Steve Shackleford's Blog

Knives of TV’s Grimm in New BLADE®

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October 6, 2015

Grimm knives in new BLADE. — The knives of TV’s Grimm help highlight the latest BLADE®, on newsstands now!

Knives on television and in the movies have a way of both mesmerizing audiences and giving a knifemaker’s career a much-needed boost—and such could be the case with the double-bit axe bladesmith Arnon Kartmazov made for the hit TV show, Grimm. Read all about Kartmazov’s cutter and other knives of TV’s Grimm in the new issue of BLADE®, on newsstands now.

Kartmazov’s piece on Grimm is a rare double-TV coup for the Oregon-based maker, who also appeared on The History Channel’s Forged In Fire earlier this year. Where it will take his career is anyone’s guess but it sure as heck can’t hurt any.

Speaking of Forged In Fire, ABS master smith Joe Szilaski examines the show’s format of requiring contestants to make a knife in three hours. Can such a format really result in knives that “will cut,” as the show’s Doug Marcaida likes to say? Szilaski gives you his expert opinion on the subject in his story, “3-Hour Knives: Are They Legit?”

Job 1 of knives is to cut and, as Spyderco notes on one of its old steel charts, “Steel is The Heart of The Knife.” (Right below that slogan on the same chart is “And Heat Treating is The Spirit.”)

The latest in steels is always a hot topic in the knife industry, but, when it comes right down to it, it’s the steels the companies use most on their newest models that should tell you which steels are most popular at the moment. Find out in chart form what those steels are and which companies are using them in “5 Hottest Blade Steels.”

Also this issue: the conclusion of Lonnie Kapp’s two-parter on Japanese swords of World War II; how tactical custom daggers are making a comeback; how its latest award-winning knives are transforming the American Bladesmith Society into an International Bladesmith Society of sorts; tests of big camp knives; and the latest in knives for law enforcement officers. Get it all and more in the new BLADE, on newsstands now.

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Knife Of The Day: Bartlow Award Winner

Steve Shackleford

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February 22, 2012

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Our Knife Of The Day for Feb. 22 is John Bartlow’s utility hunter in a 4-inch blade of ATS-34 stainless steel and a handle of bark elephant ivory.

Winner of “Judge’s Choice, Hunting/Utility Knife” at last year’s Professional Knifemakers Association Show in Denver, the knife is 8 5/8 inches overall and boasts Bartlow’s trademark line cutter/choil where the edge of the blade begins.

For more information e-mail John at [email protected].

For more on the latest knives, knife legislation, knifemaking instruction, knife trends, knifemakers, what knives to buy and where and much more, subscribe to BLADE® Magazine, the World’s No. 1 Knife Publication. For subscription information click on http://www.shopblade.com/product/blade-magazine-one-year-subscripti…?r+ssfb022212#BL1SU

Disabled Vet Knife Graces New BLADE®

Steve Shackleford

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September 8, 2015

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A knife for disabled vets, behind the scenes of the hit TV show Forged In Fire, World War II Japanese swords and much more highlight the annual military issue of BLADE®, on newsstands NOW!

L.T. Wright’s H.E.R.O. (Helping Everyone Reach the Outdoors) knife is specially designed to accommodate people with finger and/or hand injuries. Join Abe Elias as he examines how the knife came about, how it’s designed, how it works and more in his story on page 12.

Forged In Fire has been one of The History Channel’s hottest shows in recent months and has brought the skill required to make a forged knife into full view of a wide-ranging television viewing audience. Go behind the scenes of this fascinating, action-packed show with our special story on page 84. In addition, on page 10, see if you agree that FIF may be the “Eureka moment” the knife industry has been waiting on for these many years.

The Japanese signed the formal World War II surrender on the U.S. battleship Missouri 70 years ago this month. But what of all those Japanese swords carried by those in the Japanese Army and Navy? Who made them and whatever became of them? Leon Kapp gives you the poop in part one of his “The Sun Rises On Them Still” on page 80.

