Steve Shackleford, Author at BLADE Magazine

Pro-Knife Effort Will Be Increased

Steve Shackleford

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January 19, 2016

Increased lobbying efforts to pass knife law reform on both the federal and state levels will be a major focus of the American Knife & Tool Institute (AKTI) in 2016, the AKTI announced in a press release.

At the top of the list of reforms the AKTI will pursue are the Knife Owners’ Protection Act (KOPA), repeal of restrictions on automatics/switchblades, and Knife-Law Preemption.

To increase its pro-knife effort, AKTI is enlisting the services of ADS Ventures, a government and public affairs firm specializing in national security and defense issues with offices in Washington, D.C., and Boston, Massachusetts. ADS has worked with AKTI for several years. The new contract calls for increased efforts to pass KOPA and overturn still-existing bans on autos and pass Knife-Law Preemption in areas that don’t have it.

Patchwork laws related to the ownership and possession of knives, laws that are inconsistent from state to state, county to county and even town to town, are the bane of law-abiding knife owners. AKTI’s efforts will be redoubled to make laws consistent and Constitutional in these areas. “We support reasonable, responsible legislation and measured non-partisan efforts to resolve issues,” said David Fee, AKTI’s legislative chair. “We’re excited to see how we can further this objective in this and coming years.”

“We are confident that through AKTI’s leadership and the work of ADS Ventures, it will be a successful year for the organization as we further our mission to ensure [law-abiding citizens’] right to own, carry, and use knives and edged tools,” observed CJ Buck, president of the AKTI board of directors.

Along with Knife Rights, AKTI is your go-to service for questions concerning any and all knife laws. In terms of laws concerning elephant and ancient ivories, a specialist in such matters is the Elephant Protection Association. For more information, visit akti.org, kniferights.org and elephantprotection.org. To know your rights if arrested for carrying knives, to know what to say and not say in such situations and more, get your copy of Knife Laws of the U.S. by Evan Nappen.

Warren Osborne Passes Away

Steve Shackleford

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January 5, 2016

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Long-time knifemaker Warren Osborne passed away Jan. 4 after a long illness. His death comes almost 13 months to the day after his good friend and fellow maker Joe Kious was killed in a truck accident.

A native of Australia, Osborne moved to Texas, where he resided in Waxahachie for many years. He was a full-time knifemaker and sold his first custom knife in 1980. In his trademark cowboy hat and cowboy boots, Warren was a fixture at knife shows and BladeSports International (BSI) cutting competitions. Despite failing health, he exhibited at the recent International Custom Cutlery Exposition in Kansas City, the first-ever knife show coordinated by both the Knifemakers’ Guild and the American Bladesmith Society.

He was known for his high-end custom folding knives, many of them interframes ornately engraved by some of the industry’s leading embellishers. He joined the Knifemakers’ Guild as a probationary member in 1985. He later became a voting member and served on the Guild’s board of directors for a number of years. His knife designs may be best known among the largest number of people through his many collaborations with Benchmade Knife Co.

More recently he was instrumental in the founding of BSI, the world’s leading association of those who compete in knife-cutting competitions. He competed successfully on the BSI circuit for several years and designed and made his own competition knives. He was among the first to use CPM M4 carbon steel for the blades of his competition cutters, a steel that takes a great edge and is tough enough so that M4 blades can be ground very thin without damage to the edge or chipping while in use, great traits for competition cutters to have. He was also among the first to use horse-stall-mat rubber for the handle of a competition cutter. The material excels in enhanced purchase and non-slip qualities. His knives were recognized by many BSI observers for high performance in the competitions. The BSI coordinates the BLADE Show World Championship Cutting Competition at the BLADE Show each year. This year’s event will be held during the BLADE Show June 3-5 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Georgia.

As he noted on his website, Warren was fascinated by “anything with a blade” from early childhood in his native Australia, and made knives from crosscut saws, chainsaw bars and anything else he found “laying around.” “Bladed weapons were a family thing, so between three brothers and myself, we had quite a collection,” he noted. Later on during his work as a ranch hand in Australia and as a horse trainer in the USA, sharpening and making knives became a spare-time endeavor.

