Steve Shackleford, Author at BLADE Magazine

New BLADE On Most Newsstands NOW!

Steve Shackleford

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April 23, 2013

Fallkniven’s SK1 Jarl midsize hunter is the cover knife for the new BLADE®, on most newsstands NOW!

What are the top 14 custom knives of the 21st century? What features make a perfect tactical folder? Do you know why lightning strike carbon fiber got its name and why it’s in such demand among custom and factory knifemakers? What are the five most oppressive knife jurisdictions? What are the ultimate knives for Mother’s Day? Get the answers to these questions and much more in the latest issue of BLADE.

While the TSA announced yesterday that it will delay its new policy allowing passengers to carry small pocketknives and multi-tools on board commercial airliners, there was much that went into the creation of the original policy. Find out what happened behind the scenes, which knives qualified for the new policy and which ones didn’t, what industry leaders have to say about the new policy and much more in the new BLADE.

In other stories, find out how the cover knife performs in retired 5th Special Forces Master Sergeant Kim Breed’s “Spec Sheet” knife test; let Dexter Ewing show you how the latest serrated knife sharpeners do their duty; read Ed Fowler’s conclusion to his multi-part how-to on sheep horn handles; check out ABS master smith Rick Dunkerley’s Bear Tracks in “Cool Custom”; read part two of Wayne Goddard’s “Question & Answer” on the material that’s the most difficult to use for knife handles; enjoy mini-profiles of J.D. Smith, Tobbe Lundstrom, Glen Mikolajczyk, Libor Tobolak, Ronald Blystone and Tim Steingass in “Knifemaker Showcase”; and get up-to-date on the latest knives and knife accessories, knife show dates and much more in the latest BLADE.

For subscription information click on

www.shopblade.com/blade-magazine-one-year-subscription-us?icid=SHBLNCF2BL1SU-030613?lid=ssfbbl042313

TSA Delays New Small Pocket Knife Policy

Steve Shackleford

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April 23, 2013

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TSA Delays New Small Pocket Knife Policy

A policy change by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allowing passengers to carry a small pocket knife or multi-tool on commercial airliners beginning April 25 has been delayed, federal officials reported.

The TSA indicated the delay is so it can consider a report on the subject from an advisory committee comprised of aviation, consumer and law enforcement officials. The TSA gave no time frame for how long the delay will last.

The delay has no effect on the International Civil Aviation Organization’s policy, which already allows certain small pocket knives and multi-tools on flights in a number of other countries.

The new TSA policy has been attacked from many corners. Some family members of people killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks said they were outraged by it. At least one major airline official objected to the change, and the 90,000-member Flight Attendants Union Coalition has lambasted the policy.

Meanwhile, anti-knife politicians such as Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass) say all knives should be banned from flights.

The new policy would allow certain small pocket knives and multi-tools with blades 2.36 inches long or less and a half inch wide or less. No knives with locking blades or fixed blades would be allowed, among others.

For more on the TSA ruling, see the July issue of BLADE®, on most newsstands today. For subscription info click on

www.shopblade.com/blade-magazine-one-year-subscription-us?icid=SHBLNCF2BL1SU-030613?lid=ssfbbl042313

Begg on Discovery Channel’s Blade Brothers Tonight

Steve Shackleford

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April 19, 2013

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Begg on Discovery Channel’s Blade Brothers Tonight

Award-winning knifemaker Todd Begg will star in the premiere episodes of the Blade Brothers on Discovery Channel tonight at 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. EDT. (Check local listings for the times in your area.)

Todd becomes the latest knifemaker to join the ranks of television stars. Larry “The Hammer” Harley is the other, achieving newfound fame as one of the stars of National Geographic’s Lords of War. Both makers will exhibit knives at the 2013 BLADE Show (www.bladeshow.com) and Living Ready Expo May 31-June 2 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta.

Winner of a number of awards for his custom knives—including Best Of The Rest at the 2010 BLADE Show for his fantasy cleaver—Begg will be joined by his brothers on the show as he tries to teach them how to help him run the knife business. Since none of Begg’s brothers have ever made a knife before, plenty of hijinks ensue as they learn the ropes in the always challenging business of custom knifemaking.

