Joe Kertzman Blog Blade Magazine

Fox Sports Bans Firearms, Knives & Ammo Ads

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February 8, 2012

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) — the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry — has learned that FOX Sports Media Group has banned advertisements featuring firearms, knives and ammunition from its coverage of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events.

While the UFC has yet to make an official announcement, NSSF has confirmed that “absolutely no firearms, ammo, hunting or knife companies will be permitted as sponsors in any Zuffa-promoted events.”

NSSF is encouraging all gun and knife owners, sportsmen and firearms and knives enthusiasts to contact FOX today and urge them to rescind this anti-knife, anti-gun corporate policy. FOX’s decision to ban advertisements for lawful products owned by millions of Americans is nothing more than corporate gun and knife control.

Make sure your voice is heard. Here’s how to contact FOX:

Corporate Headquarters FSN
10201 W. Pico, Bld. 103
Los Angeles, CA 90035
Phone: 310-369-1000
Web: www.FOXSports.com

Knives for Charity

Joe Kertzman

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December 11, 2015

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There’s never been a shortage of charitable acts within the knife industry. For as long as there have been knifemakers, there have been knives given to those in need, including soldiers, farmhands, friends and neighbors, or blades donated for auction to raise money for good causes. A Google search for “knives for charity” turns up too many knifemakers and knives to mention here, partly for fear of leaving someone out.

The American Knife & Tool Institute has announced that it plans to hold a “1st Annual Giving Back Event,” featuring knives donated by Ron Lake (one of Ron’s past knives shown), D’Alton Holder and others, at the 2016 BLADE Show. AKTI’s 1st Annual Giving Back Event will take place Friday, June 3, 2016, from 6-9 p.m. at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel—host hotel of the 2016 BLADE Show. No room, meeting room or ballroom has been announced as of this time.

As advertised in an AKTI press release, “We invite you to participate in AKTI’s 1st Annual Giving Back Event! Some of the finest custom knifemakers are contributing their handmade knives to Give Back to help the knife community and their favorite charities. This will be a fun evening with live and silent auctions supporting organizations that make a difference. 50 percent of proceeds will go directly to a charity of choice. 50 percent will support AKTI’s many efforts to keep knives in our lives.

How can you give back? Please stop by AKTI’s booth #18 to get more details.

First Woman Will Vie For BLADE Show World Title

Joe Kertzman

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May 6, 2015

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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 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.

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Is There Knife Law Common Sense?

Joe Kertzman

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October 2, 2015

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According to the American Knife & Tool Institute (AKTI), at least some legislators show “common ‘knife law’ sense.” On September 30, 2015, the AKTI presented Senators Mike Enzi, R-WY, and Ron Wyden, D-OR, with the “Common Sense Award.” The award is designed to honor Members of Congress who have worked across party lines to further common sense legislation.

In its first ever presentation, AKTI honored Senators Enzi and Wyden for their tireless work on the Knife Owners’ Protection Act (KOPA), a bill that will ensure federal protection for lawful knife owners from the current patchwork of state and local knife laws.

“Knives are essential tools for hunters and various occupations and the right to carry them with you when you’re on the road is something that should be protected,” Enzi said. “With thousands of knife laws across the country, our legislation provides a common sense solution that respects the rights of states while providing the protection that knife owners need to ensure they can travel without fear of prosecution.”

Click here for the rest of the story. Shown in the image are AKTI board members presenting the “Common Sense” Award to Sen. Ron Wyden. From left to right are Dan Lawson (Microtech), Sen. Wyden, C.J. Buck (Buck Knives), David Fee (Benchmade), Bill Raczkowski (Gerber), Morgan Taylor (Taylor Brands) and Mark Schreiber, CRKT.

Metal Museum To Feature Work Of Virgil England

Joe Kertzman

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January 4, 2012

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The National Ornamental Metal Museum announces a solo exhibition of knifemaker, sculptor and artist Virgil England’s work to run from June 8 to Sept. 2, 2012. England has dedicated his exhibition to Daryl Meier and Bob and Jenny Willis.

