Steve Shackleford's Blog

Kai USA/Duck Dynasty Knives In The Works

Steve Shackleford

-

November 25, 2013

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.

BLADE Show Wants YOU!

Steve Shackleford

-

May 4, 2015

0

BLADE Show June 5-7! — The BLADE Show wants you for the 34th annual rendition of the world’s largest and most important event June 5-7 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta.

The 2015 BLADE Show at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta June 5-7 will have the hottest knives and makers in the largest, most important knife event ever.

Over 600 tables and more than 300 booths will display the world’s latest knives, knife accessories, knife collections, knifemaking equipment and materials and much more June 5-7 at the 34th annual BLADE Show in the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta.

The BLADE Show is the world’s largest and most important knife event and draws knife enthusiasts from every continent and most every knifemaker and knife company you’ve ever heard of—and many you don’t know of who will be the knife legends of tomorrow.

The show will name the world’s most prestigious factory knife honors—the BLADE Magazine 2015 Knife-Of-The-Year® Awards sponsored by New Graham Knives, including the People’s Choice Award voted on by visitors to blademag.com—and will hold the most extensive series of knife instructionals of any knife show in the 2nd Annual BLADE University sponsored by Premium Knife Supply. The show also will recognize the latest inductee into the BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall Of Fame© and the new Aldo and Edda Lorenzi Award—a $1,000 cash prize to a knifemaker who exemplifies the best in terms of teaching others how to make knives. If he qualifies, Dan Keffeler will attempt to win an unprecedented third straight BLADE Show World Championship Cutting Competition conducted by BladeSports International.

Knifemakers from the Knifemakers’ Guild, the American Bladesmith Society—including some of the world’s finest handforged knives up for bid in the ABS Auction and testing for ABS master and journeyman smith status—and the world’s best unaffiliated makers will all be on hand to exhibit their latest custom knives, with some entering the show’s custom knife judging competition. Assorted demos on how to throw knives, the use of Japanese swords, how and what to buy and collect and many others, knife giveaways, lotteries, knife club meetings, after show hours revelry in the world-famous Pit, the sunken lounge of the show’s host hotel, the Renaissance-Waverly—these and much more all await you June 5-7 in Hot ‘lanta. Don’t miss it!

Click here to learn more about BLADE Show and get your tickets!

Knife Of The Day XVI: Seber Drop Point

Steve Shackleford

-

February 8, 2012

0

Our “Knife Of The Day” for Feb. 8 is the Seber Drop Point Model RK1150CP.

Featuring a 3-inch serrated blade of 8Cr13MoV stainless steel and a G-10 handle, the knife offers up the Rotation-Loc, a ratcheting-type mechanism that enables the blade to lock open at a variety of different angles. There’s really nothing else quite like the mechanism among folding knives.

Weight: 7 ounces. Closed length: 4.5 inches. Your price at ShopBlade: $39.99.

For more information click on http://www.shopblade.com/product/drop-point-knife-rk1150cp/?r+ssfb020812#X3930

Learn Japanese Swords at BLADE University

Steve Shackleford

-

May 11, 2015

0

Learn Japanese Swords at BLADE University

BLADE University/Wally Hostetter — Learn all about Japanese swords from Wally Hostetter at BLADE University. Wally made the mounts for Steve Schwarzer’s Nagmaki, a repro of a pole arm with a sword-like blade used by 14th-17th-century Japanese warriors to cut the legs of the horses of enemy cavalry.

Japanese swords combine the elements that make everything about the world of blades fascinating—history, mystery, outstanding cutting performance, beautiful craftsmanship, collectibility and more—and Wally Hostetter will school you on it all at the 2nd Annual BLADE University.

Hostetter’s class will be one of many at BLADE University, which will be held the day before (June 4) through show Saturday (June 6) of the 2015 BLADE Show June 5-7 at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta.

In his class entitled “Collecting & Maintaining Japanese Swords,” Hostetter will explain what to look for when you buy a Japanese sword—including different patterns/designs and genres, the proper fittings and more—and how to maintain and care for it once you’ve bought it.

