Steve Shackleford's Blog

The Living Knife Highlights New BLADE®

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October 7, 2014

On many newsstands today, new BLADE will literally grab you! — Living Knife by Jean-Marc Laroche highlights new issue of BLADE, on many newsstands today!

The Living Knife by Jean-Marc Laroche will literally grab you from the cover of the new BLADE®, on most newsstands today.

Featuring a damascus blade forged by Sweden’s Roger Bergh, the Living Knife includes a mechanical “hand” for a handle, the fingers of which will grasp your hand in return when you grip it! Find out more about this ingenious creation by Laroche, a French knifemaker and sculptor well known for his otherworldly approach to knives.

Speaking of out of this world, ABS master smith Lin Rhea visited Steve Arnold, one of the stars of the Discovery Channel’s “Meteorite Men” TV show, and obtained some meteorite material from Arnold for use in the damascus blade of a special bowie. Get the complete story on the meteorite material and its origin, how Lin made the knife and much more in this issue.

Speaking of damascus, it is one of the most fascinating materials for knife blades, among both knife neophytes and aficionados alike. How did this storied material first come about? How many different versions have there been? Get the inside scoop on this ancient material in the new BLADE.

The American Bladesmith Society traces its creation to the man who reintroduced damascus to the modern custom knife movement—Bill Moran. One of if not the largest organizations of knifemakers in the world, the ABS presented its annual best knife and bladesmith honors at the 2014 BLADE Show. See what those top knives and who those premier smiths are this issue.

Hunting season is in full swing and hunting knives are in hot demand. But is just one enough? Find out why two hunting knives are better than one in the new BLADE.

There’s much more, including a test of two automatics, the latest ceramic kitchen knives, a Nordic knife for every budget, the sharpest Christmas gifts anywhere, how Dan Keffeler won the BLADE Show World Championship Cutting Competition and much more in the January BLADE, on newsstands NOW!

Cool Knife/Sheath Combos By John H. Davis

Steve Shackleford

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February 26, 2012

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John H. Davis’ knives, from top: oosic/ivory bowie, twist damascus of 1084/15n20, copper guard, spacers and butt, 13 inches overall; India stag bowie, ladder-pattern damascus, copper guard, spacers and butt; India stag and buckeye burl drop point, 1084/A203E damascus, nickel-silver fittings; mammoth ivory boot dagger, 1084/15n20 damascus, nickel-silver fittings; and a mammoth tooth ivory and snakewood locking-liner folder, 1095/nickel damascus. Davis’ sheaths, from top: the first two are belt-loop pouch types in custom leather with python inlay; a pouch type in custom leather with cobra skin; and a belt-loop-and-snap pouch model in custom leather with snakeskin inlay. The maker’s list prices for similar outfits, from top (the prices include sheaths where applicable): $500, $400, $350, $350 and $350. (Point Seven photo)

John H. Davis offers nice knife-and-sheath combinations—and don’t forget the folder!

Some makers do not offer sheaths with their fixed blades. ABS apprentice smith John H. Davis is not among them.

His selection of damascus fixed blades includes handsome sheaths, including one in a cobra-skin inlay he said “a couple of guys do back flips over.” Other sheaths have python and snakeskin inlays. A computer field engineer by day, Davis also has a background in metal fabrication, which helps explain the copper he uses for guards on some of his models. “I’m one of the few who uses it for guards,” he noted. “I love working with it. It’s an underrated material.”

In terms of offering the total package of knife and sheath, underrated also would seem an appropriate way to describe Davis.

For more information contact John H. Davis, 33842 Picciola Dr., Fruitland Park, FL 34731 209-740-7125 [email protected], www.custom-knifemaker.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+ssfb022612#BL1SU

Hot Straight Razors Highlight New BLADE®

Steve Shackleford

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November 4, 2014

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Hot Straight Razors Highlight New BLADE®

Stubble is no trouble with Kirby Lambert's straight razor, on the cover of the latest BLADE® and on newsstands NOW! — Kirby Lambert’s straight razor graces the cover of the latest BLADE®, on newsstands NOW!

Stubble is in trouble thanks to the hottest straight razors—one of which, the newest model by Kirby Lambert, is the cover piece for the latest BLADE®, on newsstands NOW!

Known for his custom tactical folders, Lambert is one of several makers who offer custom razors, the others highlighted in the story on page 12 being Sal Manaro, Rick Barrett, Wally Hayes, Neels van den Berg and Bill Ellis. There’s also a factory version from Boker that made the cut. Speaking of Hayes, he wrote a story outlining his approach to making straight razors on page 20.

