A trailer for a reboot of Crocodile Dundee caught our attention here at BLADE, especially because the teaser (the trailer for the trailer – sheesh!) featured the “that’s not a knife, this is a knife” line.
However, it now appears that admirers of movie knives fell for a brilliant piece of viral marketing to encourage tourism in Australia.
Industry sources have indicated the teaser – featuring US actor Danny McBride – is part of an advertising campaign for Tourism Australia, set to air during next month’s NFL Super Bowl.
If BLADE is going to fall for a hoax, especially a well-meaning one, this isn’t so bad.
Collector Waits 36 Years for Custom Knife
As published in The Jamestown Sun, Bernie Kuntz placed an order for a custom knife with legendary knifemaker Buster Warenski 36 years ago. After delays and setbacks, he eventually received something similar. A photo in one of the Knives annual books published by BLADE sealed the deal.
[Warenski] mailed a signed sketch that he had done on onion paper of the knife he suggested, and said the price would be $550. Gulp! In those days you could buy just about anyone’s work for $100 to $200. An exception might be Bob Loveless, the famous knife designer who was charging $300 to $350 for a hunter in those days.
Bill for Knives in Places of Worship Advances in Virginia
Introduced by Sen. Ben Chafin, SB 372 would end prohibitions on several types of knives in places of worship. From Knife Rights:
This bill is a reaction to the Texas church shooting last year and will allow citizens to carry effective weapons for self-defense.
Listen to Oral Arguments in NYC Gravity Knife Appeal
Earlier this month, Knife Rights presented oral arguments in its second appeal in its lawsuit against New York City. At issue is the lawfulness of NYC’s ban on “gravity knives,” which it defines as any knife that can open with a flick of the wrist.
A portrait of Rezin Pleasant. (public domain image)
Is This Jim Bowie’s Brother’s Knife?
A few times a year, a knife with a supposed James Bowie connection pops up, usually leading historians to raise a collective eyebrow. It’s the Elvis, or sasquatch, sighting of the knife world.
The latest entry can be found in Waco, Texas, where a bowie knife donated to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum bears the inscription, “R.P. Bowie to Capt. Wm. Y. Lacey,” per the Waco Tribune.
The “R.P.” could be the initials of Rezin Pleasant Bowie, older brother to James Bowie, who gave knives as gifts.
Johnson said it would not be unusual to find a forged inscription on a Bowie knife, but it seems unlikely that a forger would have chosen William Lacy as the recipient.
“There’s only about half a dozen historians who have heard of William Lacy,” he said.
That the knife’s previous owner didn’t seek money from the museum is no indication of authenticity. Neither is the circumstantial evidence supporting its origins. The truth could split either way.
By default, BLADE takes a skeptical view with these sorts of claims, and this case is no different.
Knife Rights reports that it’s working alongside legislators to move HB 924 forward in Mississippi. The bill, introduced by Rep. Gary Staples, would strike bowies, dirks, butcher knives and switchblades from statutes governing deadly weapons.
As an aside, it’s surprising that butcher knives would be restricted in, of all places, Mississippi.
Concealed Carry of Fixed Blades Proposed in Washington State
It’s not currently legal to carry a concealed blade longer than six inches in the state of Washington, but the could change. If signed into law, HB 2600 would decriminalize just that. Here’s more from Knife Rights.
This Knifemaker Learned from Autopsies
By Ralf Roletschek – Self-photographed, FAL, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29775777
It doesn’t take much to imagine where Dr. Stephen Pustilnik, of Houston, developed an appreciation for knives. He performs autopsies for a living. It’s only natural that he’d try his hand at knifemaking, too.
He is now working his way through a year-and-a-half-long waiting list of chefs, home cooks and pathologists willing to spend hundreds of dollars on knives that hold an edge and make clean work of anything from gnarly vegetables to sinewy flesh.
This line takes the cake:
Pustilnik, after spending years examining human bodies, speaks easily of the particular mechanics of the hands. He measures his customers’ palms and observes where the metacarpophalangeal joints—the hinges at the knuckles—rest on a knife handle.
You, too, can reach that level of expertise, if you put in enough corpse time.
The new rules prohibit assisted opening knives, automatics and any manual knife that can open by centrifugal force from entering Canada. The restriction doesn’t extend to the rest of Canada. It only impacts imports, as well as individuals or mail crossing into Canada.
As a result, knifemakers and knife companies not based in Canada can no longer offer most types of folding knives to Canadian customers. A more detailed summary is available from BLADEhere.
It isn’t only the knife world in the U.S. reaching out to these organizations.
