BLADE‘s Halloween pumpkin-carving contest is in the books. Here are the winners. They’ll be contacted separately for their prizes. Thanks to everyone who entered.
Reader’s Choice
Editor’s Choice
Runners-Up
BLADE Staff
Videos: Watch Rusty Knives Restored Back to Life
The hip kids know that the latest knife video craze involves rusty knives, knife maintenance tools and elbow grease. There’s something strangely satisfying about watching a beater knife that couldn’t fetch a quarter at a garage sale return to its former glory.
Here are the best “rusty knife rescue” videos from around the web.
Keep Your Knives Looking Their Best with This Guide
BLADE put together a guide all about knife sharpening and maintenance so you don’t have to perform extreme renovations like these. Get it here.
What is Freeze Edging?
“Freeze edging” takes place during grinding, and it involves controlling the temperature on the edge of the blade. This helps retain the hardness following the heat treating, assuring sharpness and durability of the blade.
To check out the results of freeze edging, put the K-1 or K-3 from Reate Knives into your hands. The company uses it in concert with RWL34 steel, an alloy similar to 154CM made by Damasteel. Chromium, molybdenum and vanadium offer greater corrosion resistance, hardness and strength.
Learn more at the Reate website, and check out these models:
Ceramic ball bearing system
Blade Length : 3.8”
Blade Thickness:0.157″
Overall Length:8.8’’
Blade Material: RWL34 (Made by Damasteel company)
Hardness: 60-61HRC
Handle Material:6AL4V Titanium
Inlay Material : Marble Carbon Fiber/ Carbon Fiber
Weight:4.93 oz
Locking: Frame Lock
More information about the K-1 from Reate Knives.
Multi-row ball bearing system
3-D machined Titanium handle Blade Length : 4.6″
Blade Thickness: 0.157″
Overall Length: 8.7″
Hardness: 60-61HRC
Handle Material: 6AL4V Titanium
Weight: CF ilay: 5.3oz/Mokuti inlay:6.0oz
Locking: Frame Lock
2017 Knife of the Year® Award Winners & Custom Knife Award Winners – BLADE Show
Atlanta, Georgia (June 3, 2017) – Awards recognizing the highest achievement in the custom and factory knife industries were bestowed the evening of Saturday, June 3, 2017, at the BLADE Show in the Cobb Galleria.
2017 BLADE Show Knife of the Year® Award Winners
Representatives from BLADE (www.blademag.com) distributed BLADE Magazine Knife of the Year® awards in 13 categories. Two of the awards—Industry Achievement and Publisher’s—went to a retail knife store and a knife-related organization, respectively, for their contributions to the world of knives.
All entrants in the Knife of the Year® competition were judged on a number of factors, including utility, design, creativity, materials, aesthetics, feel and other traits.
2017 Overall Knife of the Year® – Lionsteel SR-11
2017 American Made Knife of the Year® – Spartan Blades Kranos
2017 Imported Knife of the Year® – Columbia River Knife & Tool Crossbones
2017 Most Innovative American Design – Tighe Breaker Integral Automatic, by Brian Tighe & Friends
2017 Most Innovative Imported Design – SOG Baton Q2
2017 Best Buy of the Year – Kershaw Dividend
2017 Investor/Collector Knife of the Year® – Pro-Tech Cambria Masterpiece Custom
2017 Manufacturing Quality Award – Lionsteel Knives
2017 Accessory of the Year – Wicked Edge Go
2017 Knife Collaboration of the Year – FOX Knives MK Ultra (Jason Knight & Doug Marcaida)
2017 Kitchen Knife of the Year® – Kai USA Shun Ayu
Personal/Professional Achievement Awards
The Knife of the Year Awards recognized achievements in knives at the personal and professional levels in the following categories:
- Publisher’s Award – Phil Lobred
- Industry Achievement Award – Bladesports International
- Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© Inductees – Les de Asis & Jim Batson
2017 BLADE Show Custom Knife Winners
The 2017 BLADE Show Custom Knife Award Winners were also announced on Saturday, June 3, 2017, at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta.
