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BTAC Recap: Knives and Guns Rule

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BTAC Recap: Knives and Guns Rule

BLADE Tactical Knife Show joins forces with CANCON Carolinas.

The best of both worlds—knives and firearms—drew edged and gun enthusiasts alike to the 2nd Annual BLADE Tactical Knife Show (BTAC) held in conjunction with CANCON Carolinas November 7 at The Clinton House in Clinton, South Carolina.

In addition to enjoying CANCON’s unlimited suppressed shooting with free ammo in various shooting lanes and perusing one-of-a-kind artisan gear items, patrons had access to the adjacent BTAC Invitational Knife Pavilion to shop among hundreds of tactical knives by some of the industry’s top custom and factory knifemakers.

Located just inside the front entrance of CANCON Carolinas, the BTAC Invitational Knife Pavilion drew gun and knife enthusiasts alike.
Located just inside the front entrance of CANCON Carolinas, the BTAC Invitational Knife Pavilion drew gun and knife enthusiasts alike.

Mark Carey of Spartan Blades said folding knives seemed to appeal most to the combo knife/gun event’s patrons, who he described as “mostly gun people but many that know knives.” He also complemented CANCON as “an excellent on-range show; well set up, safe and secure.”

Mike Sweeney indicated folders under $200 sold best for Heretic Knives, while BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member Daniel Winkler stated smaller/concealable pieces were top sellers for Winkler Knives.

The future of both the knife and gun industries were among the patrons on hand.
The future of both the knife and gun industries were among the patrons on hand.

“The smaller pieces have lower price points, but there wasn’t a differentiation in handle materials or treatments from our perspective,” he wrote. “Customers familiar with our brand asked specifically for the smaller pieces.”

The roster of exhibitors consisted of Arsenal Edge; Attn2Detail Mercantile; Bastinelli Knives; Brad Zinker; Carver Knife Co.; Clark Custom Knives; Dauntless Manufacturing; Grizzly Forge; Heretic Knives; Hoffman Blacksmithing; Hypercut Manufacturing; ABS master smith Jason Knight; Keanison Knives; KeyBar; Krein Knives; McNees Knives; Microtech; Nicholas Nichols Knives; Nottingham Tactical Inc., Primitive Woodsman; Scorpion 6 Knives; Sparrow Knife Co.; Spartan Blades; and Winkler Knives.

More On The Blade Shows:

Cool Customs: Rocco Nawrocki’s Knife For Sergeant Bunker

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Cool Customs: Rocco Nawrocki’s Knife For Sergeant Bunker

Marine Corps hero feted with Nawrocki knife at The Battleship Ball.

An unforgettable setting for a memorable event celebrating an American hero—all complemented by a beautiful knife by Brian “Rocco” Nawrocki—completed a tribute to USMC Sergeant Scott Bunker during last year’s 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps.

Assigned to Lima Company in 2005 during the Iraq War, Sergeant Bunker took multiple machine-gun rounds at point-blank range in house-to-house fighting, resulting in the loss of an eye, half a lung, several ribs and soft-tissue damage to his left arm. He was the guest of honor at The Battleship Ball 2025 on November 1, held on the deck of the vintage World War II Battleship USS North Carolina in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Event organizer/USMC veteran Dean Smith (left) congratulates Sgt. Scott Bunker after delivery of the Nawrocki tribute knife (in display case on the dais) during The Battleship Ball.
Event organizer/USMC veteran Dean Smith (left) congratulates Sgt. Scott Bunker after delivery of the Nawrocki tribute knife (in display case on the dais) during The Battleship Ball.

The handsome fixed blade Rocco made for Sergeant Bunker includes steel from the North Carolina for the blade and guard. The wood handle is teak from the battlewagon’s deck, along with purple heart ribbon spacers.

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New Knives December 2025

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New Knives December 2025

If it needs cutting, do it in style with one of these gems.