As he notes on his website, Todd’s interest in knives began at a young age while hunting and fishing with his brothers in the Great Northwest. He later used knives in the military as an NBC Recon team member, where he learned just how important and lifesaving they can be.

Based out of Petaluma, California, Todd specializes in high-grade tactical folders and fixed blades. His patterns include folders, integrals and fighters. He specialzies in flipper folders using the Ikoma Korth Bearing System (IKBS), and his list prices range from $400 to $15,000 per knife. He exhibits his knives at a wide range of knife shows, including the BLADE Show, and has appeared in BLADE Magazine (www.blademag.com) on any number of occasions.

For more information on Todd and makers like him, subscribe to BLADE at

www.shopblade.com/blade-magazine-one-year-subscription-us?icid=SHBLNCF2BL1SU-030613?lid=ssfbbl041913

How To Photo Knives Seminar at BLADE Show

Steve Shackleford

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April 19, 2013

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How To Photo Knives Seminar at BLADE Show

Eric Eggly of Point Seven Studios will show you how to photograph knives in a special seminar at the BLADE Show (www.bladeshow.com) and Living Ready Expo 2013 May 31-June 2 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta.

In “How To Photograph a Knife,” Eggly will cover the foundation of knife photography and share some simple, easy-to-use tips and techniques to create your own stunning knife photos. The seminar will be the Saturday of the BLADE Show, June 1, at 4 p.m. in Room 104. All BLADE Show ticket holders are admitted free of charge (seating is limited; first come, first served).

Under the direction of Eggly, Point Seven has been the official BLADE Show photographer for many years. A full-time commercial photographer, Eggly has photographed knives for decades and often has said he does so in no small part due to his passion and love for knives and the knife community in general. He travels to a number of knife shows nationwide, including the American Bladesmith Society Knife Expo in San Antonio, Texas, and was presented with a special award for outstanding service by the ABS at the 2011 BLADE Show.

Point Seven is based in Maumee, Ohio. As Eggly notes on his website, “It’s important that I know my subjects. Without that special interaction and understanding, there’s simply no story to tell.”

For more on the BLADE Show, visit

www.bladeshow.com and/or subscribe to BLADE® Magazine

www.shopblade.com/blade-magazine-one-year-subscription-us?icid=SHBLNCF2BL1SU-030613?lid=ssfbbl041913

The Gunny’s Back and The BLADE Show’s Got Him!

Steve Shackleford

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April 17, 2013

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The Gunny’s Back and The BLADE Show’s Got Him!

The BLADE Show (www.bladeshow.com) will host R. Lee “The Gunny” Ermey as he returns to sign autographs, pose for photos and chew the fat with show patrons at the SOG Specialty Knives & Tools booth show Saturday, June 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The BLADE Show will be May 31-June 2 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Georgia.

At press time, SOG was conducting a contest to win one of two pairs of tickets to dinner with SOG personnel and The Gunny the Saturday night of the BLADE Show. The contest was slated to run on the SOG Facebook page through May 22, with the winner chosen and confirmed on May 24. The Gunny also will be the keynote speaker at the Knife Rights banquet the Saturday morning of the BLADE Show.

It will be The Gunny’s second tour at the BLADE Show for SOG. The retired Marine, veteran motion picture and television actor, and all-around supporter of the U.S. military—especially the Marines—also appeared at the SOG booth during the 2011 BLADE Show to sign autographs and pictures and otherwise interact with BLADE Show patrons.

The Gunny’s credits include History Channel’s Lock N’ Load with R. Lee Ermey, Mail Call and his breakthrough role as Gunnery Sgt. Hartman in Full Metal Jacket. In addition to being a spokesperson for SOG, The Gunny also designed knives for the company: the Gunny Folder and Gunny Fixed Blade.

The Gunny enlisted in the Marines in 1961 and medically retired as a staff sergeant in 1971 for injuries incurred during his tours, which included 14 months active duty in the Vietnam War. He also served as a drill instructor.

