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Elwood Shelton

Work Sharp Professional Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener Released

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The Work Sharp Professional Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener is upgraded to ensure the utmost consistancy and sharpness.

No doubt, if you take keeping your knives sharp you’ve caught wind of Work Sharp. The purveyors of precision sharping systems, the company has opened razor-sharp edges to the everyman—not just those who’ve mastered the whetstone. Recently, the company has taken its honing system a step further.

Shake hands with the Professional Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener.

The sharpener takes what most are familiar with in a Work Sharp system and enhances it in nearly every conceivable way to live up to its ‘professional’ moniker. Its design is very reminiscent of the Work Sharp Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener, however, the upgrades of the Profession command a much steeper price than the earlier iteration. At present, the company list’s an MSRP of $299.95—not cheap, for sure. But Work Sharp gives serious knife aficionados plenty of reasons to pony up the cash.

First and foremost is the Professional Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener’s all-metal construction. While perhaps one of the less flashy aspects of the adjustable sharpener, it forms a solid foundation to ensure the utmost precision and repeatability in applying an edge to a knife. And honestly, compared to other metal-frame sharpening systems, the Professional Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener actually comes in as a deal. To this, Work Sharp adds a V-Block Clamp that quickly, securely and repeatably secures your knife during the sharpening process. Furthermore, a weighted base provides a safe and stable platform that allows rotating the knife without removing the knife or clamp.

From there, Work Sharp has included a digital angle indicator, which many DIYers will heave a sigh of relief. Not that the old manually adjustable scales on the frame aren’t usable, but bringing angle adjustment into the digital age makes for much quicker corrections and more consistent blade to blade. The system allows for adjustments from 15 to 30 degrees, which covers a major swath of steel most knife owners are likely to encounter. Adding to this, the system comes with a full assortment of honing plats, including 220, 320, 400, 600 and 800 grit diamond, a ceramic honing plate and a leather strop. Essentially, it’s equipped to go from reapplying an edge to taking it to a mirrored polish. A note, if you sharpen a lot and often, don’t worry about if you wear the grit down on the plates. These are user-replaceable, so the integrity of the system itself is safeguarded for a lifetime of use.

Of other notables of the Professional Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener, it comes with a small knife attachment and includes a 3-year warranty. The device is certainly angled at knife pros—sharpening services, makers and shops. But for a serious knife owner who never wants to lose his edge, the system might be a dream come true.

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Mastersmith Lin Rhea Honored As Arkansas Living Treasure

Master bladesmith Lin Rhea was recently recognized as an Arkansas Living Treasure by the Arkansas Arts Council.

Knifemaker, blacksmith, teacher … Lin Rhea has many titles. Hang another one on the master craftsman—living treasure.

That honor was bestowed upon him by the folks in his home state with Rhea recently being named the Arkansas Arts Council’s 2023 Arkansas Living Treasure. The annual award—chosen through a panel of independent judges—recognizes masters of traditional crafts and folk art in the state, of which Arkansas has a rich and wide-ranging tradition. Since the award’s inception in 2002, it has honored craftsmen (and women) from basket makers to log-cabin carpenters. Given Rhea’s propensity for traditional knifemaking and blacksmithing techniques, the Arkansas native fits right in the honor roll.

“Lin Rhea is an outstanding addition to the Arkansas Living Treasure program,” Mike Mills, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, said in a news release. “He has contributed so much to the rich creative culture of Arkansas.”

Rhea is the second bladesmith to earn Arkansas Living Treasure recognition. In 2007, James R. Cook of Nashville, Ark., was recognized for his contributions to the craft.

Rhea has been a blasdsmith for more than 20 years and earned his master bladesmith rating through the American. Bladesmithing Society. He studied the craft at the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing, centered at Arkansas’ Old Washington State Park. And he is known as an avid and expert historian of the state’s knifemaking tradition.

Along those lines, he presented the finer points of James Black and his creation—the Bowie Knife—at the 2023 BLADE Show Texas. The seminar not only delved into the technological advancements Black introduced to knifemaking but the ethical considerations of reproducing his work. This is a hot-button topic, given Black never signed his work.

Despite rooting himself in the traditional aspect of knifemaking, Rhea also has a keen eye for advancing the craft. Perhaps one of his more notable endeavors to this end is his X-Rhea knife, which he set out as a personal challenge to create a knife—handle and all—from a single piece of steel. As always, he turned to two tools to complete the task—fire and steel.

“Moreover, I wanted it to look good and be comfortable and as structurally sound as any good knife should be, without being overly heavy,” Rhea said in a 2021 BLADE Magazine article he authored on the genesis of the X-Rhea Knife.

As for being recognized as an Arkansas Living Treasure, Rhea admits to being quite humbled.