Of any class of knife, there’s nothing handier than an EDC blade. From mending hoses to knocking down cardboard boxes and prying open stuck latches, these knives trim down daily chores. Though what exactly defines an EDC knife? Honestly, anything could be an everyday carry if you simply carry it every day. And while a few of our new knife picks aren’t precisely what you call your typical EDC, they’re certainly worthy of keeping at hand to cut into your workload.

Brian Milinski Paratrooper

Brian Milinski Paratrooper

BLADE LENGTH: 3.25”
BLADE MATERIAL: Dragonskin damascus by Bertie Rietveld
BLADE GRIND: Hollow
BLADE FINISH: Nitre salt blued
SCALES: Carbon fiber
CLOSED LENGTH: 4.5”
MAKER’S PRICE FOR A SIMILAR KNIFE: $1,650
MAKER: Brian Milinski, mrknives.com (Felipe Silva image)

Buck Knives 791 Range Elite

Buck Knives 791 Range Elite

KNIFE TYPE: Folder
BLADE LENGTH: 3 3/8”
BLADE STEEL: MagnaCut stainless
BLADE GRIND: High-panel flat
BLADE OPENER: Thumb stud
HANDLE MATERIAL: Anodized aluminum
LINERS: Tumble-polished stainless
LOCK: Crossbar
POCKET CLIP: Deep carry, reversible
WEIGHT: 3.3 ozs.
CLOSED LENGTH: 4.5”
SPECIAL FEATURES: Spine gimping
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
MSRP: $275
COMPANY: Buck Knives, buckknives.com

Sean Alonzo Dalisay 2.8 Cigar Cutter

Sean Alonzo Dalisay 2.8 Cigar Cutter

BLADE LENGTH: 2.8”
BLADE MATERIAL: Yggdrasil pattern damascus by Damasteel
BLADE GRIND: Single bevel
SCALES: Mammoth tusk ivory
BOLSTER: Black burlap Micarta®
KNIFE TO KNOW: Pivot collar, inlay and thumb screws are mammoth ivory; zirconium pivot and backspacer
MAKER’S PRICE FOR A SIMILAR KNIFE: $4,200
MAKER: Sean Alonzo, baleteblades.shop (Jocelyn Frasier image)

Brion Tomberlin Personal Carry Fighter

Brion Tomberlin Personal Carry Fighter

BLADE LENGTH: 4.5”
BLADE MATERIAL: W2 tool steel w/hamon
BLADE GRIND: Flat
SCALES: Ironwood
GUARD: 416 stainless steel
OVERALL LENGTH: 9.5”
MAKER’S PRICE FOR A SIMILAR KNIFE: $650
KNIFE TO KNOW: Brion Tomberlin is a master smith in the American Bladesmith Society
MAKER: Brion Tomberlin (Jocelyn Frasier image)

Craig Brewer Slipjoint

Craig Brewer Slipjoint

BLADE LENGTH: 2.5”
BLADE MATERIAL: Mike Norris stainless damascus in a Frequency pattern
BLADE GRIND: Hollow
SCALES: Mammoth ivory
CLOSED LENGTH: 3”
MAKER’S PRICE FOR A SIMILAR KNIFE: $1,100
KNIFE TO KNOW: Craig Brewer is an apprentice smith in the American Bladesmith Society
MAKER: Craig Brewer (Jocelyn Frasier image)

Quintin T. Hardtner IV Take-Down Frame-Handle Bowie

Quintin T. Hardtner IV Take-Down Frame-Handle Bowie

BLADE LENGTH: 8.25”
BLADE MATERIAL: Feather damascus of 1084 carbon and 15N20 nickel-alloy steels
BLADE GRIND: Flat
SCALES: Curly koa
FURNITURE MATERIAL: Same as blade
SPACERS: Nickel silver
OVERALL LENGTH: 13.5”
KNIFE TO KNOW: Won Best Fixed Blade and Best of Show at the 2025 Louisiana Knife Show
SHEATH: Leather; custom made by Bob Bobbitt
MAKER’S PRICE FOR A SIMILAR KNIFE: $3,000
MAKER: Quintin T. Hardtner IV (Jocelyn Frasier image)

