Steve Shackleford, Author at BLADE Magazine

Knives of TV’s Grimm in New BLADE®

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October 6, 2015

Grimm knives in new BLADE. — The knives of TV’s Grimm help highlight the latest BLADE®, on newsstands now!

Knives on television and in the movies have a way of both mesmerizing audiences and giving a knifemaker’s career a much-needed boost—and such could be the case with the double-bit axe bladesmith Arnon Kartmazov made for the hit TV show, Grimm. Read all about Kartmazov’s cutter and other knives of TV’s Grimm in the new issue of BLADE®, on newsstands now.

Kartmazov’s piece on Grimm is a rare double-TV coup for the Oregon-based maker, who also appeared on The History Channel’s Forged In Fire earlier this year. Where it will take his career is anyone’s guess but it sure as heck can’t hurt any.

Speaking of Forged In Fire, ABS master smith Joe Szilaski examines the show’s format of requiring contestants to make a knife in three hours. Can such a format really result in knives that “will cut,” as the show’s Doug Marcaida likes to say? Szilaski gives you his expert opinion on the subject in his story, “3-Hour Knives: Are They Legit?”

Job 1 of knives is to cut and, as Spyderco notes on one of its old steel charts, “Steel is The Heart of The Knife.” (Right below that slogan on the same chart is “And Heat Treating is The Spirit.”)

The latest in steels is always a hot topic in the knife industry, but, when it comes right down to it, it’s the steels the companies use most on their newest models that should tell you which steels are most popular at the moment. Find out in chart form what those steels are and which companies are using them in “5 Hottest Blade Steels.”

Also this issue: the conclusion of Lonnie Kapp’s two-parter on Japanese swords of World War II; how tactical custom daggers are making a comeback; how its latest award-winning knives are transforming the American Bladesmith Society into an International Bladesmith Society of sorts; tests of big camp knives; and the latest in knives for law enforcement officers. Get it all and more in the new BLADE, on newsstands now.

Recommended:

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Knife History Made In Kansas City

Steve Shackleford

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September 21, 2015

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Modern custom knife history was made this past weekend in the first-ever International Custom Cutlery Exposition (ICCE) held at the Marriott Downtown in Kansas City.

It was the first time the Knifemakers’ Guild and the American Bladesmith Society, the world’s two oldest and best-known knifemaker organizations, combined forces to hold a joint knife show.

And from all indications, things went about as smoothly as anyone could have hoped.

Over 120 makers exhibited their knives at the show. A number of exhibitors commented on how nice it was to see makers from both organizations displaying side-by-side and getting along so well. Of course, that was a far cry from the old days when the two groups competed openly and did not get along so well, to say the least. However, those days seemed to be forgotten over the weekend as both organizations came together and voted on the best knives of the show, with members of each group often voting for knives by makers in the other. Among the winners of the awards were Bruce Bump for Best In Show for his cut ‘n shoot knife, Paul LeBatard won an award for his stag hunter, Adam DesRosiers for Best Combat Knife and Best Hunter, Jerry Moen for Best Tactical Folder, Johnny Stout for Best Folder, Charles Vestal for Best Fighter, and J.W. Randall for Best Damascus. Other honors included Betty Dowell being presented with the Nate Posner Award and Dianna Casteel winning the Red Watson Award.

There was a lot of history at the show, as it was held in the very same showroom as the one where BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© member Bill Moran introduced his revolutionary damascus knives at the 1973 Knifemakers’ Guild Show. In honor of that monumental event, the ICCE presented a special Bill Moran Memorial Damascus Knife Award, with the winner being Bill Burke.

A complete rundown of other of the show’s knifemaking awards and other highlights will be in a future issue of BLADE®.

Recommended:

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Forged In Fire Renewed For 2nd Season

Steve Shackleford

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September 16, 2015

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Forged In Fire, The History Channel’s hit summer reality TV show featuring bladesmiths who compete to see who can forge the best knife, has been renewed for a second season, Cynopsis Media reports.

According to Cynopsis, “History’s Forged In Fire will be back for a sophomore season. The show, which averaged 1.6 total million viewers in Live+7 delivery, follows the most talented bladesmiths as they create weapons from the Japanese katana to the medieval broadsword.”

The stars of Forged In Fire include a panel of three judges—ABS master smith J. Neilson, ancient weapons authority David Baker and martial artist/knife user Doug Marcaida—and host Wil Willis, along with the many competing bladesmiths.

While the show had been sending out casting calls for bladesmiths for a new season, there had been no formal confirmation of its renewal until the official announcement by Cynopsis. Whether there will be any changes in the show’s format, when the new season will begin, etc., is unknown at this time.

