The BLADE Blog w/Steve Shackleford

Knives, knife people, knife news, knife use, knife collecting, knifemakers, knife events, the BLADE Show, BLADE Magazine, and more.

Save Legal Ivory & Mammoth Ivory Now!

Ancient walrus tusk handle.
Kevin Casey uses ancient walrus tusk for the handle of his knife. (SharpByCoop image)

Your help is needed to derail bills designed to ban not only ivory but also mammoth ivory—the latter ivory from animals extinct for thousands of years—that are pending in several states. Meanwhile, your support is needed for a federal bill (HR 697) that would effectively end U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s draconian moratorium on the sale and trade of legal ivory and also assist anti-poaching efforts in countries with elephant populations. (For more on the latter, visit http://elephantprotection.org/app/write-a-letter)

Hawaii, Maryland (HB713), Iowa (SF 30), Oklahoma (HB1787) and California (AB96) are all considering legislation that would or could be used to ban both ivory and mammoth ivory, and four bills are pending in Connecticut that could do the same. The penalties for violating any of the state bans if they were to pass run anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 in fines up to classifying as felonies.

Meanwhile, a house bill in Washington (HB1131) eliminated mammoth from the definition of ivory, though the bill (SB5241) has yet to pass the state’s senate.

For more on these laws and what you can do to protect your right to sell legal ivory and mammoth ivory, including your knives with handles of the materials, visit elephantprotection.org.


GROUP-T1346-T1348Recommended for You:

KNIVES 2015

See the latest knives, swords, and edges of all types, and explore the latest trends in blades, steels, styles, and materials. Gaze upon a “State of the Art” section parading engraved, scrimshawed, jewel-inlaid, carved, etched, sculpted and forge-welded, and Damascus and mosaic-damascus knives. Click here.

Hunter’s Edge: 3 Sharp Folding Hunters

    The Outdoor Edge SwingBlaze Knife is two knives in one. Push a button and the blade rotates in the handle from a drop-point skinner to a gutting blade. Blade steel is AUS-8 stainless, the orange handle is Kraton rubber and a nylon belt sheath is included. ShopBlade’s price: $55. For more info click on http://www.shopblade.com/outdooredge-swingblaze-knife-v7926/?lid=blss091912.

 

    In the Body Lock Knife, Kutmaster offers a folding hunter with a finger-grooved Realtree AP HD camo handle and a recurve drop-point blade in 420 stainless. ShopBlade’s price of $19.99 includes a heavy-duty black embroidered nylon sheath. For more info click on http://www.shopblade.com/kutmaster-team-realtree-body-lock-knife-y7729/?lid=blss091912.

 

    No mention of folding hunters would be complete without including the iconic Buck 110. Boasting a 3.75-inch blade of 420HC stainless steel and a macassar ebony Dymondwood® handle plain or finger grooved with brass bolsters, the 110 has a ShopBlade price of $44.99. For more info click on http://www.shopblade.com/buck-110-folding-hunter-knife-y4513/?lid=blss091912.

Hunter’s Edge: Gerber Metolius

Get twice the cutting versatility in skinning and dressing game for the upcoming fall hunting season with the Gerber Metolius.

    The folder has drop-point and skinning blades, the latter with a safety ball for the tip to prevent accidental puncturing of the organs of the animal while cutting inside it. The drop point works on a lockback mechanism, the skinning blade via a push button. Each blade is 3.2 inches long.

    The knife sports a Gerber Softgrip overmold handle for enhanced purchase. Overall weight: 4.8 ounces. Length open: 7.9 inches.

    An easy-carry ballistic nylon sheath is included.

    ShopBlade’s price to you: $44.99.

 

For more info click on http://www.shopblade.com/gerber-metolius-2-blade-folding-knife-y6983/?lid=blss082212

 

BLADE’s Military Issue On Sale NOW!

A special knife for a special Navy SEAL, knifemakers for elite warriors and a rebirth of military daggers highlighted by the Spartan Blades/Les George V-14 cover knife headline BLADE®’s annual military issue, on many newsstands today.

Navy SEAL Matthew G. Kantor was killed in action in Afghanistan on Nov. 1, 2012, receiving the Bronze Star for his bravery in action. Knifemaker Jim Behring made a special knife, the T.A.S.S. E4, in honor of Kantor and supplied 22 of the knives to Kantor’s platoon teammates. Find out more in this touching story about an American hero.

Inspired by the Fairbairn-Sykes combat dagger of World War II fame, today’s renditions include any number of updates, including state-of-the-art materials and designs. Knifemaker Les George, a retired U.S. Marine, designed such a dagger for Spartan Blades and it is one of many new daggers on today’s market. Find out more in the story on page 12.