Is a tactical knife a fixed blade or a folder? The answer depends a lot on who you ask. While knife-o-philes continue to ply the age-old question, we provide nine of the best factory buys in the genre—both folding and fixed—on page 28.

Heroes are important in any walk of life, including those of knifemakers of all stripes, from the legends to the up-and-comers. We asked four makers—BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© member D’ Holder, Tom Krein, Larry “The Hammer” Harley and Joey Cordova—to share their knifemaking heroes with you. We think you’ll find their answers both interesting and relevant to you and your knives.

Knife kits have some a long way from the days when they consisted of a blade blank, a couple of handle slabs and several screws. Now they offer folders in a number of configurations, including one for a butterfly knife. Check out the latest versions on page 40.

You’ve already read on blademag.com about the first-ever knife show that will combine members of both the Knifemakers’ Guild and the American Bladesmith Society set for Sept. 18-20 in Kansas City. However, BLADE gets more of the inside info—including the fact that the old Muehlebach Hotel, site where Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer Bill Moran reintroduced damascus at the 1973 Guild Show, is in one of the wings of the new venue—for you on page 46.

Spyderco long has been a world leader in factory knives and it continues that role with its Ethnic Series of knives that include designs by such international makers as Pekka Tuominen, the late Eduard Bradichansky and Gabor Szakonyi, as well as accomplished American maker Ed Schempp. Go global with the Spydie guys on page 50.

There’s something about a super-thin custom folder that bespeaks of elegance. And some are so thin and delicate you’d think they might not be able to do their cutting jobs—though such is not the case. Check out some of the leanest of the keen by Richard Rogers, Cliff Parker, Bill Ruple, Scott Sawby and Ken Erickson on page 74.

There’s much more, including Ed Fowler’s “12 Keys to Great Knife Promotion”; a look back at the many contributions of the late, great Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer, Kit Carson; a test of two big fixed blades in MSG Kim Breed’s “Spec Sheet”; E.C. Loerchner’s masterful “Autumn Knife”; and much more, all in the latest issue of BLADE.

Hot Knives at Denver Custom Knife Show!

Steve Shackleford

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August 14, 2013

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The 21^st Annual Denver Custom Knife Show will feature some of the world’s finest custom knives, knifemakers, custom knife purveyors and knifemaking supply companies this Friday through Sunday, Aug. 16-18, at the Crowne Plaza-DIA in Denver, Colorado.

Bring in the flyer from page 25 of the October BLADE® (www.blademag.com) or page 11 of the November BLADE and receive $2 off on the admission price.

Sponsored by the Professional Knifemakers Association (PKA), the show will include custom folding, hunting, fishing, tactical, kitchen and art knives. Demonstrations will be given on forging and grinding. PKA members’ knives will be presented through a special raffle and door prizes will be given out daily.

The PKA is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious organizations of custom knifemakers, and the PKA Show is among the best knife shows in the Western USA.

Exhibiting knifemakers will include Eddie Baca, Mardi Meshejian, Wayne Hensley, Al Warren, John Bartlow, Eddie Stalcup, Mike “Whiskers” Allen, Mike Mooney, Harvey King, Mike Irie, Don Bell, Steve Rollert, Pete Truncali, Chuck Fraley, Jerry McClure, Mike Tyre, Olamic Cutlery, Fred Ott, Terry Schreiner, Mike Miller, Albert Trujillo, Craig Steketee and many more. Knifemaking supply companies will include Culpepper & Co., Lonestar Knifemaker Supplies, Pop’s Knives & Supply, Fine Turnage Ivory and others. Knife photographer Bob Glassman also will be an exhibitor.

Show hours are 12 to 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Regular admission is $7 for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and children under 12 are free.

The host hotel room rate is $104 per night. Be sure to mention PKA for the rate single or double. Call 303-371-9494 for reservations.

For more information contact Whiskers or Denise Allen at [email protected] or call 903-489-1026.

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

BLADE’s Complete Knife Guide On Newsstands Now!

Steve Shackleford

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December 3, 2013

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BLADE’s Complete Knife Guide On Newsstands Now!

BLADE’s Complete Knife Guide—your ticket to everything knife—is on newsstands now!

BLADE’s Complete Knife Guide (BKG) is the only knife buyer’s guide in a magazine format that gives you all the contact information for all the major players in the custom and factory knife industries—all in an easy-to-access format that provides each knife source’s physical and web addresses, phone numbers, specialties and much more.

