For the first time, original Russian Spetsnaz knives are offered on American market. All these knives were handmade in Russia and passed rigorous tests by military Spetsnaz. Each knife has a unique identification number. Tough construction, great balance, and ability to stay sharp are just a few attributes of these special knives. The design and reliability make them very attractive to military personnel, hunters, and collectors.
In this clip (1 of 5 in a series), Murray Carter and his guest talk with Okayasu Kazuo in October, 2010, at his knife shop in Tokyo. Kazuo played a critical role in the Japanese Knifemakers Guild since its founding in 1978.
This is a “how to stain curly maple wood” tutorial, Jon P. Moore shows what stain to use, how to prepare the wood and what to use for a gloss finish on one of his custom knives. The finished knife is shown at the end of the video.
BLADE did a quick interview with Jon about hand cleanup after rubbing the oil into the wood handles.
Editor Steve Shackleford: “Good video, Jon. Short and to the point. Those are the best kind. Question for you. When you rub the oil into the handle so aggressively with your bare hands, are there any dangers of harmful effects to you from absorbing the oil into your skin? Do you wash your hands with some kind of solvent or some such afterward?”
Jon: “Steve, the ‘Tru-Oil’ is weird stuff, I ran out of time on the video. It dries so fast, I don’t believe much, if any, is absorbed into the skin. I spray WD-40 on my hands, then wipe them with a paper towel, and my hands are completely clean, dry and not tacky. I had to edit that part out for time. I was told, this is a ‘hand rub finish’ done by custom gun builders. As for long term effects, I don’t know.”
Mike Searson interviews Derrick Obatake from SteelFlame. They talk about how Derrick got started, some designs and the USN gathering.
For a full transcript of this interview (the video doesn’t show the whole thing), click here to read more from Mike.
First Manufacturing Company in Oregon to Achieve This Level
July 28, 2011, OREGON CITY, Ore.-The US Green Building Council (USGBC) has awarded Benchmade Knife Company with Gold Certification LEED EB: O&M for their facility in Oregon City, Oregon. This award represents an extensive effort by Benchmade to adhere to a number of environmentally rigorous standards. Benchmade is the first Oregon manufacturing company to achieve this highly esteemed Gold Certification.
“Our entire workforce played a role in helping us get LEED Gold,” says Les de Asis, Founder and CEO of Benchmade. “These efforts will payoff in terms of both reducing our environmental impact as well as improving our bottom line.”
Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system. The system identifies best practices for buildings in the areas of energy efficiency, water conservation, sustainable grounds, healthy indoor air quality, and environmentally friendly materials. LEED EB: O&M certification, otherwise known as LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, identifies and rewards current best practices and provides an outline for buildings to use less energy, water, and natural resources, improve indoor environment, and uncover operating inefficiencies.
“LEED certification identifies Benchmade Knife Company as a pioneering example of sustainable design and demonstrates their leadership in transforming the building industry” commented S. Richard Fedrizzi, President, CEO and Founding Chairman, US Green Building Council.
To attain LEED EB: O&M, a building must address five broad categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy & atmosphere, materials & resources, and indoor environmental quality. Benchmade discovered innovative ways to improve the efficiency of their building, including:
“Taking the necessary steps to achieve LEED Gold Certification was not easy, but it’s wonderful to be acknowledged for our efforts” said John Ciorba, Benchmade’s Facilities and Maintenance Manager.
Benchmade was assisted on the project by Green Building Services, a comprehensive sustainable development consulting firm. To date, Green Building Services has managed the certification of more than 350 LEED projects worldwide.
The Gold certified 50,400 square-foot manufacturing facility is located at the Benchmade headquarters in Oregon City, Oregon. Benchmade expects a financial return on their investment in attaining LEED Gold within two years, perhaps sooner.
What better deal? Help AKTI raise legislative fund to fight restrictive knife laws as we continue our state by state efforts started in 2001 – and own a new knife!
Launching Today (Aug 1) is AKTI’s Monthly Knife Auction with proceeds directed to legislative efforts that can have costly expenses including lobbyist bills. Each month will feature a different knife generously donated by our supporters. All auctions will run for one complete month.
Thanks Buck Knives for the first knife – a Buck 119. Check out the details. Auction starts today!
Want to donate a knife? Email Jan Billeb, AKTI Executive Director – [email protected]
A special memorial service for Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© member Blackie Collins will be held Saturday, Aug. 20.
Collins was killed July 20 in a motorcycle accident.
The service will be held at 3 p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church on 2003 Charleston Highway in Cayce, South Carolina.
Mr. Collins was the founder of BLADE® Magazine, a founding member of the Knifemakers’ Guild, a life member of the NRA, South Carolina Arms Collectors Association, South Carolina Sons of Confederate Veterans, and the Harley Owners Group. He enjoyed kayaking and motorcycle riding, and was an avid reader.
Survivors include his wife, Jane Valentine Collins; two daughters, Laurie O’Berry of Folkston, Ga., and Cassie (Roddey) Walker of Rock Hill; six grandchildren, Caroline Pierce, Cayla Pierce, Scott Kennedy, Adam O’Berry, Ashlee O’Berry and Delainee Walker; three great-grandchildren, Jacob Pierce, Camryn Hayes and Italy Pierce; and two brothers, knifemaker Michael (Tonda) Collins of Blanchard, Okla., and Anthony Fanning of Rock Hill.
Culler-McAlhany Funeral Home (www.mcalhanyfh.com) in North, South Carolina, is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to Dean Swamp Baptist Church in Springfield, South Carolina, South Carolina Sons of Confederate Veterans or the NRA.