“I have gotten about a hundred emails and calls from Canadians about this,” noted Doug Ritter, chairman of Knife Rights. “I have offered to help with advice and such based on our experience if they put together a Canadian organization, but I can’t do it for them. Way too much to do just here in the U.S. So, no time, lack of resources, and quite frankly, it wouldn’t be taken well for a U.S. organization to come try and fix Canadian law. Bad idea.”
Restrictions Severely Limit Options for Canadian Enthusiasts
Neil Ostroff, owner of True North Knives, and someone who relocated to the United States from Montreal, told BLADE in an e-mail that his options for Canadian customers are now limited.
“Vendors outside of Canada, like me, will no longer ship any knives to Canada other than slip joint, lockback or fixed blade knives,” Ostroff said in an e-mail. “Even the old trick of tightening the pivot down by the shipper so the knife barely opens until the pivot is released by the buyer will no longer work.”
That’s because of how much leeway the CBSA can now use.
“In the law they can now go so far as to open the knife halfway and then flick it open, making it inadmissible,” Ostroff said. “Example: Chris Reeve folders. These cannot be flicked or opened by centrifugal force, but if the officer opens it halfway and flicks it, then it can be determined illegal.
“So any examiner will be allowed, by law, to make any legal knife a prohibited weapon.”
Canadian Knifemakers Impacted, too
If it sounds like these rules could insulate Canadian knifemakers from competition, few are making that case.
Brian Tighe, an award-winning knifemaker from Ontario, Canada, expressed frustration with how his international work will be shut down.
“This will impact the knives I have designed with CRKT. They are now prohibited weapons and can’t be imported into Canada. Bass Pro, etc., can sell what stock they have, but they can’t reorder,” Tighe told BLADE in an e-mail.
“We can’t import [those knives] into Canada unless they were shipped in pieces and assembled in Canada,” Tighe said.
An Exception to the New Rules? Not Really
Holders of a specific type of Firearms Business Licence (FBL) are exempted from the new rules. In theory, a knifemaker or knife company could obtain such a license. However, that’s not the case for those who tried to do so.
“No one in Canada has [that type of FBL] except RCMP [Royal Canadian Mounted Police] and cops. I tried to get one and there was no way,” Tighe said.
Ostroff agreed. “To get a Firearms Business License in Canada is almost impossible and no knife store will be able to do it,” he said.
There was similar confusion about this license outside Canada, too.
“There does seem to be an out for importers, distributors and retailers, but I have no idea what is required to get a license to import ‘prohibited weapons,'” Ritter said.
Could Canada Repeat U.S. Success?
If this scenario sounds familiar, it’s because a similar situation came about nearly a decade ago in the U.S. That led to an amendment of the 1958 Federal Switchblade Act.
However, there isn’t a Canadian equivalent to organized knife advocacy in the U.S.
“Whether the knife community in Canada can rally the resources is yet to be seen. They may not have quite the same level of influential friends in Ottawa,” Ritter said. “And, they also need to find someone to lead the charge; no small thing itself. It takes a huge commitment of time and effort and the right attitude. We [Knife Rights, AKTI and the U.S. knife industry] spent a small fortune in 2009. It takes a fortune. They will need to raise a ton of money.”
Don’t bring knives that can open with one hand into Canada.
The Canada Border Services Agency (the equivalent to U.S. Customs and Border Protection) will ban knives capable of opening with one hand, per a recent announcement made on Jan. 10. The prohibition is in effect now.
The Exact Language of the Ban
Specifically, the restriction covers knives meeting these conditions, as specified here:
a knife has a blade that opens by centrifugal force, when the blade is released from the handle into the fully ejected and locked position with a simple and brisk outwardly flick of the wrist; and
it includes knives that require some preliminary or simultaneous minimal manipulation of either a flipper or other non-edged parts of the blade.
Applies to Most Folding Knives
This applies to flippers, assisted openers, automatics or any blade that doesn’t require two hands to open. Much sway is given to CBSA officers’ judgement. A cautious traveler to Canada may want to leave all folding knives at home.
This isn’t the first time the country banned a wide category of knives. The decision adds to Canada’s growing list of prohibited weapons, available here. That includes:
Bladed finger ring
Push daggers
Devices shorter than 30 cm containing a concealed blade; including canes, daggers and multitools
Belt buckle knives
Morning stars
Spiked wristbands
Big Changes for Canadian Collectors, International Tourists
Note that this doesn’t prohibit the exportation of these items, only the importation. This doesn’t spell the end of the Canadian knifemaking industry.
It does, however, mean the end of bringing a large category of knives into Canada. It’s likely this will especially impact Canada’s hunting and fishing tourism industries. Canadian knife collectors purchasing internationally will also be hit hard.