In addition to being your No. 1 source for accessing the knife, knifemaker, knife company, sheath, knifemaking materials, purveyor, accessory and everything cutlery related that you need, BKG also contains the stories that help you identify and obtain the perfect cutlery product for you. Included in this issue are:

•What To Look For in EDC—We went right to the professionals who work in the business for a living and asked them what they look for in an everyday carry (EDC) knife, including size, price point, blade steel, taste and intent, “the essentials,” and much more;

•Sheaths Today: Dressed For Success—Sheath styles, materials, the top makers and more, this story takes you inside the minds of some of the industry’s leading sheath makers for their take on the subject as only they can provide it;

•Out-Of-Site Knives—Buying knives on the internet is the way a lot of folks do it these days. But do you know what to look for in the best custom and factory sites? BKG takes you inside some of today’s hottest sites and details the services they provide, the knives they sell and much more;

There’s much more in this issue, including new knives for 2014; knife guards that both protect and adorn; what makes some of the latest factory tactical knives tactical; today’s top knife steels and who makes them; special deals on how to make a knife on a budget; some of today’s top custom knife purveyors; sharpening made easy and much more.

For the latest knife news, stay tuned to www.blademag.com.

ABS Master Smith John White Passes Away

Steve Shackleford

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October 6, 2014

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ABS master smith John White (left) holds his Best of Show and Best Damascus from the 2013 BLADE Show as the knife's owner, Preston Gough, enjoys the moment. — ABS master smith John White (left) holds his Best of Show and Best Damascus from the 2013 BLADE Show as the knife’s owner, Preston Gough, enjoys the moment.

Award-winning ABS master smith John White of Valparaiso, Florida, passed away Oct. 4 after a sudden illness. He was 71.

One of the most talented smiths in the ranks of the ABS, John was known for his elegant fixed blades in his beautiful damascus steel blades, natural handle materials and exquisite embellishment. He was also quite adept at such fixed blades in a take-down construction—that is, the knife was specially built to be easily disassembled and reassembled.

As John’s friend and fellow ABS master smith Terry Vandeventer noted in the American Bladesmith Society’s Express Email, “This is not only the greatest loss to Jill, [John’s] wife of 40 years, but to the knife community. Those who knew him saw a vivacious, smart, funny, and highly skilled artisan.” Vandeventer added that there would be no services and John’s ashes will be spread on the bayou near the Whites’ home.

The little man with the big smile enjoyed a meteoric rise in the fraternity of ABS smiths, winning a number of awards for his work, including several at the BLADE Show. Among them: Best Fixed Blade, 2014 BLADE Show; Best of Show and Best Damascus (see accompanying picture), 2013 BLADE Show; Best Bowie and Best Damascus Knife, 2011 BLADE Show; and Best Damascus, 2010 BLADE Show. Somehow it seemed fitting that John enjoyed so much success at the BLADE Show, as he was among the most vocal supporters of the event.

If you wish to make a comment on John’s passing and your memories of him, Click Here. A visit there will show you how many great makers and collectors thought the world of John. He will be missed.

Join J.D. On New Forged In Fire

Steve Shackleford

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July 27, 2015

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ABS master smith J.D. Smith will join three other bladesmiths on the latest installment of The History Channel’s Forged In Fire tonight at 10 p.m. Eastern.

Forged In Fire is a reality TV show in which the contestants are charged with designing and making a knife of their choice via various requirements imposed by the show’s judges—ABS master smith James Neilson, ancient weapons specialist David Baker and combat specialist Doug Marcaida. The smiths have three hours to complete the knife inside the studio’s well-equipped forge—and host Wil Willis is there to ensure the contestants know when time is almost up. In the end of the studio segment, two smiths emerge and are charged with building a special knife, sword or other edged tool of the judges’ choosing at the smiths’ home forges. The smiths have five days to complete the project and the piece deemed best in terms of performance, design, etc., by the judges results in the winner earning a $10,000 prize.

You never can tell what may happen—both in the studio forge and at the smiths’ home forges. Everything from the contestants catching the floor and even themselves on fire, unusual approaches to making knives, and the pressure and confusion that result from the time limits on making the knives can result in some high drama. It’s really entertaining TV and the ratings the show is receiving have been steadily climbing as a result.

After five weeks, Forged In Fire has gained double-digit growth across all key demographics compared to its live premiere: +74 percent in the 25-54 age group, +73 percent in the 18-49 age group and +32 percent in total viewers. In all, Forged In Fire is averaging 1.4 millions viewers—arguably the most people to see/watch a knife-related event in history.

In tonight’s episode, an Elizabethan rapier will be the ultimate blade project the finalists will make for the judges’ perusal. Be sure to check your local listings for when the program will air in your time zone.

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