New BLADE® Hits Newsstands Today!

Get the new BLADE, on newsstands today.
The new BLADE® is on newsstands now!

The new BLADE® is on newsstands now! Get the latest on knives for Veterans Day, the coolest factory assisted-opening knives, knife tests, knifemaker profiles and much more with newest edition of the World’s No. 1 Knife Publication.

Sporting the Condor Tool & Knife (CTK) Tactical Rescue Tomahawk (TRT) on the cover—the first time ever that an edged tool from CTK has appeared on the cover of BLADE®—the latest issue includes the TRT among four hawks tested by writer James Ayres.

It was almost 10 years ago this month that knifemaker Rob Simonich was killed in a vehicle accident. Join Dexter Ewing as he interviews those who knew and loved Rob—including Mrs. Christine Simonich, knifemaker Jerry Hossom, Mike Fuller of TOPS Knives, knifemaker Tom Mayo and others. Those who remember Rob will relish the story, and those who don’t get the chance to acquaint themselves with a man who touched the lives of many—and continues to to this day.

We often get letters from readers who want more on sheaths, and this issue ABS master smith Ed Fowler begins a multi-part story on how he makes the sheaths for his knives. Known far and wide for his sheep-handle knives with 52100 blades, Ed also makes one of the best pouch sheaths going. He shows you how he does it in part one of “Sheath How-To Step-By-Step.”

Part two of the story on the top makers in the 40 years of BLADE® focuses on the cream of the cutlery crop from 1989-2000. It was yet another golden age of knifemaking. Check out the top makers over that span as identified by our panel of edged experts. Tell us who we left out—because it’s impossible to do such a list and not leave someone out.

There’s much more in the issue—but the best way we know to tell you about it is to tell you to go get the latest issue on newsstands. Or, if you want it faster, subscribe to BLADE® digitally by visiting http://www.shopblade.com/blade-1-yr-digital-subscription

 

Notorious Knife Prosecutor Allegedly Turned Blind Eye to Weinstein Accusations

Cyrus Vance, Jr., Allegedly Turned Blind Eye to Weinstein Accusations

Cyrus Vance junior
Cyrus Vance, Jr. (Image via manhattanda.org)

The Manhattan district attorney notorious for his “gravity knife” prosecutions, Cyrus Vance, Jr., is now being investigated for apparently turning a blind eye to a 2015 sexual assault allegation against disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein.

From The New York Times:

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo directed the state attorney general on Monday to review how the Manhattan district attorney, Cyrus R. Vance Jr., handled a 2015 sexual assault allegation against the movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.

Mr. Vance decided not to prosecute Mr. Weinstein even though his accuser, an Italian model, had provided police officers with a recording of Mr. Weinstein apologizing when she asked him why he had groped her breasts the day before.

Mr. Vance said at the time that there was insufficient evidence, a defense he repeated last year after an outpouring of accusations against Mr. Weinstein reopened scrutiny of the decision, and also cast light on Mr. Vance’s acceptance of campaign donations from Mr. Weinstein’s lawyers.

Vance is a champion of New York’s “gravity knife” ban, which has incarcerated thousands for merely carrying a knife that can open with a flick of the wrist and disproportionately targeted minority groups.

Read the full article here.

Here’s more about the New York law in question:


Teen Supports Wanderlust with Knifemaking

It’s admirable to see a 19 year old take an interest in knifemaking, especially in a creative way that indulges wanderlust while also honing a craft. 

From the San Francisco Chronicle:

Noel decided he didn’t want to go to college just yet. He also knew he couldn’t move down to San Francisco and pay rent on both an apartment and a steel-working shop. “I decided I could make my shop inside a trailer,” he says. “Then I wouldn’t have to pay rent, and I could go anywhere and make knives.”

These days he drives up and down the state: to Malibu and Santa Barbara for craft shows, staying afterward to surf, or up to the Sierra, where he can ski in his off hours. Sometimes he sets up his outdoor workshop by the side of the road, opening up the trailer to turn on the propane forge and set up his belt grinder, which runs on generator power.

One wonders, though, what retirement will look like when the getting is this good at 19. Read the full article here.