Best in Show: CAS & Sam Lurquin collaboration
Best New Maker: Phil Jacob
Most Innovative Design: Grace Horne
Best Fixed Blade: CAS
Best Damascus: Mike Deibert
Best Bowie: Jean-Louis Regel
Best Folder: Glenn Waters
Best Fighter: Josh Fisher
Best Handle Design: Ben Seward
Best Miniature: Glenn Waters
Best of the Rest: Lloyd Studios
Best Utility Hunter: Wess Barnhill
Best Tactical Folder: Brian Nadeau
Best Sword: Ron Chen
Best Collaboration: CAS & Sam Lurquin
Best Art Knife: David Broadwell
About BLADE Show
The BLADE Show is the world’s largest, most important knife show, and has taken place every year since 1982 and in Atlanta since 1992. Upwards of 1,000 exhibitors from more than 20 countries display their knives and knife-related items over a three-day cutlery celebration that also features BLADE University knife seminars, knife auctions, custom knife awards, celebrity appearances and much more.
About BLADE
BLADE® Magazine (www.blademag.com) is the world’s No.1 knife publication. It is also the world’s oldest knife magazine, publishing its first issue in 1973. In conjunction with the BLADE Show, it has sponsored the Knife of the Year® Awards annually since 1982. The awards are the most coveted honors in the factory knife industry and are voted on by the booth exhibitors at the BLADE Show, who this year number more than 200. Only BLADE Show booth exhibitors are eligible to enter.
The BLADE Show and BLADE Magazine are the properties of F+W of Cincinnati, Ohio.
See 40 Years of Knives that Changed the World
BLADE collected the very best factory and custom knives into two digital collections to showcase the blades that changed the edged world forever. Click a cover to grab yours today.
 |
 |
BLADE Show, Day 1: The World’s Greatest Knife Show
If the first day of BLADE Show 2017 could be summed up in one word, it’d be “the line.” That’s actually two words, but it’s fitting for the enormous early turnout of knife enthusiasts waiting for the doors to open. Never before has the line gone literally out the door, and into the parking lot, and probably crossed a few state lines.
Make no mistake, folks. The world of knives is alive and well, and beating expectations on every front. The official tallies will be made later, but this must’ve been a record. A first for a Friday!
Here’s what the show floor looked like moments after the doors opened:
The view from the top of #bladeshow pic.twitter.com/fZ4soHpW29
— Blade Magazine (@BladeMagazine) June 2, 2017
In fact, it was a show full of firsts. How could it not be with the length of those lines? There’s bound to be a few newbies in there.
BLADE Show first-timer Erin Healy, BLADE‘s new managing editor, cut her teeth with a cool Kit Carson sword find. Did you know Kit Carson made swords? Well, now you do.
The learning didn’t stop there. BLADE University opened up a whole new world of knifemaking to attendees with not one, not two, but three classes on knife grinding. Instructors also zeroed in on how to select blade steel, making knives from simple tools, selecting an edge style and more.
The Knife of the Year entrants went on display outside of the main show floor this year, as they did for the past few. This not only made it easier to check out these incredible knives, it put some of the best knives in the world front and center for first-time show goers. They’re the first knives they see when they arrive. What could be better?
A second day of all of that and then some, that’s what. Tomorrow will be full of more knife events, and the Knife of the Year Awards will be announced. Online ticket registration is closed, but you can still find BLADE Show information at bladeshow.com.
Featured Knife: Skinner from Ridgeline Knife Works
The Skinner from Ridgeline Knife Works was designed with a big skinning belly in the 3-inch blade (think back to the old Dexter skinners), without sacrificing the ability to cut tendons and gut.
The G10 handle provides comfort regardless of the way the knife is held, and jimping adds additional finger grip. With a skeletonized full tang and no heavy bolsters or pommel, the weight is about 5 ounces — just enough to feel good in your hand.
Whether you choose the traditional route with D2 or opt for the advanced S35-VN stainless steel, you can count on a knife that will keep its edge through the job, and the next.
Even better, the knife is made in the USA from USA materials.
“I started this company because I saw a distinct lack of knives that were actually designed for what we do as hunters,” said Zack Waddle, Ridgeline owner. “As an engineer I believe that there should be a knife available to outdoors enthusiasts that has every detail engineered to make tasks faster, more comfortable, and well, more fun.”
Holiday Gift Guide for Knife Collectors, Enthusiasts and Makers
The best gift ideas for knife collectors, enthusiasts and makers can be found at ShopBlade.com. If you’re not familiar with the world of knives and aren’t sure where to start, this is the guide for you. And if you are, we at BLADE won’t cut you short with these suggestions for your own gift list.
