Sign up for the Guadalupe Forge Fall Hammer-In & Knifemaker’s Rendezvous in New Braunfels, Texas on Sept. 25-26, 2010. Contact me at [email protected] for more information, or visit my website at www.stoutknives.com
Knife Of The Day VI
Award-winning knifemaker Brian Tighe adds to his long line of stunning folders with this blue-streaked flipper model sporting a lock designed by Glenn Klecker. The custom folder is our Knife Of The Day for Dec. 10, 2011.
For Brian’s contact information, visit his website at www.briantighe.com.
For the latest on the hottest knives, knife trends, knifemakers, knifemaking how-to’s, knife shows and much more, subscribe to BLADE®, the World’s No. 1 Knife Publication. For subscription information, click on http://www.shopblade.com/product/blade-magazine-one-year-subscription-us/?r+ssfb101211#BL1SU
Knife Law Preemption Bill Passes NH Senate, Awaits Governor’s Signature
The New Hampshire Senate joined the state house in passing a knife law preemption bill yesterday, leaving only the signature by the governor to officially make the bill law.
“I hope to see this move quickly but there is no guarantee we will be done by the BLADE Show. I hope so!” said New Hampshire State Representative Jenn Coffey (pictured holding her Kershaw knife in her regular job as an EMT), the champion of the bill known as HB 544.
Coffey said both the state senate and house passed the bill unanimously. “I think that is a first nationwide” for such a law, she added of the dual unanimity.
Though usually the governor’s signature is a formality, especially when the senate and house pass a bill unanimously, Coffey cautioned that nothing is a given.
“He can sign it, not sign it and it becomes law five days after it hits his desk, or he can veto it, in which case we vote to override his veto,” Coffey explained. “It will take a couple of weeks, I think, to hit his desk. It has to go through the enrolled bills process first to ensure there are no spelling errors and such, the house speaker and senate president sign off and then the secretary of state sends it to the governor.”
In essence, Coffey said that in passing the bill, the New Hampshire state and house unanimously agreed that it makes little sense for towns to be allowed to make conflicting laws regulating knives. “If one were to pass from jurisdiction to a jurisdiction with conflicting law, you could easily find yourself in conflict with a town ordinance that is different than your destination or place of origin,” she noted. HB 544 prevents that from happening, creating the same state preemption New Hampshire citizens now enjoy with firearms.
For more on HB 544 and how you can repeal anti-knife laws in your state, join Rep. Coffey in her special BLADE Show seminar, “Got Liberty? How To Repeal Anti-Knife Laws.” The show will be June 10-12 at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta.
Washington State House Judiciary Committee Votes To Allow Assisted Openers
Washington State—On January 25, Knife Rights’ Director of Legislative Affairs, Todd Rathner, gave testimony at the state capitol in Olympia, Washington, in support of two similar pro-knife bills. Senate Bill 6179 and House Bill 2347 would clarify the definition of a switchblade so as to not include assisted-opening knives that are currently adversely interpreted as being illegal in the state. These bills also make it legal to manufacture spring-assisted and switchblade knives in the state of Washington. In addition, they would expand the existing law enforcement exemption for possession of “spring blade knives” (switchblades) to members of the military and full-time first responders.
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Knife Rights worked with Washington knife manufacturers Fox USA, Blade-Tech and SOG to make necessary changes to ensure the bills would accomplish their aims. Although testimony was cut short because there was no opposition and a packed agenda, Todd was also able to get on the record in both houses stating Knife Rights’ strong support for these measures.
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Initially, HB 2347 was drafted with a provision that would allow Concealed Pistol License (CPL) holders to carry switchblades, while the Senate bill did not include this provision. We are disappointed that this provision did not survive the hearing. Unfortunately, it was made clear that if it was retained, the bill would not pass out of committee. Ultimately, HB 2347 was amended in executive session to strike the provision allowing CPL holders to possess automatic knives. Â
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On Monday, January 30th, the amended version of HB 2347 passed the Washington State House Judiciary Committee with a unanimous vote. Now it moves to the Rules Committee. Meanwhile SB 6179 has been scheduled for Senate Judiciary Committee Executive Session for today, where it is expected to be amended in like manner and likely pass out of the committee. Â
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While Knife Rights does not believe there should be any distinction between citizens and government employees when it comes to possessing life-saving tools, we also understand political reality. We will be working with Washington state residents and officials to change this in the future when the political landscape is more favorable to such a rational move forward.
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Meanwhile, the current bills are a huge step forward for Washington knife owners who might be subject to prosecution for assisted-opening knives and for knife manufacturers located in the state. Passage of either of these bills would create skilled, well-paid jobs, generate tax revenue for the state and increase the number of knives that say “Made in America.”
If you live, work or travel in Washington state, please contact BOTH your Senator and Representative in Olympia and ask them to support SB 1234 and HB 2347, respectively. Â
You Already Have Plans for 2011 … Keep June 10-12 Open
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!
New BLADE Show Website Has ALL Show Info
William Henry Studio’s $10,000 knife giveaway, show exhibitor lists, the comprehensive seminar lineup and much more are but a sampling of the all-new, all-inclusive BLADE Show website, http://www.bladeshow.com/.
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Need information on how to rent table or booth space? The site has it. Need to know which knifemakers and knife companies will be exhibiting? It’s all here! Get the lowdown on the show’s host site, the Cobb Galleria Centre, dates, times, how to buy tickets to the show, hotel information–anything and everything you need to make your BLADE Show experience the best it can be is all at www.bladeshow.com
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The BLADE Show will be June 10-12 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta.
Buck Knives Begins Year With Employee Promotions
In with the new! Buck Knives began 2011 by announcing the promotion of four employees.
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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.  Â
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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. Â
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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.Â
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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.
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