Page 192 – BLADE Magazine

A Look at the Official BLADE Show 2016 Knives

Elwood Shelton

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May 18, 2016

A Look at the Official BLADE Show 2016 Knives

It’s a sad fact: the BLADE Show comes but once a year. There is, however, a way to enjoy this incredible event long after all the knife makers and collectors have broken camp.

Official BLADE Show knives are your opportunity to own and enjoy a piece of the “World’s Foremost Knife Show,” for years to come. Of course, if you can resist making these gems your everyday carry choice.

That is a conundrum, because the BLADE Show seeks out not only eye-catching designs from some of top makers around. But it also hunts out practical knives that can handle nearly anything its owner can dish out. These knives are the marriage of form and function.

And each one has a unique aspect to them. Not only is the show’s insignia roll marked across the blades or handle, but each is a special edition with limited runs and individually numbered. This makes each one exclusive to its owner, not to mention gives the knife the potential to accrue value as the years pass by.

Here’s a look at this year’s Official BLADE Show knives.

CRKT Outrage (Run of 300 for the BLADE SHOW)

Ken Onion perhaps summed up his latest creation for CRKT the best, defining it as “Somewhere between gentlemanly and tactical.” In short, the knife is a looker and a doer.

On the aesthetic end of the Outrage is its finely textured handle, which includes lateral cuts in the aluminum that mimics corduroy. The handle of the limited run of 300 knives also features ergonomic finger cuts, to give the user a better purchase on the Outrage, thus making it more responsive.

The blade is a modified drop point — Onion describes it as a semi skinner — with a big belly and a fine point for detail work. The 3.19-inch blade is made from 8C12MoV stainless steel, which hardness helps it take a precision edge. The Outrage features a deep-pocket clip and a locking liner. And the flipper has a smooth-as-silk action, facilitated by its IKBS ball bearing pivot system.

Chris Reeve Knives Inkosi (Run of 25 for the BLADE SHOW)

The Inkosi can be summed up in one word — overbuilt. Chris Reeve Knives has outdone themselves with this petite folder, outfitting it with a number of features not often found on a knife its size.

To start off, the Inkosi has a large pivot — a first for the company on one of its small knives — which makes the knife as solid as a rock when open. It also features oversized washers, which eliminates nearly all the play in the blade and increases its lateral strength. And finally, the knife has a ceramic ball end lock that virtually ensures the Inkosi stays open once the blade is deployed. The 2.8-inch blade has a hollow grind, a design choice that helps add life to the knife, given it more readily maintains its edge after repeated sharpenings.

Chris Reeve has taken the Inkosi’s resiliency to the next level with the handle and clip material, opting for lightweight and robust titanium. Uniquely, the BLADE Show logo and run number appear on the handle. And Chris Reeve has made the knife easy to manipulate, giving it a pronounced thumb stud. The Inkosi not only has the makings of a fine and functional knife, but it has looks to boot. Truly, this limited run of 25 knives for the BLADE Show is attractively Spartan.

Spartan Blades Phrike (Made upon order)

Named for the Greek goddess of horror, the Phrike has everything to send chills down a knife aficionado’s spine — in a good way. It is tactical, yet attractive and as an Official BLADE Show knife, exclusive.

Only available at ShopBlade.com, each one is made upon order at Spartan Blade’s North Carolina manufacturing facility. But there are some special features that come from buying the BLADE Show Phrike. It comes outfitted with a carbon-fiber handle only found on this special edition.

And, of course, it comes with the BLADE Show logo and serial number roll marked on the blade. The 4.25-inch blade itself is a swedged drop point, giving it a robust aft for heavy-duty jobs that winnows down to a fine tip for precision work. The Phrike comes with a nylon sheath and is completely made in America. And while it has the ability to tackle any job put under its edge, it is truly made to be a collector’s knife.

BLADE Show Preview in New BLADE

Steve Shackleford

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May 17, 2016

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New BLADE Show BLADE on newsstands today! — BLADE Show preview highlights the latest issue of **BLADE® Magazine**, on newsstands today!

The knives, knifemakers, events within the event, the people, awards—these and much more are the focus of the BLADE Show preview in the latest BLADE® Magazine, on newsstands today.