Spartan Blades Soter Carbon Fiber Edition

Spartan Blades Soter Carbon Fiber Edition

KNIFE TYPE: EDC folder
BLADE LENGTH: 3.25”
BLADE STEEL: CPM S35VN stainless
ROCKWELL HARDNESS: 58-60 HRC
BLADE FINISH: Satin
HANDLE MATERIAL: Carbon fiber/G-10 composite
LOCK: RaceLock™
POCKET CLIP: Machined from one piece of steel, PVD-coated in flat dark earth
WEIGHT: 3.9 ozs.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
MSRP: $310
KNIFE TO KNOW: Soter is the Greek mythological figure known as the “protector”
COMPANY: Spartan Blades, spartanbladesusa.com

Tory Utt Arkansas Hunter

Tory Utt Arkansas Hunter

KNIFE TYPE: Slipjoint
BLADE LENGTH: 4”
BLADE MATERIAL: Feather pattern damascus forged by Bill Poor
BLADE GRIND: Flat
BLADE PATTERN: Clip point
HANDLE FRAME: Nickel silver
SCALES: Westinghouse Micarta®
SHIELD: Mother-of-pearl
BOLSTERS: Topo pattern damascus forged by Tory Utt
CLOSED LENGTH: 4.25”
MAKER’S PRICE FOR A SIMILAR KNIFE: $1,300 range
KNIFE TO KNOW: Tory Utt has been making knives for 12 years
MAKER: Tory Utt, sacredbearknives.com (SharpByCoop image)

Mace Vitale Bowie

Mace Vitale Bowie

BLADE LENGTH: 12.5”
BLADE MATERIAL: W2 tool steel w/hamon
BLADE GRIND: Flat
SCALES: Tasmanian blackwood
GUARD & FERRULE: Mild steel
OVERALL LENGTH: 17.5”
KNIFE TO KNOW: The design is inspired by early American knives; Mace Vitale is a journeyman smith in the American Bladesmith Society
MAKER’S PRICE FOR A SIMILAR KNIFE: $1,750
MAKER: Mace Vitale (SharpByCoop image)

Bear & Son Cutlery 112A 4” Stainless Steel Framelock

Bear & Son Cutlery 112A 4” Stainless Steel Framelock

BLADE LENGTH: 2 7/8”
BLADE MATERIAL: Stainless steel
BLADE PATTERN: Drop point
BLADE OPENERS: Flipper and thumb stud
OPENING MECHANISM: Assisted
HANDLE MATERIAL: Stainless steel
LOCK: Framelock
POCKET CLIP: Yes
WEIGHT: 3.8 ozs.
CLOSED LENGTH: 3¾”
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
MSRP: $59.99
COMPANY: Bear & Son Cutlery, bearandsoncutlery.com

Camillus Explorer

Camillus Explorer


BLADE LENGTH: 3”
BLADE STEEL: 3Cr13 stainless
BLADE PATTERN: Drop point
HANDLE MATERIAL: Nylon glass fiber
LOCK: Crossbar
WEIGHT: 3 3/8 ozs.
CLOSED LENGTH: 4.5”
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Offshore
MSRP: $29.99
COMPANY: Camillus, camillusknives.com

5.11 Pryme Double Duty DP

5.11 Pryme Double Duty DP

KNIFE TYPE: Folder
BLADE LENGTH: 3.25”
BLADE MATERIAL: D2 tool steel
BLADE GRIND: Compound
BLADE PATTERN: Drop point
BLADE OPENERS: Flipper and thumb stud
HANDLE MATERIAL: G-10 on mark side/420J2 stainless on lock side
BOLSTER MATERIAL: 420J2
LOCK: Framelock
POCKET CLIP: Steel, deep carry, reversible
WEIGHT: 5.3 ozs.
CLOSED LENGTH: 5.125”
SPECIAL FEATURES: Built-in, full-handle-length pry tool/screwdriver/optic
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: China
MSRP: $85
CONTACT: 5.11, 5.11tactical.com

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Niagara Specialty Metals Announces Steels List

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Niagara Specialty Metals Announces Steels List

Get a gander at what’s on the slate for NSM in 2026.

