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Joe Kertzman's Blog

Knife news, people, top picks and patterns

Novelist Carries BLADE Show Knife

A known author of thriller novels, Brad Thor was recently interviewed by everydaycarry.com on what knife and gear he carries on a daily basis. Thor is an American novelist, whose works include several New York Times Best Sellers. He’s just finished his newest book, Code of Conduct, and took some time to share his everyday carry inspired by his many military- and spy-themed thrillers.S3312

Thor enthusiastically related that he carries a CRKT Otanashi noh Ken folder, designed by James Williams, which happened to be a 2015 BLADE Show limited-edition knife (sold out). As Thor noted about the Otanashi noh Ken during the interview, “Simply put, one of the most badass folding knives on the planet. Tons of SpecOps members carry James Williams’ blades. Based on centuries-old Samurai designs, nothing on the market beats it. I carry it because men whose lives depend on their tools, also carry it.”

Thor said that he also carries a Kobold Phantom Chronograph, a Gerber Shard keychain tool, a Fisher Spacer Pen and a Field Notes Pitch Black Edition (both for taking notes–he is an author!), a Streamlight PT1L, Leatherman-style PS multi-tool, an Apple iPhone 6 and a Magpul Field Case iPhone 6 cover.

Which Overall Knife-Of-The-Year Is Your Favorite?

Every year at the BLADE Show in Atlanta knife companies that have booths at the show vie for the coveted–and they really are–Knife-Of-The-Year® Awards. There are a dozen awards in different categories (i.e. Imported Knife-Of-The-Year, Best Buy Of The Year, etc.), the top honor being the Overall Knife-Of-The-Year.

Some fabulous knives have won the Overall Knife-Of-The-Year Award since 2010, with Zero Tolerance/Kai USA having a run of three winners between 2011 and 2013. The winners since 2010, in order by year starting in 2010 (and shown in order below), are: the Chris Reeve Knives TI-LOCK, Zero Tolerance 0777, Zero Tolerance 0888, Zero Tolerance 0454, CRKT Hi Jinx, and this year, the Lion Steel T.R.E. (Three Rapid Exchange).

So, looking at the knives below–shown in order as listed above–which is your favorite Overall Knife-Of-The-Year since 2010 and why? It’s hard to choose, isn’t it?!
Eric Eggly-Owner/PhotographerZT 0777


ZT 0454


 

 

 

 

 

ZT 0888CRKT Hi Jinxlion steel T.R.E.

YOUR Knife-Of-The-Year® Award

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For only the second time in BLADE Show history, a Knife-Of-The-Year® Award will be chosen by knife enthusiasts just like you. Log on to www.blademag.com/2015-peoples-choice and vote for your favorite knife, as submitted by knife companies and knifemakers that will be at the BLADE Show. The knife with the most votes will win the People’s Choice Knife-Of-The-Year Award, to be presented June 6 at the 2015 BLADE Show in Atlanta.

Show your support, have fun, and tell your friends! Voting is open now!

First Woman Will Vie For BLADE Show World Title

Jessica Elias was the first female ever to compete at the Nationals for the BladeSports International, Inc. competition. Held on May 2nd, 2015, at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Ark., she and six others have qualified to compete for the World Championship at the BLADE Show in Atlanta, Ga., on June 6, 2015. She will be the first woman ever to compete for the BLADE Show World title. The BLADE Show is the World’s Largest Knife Show. jessica elias

Jessica is sponsored by L.T. Wright Handcrafted Knives, located in Wintersville, Ohio, and will be the first female to compete at this level.

This exciting sport starts with the competitor chopping a 2×4 in half, followed by cutting hanging ropes, rolling golf balls, full bottles of water, cans, tennis balls, drinking straws, and those are just a few of the power and finesse cuts found on the course, including some never before seen features. The event is timed and the excitement level for spectators is intense.

One of the competitors, Donavon Phillips, also broke his own water bottle record and is expected to continue to set another at the World Championship. The Bladesports World Championship competition will be on June 6, 2015 at the Cobb Galleria located at 2 Galleria Parkway Southeast, Atlanta, GA 30339.

If you are interested in learning more about the sport check out bladesports.org.


Also Check Out:

BLADE Knife RollOfficial BLADE 18-Pocket Knife Roll
This knife roll is the best combination of quality, protection and convenience for your dollar. It’s so good, BLADE put its name on it. This knife roll is available ONLY at ShopBlade.com.