We actually were planning a 3-weeks adventure trip to Canada next summer. Now seriously reconsidering. 🙁
One Way Around It: An Exemption for FBL License Holders
There is one way around the prohibition. From the CBSA:
Importation by a business is permitted if a Firearms Business Licence has been presented with import – prohibited weapon, listed as a business activity on the licence.
Despite this workaround, obtaining an FBL may be challenging or out of reach for smaller knifemakers and companies. Individuals may also be unaware of or unable to meet this requirement, and will have their knives confiscated at the border.
U.S. Does Not Have a Similar Prohibition
Coincidentally, this is similar to what happened in the United States 10 years ago. U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized imported assisted openers at the border, claiming they violated the 1958 Federal Switchblade Act. The pushback led to an amendment exempting assisted openers and all manual folders capable of opening with one hand, signed into law in 2009 by President Barack Obama.
The #3EXP Mountain Man Express lever-lock pocketknife is one of Queen’s most recent models. The 3.75-inch blade is 1095 carbon steel. MSRP: $350.
Queen Cutlery Co. has been forced to cease all production and close its facility in Titusville, Pennsylvania, as of today, Jan. 10, according to a Queen press release.
Kenneth Daniels, chief executive officer and president of Queen, cited issues with cash flow as the cause of the cessation of the company’s knife production. He added that all Queen employees will be furloughed while the company goes through a period of reorganization.
The announcement posted on Queen’s website.
According to Queen’s Ryan Daniels, more information concerning Queen’s future will be released in February.
Queen made knives under the Schatt & Morgan and Schatt & Morgan Express lines, as well as the private label lines of Queen Classics, Schatt & Morgan Premier, Tuna Valley Cutlery Co., Cougar Creek Knives and Trestle Pine Knives.
Queen traces its roots back to the old New York Cutlery Co. (Schatt & Morgan), which moved from Gowanda, New York, to Titusville in 1902. The company incorporated as Schatt & Morgan Cutlery Co., Inc., and began cutlery production in January 1903. The Schatt & Morgan knives were made until 1931.
Then known as Queen City, Queen had a number of contracts with the government during World War II and also supplied other cutlery companies in their war effort. Queen City supplied product to the Jersey City Depot from May 1944 through October 1954. In addition, Queen City furnished knives for Williams Brothers Cutlery in California from Nov. 18, 1942, to December 1945.
In 1991, Queen started re-issuing the Schatt & Morgan knives, a Robeson Series in 1995, and a “File & Wire” series in 1998.
Kenneth Daniels bought Queen in 2012 and Queen had been specializing in a wide range of traditional pocketknives since then.
Will computers put knife sharpening services out of business?
Coming to a Knife Sharpener Near You: Artificial Intelligence
You’ve got to hand it to the robots when it comes to knife sharpening. Literally. Hand over your knife to an artificial intelligence for sharpening, human.
That’s what the future may hold, if the “Knife Robot” offers any hint. This video posted on Twitter lays it all out.
It doesn’t look like the company is ready for business yet, if at all. Its website URL, kniferobot.com, directs back to the Indiegogo page, and its social media handles haven’t been updated since early 2017.
Even if that means this device is dead in the water, don’t count out similar products. AI is popping up all over the place, and false starts are to be expected.
The First New Knifemaking Innovation in 200 Years?
Speaking of crowdfunding, a new knife company, Habitat Housewares, catching eyes on Kickstarter is promising a knifemaking innovation so revolutionary, it will change the world of knives forever. It’s the “first knife-making innovation in over 200 years,” as Tech.ly quoted the makers here.
Adam Ackerman, the name behind the operation, raised $319,000 to prime the pump for the latest incarnations of this ground-breaking knife.
Blade edge is extra-sharp and stays sharp 5 times longer than other knives
Edge is made with patented alloy, developed by Caltech and tested by NASA
Alloy is twice as strong as titanium
Our patent-pending process bonds the alloy to a stainless steel knife body
Each knife priced under $100, yet better than most professional knives costing hundreds of dollars
Let’s be clear about one thing: this is not the first new innovation in the last 200 years of knifemaking. That is objectively false, and that the line gets repeated throughout the marketing for these knives does not represent the pinnacle of insincerity, not transparency.
Yes, marketers make hyperbole a part of the business, because that’s just business, but to present such a statement as fact disrespects the scores of innovations knifemakers and knife companies contributed in the past few decades alone. Or were the Buck 110, the pocket clip and the assisted opener really that forgettable?
Knife Retailer Clarifies Knife Laws by State
Hobanco, a knife retailer, recently launched a new initiative to put knife laws across the country into plain English on its blog.
The company originally posted a knife laws page using AKTI links, but this appears to be an effort to help its customers even better understand the nuances. So far, the company put together summaries for Arizona, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Georgia, Illinois, Oregon, Colorado, Alabama, Texas, Ohio, California, Florida and Michigan.