“I’ve gone back and looked at other videos the museum (Historic Arkansas Museum) has produced of the other Living Treasures and I know one or two of them personally, and I’ve known them for quite some time,” Rhea said, in an Arkansas Times article, “But to be associated with that group is quite an honor.”

Rhea will be honored with a reception 4-7 p.m. June 17 at Little Rock’s Historic Arkansas Museum. This coincides with the reopening of the museum’s Knife Gallery, which displays several of Rhea’s creations.

Read Up On Knife History:

CRKT Facet Rivet And Viral Add Premium Options To The Line

Adding a premium option to the Ken Onion designed line, CRKT unveils the Facet Rivet and Facet Viral.

If you’re into knives (you most likely are, as you’re reading this), you’re familiar with the name Ken Onion. The famed knifemaker has turned out his fair share of must-have blades over the years, with many collectors and aficionados bating breath for his next drop. Well, it’s here and it’s awful dang familiar.

Shake hands with the Facet Rivet and Facet Viral. Yes, they’re the same Facet knives fans have known and loved since its release a year ago, but dolled up plenty nice to make them legitimate premium options in the line. In fact, the duo of top-shelf-edition CRKTs both have some alluring attributes likely to get customers to pony up the relatively steep asking price of $275. Not the least of which is the player behind the scenes making the Rivet and Facet a reality—Lion Steel.

CRKT Facet Blade Material

The Maniago, Italy concern is the manufacturer of the knives, which brings not only one of the more respected manufacturers in the game but also a host of top-shelf materials. Where this shows itself in the M390 steel used for the Facets’ modified drop-point blade. Commonly used by Lion Steel and other manufacturers in the region, the super steel (Austrian in origin) is noted for its impressive edge retention compared to tool steel, as well as its superior corrosion resistance.

CRKT Facet Blade

Impressive choice, particularly given the Facet certainly has the lines of a more gentlemanly EDC knife but should prove capable against more demanding tasks. Adding to its expected robust use is generous jimping on the knives’ spines, giving a solid purchase on them when more vigorously used.

Facet Handle Material

The handle scales on both the Rivet and Viral are titanium, but not some muted finish common to the material. Each is ornately decorated—the Rivet with a World War II-themed plate and rivet motif, common to the era’s military equipment. The Viral is more futuristic—CRKT says “apocalyptic”—stylings meant to conjure up an end-of-days zombie flick feel.

Away from the aesthetics, the titanium makes the knives fairly light affairs, each tipping the scale at around 3 ounces. For reference, the original Facet weighed 3.9 ounces, so this is creeping up on 1 full ounce of weight savings. The handle has a gradual tapper as well, fitting it well to most hands and allowing for a strong grip on the knife.

Action & Lock

The Facet remains a liner lock in its premium guises, and the flipper maintains its smooth and quick deployment thanks to its IKBS bearings. The flipper itself is somewhat understated, but nonetheless very functional, enhanced with a fair bit of aggressive jumping.

CRKT Facet Rivet Folded

Final Cut

The CRKT Facet Rivet and Facet Viral are both currently available, but interested parties must act quickly. CRKT is limiting each to 500 units for the launch. And 50 lucky customers will receive a heavy-duty commemorative coin, which CRKT is placing in random boxes.

Facet Rivet & Viral Specs
Blade Length: 3.50″ (88.87 mm)
Overall Length: 7.75” (196.85 mm)
Edge: Plain
Steel: Bohler M390
Finish: Satin
Thickness: .12” (3.12mm)
Grind: Flat
Weight: 3.0 oz. (85.05 g)
Handle: Titanium
HRC: 59-61
Style: Folding Knife w/ Liner Lock
Retail Price: $275

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Virginia Lifts Ban on Concealed Carry Switchblades: What You Need to Know

Repealing the prohibition on concealed carry switchblades marks the second major knife rights win in Virginia in as many years.

Chalk up another win for knife and Second Amendment rights in Old Dominion. On the heels of last year’s repeal of Virginia’s ban on switchblades or automatic knives, the state has now removed them from the list of weapons that cannot be carried concealed.

Cavaliers shouldn’t go throwing their OTF blades into their hip pockets just yet. While Governor Glen Youngkin (R) may have inked the repeal (HB 2298) on March 27, the law doesn’t go into effect until July 1. Until then, the knives remain illegal to carry in the state.

The latest legislation marks a sea-change in Virginia knife right under Youngkin, who broke what was a frustrating stalemate between the state’s legislative and executive branches. Despite legislators’ efforts to temper the state’s longstanding ban on switchblades, the Governor’s two predecessors vetoed the bills leading in that direction—Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam, both Democrats. The 2022 repeal not only saw the executive’s support but passed with overwhelming support from a politically divided General Assembly.

