Joe Kertzman

Locate up-to-date information on legal issues that affect knife users, research laws in all 50 states and learn more about the activities of knife advocacy organization American Knife and Tool Institute (AKTI) on the redesigned AKTI.org website.

Knife advocates will find extensive legislation updates, educational materials and other current knife information at the new site. While some of the material is available only to members, much of the site caters to all knife users and provides resources for everyone who uses a knife as a tool—whether for work, recreation or as part of their everyday lives.

“For more than a decade, AKTI has used its website to keep the knife advocacy community updated about important issues that affect us all, in all 50 states, and at the federal level,” said AKTI Executive Director Jan Billeb. “This new design makes it easier for knife users to easily find the information they need, from knife safety resources to legislative updates to stories about how knives have been used in challenging work and recreational situations to save lives.”

Through its new website, the American Knife and Tool Institute shares information about state and federal knife laws and legislation. The organization has also added sections to the AKTI.org website specifically for legislators, law enforcement officers and media.

“We want to build on the work we’ve done and the reputation we have as the organization for those who work with or benefit from knives, and to support those who have questions about legal knife usage,” Billeb said.

Wow, what an incredible amount of information, photos and features on one disc. You are now able to pre-order the First 25 Years Of BLADE Collection.

This is your chance to complete your collection of BLADE Magazines–to own every issue from 1973 through 1997 (the first quarter century of BLADE and 165 issues in all) on one completely searchable PDF, viewable on your computer. BLADE and F&W Media are offering the disc at an exclusive discounted rate of $47.99, which equates to 29 cents per issue. This price absolutely will go up after the pre-order period is over.

Use the “Bookmarks” feature to navigate to whatever story, feature, index, ad, regular column or individual knife you wish to see, read about and admire. Such is the beauty of accessing all issues in living color on your computer screen.

Click here to pre-order now.

Getting his just due? Perhaps. Dr. David Adamovich, aka The Great Throwdini, has been throwing knives at targets, just missing his brave models, for longer than I’ve been a knife editor, and I’ve been at this for 14 years.

AolNews.com recently ran an article on The Great Throwdini, who reportedly holds 25 world records. AolNews.com reports that Guinness World Records finally recognized The Great Throwdini after years of rejecting records Adamovich submitted and claimed to have broken and held. The one that finally got the Great one into the Great book–throwing 144 knives around a human target in one minute, and catching 254 thrown knives in one minute.

Guinness World Records also gives The Great Throwdini credit for throwing 10 knives around a human target in 3.73 seconds. Omitted from the Guinness World Records book, but still recognized by Guinness, is Adamovich’s “Ladder Of Death” feat in which he threw 10 knives in 4.0 seconds on altering sides of his target girl. Bless her heart!

So frustrated was The Great Throwdini with early rejections from Guinness World Records that he spent years compiling and eventually coauthoring his own book, “Believe the Unbelievable,” in which he and coauthors Thomas Blacke and Dean Gould reveal data they gathered from other organizations, such as the International Federation of Competitive Eating, The Book of Alternative Records, and The Asia Book of Records. “Believe the Unbelievable” features 700 record setters and 1,500 records, each focused on human achievement feats.

To read the entire AolNews.com report on The Great Throwdini, go to http://www.aolnews.com/weird-news/article/the-great-throwdini-takes-a-stab-at-guinness-with-new-world-records-book/19640586 And don’t forget to duck!

A Himalayan expedition for disabled veterans and climbers? Right on! Benchmade Knife Company is sponsoring “Soldiers to the Summit,” an extreme mountain climbing expedition of expert climbers and wounded combat veterans from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The climb is organized by World TEAM Sports, a non-profit organization that supports disabled athletes through team athletic events.

The team includes 12 injured soldiers and 10 expert climbers, including Erik Weihenmayer, the first and only blind person to reach the summit of Mount Everest. The team will attempt to climb the 20,075 foot Lobuche East, a technical snow and ice climb in the shadow of Mount Everest. The expedition will take place for 20 days from October 2nd through October 21st.

“Benchmade is proud to support these wounded warriors and climbers embarking on this incredible journey,” says Rob Morrison, Director of Marketing and Strategic Planning for Benchmade Knife Company. “This is a wonderful cause and we are glad that the soldiers and climbers will be using our knives during their expedition.”

Each soldier and climber has been outfitted with a model 940SBK folding knife that has been personalized with a customer laser mark. This is the second time that Benchmade has supported Erik Weihenmayer who first reached the summit of Mount Everest in 2001, also with a model 940SBK in hand.

For more information on the “Soldiers to the Summit,” visit their website and follow the expedition at: http://soldierstothesummit.org/.

Next month will be your chance to complete your collection of BLADE Magazines–to own every issue from 1973 through 1997 (the first quarter century of BLADE and 165 issues in all) on one completely searchable DVD. BLADE and F&W Media will be offering the DVD the third week of October for $59.99, which equates to 36 cents per issue.

Use the “Bookmarks” feature on the DVD to navigate to whatever story, feature, index, ad, regular column or individual knife you wish to see, read about and admire. Such is the beauty of accessing all issues in living color on your computer screen.

Check www.shopblade.com over the next few weeks to reserve your copy.

Shhhh! Don’t tell anybody. We wouldn’t want yet more people filing through the doors of the biggest knife show on earth. Let’s keep it our little secret. But mark your calendars for the 30th Annual 2011 BLADE Show & International Cutlery Fair, to be held June 10-12, 2011, at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta.

That’s right, 30 years. Now that’s something special, and there will be a slate of seminars, 750 tables of handmade, edged goodies, booths of factory, semi-production and even custom knives and swords, and much, much more. You know the drill, and what a sweet routine it is!

Yee ha!

The December 2010 issue of BLADE, on most newsstands and subscribers’ doorsteps by September 14th, is devoted entirely to the fighting men and women serving in the military, as well as to industry professionals, including custom knifemakers, who support our troops. It’s a first of its kind in the world of knife magazines.

The cover knife—a Les George XM-7 EOD Combat Knife—was developed over four years of hands-on experience and feedback from United States Marine Corps explosive ordnance disposal technicians at home and in assorted combat zones. Wait until you see and read about it.

You won’t want to miss the December 2010 issue. Stories feature “Knives Made By Soldiers and For Soldiers,” how the “Troops Deserve Better Issue Knives,” a profile on six-year Navy veteran and full-time knifemaker Aaron Frederick, a heartwarming piece on A.G. Russell Knives, Smoky Mountain Knife Works, the Paralyzed Veterans Association and others who help support the troops, “Knife Families On Active Duty,” what knives the soldiers really carry, “Twin Brothers, Makers and Heroes,” “Knives They Carry in Iraq,” and an intriguing piece you are sure to love titled “Sting, Uncle Jerry And the Frozen Chicken.”

The December issue is filled with knives our fighting men and women need, carry, cherish and depend upon. Being able to provide such information, honoring our troops, my friends, was a humbling experience. This is one issue you’ll save, read, re-read and possibly pass along to friends and relatives with the admonition, “I want it back!”

Better yet, get a few extra copies for your friends. And enjoy!