It’s always encouraging when companies take the time to educate their customers about knives. Many companies and small makers offer information on steel types, designs, history, proper care and, of course, laws. And BLADE gives them a big thumbs up when they do.
If you read the headline, you already know the answer. Here it is anyway:
Great guesses! The correct answer is D. According to 2008 data by Doublebase Mediamark Research & Intelligence, of the nearly 36 million households that own an outdoor or pocket knife, 31.2% of the owners are women! https://t.co/1dXKEdUasE
Granted, that data is a decade old, but it offers some good insights into market conditions. If you’re curious about more knife demographics, check out Knife Rights here.
Knife Shows in January and February
Don’t forget about BLADE Show in Atlanta in early June! It’ll be bigger and better than ever. Click for info.
JAN. 5-6 HELSINKI, FINLAND
The 9th International Knife Show, Crowne Plaza Helsinki. For more visit helsinkiknifeshow.com
JAN. 19-21 LAS VEGAS, NV
Las Vegas Invitational Knifemakers Show in conjunction with the Antique Arms Show, Westgate Resort & Casino
Contact the show at POB 1074, Dept. BKG18, Murrieta, CA 92564 951-970-9669 [email protected]antiquearmsshow.com
JAN. 27 LAS VEGAS, NV
Tactical Knife Invitational Caesars Palace
Call 417-866-6688 or visit fiftyfiftyproductions.net (advanced registration only)
JAN. 27-28 ST. LOUIS, MO
Gateway Area Knife Club Cutlery Fair
Carpenters’ Hall Contact Steve 314-795-4262 [email protected]
FEB. 2-4 LAKELAND, FL
The 40th Annual Gator Cutlery Club Knife Show
Lakeland Center.
Call Dan Piergallini 813-754-3908 or 813-967-1471
FEB. 10 WYOMING, MI
West Michigan Edge Show
The K of C Hall
Call Mike 616-322-5846
FEB. 17 HONOLULU, HI
Hawaii Custom Knife & Tactical Show
Pomaikai Ballrooms at Dole Cannery
Contact JSM Cutlery LLC, Dept. BKG18, POB 1290, Aiea, HI 96701 872-356-2953 [email protected]
FEB. 17 LITTLE ROCK, AR
The Arkansas Knife Show
Statehouse Convention Center Call 870-279-7329 arknife.com
Make a Survival Knife with What’s in Your Garage
So says this article at SOFREP. The tutorial is as basic as it gets, excluding power tools or anything exotic to the typical household. Tensions with North Korea inspired the piece:
When you mention such a apocalyptic scenario to many people, the first thing they want to regale you with is a list of their firearms, ammunition stores, and food and water supply. That stuff all matters, and while I too maintain a laundry list of those sorts of things, many tend to forget about what I consider to be among the most important survival tools a man or woman could ever have: a good quality knife.
The full tutorial is available only to members on SOFREP, but the spoilers are littered throughout history. If you can shape something hard into something long, narrow, edged and portable, you can make a knife, just as people did since the dawn of time.
It cuts the grass and saves your assets. (This is a family-friendly website.)
If we’re talking about typical garage items, you might start with a lawnmower blade. Draw a pattern on the metal, then cut away the excess with a hacksaw. Sharpen the edge and form the point with a file. Buff out the spurs with sandpaper, then wrap the handle in paracord or bootlaces.
That’s about as basic as it gets, although I’m sure SOFREP puts its own spin on it, too.
Survival Beer Pairs Well With Survival Knife?
Dogfish Head, a brewery in Delaware, recently unveiled its new “survival beer” called, “The End of the Wort As We Know It.” The beverage is made with fruit and grains high in nutrients, as well as 9% alcohol by volume. But the kicker is what’s outside of the bottle.
To top it off, the $45 750ml bottle comes wrapped in a solar blanket with a limited edition Dogfish-branded Swiss Army knife.
Some might raise an eyebrow at the combo of knives and alcohol, but that’s beside the point. How are you supposed to survive the Apocalypse with only 750 mils of blues-chaser?
It’s New Knife Catalog Season
Now is when knife companies roll out their new catalogs. Head to your favorite companies’ website and download the PDF or order a print version (they’re free). BLADE will cover the latest and greatest here and in the print magazine, but you can get a jump on it now, too.
As published in The Jamestown Sun, Bernie Kuntz placed an order for a custom knife with legendary knifemaker Buster Warenski 36 years ago. After delays and setbacks, he eventually received something similar. A photo in one of the Knives annual books published by BLADE sealed the deal.
Introduced by Sen. Ben Chafin, SB 372 would end prohibitions on several types of knives in places of worship. From Knife Rights:
