The BLADE Blogs Archives

2012 BLADE Show Custom Knife Winners

Steve Shackleford

-

June 11, 2012

The best custom knives by some of the world’s best custom makers were celebrated this past weekend at the world’s largest knife show, the BLADE Show (www.bladeshow.com), at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Georgia.

Michael Ruth Jr. won both the Hugh Bartrug Best Of Show and Best Sword for his elegant English hunting sword. Meanwhile, Mike Williams scored big time by winning two awards: Best Utility Hunter and Best Of The Rest. Japan’s Yoshio Sakauchi won the Yvon Vachon Best Miniature for a phenomenal fifth straight year.

All of the winners, by category:

Hugh Bartrug Best Of Show/Best Sword: Michael Ruth Jr.

Best Tactical Folder: Kirby Lambert

Most Innovative Design: Brian Tighe

Best Handle Design: Ron Newton

Best Folder: Ken Erickson

Yvon Vachon Best Miniature: Yoshio Sakauchi

Best Art Knife: Van Barnett (pictured at top)

Best Fixed Blade: Kevin Cashen

Best Bowie: Jason Knight

Best New Maker: Tom Ploppert

Best Fighter: David Mirabile

Best Knife Collaboration: Bob Terzuola and Gus Cecchini

Best Utility Hunter: Mike Williams

Best Damascus: David Lisch

Best Of The Rest: Mike Williams

For the complete story on the winners and the knives, see the November BLADE®.

Find Custom Knifemakers in Your Area

The Knives 2012 book features a complete directory of custom knifemakers. You’ll find information to help you find and contact knifemakers in your area.

Click to order the Knives 2012 book.

Tips for Traveling With Knives

Joe Kertzman

-

May 14, 2013

0

An informative article written by Mike Haskew on how traveling with knives presents challenges is posted on the American Knife & Tool Institute (AKTI) website.

It’s perfect timing considering the thousands of knife manufacturers, purveyors, collectors, dealers, enthusiasts and media professionals traveling to the BLADE Show May 31-June 2, 2013 in Atlanta. Yet the article will remain relevant long after the BLADE Show and into the future.

“Travelers need to be aware of knife laws where they go to make sure they are legal, and, of course, know the policies of the airlines, TSA, or whatever mode of transportation they use” related Jan Billeb, Executive Director of AKTI.

“Some municipal laws may not allow certain knives, or some states may have restrictions on knives at airports.”

As Haskew puts it, “In the post 9-11 era, traveling with knives by air or ground requires a heightened awareness of applicable laws and methods for safe carry and transport to and from the destination. When an airline is involved, the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) enforces strict rules. A knife owner traveling with his or her trusty two-blade trapper is subject to scrutiny and possible confiscation, just as the knife dealer traveling to a show with multiple collectible pieces, or the chef heading home from a culinary event.”

Read the full article here.

Knife Icon Chuck Buck Passes Away

Steve Shackleford

-

February 9, 2015

0

Chuck Buck, chairman of Buck Knives and a long-time member of the BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame©, passed away Friday. He was 78.

One of the most revered and admired of all factory knife industry executives, Buck had been suffering from poor health for a few years. However, as recently as the summer of 2013 he ignored health concerns and appeared at the 25th annual anniversary of the Buck Collectors Club Inc., shaking hands with club members, attending the club’s banquet along with his wife of so many years, Lori, and otherwise enjoying himself during the celebration.

Please keep the Buck family in your prayers, stressed the Buck Collector Club’s Larry Oden. “Obviously, there are also many Buck Knives employees who are greatly saddened by Chuck’s passing,” he noted. “He was loved by so many and was a highly respected man. The entire cutlery world has lost an icon.”

“It is with heavy hearts that we regret to inform everyone that we have lost a legend,” Buck Knives, Inc., noted in a statement on its Facebook page. “[Mr. Buck] was an industry icon and friend to all.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and all those touched by this industry giant. Legacy planning for a company is always difficult; many companies do not survive the transition to the second generation, fewer still the third. Chuck was the grandson of company founder Hoyt Buck. It is a testimony to his leadership that the company remains strong today, still widely respected under the fourth-generation leadership of Chuck’s son, Buck Knives President and CEO CJ Buck.”

Along with his father, fellow Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer Al Buck, Chuck was a member of Buck’s board of directors appointed after the company was incorporated in 1961. Three short years later the Buck 110 folding hunter was introduced and the factory knife industry would never be the same. The Buck 110 just celebrated its golden anniversary last year.

A Celebration of Life for Chuck Buck will be held at 2 p.m. PST on Friday, Feb. 13, in Post Falls at Real Life Ministries Church. The service will be open to the public. Real Life is located at 1866 North Cecil Road, Post Falls, ID 83854/ 208-777-7325.

The family also will have a memorial service in San Diego, California, on May 13. Chuck was born on May 13, 1936. He will be laid to rest in his family plot there. More details are to come on the memorial. It also will be open to the public.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse, www.samaritanspurse.org, or by calling 1-800-528-1980. Please ask that the call be directed to donations in honor of Charles T. Buck.

The Bermans: Valued Friends of Custom Knives

Steve Shackleford

-

June 13, 2013

0

The Bermans: Valued Friends of Custom Knives

The custom knife industry has few better friends than Shelley and Sarah Berman, and that point was driven home once again when Shelley wrote about custom knives in the May 31 issue of The Wall Street Journal.

A long-time comedian and actor, Shelley penned the story titled “The Comedian in the Tomato Patch” in the WSJ edition that appeared the Friday of the 2013 BLADE Show & Living Ready Expo (www.bladeshow.com). An accompanying picture showed Shelley and Sarah working the tomato patch in their garden. While Shelley started off talking about his garden, he wrote more about his custom knife collection and damascus steel than anything.

“I collect custom knives,” he wrote in the WSJ story. “In many cases, I know—or knew—the maker. Many of my knives are one of a kind. Some of the great knifemakers are no longer with us. Some of the younger knifemakers are fine at the trade, though many of us old-time collectors still respect and revere the ones we’ve known … One section of the knives in my collection is mostly damascus process. In every case, one side of the blade has an almost scattered pattern, but, oh, what a blade. Frankly, I am very proud of my knife collection.”

Shelley’s affinity for custom knives is well known to many BLADE (www.blademag.com) readers and many in the custom knife industry. He has written stories about his knives and has been interviewed about his collection in BLADE. He has attended any number of custom knife shows over the years, including the California Custom Knife Show, the Solvang Custom Knife Show, the Art Knife Invitational and the Knifemakers’ Guild Show. In fact, he has performed his comedy act at a number of knife shows, including a most memorable performance at the 25th Anniversary Guild Show in Orlando, Florida.

Hats off to Shelley and Sarah Berman—two class acts and valued friends of the custom knife industry.

Read more about custom knives in the new Knives 2014 book.

Juggling Knives for Christmas quick vid

Joe Kertzman

-

November 22, 2011

0

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! 😀

Knife Of The Day IX

Steve Shackleford

-

December 19, 2011

0

Our Knife Of The Day for Dec. 19 is the Boker Plus Rold, a VoxKnives design. The 11-inch camp knife sports a 6 1/8-inch blade of D2 tool steel and a G-10 handle. Boker’s MSRP: $169.95.

For more information contact Boker USA, attn: D. Weidner, 1550 Balsam St., Lakewood, CO 80215 303.462.0662 fax 303.462.0668 www.bokerusa.com.

For more on the latest knives, knife trends, knifemakers and more subscribe to BLADE® Magazine. For subscription information click on http://www.shopblade.com/product/blade-magazine-one-year-subscription-us/?r+ssfb191211#BL1SU

AKTI To Give Away Meyerco/Darrel Ralph Knife

Joe Kertzman

-

January 5, 2012

0

Thanks to a generous donation from Meyerco, a Board of Regent member of the American Knife & Tool Institute, AKTI members will be entered in a giveaway drawing for a Darrel Ralph-designed Meyerco knife.

The Darrel Ralph Madd Maxx is a black-DLC-coated assisted-opening folder with a rigid titanium frame. It sports a bayonet-style CPM-S30V blade with a false edge along the spine and a 3D-machined carbon fiber handle.

According to the MeyercoUSA.com website, “Darrel Ralph is one of the true geniuses in the modern knife industry. He is also an accomplished custom knife maker whose work is among the most sought-after in history. His innovation and engineering is among the top designers today. In addition to his own custom knife designs, Darrel has provided technical insights into the mechanical designs and engineering for many knife companies around the world.

Ralph’s knives combine high-tech and artistic styling. Each one has excellent design but is also fully functional.”

Meyerco President Mike Manrose, chairman of the AKTI’s Education Committee, noted “Meyerco is very pleased to support our organization with the opportunity for a member to own one of Darrel’s knives.”

Anyone joining or renewing their membership to the nonprofit organization (AKTI) during 2012 will be entered in the drawing to be held in 2013 at the SHOT Show in Las Vegas.

The winner of the 2011 AKTI Membership Giveaway Knife donated by Ontario will be drawn Tuesday, January 17 at 2 p.m. at the SHOT Show in the Ontario booth #20305. This project is a special Ontario Knife Company OKC3S Marine Bayonet and the lucky AKTI member will also have a private factory tour and win a one-night stay in western New York State.

To join the AKTI, contact Jan Billeb, executive director, at [email protected], or call 307-587-8296.

Knife Of The Day XI

13 Days To The BLADE Show: Survival+Tactical Gear Expo

Best Blade Steels Unleash The Sharp

BLADE MAGAZINE 2012 OVERALL KNIFE OF THE YEAR®

R.W. Loveless, Maker, Claymont, Delaware

2012 BLADE Show Custom Knife Winners

Tips for Traveling With Knives

Knife Icon Chuck Buck Passes Away

The Bermans: Valued Friends of Custom Knives

Juggling Knives for Christmas quick vid

Knife Of The Day IX

AKTI To Give Away Meyerco/Darrel Ralph Knife

Must Read Articles

Knifemaking 101 – Read This Before You Make a Knife

8 Things You May Not Know About “Forged in Fire”

How to Forge Damascus

How to Create Damascus Patterns

Why Are Switchblades Illegal?