ABS journeyman smith Erik Fritz and ABS master smith Shane Taylor got together after a meeting with retired Marine Pat Goodale and decided to make custom knives Goodale could give to special active-duty Marines. The two smiths got several other makers to participate in the project as well and the result was Knifemakers for Elite Warriors. Discover more in the story on page 84.

Other special stories in the military issue include a retrospective of BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© member Col. Rex Applegate and his many OSS/CIA exploits and subsequent knife designs for Al Mar, Gerber, Boker and more; military knives designed for specific military jobs in Dexter Ewing’s “Knives For Special Needs”: a test of four tactical tomahawks by James Morgan Ayres; collectible World War II fixed blades and what they’re fetching price wise in Richard D. White’s “Vaunted Knives Of The Big One”; and much more, all in BLADE’s new annual military issue.

Look for BLADE's annual military issue on newsstands today!
BLADE’s annual military issue hits newsstands today!

Cutlery Hall Of Fame: Buster Warenski

Any discussion of the greatest custom knifemakers of the modern era must include the late Buster Warenski, a member of the BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame.

While best known for his reproduction of the King Tut Dagger in the late 1980s, Warenski’s influence on custom knives, knifemakers and the Knifemakers’ Guild was immense and, in many ways, continues to this day. One of the early Guild voting members, he was considered among the best custom makers from the get-go. He excelled not only by the example of his workmanship but also by his leadership, serving on the Guild’s board of directors for a number of terms, including as president (1977-79).

No mention of the greatest knifemakers is complete without mention of Buster Warenski. (SharpByCoop.com photo)
A member of the BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall Of Fame, Buster Warenski was one of the greatest knifemakers ever. (SharpByCoop.com photo)

The workmanship of his knives pretty much spoke for itself. He could make just about any fixed blade, folder or sword, and make it extremely well, though it is his art daggers for which he is most remembered. He taught himself how to engrave and although he may not have been the best engraver, the early examples of his engraving held up among other knives of the time.

But then it always seemed that Buster found a way to make his knives the best—and one way was marrying Julie, who learned how to engrave and became one of the best, lending her talents to Buster’s knives and making them even more fabulous. (Julie Warenski-Erickson continues to engrave today and is married to knifemaker Curt Erickson.)

Perhaps the greatest tribute to any knifemaker is one from one of his peers who also happens to be one of the world’s best makers—in this instance, Steve Johnson. As Steve noted, “Putting myself in even the same sentence as a ‘fellow knifemaker’ with Buster makes me uncomfortable. No one will ever attain the skill and ability as a knifemaker as this great man did.”

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

 

Knife Store Of The Day I

(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

$750,000 Worth of Custom Knives Stolen

Approximately 150 custom knives valued at over three-quarters of a million dollars were stolen recently from KnifePurveyor.com, according to KnifePurveyor.com.

Knives valued at a quarter million dollars were stolen from KnifePurveyor.com. (KnifePurveyor.com photo)
This custom knife made by Josef Rusnak is one of about 150 that were stolen from KnifePurveyor.com. (SharpByCoop photo)

Michael Donato, owner of KnifePurveyor.com, said the knives were stolen from his luggage at the Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) Airport that serves the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina. He was returning from the East Coast Custom Knife Show held Feb. 28-March 2 in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Custom knives by some of the world’s best knifemakers were included in the luggage. For a complete list of them all, contact Donato at [email protected] or call him at 646-872-0476.

According to Donato, his original flight after the show was cancelled. Meanwhile, as his luggage was stored at the airport, someone stole the pelican case containing the knives. He said the area where the knives were stolen had video surveillance and the authorities have footage of the theft and a picture of the suspect, which is being circulated. If you have any information concerning the theft, contact Donato or Detective Charles Shelton at 919-840-7556 or 919-702-2556 (cell).

“We have suffered a major blow,” Donato noted. “This theft occurred at RDU Airport when United Airlines left my transportation case of knives unattended at the baggage area. The crook simply walked off with the entire case.

“Several law enforcement agencies and the Collectible Insurance company are hot on the case. Due to the magnitude of this loss, my staff and I have our hands full with this investigation. Clients whose knives are involved in this loss have already been notified.”

Meanwhile, contrary to any rumors that may be circulating the knife industry, KnifePurveyor.com is not out of business as a result of the theft.

“It is my honor and pleasure to be part of the custom knife community,” Donato continued. “I look forward to fulfilling your future knife needs and would like to thank you for your continued friendship, patronage and support.”

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

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