In a nutshell, Forged In Fire consists of four bladesmiths—different ones each episode—who compete to see who can make the best knife. In the first round each smith has roughly three hours to design and make in the show’s shop/forge a rough-forged knife of his choice according to the specs and with materials determined by the judges. The three smiths of the four the judges deem to have made the best rough knives advance to the next round, in which they must make and attach the handles and finish their knives. Of the three remaining smiths, the two who make the best knives in the judges’ estimation advance to the finals, in which they have five days in their home forges to make a knife, sword, axe or other cutting tool in a design of the judges’ choosing. The smith who makes the best piece in the judges’ estimation wins $10,000.

For a behind-the-scenes look at the show, see the December BLADE®, on newsstands now, or subscribe.

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

1st-Ever Women’s Cutting Competition Set

Steve Shackleford

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September 15, 2015

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1st-Ever Women’s Cutting Competition Set

The first-ever women’s division in a BladeSports International Cutting Competition was conducted Saturday, Sept. 19, at Jantz Supply in Davis, Oklahoma.

“BladeSports has long talked about the possibility of a women’s division in our sport,” noted Donavon Phillips, executive director of BladeSports International (BSI). “We are past the possibility now. It has arrived.”

The BladeSports International (BSI)-sanctioned event, which ran from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., also included a men’s competition. Competitors ran an obstacle course including cutting 2x4s, rope, water-filled plastic bottles, a straw lengthwise and slicing rolling tennis balls.

Though women have competed in the men’s division before—including the first-ever female qualifier for the BLADE Show World Championship, Jessica Elias, won for an unprecedented third straight time by Dan Keffeler this past June in Atlanta—the event marked the first time women have had a BSI division all to themselves.

“Knives have long been considered the tool of choice for men but more and more women are not only carrying knives regularly for protection and general use, but are now joining the ranks of men who compete in competitive knife events,” noted Ken Jantz, founder and CEO of Jantz Supply.

On Aug. 15, Jantz Supply hosted a training session in which four women and nine men became certified to compete in BSI events. A total of seven women have national BSI certification. The top competitors at both events earned points toward qualifying for next year’s national competition to be held in the spring in Dallas, Texas, and the BLADE Show World Championship in Atlanta June 4.

Jantz Supply has been in business for over 30 years and manufactures and supplies knife blanks, knifemaking components and tools. For more information visit www.knifemaking.com.

Also Check Out:

Making Tactical Fixed Blades DVD

Learn both basic and advanced knife making techniques with expert instruction from Allen Alishewitz in Tactical Fixed Blades. Allen demonstrates how to craft a double-edged tactical fixed blade knife from start to finish, and creates two knives in order to fully illustrate the knife building process. You’ll learn:

– Profiling and Drilling the Knife
– Tang Tapering on a Grinder
– Tang Tapering on a Mill
– And more!

Order here

Disabled Vet Knife Graces New BLADE®

Steve Shackleford

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September 8, 2015

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A knife for disabled vets, behind the scenes of the hit TV show Forged In Fire, World War II Japanese swords and much more highlight the annual military issue of BLADE®, on newsstands NOW!

L.T. Wright’s H.E.R.O. (Helping Everyone Reach the Outdoors) knife is specially designed to accommodate people with finger and/or hand injuries. Join Abe Elias as he examines how the knife came about, how it’s designed, how it works and more in his story on page 12.

Forged In Fire has been one of The History Channel’s hottest shows in recent months and has brought the skill required to make a forged knife into full view of a wide-ranging television viewing audience. Go behind the scenes of this fascinating, action-packed show with our special story on page 84. In addition, on page 10, see if you agree that FIF may be the “Eureka moment” the knife industry has been waiting on for these many years.

The Japanese signed the formal World War II surrender on the U.S. battleship Missouri 70 years ago this month. But what of all those Japanese swords carried by those in the Japanese Army and Navy? Who made them and whatever became of them? Leon Kapp gives you the poop in part one of his “The Sun Rises On Them Still” on page 80.

There’s much more in the annual military issue, including a visit with two surviving 90-something members of the First Special Service Force that fought so well in World War II; three military veterans who are new to the knifemaking game in Pat Covert’s story on page 20; the best-selling military knives in the factory realm on page 36; a test of four military-style autos by James Morgan Ayres on page 44; “How To I.D. A True Combat Knife” by BLADE field editor Ed Fowler on page 52; the “Ultimate Survival Knives” of special-operations veterans Grady Powell and Jared Ogden, stars of National Geographic’s action TV series, Ultimate Survival Alaska; a test of two tomahawks by BLADE field editor/retired Green Beret Kim Breed on page 48; and much more in the latest issue.

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6 Hotties Highlight New Knives

Steve Shackleford

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August 31, 2015

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Case tear drop and muskrat. — New from Case is the Collector’s Tour Tear Drop and Ambassador Tour’s muskrat.

