Steve Shackleford's Blog

World’s Hottest Knives Highlight New BLADE®!

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July 15, 2014

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.

Vote Online for The People’s Choice Award

Steve Shackleford

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May 20, 2014

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Vote Online for The People’s Choice Award

You will have the chance to vote online for the first-ever BLADE Magazine People’s Choice Award during the BLADE Show June 6-8.

Held at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, the BLADE Show is the world’s biggest and most important knife event, showcasing the latest in factory, custom, antique, military, tactical and other knives—as well as all things that cut and the people and companies who make them.

The BLADE Magazine Knife-Of-The-Year® Awards sponsored by New Graham Knives also will be presented at the show, and the People’s Choice Award is the latest addition to the Knife-Of-The-Year lineup.

Unlike the other 13 Knife-Of-The-Year honors—11 of which are voted on by BLADE Show booth exhibitors and the other two selected by the BLADE® Magazine staff—the People’s Choice Award will be voted on by knife enthusiasts online here at blademag.com.

Here’s how it will work. Prior to the Friday night (June 6) of the show, the BLADE Magazine staff will busy itself photographing the entries in the Knife-Of-The-Year competition, all of which will be displayed in the Knife-Of-The-Year Display area in the hall of the BLADE Show. Those photographs will be posted on this site as soon as possible after that time so you may view them and vote on your favorite. Only one vote per person, please. To vote, visit http://blademag.com/vote.

The winner will be announced at the BLADE Magazine Awards Reception the Saturday night of the show (tickets required) and posted here, along with the rest of the winners. The winner’s name also will be posted with the balance of the award winners outside the BLADE Show office in the Cobb Galleria Centre the Sunday morning of the show.

For more details, stay tuned to blademag.com.

Celebrate The Gunny’s B-Day With His SOG Co-Design

Steve Shackleford

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March 24, 2012

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Co-designed by R. Lee “The Gunny” Ermey, the Gunny Folder (top) from SOG sports a 4-inch blade of VG-10 stainless steel and a cocobolo handle with The Gunny’s image inset in a nickel-plated coin. (Above) The Gunny and SOG CEO Spencer Frazer at last year’s BLADE Show (www.bladeshow.com). (Point Seven image)

Celebrate R. Lee “The Gunny” Ermey’s birthday today, March 24, with his Gunny Folder from SOG Specialty Knives & Tools. It comes with a leather pouch for easy carry. The cocobolo handle includes rayskin inlay. Limited to 1,000 pieces.

For more info click on www.sogknives.com.

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+ssfb032412#BL1SU.

Case Celebrates 125th With New Knives & More

Steve Shackleford

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July 9, 2014

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Case Celebrates 125th With New Knives & More

W.R. Case & Sons is celebrating its 125th anniversary with updated manufacturing facilities, a new repro of the legendary Case V-42, a Tony Bose classic pocketknife, a special anniversary celebration in August and much more.

Long recognized as one of if not the most collectible factory knife brands in the world, Case refuses to rest on its laurels and is using its landmark birthday to ramp up its knife operation on a variety of fronts.

Zippo, Case’s parent company, is investing nearly $10 million for renovations on the Case manufacturing plant in Bradford, Pennsylvania. The revamp will include a complete remodeling of the factory, including new equipment and floor configurations designed to promote better efficiency, productivity and quality. The renovations are due to be completed by the end of next year.

As a result, Case will have an increased ability to revive such classic patterns as the World War II Case V-42 stiletto issued to the First Special Service Force—a.k.a., the Devil’s Brigade—and also a new cattleman’s knife collaboration with Bose.

And, on Aug. 16, there will be a special celebration of the company’s 125th anniversary at the Museum of Appalachia in Norris, Tennessee. For more information, visit wrcase.com.

A byproduct of Case’s updating its manufacturing facilities is the ability to get more Case knives before more customers than ever before. In addition to the over 2,000 Case authorized dealers nationwide, such chains as Cabela’s, Bass Pro, Field & Stream, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Tractor Supply stores, Sportsman’s Warehouse, REI, Academy Sports + Outdoors and Costco carry Case knives. Case exclusive e-tailers and Amazon.com also sell Case knives.

