Steve Shackleford's Blog

Top Lady Smiths Highlight New BLADE®

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February 24, 2015

Five top lady bladesmiths and their International Ladysmith Collaboration Knife, the “Mount Rushmore of Knifemakers,” rock-solid integral knives and much more highlight the new BLADE®, debuting on many newsstands TODAY!

A quintet of the world’s top lady smiths—Dellana, Haley DesRosiers, Audra Draper, Grace Horne and Julie Warenski-Erickson—collaborated on this issue’s cover knife. Forged by Draper, the 7.25-inch blade is a damascus ground, heat treated and etched by DesRosiers, who also did the final assembly. Dellana embellished the handle with five gold dots—one for each “blade sister”—and a bezel-set ruby, and Warenski-Erickson engraved the bolster in gold. Horne built the display box lined with red glove leather and used black glove suede for the cushion. Find out how the knife came about and what the “Sisters of the Blade” have planned for it in our special cover story feature.

In “The Mount Rushmore of Knifemakers,” some of the custom knife industry’s leading professionals weigh in on the four makers they consider the greatest in the history of modern custom knifemaking. We would tell you who the four are, but then that would spoil the surprise. You’ll just have to buy the new issue and find out for yourself.

Popularized by the late, great knifemaker, Ted Dowell, integral knives are one solid piece of steel—including both the handle and blade—that are reduced via grinding to an equally solid one-piece knife. Pat Covert visits with two talented practitioners of integral knifemaking, Edmund Davidson and Marcus Lin, for their take on how they make knives made in a style that arguably is the world’s strongest.

There’s much more—including part one of RJ Martin’s story on how he makes his award-winning precision flipper folders, some of today’s hottest factory tactical fixed blades, the conclusion of Jim Hammond’s story on the past, present and future of ivory’s use on knives, two tests of top factory folders, the mystery of the ancient Viking Ulfberht sword, custom knives in “crossover” styles and other of today’s sharpest knives and knife news—all in the latest issue of BLADE.

Recommended:

Stay abreast of the latest developments on this and many more knife rights issues with a subscription to BLADE.

Enter KA-BAR’s Pumpkin Carving Contest

Steve Shackleford

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October 15, 2013

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Break out your favorite KA-BAR knife, grab a pumpkin and commence to carving—it’s time for KA-BAR’s third annual Pumpkin Carving Contest!

The winner will receive a free KA-BAR knife. The contest runs through Halloween, Oct. 31.

Using your favorite KA-BAR knife, carve a pumpkin and photograph the result. The photograph must also include the KA-BAR knife you used to do the carving. Upload the image to any of the KA-BAR social media channels—see below for a list of them—and you are officially entered.

Since you’ll need to upload the shot, you’ll need to use a digital camera. If you don’t have a digital camera, borrow one from a friend, or shoot a print and have a friend scan the image and upload it for you.

Be sure to follow all standard safety procedures when carving, including using a sharp knife—to ensure it’s sharp, touch the edge up beforehand—and when carving, cut AWAY from you and anyone else in the vicinity. You might even want to keep a box of bandages and other medicinal items on hand while you carve. You never can tell when you might get a bit klutzy (hey, it happens to all of us from time to time, right?).

If you have any questions about rules, eligibility, etc., contact [email protected]. They will be happy to help.

KA-BAR social media channels include https://www.facebook.com/KABARKNIVES and

https://twitter.com/KA_BAR

https://plus.google.com/u/0/108773739377759118633/posts

For the latest knives, knife news and more, keep it at www.blademag.com (www.blademag.com).

And happy trick or treating and Happy Halloween!

Lawful Ivory Protection Act Needs Your Help!

Steve Shackleford

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July 21, 2014

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Will you help stop domestic ivory ban? — The Lawful Ivory Protection Act designed to save the elephant and stop the domestic ivory ban is off to a good start but still needs your support. (Bill Simmermacher photo)

Designed to both protect African elephants and stop making criminals of innocent citizens who sell legal ivory, the Lawful Ivory Protection Act is making headway in both the House and Senate and needs your help—especially in the Senate.

