Steve Shackleford, Author at BLADE Magazine

Prime Cutters Are Good To Go

Steve Shackleford

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November 22, 2016

Small-to-medium-sized fixed blades make excellent cutting tools, and today’s prime cutters are good to go. Here are five of the hottest in this sharp-looking category.

The P.U.K. (Personal Utility Knife)

Atlas Dynamic Defense P.U.K. — The P.U.K. from Atlas Dynamic Defense is a hungry little cutter in CPM S30V stainless.

The P.U.K. (Personal Utility Knife) from Atlas Dynamic Defense has a 2.52-inch blade of CPM S30V stainless steel heat treated to a Rockwell hardness of 57-58 HRC in a controlled vacuum with an additional -300°F cryo bath. Top that with a DLC blade coat and you’ve got one hungry little cutter. The scales are removable with a coin or rifle cartridge. MSRP: $225.

Buck Omni RT

Among other prime cutters is the Buck Omni RT with a stout 3.25-inch blade of 420HC stainless steel and an ergonomic handle of Dynaflex rubber in Realtree Xtra Green Camo. Weight: 4.6 ounces. Overall length: 7.75 inches. A nylon sheath that matches the look of the handle completes the ensemble.

Western Knives Kota

The Kota from Western Knives includes a 3.25-inch blade of titanium-bonded 420 stainless and an ergonomic handle of G-10 with an elongated hole for a lanyard. Overall length: 7 inches. It’s kind of a cool design, really. A nylon sheath is included. MSRP: $29.99.

ESEE 3HM

If you’re looking for a carbon-steel cutter, the ESEE 3HM offers a 3.63-inch blade of 1095 carbon steel in a low-glare, stain-resistant powder coat and a canvas Micarta® handle. The contrast of the light-colored Micarta and the dark blade is choice. Weight: 7.7 ounces. Overall length: 8.88 inches. A black leather pouch comes standard.

Knives of Alaska Legacy

The Legacy from Knives Of Alaska has a blade of D2 tool steel to go along with a stag handle—all in the style of the late BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© member Bob Loveless. It includes a leather sheath. D2 is a favorite of Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer Wayne Goddard and “Dr. D2” himself, Bob Dozier. Somewhere, Loveless is probably nodding in approval.

Looking for More Edgy Ideas?

Check out BLADE‘s holiday gift guide for knife nuts.

Distinguishing Elephant from Ancient Ivory

Steve Shackleford

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November 7, 2016

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Distinguishing elephant from ancient ivory is challenging and becoming more and more important for the owners of knives with handles of ancient ivory. However, there are two reliable keys to make the determination easier.

Polished cross sections of elephant and mastodon/mammoth ivories display stacked chevrons of cross-hatched lines called Schreger lines or Lines of Retzius—incremental lines of rhythmic deposition of successive layers of enamel/dentine matrix during development. The Schreger lines closest to the outer bark of the tusks are the most visible—and the ones to measure—though there are also inner Schreger lines that are less discernible around the nerve cavity. The intersection of Schreger lines form angles, and this is the key—if the average angle is greater than 115 degrees, then it’s elephant ivory; if the average angle is less than 90 degrees, it’s mastodon or mammoth. Variations in the angles can occur in individual tusks, particularly as the patterns tighten more toward the center. Plus, the visible cross section must be cut square to the axis of the tusk—otherwise the chevrons’ angles will be distorted.

Specimens from both extinct and existing animals can show angles between 90 and 115 degrees in the outer Schreger lines, so the differentiation should never be based solely on a single angle measurement when the angles fall in this range. When averages are used, a clear separation between the ivory of existing elephants and extinct mammoths/mastodons exists. Elephant ivory averages above 100 degrees and mammoth/mastodon ivory averages below 100 degrees.

