Joe Kertzman's Blog

As Knife Rights celebrates its fifth anniversary, the time has come to offer a Life Membership.  

From now until the end of the June, Life Memberships will be introductory priced at $850, a $125 discount off the regular cost. You can sign up for an Individual Life Membership at: http://tinyurl.com/qnu988

CAS Hanwei reports that its factory in Dalian, Northeast China, sustained significant damage in a fire on March 6th. The damage was limited to buildings, equipment and parts inventory, and no personal injuries were involved. A full assessment of the damage and its effect on product supply is not yet available, but plans are being made to resume production as soon as possible. 

CAS has stock of most of the products in its current line, but there is likely to be some disruption in the supply of some items, particularly new products. The knife and sword company will be keeping its customers advised about possible shortages and delivery delays as more information becomes available.

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.

It has been two years since Buck Knives first announced their American Commitment and now, after a full review, they have emphatically renewed that commitment for 2011 and the years ahead.

        “We found it has been effective in every way,” said CJ Buck, president of the 108-year-old family knifemaking company. “Most important, it has been our small way of helping reverse a growing trend to move jobs offshore, while America has too many jobless workers.”

        Buck went on to explain that their policy has resulted in healthy increases in their Idaho workforce. This was possible because they brought back to America the production of many knives they had been outsourcing. As a result, Buck built 30% more product in Idaho in 2010 than they did the year before, a significant measure of success.

        “We are proud that 100% of all our many hunting knives are made right here in Post Falls,” Buck said. “Perhaps more meaningful, 93% of the many new products we have introduced for 2011 are being made in our plant.”

In cooperation with industry leaders, the American Knife and Tool Institute (AKTI) approved updated standard knife definitions to use for legislation and law enforcement purposes. Visit http://www.akti.org/resources and click on the red “AKTI Approved Knife Definitions” link to see official, legal definitions for such edged tools as an “Arkansas Toothpick,” “Bowie Knife,” “Dagger,” “Ballistic Knife” and many more.

By accessing the updated definitions, knife owners, lawmakers and law enforcement officers can learn the history of knife terms in common and legal use, various states that prohibit specific types of knives, and the standard definitions the AKTI is encouraging be used for interpreting and enforcing knife laws.

“AKTI members believe that knives are inanimate objects, regardless of various differences such as length of blade, shape or style, the mechanism for opening, or the name used,” said AKTI President Goldie Russell of A. G. Russell Knives. “As a reasonable voice of the knife community, we have worked to change restrictive and vague knife laws to protect all knife owners.”

Originally adopted in 2005, the “AKTI Approved Knife Definitions” was revised to reflect clarifications to knife definition language that AKTI successfully used in law changes in Texas and the 2009 amendment to the 1958 Federal Switchblade Act.  Clarification of the terminology “bias toward closure” and states where certain knives are prohibited were included to make the publication even more informative. The “AKTI Approved Knife Definitions” has been distributed to lawmakers, police officers, attorneys and judges who recognize the credibility of the industry’s organizations and efforts to promote consistency and clarity. The details and diagrams have been very informative in discussions with legislators.

“We want to build on the work we’ve done and the reputation we have as an organization for those who work with or benefit from knives, and to support those who have questions about legal knife usage,” Russell said. “We encourage everyone to share the document with their legislators and local law enforcement.”

In with the new! Buck Knives began 2011 by announcing the promotion of four employees.

Michael Dolmage was promoted from New Products Manager to Director of Product Development.  Dolmage oversees Buck’s product development team and works closely with the executive team and industry experts to lead the company into the continuous creation of new and innovative knife designs. He has been with Buck Knives for six years. Dolmage started his career with Buck Knives as a product engineer.   

Bob George has been with Buck for four years and was promoted to Director of National Sales and Marketing. George started as National Sales Manager, and then in 2009 he became National Sales and Marketing Manager. He oversees the company’s external sales force, builds relationships with dealers, develops sales and marketing programs and constantly works to promote the Buck Knives brand worldwide.  

Lisa Pounds was promoted from General Accounting Manger to Controller.  Lisa has been with Buck for 14 years and started as an accountant. She was one of several key employees who were invited to make the move from San Diego to Post Falls, Idaho. Lisa oversees the accounting team and manages the day-to-day financial processes. 

Jake Boomer has been promoted from Information Technology Supervisor to Information Technology and E-Commerce Manager. Boomer started with the company as a Network Administrator four years ago. He is currently busy upgrading Buck’s ERP system, and is always exploring new ways to expand Buck’s online presence.

A special SOG Arcitech will be won by a current American Knife & Tool Institute member during a drawing at the SOG Specialty Knives & Tools booth on Tuesday during the SHOT Show in Las Vegas.

In the midst of a busy SHOT Show schedule in Las Vegas, members of the AKTI will gather at the SOG booth #425 on Tuesday, January 18th for a special event.

SOG spokesperson, R. Lee “Gunny” Ermery will be signing autographs in the SOG booth on Tuesday and will pull the lucky winning name for a special AKTI SOG Arcitech knife at 4:00 p.m. 

Individual members who renewed or joined AKTI between May 15, 2010 and December 30, 2010 are eligible to win the special 3-1/2-inch-blade collectible folder generously donated by SOG.  The laminated steel blade is etched with “AKTI.”

“SOG supports AKTI and its efforts to promote knife rights education amongst the industry, our consumers and our legislators.  The collaborative efforts that AKTI facilitates are a unique benefit to our industry and have produced outstanding results,” noted Spencer Frazer, SOG President, a member of the AKTI advisory board.