“The House Interior Appropriations bill that will essentially not allow funds—your tax dollars and mine—to be used to enforce the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service changes to the ivory laws has passed the first hurdle,” noted Sandra Brady, scrimshander and member of the Elephant Protection Association. “It made it through Appropriations and is now on to the full House for a vote.” It is unknown when that vote will be.

“Next, H.R. 5052 is getting increased support but the Senate bill, S. 2587, isn’t, so call your senators!” Brady emphasized.

Both bills have the official name of the Lawful Ivory Protection Act of 2014 and are in dire need of your support. Please contact your elected officials on the federal level and urge them to support these bills, both of which are designed to protect elephants and prevent legal ivory from being banned from sale domestically.

“It is critical that you call your senators and representatives and ask them to co-sponsor S. 2587 and H.R. 5052,” stressed Rob Mitchell of the Elephant Protection Association. “Getting your legislators to so-sponsor these bills accomplishes two goals: It brings these bills closer to a vote in their respective chambers, and it shows support for the Appropriations measure that ultimately needs to pass both the House and the Senate. If you want to save elephants and stop the domestic ivory ban, this is the most effective way to do it.

“Our goal is to get as many co-sponsors as possible before Congress breaks for August.”

For more information on how you can help, contact elephantprotection.org.

For the latest in knives and knife news, stay sharp at blademag.com.

Judge Allows Victimized Retailer to Join NYC Lawsuit!

Steve Shackleford

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September 10, 2012

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Federal Magistrate Judge Ronald Ellis has granted Knife Rights’ motion to amend its federal civil rights lawsuit against New York City and District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr., adding as plaintiffs New York knife retailer Native Leather and Knife Rights Foundation. Native Leather was one of the retailers originally targeted by Vance on charges of selling “illegal gravity knives and switchblades” which in reality are legal one-hand opening and assisted-opening folding knives. An example of a one-hand opener is the Timberline SOC pictured above.

Native Leather, Ltd., is one of the New York retailers Vance accused of selling illegal knives. Like other retailers who were threatened with prosecution (Home Depot and Ace Hardware among them), Native Leather surrendered much of its knife inventory, made substantial monetary payments, and stopped selling a number of common pocketknives (mischaracterized by the City as “gravity knives” and “switchblades”) to avoid the DA’s wrath. Because of the vagueness and inconsistency in the way the City and DA interpret state law, Native Leather still has no definite means of determining whether the DA’s office will once again allege that its knives are illegal in the future.

The lawsuit challenges New York City’s and District Attorney Vance’s attempt to mischaracterize the most widely-owned pocketknives in America as contraband. The case seeks a judicial determination that the New York State laws regarding “switchblades” and “gravity knives” are unconstitutionally vague as applied to these common pocketknives with a bias towards closure, including one-hand opening and assisted-opening folding knives.

    Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter said, “Adding Native Leather as a plaintiff allows us to provide the court with an example of a retailer victimized by DA Vance’s misinterpretation and misapplication of state law to knife retailers.”

    Judge Ellis’ opinion and order can be downloaded at: http://www.KnifeRights.org/58_Opinion_and_Order.pdf

    “District Attorney Vance’s politically motivated assault on, and continued threat to Native Leather, a small, law-abiding retailer simply trying to make a living in New York City, is unconscionable ” said Ritter. “I applaud Native Leather for joining our lawsuit and showing the courage of its convictions in standing up to DA Vance’s bullying tactics.

    “One-hand opening pocketknives are legal tools, used and carried every day by millions of law-abiding professionals, tradesmen and sportsmen for work and recreation. Shame on D.A. Vance for demonizing common tools and turning honest citizens into criminals for purely political ends.”

    Also added as a plaintiff is Knife Rights Foundation, Inc., which has provided valuable support for the lawsuit.

    The original plaintiffs remain in the case: Knife Rights, Inc. and two private citizens (John Copeland, an internationally acclaimed artist, and Pedro Perez, an artist and fine art dealer, both New York City residents). The defendants remaining are the New York County DA and the City of New York itself. Knife Rights is represented by attorney David D. Jensen, Esq. of New York.

    The Memorandum of Law in Support of the Amended Complaint and a red-lined copy of the Amended Complaint can be downloaded at: http://www.KnifeRights.org/KRvNYamendedcomplaint.pdf

For more on Knife Rights click on www.KnifeRights.org.