Another I.D. key, though more involved, can also distinguish mammoth or mastodon ivory from elephant. These ancient ivories can often have blue-green or brownish blemishes on the surface produced by an oxidized iron phosphate called vivianite. Even if the discoloration is barely visible, ultra-violet light will make it stand out with a dramatic velvety-purple appearance. Even if elephant ivory were similarly discolored—though in its natural state, elephant ivory will not display the same discoloration—it would not exhibit the characteristic fluoresence of vivianite.

With recent ivory laws handed down by Fish and Wildlife greying the lines between elephant and ancient ivories, it is possible the laws may give federal agents the right to seize knives and materials that cannot be proven as outright ivory but simply have the ivory look. As a result, if you own knives with ancient ivory handles, having an at least a general knowledge of how to differentiate elephant from ancient ivory could save you from having your knives confiscated, from being fined or both.

Hot Knife Deals at ShopBlade.com

Tomahawks Are Top Chops in BLADE

Steve Shackleford

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November 2, 2016

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New BLADE on newsstands now! — Tomahawks are top chops in the new **BLADE®**, on newsstands now!

Tomahawks large and small continue to take the world of knives by storm and four of the latest models are top chops in the new BLADE®—on newsstands now!

Featuring the Hardcore Hardware Australia CTT-01 on the cover, the issue also includes the diminutive Micro Hawk from TOPS Knives. Sandwiched in between is the versatile EX-T01 from Hogue Knives. All four get in their licks and the once over several times from Pat Covert in “4 Hawk Hoedown.”

The talent level of today’s best custom knifemakers is better than ever, but what about the ones that offer some of the sharpest blades anywhere but nobody knows of them? Mike Haskew smokes out today’s most underrated cutlers in “Under-The-Radar Knifemakers.”

Every knife has its “sweet spot”—the spot on the blade that cuts better than any other, on the handle that feels better than any other and more. Some knives even have more than one sweet spot. High-endurance performance knife master smith Ed Fowler shows you how to find them in “The Sweet Spots.”

A child’s rite of passage comes in many forms, including his or her first experiences with knives. What makes that rite even more meaningful is when it includes teaching the child how to make knives. See how ABS master smith Timothy Potier and the folks at the New England School of Metalwork help usher kids through the keenest of rites in “Life Skills Meet Knife Skills.”

Also this issue: the latest in factory neck knives and a test of four of the latest Japanese-style Santoku kitchen knives; the Case Collectors Club and the festivities at its recent 35th annual reunion at the Case factory in Bradford, Pennsylvania; the latest in knife kits and how to best assemble them; President Theodore Roosevelt’s knife that brought a record price of $414,000 at an American auction; and much more, all in the latest BLADE—on newsstands now, or buy the digital edition or subscribe!

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Icons Celebrate Over A Century of Knifemaking

Steve Shackleford

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October 24, 2016

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Icons Celebrate Over A Century of Knifemaking

50 years for D'. — BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© member D’ Holder celebrates a half century of knifemaking in 2016 to complete with Gil Hibben the package of a combined 109 years making knives. (PointSeven image)

60 years for Gil. — With D’ Holder part of a combined almost 110 years of making knives, BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© member Gil Hibben observes 59 years of knifemaking this year. (PointSeven image)

Gil Hibben and D’ Holder are two of the world’s top living pioneer custom knifemakers, and together celebrate over a century of knifemaking in 2016.

Hibben has been making knives 59 years and Holder has done it for half a century—both impressive achievements by anyone’s standards.

It’s interesting to note that both long-time makers share similar career experiences over their over a century of knifemaking. Each was influenced by BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© member Buster Warenski—Hibben through the “Utah School of Knifemaking” that also included the legendary Harvey Draper, and Holder through a lifelong friendship with Warenski until the latter’s passing in 2005. Each also owes much of his success to supportive better halves: Hibben and his constant knife show companion/No. 1 public relations agent, Linda, and Holder and his Pat, who also engraved many of D’s knives.