Boasting a cover knife made circa 1965 by BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© member Bill Moran that will go to the highest bidder in the ABS Auction during the 35th Annual BLADE Show, the new BLADE features it and a whole lot more, including:

•A selection of the hot new factory knives that will debut during the show’s three-day run June 3-5 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta;

•The highlights, instructors and complete class schedule of the 3rd Annual BLADE University;

•The BLADE Magazine Knife-Of-The-Year® Awards, the factory industry’s most coveted individual knife honors;

•The 14th Annual BLADE Show World Championship Cutting Competition sponsored by BladeSports International, which also will include the first-ever Women’s World Cutting Championship;

•The annual custom knife judging competition, which annually entertains 200 or so of the world’s finest custom knives, with this year’s Best Of Show winner slated to receive special recognition during the BLADE Magazine Awards reception the Saturday night of the show;

•The annual induction of the latest member of the BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall Of Fame©;

•The show’s extensive slate of seminars and demos, and;

•BLADE field editor and High Performance Endurance Knife Mastersmith Ed Fowler’s eight keys to having your best BLADE Show yet.

Also this issue: ABS master smith Wally Hayes shows you how to bring out the hamon on folder blades; how to introduce your kids to knives, including the latest knives designed especially for them, collecting clubs for children and more; tests of the latest in bowies and affordable tactical folders; how to use clay as a teaching aid in making outstanding damascus; and a whole lot more in the latest BLADE.

BLADE® Best Of Show Tribute

Steve Shackleford

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May 16, 2016

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smoky mountain knife works — Thanks, SMKW!

One of the many reasons the BLADE Show is the world’s most important knife event is the BLADE Magazine Knife-Of-The-Year® Awards recognizing the factory industry’s top knives. This year the awards will have a new wrinkle when the Best Of Show custom knife winner is recognized as well during the BLADE Magazine Awards Reception sponsored by Smoky Mountain Knife Works.

The 2016 BLADE Show will be the 35th annual rendition and held June 3-5 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta.

Conducted the Saturday night, June 4, of the show, the reception is where the Knife-Of-The-Year Awards, the industry’s most coveted factory honors, are announced. It will begin at 7 p.m. in Ballrooms 1 and 2 of the Cobb Galleria Centre (tickets required). Smoky Mountain Knife Works sponsors the Knife-Of-The-Year Awards, too.

The awards recognize factory knives in a number of categories, including best domestic and imported, most innovative, collector/investor, collaboration, manufacturing quality and others. All save one of the awards is open only to entries and voting by the many national and international show booth exhibitors. The lone category open to voting by visitors to blademag.com is the People’s Choice Award.

In addition to the Knives Of The Year, the show also hosts its annual custom knife judging competition, which is open only to the show’s hundreds of national and international custom knife exhibitors. The top honor in the competition is the Best Of Show Award, which goes to the category winner judged best of all the category winners by a panel of industry authorities. For the first time ever, this year the Best Of Show winner will be recognized during the BLADE Magazine Awards Reception.

With the exception of the People’s Choice Award, all entrants in the Knife-Of-The-Year Awards competition will be on exhibit in a display, also sponsored by Smoky Mountain Knife Works, in the show lobby for show patrons to see. Open to BLADE Show custom knife exhibitors only, the custom knife competition will be conducted in Room 104 of the Cobb Galleria beginning at 3:30 p.m. on show Friday, June 3. The judging is closed to the public.

ZT Knife Of Year. — The Zero Tolerance 0999 was the BLADE Magazine 2015 American-Made Knife Of The Year®. (ZT image)

Ruple Best Of Show. — This year’s Best Of Show winner will be honored during the BLADE Magazine Awards Reception. Bill Ruple won Best Of Show at last year’s BLADE Show. (PointSeven image)

10 Things You’ll Need at the 2016 BLADE Show

BLADE Show

BLADE Staff

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May 12, 2016

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10 Things You’ll Need at the 2016 BLADE Show

Join the thousands who will descend on the BLADE Show this weekend. (PointSeven photo) — Thousands of knife enthusiasts will visit the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta June 3-5 for the 2016 BLADE Show. (PointSeven image)

The 2016 BLADE Show will be here before you know it. Here are the 10 things you’ll need.

#1 – Tickets

If you don’t have yours already, getting your tickets ahead of time has never been easier. Just click here to handle everything online. You can also purchase tickets at the event, but taking care of this beforehand can only make your experience smoother.

#2 – A Place to Stay

If you’re already in the Atlanta area, you probably don’t need to worry about a place to stay. For everyone else, finding a hotel for a popular event can be challenging. Fortunately, BLADE made the hotel hunt easier by providing this interface to help you book.

chris reeve inkosi blade show — Have you heard about the exclusive Chris Reeve Knives Inoksi? To celebrate the 2016 BLADE Show, 25 special edition Inkosi knives were made. Each comes numbered and with the BLADE Show logo on the handle. Click the knife to see specs and learn how to get yours. They’re going fast!

