Long-time writer was a traveler, musician, outdoorsman and knife nut.

There was a bitter note to BLADE Show 2026. Reuben Bolieu passed away on June 7 in Livingston, New Jersey, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. A staple of BLADE Magazine over the past few years, his name should ring a bell with readers.

Born January 7, 1976, in West Covina, California, Reuben brought an authoritative voice to all his knife reviews, particularly when it came to bushcraft knives. His writing dropped blatant hints he was a well-traveled outdoorsman, with allusions to knife use from the wilds of South America to isolated corners of the Adirondacks. This love of backwoods adventure made him a fixture in both the knife and bushcrafting communities.

According to his brother, Leon Bolieu, Reuben fostered his love of the outdoors through their grandfather, Rudy Almanza—a Marine and Korean War veteran. Early childhood camping trips in the California mountains with his grandfather planted seeds for his deep reverence for nature and self-reliance. “The outdoors was the only place Reuben felt peace and could effectively cope with and be close to our grandfather. He would practice knife skills, knots, building fires, etc., constantly,” Leon wrote.

Many knew Reuben as a survival instructor and writer, but music was his first calling. The self-taught, ambidextrous drummer played in and led bands for Princess Cruise Lines, a career that unexpectedly shaped his development as an outdoorsman. Leon recalled, “I believe he had visited over 80 countries during that time. He became the band leader at times and that caused him great distress. He would unwind by going on hikes at the various ports and sit in nature.”

When COVID-19 shut down the cruise industry, Reuben turned to outdoor writing and made a profound impact. “Reuben was forthright in trying to help improve my website, photography, and even ensure proper punctuation in my email newsletters,” Tom Nugent of Knives By Nuge related. “A few months after talking with Reuben, I left my career as a police officer to fully focus on Knives By Nuge.

“Reuben was always there to lend an ear and share his wisdom. He would go above and beyond to help me with designs, introduce me to industry folks at shows, and be a steadfast friend when times got tough. Now my business is constantly growing and my fiancé is full-time. None of that would’ve been possible without Reuben by my side.”

Certainly, there are countless more stories like these about Reuben across the industries he touched. A curious traveler, gifted storyteller and exceptional listener, he leaves behind a legacy of steadfast friendship, mastery and a much too short life, but one fully lived.

Remembering Others The Knife Industry Has Lost:

• Betty Dowell, Driving Force Behind Knifemaker Ted Dowell, Passes
• B. R. Hughes, Pioneering Writer And Bladesmithing Teacher, Passes Away
• ABS Lose Two Long-Time Leaders In Passing Of Steve Dunn & Hanford Miller
• Bob Cargill Knifemaker, Company Founder And NKCA BOD President Passes