Hostetter is a long-time swordsmith who also is known for making sword mounts for such world-renowned swordsmiths as Steve Schwarzer. From the tsuba (guard), habaki (collar), fuchi (pommel or metal hilt sleeve) and other mounts, Hostetter makes and knows them all quite well. No matter what question you have concerning the proper construction, sword terms, traditional Japanese handle wraps, menuki and more, Wally’s your man. He will bring examples of Japanese swords and encourages students to bring cameras and photograph them for future reference.

Wally has collected Japanese swords for 18 years and does his own restoration work on them. He also has done restoration work for others over the past eight years. They include Troy Baxley, president of the Florida Token Kia; Bob Elder, owner of East Coast Martial Arts Supplies Inc., and his students of Toyama Batto Jutsu/US Batto Federation; ABS master smith Don Fogg; and martial arts practitioners throughout the USA.

Hostetter forges katanas, wakizashis, tantos and Naginata blades, including all the fittings and poles for the latter. “I have wrapped many tsuka [sword handles] and done some intricate patterns not seen everyday,” he noted. “On sayas [scabbards] I have reproduced a lot of the old finishes and techniques. I also practice Toyama Batto Jutsu. We have cut many rolled tatami/wara [rolled straw mats] with the swords, wakizashis and tantos I make.”

For more information on Wally’s class and others, how to entroll, etc., visit BLADE University.

Also Check Out:

Sword Making Secrets (Download)
Author Don Fogg is here to help you build one of the big blades, the lengthy lopper — the sword! His step-by-step sword-making process resonates well with your fellow knife enthusiasts who can’t get enough of the romance, history, look, feel, usefulness, ethnic heritage and physical impressiveness of swords. Download here

Knife Of The Day XXII: Don Hanson Damascus Bowie

Steve Shackleford

-

April 18, 2012

0

Our Knife Of The Day for April 18 is ABS master smith Don Hanson III’s bowie in a 12.75-inch damascus blade with a long clip and a most distinctive handle of ancient walrus ivory. Overall length: 17.75 inches. In addition to the blade, the fittings (the guard and ferrule) are damascus, too.

For more information click on www.donhansonknives.com or visit Don’s table at the 31st Annual BLADE Show (www.bladeshow.com) June 8-10 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Georgia.

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+ssfb041812#BL1SU.

Bag Hot Big Blades ‘n Edges

Steve Shackleford

-

October 30, 2017

0

Big Blades 'n Edges — Bag Big Blades ‘n Edges in the latest issue of BLADE®—on newsstands now!

Big blades by Chris Amos — Big blades can be fun to make and Chris Amos shows you how to make a big bowie in part one of his story this issue.

Big blades from Boker Arbolito. — Big blades go hand-in-hand with Thanksgiving and turkey carving. The Boker Arbolito Carving Set is big bird ready!

Fremont big blades — A hatchet may not fit into your classic definition of big blades but it definitely can act like one, such as the Farson from Fremont Knives.

Hoffman's big blades — In the realm of big blades, kukris are large and in charge—even compact ones such as this one by Liam Hoffman.

Burns's big blades — As far as big blades go, Robert Burns’s Joe Musso Bowie is a cutting behemoth.

Big Blades ‘n Edges, including reviews of the newest factory hatchets, some of today’s top custom bowies and four top turkey carving sets, highlight the latest BLADE®, on newsstands NOW!

The latest BLADE leads off with “Big Bad Blades,” Daniel Jackson’s assessment of some of today’s hottest bowies and their makers, including Mike Quesenberry, James Huse II, Jason Fry and Robert Burns. Each has an approach to “America’s Knife” sure to stir your bowie blood. Speaking of which, if Daniel’s story makes you want to “take the next step,” check out part one of “How To Make a Bowie” by Chris Amos.

In “Chop Shop,” join Abe Elias as he takes four contemporary hatchets—the Tomahatchet cover piece, Condor Tool & Knife Greenland, Browning Outdoorsman and Fremont Knives Farson—and subjects them to a round of hacking and cutting exercises. And in “Turkey Cuts,” James Morgan Ayres not only tests a quartet of the latest factory turkey carving sets from Victorinox, Santa Fe Stoneworks, KAI Shun and Boker Arbolito, but he shows you how to prepare your bird for Thanksgiving, too!

