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Indiana Senate Committee Votes Unanimously to Repeal Switchblade Ban

Steve Shackleford
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Indiana Senate’s Committee on Corrections, Criminal and Civil Matters unanimously passed Senate Bill SB06, a bill Knife Rights officials stated they requested and that was sponsored by Senators Jim Tomes and Johnny Nugent, and which would overturn the state’s antiquated, irrational ban on the possession of switchblades.

      This is just the first step in this effort, but the unanimous bipartisan vote bodes well for the bill’s future. If you live, work or travel in Indiana, please contact your Senator and ask them to support SB06 when it comes to the floor for a vote in the coming days. Locate your Senator, or the Senator who represents where you work or travel here: http://district.iga.in.gov/DistrictLookup/

      Knife Rights Director of Legislative Affairs Todd Rathner testified at the hearing that the antiquated bans were implemented in the 1950s in response to hysteria induced by movies like “Rebel Without A Cause.” The bans were not based on any type of public threat, increase in crime or other public policy decision.

     SB06 removes a provision that makes it a Class B misdemeanor for a person to manufacture, possess, display, offer, sell, lend, give away, or purchase any knife with a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, device containing gas, spring, or other device in the handle of the knife. Read the bill here: http://1.usa.gov/sffRrU 

 

     The preceding is courtesy of Knife Rights. For more information click on http://kniferights.org/

 

For more on the latest knives, knife legislation, knifemaking instruction, knife trends, knifemakers, what knives to buy and where and much more, subscribe to BLADE® Magazine, the World’s No. 1 Knife Publication. For subscription information click on http://www.shopblade.com/product/blade-magazine-one-year-subscripti…?r+ssfb110112#BL1SU

 

In Memoriam Of Grant Hawk: 1941-2023

Steve Shackleford
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In Memoriam Of Grant Hawk: 1941-2023

The award-winning knifemaker and designer passed at 82 after a life filled with adventure and craftsmanship.

Award-winning knifemaker and knife designer Grant Hawk of Hawk Knives passed away peacefully at his Idaho City, Idaho, residence on November 8. He was 82.

Born in Boise, Idaho, on Feb. 15, 1941, to Woodrow Allen “Kelly” Stroud and Dortha Bunce, Grant’s life was a remarkable journey of adventure, resilience and creativity. His early years were spent as a cowboy in Boise, where his connection with the outdoors and love for craftsmanship began. The 1960s saw Grant moving to California to make camper trailers, but he quickly became entangled in the revolutionary spirit of the era, leading to a brush with the law. This encounter prompted a pivotal decision in his life: to adopt a new identity and retreat to the Idaho mountains.

In his seclusion, living in a teepee, Grant’s interest in gold prospecting blossomed. This pursuit marked his gradual reintegration into society and laid the groundwork for his future endeavors. It was during this period of reflection and growth that he discovered his true calling in knifemaking.

Alongside his son, Gavin, Grant embarked on a remarkable journey in the world of craftsmanship. Together they forged a path in knifemaking, combining adventurous spirit with Grant’s innate skill and creativity. Their collaboration led to the creation of distinctive and innovative knife designs, earning acclaim in the knifemaking community.

His final accomplishment was completing his autobiography, which he delivered to the printer just two days before his passing. On the night of his death, he was in good spirits and feeling well, but unexpectedly fell ill and passed away gracefully within 15 minutes.

Grant’s life was a tapestry of diverse experiences, from cowboy to gold prospector, and finally to a revered knifemaker. His legacy lives on through his son Gavin and their shared creations, which continue to inspire and captivate knife enthusiasts around the world.

Grant’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptation and the pursuit of passion. His memory will be cherished by his family, friends, and all who knew him as a man who carved his path, much like the knives he so skillfully crafted.

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Knife World Mainstays Hughes, Klotzli and Rexroat Pass

BLADE Staff
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Knife World Mainstays Hughes, Klotzli and Rexroat Pass

Great friends to the knife community, Hughes, Klotzli and Rexroat leave a hole publishing, sales and knifemaking.

The knife community lost three great friends with the recent passing of Carolyn Ann Hughes, H.P. Klotzli and Kirk Rexroat, all three of whom were extremely well liked and well respected within the knife fraternity.

Widow of BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member B. R. Hughes, Carolyn served as editor of The ABS Journal, the official publication of the American Bladesmith Society, for many years. She won several ABS honors, including the Margaret Moran Silver Slipper Award. Inseparable at various ABS and other knife events, Carolyn and B. R. helped lead the Society for almost 60 years, as B. R. was one of the four original ABS founding members. He passed away September 17 and Carolyn joined him on February 22. She was 86.