For New and Established Knifemakers
Many books claim to show readers how to make knives, but only one is trusted enough to have three editions with full-color photos. BLADE’s Guide to Making Knives, 3rd Edition is new for 2016, and it’ll be a sure hit with any knifemaker, from the garage tinkerer to the knife show pro.
Get BLADE’s Guide to Making Knives, 3rd Edition from ShopBlade.com at a terrific price.
* Also recommended: 101 Knife Designs.
For Casual or Experienced Knife Collectors
For 37 years, knife collectors have looked forward to the latest editions of Knives, the annual book published by BLADE. Knives 2017 is the newest in this long tradition, and it’s can’t-miss material for the knife collector on your list.
While the in-depth features are interesting to read, and the custom knifemaker directory is second to none, it’s the beautiful photography that makes this book stand out year after year. Vibrant, full-color photos of the hottest custom knives on the planet receive the white glove treatment in this handsome tome. It’s as at home in the shop as it is on the coffee table.
Get Knives 2017 from ShopBlade.com here.
* Also recommended: Collecting Case Knives, 2nd. Ed. Identification and Price Guide for Pocket Knives.
For the Armed and Prepared Person
Knives can mean many things to many people, but their use as self-defense tools is undisputed. If the knife enthusiast on your list takes being prepared for the unthinkable seriously, there’s only one DVD you need to consider.
Make Ready with James Williams: Continuing Solutions to Edged Weapons is simply one of the best guides on self-defense with a knife available. Williams is a regular presenter at the BLADE Show, and his insights are second to none.
Get Make Ready with James Williams: Continuing Solutions to Edged Weapons here for 56% off the regular price.
* Also recommended: Build the Perfect Bug Out Bag: Your 72-Hour Disaster Survival Kit.
For Someone You’re Unsure About
It happens. The knife nut on your list either has everything already or doesn’t seem to need to anything in the first place. Fortunately, there’s a book that fits the bill.
Whittling Twigs & Branches is an unexpected find that cracks open the world of whittling with knives. There’s a surprising amount of information to learn about this topic. This includes how to carve roosters, herons, pheasants, roadrunners, flowers, trees and letter openers from ordinary twigs and branches.
Get Whittling Twigs & Branches here from ShopBlade.com for less than $10.
* Also recommended: Knife Laws of the U.S.: Loopholes, Pitfalls & Secrets.
For the Person with Too Many Knives
After conducting extensive and highly scientific research, 10 out of 10 knife experts agree: there’s no such thing as too many knives. However, there is such a thing as not having enough storage.
That’s why BLADE‘s exclusive 18-pocket knife roll is the perfect gift. Not only does it keep folding knives secure, it rolls up for efficient storage. Its strong yet flexible material keeps out dirt, moisture, light, pollutants and more.
The only place to get BLADE‘s 18-pocket knife roll is at ShopBlade.com.
Also recommended: Quick Release oil and applicator.
For Someone Just Starting Out in Knives
That knife collection isn’t going to build itself. Help a new collector along with this terrific CRKT Endorser folding knife. It’s the right mix between price (it’s a bargain for you) and features (it’s a respectable knife for them).
Dimensions
- Open Overall Length: 7.31 inches
- Closed Length: 4.17 inches
- Weight: 3.2 ounces
Blade
- Length: 3.18 inches
- Thickness: 0.1 inches
- Material: 8Cr14MoV
- Blade-HRC: 58-59
- Finish: Satin
- Grind: Hollow
- Style: Drop Point
- Edge: Plain
Handle
- Material: G10
Lock
- Type: Locking Liner
Get the CRKT Endorser from ShopBlade.com for just $24.99.
* Also recommended: CRKT Swindle, designed by Ken Onion.
For the Ultimate Knife Collector
If the collector on your list is serious about knives, make a big impression with the Famars Piccolo Aluminum Black Model A with Damascus Blades knife. From the description:
The world’s first pinless sidelock knife. Anodized aluminum body. Standard blade and tanto blade in 416 layered damascus steel.
This is one knife that your lucky recipient won’t soon forget. Get it here from ShopBlade.com.
* Also recommended: Klecker Knives Titanium KLAX Lumberjack.
Must Read Articles
Knifemaking 101 – Read This Before You Make a Knife
by Wayne Goddard
My experience has taught me that there's nothing like digging in and getting started. I've often said the hardest part of the...
