Steve Shackleford's Blog

Guild/ABS Will Hold Joint Knife Show

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September 17, 2014

The Knifemakers’ Guild and the American Bladesmith Society will hold their first-ever joint knife show Sept. 18-20, 2015, in Kansas City.

The show will be called the International Custom Cutlery Exposition (ICCE) and will include knives displayed by members of both the Guild and the ABS. It will be held in the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. The original Guild Show also was held in Kansas City.

It is a historic meeting of the minds of two knifemaker organizations that basically have competed with one another for almost four decades.

“The main thing is we’re coming together to put on a show,” the Guild’s Gene Baskett noted.

Baskett said everything will be “50/50” between the two organizations and both will have equal say so on matters concerning the show. For example, each organization will have 75 tables to allot to its members, giving the show 150 tables in all.

Guild members who want to inquire about exhibiting at the show should contact the Guild c/o Charlie Mathews, and ABS members should contact the ABS c/o Harvey Dean.

Baskett said the officials of the Kansas City Marriott “bent over backwards” to accommodate the Guild and the ABS for the show. The hotel recently underwent $14 million in refurbishments. Veteran knife observers will recall that the Guild Show enjoyed a very successful run at the Orlando Marriott for many years.

Admission for show patrons will be $10 for one day and $15 for three days. All Guild Honorary Members will be admitted for free, as they always have been at past Guild shows. Baskett said the ABS will make its own arrangements concerning admission for its special members.

“There will be more information to come once we get more details,” Baskett added.

For more information visit americanbladesmith.com or knifemakersguild.com.

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

Jerry Ahern Passes Away

Steve Shackleford

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July 26, 2012

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(photo of Jerry Ahern courtesy of JerryAhern.com)

Jerry Ahern, novelist, author of nonfiction books and many magazine articles, passed away Tuesday, July 24. He was well known internationally for his extremely popular “Survivalist” series of novels. Mr. Ahern was a fan of the Detonics line of handguns, so much so that he acted as president of the company, then named Detonics USA, from 2004 to 2007, while it was located in Pendergrass, Georgia.

Mr. Ahern was 66. Survivors include his wife, Sharon, children, grandchildren and a nephew. Arrangements were made through Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, Georgia. 706-367-5467, http://evansfuneralhomeinc.com.

Judge Throws Out Motions in NYC Lawsuit

Steve Shackleford

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September 11, 2012

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In a serious blow to the attempts by New York City and NYC District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. to derail Knife Rights’ federal civil rights lawsuit against them, U.S. District Judge Barbara S. Jones on September 10 denied their motions for judgment on the pleadings and to dismiss the case.

    The ruling comes on the heels of a decision by Federal Magistrate Judge Ronald Ellis on September 7 allowing victimized NYC retailer Native Leather to join the case as a plaintiff.

     Download Judge Jones’ opinion and order here: http://bit.ly/ODNGi4

     Together, Knife Rights said these rulings affirm that its lawsuit is valid on its face and will proceed to trial.

     “Despite their attempts to make this case go away, NYC and DA Vance will now be held fully accountable in federal court by Knife Rights for their disgraceful attempts to demonize the most widely-owned pocketknives in America as contraband, and to intimidate honest knife retailers into making six-figure forced ‘contributions’ to the City, under threat of criminal penalty, in order to avoid prosecution,” said Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter.

     The case seeks a judicial determination that the New York state laws regarding “switchblades” and “gravity knives” are unconstitutionally vague as applied to common pocketknives with a bias towards closure, including one-hand opening and assisted-opening folding knives. An example of a one-hand opener is Sal Manaro’s custom folder pictured above.

     “The dismissal of these motions vindicates our position that there are real constitutional issues involved,” Ritter noted. “The City cannot simply expand the state law to persecute knife owners and retailers to suit their own ends.

     “Suing the largest city in the U.S. is not something to be done lightly, but it is essential to our freedoms that New York not be allowed to trample on our rights, and Knife Rights has stepped up to the plate to defend freedom. Perhaps now DA Vance will recognize that this lawsuit is not going away and come to his senses instead of continuing to waste taxpayer resources victimizing law-abiding citizens who simply possess a practical tool (a common pocketknife), and the honest retailers who sell these tools.”

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=blss091112

New BLADE Hits Newsstands TODAY!

Steve Shackleford

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February 25, 2014

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What does it take to be a full-time knifemaker? Was BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© member Michael Walker’s LinerLock™ an innovation or a redo? Do you know how to make a damascus plug weld? These questions and more are answered in the latest issue of BLADE®, debuting on newsstands TODAY!