For many years H.P. Klotzli was the headman of Klotzli Messerschmiede of Switzerland, a wholesaler/distributor of Spyderco, CRKT, M-Tech and Fallkniven knives, as well as hi-tech knives made in Switzerland, scissors and more. He took over the business from his parents in 1972 and ran it until 2019. He was among the first to use carbon fiber for factory knife handles, including on a linerlock folder based on a design by Cutlery Hall-of-Famer Michael Walker. H.P. worked on several other custom and factory collaborations as well.

An ABS master smith, Kirk E. Rexroat forged fixed blades and folders part time out of his shop in Banner, Wyoming. He made his first knife in 1981 and did his own engraving. His stag-handle/damascus Rendezvous Bowie was the cover knife for the May 1999 BLADE®. He also designed and built knife prototypes for Al Mar Knives, one of which, the Havana Clipper, was the BLADE Magazine 1998 Most Innovative Imported Design. He passed away February 27 at the age of 67.

More About Custom Knives:

Knife Industry Wishes & Predictions: What the New Year Holds for 2026

Steve Shackleford
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Knife Industry Wishes & Predictions: What the New Year Holds for 2026

Christmas and New Year’s are nigh, so it’s time for my holiday wishes and hoped-for predictions for 2026. Some are pie-in-the-sky, but what the heck—make mine pecan.

  • You teach a young person how to use a knife proficiently, safely and responsibly;
  • Every time a Hallmark Christmas movie comes on the power goes out;
  • The Federal Switchblade Act is overturned;
  • Every time Jingle Bells by The Singing Dogs plays the power won’t go out;
  • The U.S. states—28 at press time—that still have automatic knife bans repeal them;
  • It’s a white Christmas;
  • If you’ve never been to a BLADE Show, you get to attend the 45th annual rendition June 5-7 in Atlanta;
  • All Christmas cookies taste exactly like the best homemade chocolate chip cookie Mom ever made;
  • You buy a seatbelt cutter with a window breaker and place it in your car or truck for the quickest, easiest access in an emergency;
  • A law passes mandating that all members of Congress go without pay, on-time plane flights, etc., during government shutdowns just like every other applicable person must;
  • You always remember to carry a knife;
  • A law passes mandating that members of Congress cannot play the stock market, and that their family members, friends, proxies, etc., who do play it have their stock profits capped at the national consumer average;
  • Everyone learns how to properly use and sharpen a knife;
  • You discover an uncut, commercial-free version of your favorite Christmas movie and get the maximum enjoyment out of watching it;
  • Twenty-twenty-six is the hottest year on record for custom and factory knife sales;
  • A law passes mandating that before running for office, all candidates must score 90 or better on a test gauging their knowledge of the Constitution;
  • You finally get to meet and shake the hand of a knifemaker you’ve always wanted to but never met before;
  • Vladimir Putin gets run over by a reindeer;
  • The TSA allows Swiss Army knives on plane flights;
  • If it’s all you want, you get those two front teeth;
  • For knifemaking beginners, you make a knife that attracts buyers and sells for a value-appropriate price;
  • A law passes mandating that you must have lived at least 21 years in the USA before you can run for elected office;
  • You don’t put your or anyone else’s eye out with a Daisy Red Ryder BB gun;
  • You find and buy your grail knife;
  • The 190th anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo (March 6) is celebrated in grand style;
  • The American Bladesmith Society’s 50th anniversary in 2026 is a most rewarding one for all involved;
  • The observance of the 25th anniversary of 9/11 in New York City in September goes off most appropriately and without suppression/oppression from the city’s mayor;
  • The 250th birthday of the USA is the most rousing and satisfying of all time for all Americans, and;
  • Last but not least, you have the merriest Christmas and happiest New Year ever!

Knife Reviews:

2024 Knife Trends: Watchwords For The Coming Year

Steve Shackleford
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2024 Knife Trends: Watchwords For The Coming Year

Chris Quinn of GP Knives is familiar with the ebb and flow of trends and styles in the knife industry and advises to approach the ’24 market with an appreciation of that ongoing phenomenon.

“The knife industry is quite the rollercoaster,” he related, “and what could be popular in the future is anybody’s guess and depends on a lot of things, but mostly the economy at the time. We are a disposable income industry. Over the past year, as inflation and interest rates continued to rise, our industry has had a noticeable slowdown. That said, items that continue to sell well are either hard to get, limited production and exclusive, or a good deal. I don’t see that changing anytime soon.”

Economical & Political Tides

Considering the economic influences and the fact that knife prices naturally rise in step with costs related to materials, production time, scarcity and maker branding, then keeping a keen eye on value is a watchword for the new year.