For the latest knives, knife trends, knifemakers, what knives to buy and where, knife legislation, knifemaking instruction, and much more, subscribe to BLADE® Magazine, the World’s No. 1 Knife Publication. Click on http://www.shopblade.com/blade-magazine-one-year-subscription-us/?lid=blss091012

Buck Prepares To Debut 2012 Knives

Steve Shackleford

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December 13, 2011

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POST FALLS, IDAHO–From the time Hoyt Buck made his first knife in 1902, Buck Knives’ goal always has been the same: make knives that will serve the user better, with reliable and superior performance. In the 110 years since, Buck Knives has found many ways to create an expanding line of knives that guarantee exceptional quality, with the needed features and benefits. Now they are finalizing plans for the SHOT Show where they will unveil more advances in 2012, as they celebrate their 110^th birthday with innovative new products.

Among their fresh departures is an answer to the growing demand for women’s hunting knives with the new Haley Heath ErgoHunter Adrenaline Series. As the number of active female hunters has doubled in the past decade and now totals more than 3 million, there is a growing demand for knives to meet their needs and preferences.

The Haley Heath series was developed in partnership with one of America’s most accomplished female hunters. In the joint announcement, Haley Heath said, “I am excited to be the first female featured with her own line of hunting knives and from the number-one brand in hunting.” Haley and G.O. Heath are the hosts of the popular “Family Traditions with Haley Heath” television program on the Sportsman Channel.

There are eight basic knives in the Haley Heath series – five fixed-blades and three folding lockblades, offering fixed gut-hook versions and three steel options. All are ergonomically designed for the best grip for women, including a grooved handle.

“This important series is just one aspect of our new 2012 knife line,” said CJ Buck, president and the fourth generation of the Buck knifemaking family. “We are adding other new hunting knives, of course, as well as tactical/survival knives, knives for campers and hikers, and our annual line of Limited Edition knives with so much appeal to collectors.”

Among the additions to Buck’s growing line of tactical/survival knives will be the TOPS/Buck CSAR-T Liaison neck knife, a style popular for its light weight, small size and ease of carry, yet providing the solid blade needed quickly in emergency situations.

Buck also emphasized that Buck Knives will continue to fulfill its American commitment, further reducing the use of offshore outsourcing, making all of their hunting knives in their Post Falls, Idaho, plant as well as the vast majority of their other new products.

For more on the latest in the hottest knives, knifemakers, knife shows, knife trends and much more, subscribe to BLADE® Magazine. For subscription information, click on http://www.shopblade.com/product/blade-magazine-one-year-subscription-us/?r+ssfb121311#BL1SU

Sharp Knives of the SHOT Show

Steve Shackleford

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January 28, 2015

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Orange handle rocks Victorinox Hunter Pro. — The Hunter Pro from Victorinox is hard to miss in the new orange handle.

Kershaw booth, SHOT Show. — The Kershaw booth was abuzz with activity at the SHOT Show.

The latest in factory knives and accessories were among the surest of bets at the recent Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor, Trade (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas.

New automatics—no doubt spurred in part by the recent repeal of antiquated switchblade bans in a number of states, a move led by pro-knife groups Knife Rights and the American Knife & Tool Institute—were introduced by such companies as Buck, Kershaw, Hogue, Timberline, Pro-Tech and Benchmade. Tomahawks/hatchets were also a hot item, with new versions offered by Spyderco, Puma, 5.11 Tactical, Hogue, Kershaw, SOG and Camillus. Big knives, including machetes, bowies, bolos and camp models, also sizzled, with DPx Gear, Benchmade, CRKT, HK, Steel Will, Outdoor Edge and Condor Tool & Knife among those in the mix.

There were a number of other knives of note, including a new lightweight tactical fixed blade designed by ABS master smith Jerry Fisk based on a longer, flattened out version of his Sendero hunter for White River Knife & Tool. Canal Street Cutlery, in a departure for it, also offered a new tactical fixed blade with slabs provided by VZ Grips and models named after battles of the Iraq War.

Buck Knives, Impact — With its Impact model, Buck was among the companies introducing new automatics at the SHOT Show.