Kim Breed tests two custom straight knives with wharncliffe blades by Ryan Sprinkle and Michael Jarvis in “Little Knives, Stout Cutters. In the latest installment of the Knives That Changed Knife History, Mike Haskew outlines how BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© members Blackie Collins and Ken Onion spearheaded the revolution in assisted-opening knives.

Speaking of history, Pat Covert examines the over six decades of making Rambo and Star Trek knives, reproducing Paul Ehlers‘ fantasy knife designs, terms as president of The Knifemakers’ Guild, holding a private audience with Elvis Presley and much more of the fascinating life of Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer Gil Hibben.

There’s more, including a new breed of modern slip joints, the very first story of the very first issue of BLADE (then the American Blade), Liam Hoffman‘s compact kukri and scintillating scads of sharp stuff, all in the latest issue of BLADE.

Best Blade Steels Unleash The Sharp

Steve Shackleford

-

November 29, 2017

0

Best blade steels and Damasteel — Forging some of the best blade steels is something with which Damasteel of Soderfors, Sweden, is well acquainted.

Best blade steels and Puma — The best blade steels combined with the best blade shapes can cut wonders. Puma’s SGB Buffalo Hunter comes in a recurve blade of 1.4116 stainless steel.

Raffir fossil mammoth ivory comprises the handle of Danish knifemaker Tommy Astrup’s mosaic damascus fixed blade.

The best blade steels, latest handle materials, blade shapes, knifemaking suppliers and most everything else it takes to make a knife the sharpest it can be populate the BLADE 2018 Complete Knife Guide, on newsstands now!

What’s the best knife steel for one application can be a disaster for another. However, there exists a happy medium where a maker and an end-user get as many general bennies from the steel as possible. Dave Rhea examines the phenomenon in detail and considers some of today’s best cutting materials in his story, “Keys To The Best Blade Steels.”

Based in Hadsten, Denmark, Raffir offers an array of the most beautiful and durable synthetics yet in its range of fossil, wood and other materials. In Raffir Mammoth Tooth in particular, the cracks and abrasions that handle companies have to fill and re-fill during finishing operations with standard mammoth tooth are reduced by 80 to 90 percent. The material is most pleasing to the eye as well. Get a handle on the latest gripping stuff in “Most Beautiful Synthetics Ever?” by yours truly and Mike Haskew’s “What’s Your Handle?”

The “S”-shaped recurve blade has the rear of the cutting edge, or belly, curving inward toward the spine in a continuous curve from the point. Though most recurves have similar looks, subtle design differences mean that each knife has a distinct feel and performance. David W. Jung outlines some of the leading performers of the genre in “The Inside Edge.”

There is a wealth of knifemaking suppliers providing just what the knife doctor ordered, whether it be the best in handle materials, steels, specialized forging equipment, or the tools that make the sparks fly. Daniel Jackson reacquaints you with some of the best of the lot in “Go-To Guys of Sharp.”

There’s much more in the Complete Knife Guide, including the most comprehensive listing of factory knife companies and other professionals in the industry, a sneak peek at the coolest knife debuts for 2018, the brightest flashlight knives, three fun-to-build knife kits, the latest in beer knives and much more.

How Do You Open Your Knife?

New BLADE On Newsstands Now!

Design and Make a Combat Knife

Dellana’s First Goblin Folder in BLADE

New BLADE Hits Newsstands TODAY!

Kai USA/Duck Dynasty Knives In The Works

BLADE Show Wants YOU!

The 2015 BLADE Show at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta June 5-7 will have the hottest knives and makers in the largest, most important knife event ever.

Knife Of The Day XVI: Seber Drop Point

Learn Japanese Swords at BLADE University

Also Check Out:

Knife Of The Day XXII: Don Hanson Damascus Bowie

Bag Hot Big Blades ‘n Edges

Best Blade Steels Unleash The Sharp

Must Read Articles

Knifemaking 101 – Read This Before You Make a Knife

8 Things You May Not Know About “Forged in Fire”

How to Forge Damascus

How to Create Damascus Patterns

Why Are Switchblades Illegal?

The BLADE Blog w/Steve Shackleford

The 2015 BLADE Show at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta June 5-7 will have the hottest knives and makers in the largest, most important knife event ever.

Also Check Out:

Must Read Articles