According to a recent post by Niagara Specialty Metals (NSM) on BladeForums, NSM (nsm-ny.com) had several steels and materials available either now or that were “incoming” as BLADE was going to press.

The list includes: MagnaCut; CPM154; S30V; S35VN; S45VN; S90V; 3V; 4V; CruWear (aka NSM Wear); 154CM; 20CV; M4; CPM D2; D2; 440C ESR; 416; and 6-4 titanium. The new MagnaMax (page 66) should be available in 2026.

The post stated that all particle metallurgy grades are “coming in from Erasteel and Carpenter and the quality has been excellent.” All of NSM’s air-melt steels and 6-4 titanium are domestic.

The only grades off the list at press time were 15V, 110V and Rex 121. “They were Crucible exclusives,” the post noted of the three grades not on the list, “and we’re working with the mills to bring them back once production can be re-established.”

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West Coast Flipping Championships Placers

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West Coast Flipping Championships Placers

See who took home top honors at the West Coast Flipping Championship.

The contestant known as @balisongnerd won the 6th Annual West Coast Flipping Championships October 11 at BLADE Show West in Salt Lake City.

Contestants @in8jo and @__hey.austin captured second and third place, respectively.

Hosted and conducted by Squid Industries before a crowd of engaged onlookers in the Salt Palace Convention Center, the event drew a large number of young contestants who competed against each other by displaying their balisong flipping talents in a round robin format.

Prizes included $1,000 for first place, along with a Poikilo Blade Nova, MachineWise Opus V2 Live Blade and Microtech Ultratech ZBP OTF Zero Forks from Blade HQ. Second place took home a $500 cash prize, a MachineWise Opus V2 Trainer and a Dessert Warrior Civivi Elementum II from Blade HQ. Third place earned $250, a MachineWise Opus V2 trainer and a CRKT Folts Minimalist Dessert Warrior from BladeHQ.

More On BLADE Show:

Cool Custom: Tony Lewis’ Tribute Knife To Steve Dunn

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Cool Custom: Tony Lewis’ Tribute Knife To Steve Dunn

Tony Lewis knife honors the late ABS master smith and chairman.

American Bladesmith Society Master Smith/past ABS chairman Steve Dunn was admired by many in the knife community and died way too soon at 68 in 2024. ABS Journeyman Smith Tony Lewis never met Steve but is a fan of his work, including Steve’s damascus pattern known as Thorns and Thistles.

Tony was fortunate enough to buy Steve’s Riverside hydraulic press, a purchase that included several of Dunn’s die sets. Among the dies was a saddle die—maybe the very one Steve originally used to make the Thorns and Thistles pattern.

Tony Lewis
Tony Lewis

“Recreating the Thorns and Thistles pattern was both a challenge and a joy,” Tony wrote. “Forging triangles and combining them into a cohesive mosaic was a new technique for me, but after some trial and error I managed to pull it off. When I finally etched the billet and saw the intricate pattern revealed, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction—and connection.”

After studying Steve’s signature style, Tony chose a bowie that he believes “embodies the spirit of Steve’s work.” The result is a terrific tribute to a most talented man.

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First Look: Civivi Outlaw Muk Folds The Nessmuk

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First Look: Civivi Outlaw Muk Folds The Nessmuk

Explore the CIVIVI Outlaw Muk folder, a tactical EDC interpretation of the classic Nessmuk pattern featuring a smooth flipper and secure button lock.