“2024 is an election year,” Quinn commented. “They are always tricky to navigate. Who’s next in office has a direct effect on the shooting and cutlery industries.”

With this influence, he looks forward to a couple of developing style aspects in the next year.

“The more fidgety the better,” he smiled. “A large percentage of knives aren’t used for more than fidget toys these days, or at least they need to function that way to impress the end user. Popular fidgety locks like Demko’s Shark Lock or WE Knife/CIVIVI’s SuperLock or Pro-Tech’s button lock are all the rage. The smoother and faster the opening and closing a folder can be the better. Traditional folders are hanging in there, but EDC is king. Also, the automatic category continues to grow as we see more and more states loosening their laws on ownership and carry.”

Summarizing, Quinn related, “I don’t have much in the way of predicting styles of knives and don’t see longstanding industry leaders lowering their prices soon, but I do see smaller makers getting more competitive to take the space the giants have abandoned.”

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UltiClip’s Ryan Thompson Passes Suddenly

BLADE Staff
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UltiClip’s Ryan Thompson Passes Suddenly

UltiClip’s sales and marketing specialist provided a friendly face to the cutting-edge brand.

Ryan Allen Thompson of UltiClip passed away suddenly from a heart attack on July 7. He was 46.

Thompson’s specialty was sales and marketing at UltiClip, a maker, distributor and retailer of an award-winning range of assorted synthetic clips and accessories for sheaths and holsters based in Chicago. UltiClip makes items in the USA that focus “on providing ease of carry, concealment, retention and versatility in one product.”

In June the company’s APH spring steel clip was named the BLADE Magazine 2025 Accessory of the Year. UltiClip also won the Accessory of the Year in 2021 for the UltiLink rapid-attachment, modular linking system.

Ryan made many friends in the knife industry, and his death came as a shock to those who knew him. He is survived by Chastity, his wife of 21 years, and their three children: Isaiah River, Anna Rose and Joshua Rainn.

Remembering Others The Knife Industry Has Lost:

Remembering Tim Britton: Rest Easy Marine

Steve Shackleford
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Remembering Tim Britton: Rest Easy Marine

The knife community lost one of its last members from the golden era of knifemaking with the passing of George Miller “Tim” Britton, who died after a short illness on December 9. He was 85.

A veteran (1959-65) of the United States Marine Corps and known as North Carolina’s first professional knifemaker, Tim began fashioning knives in 1971. Early on he specialized in small personal and fancy boot-type knives and assorted fixed blades and wound up his career making all manner of classic slip joints.

He appeared in early ’70s issues of The American Blade and later in BLADE®. He learned about knives and how to make them from Jim Mustin of Cajun Knives and BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® members Frank Centofante and Blackie Collins. Other influencers were Tim’s knifemaking contemporaries such as Cutlery Hall-of-Famers Ted Dowell, Jimmy Lile and Bob Loveless and well-known makers Rod Chappel and Bob Dozier. Tim was an admirer of Chappel’s handles and those of Bill Luckett, too.

Britton’s career spanned the early days of O1, 440C and D2 for blade steels to today’s CPM grades.

Tim specialized in classic slip joints, this one in BG42 stainless steel, Fiji fire pearl and 24k-gold inlay. Closed length: 3.25 inches. (Eric Eggly/PointSeven knife image)
Tim specialized in classic slip joints, this one in BG42 stainless steel, Fiji fire pearl and 24k-gold inlay. Closed length: 3.25 inches. (Eric Eggly/PointSeven knife image)

“I started with O1 in 1972 and Blackie Collins talked me into 440C,” he once told BLADE. “Peer pressure … Ted Dowell, Frank Centofante, Jimmy Lile and Bob Dozier had settled on D2. [Today’s steel] leaves them all in the dust.”

No matter the steel, its proper heat treatment and also edge geometry, not to mention comfortable handles, were of critical importance to Tim.

“Buying a knife from a reputable maker should be simple,” he once observed. “My questions would be steel type, Rockwell hardness and what kinds of tools the maker has in his shop. I’m a dinosaur.”

A colorful character known for speaking his mind, he spent time as a member of The Knifemakers’ Guild and the ABS.

“Forging is a macho trip,” he once stated. “I fancy myself a smithy in times past.”

He understood well the importance of effective marketing, regularly running one-third page color ads in BLADE, and he demanded the most in return from them. He also loved the BLADE Show and was a regular exhibitor along with Deb, his wife of 26 years.

Rest easy, Marine, and semper fi.

Remembering Others The Knife Industry Has Lost:

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