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!

Why Get Knives Photographed?

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Knifemakers have a hard enough time making a living doing what they love without added expenses. So what are the benefits of paying a professional photographer to photograph their knives for them?

The reasons to have knives photographed are many. As managing editor of BLADE Magazine, I can tell you that often when knifemakers send me images of their newest models for possible publication, the self- or friend-taken digital images are low resolution, fuzzy, with busy backgrounds or too low quality for a high-gloss, color magazine. The images might look good on a website, computer screen or printed, but once reproduced on quality magazine paper, in four color, they lose their crispness and look fuzzy.

Here are some other reasons to have your knives photographed by a pro from photographer Jim Cooper of SharpByCoop.com.

The benefit of a professional image will promote you in a number of ways: 

  • Large clear print for your portfolio
  • Crisp website image for email or display 
  • Large digital file for printing
  • Posted and viewed by thousands on Bladeforums, CKCA forum, and our SBC Facebook page
  • All files are sent to USA and International editors of knife magazines
  • Guaranteed: Your knives are always available to view and search on our extensive website
  • A professional image shows you take pride in your work

 

Editor’s Favorites from Knives 2013 Book

The success, popularity and response from the Greatest Bob Loveless Knife Designs posts has prompted me to start a “Favorites from the Knives 2013” book thread. 

So, here’s the first of the “Editor’s Favorites from Knives 2013 Book.” It is a Mediterranean dirk as only Rick Eaton could fashion it, blending old styles with modern flair. It parades flare-cut engraving, Arabesque accents and banknote engraving, as well as an ancient-ivory handle and a damascus blade. The guard is sculpted and engraved, and the entire dirk intrigues.

So here’s to Rick, his Mediterranean dirk and a new thread showcasing fine knives. To order your copy of the book, go to: http://www.shopblade.com/knives-2013-33rd-ed?lid=JKblfl090712.

WSJ Covers BLADE Show World Cutting Championship

 

 

The July 11, 2012, edition of the Wall Street Journal included a nice feature-length article covering the 10th-annual World Championship Cutting Competition held in conjunction with the BLADE Show in Atlanta. The author did a decent job of covering the event, expressing the excitement in the air, and describing the cutting participants, including the champ.

 

Click here for the original WSJ article.

 

If you want to compete in events like this one, you need the best sharpening information available. Click here for a download of knife sharpening instructions.

Something About This Drop Point Hunter

I don’t know if it’s the stabilized spalted-maple handle, the way the drop-point blade becomes oh-so pointed at the end, the full tang, red liner or its almost-jutting-out handle butt, there’s a sweet spot in my heart for this hunter from T.K. Steingass of West Virginia. So, let’s call it the next in the “Editor’s Favorites From the Knives 2013 Book,” and call it a day.

The blade is CPM-S30V, so it will cut, and if you took the knife along the Appalachian Ridge, you’d never be without the daily staples. (SharpByCoop.com photo)

Novelist Carries BLADE Show Knife

A known author of thriller novels, Brad Thor was recently interviewed by everydaycarry.com on what knife and gear he carries on a daily basis. Thor is an American novelist, whose works include several New York Times Best Sellers. He’s just finished his newest book, Code of Conduct, and took some time to share his everyday carry inspired by his many military- and spy-themed thrillers.S3312

Thor enthusiastically related that he carries a CRKT Otanashi noh Ken folder, designed by James Williams, which happened to be a 2015 BLADE Show limited-edition knife (sold out). As Thor noted about the Otanashi noh Ken during the interview, “Simply put, one of the most badass folding knives on the planet. Tons of SpecOps members carry James Williams’ blades. Based on centuries-old Samurai designs, nothing on the market beats it. I carry it because men whose lives depend on their tools, also carry it.”

Thor said that he also carries a Kobold Phantom Chronograph, a Gerber Shard keychain tool, a Fisher Spacer Pen and a Field Notes Pitch Black Edition (both for taking notes–he is an author!), a Streamlight PT1L, Leatherman-style PS multi-tool, an Apple iPhone 6 and a Magpul Field Case iPhone 6 cover.

Bladesports Lone Star Knife Cutting Competition 12 4 2011

Bladesports Lone Star Knife Cutting Competition Waxahachie Texas 12 4 2011

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