Custom knives have a mystique and following all their own, and the hottest makers of same enjoy a cult-like status with their most ardent fans. However, what’s it really like to be a full-time custom knifemaker? Read part one of veteran maker Shane Sibert’s story “26 Hurdles To Making Knives” and you will get a healthy dose of reality. In other words, if you’re thinking of becoming a knifemaker, Shane’s article is must reading.

Michael Walker invented the LinerLock in 1981, but it wasn’t until 1987 that other makers started producing folders with the ingenious locking mechanism. Since then the mechanism has exploded in popularity, and today is probably the most popular lock on contemporary folders. Along the way, Walker had to fight to maintain his claim of being the inventor of the LinerLock. He tells you all about it and other things in “LinerLock: Innovation or Redo?”

Also: Check out the first-ever knives offered by Maxpedition, including this issue’s cover knife, the Ferox. Learn all about some of the best knives you may not know of and also what is behind the re-emergence of blade fullers, also known incorrectly as blood grooves, on today’s knives.

Knifemaker Stanley Fujisaka passed away on the last day of 2013 but not before he left an indelible impression on scores of knifemakers, knife enthusiasts and, of course, his loving family and friends. Dan Delavan shares his memories of the endearing Hawaiian maker and person in “Fujisaka: A Great Mentor Remembered.”

Stay tuned to www.blademag.com for the latest in knives, knife trends and much more.

Knives of Summer: ECS Whitewater Knife

Steve Shackleford

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August 3, 2012

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Award-winning knifemaker Brian Fellhoelter drew on his experience as a whitewater guide to design the Timberline ECS. Frustrated by emergency knives that fell out of their sheaths during rafting and kayaking trips, Brian developed a reliable mechanism to hold the knife securely in the sheath until deployment is required. The result is the ECS.

For more info click on http://www.shopblade.com/timberline-ecs-drop-point-blade-1860 /?r+ssfb071112

Memorial Day: Lest We Forget

Steve Shackleford

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May 28, 2012

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Justin Gingrich flanked by two retired Army Rangers, from left: Roy Motsumoto, an original member of Merrill’s Marauders of World War II fame and a Ranger Hall of Famer, Gingrich and Korean War veteran Bill Spies. At right is Paul Vorhees, owner of Ranger Joe’s. (photo courtesy of Justin Gingrich)

On this Memorial Day, be sure to think about those who have fought, were wounded and who died in the service of their/your country. Think of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives but also of those who survived and subdued those who would take our freedoms. Included among the latter, of course, are those wounded warriors who bear the physical and mental scars that will stay with them throughout their lives. We must never forget.

As I watched Merrill’s Marauders, the movie about the U.S. Army outfit that fought so valiantly during World War II, I remembered a picture (above) we ran in the December BLADE® of Justin Gingrich and two other of our valiant military heroes, including ann original member of Merrill’s Marauders, Roy Motsumoto. Here’s to Mr. Motsumoto, Korean War veteran Bill Spies (who was also pictured) and Mr. Gingrich, and all the others who make it possible for us to enjoy living in the best country in the history of the world, USA.

It doesn’t get any better, does it?

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.

Hank Rummell: He Will Be Missed

Steve Shackleford

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February 3, 2012

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Long-time custom knife purveyor Herman “Hank” Rummell of New York Custom Knives (www.newyorkcustomknives.com), who was killed Jan. 29 in a tragic accident when he was struck by a car while walking his dog, is remembered fondly by those who knew him.

“I considered Hank like a brother and our relationship grew over the years from customer/client to one of great friendship,” noted Irv Lehman, one of Hank’s many long-time customers. “He will be missed greatly and the knife shows will never be the same.”

“Hank was at almost every single knife show I attended, going all the way back to 1991,” knifemaker Phil Booth recalled. “I used to hang around to look at the quality knives he kept on his table until I was brave enough to ask to start picking them up and looking closely. Through the years, I showed him my most recent knives to see if they were getting better, and he would critique them and give me hints on how to better my work. Then the day came when he bought a Minnow [one of Booth’s knife models] and set it on his table! He sold that knife and many more. Had it not been for Hank’s watchful eye, my knifemaking would not be where it is today.”

According to Lehman, in lieu of flowers, Mrs. Helen Rummell requests that you make a donation to honor Hank to an animal rescue in your local area. “Helen and Hank were very much dedicated to their dogs and Hank lost his life in keeping his dog safe,” Lehman observed. “That was the ultimate sacrifice for the love of his dog and, knowing Hank, he would do it again.”

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BLADE Show 2018: Plan Now!

Guild/ABS Will Hold Joint Knife Show

Jerry Ahern Passes Away

Judge Throws Out Motions in NYC Lawsuit

New BLADE Hits Newsstands TODAY!

Knives of Summer: ECS Whitewater Knife

Memorial Day: Lest We Forget

Hank Rummell: He Will Be Missed

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