The BLADE Blogs Archives

BLADE’s Complete Knife Guide On Newsstands Now!

Steve Shackleford

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December 3, 2013

BLADE’s Complete Knife Guide On Newsstands Now!

BLADE’s Complete Knife Guide—your ticket to everything knife—is on newsstands now!

BLADE’s Complete Knife Guide (BKG) is the only knife buyer’s guide in a magazine format that gives you all the contact information for all the major players in the custom and factory knife industries—all in an easy-to-access format that provides each knife source’s physical and web addresses, phone numbers, specialties and much more.

In addition to being your No. 1 source for accessing the knife, knifemaker, knife company, sheath, knifemaking materials, purveyor, accessory and everything cutlery related that you need, BKG also contains the stories that help you identify and obtain the perfect cutlery product for you. Included in this issue are:

•What To Look For in EDC—We went right to the professionals who work in the business for a living and asked them what they look for in an everyday carry (EDC) knife, including size, price point, blade steel, taste and intent, “the essentials,” and much more;

•Sheaths Today: Dressed For Success—Sheath styles, materials, the top makers and more, this story takes you inside the minds of some of the industry’s leading sheath makers for their take on the subject as only they can provide it;

•Out-Of-Site Knives—Buying knives on the internet is the way a lot of folks do it these days. But do you know what to look for in the best custom and factory sites? BKG takes you inside some of today’s hottest sites and details the services they provide, the knives they sell and much more;

There’s much more in this issue, including new knives for 2014; knife guards that both protect and adorn; what makes some of the latest factory tactical knives tactical; today’s top knife steels and who makes them; special deals on how to make a knife on a budget; some of today’s top custom knife purveyors; sharpening made easy and much more.

For the latest knife news, stay tuned to www.blademag.com.

Kai USA/Duck Dynasty Knives In The Works

Steve Shackleford

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November 25, 2013

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Kai USA/Duck Dynasty Knives In The Works

Kai USA is partnering with Duck Commander and Buck Commander, the inspiration for the cable TV sensation, Duck Dynasty, on a new line of knives set for a mid-2014 debut, according to a Kai USA news release.

In other words, some of the knives should be ready just in time for the 2014 BLADE Show June 6-8 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Georgia.

Kai USA brand Kershaw Knives will work with Duck/Buck Commander on a selection of everyday carry and hunting knives, both fixed blades and folders, machetes and accessories. Kai’s Pure Komachi 2 brand will partner with Duck/Buck Commander on a household cutlery series that will involve the “Duck wives” of Duck Dynasty.

“We are very proud to be the official knife of Duck Commander and Buck Commander,” said Jack Igarashi, Kai USA chief operating officer.

The first three to four knives will be available in mid-2014. Prototypes will be shown at the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas in January.

The multi-year licensing agreement will cover an expanded lineup of products that will include hunting knives, household cutlery, accessories and apparel.

The co-branded knives will be distributed through all Kai USA channels and Duck Commander and Buck Commander outlets.

Duck Commander is a family-owned and operated business established in 1972 by Phil Robertson based in West Monroe, Louisiana. Originally a duck-call-centered company, it has grown into a multi-million-dollar empire with Phil’s four sons, Willie, Jase, Jep and Alan, and their wives, at the helm. All also start on Duck Dynasty. Duck Commander products, which include more than just duck calls, have been sold in all 50 states and in several countries and encompass lifestyle brands including Duck Commander duck-hunting merchandise, Buck Commander deer-hunting merchandise, Duck Girl apparel, Duck Commander wine, and more.

For the latest knives, knife news, trends, tips and more, stay sharp with www.blademag.com.

Forging A Future For Orphans

Joe Kertzman

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November 22, 2013

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Sometimes a story reaches the mainstream media that actually makes one proud to be in the knife industry. The following was reported by the Archdale-Trinity News, Archdale, North Carolina, on November 13, 2013:

“A recent mission trip to Uganda demonstrated not only the skill of a knifemaker, but also his ability to forge a future for orphans and at-risk youth from the village of Bamba. George Icard, who owns and operates GI Custom Knives, lives in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with his wife Katie. He returned from his 10-day trip Oct. 16.”