Case’s wide array of collectible pocketknives has been supported by the Case Collector’s Club since 1981. The club features exclusive knife promotions and collectibles for members, and publishes and distributes a quarterly magazine, The Case Collector. For more on it, visit http://www.wrcase.com/collectors_club/.

Knife Store Of The Day I

Steve Shackleford

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December 13, 2011

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(From left) Lois, Dan and Pam Delavan of Plaza Cutlery in the South Coast Plaza Mall in Costa Mesa, California.

You’ve seen our “Knife Of The Day” entries. Now it’s time for a new feature: our “Knife Store Of The Day.”

The first installment is Plaza Cutlery of Costa Mesa, California.

Located in the South Coast Plaza Mall, Plaza Cutlery is owned and operated by Dan and Pam Delavan and features a wide selection of custom and factory knives. The son of former Case salesman I.A. Delavan, Dan is one of the most knowledgeable people in the business of both custom and factory knives. In addition to selling knives, swords, sharpeners, knife books and much more in store, Plaza also has a comprehensive website (www.plazacutlery.com), carries factory exclusives such as its Chris Reeve Large and Small Sebenza “Doggy Knives,” conducts a biennial knife show that draws some of the world’s top custom knifemakers, and even does special events such as “Meet The Knifemaker” days at the Plaza Cutlery store.

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

Game Edge: Fall Hunting Knives

Steve Shackleford

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August 20, 2012

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With fall hunting season close at hand, you need the best in today’s latest outdoor knives.

Enter our new “Game Edge: Fall Hunting Knives” series on ShopBlade.com!

First up: the Outdoor Edge Butcher-Lite Knife Set.

The set includes a 3-inch caper, 4.25-inch gut-hook skinner, 6-inch boning/fillet knife, 7.25-inch wood-bone saw, a tungsten-carbide sharpener, a rib-cage spreader and a set of game-cleaning gloves.

Straight from the hunting knife genius of Outdoor Edge’s David Bloch, the set has every tool you need to skin, quarter and debone big game. The set is belt-carried in a nylon roll pack, with each piece easily accessible for instant use.

ShopBlade’s price: $59.99.

For more info and ordering information, click here.

Shock and Claw in New BLADE®

Steve Shackleford

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April 20, 2017

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“Shock and claw” karambits, the damascus knives that changed knife history and the complete lowdown on the 4th Annual BLADE University at the 36th Annual BLADE Show are but a few of the highlights of the latest BLADE®, on newsstands NOW!

Boasting a blade shaped like a sickle, the karambit has been adapted for martial arts use today. However, it remains an effective cutting tool as well. James Morgan Ayres tests four of the latest editions in his story, “Shock & Claw.”

BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© member Bill Moran changed the face of the custom knife industry in many ways, but it’s his damascus knives that first brought him not only national fame but worldwide acclaim as well. Join Mike Haskew as he studies Moran’s initial damascus models in BLADE’s latest installment of its “Knives That Changed Knife History” in “A Thunderclap of Steel.”

As the world’s biggest and most important knife event, BLADE Show 2017 attracts the best knifemakers and knife pros in existence. What better talent pool is there to select from as teachers for BLADE University, three days of knifemaking and other cutlery classes on a wide variety of sharp subjects? Check out who will be teaching what and how you can attend in “Back To Sharp School” by this writer.

Also this issue: Pat Covert’s test of four of the latest factory flipper folders; Dexter Ewing’s assessment of some of the newest factory machetes; part two of Frank Trzaska’s salute to the knives used by U.S. soldiers during World War I on the 100th anniversary of the USA’s entry into “the Great War”; the latest paring knives just in time for Mother’s Day, by Daniel Jackson; some of the top drawknives and how to use them, by Abe Elias; a farewell to ABS journeyman smith Larry “The Hammer” Harley; and much more in the latest BLADE—on newsstands now or subscribe here.

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Build a Knife From The Latest Knife Kits

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Knives of The Expendables 2

BLADE Show 2018: Plan Now!

World’s Hottest Knives Highlight New BLADE®!

Vote Online for The People’s Choice Award

Celebrate The Gunny’s B-Day With His SOG Co-Design

Case Celebrates 125th With New Knives & More

Knife Store Of The Day I

Game Edge: Fall Hunting Knives

Shock and Claw in New BLADE®

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