Many American families have their share of veterans. In fact, you could say America is one big family of veterans. With that in mind, today is Veterans Day, the day to thank all the veterans you know—those in your family and those everywhere—for keeping America safe.
My Grandfather Frank was in the Army and drove an ambulance in Europe during World War I. My dad was in the Navy during World War II and served as a radar man on the USS Cimarron, an oiler that serviced many of its sister ships in the Pacific Theater. He never talked much about the war but I know he enjoyed his time and the friends he made while in the service. He and Mom were married in 1942 and she supported him throughout the conflict. She gets a lot of credit, too.
Dad’s brother, my Uncle Jack, also served in the Navy during the war, as did my great Uncle Grady. He was in the Army Air Corps. My Uncle Joe served on the USS Hancock, an aircraft carrier, in the 1950s. I served in the Navy during the Vietnam War era and was stationed at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, and Little Creek, Virginia. My service helped me grow from a peach-fuzz-faced kid into a young man, and also provided me with the money from the G.I. Bill to get my college degree.
I am but one of many to come from such families. How about you? Did you serve, or did anyone in your family? Tell us about your experiences or those of your family members who served—where they served, the years, etc.
Meanwhile, of course, let’s not forget all those brave souls who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Without them, none of us would be living in this great nation and enjoying the freedoms we do. Maybe there are better countries to live in, but not for me. I’ll take this one.
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Celebrate your family’s veterans—and all veterans—on Veterans Day. The author’s dad served on the USS Cimarron during World War II. The author’s mom is at left.
American Bladesmith Society master smith Red St. Cyr of Reva Forge in Wilmington, California, passed away yesterday after suffering a heart attack.
Red, pictured above at the 2012 ABS San Antonio Show, was the founder of the American Bladesmith Society’s (ABS) West Coast Forging Clinic, a member of the Southern California Blades, ABS, Arizona KCA, and Oregon KCA, and president of the California Knifemakers Association.
His specialty was fixed blades, forging his own damascus and mosaic patterns. In 1995 he became an ABS journeyman smith and earned his ABS master smith rating in 1998. He has received numerous awards for his knives, including the ABS Bill Moran Award.
At the tender age of 13, Red began an apprenticeship with a farrier and fell in love with working with metal and horses. By the time he was 16, he was a full-fledged farrier. He eventually became a master farrier, designing, forging and custom fitting horseshoes throughout the United States and several foreign countries.
When farmers baling hay began to use twine in place of baling wire, someone asked Red if he could make a knife from a horseshoeing rasp, and that started Red’s life-long love of bladesmithing. He made knives for over 35 years.
Red was known for his readiness to share his knowledge and skills with others. He hosted the California Forging Clinic annually and also did forging demonstrations at the Knife Expo, the old BLADE Show West, BAKCA, and Reno ABS shows.
The late great purveyor J.W. Denton said the best-looking knives were shaped like sports cars, and the Microtech Socom Delta—the Blade Magazine 2012 American-Made Knife Of The Year®—is one J.W. would have loved to take around the block for a cut or two.
MICROTECH SOCOM DELTA
•Pattern: Single-action folder
•Blade steel: Powdered CPM S35VN stainless
•Blade length: 3.75”
•Handle material: G10/carbon fiber
•Closed length: 5.25”
•Weight: 4.2 ozs.
•Special stuff: Carbon-fiber handle has a titanium lockbar w/removable insert to hold the blade securely in place; ceramic bearing system provides smooth, fast action
•MSRP: $330
•Available: Now
   The Blade Magazine Knife-Of-The-Year® Awards are voted on each year at the BLADE Show (www.bladeshow.com) by the show’s exhibiting booth holders, plus a panel of five special judges, the latter whose votes count double. The 2013 BLADE Show will be held May 31-June 2, once again at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Georgia.
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=blss091712
Designed by Harold Moeller, the SpyderThrowers from Spyderco feature 8Cr13MoV stainless steel and carry in a three-tiered sheath.
Whether it’s blood relatives or your inner circle of friends, all of them need family gift knives. Here are 10 examples of some really sharp gifts you can give to those closest to you this holiday season.
Kitchen knives make good family gift knives for just about any adult who likes to work with food. The three-piece Kershaw-Emerson set includes a chef’s knife, paring knife and bread knife—three of the most used cutting tools in the eating area. Check this great gift out for an MRSP of only $44.99.
Tactical guru Ernest Emerson designed a new set of kitchen knives—outstanding family gift knives—for Kershaw.
