BLADE Staff

There’s still time to help out the Red Cross relief efforts in Japan. Until the end of today, BLADE will give half of all sales profits at ShopBlade.com to the Red Cross. Just go here: http://tinyurl.com/4u5p8pr

The latest factory knives as seen at the 2011 SHOT Show, perhaps the smoothest folder action ever via the Ikoma Korth Bearing System (IKBS), every knifemaking tool a bladesmith needs, how to identify knives that have “flow,” and much more highlight the June BLADE®, on most newsstands today!

Featuring Columbia River Knife & Tool’s new NIRK/Tighe on the cover, the issue also includes a salute to Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall Of Fame© member Dan Dennehy; the new factory knives of Gerber, Buck, KA-BAR, SureFire, Case, Boker Plus, Kershaw, Queen, Benchmade, TOPS, SOG Specialty Knives & Tools, Timberline, Wenger and Spyderco; a profile of knifemaker Phillip Patton; editorial mention of knives by Outdoor Edge and such bladesmithing equipment as Little Giant and Old World Anvils power hammers, forges by Three Sisters Forge, the Diablo Burner by Chile Forge, Rocklin’s “Rocklinizer” for applying tungsten carbide to knife edges and other equipment from Riverside Machine, the Blacksmith Depot and more.

A fascinating story on the take-apart art folder of Stan Wilson; on antique figural knives; Ed Fowler’s “Brass-Backed Bowies Reconsidered”; editorial mention of custom knives by Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer Bob Loveless, Don Lozier, Burt Foster, Wolfgang Loerchner, Steve Dunn, Ken Steigerwalt, Hank Knickmeyer, Larry Newton, Don Hanson and Brion Tomberlin; the latest knives of Peter Martin, Santa Fe Stoneworks, Arthur Lynn, Triple Eight Professional, Harvey Dean, Steve Jernigan, David Roeder, Richard Wright, Ontario, Knives of Alaska and Meyerco; and mini-profiles of Wally Hayes, Jerry Smith, Chad Harding, Jamin Brackett, Frank Niro and Michael O’Machearley.

Also: the conclusion of the story on the 175^th anniversary of the Alamo, including capsule reviews of six memorable Alamo movies; Wayne Goddard’s Q&A on the chisel grind; a factory profile of CAS Hanwei; keys to fighting knife rust; the “Subterfuge” by Paul Letourneau; and much more in the June BLADE, on most newsstands NOW! If you can’t find it at your local newsstand, check your local Barnes & Noble or visit www.blademag.com and/or http://knifeshowcase.blademag.com (if you’re already on the latter, click on “Shop” for more info) and subscribe today!

From Knife Rights:

Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert has signed the Knife Rights backed Knife Law Preemption Bill, HB 271, making Utah the nation’s second state to enact Knife Law Preemption. Knife Rights would like to thank the bill’s chief sponsor, Representative Ryan D. Wilcox and the Senate sponsor, Senator Allen M. Christensen, for their support.  Knife Rights appreciates Governor Herbert’s signing the bill promptly. We’d also like to thank the Utah Shooting Sport Council for all their support during our lobbying effort.

Knife Rights Chairman, Doug Ritter, said, “we are very pleased to have Utah become the second state in the nation to pass Knife Law Preemption, helping to lead the way to a sharper future. Knife Rights’ National Knife Law Preemption Campaign is now gaining momentum and this law is further proof that Knife Rights is leading the charge in legislative initiatives to decriminalize knife possession and improve or eliminate restrictive knife laws.” 

The bill becomes law 60 days after adjournment of the Legislature. You can read the text of the bill here: http://www.kniferights.org/hb0271.pdf

New Hampshire Rep. Jenn Coffey has a history of promoting some of the most progressive knife legislation in the country – maybe even the world. And now you can interact with her on Knife Showcase.

Last year, legislation introduced by Coffey decriminalizing the possession of switchblades, dirks, daggers and stilettos became New Hampshire law. As BLADE magazine and other knife advocates have argued for decades, it is the intent of the person that determines whether possessing these items is illegal – not their mere possession. Coffey‘s legislation spelled that out almost word-for-word, and now New Hampshire is one of the most sensible places on the planet for knife enthusiasts.

Now she’s back at it again, this time sponsoring a knife preemption bill for New Hampshire. If passed, the bill would allow for uniform knife regulations across the state. If knife possession is legal in one area, it will be legal in all areas. Right now, different jurisdictions have different rules.

Those are only a couple reasons in Coffey‘s long resume that she is one of BLADE‘s favorite legislators. Coffey is a friend of all who appreciate knives, or anyone who understands that government should focus crime laws on actual criminals and not peaceful people.

Say “hi” on her Knife Showcase profile page here. Coffey‘s mission is to spread sensible knife laws across the country, so get in touch about what you can do in your area.