The Nessmuk knives have deep roots in American outdoor history, instantly recognizable for their unique, sweeping blade profile. This knife style was championed by 19th-century writer and early ultralight camping pioneer George Washington Sears, who wrote under the pen name Nessmuk.

Traditionally, this design is a fixed blade—a dependable, do-it-all camp knife known for its pronounced hump on the spine and generous belly, perfect for tasks from skinning to food prep. Now, designer Trey Sprinkle, from the YouTube channel Last American Outlaw, has tackled the challenge of translating this timeless, fixed-blade archetype into a modern, pocket-friendly folder. The CIVIVI Outlaw Muk is Sprinkle’s first production collaboration and a striking reimagining of a legend, built with a distinct, tactical attitude setting it apart from its historical inspiration.

Outlaw Muk Specs

Overall Length: 8.08″
Width: 1.4″
Overall Height (Include Clip): 0.72″
Blade Length: 3.47″
Closed Length: 4.61″
Blade Thickness: 0.12″
Handle Thickness: 0.51″
Knife Weight: 3.74oz
Blade Material: 14C28N
Blade Hardness: 57-59HRC
Blade Grind: Flat
Blade Finish: Black Stonewashed
Blade Type: Nessmuk
Handle Material: G10
Handle Color/Finish: Black
Liner Material: Stainless Steel
Liner Color/Finish: Black
Pocket Clip: Tip-Up, L/R
Clip Material: Stainless Steel
Screws Material: Stainless Steel
Pivot Assembly: Caged Ceramic Ball Bearing
Locking Mechanism: Button Lock
MSPR: $62.90

Modern Nessmuck

The design embodies a rugged, tactical aesthetic that aligns perfectly with Sprinkle’s online persona. The traditional Nessmuk shape is narrowed, given more of a dramatic sweep, and is accented with a harpoon swedge near the tip, lending it a formidable appearance. This aggressive yet refined profile takes the basic geometry of the original and infuses it with a contemporary, hard-use look.

Civivi Outlaw Muk open and closed

The most significant design departure, however, is the inclusion of modern folder mechanics. The Outlaw Muk utilizes a highly secure button lock mechanism. The lock has been engineered with a specific spring tension under the button, providing just enough resistance to prevent accidental engagement, yet remaining easy to release for effortless one-handed retraction. This combination of speed and safety makes the knife practical for continuous daily use where quick access is essential.

Outlaw Muk Materials

This smooth operation is coupled with a highly responsive pivot system. The knife features caged ceramic ball bearings, ensuring that deployment via the subtle rear flipper is consistently smooth and fast, a hallmark of CIVIVI’s knives.

For performance, the Outlaw Muk offers a 3.47-inch blade crafted from 14C28N stainless steel. This Scandinavian steel is well-regarded in the mid-range category for its excellent balance of edge retention, corrosion resistance, and ease of sharpening. While the blade size is modest compared to a traditional fixed-blade Nessmuk, its full belly and acute tip provide plenty of capability for cutting smaller foods, slicing through twine, or efficiently opening boxes and stubborn clamshell packaging.

Outlaw Muk Design

The handle maintains a subtle, ergonomic curve, which provides a comfortable and secure grip. It is fitted with full G10 scales, which are durable, moisture-resistant, and lightweight, contributing to the knife’s overall carry weight of just 3.74 ounces.

CIVIVI offers the knife in several colorways, including solid options like dark green or black, but the most distinctive variant features a striking black and white split pattern that offers a more refined, geometric look. The knife also includes a reversible, tip-up pocket clip, making it easily adaptable for both left- and right-handed users.

From its roots in 19th-century woodcraft to its execution with a button lock and modern 14C28N steel, the CIVIVI Outlaw Muk is a successful and intriguing blend of history and hard-use utility. It provides a unique option for those seeking a highly functional EDC knife that carries the attitude of a legendary outdoor pattern.

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