In the March 2014 BLADE® he tied for No. 13 with Shane Taylor and Jason Knight among the top custom makers of the years 2001-2012. As Larry Connelley of KnifeArt.com noted in that issue of BLADE, “Warren’s knives exhibit extremely clean workmanship, combined with outstanding design and a solid business ethic.” The story went on to note, “From art knives to utility and higher-end designs to competition cutters, Osborne’s work has covered as many bases as just about any other maker.”

As good friend and fellow award-winning maker Tom Overeynder observed, “What a great friend and craftsman Warren was. He will be missed by all who ever met him.” Added BSI Executive Director Donavon Phillips, “Warren was a friend and mentor to so many. I feel like I should say more but the words won’t come to me right now.”

Funeral services were held Thursday, Jan. 7, at the Wayne Boze Funeral Home on 1826 W. Hwy. 287 in Waxahachie. Instead of flowers, please make any donations to The Wounded Warrior Project.

Makers to Watch in 2016 Top New BLADE®

Steve Shackleford

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December 29, 2015

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The makers to watch in 2016, tomorrow’s blade material today, deep-belly vs. recurve blades and more highlight the new BLADE®, on newsstands now!

Headlined by the cover knife by one of the makers to watch for the new year, Jared Price’s tactical folder in bacon-pattern stainless damascus, the latest issue focuses on five cutlers who are building some of today’s most exciting custom knives. In addition to Price, those makers are ABS journeyman smiths Karl B. Andersen and Ben Breda, Michael Raymond and Richard Rogers. Find out why they made our list, examples of their hottest knives and more.

SM-100 is a recently developed titanium alloy that exhibits key traits desirable in a great blade material. Also known as HIPTiNite, the material is used on special models by Strider Knives, knifemaker Eric Bono and others. Get the background story on this intriguing material in Pat Covert’s story.

Machetes and big knives have been appearing in droves in the factory industry, and a number of them opt for either full, wide blades or those with the “S” curve, or recurve. See how the two styles perform, including a sidebar on the concept of weight-forward blade design, in “Belly Up To The Recurve Bar” by Abe Elias.

Also this issue: check out the stories that made headlines over the past year in “It Was A Keen ’15”; enjoy an excerpt from the World’s No. 1 Knife Book, KNIVES 2016, entitled “Chopped Champions” by Joe Kertzman; consider four of the latest factory slip joints and how the traditional design is evolving in general in “Slippin’ and A-Slicin'”; read about the latest knife maintenance products and how they keep your knives performing well and looking good in “Nourish Your Knives”; see how two custom fillet knives compare in Kim Breed’s tests; check out ABS master smith Henry Torres’s hunter’s axe and the many options Henry offers thereof, and much more, all in the latest BLADE®.

7 Pearl Knives For Dec. 7

Steve Shackleford

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December 7, 2015

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Perry pearl. — John Perry employs the classic gunstock-lobster pocketknife pattern to showcase the mother-of-pearl. (Chuck Ward image)

Osborne pearl. — Gold engraving by Martin Butler borders the stunning black-lip mother-of-pearl inlay in Warren Osborne’s interframe folder. (SharpByCoop image)

7 pearl knives for Dec. 7 somehow seems oh so fitting. Dec. 7, 1941—the date which lives in infamy marked the USA’s entry into World War II and the awakening of a military dynamo that would vanquish Japan and play a crucial role in the defeat of Germany in Europe. Japan’s bombing of Pearl Harbor early that day thrust America headlong into the maelstrom that would change the world forever.

With the 74th anniversary of that momentous event upon us, we thought a fitting way to observe it would be with knives sporting one of the most beautiful of handle materials: mother-of-pearl. Called pearl by most, the material is coveted on higher-end knives and makes for a most worthy edged presentation.

Herein are seven of those knives in memory of Dec. 7. Enjoy!

