Page 201 – BLADE Magazine

1.4 Million Watch Forged In Fire

-

July 28, 2015

Forged In Fire, a new reality TV show pitting bladesmiths against each other in an attempt to see who can make the best knife, is attracting more viewers—1.4 million—than any knife-related media entry in history, and those numbers are climbing.

After five weeks on The History Channel, FIF has gained double-digit growth across all key demographics compared to its premiere episode. According to a History Channel news release, ratings are up a whopping 74 percent in the 25-54 age group, 73 percent in the 18 to 49 age range and 32 percent in all viewers. That’s 595,000 viewers aged 25-54 and 552,000 aged 18 to 49. In all, FIF is attracting 1.4 million viewers, an unprecedented number for a knife-related media endeavor of any kind.

In last night’s fifth installment in the series, bladesmith Guy Harris won the $10,000 cash prize offered to the winner in each episode. He won for making what was judged the best version of an Elizabethan rapier.

Hosted by Wil Willis, the show originates from a building that has been transformed into a giant forge of sorts containing a number of individual forges, grinders, power hammers, drill presses, hand tools, knifemaking materials and more. In each episode, four different bladesmiths compete against each other in a preliminary round in which they build a rough knife from materials and to specs provided by Willis and the three judges: ABS master smith J. Neilson, ancient weapons authority David Baker and martial artist/weapons authority Doug Marcaida. The four smiths are whittled down to three after the rough knife segment and to two after the finished-knife segment. The two finalists are assigned a special knife, sword, axe or other edged tool that they have five days to complete at their home forge. They then return and the judges put the resulting pieces through the cutting paces and decide which one wins the $10,000 prize.

Watch a Preview:

Join J.D. On New Forged In Fire

Steve Shackleford

-

July 27, 2015

0

ABS master smith J.D. Smith will join three other bladesmiths on the latest installment of The History Channel’s Forged In Fire tonight at 10 p.m. Eastern.

Forged In Fire is a reality TV show in which the contestants are charged with designing and making a knife of their choice via various requirements imposed by the show’s judges—ABS master smith James Neilson, ancient weapons specialist David Baker and combat specialist Doug Marcaida. The smiths have three hours to complete the knife inside the studio’s well-equipped forge—and host Wil Willis is there to ensure the contestants know when time is almost up. In the end of the studio segment, two smiths emerge and are charged with building a special knife, sword or other edged tool of the judges’ choosing at the smiths’ home forges. The smiths have five days to complete the project and the piece deemed best in terms of performance, design, etc., by the judges results in the winner earning a $10,000 prize.

You never can tell what may happen—both in the studio forge and at the smiths’ home forges. Everything from the contestants catching the floor and even themselves on fire, unusual approaches to making knives, and the pressure and confusion that result from the time limits on making the knives can result in some high drama. It’s really entertaining TV and the ratings the show is receiving have been steadily climbing as a result.

After five weeks, Forged In Fire has gained double-digit growth across all key demographics compared to its live premiere: +74 percent in the 25-54 age group, +73 percent in the 18-49 age group and +32 percent in total viewers. In all, Forged In Fire is averaging 1.4 millions viewers—arguably the most people to see/watch a knife-related event in history.

In tonight’s episode, an Elizabethan rapier will be the ultimate blade project the finalists will make for the judges’ perusal. Be sure to check your local listings for when the program will air in your time zone.

Worldwide Knife Phenomenon of BLADE®

Steve Shackleford

-

July 14, 2015

0

Knives are a worldwide phenomenon and that phenomenon has never been more wide-ranging than it is in the latest issue of BLADE®—on newsstands NOW!

The hottest makers’ hottest custom knives is a feature we do every few months in BLADE to keep our readers abreast of the latest custom trends. This issue’s rendition includes such hot models as the A3 Flipper by “the Andres”—Andre Thorburn and Andre van Heerden—of South Africa, the Dominator by Darrel Ralph, the Tighe Tac 2 by Brian Tighe and many others. In addition to South Africa’s Andres, the hottest makers’ hottest knives come from all corners of the globe. Check them out in “You’re In A World of Hot Knives” on page 13.

Asian designs always retain a loyal following. Those loyalists have some pretty cool examples of the genre from which to choose in such pieces as the CRKT Achi and Akari, this issue’s cover knives designed by custom knifemaker Lucas Burnley. Check them and other exotic Eastern designs out in “Those Amazin’ Asians” on page 74.

Knife handle materials run the gamut in types, patterns, looks and much more. Stephen Garger takes you through the most recent examples in “You Can Handle The Truth” on page 80.

Firestarter knives are hot in more ways than one. BLADE contributor/knife designer/knifemaker Abe Elias takes you through some of the latest iterations and how they work in “Quest For Fire” on page 44. Factory tactical folders are hot as ever, too, and James Morgan Ayres tests four of the newer ones in “Tactical Knives For The People” on page 50.

Allen Elishewitz has been making some of the most-sought-after tactical folders for years and continues to today—but he’s also expanded into pens and watches. See what makes this multi-talented artisan tick in “He Puts The ‘R’ in Renaissance Man” on page 84.

Check out these and many other stories in the latest issue of BLADE.

Novelist Carries BLADE Show Knife

Joe Kertzman

-

July 10, 2015

0

A known author of thriller novels, Brad Thor was recently interviewed by everydaycarry.com on what knife and gear he carries on a daily basis. Thor is an American novelist, whose works include several New York Times Best Sellers. He’s just finished his newest book, Code of Conduct, and took some time to share his everyday carry inspired by his many military- and spy-themed thrillers.

