Knife News Wire Archives

Ivory Ban Proponents Feel The Heat

Steve Shackleford

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August 20, 2014

Ivory ban proponents are feeling the heat from those who would protect their right to own and sell legal ivory on both the federal and state levels.

If recent developments are indicative, the actions of those fighting to protect their right to sell their legal ivory are having the desired effect.

However, much work remains to be done.

According to Rob Mitchell of the Elephant Protection Association, ivory ban proponents have been scrambling to torpedo pending Congressional bills that would stop a nationwide ivory ban. “In the past few weeks, the Wildlife Conservation Society [WCS] has e-mailed its members praising the the New Jersey ivory ban while soliciting contributions to fight back the bills pending in Congress to stop a federal domestic ivory ban,” Mitchell writes.

New Jersey’s ban is especially heinous as it bans not only elephant ivory but fossil ivories as well. Like New Jersey, New York has instituted a state ivory ban that exceeds the restrictions recommended by U.S. Fish and Wildlife.

According to Mitchell, John Calvelli of the WCS said, “I can’t overstate what a threat this is. These bills could be attached to any larger piece of legislation and swiftly passed at any time.” Meanwhile, the WCS is calling on its members to urge their lawmakers to halt any and all efforts to stop ivory bans on both the federal and state levels.

Mitchell indicated the WCS is disseminating false stories to trigger public hysteria about the possibility of elephant extinction in attempts to snuff out rational discourse on how to both protect elephants and Americans’ right to sell their legal ivory. He added that the WCS is “an organization with over $210 million in annual revenue and over $750 million in assets” that “continues to lead the publicity campaign drawing misleading relationships between legal ivory in the United States and poaching in Africa.”

For information on how you can help protect both the elephant and the rights of Americans to sell their legal ivory, visit elephantprotection.org.

The latest issue of BLADE is on newsstands now! — The BLADE Magazine 2014 Knives Of The Year® highlight the new BLADE®, on newsstands now!

Stay abreast of the latest developments on this and many more knife rights issues with a subscription to BLADE.

Knives Of The Year in New BLADE

Steve Shackleford

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August 12, 2014

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BLADE MAGAZINE 2014 OVERALL KNIFE OF THE YEAR@ went to the CRKT HI JINX. This flipper folder, designed by Ken Onion, sports a 3.320" blade made of Bohler-Uddeholm Sleipner. Made in a limited edition of 525 in Italy, the knife is already sold out and no more will be made. It had an MSRP of $500. — BLADE MAGAZINE 2014 OVERALL KNIFE OF THE YEAR@ went to the CRKT HI JINX. This flipper folder, designed by Ken Onion, sports a 3.320″ blade made of Bohler-Uddeholm Sleipner. Made in a limited edition of 525 in Italy, the knife is already sold out and no more will be made. It had an MSRP of $500.

The BLADE Magazine 2014 Knives Of The Year®, the top knives of the BLADE Show, the latest inductee into the BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall Of Fame© and much more highlight the new BLADE®, on newsstands NOW!

Gracing this issue’s cover is the Rat Worx MRX, winner of the first-ever BLADE Magazine People’s Choice Award, voted on by visitors to the BLADE website, blademag.com.

Other top Knife-Of-The-Year winners named at the 2014 BLADE Show include the CRKT/Ken Onion Hi Jinx, Kershaw’s Kershaw/Emerson CQC-7K, Shun Dual Core Kiritsuke and the Zero Tolerance/Rick Hinderer 0562, Spartan Blades’ Les George V1-14 Dagger and Les Halpern Nymph and others.

The BLADE Show was one of the most successful in recent memory and, in addition to the Knives Of The Year, also featured the winners of the custom knife judging competition, the introductions of many new factory knives, the first-ever induction of a woman—Goldie Russell—into the Cutlery Hall Of Fame and much more.

In the custom knife judging, the Tembo Bowie by Russ Andrews, David Lisch, Mike Quesenberry, Steven Rapp, Jim Small and Jane Tukarski took home both Best Of Show and Best Collaboration, and was auctioned off to raise money for the Elephant Protection Association.

Other knifemaker winners included Mike Williams, Stephanie Lemelin, Brian Nadeau, John White, Joe Szilaski, RJ Martin and more.

And among the factory knives that debuted at the show were the “Battlechef” from Olamic Cutlery, the Emerson Knives, Inc. “Vindicator,” the Chris Reeve Knives “Impofu,” the Winkler Knives “Operator” and many more.

In one of the more popular inductions ever, Goldie Russell entered the Cutlery Hall Of Fame for her many contributions to the knife industry, including her pivotal role as president of the American Knife & Tool Institute when it helped defeat a U.S. Customs proposal that would have defined all one-hand knives as switchblades/autos, thus making them illegal nationwide.

These stories and many more are all awaiting your perusal in the latest issue of BLADE.