The removal of switchblades from the list of prohibited concealed carry items also proved extremely popular, passing unanimously in the Virginia Senate and with close to ¾’s of the House’s support. In addition to further safeguarding valuable civil liberties, the legislation also shows changing attitudes concerning switchblades.

Why Switchblades Are Illegal

A witch-trial panic swept mid-century America concerning switchblades, sparked by an article by an article titled The Toy that Kills and backed up by movies such as Rebel Without A Cause and Blackboard Jungle.

Aside from stigmatizing paten-leather jackets, politicians and social crusaders squarely set their sights on switchblades as a tool of the country’s wild youth. Despite essentially being a silver-screen fantasy, draconian laws that pushed switchblades to the margins of society were passed and in many corners of the country the tools became so rare as to be considered oddities. Though, before this era, auto knives were quite common.

Three jigged bone switchblades, from top: Schrade Cutlery Co., George Schrade Knife Co. and one of the rarest of antique models, one stamped “Keen Kutter,” a trademark of Shapleigh Hardware. Schrade made the knife.
Before the mid-century switchblade panic, the knives were quite common, such as the World War II-vintage Schrade Cutlery Co. examples above.

“I grew up in Washington D.C. in the 40s and 50s and almost every school kid had a switchblade knife. And you played mumblety-peg, throw it to stick in trees. I don’t ever remember anybody being stabbed by a pocket switchblade knife,” Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw (D) said in a 2022 interview with Virginia Mercury.

Prohibition On Other Edged Weapons

The concealed carry repeal is a step in the right direction, but the law still maintains the prohibition on several other edged weapons for carry. Bowie knives, dirks, throwing stars and “oriental darts” remain verboten for everyday carry and continue to carry stiff penalties if the law is enforced. A first offense is a Class 1 misdemeanor which is punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. A second offense could earn a Class 6 felony, which carries a 1-5 prison stretch and a $2,500 fine. And a third offense could net a Class 5 felony, with a 1-10 prison stretch and a $2,500 fine.

While there is scant evidence the prior concealed carry switchblade ban was ever exercised to the full extent of the law, its repeal is likely a load off knife owners’ minds. For a tool that’s used more by first responders than in gangland rumbles, it’s also a big victory.

Read More On Switchblades

2023 BLADE Show Texas Factory And Custom Award Winners

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See who took top honors in the BLADE Show Texas Factory and Custom Knife Awards.

As expected in Texas, everything is bigger and that includes knife competitions. BLADE Show Texas’ second year in the Forth Convention Center March 17-18, 2022 certainly drew a Lone-Star-State-sized field of some of the world’s most accomplished knifemakers. Between factor and custom competitions, there were some 150 entrants vying for top honors in a total of 14 categories (4 in factory, 10 in custom). Each segment was judged by a panel of top knifemakers from across the industry, who evaluated each for superior utility, design, creativity, materials, aesthetics, and feel, among other traits.

BLADE Show Texas Custom Knife Awards

Best Custom Slip Joint and Best In Show: Evan S Nicolaides

Blade Show Texas Best Slipjoint and Best in Show
Photo: SharpByCoop 

Best Custom Art Knife: T.R. Overeynder

Blade Show Texas Best Art
Photo: SharpByCoop

Best Custom Folder: David Longworth

Blade Show Texas Best Custom Folder
Photo: SharpByCoop

Best Custom Hunter: Karis Fisher

Blade Show Texas Best Custom Hunter
Photo: SharpByCoop

Best Custom EDC: Dmitry Streltsov

Blade Show Texas Best Custom EDC
Photo: SharpByCoop

Best M.A.C.K (Machine Assisted Custom Knife): Keanison Knives

Blade Show Texas Best MACK
Photo: SharpByCoop

Best Custom Fighter: Karis Fisher

Blade Show Texas Best Custom Fighter
Photo: SharpByCoop

Best Custom Kitchen: Erik McCright

Blade Show Texas Best Kitchen
Photo: SharpByCoop

Best Custom Bowie: Josh Fisher

Blade Show Texas Best Custom Bowie
Photo: SharpByCoop

Best Custom Damascus: John Horrigan

Blade Show Texas Best Custom Damascus
Photo: SharpByCoop

BLADE Show Texas Factory Knife Winners

Best Folder and Best in Show factory: WE KNIFE Ziffius

Blade Show Texas Best Factory Folder
Photo: SharpByCoop

Best Factory Fixed Blade: QSP Bison V2

Blade Show Texas Best Factory Fixed
Photo: SharpByCoop

Best EDC: Tactile Knife Co. “Maverick”

Blade Show Texas Best Factory EDC
Photo: SharpByCoop

Best Tactical Factory: We Knife “Diatomic 470”

Photo: SharpByCoop

Get More Information On BLADE Show Texas

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Time Is Running Out To Get Your CANCON Tickets!

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SUPPRESSORS, NIGHT SHOOT, FOOD, AND FAMILY FUN!

