The BLADE Blogs Archives

The Gunny’s Back and The BLADE Show’s Got Him!

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April 17, 2013

The Gunny’s Back and The BLADE Show’s Got Him!

The BLADE Show (www.bladeshow.com) will host R. Lee “The Gunny” Ermey as he returns to sign autographs, pose for photos and chew the fat with show patrons at the SOG Specialty Knives & Tools booth show Saturday, June 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The BLADE Show will be May 31-June 2 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Georgia.

At press time, SOG was conducting a contest to win one of two pairs of tickets to dinner with SOG personnel and The Gunny the Saturday night of the BLADE Show. The contest was slated to run on the SOG Facebook page through May 22, with the winner chosen and confirmed on May 24. The Gunny also will be the keynote speaker at the Knife Rights banquet the Saturday morning of the BLADE Show.

It will be The Gunny’s second tour at the BLADE Show for SOG. The retired Marine, veteran motion picture and television actor, and all-around supporter of the U.S. military—especially the Marines—also appeared at the SOG booth during the 2011 BLADE Show to sign autographs and pictures and otherwise interact with BLADE Show patrons.

The Gunny’s credits include History Channel’s Lock N’ Load with R. Lee Ermey, Mail Call and his breakthrough role as Gunnery Sgt. Hartman in Full Metal Jacket. In addition to being a spokesperson for SOG, The Gunny also designed knives for the company: the Gunny Folder and Gunny Fixed Blade.

The Gunny enlisted in the Marines in 1961 and medically retired as a staff sergeant in 1971 for injuries incurred during his tours, which included 14 months active duty in the Vietnam War. He also served as a drill instructor.

For more on The Gunny’s BLADE Show appearance and the BLADE Show in general, subscribe to BLADE® www.shopblade.com/blade-magazine-one-year-subscription-us?icid=SHBLNCF2BL1SU-030613?lid=ssfbbl041713

The Iron Mistress on TCM Today

Steve Shackleford

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November 13, 2011

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The movie that inspired many legendary custom knifemakers to grind and/or forge their first blade, The Iron Mistress, will air on Turner Classic Movie Channel at 8 p.m. EST today.

Starring Alan Ladd as frontier hero James Bowie, the movie is about Bowie’s early years before he went on to die at the Alamo. It also stars Virginia Mayo as Judalon de Bornay, Phyllis Kirk as Ursula de Veramendi and Anthony “Tony” Caruso as “Bloody Jack” Sturdevant. It is based on the book of the same name by Paul I. Wellman.

Check out Bowie’s knife in the movie. Prop maker Arthur Rhoades made it and there were several versions Rhoades made for various scenes. Most if not all of the knives surviving from the movie are in the collection of Joseph Musso.

For more on the movie visit http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/16828/The-Iron-Mistress/.

Best BLADE Show Ever?

Steve Shackleford

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June 9, 2015

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Oden's Buck display. — Larry Oden won Best of Show for his collection display, “Buck Factory Production Knives of the 1960s.”

Ed Fowler's demo. — Ed Fowler kept BLADE University students entertained with his class, “How To Get The Most Out Of Your Knife.”

It seems like almost every BLADE Show is better than the one before, and the 34th annual rendition June 5-7 in Atlanta was no exception. With record crowds pouring through the doors and down the aisles Friday, an outstanding batch of BLADE Magazine 2015 Knife-Of-The-Year® Awards announced Saturday and everybody leaving Sunday already pointing toward next year’s show, it must go down as one of the best BLADE Shows if not the best BLADE Show ever.

Knife exhibitors from every continent provided an endless array of knives and knife accessories to an equally endless stream of knife enthusiasts starved for their annual BLADE Show fix, and the jampacked aisles of enthusiasts stood as testimony that all is sharp in the world of knives when it comes to the BLADE Show.

The show got off to an instructional start Thursday with BLADE University, a comprehensive slate of classes on all things knife, including how to forge, how to make handles and guards, how to grind a knife blade, how to sharpen any blade, knife collecting, Japanese sword collecting and maintenance, CAD/CAM knife design and much more. Friday enjoyed a walloping beginning, with enthusiasts in massive winding lines waiting to get into the show. Some aisles were so full that the only way to get through was to weave in and out of bodies in a sea of humanity.

Carter at BLADE Show. — Murray Carter shows how it’s done during his BLADE U. class on how to sharpen any blade.

Neil and customers. — Purveyor Neil Ostroff of True North Knives waits on customers during the BLADE Show.

The custom knife judging Friday resulted in a fantastic array of knives. For the complete list of maker awardees, visit custom knife winners.