Video: Make a Knife From an Artillery Shell

The videos explaining how to make knives out of [crazy thing] sure are entertaining, and they reveal where a mastery of knifemaking basics can take you. Here’s one featuring an 88mm artillery shell.


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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.

    More About Custom Knives:

    Knife Industry Opportunity: Steel Will Knives Seeks Sales Representation

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    Steel Will Bruiser Knife
    Steel Will Bruiser Knife

    New York, NY- STEEL WILL KNIVES, a premium knife manufacturer, fuses the finest steel with extremely practical and innovative designs, producing the highest standards of quality by using the most modern methods of production. STEEL WILL Knives currently has three distinctive lines, Tactical, Outdoor and Urban, creating over 25 quality cutting tools.

    STEEL WILL’s mission is to become the world’s best-selected knife producer and provide the upmost experience of class and style while doing so. They are pursuing a sales representation group that will share the same goal when representing STEEL WILL’s complete line of premium knives. This innovative and professional company has a dignified family of knives that consists of exquisite, premium, and classic materials with many more knives in the development stages.

    A company representative of STEEL WILL will be attending the NASGW Show in Little Rock, Arkansas in October and would prefer to schedule interview meetings for the show. If your sales agency is interested and would like to learn more or schedule an appointment for NASGW, please e-mail Boris Shekhman at [email protected].

    Claim Gray’s Knife Illegal Appears False

    CRKT assisted opener
    An arresting officer claims Freddie Gray’s assisted-opening knife was illegal but state and city law say otherwise. The CRKT Mini My Tighe is an assisted opener.

    A claim by one of the Baltimore police officers who arrested Freddie Gray that Gray was arrested because he was carrying an illegal knife appears to be baseless, according to interpretations of Maryland and Baltimore knife laws provided by Knife Rights.

    Gray died while in police custody and his death prompted the recent Baltimore riots. The six arresting officers are on trial for his death on an array of charges, including that they unlawfully arrested Gray. However, one of the officers, Edward Nero, said the arrest was lawful because Gray was carrying an illegal knife.

    Court documents state the knife was a “spring-assisted, one-hand-operated knife,” otherwise known as an assisted opener. In an assisted opener, the blade must be opened part way manually before the spring assist engages and opens the blade the rest of the way.

    Marc Zayon, Nero’s attorney, argued in a motion filed Monday that Gray’s knife is illegal under state law. He said Maryland law defines a knife as unlawful if it opens automatically by pushing a button, spring or other device in the handle—in other words, an automatic, aka a switchblade. However, according to Knife Rights, while Maryland law prohibits concealed carry of switchblades, open carry and possession are not illegal. Court documents indicate the knife was visibly clipped to Gray’s pocket, so the knife was not concealed. Nonetheless, even if the knife was concealed, it is an assisted opener, not a switchblade.

    According to Knife Rights, Baltimore’s city code bans the sale, carry or possession of “any knife with an automatic spring or other device for opening and/or closing the blade, commonly known as a switch-blade knife.” To include an assisted opener under this part of the city’s code would “conflict with virtually all other switchblade definitions throughout the country,” Knife Rights noted.


    The latest issue of BLADE is on newsstands now!Recommended:

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

    Knife Rights Offers Knife Law App

    Now you can download an app that includes knife laws for all 50 states on your iPad, iPhone or other handheld or personal devices. Knife Rights announces the LegalBlade™ App that includes Knife Laws In America™. LegalBlade provides guidance at your fingertips to the knife laws of all 50 states, as well as some cities and local jurisdictions across the United States.

    Knife Rights Founder and Chairman Doug Ritter said, “While Knife Rights will continue to aggressively work to repeal bad knife laws, knowledge of the law is the first step in avoiding an unfortunate arrest, loss of your knife or other legal complications. Knife Rights’ LegalBlade app was originally conceived back when I saw the first iPhone in 2007, shortly after Knife Rights was organized. I am pleased that we can finally offer knife owners a comprehensive, up-to-date and readily accessible compendium of knife laws that’s been sorely needed.