Overeynder pearl. — Black-lip mother-of-pearl rarely looks as pleasing as it does on Tom Overeynder’s folding art dagger. (PointSeven image)

Don Hanson pearl. — Don Hanson’s mother-of-pearl folder boasts some of the maker’s forged mosaic damascus for the blade and bolster, and titanium liners anodized blue. (PointSeven image)

Kyle pearl. — Kyle Hanson goes the mother-of-pearl route in damascus and with a handsome leather sheath. (PointSeven image)

Pearl Steigerwalt. — Ken Steigerwalt uses black-lip mother-of-pearl for the inlay on his damascus art folder with a modified tanto blade. Accents in 14k gold add to the mix. (SharpByCoop image)

Victors pearl. — Gilles Victors of Vacquiers, France, offers up his “Zephyr” model in mother-of-pearl as well as a handle of carbon fiber. The damascus blade comes in a modified wharncliffe style.

Your One-Stop Knife Road Map

Steve Shackleford

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December 1, 2015

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BLADE’s Complete Knife Guide Spring 2016 is your one-stop knife road map. It features the latest in knives, sharpeners, sheaths, knifemaking safety equipment, a comprehensive directory of knives/knife accessories and who sells them, and much more—and is on newsstands now!

Your annual buyer’s guide includes a complete directory of factory knife, accessory and other cutlery industry businesses, with each company’s specialties, contact information and other vital stats in easy-to-find alphabetical listings. Stories include the latest sharpeners that will put an edge on all sizes and types of knives, the hottest new everyday carry knives and the state-of-the-art in sheaths. There’s also an inside look at the newest custom flippers made by BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© member Ken Onion and a number of his top protegees.

The first-ever International Custom Cutlery Exposition was held in September at the Downtown Marriott in Kansas City, and BLADE’s Complete Knife Guide (BKG) has exclusive coverage of the historic event. It was the first time members of both the American Bladesmith Society and the Knifemakers’ Guild—the world’s two oldest and most important knifemaker organizations—joined forces to produce and coordinate their own knife show. BKG also examines the latest folding knives for executive wear and some of the most convenient of all knives—the newest in keychain cutters.

For hobbyist, part- or full-time makers, BKG offers tips on must-have safety equipment for every knife shop, as well as an excerpt from knife-and-gun-rights attorney Evan Nappen’s new book “Knife Laws of the U.S.” The excerpt focuses on what to say and do, and, perhaps more importantly, what not to say and do if you get arrested for carrying a knife.

There’s much more, including the latest factory knives and accessories for the coming year, how knife professionals can get the most from social media and other sharp stuff, all in the latest BKG!

COVER KNIFE: The Hogue EX-F02 features a choice of a 4.5-inch tanto or clip-point blade in a low-glare black finish, and an ergonomic handle with an easy-to-grip insert in a choice of colors. An ambidextrous automatic retention sheath locks the knife in place and releases smoothly with the push of a trigger lever.

Recommended:

Stay abreast of the latest developments on this and many more knife rights issues with a subscription to BLADE.

Ivory Ban Opponents Make Advances

Steve Shackleford

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November 23, 2015

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Newton ancient ivory knife. — Ron Newton’s bowie features an ancient ivory handle. (PointSeven image)

Massachusetts and New Jersey made advances in the fight against each state’s ivory ban proponents over the past two weeks.

Opponents of the Massachusetts ivory ban outnumbered the proponents in a Nov. 17 hearing before the state’s Joint Committee on Environment. In other words, there were many more legitimate business people there—scrimshanders, musicians, antique dealers, etc.—than animal activists, and that’s a good thing for people interested in maintaining a legal ivory trade in the state.

The ban’s opponents gave many examples of art and culturally significant antiques that would needlessly be rendered worthless under the ban. The committee seemed to acknowledge the beauty and distinctiveness of the antiques that would be outlawed, and that an all-encompassing ban was unnecessarily broad. The activists commented on the “different tone” and the concern the committee showed for scrimshaw and antiques. Many of the questions asked related to creating legal exceptions to the ban.

To submit testimony by e-mail, send your e-mail to all of the following Massachusetts House members: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; and [email protected]. For the state Senate, e-mail Henry Kahn, legislative director and general counsel in Sen. Gobi’s office, at [email protected] and he will distribute your e-mail to the state Senate’s members.

