Joe Kertzman's Blog

Looking a year in advance, the Board of the American Bladesmith Society voted to double the size of the 2012 Knife Expo to include an amazing assemblance of ABS Bladesmiths. In addition to that the Expo will have seminars going on and displays of historic knives from legends like Scagel.

 The Board has also approved a measure to allow ABS Master and Journeyman Smith applicants to present their five knives for judging in San Antonio. This is NOT in place of the official testing at the BLADE Show, which will remain the testing grounds, but will be the first year that applicants will be judged outside of the BLADE Show. The Knife Expo is setting up a special testing section where the applicants for Journeyman and Master Smith can display and sell their knives.  

The Expo has moved back to it’s old time slot of late January.  

See the complete lineup of bladesmiths planning to exhibit at the 2012 Knife Expo by clicking here: http://www.absknifeexpo.com/exhibitors.htm.

“You have to know within yourself that you can do it. If you can work a wrench, use a screwdriver or hammer a nail, you can make a knife.” ~ Bob Loveless

The legacy of Bob Loveless

All of the knife industry has been touched by the late Bob Loveless, a pioneer in knifemaking. We at F+W Media are humbled and proud to have had the opportunity, just months before his death, to work with Mr. Loveless on a book showcasing his knifemaking legacy. Knifemaking with Bob Loveless: Build Knives with a Living Legend, by Author Durwood Hollis, is an inspiration for all knife enthusiasts.

Widely recognized as the father of the modern custom knife movement, Mr. Loveless popularized the dropped hunter, Big Bear sub-hilt fighter and other knives, and, along with Richard Barney, co-wrote How to Make Knives, the precursor to this book.

For this project, he generously allowed Mr. Hollis unprecedented access to his workshop and his life, revealing his methods for creating a knife, including tempering and design, the materials and tools he used, and his recommendations for the care of your knife.

He was an innovator in his field and this book is a tribute to him and his craft. The pages of Knifemaking with Bob Loveless: Build Knives with a Living Legend, present:

• Exclusive access and interviews, color photos and insight into the world’s most famous knifemaker and his private knifemaking shop
• Spectacular photo gallery of famous Loveless knives and patterns, including never-before published images of custom Loveless knives
• Insider information on how Bob Loveless grinds, heat-treats and tempers his blades
• Step-by-step knifemaking techniques by Bob Loveless as told to author Durwood Hollis
• Tips from Bob Loveless on field use, handling and care of his or any knives
• Foreword by A.G. Russell, proprietor and publisher of the largest mail order knife company and catalog in existence—A.G. Russell Knives and “Russell’s For Men”

Check out: http://www.shopblade.com/product/knifemaking-with-bob-loveless/

Buck Knives has announced a Pro Staff consisting of well respected outdoorsmen and women throughout the United States. “Whether it’s in hunting, fishing or survival, these men and women use Buck knives in their field as a testament to the quality of Buck’s products,” said CJ Buck, president, in making the announcement. “Valuable feedback from these Pro Staffers enables Buck to continue to bring the most innovative products to market.”

      Members of the newly established Buck Pro Staff:

      Chad & Marsha Schearer are outfitters, guides, television hosts and outdoor writers.

      Haley & G.O. Heath  are hosts of the “Family Traditions with Haley Heath” TV series. Born to families of hunters, their love with hunting started at early ages. Today, they travel the globe to hunt all types of game.

      Danny Grove, the host of “No Fences Outdoors,” began his career filming for Knight & Hale TV, and then worked on many outdoor and hunting shows until he found his place on No Fences Outdoors. His show promotes the ethics of hunting and Fair Chase.

      Ron Hood, wilderness video producer and publisher of Survival Quarterly Magazine, has forgotten more about survival than most people will ever know, and makes it his mission to impart that knowledge to others. A highly respected survival instructor, he has taught fully accredited courses at UCLA and other colleges, and has produced and published numerous award winning survival training videos, as well as being featured on many TV shows.

     Greg Heister is the host and producer of “Seasons On The Fly,” an Emmy Award winning program that soon will begin its second season on Versus. This season will include stops at some of the great fisheries in the world including Iceland, Argentina and Alaska. A fly fisherman since his youth, Greg is combining his better than 20-year television career with his love of fly-fishing to produce this award winning program.

      Bill Lowen is a professional bass fisherman who has been fishing full time for five years, and has enjoyed notable success.