 

Watch for “Forged In Fire” on History Channel

According to a History Channel press release out of New York on April 27, 2015, a new blade forging competition series will air on the popular network this summer. As the press release states, “The most talented bladesmiths in the world will test their mettle in FORGED IN FIRE, a cutting-edge competition series coming to HISTORY this summer. Hosted by weapons expert Wil Willis, a former Army Ranger and decorated Air Force para-rescue specialist, the series will feature world-class bladesmiths recreating many of history’s most iconic edged weapons, from the Japanese katana to the medieval broadsword to ancient throwing blades like the Chakram. Production has started in Brooklyn, New York.j-well dog bone walnut-brass

At left is J. Neilson’s “J-Well” bowie/fighter in English walnut and damascus. (Chuck Ward image)

“In each episode, four master bladesmiths will put their skills and reputations on the line, trying to avoid elimination while using traditional and state-of-the-art tools and machinery to turn raw metal into authentic working versions of classic bladed weapons of yesteryear.” Click here to read the rest.

Joining Willis will be a judging panel of renowned experts: knifemaker J. Neilson, a Pennsylvania-based ABS master smith who first shared this story with me, and who has been making knives and edged weapons for more than 20 years; Doug Marcaida, a New York-based hand-to-hand combat specialist who has studied and mastered fighting styles and techniques around the world; and David Baker, a California-based authority known for replicating period-accurate weapons, from submachine guns to samurai swords, for both museums and films. Again, for the rest of the story, click here.

Click here for more on forging.

BLADE Show—Ultimate Knife Experience!

Anyone who has ever been to the BLADE Show will tell you that there are more production knives, handmade knives, antique knives, collectible knives, knifemakers, dealers, factories, purveyors, collectors and enthusiasts at that show than anywhere else in the world. But the BLADE Show has always been much more than that, and today it is becoming the Ultimate Knife Experience like never before.

Not only does a visit to the 2015 BLADE Show, June 5-7 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Marietta, Georgia, afford you the opportunity to go to the show, but the chance to attend BLADE U or BLADE University classes covering everything from grinding a knife blade to engraving, choosing a survival knife, knife design and function, using 3D CAD/CAM Software in knife design and much, much more.2926-Mock up

Visitors are invited to attend the American Bladesmith Society knife auction, see a glass showcase filled with the Blade Magazine Knife-Of-The-Year® Award entries from all the major knife companies around the world, witness the BLADE Show World Championship Cutting Competition hosted by BladeSports International, view knife displays, see BLADE Show demonstrations covering knife throwing, testing, forging, hand-to-hand-combat and a host of other subjects and even see Japanese sword demonstrations.

Afterwards, enjoy a nice meal and a cool drink at the host hotel, including the infamous ” The Pit” sunken bar—the Renaissance Waverly Hotel in Marietta.

Join us at the BLADE Show and enjoy the Ultimate Knife Experience!

Knife Trends—Flipper Folders

When it comes to big flippers, one of Darrel Ralph’s Madd Maxx 5.5-inch MGB bearing models fills the bill. In this instance, Ralph outfits his big flipper with a blade of PD1-core san-mai damascus forged by Chad Nichols. The knife comes in a run of 25 numbered pieces.
When it comes to big flippers, one of Darrel Ralph’s Madd Maxx 5.5-inch MGB bearing models fills the bill. In this instance, Ralph outfits his big flipper with a blade of PD1-core san-mai damascus forged by Chad Nichols. The knife comes in a run of 25 numbered pieces.

Flipper folders are wildly popular. Aside from adding an interesting visual element to any knife, the flipper serves a few key roles, including as a one-hand opening device, and as a guard.

Just like innovation and technology drive any industry, the same can be said for the knife industry. What’s neat about knives is that they’re often designed by handmade knifemakers, craftsmen, really, and innovations often take the form of folder locks, assisted opening devices, and in this case, flipper folders.

While the Strife, a collaboration between Brous Blades and Dustin Turpin, is a big flipper, Jason Brous said size is not so important as design execution.
While the Strife, a collaboration between Brous Blades and Dustin Turpin, is a big flipper, Jason Brous said size is not so important as design execution.

There are some monster flipper folders today. As Dexter Ewing writes in the March issue of BLADE®, “Flipper folders, aka flippers, continue to be wildly popular. Aside from adding an interesting visual dimension to the knife, the flipper—a simple protruding lobe at the bottom of the blade’s tang—serves a few roles. One is as a quick and convenient one-hand opening device. Clutch the closed knife’s handle, give the flipper a swift tug with your index finger and the blade has enough inertia to propel itself to the open and locked position. The flipper also serves as an integral hand guard when the knife is open, providing a physical obstruction to prevent your hand from sliding forward onto the blade.”

At 8.5 inches long open, the Camillus Jolt designed by Will Zermeno is a big flipper in every sense of the word. The 3.25-inch blade is hollow-ground D2 tool steel and the scales are a carbon fiber with a subtle pattern designed to enhance the frame’s curved shape.
At 8.5 inches long open, the Camillus Jolt designed by Will Zermeno is a big flipper in every sense of the word. The 3.25-inch blade is hollow-ground D2 tool steel and the scales are a carbon fiber with a subtle pattern designed to enhance the frame’s curved shape.

To read the rest of the story, see the March issue of BLADE. 


Recommended for You:

Tactical Knifemaking.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

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