#3 – A Plan

The BLADE Show grows year after year, which means there’s a lot to pack into your visit. While some attendees head to whatever catches their eyes, other knife enthusiasts map out a plan. This exhibitor list will help make those decisions easier.

In addition to the show floor, there are several events to plan for, too. Click here to view the schedule.

#4 – An Open Mind

Anyone playing the knife game long enough develops a comfort zone. It could be collecting knives from only a handful of companies or makers, or turning the nose up to a particular sort of steel. There’s nothing wrong with knowing what you like, but what if you’re missing out?

With so many knifemakers and knife companies coming in from across the country and the planet, the BLADE Show isn’t the place to limit yourself. The entire world of knives is together in one spot. Try something new.

If you need help breaking out your rut, attend a Blade University class, hosted in conjunction with the BLADE Show. These classes are prime opportunities to learn something new.

#5 – A Good Pair of Walking Shoes

You’ll be on your feet all day. Comfortable shoes make a big difference.

#6 – A Keen Sense of Knife Show Etiquette

Exhibitors at the BLADE Show are happy to talk with you about their knives, but there are some unspoken rules to keep in mind.

Fortunately, BLADE‘s Steve Shackleford put together this guide to knife show etiquette to help you understand the nuances of when to touch an exhibitor’s knives, why it’s a good idea to swallow before you lean down to check out a knife, how to start a conversation and more.

#7 – A Way to Ship Knives Home

Unless you’re a local, chances are you’re flying in to attend the BLADE Show. This presents a problem when it comes time to get your knives home. Do you trust your new (and expensive) knives to remain safe in your checked luggage?

A better bet is to ship your knives using a carrier. There is a UPS store in the Waverly Hotel, which is attached to the Cobb Galleria (the site of the BLADE Show). There are other choices in the area, too.

#8 – A Way to Carry Around Knives and Other Materials

This 18-pocket roll from BLADE offers a convenient yet secure way to store your knives.

In the first few hours of the show, carrying around your purchases isn’t that big of a deal. But as time goes on, even the small items feel much larger. Add in a few knife books from BLADE‘s booth by the main entrance, and things get heavy in a hurry.

A sturdy backpack, briefcase or other bag is a good idea. Knife rolls are essential, too, and ShopBlade.com has a terrific deal on a sleek, 18-pocket model.

#9 – Warm Weather Clothing

The BLADE Show takes place in June in Atlanta, so you already know the weather will be warm. Because of the attendance records broken year after year, the show floor demands you not underestimate the necessity of comfortable, warm weather clothes. Time to break out those jorts.

#10 – A Good Attitude

The BLADE Show offers the rare chance to meet the entire gamut of knife enthusiasm. While that does equal opportunity for those buying and selling knives, it can also mean stress.

Don’t lose sight of why you’re at the show in the first place. You love knives as much as the other attendees. A little bit of pressure is OK, but don’t rain on anyone else’s great day. The better your attitude going into the show, the more you’ll get out of it.

WE Knife Marries Top-Notch Design with Superior Materials

Elwood Shelton

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May 9, 2016

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WE Knife Marries Top-Notch Design with Superior Materials

In creating a superior knife two factors must mesh seamlessly — design and material. WE Knife has covered both bases again and again in nearly two decades of manufacturing.

The knife maker has whipped up some pretty striking blades over the years, turning an eye to both function and ergonomics. And it has executed them with some of the most resilient and desirable material available today.

Durable Titanium, rugged CPM-S35VN steel, modern ceramics — the company’s knives are built to go the distance — then some. The gallery below showcases two examples of WE’s precision knife making. And it doesn’t take much study of the Model 601 and 604 to see that the manufacturer strives to live up to its goal to “create the world’s strongest, enduring quality, sharpest knives.”

Model 601

Image 1 of 2

The 601 has been one of WE’s cornerstone knives, for good reasons. Not only is the folder outfitted with a rugged titanium handle and a CPM-S35VN steel blade (renowned for its strength), it also features a top-notch design. The handle is ergonomically shaped to better fit in the palm and gives the user more control over the knife. The blade is easily accessible with the knife’s ceramic ball bearing enabling a smooth and fast action. And the titanium handle features a titanium clip, to always keep the knife at the ready.

BLADE Magazine