“The trip came about through his association with fellow knife maker Tim Troyer of Sugarcreek, Ohio, also a director and founder with The Reckoning International. The nonprofit provides individuals struggling with chronic poverty with the opportunity to work, grow and thrive and to be generous in return.”

“When Troyer invited him to accompany him on a trip to Bamba, Uganda, to teach knifemaking skills, Icard jumped at the chance. Journeyman knifemaker Jesse Hemphill of Fyffe, Alabama, also traveled with them.”

“The small village of Bamba is in central Africa, just west of Kenya.”

“Ugandan youth face difficult circumstances such as widespread HIV or AIDS, child trafficking, sexual abuse and poor facilities. In Uganda, orphans and widows face a cultural prejudice which makes it difficult or impossible to get a high-paying job regardless of their education level.”

“‘Bamba Forge did not come into existence until The Reckoning International stepped in,’ said Icard. ‘The Reckoning provided the initial capital to purchase the equipment and basic materials to get Bamba Forge started.'”

Click here to read the rest of the story.

RUKO Is Exclusive Importer of Muela Knives

Joe Kertzman

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November 15, 2013

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RUKO Is Exclusive Importer of Muela Knives

RUKO LLC has good reason to celebrate the new year in 2014. As of Jan. 1, 2014, RUKO will be the exclusive North American importer of MUELA Knives of Spain, as per a deal recently inked between the two knife entities.

Says Christopher Koppe, president of RUKO, “We are thrilled to have been chosen by Muela to represent their brand in North America. My father, Rudolf Koppe, began working with Eladio Muela 23 years ago, in 1991. Following in their footsteps, Jose (Muela) and I are focused on a unified approach in building Muela into a household brand in the U.S. and Canada.”

RUKO LLC and RUKO of Canada have 79 combined years of experience importing, distributing and servicing the hunting, camping and sporting goods trades in the U.S. and Canada. MUELA has been manufacturing fixed-blade and folding knives from its factory in Argamasilla de Calatrava, Spain, since 1955. With an annual production of over 300,000 knives, Muela is one of Spain’s foremost knife factories specializing in genuine red-stag-handle knives, as well as limited-edition and one-of-a-kind pieces for collector’s globally, including the king of Spain.

With over 500 models in the program, MUELA offers a wide range of knives in a host of handle finishes with coral Pakkawood™, cocobolo, kingwood, olivewood, beech wood, walnut, ram horn and red stag for hunting and collectible knives; and G-10, linen Micarta®, nylon, Zamak and Kraton® rubber for entry level hunting, survival and tactical knives. Steels used (depending on form and function of the blade) include 420H (HRC 56-58), German X50CrMoV15 (HRC 57-58), 512-layer high-carbon or stainless damascus, MOVA-60 and Sandvik 14C28N.

For more information on RUKO and MUELA knives click here. For a wide variety of knives and knife styles, make sure to visit www.shopblade.com.

Knife Gift Idea Of The Month

Steve Shackleford

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November 13, 2013

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Our knife gift idea of the month is just in time for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Have you ever thought about assembling a knife from one of the many kits available on today’s market and offering it to someone special in your life? There are any number of kits, some below $50, that offer all the materials you need to assemble a knife.

With Thanksgiving just around the bend, why not assemble a Jantz (www.knifemaking.com) carving set to carve the turkey? The Jantz SS807 set features a carving knife and carving fork. The kit contains blade and fork blanks, rosewood Dymondwood handle materials, 5/16-inch brass cutlery rivets and assembly instructions. MSRP: $23.95. Or, you can go whole hog and assemble an entire Early American cutlery set that includes cook’s, carver, boner, paring and four steak blades, rivets and walnut Dymondwood handle material, all for only $64.95.

At www.knifekits.com there is a selection of kits that includes assisted openers, damascus folders, hunters, bowies, balisongs and tactical knives featuring all the parts you need for assembly via common tools found around most households.

