Joe Kertzman's Blog

Knife news, people, top picks and patterns

BLADE Issue Devoted Entirely to the Military

The December 2010 issue of BLADE, on most newsstands and subscribers’ doorsteps by September 14th, is devoted entirely to the fighting men and women serving in the military, as well as to industry professionals, including custom knifemakers, who support our troops. It’s a first of its kind in the world of knife magazines.

The cover knife—a Les George XM-7 EOD Combat Knife—was developed over four years of hands-on experience and feedback from United States Marine Corps explosive ordnance disposal technicians at home and in assorted combat zones. Wait until you see and read about it.

You won’t want to miss the December 2010 issue. Stories feature “Knives Made By Soldiers and For Soldiers,” how the “Troops Deserve Better Issue Knives,” a profile on six-year Navy veteran and full-time knifemaker Aaron Frederick, a heartwarming piece on A.G. Russell Knives, Smoky Mountain Knife Works, the Paralyzed Veterans Association and others who help support the troops, “Knife Families On Active Duty,” what knives the soldiers really carry, “Twin Brothers, Makers and Heroes,” “Knives They Carry in Iraq,” and an intriguing piece you are sure to love titled “Sting, Uncle Jerry And the Frozen Chicken.”

The December issue is filled with knives our fighting men and women need, carry, cherish and depend upon. Being able to provide such information, honoring our troops, my friends, was a humbling experience. This is one issue you’ll save, read, re-read and possibly pass along to friends and relatives with the admonition, “I want it back!”

Better yet, get a few extra copies for your friends. And enjoy!

Juggling Knives for Christmas quick vid

I got some juggling knives for christmas… and I decided to film it. It was a crappy camera but it’s ok. I’ll have a better one soon! 😀

Only a Few Spots Left for BLADE Show!

There are only a handful of booths and tables left for the BLADE Show. If you’ve been wavering on whether or not to attend and exhibit your knives, now’s the time to sign up for the show.

 

Contact Alicia Newton: [email protected]; or call Alicia at 513-531-2690, Extension 11310.

 

Save the date! We look forward to seeing you for the 2011 Blade Show.

June 10-12, 2011

Cobb Galleria
2 Galleria Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30339

http://www.cobbgalleria.com

 

 

Boston City Council Approves Anti-Knife Ordinance

The Boston City Council have approved an anti-knife ordinance that licenses retailers of knives with a blade 2 inches or longer. A revision of the original proposal exempts “cutlery” that is defined as “utensils used as tableware or used for cutting and eating foods.” Regardless, this ordinance is still flawed in many respects,beyond the fact that it will be ineffective at its stated aim of reducing crime.     

Knife Rights opposes this ordinance as unneeded, irrational and likely, illegal.  

The next step is up to Boston Mayor Tom Menino, who can veto this insanity. Please email  and call Mayor Menino at [email protected]  and 617-635-4500 to express your opposition to this ordinance.  

We have no more than 15 days from this past Wednesday, and he could sign it sooner, so please, write or call TODAY!    

 

Bicyclist Knife Sharpener

An article on the lost art of knife sharpening in Spain rang true to this knife enthusiast, and I’m sure it will for you, too. In an article posted on BBC News Business and written by Tom Burridge of BBC News, Madrid, Burridge reports on two men, Rafael Antonio and Rafael Romero del Campo, who use motorbikes to take their knife-sharpening services to businesses in Madrid. sharp 1

The whirl of the petro-powered stone wheels can be heard in the early-morning hours. As Burridge writes, “A shrill, but tuneful whistle reverberated around the narrow streets of my neighbourhood in central Madrid. I peered from my balcony, and, in the distance, there he was. His name is Antonio, an elderly man, dressed in simple clothes, who grew up in a Spain that is far removed from the country we both live in today. And he is practicing a Spanish tradition that is slowly disappearing. Antonio is an afilador, which translates into English as a sharpener. He thinks he is one of only five left in the whole of Madrid.motor sharp

Brandishing two of my best kitchen knives, which probably hadn’t been sharpened for going on 10 years, I ran down on to a silent, sleepy, Sunday morning street.”

Click here to read the rest of the article. Click here for more quality kitchen knives. Or get your own knife sharpener.

Pre-Order “First 25 Years Of BLADE” Before Price Goes Up

Wow, what an incredible amount of information, photos and features on one disc. You are now able to pre-order the First 25 Years Of BLADE Collection.

This is your chance to complete your collection of BLADE Magazines–to own every issue from 1973 through 1997 (the first quarter century of BLADE and 165 issues in all) on one completely searchable PDF, viewable on your computer. BLADE and F&W Media are offering the disc at an exclusive discounted rate of $47.99, which equates to 29 cents per issue. This price absolutely will go up after the pre-order period is over.

Use the “Bookmarks” feature to navigate to whatever story, feature, index, ad, regular column or individual knife you wish to see, read about and admire. Such is the beauty of accessing all issues in living color on your computer screen.

Click here to pre-order now.

Backyard Bladesmithing, Part 1

Footage from my second knifemaking project, using “primitive” methods as inspired by Wayne Goddard’s book “$50 Knife Shop”. I attempt to forge a knife blade …

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