Ivory Ban Targets Possession & Ancient Varieties

Steve Shackleford

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August 7, 2014

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New Jersey targets fossil ivory. (SharpByCoop.com image) — Draconian New Jersey ivory ban includes the ancient ivory of animals that have been extinct for millennia. (SharpByCoop.com image)

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed the nation’s most draconian ivory ban into law yesterday, one that targets not only elephant ivory but also the ancient ivory of animals extinct for over 10,000 years!

The ban also contains wording that appears to make it possible for the mere possession of any ivory to be an offense punishable by law.

According to Knife Rights, the measure bans the “import, sale, purchase, barter or possession with intent to sell” ivory from any species, including ancient ivory from mastodons and mammals, with no exceptions whatsoever.

The part of the measure that reads “possession with intent to sell” is especially disturbing as those with any experience with the law know that such language is open to any number of interpretations by law enforcement and prosecutors.

In other words, the language of this ban could make mere possession of ivory an illegal act. At the very least, it could make those wrongfully charged with possession with intent to sell have to spend the money and time to hire a lawyer, miss time from work, etc., that fighting such a charge can require.

Of course, as has been noted elsewhere, the banning of ancient ivory—that is, of animals that have long been extinct—flies in the face of the purpose behind other such bans. The stated purpose of those bans is to save living animals. A ban against extinct animals can have no effect on those animals because they have been dead for millennia. Of course, some may argue that ancient ivory may be mistaken for elephant ivory and thus should be banned, but that is a specious argument because there are scientifically proven ways of telling ancient ivory from elephant ivory.

The ban will go into effect in six months, during which time those in the Garden State who own ivory items must sell them or face fines of $1,000 on the first offense and $5,000 on the second.

For more information on how you can help fight draconian ivory bans and, at the same time, help save the elephant, visit elephantprotection.org.

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

Ivory Protection Act Gains Support, Needs More

Steve Shackleford

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August 5, 2014

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Ivory Protection Act Gains Support, Needs More

The Lawful Ivory Protection Act (HR 5052) is gaining bipartisan support in the House of Representatives but needs your help to protect the legal ivory items and investments of honest American citizens everywhere.

Imagine buying an iconic Bob Loveless ivory handle knife made decades ago for $10,000—in many cases, such a knife goes for much more—and not being able to resell it for your child’s college tuition, your retirement or what have you. That’s just an example of what the current federal initiative to ban ivory would do, unless it is stopped via the Lawful Ivory Protection Act.

According to the Elephant Protection Association, the act now has the support of 20 members of the House, including 15 Republicans and five Democrats. They include: Rep. Jeff Miller (FL); Rep. Nick Rahall (WV); Rep. Kenny Marchant (TX); Rep. Collin Peterson (MN); Rep. Michael C. Burgess (TX); Rep. Bob Gibbs (OH); Rep. Matt Salmon (AZ); Rep. John Barrow (GA); Rep. Alan Nunnelee (MS); Rep. Vance McAllister (LA); Rep. Jim Matheson (UT); Rep. Michael Simpson (ID); Rep. Lamar Smith (TX); Rep. Thomas Rooney (FL); Rep. Richard Hudson (NC); Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL); Rep. Paul Broun (GA); Rep. Pete Gallego (TX); Rep. Sam Johnson (TX); and Rep. Pete Sessions (TX).

If you don’t see your representatives on the above list, call/contact them. One way to help persuade them to co-sponsor the Lawful Protection Ivory Act is to send them a “Dear Colleague Letter,” an example of which is at http://elephantprotection.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dda9c7b47b985ac6242f68cd0&id=8be4608dca&e=37f8db1ffe It provides the contact info your representative needs to co-sponsor the bill. Send it to your representative and ask him/her to be a co-sponsor. Also, with many representatives taking a summer break, now is a great time to visit their offices to ask for their support.

Also, ask whichever collector or business association to which you belong to post a statement on its website supporting the Lawful Ivory Protection Act/HR 5052 and the related Senate bill, S.2587. If they do, contact Rob Mitchell of the Elephant Protection Association so he can share that support information with the co-sponsors so they can in turn share it with their colleagues.

To find out the names of your representatives, visit http://www.opencongress.org/people/zipcodelookup

Lawful Ivory Protection Act Needs Your Help!

Steve Shackleford

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July 21, 2014

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Will you help stop domestic ivory ban? — The Lawful Ivory Protection Act designed to save the elephant and stop the domestic ivory ban is off to a good start but still needs your support. (Bill Simmermacher photo)

Designed to both protect African elephants and stop making criminals of innocent citizens who sell legal ivory, the Lawful Ivory Protection Act is making headway in both the House and Senate and needs your help—especially in the Senate.

“The House Interior Appropriations bill that will essentially not allow funds—your tax dollars and mine—to be used to enforce the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service changes to the ivory laws has passed the first hurdle,” noted Sandra Brady, scrimshander and member of the Elephant Protection Association. “It made it through Appropriations and is now on to the full House for a vote.” It is unknown when that vote will be.