Jantz also offers a range of kits that include mini and standard-size folders. The handles are profiled, drilled and countersunk for proper fit and come in a selection of materials. Looking for fixed-blade kits? Jantz has them in its Outdoorsman Series, which includes non-glare bead-blasted blade blanks. The kits are perfect for the beginner, can be completed in a few hours and the results look and perform great for hunting and camping. Blade shapes include skinners and there’s even a hatchet. The kits range from $24.95 to $29.95 and the completed sheaths range from $12.95 to $14.50.

For the latest knives, knife news, tips, trends and more, stay sharp at www.blademag.com.

Salute America’s Family of Veterans

Steve Shackleford

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November 11, 2013

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Many American families have their share of veterans. In fact, you could say America is one big family of veterans. With that in mind, today is Veterans Day, the day to thank all the veterans you know—those in your family and those everywhere—for keeping America safe.

My Grandfather Frank was in the Army and drove an ambulance in Europe during World War I. My dad was in the Navy during World War II and served as a radar man on the USS Cimarron, an oiler that serviced many of its sister ships in the Pacific Theater. He never talked much about the war but I know he enjoyed his time and the friends he made while in the service. He and Mom were married in 1942 and she supported him throughout the conflict. She gets a lot of credit, too.

Dad’s brother, my Uncle Jack, also served in the Navy during the war, as did my great Uncle Grady. He was in the Army Air Corps. My Uncle Joe served on the USS Hancock, an aircraft carrier, in the 1950s. I served in the Navy during the Vietnam War era and was stationed at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, and Little Creek, Virginia. My service helped me grow from a peach-fuzz-faced kid into a young man, and also provided me with the money from the G.I. Bill to get my college degree.

I am but one of many to come from such families. How about you? Did you serve, or did anyone in your family? Tell us about your experiences or those of your family members who served—where they served, the years, etc.

Meanwhile, of course, let’s not forget all those brave souls who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Without them, none of us would be living in this great nation and enjoying the freedoms we do. Maybe there are better countries to live in, but not for me. I’ll take this one.

For the latest knives, knife trends, tips, news and much more, stay sharp at www.blademag.com.

Knife For Veteran’s Day

Joe Kertzman

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November 8, 2013

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On Veteran’s Day (11/11/13), U.S. Elite Gear, in collaboration with Rustick Knives, plans to introduce a limited-edition (you guessed it, only 11 knives will be released initially) fixed-blade “Kraken” model for sale through U.S. Elite’s website, www.US-EliteGear.com. The Kraken features a 6-inch, recurved, tan-Cerakote™-treated blade of 1/4-inch-thick 80CrV2 tool steel, black G-10 handle scales and a “coyote”-brown Kydex® sheath with a Blade-Tech clip for attachment to gear.

Designed by SGM Jack Stottlemire (retired), founder of Rustick Knives, and U.S. Elite’s Jim Erwin, former Army Ranger and 1st SFOD-D operator, who the knife is inspired after, the knife is manufactured in the Rustick Knives production facility in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina.

“Having served for 26 years as a Marine, paratrooper and Special Operations soldier, with 12 combat tours, I know firsthand that a soldier needs a good strong knife that is not going to fail,” stated Stottlemire. “Just about every soldier on the battlefield carries a fixed-blade knife on his kit, it just feels right, and is one of those essential items that we all must have.

The 11 limited-edition Kraken knives will be available for purchase for $350 each through www.US-EliteGear.com on November 11^th, Veterans Day. After those are exhausted, un-serialized knives will be available for $299 each.

For other tactical fixed blades, click here.

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27 Star-Spangled, Flag-Waving Knives That Cut Great

Was “Forged In Fire” a Scapegoat For The Cohoes Fire?

10 Family Gift Knives Sport Holiday Spirit

BLADE’s Complete Knife Guide On Newsstands Now!

Kai USA/Duck Dynasty Knives In The Works

Forging A Future For Orphans

RUKO Is Exclusive Importer of Muela Knives

Knife Gift Idea Of The Month

Salute America’s Family of Veterans

Knife For Veteran’s Day

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