For his journeyman smith applicant knives, Levi Miller used the carbon steels 52100 and 80CrV2 for blade material. (SharpByCoop image)
The annual BLADE Show hosts the awarding of both master and journeyman smith stamps by the American Bladesmith Society (ABS), and the 35th rendition of the world’s largest knife show will, too.
Set for Jan. 3-5 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, the BLADE Show hosts knifemaker and knife company exhibitors from every continent but Antarctica—and who knows, there may even be an Antarctic exhibitor this year, too.
Five master smiths and 12 journeyman smiths earned their stamps at last year’s show. The masters were Veronique Laurent, Jean-Louis Regel, Andrew Meers, Haley DesRosiers and David Lisch. The journeyman smiths were Wess Barnhill, Sandro Boeck, Dionatam Franco de Souza, Stephan Fowler, Kyle Gahagan, Micah Kamer, Levi Miller, Facundo Montenegro, Nick Rossi, Bobby Wetten, Russell White and Robert Wright. Adding to the international flavor is that of the masters, Laurent is from Brussels, Belgium, and Regel is from France. Meanwhile, of the journeyman smiths, Boeck and de Souza are from Brazil, and Montenegro is from Argentina.
Though the requirements differ for both the master and journeyman smiths’ knives, all must submit five models that are judged by a panel of ABS officials on a number of traits. (For more on those traits, visit americanbladesmith.com.) Herein is a selection of some of the knife quintets submitted by the successful applicants last year. If you attend the 2016 BLADE Show, you can view the knives that are submitted for master and journeyman smith status this year. For more information at/during the show, visit the ABS at table 1P.
9 hottest Facebook makers help highlight the new BLADE®, on newsstands now!
Nine of the hottest Facebook makers, the latest factory knives for 2016, one of the hottest trends going in cool side tools and much more inundate the latest issue of BLADE® Magazine, on newsstands now!
With social media embracing the cutlery industry like James Bowie’s long-lost knife, Facebook is near or at the top of the list of those peopled by any and all who admire sharpened steel. As a result, BLADE used its BLADE Facebook page to poll its friends on who they think are the hottest custom Facebook knifemakers who post pictures of their work on Facebook. Check out the results of our Facebook poll in “9 of Facebook’s Hottest Makers.”
Along with the annual BLADE Show, the annual Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show is the place many factory cutlery companies introduce their latest knives. Feast your eyes on some of the latest in tactical, folding, fixed, traditional, hunting, bushcraft, automatics, flippers and other state-of-the-art blades in our edged exclusive, “Sweet 16s: The New Factory Knives for 2016.”
According to ABS master smith Wally Hayes, a side tool is “an ancillary tool for cutting, opening, turning; something useful and fun.” Cool side tools are flooding the industry, from the Dual Action Dragon Opener by Suz and Bob Terzuola on the custom side to the MacV Tool from SOG Specialty Knives on the factory side and everything in-between. Pop a top, cut a rug or whatever hones your edge with one of the latest in these handy multi-tools outlined in “Side-Tool Cool.”
Also this issue: How to build your own knife online; custom logo’d flipper folder tabs; some of the best EDC knives for under $50; the latest in pro-knife laws passed nationwide; the conclusion of Jeffrey Dane’s historical six-part series, “Bowie Legend: Fact or Fable?”; Chad Mock’s “Texas Ulu”; and much more in the latest issue of BLADE.
The Adventure Flipper by Lee Williams features a “pivot-less” build. Closed length: 5 inches. (Dave Stark image)The L46 flipper in Bohler N690 stainless steel and an earth-brown G-10 handle is hot from Andre Thorburn. (BladeGallery image)
If you’re looking for what the knife trends are in custom blades or what the knife trends are going to be later on in the factory cutlery industry, some of today’s hottest custom folders is a great place to start.
Michael Walker is still going strong after all these years and his folders remain hotter than ever. (Dave Ellis image)Kirby Lambert named his flipper folder after his son, Augustus. (SharpByCoop image)Brian Nadeau’s “Cyclone” appears here in three different versions. (SharpByCoop image)Tashi Bharucha’s “Machine” features a 3 5/8-inch blade of CPM 154 stainless. (Dave Stark image)Johnathan McNees makes the Copper Baby Bolt Flipper. Closed length: 4 inches. (Andrew Delavan image)If you’re looking for what the knife trends are in custom blades or what the knife trends are going to be later on in the factory cutlery industry, some of today’s hottest custom folders is a great place to start.
These are but two examples. There are many more. There are also some really cool custom folders on today’s market, some of which no doubt will inspire other custom and, later, factory makers to emulate them in some form or fashion. A few of those sharp studies in standout steel would include:
The Tactical Front Flipper by John Arnold. Closed length: 5 inches. (BladeGallery image)
•John Arnold’s Tactical Front Flipper. “He creates some of the most elegant daily carry folders, yet with collector-grade quality, that I have come across,” noted Daniel O’Malley of BladeGallery;
•The Copper Baby Bolt Flipper in CPM 154 stainless by Johnathan McNees;
•The Adventure Flipper by Lee Williams with Lee’s “Kick Stop” flipper mechanism;
•Kirby Lambert’s “Augustus” flipper, named after the Lamberts’ newborn son;
•Brian Nadeau’s “Cyclone,” termed by custom knife purveyor Les Robertson as “a great EDC, compact and lightweight”;
•The aforementioned Michael Walker and his large folder in Damasteel damascus;
•Andre Thorburn’s L46 flipper. “Of all the knives that I open and close each day,” O’Malley noted, “Andre Thorburn’s have the most consistent, smooth action of any”;
•Tashi Bharucha’s “Machine” with frames of blasted titanium and a blade-tip-up pocket clip.