Both Hibben and Holder are Cutlery Hall Of Famers. Each served multiple terms as president of The Knifemakers’ Guild. Both have influenced many knifemakers through mentoring, teaching and their knives.

Hibben, of course, is probably best known for making the knife used by Sylvester Stallone in the third and fourth installments of the Rambo movie series. Holder is perhaps best know for his “My Knife” hunter with a handle of stacked spacers of beautiful natural materials, including amber and others.

Holder was one of the original board members of the American Knife & Tool Institute, the oldest existing organization that fights for common-sense knife laws. Hibben made some of the most spectacular fantasy knives ever, probably the most fantastic of which were designed by Paul Ehlers.

In addition to the Rambo movie knives, Hibben also made the knives for another Stallone action vehicle, The Expendables. Holder designed a number of factory/custom collaborations, including the Toad for Spyderco and a number of fixed-blade hunters for Canal Street Cutlery. Hibben has designed a number of factory/custom collaborations, too, including many for United Cutlery.

The above only touches on the outstanding careers of two invaluable members of the custom knifemaking community. Please join us in congratulating them on a combined 109 years making knives—and what we hope are many more such years to come.

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Trump vs. Clinton: Your Knives Are At Stake

Steve Shackleford

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October 19, 2016

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Trump vs. Clinton: Your Knives Are At Stake

How Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump stack up in terms of your right to own and carry your knives is an issue you should weigh carefully before voting Nov. 8.

According to Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter, Clinton’s anti-gun and anti-Second Amendment agenda is a major plank of her campaign. She advocates undermining the Second Amendment through legislation, executive actions and, more importantly, her appointment of justices to the Supreme Court. Over the years she has endorsed most proposals to limit gun ownership and destroy the Second Amendment through extreme taxes, regulations and executive orders.

“The loss of Second Amendment rights by way of her anti-gun agenda would be certain to disadvantage knife owners as we fight to oppose irrational restrictions on our knives,” Ritter noted. “As we have seen elsewhere, once firearms are outlawed, knife restrictions follow.”

Trump, meanwhile, is pro-Second Amendment and has been endorsed by the National Rifle Association and other Second Amendment organizations. His proposed nominees for the Supreme Court have a record of opposing efforts to weaken the Second Amendment.

As for the ivory issue, Ritter noted that the campaign against ivory owners in the USA, including owners of ivory-handle knives and raw ivory used by knifemakers and scrimshanders, was launched by the Clinton Foundation as part of its Clinton Global Initiative. “The Clinton Foundation and non-governmental organizations affiliated with it continue to advocate for the complete and total ban on all trade in ivory in any form,” Ritter wrote. “They are being assisted by the Fish and Wildlife Service. They are even pushing to ban sustainable use of wildlife in Africa, the core science behind the world’s most successful wildlife conservation efforts that have brought many species back from the brink of extinction.”

Clinton also likely would oppose the African Elephant Conservation and Legal Ivory Possession Act (AECLIPA), an act that would repeal the recent federal ivory ban, resetting the rules back to where they had been for decades, and would enhance elephant conservation efforts in Africa.

Conversely, Trump has never supported ivory bans or the end of sustainable use as a science-based conservation model. Trump would be far more likely to make executive appointments that would signal significant changes at the Interior Department and FIsh and Wildlife. If Congress passed the AECLIPA, he would likely sign it.

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Help BLADE Satisfy Your Knife Lust

Steve Shackleford

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October 10, 2016

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BLADE reader survey — Complete the **BLADE®** reader survey and get a 25% off coupon to ShopBlade.com and possibly win one of 10 free one-year **BLADE** subscriptions.

The best way for BLADE® to fulfill the needs of its readers is to go right to the source—the readers themselves. If you read BLADE, you can help us satisfy your knife lust by taking our BLADE READER SURVEY.