There’s much more in the annual military issue, including a visit with two surviving 90-something members of the First Special Service Force that fought so well in World War II; three military veterans who are new to the knifemaking game in Pat Covert’s story on page 20; the best-selling military knives in the factory realm on page 36; a test of four military-style autos by James Morgan Ayres on page 44; “How To I.D. A True Combat Knife” by BLADE field editor Ed Fowler on page 52; the “Ultimate Survival Knives” of special-operations veterans Grady Powell and Jared Ogden, stars of National Geographic’s action TV series, Ultimate Survival Alaska; a test of two tomahawks by BLADE field editor/retired Green Beret Kim Breed on page 48; and much more in the latest issue.

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

Pause and Reflect on 9/11

Steve Shackleford

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September 11, 2011

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We were all in a state of shock on this day 10 years ago. Along with the horrific spectacle of the Twin Towers collapsing, everything America stood for seemed to be coming down around our heads. But out of that tragedy we emerged, stronger than ever in many ways, even if many think we as a nation overreacted in others.

On this day 10 years later, give thanks for what you have. Hug your mom, your wife, your kids, your dog (or cat), or just sit in your front or backyard and look around at the things that many in this world would love to have—and remember the untold scores who have given their lives for you to keep.

I, for one, will think of Heather Voyles Bradford, the daughter of my old boss, Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© member Bruce Voyles. Heather had tried for years to have children and in the past few days she succeeded in giving birth to her first child, Samuel Forrest Bradford. A decade after all the devastation visited upon New York City, the Pentagon, a lonely field in Pennsylvania and America as a whole, the Voyles are celebrating a new addition. Somehow it seems appropriate that when so many lost so much 10 years ago, there is a new face in this world today to help continue to make America and all Americans proud of what we are now, and what we will be in the future.

God bless us all and GOD BLESS AMERICA!

World’s Hottest Knives Highlight New BLADE®!

Steve Shackleford

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July 15, 2014

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World’s Hottest Knives Highlight New BLADE®!

The world’s hottest knives, top everyday carry knives under $75 and knives in a rainbow of handle colors highlight the new BLADE®, on newsstands now!

Such internationally renowned knifemakers as Lee Williams, Allen Elishewitz, Jens Anso, Bob Terzuola, Kirby Lambert, Tom Mayo, RJ Martin and Peter Rassenti—whose “Large Nirvana” folder graces the cover—and many more, along with their knives most in demand, are among those identified among the world’s hottest on pages 20-27 of the new issue.

What knife are you carrying today? If you’re looking for an everyday carry knife under $75, James Morgan Ayres tests four of the latest models on pages 30-35. See if one of these EDCs fits your hand and pocketbook.

Everything in color seems to be a common theme for many of today’s hottest products, and factory knives are joining the party. Check out the latest members of the cutlery color coalition on pages 42-45.

In case you haven’t noticed, the schools’ draconian zero tolerance policies concerning knife carry are unduly oppressive and penal—and are ruining the lives of many innocent kids. Get the latest on this national disgrace on pages 12-16.

Bushcraft knives are today’s equivalent of the survival knife and it’s nice to know what to look for in one and how to use it. Get primed on the Scandinavian grind and more on pages 82-85.

The late Bob Lum is credited with making the first American tanto and Cold Steel further popularized the pattern with its mass production of the Cold Steel Tanto, but did you know the blade pattern itself dates back to the 4th century? Get the complete scoop on pages 74-78.

Also in this issue: an update on the federal ivory ban, a test of two tomahawks by retired 5th Special Forces MSG Kim Breed, a profile of knifemaking supplier Tru-Grit, the continuing saga of Plaza Cutlery and its 40th anniversary as a knife retailer and much more, all in the October BLADE.

BLADE® Best Of Show Tribute

Steve Shackleford

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May 16, 2016

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smoky mountain knife works — Thanks, SMKW!

One of the many reasons the BLADE Show is the world’s most important knife event is the BLADE Magazine Knife-Of-The-Year® Awards recognizing the factory industry’s top knives. This year the awards will have a new wrinkle when the Best Of Show custom knife winner is recognized as well during the BLADE Magazine Awards Reception sponsored by Smoky Mountain Knife Works.

The 2016 BLADE Show will be the 35th annual rendition and held June 3-5 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta.