Also Check Out:
Knives 2016, 36th Edition
The trusted guide for knife collectors, enthusiasts, knifemakers, and dealers around the world, this knife book covers the latest and greatest from front to back. A collection of feature articles explores the latest developments, history, and transformation of knives, swords, and edges of various kinds. Get your copy
See what makes a knife sexy and much more in the latest BLADE®, on newsstands now! The cover knife is the Chris Reeve Knives TNK Flag Sebenza 21.
Learn what makes a knife sexy, why select makers of custom folders are crossing over to making different styles, whether James Bowie was an orator, rowdy or some of each—and more—in the latest BLADE®, on newsstands now!
You hear it all the time: “Man, what a sexy knife!” or “That knife has sex appeal!” So what makes a knife “sexy”? Part of it is what our special story identifies as the “feminine factor”—which includes knives that look and feel good and perform well. But there’s more to it than just that. Get the details in the story on page 74.
While tactical folders have been king in the knife industry for many years, some top custom makers have resisted making them—until now. Some award-winning makers of custom slip joints are trying their hand at tacticals or even hybrid tacticals, as are some makers of high-end custom folders. Les Robertson takes you on a tour of those who are doing it and why, and what it means for the present and future of custom knives in “4 Unintended Consequences of Tactical Folders.”
Also: Learn how you can enroll in J. Neilson’s special class at BLADE University on how to qualify for the hit TV show, Forged In Fire (BLADE University will be held in conjunction with the 35th Annual BLADE Show); see how four new Asian-style blades perform, as well as two of the latest skinning knives; immerse yourself in the latest of quick blades in “Golden Age of Autos?”; discover how bone remains at or near the top of handle materials in terms of popularity in “Bone in the USA!”; join in BLADE‘s salute to the late Warren Osborne in “‘Good Enough’ Wasn’t Good Enough For Him”; and much more in the latest BLADE.
ABS master smith Bill Burke won the ICCE Award for Best Fixed Blade at the inaugural ICCE Show this past September.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the 2nd Annual International Custom Cutlery Exposition (ICCE) has had to change the dates for its 2016 knife show from early to late September, show officials announced.
Originally slated for Sept. 9-11, the new dates are Sept. 23-25.
The show will be held in the same venue—the Downtown Marriott in Kansas City, Missouri.
According to ICCE officials, the event-hosting hotel, the Downtown Marriott, notified the ICCE’s organizers, the Knifemakers’ Guild and the American Bladesmith Society (ABS), that there would be several events scheduled for the original show dates. Due to the events scheduled in downtown Kansas City, some streets will be blocked, parking will be a hassle, and the downtown will be overcrowded the weekend of Sept. 9-11. The hotel management had other available dates that would make the show far more enjoyable for those who will attend, thus the change to Sept. 23-25.
Saddle up for Valentine’s Day with the Case John Wayne peanut.Whether you’re spoken for or not, the Kershaw Spoke will cut it for you and/or your sweetie-pie.
Valentine’s Day is a heartbeat away and there’s no better gift than his/her knives. These knives especially fit the bill because they are smallish folders that work well for both men and women. Featuring blades under 3 inches, they make the ideal everyday carry knife in most any venue.
Boker’s Damascus African Thuya is just such a knife. Boasting a 2.25-inch blade of Chad Nichols ladder-pattern damascus, it has a handle of tight-grained African thuya wood. MSRP: $299.
The Buck Apex is a sporty little folding knife with a 2 5/8 blade of 420HC stainless and a carbon fiber handle with carabiner, pocket clip and integrated bottle opener. Weight: 1.7 ounces. Closed length: 3.75 inches. MSRP: $45.
Boker’s Damascus African Thuya makes a great Valentine’s Day gift.Buck’s Apex features a carabiner, pocket clip and bottle opener in the carbon fiber handle.
If you’re into the Duke—John Wayne for you tenderfoots—Case’s John Wayne peanut pattern should be your cup of cattle-drive coffee. Sporting clip and pen blades—the former with Wayne’s signature—the Red River “D” shield and “The Duke” inscribed on the bolster, this one is made for Wayne fans everywhere.
The black-oxide-coated Spoke from Kershaw is an assisted-opening flipper folder with a 2-inch blade of 4Cr14 stainless and a forged steel handle. Closed length: 2.8 inches. MSRP: $27.99.
Finally, yet another great small knife for Valentine’s Day is the SOG Cash Card. The 2.75-inch blade of 8Cr13MoV stainless and full-metal construction make this minimalist’s dream knife come true.
SOG’s Cash Card should appeal to him or her on Valentine’s Day.
His/her knives—you can’t beat ’em! For more on these classics and other great knives, stay tuned to blademag.com and the World’s No. 1 Knife Publication, BLADE®.
According to a new History™ Channel video trailer and television commercial, Season 2 of Forged In Fire premieres on February 9th at 10 p.m. EST/9 p.m. CST. All-new participants/bladesmiths are ready to forge edged tools and weapons, so tune in to History Channel and see for yourself.
ABS master smith J. Neilson tests a blade on History Channel’s Forged In Fire. (Miller Mobley/HISTORY image)
Forged In Fire (page 84, December BLADE) pits bladesmiths against each other to see who can make the best knife in a limited amount of time, with the winner of each episode earning a $10,000 first prize. Last year’s FIF included such well-known forgers as ABS master smiths Murray Carter, Ray Kirk and J.D. Smith, David Goldberg, Peter Martin, ABS journeyman smith Mace Vitale and others, as well as many relatively unknown bladesmiths.
The combination of having to complete knives in a set time limit along with the other contestants before television cameras and over a million viewers makes for a great pressure environment and high drama. As a result, some of the smiths struggle to perform at their best. See the December 2015 issue of BLADE to find out more.
