Joe Kertzman's Blog

The National Shooting Sports Foundation, owners of the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show®, and Reed Exhibitions, producers of the SHOT Show, have reached an agreement with Las Vegas Sands Corp. to present the SHOT Show at the Sands Expo and Convention Center through 2014.

“SHOT Show attendees have made it clear to us that Las Vegas is their city of choice, and this agreement allows the National Shooting Sports Foundation to meet their expectations and to continue our great relationship with the city and the Las Vegas Sands Corp.,” said Steve Sanetti, president and CEO of NSSF, trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry. “The Sands has responded to our requests for improvements to the venue that have been very favorably commented upon by exhibitors and attendees alike, and this was a key factor in our decision.”

Locate up-to-date information on legal issues that affect knife users, research laws in all 50 states and learn more about the activities of knife advocacy organization American Knife and Tool Institute (AKTI) on the redesigned AKTI.org website.

Knife advocates will find extensive legislation updates, educational materials and other current knife information at the new site. While some of the material is available only to members, much of the site caters to all knife users and provides resources for everyone who uses a knife as a tool—whether for work, recreation or as part of their everyday lives.

“For more than a decade, AKTI has used its website to keep the knife advocacy community updated about important issues that affect us all, in all 50 states, and at the federal level,” said AKTI Executive Director Jan Billeb. “This new design makes it easier for knife users to easily find the information they need, from knife safety resources to legislative updates to stories about how knives have been used in challenging work and recreational situations to save lives.”

Through its new website, the American Knife and Tool Institute shares information about state and federal knife laws and legislation. The organization has also added sections to the AKTI.org website specifically for legislators, law enforcement officers and media.

“We want to build on the work we’ve done and the reputation we have as the organization for those who work with or benefit from knives, and to support those who have questions about legal knife usage,” Billeb said.

The American Knife & Tool Institute reports that right now some very good things are happening on the knife legislation front. If you live in one of the following states, take action to let your representatives know they should support these knife-friendly bills.

Alaska –  State Representative Mark Neuman introduced bill H 55 to Section 1. AS 11.81.900(b) to change Alaska’s definitions of gravity knife and switchblade to incorporate AKTI’s bias toward closure language successfully used in California, Texas, and in amending the 1958 Federal Switchblade Act in 2009.  The bill would add to the description of both gravity knife and switchblade knife that “does not include a knife that has a spring, detent, or other mechanism designed to create a bias toward closure that requires a person to apply exertion to the blade by hand, wrist, or arm to overcome the bias toward closure and open or release the blade.” This bill is currently in the House Judiciary Committee.  Alaska residents  – Please encourage your representatives to move this bill along and approve it.

Iowa – HSB 219 is a provision to change Iowa’s weapon law to reflect intent.  The bill eliminates current law that provides that a person, who is not involved in the commission of a crime, who goes armed with a knife concealed on the person, commits either an aggravated misdemeanor if the knife has a blade exceeding eight inches or a serious misdemeanor if the knife has a blade between five and eight inches. This bill was introduced by Chairman Sands of the Iowa House Ways and Means Committee and is the right step to making crime not based on the possession of a knife, but on the intent of the criminal. Let your representatives know this is a positive bill and you want their yes vote. 

New Hampshire – Rep. Jenn Coffey’s HB 544 bill passed the NH House on March 15th and success in the NH Senate would mean that knives are added to the list of firearms, ammunition, etc. that only the state has authority over.  Cities and counties would not be able to make more restrictive laws than the State of New Hampshire – which has no knife law! AKTI applauds her efforts on behalf of citizens of New Hampshire and encourages them to write their state senators to support passage of this bill.

Utah – On March 23, Utah Govenor Herbert signed into law H 271 that reserves to the state the authority to regulate knives and prohibits a municipaltiy, county or a local district from enacting any ordinance or criminal penalty greater than state regulations or penalties.  Utah residents can now travel throughout their state without concern of violating an unknown local law.

Take a couple of minutes out of your busy schedule to relax and participate in a spectacular tour of the National Knife Museum housed in Smoky Mountain Knife Works. It’s a well-done, albeit homemade, video set to a couple of catchy tunes, and will definitely renew your energy and give you a fresh outlook on life, whether it’s to start or end your day. Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehSTQ03_ICE

Shhhh! Don’t tell anybody. We wouldn’t want yet more people filing through the doors of the biggest knife show on earth. Let’s keep it our little secret. But mark your calendars for the 30th Annual 2011 BLADE Show & International Cutlery Fair, to be held June 10-12, 2011, at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta.

That’s right, 30 years. Now that’s something special, and there will be a slate of seminars, 750 tables of handmade, edged goodies, booths of factory, semi-production and even custom knives and swords, and much, much more. You know the drill, and what a sweet routine it is!

Yee ha!

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.