Thor enthusiastically related that he carries a CRKT Otanashi noh Ken folder, designed by James Williams, which happened to be a 2015 BLADE Show limited-edition knife (sold out). As Thor noted about the Otanashi noh Ken during the interview, “Simply put, one of the most badass folding knives on the planet. Tons of SpecOps members carry James Williams’ blades. Based on centuries-old Samurai designs, nothing on the market beats it. I carry it because men whose lives depend on their tools, also carry it.”

Thor said that he also carries a Kobold Phantom Chronograph, a Gerber Shard keychain tool, a Fisher Spacer Pen and a Field Notes Pitch Black Edition (both for taking notes–he is an author!), a Streamlight PT1L, Leatherman-style PS multi-tool, an Apple iPhone 6 and a Magpul Field Case iPhone 6 cover.

BLADE Show: Knife Debuts Rule!

Steve Shackleford

-

July 6, 2015

0

[slideshow_deploy id=’36122’]

The BLADE Show witnessed a record number of patrons and knives—including knife debuts that were off the charts. Here are eight among the many factory knife introductions.

A 6061 aluminum handle in Class III anodization and self-lubricating roller bearings in the opening mechanism are among the cool features of the MRX-LW from Rat Worx. MSRP: $299.

The ASH 2—”ASH” stands for “Anniversary Steel Heart”—from Busse Combat Knife Co. boasts a bountiful 9-inch blade of the company’s quarter-inch-thick INFI carbon steel.

The Spectrum from Emerson Knives, Inc., has a 3.8-inch blade of 154CM stainless and a NASA-certified black G-10 composite handle. MSRP: $263.95.

Pohl Force adds to its “Mike” line with the Mike Four Tanto in a hard-coat anodized aluminum handle with a glass-breaker screwed into the butt, and a stylish lanyard sporting a skull bead.

A new Integral Lock folder from Chris Reeve Knives, the Inkosi is a cool gent’s folder with a 2.75-inch blade of CPM S35VN stainless steel. Closed length: 3.875 inches. MSRP: $375.

Brous Blades gives the bird’s-beak handle butt a fresh look with the Enforcer flipper folder in the karambit style. MSRP: $319-$359.

Buck’s Inertia assisted opener sports a 3 1/8-inch blade of stonewashed 420HC stainless and an anodized aluminum handle. MSRP: $90.

The first-ever collaboration between Spyderco and Canadian custom knifemaker Brian Tighe, the Tighe Stick is highlighted by a titanium handle 3D machined with Tighe’s trademark swirling-groove look and texturing.

Recommended:

Stay abreast of the latest developments in the world of knives with a subscription to BLADE magazine!

KA-BAR Announces Its First Ek Knife

Steve Shackleford

-

July 1, 2015

0

The World War II vintage Ek Model 4 had a wider blade and a wooden handle.

KA-BAR has announced its long-awaited reintroduction of the Ek Commando Knife line with its update of the Ek Model 4.

The Model 4 sports a 6.625-inch double-edged blade of 1095 Cro-Van carbon steel, an “S” double guard, a textured glass-filled nylon handle and traditional X-head fasteners. It features a Celcon® sheath with a retaining strap, a self-locking function and multiple tie-down points. MSRP: $125.40.

With its modern materials, double guard and much-more-streamlined shape, the new Model 4 is a far cry from the World War II-vintage version, which had a wider blade and a wooden handle with an integral single guard and a bulbous pommel. The new Model 4’s handle shape with X-head fasteners is in keeping with later versions of Ek knives.

EK BACKGROUND

The new KA-BAR Ed Model 4 is streamlined and made of modern materials.

John Ek created Ek Knives in 1941. He contributed to the World War II effort by overseeing the production of knives for most all American service branches from his Hamden, Connecticut, shop. He employed disabled Americans to help build six knife models during the war.

He called the knives “Ek Commando Knives” for their intended purpose of close-quarter combat. He began registering each knife’s serial number to its original owner in 1943. The Ek Commando Knife became a hallmark of the U.S. Marine Raiders and other American special operation units during the war. At the peak of wartime production, he employed three shifts working seven days a week making knives, and is reported to have sold over 100,000 models by war’s end.

U.S. troops have carried Ek Commando Knives in every major American conflict since World War II.

Ek moved his shop to Miami, Florida, in 1949, and continued to make knives for private sale to military men, with thousands of his knives seeing service in Korea and Vietnam. He died in October 1972 and his son, Gary, took over the business. Robert A. Buerlein obtained the rights to Ek Knives in 1981 and resumed production in 1982. Blackjack Knives bought Ek in 1993 and sold it to Century International Arms in 1997. KA-BAR acquired the Ek knife brand last year.

For more on the new Model 4, visit Ekknives.com.

Recommended:

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

Which Overall Knife-Of-The-Year Is Your Favorite?

Joe Kertzman

-

June 19, 2015

0

Which Overall Knife-Of-The-Year Is Your Favorite?

Every year at the BLADE Show in Atlanta knife companies that have booths at the show vie for the coveted–and they really are–Knife-Of-The-Year® Awards. There are a dozen awards in different categories (i.e. Imported Knife-Of-The-Year, Best Buy Of The Year, etc.), the top honor being the Overall Knife-Of-The-Year.

Some fabulous knives have won the Overall Knife-Of-The-Year Award since 2010, with Zero Tolerance/Kai USA having a run of three winners between 2011 and 2013. The winners since 2010, in order by year starting in 2010 (and shown in order below), are: the Chris Reeve Knives TI-LOCK, Zero Tolerance 0777, Zero Tolerance 0888, Zero Tolerance 0454, CRKT Hi Jinx, and this year, the Lion Steel T.R.E. (Three Rapid Exchange).

So, looking at the knives below–shown in order as listed above–which is your favorite Overall Knife-Of-The-Year since 2010 and why? It’s hard to choose, isn’t it?!