Think pink with Bear & Son’s new Model 114PK butterfly knife.

What’s hot and new in factory knives for the fall? Among them are 6 hotties ready to cut. Let’s start with Case. Its 2015 Collector’s Tour Knife is a traditional tear-drop pattern with an embellished smooth chestnut bone handle and the company’s famous “XX” scrolled bolsters. Case Collectors Club Manager Lisa Boser-Miller’s signature appears on the Tru-Sharp stainless spear blade.

The 2015 Ambassador Tour Knife is a muskrat in a smooth dark red bone handle and bolster engraving. One of the clip blades bears the signature of the owner of Coffman Hardware who doubles as a Case ambassador, Dennis Mikus.

Liong Mah designed the CRKT Viva. — The CRKT Viva is a pry tool, hex wrench, bottle opener and screwdriver all in one keychain multi tool.

Bear & Son offers up a cool butterfly in hot pink handles—the Model

114PK in a 3 5/8-inch stainless blade. The handles are epoxy-coated aluminum. Weight: 5 ounces. Closed length: 5 inches.

If you’re looking for a stout fixed blade, look no further than the Argonaut 800 from Steel Will Knives. The 6.3-inch blade is AUS-8 stainless in a satin finish and a Rockwell hardness of 56-58 HRC. Weight: 9.59 ounces. The $99.99 MSRP includes a Nylon sheath.

The Baja 4.5 features a 1095 high-carbon steel blade ina Black River Wash finish. — The Baja 4.5 is TOPS Knives’ “stretched sibling” of the Baja 3.0.

OK, so it’s not really a knife. So? Designed by Liong Mah, CRKT’s Viva is one of a growing number of key-ring multi-tools that includes a pry tool, screwdriver, bottle opener, hex wrench and more—all for a measly $9.99 MSRP.

The TOPS Knives Baja 4.5 is the “stretched sibling” of the TOPS Baja 3.0, sporting a 4.5-inch blade of 1095 high-carbon steel in a Black River Wash and a green canvas Micarta® handle. MSRP: $200 (includes a leather dangler sheath).

Grab you some Steel Will Argonaut! — The Argonaut from Steel Will Knives is one stout fixed blade.

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

Gear Up with The Team Jackal

Steve Shackleford

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August 21, 2015

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TOPS Knives Team Jackal Survivor — The Team Jackal Survivor is new from TOPS Knives.

Rotating spring steel sheath clip. — The Kydex sheath attaches to a belt or gear via a rotating spring steel clip.

Black Kydex sheath — The sheath protects the blade and makes for a handsome package, too.

Rocky Mountain Tread handle. — The G-10 handle is textured in a Rocky Mountain Tread for enhanced gripping.

The blade is 1095 high-carbon steel. — The 5-inch blade is 1095 high-carbon steel in a Coyote Tan powder coat.

Gear up with the Team Jackal Survivor fixed blade from TOPS Knives, a great everyday utility and/or bug-out-bag knife.

The Team Jackal Survivor sports a 5-inch blade of 3/16-inch-thick 1095 high-carbon steel heat treated to a Rockwell hardness of 56-58 HRC. The cutting edge is 4 5/8 inches long. A steel favored by many bladesmiths and a growing number of factory knife companies, 1095 is easier to sharpen than some of the higher-grade stainless steels such as CPM S30V. This is a valuable trait to have in the field and/or for novice knife enthusiasts who have not quite mastered the proper sharpening techniques required or do not have the proper sharpening equipment to put an edge on the higher-grade steels.

Of course, the trade-off with carbon steel is that it tends to rust more easily than stainless steel, though if you wipe the knife down after each use rust should not be a problem. However, just in case, the Team Jackal Survivor blade features a Coyote Tan powder coating to help reduce rust. The coating also holds down on glare. Still, though, a wipe down after each use never hurts!

The contoured, straight-backed handle is a black G-10 hard synthetic textured in TOPS’ Rocky Mountain Tread for secure purchase and a cool look. Enhancing purchase is a jimped blade ramp just forward of the handle spine and a finger groove behind the choil. The knife’s overall length is 9.75 inches. Without the sheath, it weighs 8.9 ounces.

The sheath is a black Kydex with a rotating spring steel clip. Counting the sheath, the complete knife package weighs 11.7 ounces.

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the made-in-the-USA Team Jackal Survivor is $175, but if you visit topsknives.com while its sale lasts you can get it for $140.

Recommended:

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

Steve Shackleford

Knives of TV’s Grimm in New BLADE®

Knife History Made In Kansas City

Forged In Fire Renewed For 2nd Season

Also Check Out:

1st-Ever Women’s Cutting Competition Set

Also Check Out:

Disabled Vet Knife Graces New BLADE®

6 Hotties Highlight New Knives

Also Check Out:

Gear Up with The Team Jackal

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