Saturday was another busy day. Though the crowds weren’t as large as Friday, they were still quite ample, with a number of makers reporting brisk, non-stop sales. A few makers did not do so well but most seemed more than happy with the traffic. Demos included how to forge by Timothy Potier, how to throw knives by Bobby Branton, the Japanese sword demo by James Williams, and the 13th Annual BLADE Show World Championship Cutting Competition conducted by BladeSports International, won for the third year in a row by Dan Keffeler. The competition also featured the first-ever female contestant, Jessica Elias.

Saturday night’s awards reception named the industry’s top factory knives. For the complete list, visit BLADE Magazine 2015 Knife-Of-The-Year® Awards.

Keeslar at BLADE U. — Joe Keeslar uses one of his knives as a pointer during his BLADE U. class on handles and guards.

More Knife Awards

In addition, Chris Reeve was inducted into the BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall Of Fame© by knifemaker Bill Harsey, Joe Keeslar won the first Aldo and Edda Lorenzi Award for being the epitome of a mentor to his fellow knifemakers, and BLADE® editor Steve Shackleford received a plaque recognizing his 30 years with BLADE and the BLADE Show.

Anso at BLADE Show. — Knifemaker Jens Anso (behind table at right) enjoys packed aisles of customers the Friday of the BLADE Show.

On Sunday the show came to a fitting conclusion with Collection Display Awards. Judges awards went to: young Owen Dady for his collection of Buck whittlers, Dale Eichberg for his “How The Buck Legend Began: The Very First Buck Knives,” and Jim Holbrook for his Buck Duke 500 collection. Best of Show went to Larry Oden for his “Buck Factory Production Knives of the 1960s.”

What will next year’s show bring? If it’s anything like this year’s, it will be another one for the ages.

Bushcraft Knives Highlight New BLADE

Steve Shackleford

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June 14, 2016

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ESEE RB 3 and BLADE. — The RB3, ESEE knife company’s only bushcraft knife with a Scandi grind, is the cover model for the latest BLADE®, on newsstands NOW!

Bushcraft is the art of surviving in the wild with the tools and materials you have at hand and/or can scrounge on the spot, and few if any of those tools are more important than man’s oldest—the knife. In his story in the latest issue of BLADE®—on newsstands NOW—author, knifemaker, knife designer and bushcraft instructor Abe Elias puts four hot new bushcraft blades through the paces as only a bushcraft specialist can. One of the knives includes this issue’s cover model, the ESEE RB3. See how it and three other fresh factory bushcraft knives handle and perform in “Bushcraft Blades Big and Small.”

Jess Horn was one of the preeminent makers of custom folding knives for decades, but many of today’s younger followers of the custom knife scene don’t know of him. He passed away largely unnoticed earlier this year. BLADE® remembers him in a special story on page 22. Find out more about a knifemaking legend that you may have never heard of.

BLADE field editor Dexter Ewing is BLADE‘s resident sharpening guru. Not only does he run his own sharpening service on the side he also tests and writes about the latest and coolest sharpeners on today’s market. Check out a quartet of the newest and/or lesser-well-known models in his story, “Sharpening Just Got Fun!”

Some knife companies are taking today’s sheaths to the next level, configuring them so they are easier to clean, store added items such as firestarters and survival whistles—and in at least one instance even make such gizmo-packed sheaths for their folding knives. Learn more about today’s new generation of sheaths in BLADE field editor Mike Haskew’s “Sheath Chic.”

There’s much more this issue, including BLADE bidding a fond farewell to long-time managing editor Joe Kertzman, field tests of two custom fixed blades and four factory machetes, a comparison of today’s tactical folders vs. their original renditions, the latest knives and knife accessories, mini-knifemaker profiles and much more, all in the latest issue of BLADE—on newsstands NOW!

Trump vs. Clinton: Your Knives Are At Stake

Steve Shackleford

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October 19, 2016

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Trump vs. Clinton: Your Knives Are At Stake

How Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump stack up in terms of your right to own and carry your knives is an issue you should weigh carefully before voting Nov. 8.

According to Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter, Clinton’s anti-gun and anti-Second Amendment agenda is a major plank of her campaign. She advocates undermining the Second Amendment through legislation, executive actions and, more importantly, her appointment of justices to the Supreme Court. Over the years she has endorsed most proposals to limit gun ownership and destroy the Second Amendment through extreme taxes, regulations and executive orders.

“The loss of Second Amendment rights by way of her anti-gun agenda would be certain to disadvantage knife owners as we fight to oppose irrational restrictions on our knives,” Ritter noted. “As we have seen elsewhere, once firearms are outlawed, knife restrictions follow.”

Trump, meanwhile, is pro-Second Amendment and has been endorsed by the National Rifle Association and other Second Amendment organizations. His proposed nominees for the Supreme Court have a record of opposing efforts to weaken the Second Amendment.

