BLADE Staff

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 13, 2011) – The American Knife & Tool Institute (AKTI) is pleased to announce its support of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and its programs: the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) and the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC).

AKTI’s Board of Regents recently chose to select the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation as the very first “American Knife & Tool Institute Advocacy Partner.”  AKTI recognizes the value CSF brings as an organizing force for federal and state legislation providing bi-partisan access to pro-sportsmen legislators. 

“The two organizations worked cooperatively in 2009 when U.S. Customs’ action threatened to classify assisted opening knives as illegal switchblades,” noted AKTI Legislative Chairman CJ Buck, Buck Knives, “and we want to continue a mutually beneficial relationship realizing that when legislators step up to defend your outdoor heritage they must also protect the knives that make those outdoor experiences possible.”

Donavon Phillips is the new executive director of BladeSports International, according to Jose Diaz.

   In addition, Otto Ojevaar was elected to the BSI board of directors. Gary Bond, Steve Singer, Scott Devanna and Warren Osborne remain on the board.

   “These are good guys and deserve credit for taking on so much responsibility,” noted Diaz, outgoing executive director.

   BSI conducts the annual BLADE Show World Championship Cutting Competition, as well as a year-round schedule of cutting competitions that includes contestants not only from the USA but also England, the Netherlands, Australia and elsewhere.

   For more information contact www.bladesports.org.

Ron Hood, survivalist, writer and knife designer, passed away June 21.

Earlier this year at the SHOT Show, Buck introduced its new Hood Hoodlum, a Ron Hood design with a rarity for Buck—a 5160 carbon steel blade. Hood also was seen at the 2011 BLADE Show.

According to a Buck news release, “It is with profound sadness and grief that Buck Knives, Inc. announces the passing of our friend and business associate, Ron Hood, of Hoods Woods. Ron passed on the evening of June 21 in his home in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Our prayers and our thoughts are with Ron’s wife, Karen, and his son, Jesse, who were the love of his life. Ron was not only a beloved husband and father, but was one of the most respected wilderness and survival experts in the world, as well as a Vietnam Veteran and an industry respected knife designer and developer. In our short working relationship with Ron, we found him to be the consummate professional. Ron and his family were, and always will be considered part of the Buck family. Ron will be truly missed not only here at Buck Knives, but throughout the outdoor industry.”

The American Knife & Tool Institute named a new president and vice president at the 2011 BLADE Show.

Bill Raczkowski moved up from vice president to president, supplanting Goldie Russell, who concluded a successful four-year term in the top spot, while CRKT’s Rod Bremer was named vice president.

“AKTI is on track to positively change knife and tool legislation with a conservative approach, while continuing to educate those within the judicial system to the proper use of these tools,” the new president said. “I look forward to representing this community for the betterment of the industry and all knife owners.”

Bremer, who also serves on AKTI’s education committee, spoke of a bright future for AKTI and those it serves.

“We are developing some exciting new ideas that we hope to launch soon to aid the law enforcement community and individuals to better understand the issues via new and developing electronic media,” he noted. “It has been a pleasure to serve on the AKTI Board of Regents for the past couple of years and to be a part of an organization that has been reenergized to serve the family of knife users, retailers and producers. Going forward, my hope is that AKTI’s vigilance on the legislative front brings continued success to protect our rights to carry and use knives.”

Concluded Bremer, “As a newly elected officer of AKTI, my hope is that I can be a good steward of the organization and its mission like all those who have preceded me.”

For more information contact AKTI Executive Director Jan Billeb at [email protected], visit www.AKTI.org or call 307-587-8296.

From Lansky:

American Bladesmith Society (ABS) Chairman Jim Batson has announced that effective immediately the business office for the American Bladesmith Society (ABS) has been moved to Grand Rapids, Ohio, and Cindy Sheely is the ABS Office Manager. Cindy can be reached at [email protected] or call (419) 832-0400.

The new American Bladesmith Society address is:
 
American Bladesmith Society, Inc
P. O. Box 160
Grand Rapids, OH 45522

The Cypress, Texas, ABS office is now closed.