Conducted the Saturday night, June 4, of the show, the reception is where the Knife-Of-The-Year Awards, the industry’s most coveted factory honors, are announced. It will begin at 7 p.m. in Ballrooms 1 and 2 of the Cobb Galleria Centre (tickets required). Smoky Mountain Knife Works sponsors the Knife-Of-The-Year Awards, too.

The awards recognize factory knives in a number of categories, including best domestic and imported, most innovative, collector/investor, collaboration, manufacturing quality and others. All save one of the awards is open only to entries and voting by the many national and international show booth exhibitors. The lone category open to voting by visitors to blademag.com is the People’s Choice Award.

In addition to the Knives Of The Year, the show also hosts its annual custom knife judging competition, which is open only to the show’s hundreds of national and international custom knife exhibitors. The top honor in the competition is the Best Of Show Award, which goes to the category winner judged best of all the category winners by a panel of industry authorities. For the first time ever, this year the Best Of Show winner will be recognized during the BLADE Magazine Awards Reception.

With the exception of the People’s Choice Award, all entrants in the Knife-Of-The-Year Awards competition will be on exhibit in a display, also sponsored by Smoky Mountain Knife Works, in the show lobby for show patrons to see. Open to BLADE Show custom knife exhibitors only, the custom knife competition will be conducted in Room 104 of the Cobb Galleria beginning at 3:30 p.m. on show Friday, June 3. The judging is closed to the public.

ZT Knife Of Year. — The Zero Tolerance 0999 was the BLADE Magazine 2015 American-Made Knife Of The Year®. (ZT image)

Ruple Best Of Show. — This year’s Best Of Show winner will be honored during the BLADE Magazine Awards Reception. Bill Ruple won Best Of Show at last year’s BLADE Show. (PointSeven image)

Knife World’s Houston Price Passes

Steve Shackleford

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December 30, 2014

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Charles Houston Price of Knife World has passed away. — Charles Houston Price, founder of Knife World, passed away Dec. 29.

Charles Houston Price, publisher of Knife World, passed away Monday, Dec. 29. He was 79.

Of New Market, Tennessee, the man known to many simply as Houston was a rock in the world of knives and knife publishing. Next to BLADE®, his Knife World monthly publication is the longest-running knife periodical. Knife World’s support of the knife business, including a long, successful relationship with the American Bladesmith Society (ABS), has been one of the constants in an industry that, like many, has had its share of attrition and turnover.

A North Carolina native and graduate of Kentucky’s Berea College, Houston served in the U.S. Marine Corps. After his tour of duty he enjoyed a 20-year career in agricultural marketing. In 1998 he was named to the ABS Board of Directors and served on it until a few years ago. He was also the director of the ABS Youth Program until last year. He is a member of both the BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall Of Fame© and the American Bladesmith Society Hall Of Fame. He was also a lifelong dog lover.

In addition to his role as publisher of Knife World, he wrote about knives for both it and other publications, authored six editions of The Official Price Guide to Collector Knives and, along with his fellow Cutlery and ABS Hall-Of-Fame compatriot B.R. Hughes, authored the quintessential book on Cutlery and ABS Hall-Of-Famer Bill Moran, Master of the Forge. Houston also was a recipient of what many consider the most prestigious of ABS honors, the Don Hastings Award, for selfless giving above and beyond the call to the ABS in a manner similar to the man for whom the honor is named.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, at the Farrar Funeral Home (865-475-3892) with the Rev. Robin Lindsey officiating. Family will receive friends from 10 until 11 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, 3800 Fettler Park Dr., Ste. 104, Dumfries, VA 22025 or on line at marineheritage.org, or to American Bouvier Rescue League, ABRL, c/o Deborah Abeles, PO Box 689, Cheshire, MA 01225.

Prime Cutters Are Good To Go

BLADE Show Preview Issue of BLADE® Out NOW!

Proper Knife Fit and Finish Defined

BLADE Show Updates Exhibitor Layout

Book Review: ”Spirit of the Sword”

Knives of TV’s Grimm in New BLADE®

Knife Of The Day: Bartlow Award Winner

Disabled Vet Knife Graces New BLADE®

Pause and Reflect on 9/11

World’s Hottest Knives Highlight New BLADE®!

BLADE® Best Of Show Tribute

Knife World’s Houston Price Passes

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