“Next, H.R. 5052 is getting increased support but the Senate bill, S. 2587, isn’t, so call your senators!” Brady emphasized.

Both bills have the official name of the Lawful Ivory Protection Act of 2014 and are in dire need of your support. Please contact your elected officials on the federal level and urge them to support these bills, both of which are designed to protect elephants and prevent legal ivory from being banned from sale domestically.

“It is critical that you call your senators and representatives and ask them to co-sponsor S. 2587 and H.R. 5052,” stressed Rob Mitchell of the Elephant Protection Association. “Getting your legislators to so-sponsor these bills accomplishes two goals: It brings these bills closer to a vote in their respective chambers, and it shows support for the Appropriations measure that ultimately needs to pass both the House and the Senate. If you want to save elephants and stop the domestic ivory ban, this is the most effective way to do it.

“Our goal is to get as many co-sponsors as possible before Congress breaks for August.”

For more information on how you can help, contact elephantprotection.org.

For the latest in knives and knife news, stay sharp at blademag.com.

World’s Hottest Knives Highlight New BLADE®!

Steve Shackleford

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July 15, 2014

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World’s Hottest Knives Highlight New BLADE®!

The world’s hottest knives, top everyday carry knives under $75 and knives in a rainbow of handle colors highlight the new BLADE®, on newsstands now!

Such internationally renowned knifemakers as Lee Williams, Allen Elishewitz, Jens Anso, Bob Terzuola, Kirby Lambert, Tom Mayo, RJ Martin and Peter Rassenti—whose “Large Nirvana” folder graces the cover—and many more, along with their knives most in demand, are among those identified among the world’s hottest on pages 20-27 of the new issue.

What knife are you carrying today? If you’re looking for an everyday carry knife under $75, James Morgan Ayres tests four of the latest models on pages 30-35. See if one of these EDCs fits your hand and pocketbook.

Everything in color seems to be a common theme for many of today’s hottest products, and factory knives are joining the party. Check out the latest members of the cutlery color coalition on pages 42-45.

In case you haven’t noticed, the schools’ draconian zero tolerance policies concerning knife carry are unduly oppressive and penal—and are ruining the lives of many innocent kids. Get the latest on this national disgrace on pages 12-16.

Bushcraft knives are today’s equivalent of the survival knife and it’s nice to know what to look for in one and how to use it. Get primed on the Scandinavian grind and more on pages 82-85.

The late Bob Lum is credited with making the first American tanto and Cold Steel further popularized the pattern with its mass production of the Cold Steel Tanto, but did you know the blade pattern itself dates back to the 4th century? Get the complete scoop on pages 74-78.

Also in this issue: an update on the federal ivory ban, a test of two tomahawks by retired 5th Special Forces MSG Kim Breed, a profile of knifemaking supplier Tru-Grit, the continuing saga of Plaza Cutlery and its 40th anniversary as a knife retailer and much more, all in the October BLADE.

Ivory Ban Worsens Plight Of The Poor

Steve Shackleford

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July 15, 2014

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U.S. ivory ban targets the poor. — The U.S. ivory ban not only unjustly targets legal ivory knives but hampers the legal ivory trade on which many poor Zimbabweans depend.

Wildlife administrators in Zimbabwe are asking the U.S. government to lift the ban on ivory imports from the southern African nation immediately due to concerns over how it is worsening the plight of poor Zimbabweans and also other animal species.

Elephant hunting contributes more than $14 million a year to Zimbabwe’s economy, and “not less than 55 percent” of the income from sport hunting goes directly to the poor, rural communities where wildlife is often the only source of income, according to information Zimbabwe’s wildlife administrators supplied to the Department of Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.

The U.S. banned imports of ivory from Zimbabwe and Tanzania, among others, in February over misguided concerns surrounding the preservation of elephant populations. Meanwhile, according to Zimbabwe’s wildlife administrators, the country’s 97,500 elephants destroy food supplies needed for other species. Combined with the adverse affect on Zimbabwe’s poor, the U.S. ivory ban has disastrous implications for the southern African nation.

For more, visit http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-07-14/zimbabwe-wants-u-s-to-lift-ivory-import-ban-immediately.html

For information on how you can fight the U.S. ivory ban and at the same time help save the elephant, join the Elephant Protection Association. For more, visit elephantprotection.org.

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Ivory Ban Proponents Feel The Heat

Ivory ban proponents are feeling the heat from those who would protect their right to own and sell legal ivory on both the federal and state levels.

Knives Of The Year in New BLADE

The BLADE Magazine 2014 Knives Of The Year®, the top knives of the BLADE Show, the latest inductee into the BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall Of Fame© and much more highlight the new BLADE®, on newsstands NOW!

Ivory Ban Targets Possession & Ancient Varieties

Ivory Protection Act Gains Support, Needs More

Lawful Ivory Protection Act Needs Your Help!

World’s Hottest Knives Highlight New BLADE®!

Ivory Ban Worsens Plight Of The Poor

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