    Features of the LegalBlade app:

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    • Includes the knife laws of all 50 states and the District of Columbia, plus cities
    • Results presented incorporate judicial decisions that affect how the law is actually enforced
    • Easy to understand, color-coded tables
    • Comprehensive information on the legality of Possession, Open Carry and Concealed Carry for all common knife types, including those most often restricted
    • Includes length restrictions, age restrictions and other restrictions in the law
    • Includes the text of the state law, plus applicable portions of court decisions that further define what is legal and what is not
    • “What To Do If Stopped or Arrested,” by Evan Nappen, noted knife law expert and attorney, provides clear, concise information to protect your rights if you are ever stopped for carrying a knife or arrested for a knife law violation
    • All legal data is maintained on the server for instant law updates and the addition of more cities going forward

    All data is maintained on the server to ensure users always have the most current information that is available to Knife Rights. As more cities are added to the database, they automatically become available to the LegalBlade App.

    The LegalBlade™ App is available now in the Google Play Store.

    It is expected to be available in the Apple App Store within two weeks; it is currently awaiting App Store approval. For more on knives and knife rights, click here.

     

    Deadline Today for Knife Preemption Law for GA, BLADE Show

    If you travel through Georgia to the BLADE Show (www.bladeshow.com), the Knife Law Preemption bill that will be voted on by the Georgia House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee TODAY needs your help! Richard Rogers won Best Folder at the 2011 BLADE Show for his three-blade sowbelly in rainbow mother-of-pearl.

     

    The Georgia House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee hearing on SB432, a bill that would establish Knife Law Pre-emption in the state, will conclude today, Tuesday, March 20, Knife Rights reported.

        Knife Law Preemption would protect all law-abiding citizens who carry knives from the patchwork of inconsistent knife laws from jurisdiction to jurisdiction while traveling through the state, including those who will be traveling to the BLADE Show (www.bladeshow.com) June 8-10 at the Cobb Galleria Centre outside Atlanta.

        Once again, we need your help to get this bill passed. Your calls and emails made a big impact passing SB432 in the Georgia Senate. Now, please call or email and ask the members of the Committee to vote YES on SB432 when it is before them for consideration today.   

        If you are a Georgia resident it is best that you call ALL the committee members below. If you can’t call, at least email.     

      

        If you are a BLADE Show attendee from outside of Georgia, please email ALL of the committee members (listed below) and ask them to vote YES on SB432.  

        IMPORTANT: In your email or when you talk to each Representative’s secretary, tell them that that you are a BLADE Show attendee or exhibitor and that the BLADE Show represents MILLIONS of dollars to the Georgia economy. It also represents many hundreds of JOBS in Georgia. All those hotels and restaurants we stay at and eat in during BLADE Show employ many hundreds of people, and SB432 will help support the BLADE Show! You deserve to not have to worry about local knife restrictions when traveling to and attending the BLADE Show, and even a single unjustified and highly publicized arrest could adversely affect BLADE Show attendance!   

        Use Email SUBJECT: Please Vote Yes on SB432 

    Ann Purcell – Chairman Dist 159 – [email protected] Phone: 404-656-5139

    Willie Talton – Vice Chairman Dist 145 – [email protected] Phone: 404-656-5116

    Bob Hanner – Dist 148 – [email protected]  Phone: 404-656-7859

    Bill Maddox – Dist 127 – [email protected]  Phone: 404-656-3947

    Jay Neal – Dist 1 – [email protected] Phone: 404-656-5138  

    Billy Horne – Dist 71 – [email protected] Phone: 404-656-0287

    Scott Holcomb – Dist 82 – [email protected] Phone: 404-656-6372  

    Gloria Frazier  -Dist 123 – [email protected]  Phone: 404-656-0265

    Kevin Cooke  -Dist 18 – [email protected] Phone: 404-656-0325  

    Darlene Taylor – Dist 173 – [email protected] Phone: 404-656- 0177

    Yasmin Neal  -Dist 75 – [email protected] Phone: 404-656-0265  

    Doug Collins  -Dist 27 – [email protected] Phone: 404-656-7737

    Tim Bearden  -Dist 68 – [email protected] Phone: 404-656-0287

        It is much, much better to email each member individually, but if you cannot, below are all the email addresses which you can copy and paste into your email:

    [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] 

        CALL or EMAIL TODAY! 

        For more click on www.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+ssfb032012#BL1SU.

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