Not only will you help us help you, but by completing the survey you will get a special 25-percent-off discount code that you can use at ShopBlade.com through Nov. 10, and an opportunity to enter our drawing to possibly win one of 10 one-year subscriptions to BLADE.

What kinds of knives do you like reading about? Tacticals, EDCs, bowies, folders, utility knives, factory or custom, contemporary or antique? Do you like to read knifemaker and/or knife company profiles or do you prefer stories on how to make knives, how to collect or how to use them? Or are your tastes geared more toward knife testing, knife design or the materials to make knife blades, handles and more? Are you into sheaths, sharpeners and other knife accessories? Do you like to read about knife history, military knives, art knives, knife shows, knifemaking schools or something else? Tell us. We will take the results and modify our editorial content to meet your needs.

All successful magazines conduct reader surveys and study the results to see if what they are doing meets with reader needs and approval. If what they are doing is not meeting the readers’ needs, successful magazines see what it is the readers want through the survey results and amend their editorial approach to fill those wants. BLADE has been doing it this way for well over a quarter century and the approach must work because we remain the World’s No. 1 Knife Publication and have been No. 1 for over three decades.

Please take our survey and feel free to add your comments concerning where the magazine needs improvement, no matter what the area: story content, illustrations, writers, layout and more. And please pay particular attention to the questions concerning how much you participate in social media. Those questions are new to this survey and will be most helpful in determining how we address the worldwide social media phenomenon going forward.

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Song Knife Highlights New BLADE®

Steve Shackleford

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October 4, 2016

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Song knife for BLADE. — Song Knife collaboration between Buck and country music star Craig Morgan highlights the new BLADE®, on newsstands now!

Country music star Craig Morgan’s “Song Knife” for Buck, what’s “next” in custom knives, “Blades of the Bog” and much more sharp stuff highlights the new BLADE®, on newsstands now!

Morgan, who also stars on the Outdoor Channel’s Craig Morgan All Access Outdoors, recently released his latest album, A Whole Lot More To Me. In collaboration with Buck, two songs from that album including the title track are downloaded on a card and paired with a special collector edition of the legendary Buck 110. Slated to go on sale in most every Walmart in America by the end of this month if not sooner, the “Song Knife” is reportedly the first promotion of its kind. Get the full story on page 28.

Tactical folders have been king of the knife hill for decades now but the question everyone wants answered is “what’s next” in terms of the knife that will replace those of the tactical kind at the top of the heap? Les Robertson has been buying and selling custom knives for over three decades and weighs in on what he thinks will be the next big thing on page 12.

Since knives are man’s oldest tool, the ways in which they have been made over the millennia are many. One was by retrieving iron ore from the bottoms of bogs and lakes and smelting it in furnaces to make blade steel. Daniel Jackson explores how today’s makers have revisited the old methods to make knives. Journey into the past on page 20.

Have you traded or sold a knife or knives you wish you had kept instead? Mike Haskew picks the brains and memories of three veteran collectors for such pieces in “Knives I Traded I Wish I Hadn’t” (page 44).

As with most things in today’s world, the more functions you can get out of an item the better. So it is with edged tools, especially today’s “gizmo knives.” Check out some of the leading examples of the genre that do more than cut on page 78.

There’s much more in the latest BLADE—buy it on newsstands today, get the digital copy or subscribe to the digital or print editions—or both!

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Steve Shackleford

Prime Cutters Are Good To Go

The P.U.K. (Personal Utility Knife)

Buck Omni RT

Western Knives Kota

ESEE 3HM

Knives of Alaska Legacy

Looking for More Edgy Ideas?

Distinguishing Elephant from Ancient Ivory

Hot Knife Deals at ShopBlade.com

Tomahawks Are Top Chops in BLADE

Icons Celebrate Over A Century of Knifemaking

Trump vs. Clinton: Your Knives Are At Stake

Help BLADE Satisfy Your Knife Lust

Song Knife Highlights New BLADE®

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