don’t let that turn you away from it. This is an overbuilt tool that should take care of sharpening your knife serrations for the rest of your life. Diamonds are forever.
The tapered diamond rod easily sharpens all types and sizes of serrations on tactical, sporting and kitchen knives. Simply lock the rod into the groove of a serration and lightly run it toward the blade’s edge. The classic V of the tungsten carbide sharpener will handle plain edges, too.
But the real gem in this design is the way the components can all be screwed into the rugged, 6061-T6 aluminum carbide body for secure storage.
Do you really need the magnesium fire starting rod? Maybe, maybe not, but that’s just gravy.
“We invented the Tri-Angle Sharpmaker because, while similar to the [V-stick] sharpener, it solved many sharpening challenges/problems the [V-stick] couldn’t perform,” he says.
One of those problems is the V-stick model could not sharpen serrated blades. Enter the Sharpmaker’s triangular-shaped rods, which allow it to address both plain edges on the rods’ flats and serrations using the “points” of the triangle.
Once you set the sharpener up, start your blade from where the edge starts closest to the tang and run it down the hone, at the same time pulling the blade back toward you, ensuring the hone contacts the entire length of the cutting edge all the way to the tip. Hence, you’re doing two simultaneous motions—moving down the hone and pulling the blade back toward you. Do it all with light pressure.
Don’t think you can learn how to sharpen a ceramic knife? Think again. (Dexter Ewing image)
PROS
Handles ceramic or steel blades
Don’t need to mail ceramic knives in for sharpening
Works with most types of knives
Simple to use
CONS
Only offers a convex edge
Pricier than other sharpening options
As with all motorized Chef ’s Choice sharpeners, the 702 will handle steel kitchen knives. However, it also will put the same quality edge on any ceramic kitchen blade. Employing advanced diamond abrasive technology, the 702 features two sharpening slots that hold the knives at pre-set angles, optimized for the best edge on both ceramic and steel blades. Turn the motor on and, using a steady drawing motion, pull the blade through each slot.
The 702 applies a convex edge, or what the Chef ’s Choice literature calls a “gothic arch,” to either steel or ceramic blades. The resulting grind leaves behind more “body,” which gives the edge added strength and resists chipping, while still remaining very sharp. This translates into a longer lasting edge.
The DMD Double Sided Bench Stone features two grits on one stone. Coarse (400) and fine (1,000) grits address high-performance steel blades. The metal plate is double sided and lies on the base just so to provide sharpening convenience. (DMS Captures image)
DMD Double-Sided Bench Stone
PROS
As with all knife sharpening stones, total control over edge angle
Two sides offer two grits
You look like a pro
Sharpens knives and edged tools
CONS
May be too advanced for knife novices
Some prefer a larger stone
The DMD double-sided bench stone sports two different grits: a coarse 400 and fine 1,000. The base is molded ABS plastic and features wide, anti-skid rubber feet to keep the sharpener in place while working on a flat table, counter or bench. The sharpening surface sits in a cavity of the base. To change grits, flip the hone over and return it to the base.
A hex-like pattern on both sharpening surfaces removes the tiny metal particles so they won’t collect and clog the surfaces as you sharpen the blade.
Work with the DMD and discover the convenience of a double-sided diamond bench stone, a rarity among such stones. The coarse side easily and quickly re-establishes worn edges to sharp. After you establish the primary edge, flip the sharpening surface over to the fine side and fine-tune the blade.
Pro Tip: Try using a permanent marker to color in the entire cutting edge on both sides of the blade. As you sharpen, note where the ink is removed and where it remains on the cutting edge. By doing so you can adjust your angle accordingly to capture the entire cutting edge and, therefore, keep the angle consistent for a sharp blade.
The Cordless Knife & Tool Sharpener from Smith’s Products features easily adjustable angle guides that hold the knife at the proper set angle for a consistent edge. (DMS Captures image)
PROS
Take an electric knife sharpener anywhere
No need to replace batteries
Sharpens knives and tools
Interchangeable belts for different grits
Backer plates offer extra safety
CONS
Belts can wear out
“Grabby” belts can apply an uneven edge if you’re not careful
Battery life limits use time
The Cordless Knife & Tool Sharpener represents a new step for Smith’s Products. While the company has sold and continues to sell electric sharpeners, this is the first time it has offered a powered abrasive-belt unit. Moreover, Smith’s added an extra twist by making it cordless and rechargeable. A pivoting head enables the unit not only to sharpen knives, but other cutting and digging tools such as axes, hedge clippers, bypass pruners, shovels and more. It comes with three interchangeable belts in coarse (80), medium (220) and fine (600) grits.
The belts are simple to change and color-coded for easy recognition. In addition to the multiple grits of belts, an adjustable guide maintains a consistent angle throughout the sharpening process. Another cool feature consists of “backer plates” behind the flexible sharpening belts.
“The backer plates prevent the belt from wrapping around the tip of your blade when you pull it through the sharpening slot,” says Ricky Dukes, Smith’s vice president of marketing.
Pull the blade through the slots to easily achieve a very sharp cutting edge. An ergonomic, soft-grip molded handle makes holding the sharpener very comfortable as well as non-slip.
In order to operate the sharpener, depress the rocker switch with your finger. Release the switch and the motor shuts off. There is no trigger lock to enable the sharpener to run continuously. Hence, if you need to stop the unit to regain control, simply release the switch.
One of the unit’s advantages—being cordless and rechargeable—is also a downside. BLADE’s tester operated it non-stop for 8 minutes and 20 seconds before it ran out of charge with no warning. Around the 8-minute mark the motor slowed slightly and 20 seconds later it shut off . There was no gradual tapering off —it simply shut down.
Join your friends at BLADE magazine and the knife industry at-large Oct. 5-7, 2018, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland for BLADE Show West.
Find brand name knives, one-of-a-kind custom knives, edc gear and materials from industry leaders like Smoky Mountain Knife Works, CRKT, Kershaw, Benchmade, Leatherman, WE Knife and more.