England, who lives in Anchorage, Alaska, is a visionary in several respects. As a talented artisan and smith he creates unique knives and edged weapons which, at the same time, are perfectly interwoven with figurative allusions and details. All his works are part of the environment of a fantastic place, which he calls “Het Lands,” at sometime in the universe where an archaic civilization is confronted with the apparition of the “Seth Daemon.” But also actual antique eras inspired him to these fantastic ideas and to exactly these pieces of work. In 2004, he designed the “Empire Sword,” a series of Yatagan swords with reference to the powerful ancient Iranian kingdom of the Achaemenidic kings Cyrus and Darius, approximately 2,600 years ago. Since the 1970s, England worked as a knifemaker and started to increase his interest in intricate, multipartite projects of art. However, he never abandoned the knife blade.

Founded in 1976, the National Ornamental Metal Museum is the only Museum in the Americas dedicated to the preservation and advancement of the art and craft of fine metalwork. The Metal Museum is funded in part by ArtsMemphis and the Tennessee Arts Commission. Located at 374 Metal Museum Drive, the Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, and Sunday noon – 5 pm. For more information, call 901-774-6380 or visit www.metalmuseum.org.

Knives So New, They’re Not Out Yet!

Joe Kertzman

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May 22, 2013

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It’s my pleasure to share with website visitors some research I conducted on knives that will debut at the BLADE Show in Atlanta, May 31-June 1. These are models some of the largest knife manufacturers in the world plan to debut at the show, so consider this a “sneak peek,” if you will.

Spyderco C28POR2 Orange DragonFly2 Lightweight

The BLADE Show has fast become one of two main venues companies use to introduce knives, entire knife lines, accessories, and for new outfits and divisions themselves to be launched.

Coast Products FX350

Unlike the SHOT Show, the BLADE Show is a consumer and trade event ideal for debuting new models to a targeted, educated knife-loving audience as diverse as the show offereings. It’s the place to be for all industry pros, dealers, collectors, purveyors, users and enthusiasts.

Smith’s Abrasives Pocket Pal X2 Sharpener and Survival Tool

As Russ Cowen, marketing manager for the sporting goods and hardware division of Smith’s Abrasives, says, “The BLADE Show will expose this product to knife enthusiasts and media outlets that will, in turn, communicate the message to the consumer base. There is no faster way to create buzz about a new product than exposing it to BLADE Show exhibitors and attendees, who happen to be the most passionate and verbal people in the industry.

Boker Plus 02BO610

“BLADE Show attendees like to talk about knives, other cutting tools and accessories,” he adds. “They’re also creators, inventors and marketers, so when they see something they classify as neat or innovative, they naturally want to talk about it.”

Heft & Freestyle Form Define Hossom “Tanto”

Joe Kertzman

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October 5, 2012

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Unusual? Yes, it would be no stretch to say that Jerry Hossom’s “Vengeance Tanto” takes an unbeaten path from pointy tip to pointed pommel. But all along the way it’s so groovalicious! Check out the handle half, or third, in this case. Integrated into the design of the black-canvas-Micarta® grip there’s a place for the palm, all the fingers, and a sweet guard that angles just a little back toward the butt. The knife is featured in the “Fiery Fighters” chapter of the Knives 2013 book, but it is actually tough to categorize.

And oh, yeah, the blade. Let’s see, the CPM-3V blade is high-hollow ground, ends in what could be the world’s most modified tanto tip, has a swedge along the spine, and a line stretching horizontally along he length of the blade where the hollow grind ends, the flat starts, and the swedge eventually meets. Don’t forget the finger notches just North of the handle, on the spine of the blade, for extra traction. Mosaic pins round off the piece.

It’s an “Editor’s Favorite from the Knives 2013 Book,” by the way. SharpByCoop.com is credited for the photo.

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Fox Sports Bans Firearms, Knives & Ammo Ads

Knives for Charity

First Woman Will Vie For BLADE Show World Title

Also Check Out:

Is There Knife Law Common Sense?

Metal Museum To Feature Work Of Virgil England

Knives So New, They’re Not Out Yet!

Heft & Freestyle Form Define Hossom “Tanto”

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