Legendary Knife Designer of the M16 and M21 knives, Retired Sgt. Major Harold “Kit” Carson is inducted into the Cutlery Hall of Fame at 2012 Blade Show in Atlanta.
Harold “Kit” Carson, long-time knifemaker and designer of the M16 folder for Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT), is the latest inductee into the Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall Of Fame©.
Get a great deal on the knife that got him there, the M16 tactical knife, at ShopBlade.com.
Knife Rights, one of America’s premier organizations defending the right to own and use knives and edged tools, was presented with one of two Blade Magazine 2012 Industry Achievement Awards® at the annual Blade Magazine Knife-Of-The-Year Awards Banquet at the BLADE Show in Atlanta, Georgia.
Also receiving a Blade Magazine 2012 Industry Achievement Award was the American Knife & Tool Institute, also for its efforts in protecting Americans’ right to own, use and carry knives.
Knife Rights was recognized for its “diligence in working to have pro-knife legislation passed in a number of states this year,” said BLADE® Magazine editor, Steve Shackleford. Managing Editor Joe Joe Kertzman noted, “the legislative offensive mounted… this year has been nothing short of historic.”
The annual awards by BLADE Magazine at the BLADE Show are recognized as the pinnacle of achievement in the knife industry. The BLADE Show is the largest cutlery show in the world held every year in Atlanta. Georgia represented one of Knife Rights’ successes this year with Knife Law Preemption set to become law on July 1, protecting BLADE Show attendees from certain onerous restrictive knife regulations.
Doug Ritter, Knife Rights chairman, said, “Knife Rights is honored to be recognized for our achievements in defending knife owners’ rights. We sincerely appreciate the support from individuals and industry that has allowed us to make great strides this year. ”
Knife Rights’ legislative successes this year to date include the Knife Law Preemption bill in Georgia, clarification of the switchblade law that legalized assisted-opening knives and the manufacture of assisted-opening and switchblade knives in Washington and the passage of a bill repealing Missouri’s switchblade ban, currently awaiting the governor’s signature.
In addition, Knife Rights made real progress on bills in Alaska, Indiana and Kansas that passed by super majorities in one house of the legislature and which would have been on track to pass into law except for election year and redistricting politics. Knife Rights expects to be back in these states next year to finish the job. In addition, Knife Rights has switchblade ban repeal and preemption legislation pending in Pennsylvania, as well as efforts in additional states.
Ritter said, “This is a long term effort. Our rights weren’t lost overnight and they won’t be restored overnight. Knife Rights is committed to passing pro-knife legislation in all 50 states.
For more on the latest knives, knife legislation, knifemaking instruction, knife trends, knifemakers, what knives to buy and where and much more, subscribe to BLADE® Magazine, the World’s No. 1 Knife Publication. Click on http://www.shopblade.com/blade-magazine-one-year-subscription-us for more information.
For the record: that is Michael Burch at top and Tom Krein below him. (Krein photo by Mike Searson)
Two of the most important things about a person are his/her name and likeness. As Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© member Bruce Voyles stresses, “I don’t care what they say about me as long as they spell my name right.”
A person’s likeness is equally—some might even argue more—important than his/her name. All of which came crashing down on me on page 42 of the April BLADE®.
On that page is the likeness of knifemaker Tom Krein. Only problem is, the caption identifies him as maker Michael Burch. The knife on the page is by Michael and, for some reason I cannot quite fathom, I gave instructions for our graphic designer to insert the likeness of Tom with the knife, thinking it was Michael’s likeness. I know Tom when I see him and I know Michael when I see him. Again, I can’t explain my mistake.
I could blame it on Mom. I have two sisters, Chris and Juli, and a brother, Pat, and, for as long as I can remember, Mom has often called each of us a smorgasbord combo of all four. “Uh, Chris-Juli-Pat-Steve,” she goes through a checklist of all four names before finally arriving at mine, “tuck your shirt in, stand up straight,” etc. On the other hand, she has never mistaken me/my picture for any of my siblings/their likenesses (though on more than one occasion during my misspent youth she made me wish she had).
Similarly, at last year’s BLADE Show I saw Gavin Hawk, talented knifemaking son of talented knifemaking father Grant, walking into the show, and for some reason I called him Grant. “That’s Gavin, Steve, Gavin!” he stressed. I sheepishly ducked my head and muttered, “Oops! Sorry.” Of course, I can understand Gavin’s frustration. He no doubt is called Grant from time to time, it being natural for people to associate him with his father, and he is no doubt extremely proud to be the son of such a creative dad. At the same time, Gavin wants to be recognized for his own achievements, and understandably so.
In case you think I am getting old and forgetful—which, of course, I am—there have been a number of times over the years when I wasn’t so old that I misidentified people in person, too. There was the time at a Guild Show when I stopped at knifemaker Dennis Bradley’s table and carried on a conversation with him for several minutes, calling him Gayle (after knifemaker Gayle Bradley) repeatedly. Finally, when we were through talking, he said, “And oh, by the way, I’m Dennis.” Ugh. I slinked away.
Another is production knife guru Vince Ford. On more than one occasion I have called him Paul, thinking he was knifemaker Paul Fox. Each time Vince has been gracious enough not to lose his temper, just shaking his head and giving me that funny little look he gives so well.