The Massachusetts developments followed on the heels of the chaotic hearing on the Big 5 African Species ban before the New Jersey Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee on Nov. 10. The oppressive bill heard before the committee would have made possession of ivory a criminal offense punishable by three-to-five years in prison and a $5,000 to $50,000 fine. It also would have targeted other wildlife materials, including varieties of mother-of-pearl, shark’s teeth and many more. Thanks in no small part to the invaluable help of Knife Rights and Doug Ritter, written criticisms of the ban read to the committee helped result in a watered-down version of the bill that, among others, exempted ivory and rhino horn and no longer requires ivory owners to comply with the bill’s new possession prohibition and certification requirements; dramatically reduced the number of species covered from 11,800 to around 10; and slashed the penalty for failing to comply with their certification requirements from felony-level penalties to a civil penalty.

Despite the watering down of it, the New Jersey bill is still a bad one and represents a Pyrrhic victory of sorts. Though ivory was excluded, the bill still constitutes unconstitutional taking by criminalizing commercial trade and possession of otherwise legal private property without just compensation. It imposes taxes on those who lawfully possess wildlife through its certification requirements that remain in place, and manages to include additional species with no evidence of a connection between New Jersey and the targeted items. Finally, its one-size-fits-all-prohibition style strips wildlife of all commercial value to local African countries and communities best suited to protect them.

Also Check Out:

Knives 2016, 36th Edition
The trusted guide for knife collectors, enthusiasts, knifemakers, and dealers around the world, this knife book covers the latest and greatest from front to back. A collection of feature articles explores the latest developments, history, and transformation of knives, swords, and edges of various kinds. Get your copy

Veterans’ Knives for Veterans Day

Steve Shackleford

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November 10, 2015

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Case V-42 dagger. — The classic Case V-42 with thumbprint ricasso. (SharpByCoop image)

World War II Mark 1's. — Two Mark 1’s, one by Pal (top) and Robeson (bottom).

In honor of Veterans Day, here are a few of the veterans’ knives that have seen action over the past century in the service of our country:

•U.S.N. Mark 2/U.S.M.C. fighting-utility knife: Known to many simply as a KA-BAR or kabar, it was made during World War II not only by Union Cutlery/KA-BAR but also, among others, Pal, Case, Camillus, Utica, Conetta and Robeson Shuredge. The iconic picture of it on the hips of U.S. Marines on the black sands of Iwo Jima tells it all—it was there and so were the Marines, who, by the way, are also celebrating their 240th anniversary. Semper Fidelis!;

•U.S. Mark I Trench Knife: It has all the trimmings: skull crusher, dagger blade, and the four finger holes in the knuckle guard. It reeks of Doughboys, Over There and Jimmy Cagney’s The Fighting 69th;

•Randall Model #1-8: WIth its stacked-leather grip and flowing blade, slightly dropped handle, double guard and narrow tang opening into a magnificently ground clip-point blade, the Model 1 has some of the most beautiful lines of any knife ever made;

KA-BAR Mark 2's. — Two Mark 2’s stamped “KA-BAR.”

•Case V-42: Classic skull crusher, cylindrical/swell-center handle, double guard, dagger blade and the clincher, the thumbprint indentation iwth grooved lines on the ricasso alone would guarantee the V-42 a place in any pantheon of military knives;

•Gerber Mark II: The one with the “cat-tongue” handle—so-called because of the feel of the grip created by spraying molten stainless steel onto the aluminum—and the wasp-waisted blade is a favorite from the Vietnam War;

•SOG Recon: The “twin-peak” blade spine readily identifies this military classic from the Vietnam War. “SOG” comprises the last three letters in the MACV-SOG acronym, the seven which stand for Military Assistance Command Vietnam-Studies and Observations Group;

•Ulster Mountain Pocketknife: These utlilitarian pocketknives reportedly were issued to the First Special Service Force during World War II and later to the troops of the 11th Mountain Division.

Steve Shackleford

Pro-Knife Effort Will Be Increased

Warren Osborne Passes Away

Makers to Watch in 2016 Top New BLADE®

7 Pearl Knives For Dec. 7

Your One-Stop Knife Road Map

Ivory Ban Opponents Make Advances

Also Check Out:

Veterans’ Knives for Veterans Day

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