Welcome to CANCON A Fully Suppressed RECOIL Range Day!

Save the date and make your plans to come down on Veterans Day weekend, Nov. 11-13 to the 17 South Rod and Gun Club in Savannah, Georgia.

Hundreds of the newest and best suppressors, firearms, and optics will be on the firing line for you to get hands-on trigger time.

All ammo will be provided, just bring your trigger finger!

Veterans get in FREE Friday, so come spend your Veterans Day weekend with us at CANCON!

SATURDAY NIGHT VIPs will have the opportunity to shoot suppressed with night vision goggles, clip-on night vision optics, IR lasers, tracers, and more. 

CANCON will even have activities for kids, making this a completely family-friendly event.

Expect to see hundreds of firearms and suppressors, every one of them available to shoot. Don’t forget your eyes and ears for safety!

Not every day you get to shoot cool stuff like this!

Great food will be available on-site for when you need to recharge between shooting bays.

More information and ticket pre-sales coming soon!

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Give us your email below and click the button to be the first to learn about updates and developments!

CANCON 2022 SPONSORS

A Look at the Official BLADE Show 2016 Knives

It’s a sad fact: the BLADE Show comes but once a year. There is, however, a way to enjoy this incredible event long after all the knife makers and collectors have broken camp.

Official BLADE Show knives are your opportunity to own and enjoy a piece of the “World’s Foremost Knife Show,” for years to come. Of course, if you can resist making these gems your everyday carry choice.

That is a conundrum, because the BLADE Show seeks out not only eye-catching designs from some of top makers around. But it also hunts out practical knives that can handle nearly anything its owner can dish out. These knives are the marriage of form and function.

And each one has a unique aspect to them. Not only is the show’s insignia roll marked across the blades or handle, but each is a special edition with limited runs and individually numbered. This makes each one exclusive to its owner, not to mention gives the knife the potential to accrue value as the years pass by.

Here’s a look at this year’s Official BLADE Show knives.

outrageCRKT Outrage (Run of 300 for the BLADE SHOW)

Ken Onion perhaps summed up his latest creation for CRKT the best, defining it as “Somewhere between gentlemanly and tactical.” In short, the knife is a looker and a doer.

On the aesthetic end of the Outrage is its finely textured handle, which includes lateral cuts in the aluminum that mimics corduroy. The handle of the limited run of 300 knives also features ergonomic finger cuts, to give the user a better purchase on the Outrage, thus making it more responsive.

The blade is a modified drop point — Onion describes it as a semi skinner — with a big belly and a fine point for detail work. The 3.19-inch blade is made from 8C12MoV stainless steel, which hardness helps it take a precision edge. The Outrage features a deep-pocket clip and a locking liner. And the flipper has a smooth-as-silk action, facilitated by its IKBS ball bearing pivot system.

 

Chris Reeve Knives Inkosi (Run of 25 for the BLADE SHOW)

Inkosi The Inkosi can be summed up in one word — overbuilt. Chris Reeve Knives has outdone themselves with this petite folder, outfitting it with a number of features not often found on a knife its size.

To start off, the Inkosi has a large pivot — a first for the company on one of its small knives — which makes the knife as solid as a rock when open. It also features oversized washers, which eliminates nearly all the play in the blade and increases its lateral strength. And finally, the knife has a ceramic ball end lock that virtually ensures the Inkosi stays open once the blade is deployed. The 2.8-inch blade has a hollow grind, a design choice that helps add life to the knife, given it more readily maintains its edge after repeated sharpenings.

Chris Reeve has taken the Inkosi’s resiliency to the next level with the handle and clip material, opting for lightweight and robust titanium. Uniquely, the BLADE Show logo and run number appear on the handle. And Chris Reeve has made the knife easy to manipulate, giving it a pronounced thumb stud. The Inkosi not only has the makings of a fine and functional knife, but it has looks to boot. Truly, this limited run of 25 knives for the BLADE Show is attractively Spartan.

 

Phrike Spartan Blades Phrike (Made upon order)

Named for the Greek goddess of horror, the Phrike has everything to send chills down a knife aficionado’s spine — in a good way. It is tactical, yet attractive and as an Official BLADE Show knife, exclusive.

Only available at ShopBlade.com, each one is made upon order at Spartan Blade’s North Carolina manufacturing facility. But there are some special features that come from buying the BLADE Show Phrike. It comes outfitted with a carbon-fiber handle only found on this special edition.

And, of course, it comes with the BLADE Show logo and serial number roll marked on the blade. The 4.25-inch blade itself is a swedged drop point, giving it a robust aft for heavy-duty jobs that winnows down to a fine tip for precision work. The Phrike comes with a nylon sheath and is completely made in America. And while it has the ability to tackle any job put under its edge, it is truly made to be a collector’s knife.

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