On the other hand, some people in the knife industry simply look like others. I always thought in his later years Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer Bob Loveless resembled the older, heavier Peter Lorre. (And no, I never told Bob that. What, do you think I have a death wish or something?) I also think our managing editor, Joe Kertzman, looks like retired Major League Baseball catcher Mike Piazza. Heck, one time Mrs. Debbie Voyles told me I looked like Tom Hanks. Of course, that was a long time and many hair follicles ago. Or maybe it was just that I reminded her of Forrest Gump.
Anyhow, I caught my mistake with Michael and Tom, though it was a day late and a dollar short—the day after the April BLADE went to the printer. I immediately fired off an e-mail with the subject line, “Man, did I screw up!” to Michael and Tom, as well as Mike Searson, the photographer of Tom’s picture that we used. Both Michael and Tom were equally gracious. “Now that will be funny!” Michael replied via e-mail. “I always wanted to be Tom for a month.” Not to be outdone, Tom e-mailed, “No worries! Michael never looked so good!”
Thank you, Michael and Tom, for being good sports. And thank you, BLADE readers, for putting up with a well-meaning but often all-too-imperfect editor.
For more on the latest knives, knife legislation, knifemaking instruction, knife trends, knifemakers, what knives to buy and where and much more, subscribe to BLADE® Magazine, the World’s No. 1 Knife Publication. Click on http://www.shopblade.com/blade-magazine-one-year-subscription-us for more information.
As Mel Brooks says in The History Of The World, Part I, “It’s good to be the king.” And Jody Muller’s “King Arthur” dress locking folder, the 25th installment in our “Knife Of The Day” series, resembles Brooks’s remark.
Boasting damascus forged by Jody, a handle of carved ancient walrus ivory, and 24k-gold and copper inlays, the knife gives Camelot a whole new dose of cool.
For more information on the knife, click on www.mullerforge.com.
For more on the latest knives, knife legislation, knifemaking instruction, knife trends, knifemakers, what knives to buy and where and much more, subscribe to BLADE® Magazine, the World’s No. 1 Knife Publication. Click on http://www.shopblade.com/blade-magazine-one-year-subscription-us for more information.
Harold “Kit” Carson, long-time knifemaker and designer of the M16 folder for Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT), was inducted into the Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall Of Fame© this past weekend during the 31st Annual BLADE Show (www.bladeshow.com) at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Georgia.
In addition to the M16, which has been one of CRKT’s most successful knives for many years and is available in a number of iterations, Carson is also known for his Model 4 folder and other custom knives, and his willingness to help most any aspiring knifemaker on how to make knives. Carson’s patience in answering questions from up-and-coming makers on the Internet and elsewhere approaches near legendary status, and he has helped guide the careers of such established makers as A.T. Barr, John Greco and many others.
A career Army man, Carson was inducted by his fellow Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame member and good friend, Ken Onion. In addition, CRKT head man Rod Bremer was on hand to add his observations on Kit and read a letter from Kit to the Blade Magazine Award Banquet, the site of the induction. Due to health concerns, Kit was unable to attend but he was definitely there in spirit.
A complete story on Kit’s induction will appear in an upcoming issue of BLADE® Magazine.
The most extensive knife collection displays anywhere helped highlight this past weekend’s 31st Annual BLADE Show (www.bladeshow.com) at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Georgia. Four won awards for being the best of the lot, with Brent and Dee Schindewolf topping them all by winning Best Of Show for their special collection of Buck knives.
The winners, by award:
Best Of Show: Buck Gen Five Josh Buck Skinners, by Brent and Dee Schindewolf
Judges Award: Miniatures: Faberge of Firearms, by Tom and Gwen Guinn
Judges Award: Buck Factory Production Knives of the 1960s, by Larry Oden
Judges Award: Buck 110s, by Jim Seagle (a Buck 110 is pictured at left)
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The best custom knives by some of the world’s best custom makers were celebrated this past weekend at the world’s largest knife show, the BLADE Show (www.bladeshow.com), at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Georgia.
Michael Ruth Jr. won both the Hugh Bartrug Best Of Show and Best Sword for his elegant English hunting sword. Meanwhile, Mike Williams scored big time by winning two awards: Best Utility Hunter and Best Of The Rest. Japan’s Yoshio Sakauchi won the Yvon Vachon Best Miniature for a phenomenal fifth straight year.
All of the winners, by category:
Hugh Bartrug Best Of Show/Best Sword: Michael Ruth Jr.
Best Tactical Folder: Kirby Lambert
Most Innovative Design: Brian Tighe
Best Handle Design: Ron Newton
Best Folder: Ken Erickson
Yvon Vachon Best Miniature: Yoshio Sakauchi
Best Art Knife: Van Barnett (pictured at top)
Best Fixed Blade: Kevin Cashen
Best Bowie: Jason Knight
Best New Maker: Tom Ploppert
Best Fighter: David Mirabile
Best Knife Collaboration: Bob Terzuola and Gus Cecchini
Best Utility Hunter: Mike Williams
Best Damascus: David Lisch
Best Of The Rest: Mike Williams
For the complete story on the winners and the knives, see the November BLADE®.
Find Custom Knifemakers in Your Area
The Knives 2012 book features a complete directory of custom knifemakers. You’ll find information to help you find and contact knifemakers in your area.
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