Grandpa loves traditional pocketknives and the Case dark redbone trapper commemorative tin in the motif of
Grandpa will love the Case Duke knife that includes John Wayne’s signature on the blade and the Red River D shield.
the premier pilgrim of them all, John Wayne, will be sure to fit gramps’ pistol. The shield is the “Red River D,” the ranch brand used by Duke’s character of Tom Dunson in the western movie classic Red River.
With bans against switchblades being overturned nationwide, it might just be that your state has overturned its ban as well. Check with the American Knife & Tool Institute or Knife Rights to find out. If it has, just about anyone of a proper age in your family will love the out-the-front auto from Hogue.
Hogue’s out-the-front auto sports a tanto blade of CPM 154 stainless steel in a black PVD finish. MSRP: $369.95.
For the bush crafter in your family, check out the Bush Craft Ignite G-10 from Browning. It features a hollow-ground blade of 7Cr17MoV stainless steel and a carbide fire starter with a nylon lanyard that fits in a sheath pocket.
The Bush Craft Ignite G-10 from Browning includes a ribbed black G-10 handle, a partially serrated edge and a fire starter that fits in a sheath pocket. MSRP: $59.99.
Every family has one–the type who, in an emergency situation where extreme measures must be taken to save someone from a burning building or other disaster, is more than ready to do what needs doing. Such situations can call for breaching tools, and Camillus has such a model with its Crash Breaching Tool. The CBT features titanium stainless steel, full-tang construction, a pry bar and hammer head.
The Camillus Crash Breaching Tool is for the door knocker downer in your family. MSRP: $119.99.
Your family member who likes to sharpen his/her family gift knives or wants to be better at it will love Smith’s Sharpener and Knife Tool. It sharpens both plain and serrated edges and comes in a cool compact carry unit.
Who’s the Zombie fan or fans in your family? KA-BAR‘s Zombie Knives line has just the folder for him, her or them with the Kharon Tanto Folder in the company’s familiar Zombie green handle.
ESEE‘s Izula Gear Wallet Kit has a mini razor blade, kevlar cordage, signal mirror, non-metallic handcuff key, E&E plastic instruction cards, clear plastic survival nav card, fire starter, arrowhead, fish hooks, button compass and more.Knife, wrench, pliers, flashlight, screwdriver, comb, pen and more, the Stowaway Tool from Klecker enables you to load as many or as few of the items on one platform as you like.
No matter your family member’s need, the Klecker Stowaway Tool most likely has a tool for it. Knife, flashlight, screwdriver, pliers, scissors, tweezers, bottle opener, pen, fire starter, comb, wrench, seat belt cutter and straight razor, you have your choice of any of them–and you can install as many or few of them on the Stowaway Tool as you like.
Every family has someone who likes to throw stuff, so why not with family gift knives? Spyderco has a set designed especially for the purpose with its SpyderThrowers. They are designed by Canadian knifemaker/knife-throwing authority Harald Moeller.
Everyone needs a survival kit, and one in wallet form is especially handy. ESEE‘s Izula Gear Wallet Kit has everything a dyed-in-the-wool survivalist needs in a handy carry package 4.25×2.75 inches in size and weighing in at only 4 ounces.
The Kharon Tanto Folder in KA-BAR‘s Zombie Knives line has a 3.375-inch blade of AUS 8A stainless and a Zombie green synthetic handle. MSRP: $21.05.Sharpen those pesky serrated edges and more with Smith’s Sharpener and Knife Tool.
Long-time knifemaker Norman Bardsley of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, passed away yesterday.
Probably best known for his fantasy knives, Mr. Bardsley also made working knives. His patterns included fighters, boot knives, and renaissance and native American styles in upscale and presentation fashion. He used exotic hides for his sheaths.
Among others, Mr. Bardsley made knives for such actors as Geoffrey Lewis, known for his role as Clint Eastwood’s sidekick in Everyway Which Way But Loose, the leader of the trio that seeks revenge on the town of Lago in High Plains Drifter and other films.
A hot multi-tool with a selection of sharp blades in plain and serrated edges, assorted tools such as a spring-loaded pliers, flat-head and Phillips screwdrivers, a saw, scissors, can-opener and more—what else would you need to fend off an emergency repair job while on the road? The Gerber Suspension Multi-Tool has it all, plus one-hand opening and the company’s Saf.T.Plus locking system—all for our nifty price of $34.99.