Smooth-operating folders abounded, including the reasonably priced Hootenanny designed by BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© member Ken Onion for CRKT. Emerson Knives, Inc., had four new tactical folder models: the Iron Dragon, Sheepdog, Hattin and Combat Systems Fighter. Coast Cutlery featured a number of reasonably priced tactical folders, all designed with specific input from spec ops personnel. SOG presented a small utility folder in its SOG-light series with four brilliant LEDs and a thin, lightweight profile—notable in terms of incorporating lights, lightweight and slender ergonomics in a folding knife.

“Celebrity steel” also proliferated, including a new Utica/Kutmaster knife inspired by the Pigman TV series, tactical fixed blades designed for Camillus by retired Green Beret Grady Powell and retired Navy SEAL Jared Ogden of TV’s Ultimate Survival Alaska, and a chopper from Condor used by survivalist Matt Graham on TV’s Dual Survival.

Meanwhile, Buck presented the 245 Matt Would Go knife based on the design of Navy SEAL Matthew Leathers. Leathers gave his life for his country in 2013 when he was lost at sea during open ocean training exercises.

Smith's Edgesport 10-N-1 Suvival Multi-Tool offers 10 different survival tools in one. — Smith’s Edgesport 10-N-1 Suvival Multi-Tool offers 10 different survival tools in one.

Mora introduced what for it is a higher-end kitchen knife set—three models in birch handles and 14C28N Swedish Sandvik steel at an MSRP of $299. Zero Tolerance offered new, smaller folders in the $200 MSRP range, and Kershaw introduced a new, larger version of its CQC-4 Ernest Emerson collaboration. Spyderco presented a number of new models, including a Craig Douglas (aka “Southnarc”)/Michael Janich “two-way” fixed blade called the “Reverse” in which the handle slabs can be detached and the knife flipped/reversed and the handles reattached, resulting in mirror-image “edge-out” ergonomics, or two knives in one. Meanwhile, ESEE announced the debut of its long-awaited bushcraft line of fixed blades.

Case introduced its “reborn” version of the V-42 with a special hollow grind based on the original blueprint of the knife made famous by the First Special Service Force, the father of today’s spec ops units, of World War II. A special treat was two surviving members of the FSSF—90-year-old Del Stonehouse and 93-year-old Eugene Gutierrez—on hand at the Case booth. Look for a special story on them in a future issue of BLADE® magazine.

For the complete rundown on the knives from the SHOT Show, see the June BLADE in March.

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KNIVES 2015

See the latest knives, swords, and edges of all types, and explore the latest trends in blades, steels, styles, and materials. Gaze upon a “State of the Art” section parading engraved, scrimshawed, jewel-inlaid, carved, etched, sculpted and forge-welded, and Damascus and mosaic-damascus knives. Click here.

Vacation Knives: Learn to Whittle & Carve

Steve Shackleford

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July 24, 2012

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For the times when the kids complain about how there’s nothing to do during summer vacation, buy them “Whittling Twigs & Branches” by Chris Lubkemann. Heck, you might even want to try your hand with this book, which includes step-by-step demos on how to carve roosters and other birds, flowers, trees and letter openers from ordinary twigs and branches using only a pocketknife.

Of course, you’ll need a pocketknife for the job, and a good one is the Kutmaster Team Realtree stockman with clip, spey and sheepfoot blades for carving, whittling and fine-tuning your sculpted creation.

For more info click on http://www.shopblade.com/whittling-twigs-branches/?r+ssfb072412 and http://www.shopblade.com/kutmaster-team-realtree-35-stockmans-buckstag-handle-knife-y7727/?r+ssfb072412

KA-BAR Announces Its First Ek Knife

How The Nov. 4 Vote Affects the Ivory Ban

Knife Of The Day XII

Spyderco’s Knife That Changed Knife History

Gear Up with The Team Jackal

Top Lady Smiths Highlight New BLADE®

Enter KA-BAR’s Pumpkin Carving Contest

Lawful Ivory Protection Act Needs Your Help!

Judge Allows Victimized Retailer to Join NYC Lawsuit!

Buck Prepares To Debut 2012 Knives

Sharp Knives of the SHOT Show

Vacation Knives: Learn to Whittle & Carve

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