As for the ivory issue, Ritter noted that the campaign against ivory owners in the USA, including owners of ivory-handle knives and raw ivory used by knifemakers and scrimshanders, was launched by the Clinton Foundation as part of its Clinton Global Initiative. “The Clinton Foundation and non-governmental organizations affiliated with it continue to advocate for the complete and total ban on all trade in ivory in any form,” Ritter wrote. “They are being assisted by the Fish and Wildlife Service. They are even pushing to ban sustainable use of wildlife in Africa, the core science behind the world’s most successful wildlife conservation efforts that have brought many species back from the brink of extinction.”

Clinton also likely would oppose the African Elephant Conservation and Legal Ivory Possession Act (AECLIPA), an act that would repeal the recent federal ivory ban, resetting the rules back to where they had been for decades, and would enhance elephant conservation efforts in Africa.

Conversely, Trump has never supported ivory bans or the end of sustainable use as a science-based conservation model. Trump would be far more likely to make executive appointments that would signal significant changes at the Interior Department and FIsh and Wildlife. If Congress passed the AECLIPA, he would likely sign it.

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United Teams With Mikkel Willumsen on the “Blondie”

Joe Kertzman

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May 16, 2012

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United Cutlery has paired with custom knifemaker Mikkel WIllumsen of Denmark to produce a new line of knives, including his popular “Blondie” model with machined G10 handle scales, a 440C blade, thumb-hole opener, a solid frame lock, low-profile pocket clip and smooth, flick-of-the-wrist

willumsen knives opening. The modified tanto blade offers strength and versatility. The Blondie is available in a black-coated, urban camouflage or satin-finished blade with a partially serrated or straight edge totaling six versions in all.

Willumsen has been a custom knifemaker for the past ten years in Copenhagen, Denmark, calling his designs Urban Tactical. Specializing in folders, fixed blades and balisongs, Willumsen’s designs are based on functionality and quality, mixing classical designs with modern tactics. Renown for his inovative and tactical designs, Mikkel Willumsen brings his talents and knifemaking experience to United® Cutlery.

“We are thrilled to partner with Mikkel Willumsen,” said Clint Kadel, CEO and owner of United® Cutlery. “Mikkel is a well respected designer with years of experience. Willumsen’s knives are already highly sought-after in the custom-knife world, fetching as much as $600 each for a tactical folder. We are excited at the opportunityto give all knife enthusiasts a chance to purchase a Willumsen Urban Tactical knife at an affordable price with no compromise in the quality of materials.”

For more information, or to download a free catalog, go to: www.unitedcutlery.com

Antique Ivory Exceptions Rule Too Stringent

Steve Shackleford

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March 3, 2014

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Antique Ivory Exceptions Rule Too Stringent

The recently announced federal ban on ivory not only seems to outlaw all import, export, interstate and intrastate sales of elephant ivory, it also appears to make all potential exceptions to the rule such as antiques virtually impossible to meet.

Initially announced on Feb. 11, the ban received more coverage Feb. 26 when the federal website http://www.fws.gov posted a story outlining the ban in more detail, including Director’s Order No. 210 from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service.

The story indicated that while virtually all elephant ivory is now illegal, a few exceptions exist, such as antique elephant ivory. However, to qualify as antique, elephant ivory must adhere to a hodge-podge of requirements that not only are virtually impossible to meet but present prohibitive costs in the process.

For instance, to qualify as an antique, the ivory must be 100 years old or older. However, the person claiming the ivory is that old must “definitively prove” the identity of the species. Such proof “can be in the form of bonafide DNA analysis,” a qualified appraisal or “other documentation,” such as “family photos, ethnographic fieldwork or other information.” If such analysis is required on each and every piece of elephant ivory, it would be cost-prohibitive for individual knifemakers. What’s more, the appraiser and the appraisal must meet strict guidelines in terms of the appraiser’s credentials, the scientific method used to determine the age or species must be described in detail, a detailed history of the article including proof of authenticity must be presented, etc.

Not only are the requirements draconian in nature, they don’t even take into account the fact that no one kept such records of their ivory when they bought it months or years ago, and to obtain such information now is virtually impossible.

Further, there must be proof that the ivory was imported through one of 13 specific ports of entry—12 in the USA and the other in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Notarized statements or affidavits by the exporter or seller are not adequate proof.

The maximum penalty for violations—which would qualify as violations of the Endangered Species Act—is one year in prison and a $100,000 fine for the individual, and $200,000 for an organization. Those who submit false records or identification of ivory face a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

For the latest knives, knife news, trends and more, stay tuned to www.blademag.com.

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The Gunny’s Back and The BLADE Show’s Got Him!

The Iron Mistress on TCM Today

Best BLADE Show Ever?

More Knife Awards

Bushcraft Knives Highlight New BLADE

Trump vs. Clinton: Your Knives Are At Stake

United Teams With Mikkel Willumsen on the “Blondie”

Antique Ivory Exceptions Rule Too Stringent

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