For more on The Gunny’s BLADE Show appearance and the BLADE Show in general, subscribe to BLADE® www.shopblade.com/blade-magazine-one-year-subscription-us?icid=SHBLNCF2BL1SU-030613?lid=ssfbbl041713

BLADE Show Will Welcome “The Hammer”

Steve Shackleford

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April 10, 2013

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Larry “The Hammer” Harley, one of the stars of National Geographic’s hot new TV series, Lords of War, will exhibit his knives and conduct a seminar at the BLADE Show (www.bladeshow.com) May 31-June 2 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta.

Meet The Hammer in person at his BLADE Show seminar 3 p.m. Saturday in Room 104 of the Cobb Galleria and ask him any and all questions concerning knives, swords, his TV show and more. And bring the kids, too. Larry’s presentation is suited for the entire family. He also will be exhibiting his knives in the BLADE Show hall at table 9Q .

Harley has long been known to knife enthusiasts as a fine knifemaker, an ABS journeyman smith and among the more colorful characters in the knife industry. It is small wonder that the National Geographic Channel picked him to be one of the stars of its Lords of War television series. On the show Larry appraises any and all knives, swords and edged weapons, and also helps test fire the antique and other guns appraised—and he almost always outshoots his Lords of War co-stars in the process.

The Hammer’s credits are many. In addition to making knives for many years, he has involved himself in the knife industry in a number of ways. He conducted knife hog hunts for several years and was among the first to win at the early ABS cutting

competitions. He is also extremely active in teaching bladesmithing to youngsters, including a heavy involvement in same with the ABS. He has conducted hammer-ins for both youths and adults at his shop in Bristol, Tennessee. His son Richard has been making knives for a number of years now and is quite good at it. Though The Hammer may come across as a good ol’ country boy—which he is—he is also highly educated and well-versed in a wide range of topics. Meet him at the BLADE Show. You will enjoy it.

For the latest in BLADE Show happenings and all the hottest knives, knife news and more, subscribe to BLADE® Magazine at www.shopblade.com/blade-magazine-one-year-subscription-us?icid=SHBLNCF2BL1SU-030613?lid=ssfbbl041013

Ernest Emerson Will Offer BLADE Show Seminar

Steve Shackleford

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April 3, 2013

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Ernest Emerson Will Offer BLADE Show Seminar

Ernest Emerson, one of the leading names in both custom and factory knives, will conduct another of his always popular seminars at the 2013 BLADE Show and Living Ready Expo at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta May 31-June 2.

Entitled “Fight Like A Madman,” the seminar will give you the tools to train “your most effective weapon” against violence: your mind. “Train the mind and the body will follow,” Mr. Emerson noted. “Confront evil with the tools to stop it dead in its tracks.”

A pioneer of tactical folders with such pieces as his world-famous CQC-6, Mr. Emerson has been conducting seminars at the BLADE Show (www.bladeshow.com) for many years now. He always delivers in terms of information any and all can use in their daily lives. An accomplished martial artist in addition to being a world-class knifemaker, Mr. Emerson has developed a self-defense regimen called Emerson Combat Systems that has been taught to police officers, military units and civilians. His knives and systems have been celebrated in magazines, books, television, on the Internet and just about every media form known.

Mr. Emerson’s BLADE Show seminars focus more on the mental approach to dealing with outside threats to you, your family, your friends and those around you. As the saying goes, before you do anything well you’ve got to get your mind right, and Mr. Emerson stresses the importance of that in his BLADE Show seminars.

Mr. Emerson will conduct his BLADE Show seminar in the usual place and time: Saturday, June 1, at 1 p.m. in Room 104 of the Cobb Galleria Centre. All BLADE Show ticket holders are admitted free of charge. However, seating is limited, so first come, first served.

For more on the BLADE Show, stay tuned to www.blademag.com and or subscribe to BLADE® Magazine at www.shopblade.com/blade-magazine-one-year-subscription-us?lid=ssfbbl040313

Steve Shackleford

New BLADE On Most Newsstands NOW!

TSA Delays New Small Pocket Knife Policy

Begg on Discovery Channel’s Blade Brothers Tonight

How To Photo Knives Seminar at BLADE Show

The Gunny’s Back and The BLADE Show’s Got Him!

BLADE Show Will Welcome “The Hammer”

Ernest Emerson Will Offer BLADE Show Seminar

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