Page 214 – BLADE Magazine

Knives Of The Year in New BLADE

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August 12, 2014

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.

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

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

Well, Modern Rambo, Which Knife?

Uncategorized

Joe Kertzman

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August 8, 2014

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Among other things, the movie First Blood starring Sylvester Stallone as Rambo, revolutionized the knife industry through the sudden vast popularity of the Rambo knife.

Though the movie was more action flick than true survival doc, the premise was solid when you think about it—a Spec Ops soldier returns from war, highly trained, but suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome, has a hard time fitting into society, and hits the road, hitchhiking. He meets up with a sadistic cop who brings him in and mistreats him. The soldier reaches the boiling point and takes justice into his own hands.

It could happen today. So, if it did, and you were the soldier, which knife would you choose to have with you in the mountainous Western terrain while U.S. Marshals, the National Guard and your commanding officer searched for you? Would it be a hollow-handle Jimmy Lile Rambo survival knife? A newer, more modern version thereof? Or maybe it would be a tactical tomahawk like the CRKT Kangee T-Hawk? A Buck Pathfinder? A Famars USA SRT Survival Knife? What would your ideal survival knife be in a true Rambo situation?

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

New Buck Knives Compadre Series in Hot Red

Steve Shackleford

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July 31, 2014

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New Buck Knives Compadre Series in Hot Red

Buck's new outdoor series features a hot red powdercoat finish. — Buck’s new outdoor series features a hot red powdercoat finish.

Buck Knives’ new Compadre series in a hot red finish will debut Aug. 6-9 at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Tradeshow in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Just in time for those preparing for the upcoming hunting season, Buck Knives will debut its new Compadre Series of knives and edged tools in a hot red finish at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Tradeshow Aug. 6-9.

Consisting of a camp knife, hatchet and chopping froe, the series is highlighted by a red powdercoat finish on the 5160 carbon steel blade of each piece. WIth MSRPs in the $80 to $160 range, each tool is affordable for the serious hunter. The blade selection also is attractive in that the set addresses most of the cutting, kindling needs and brush-clearing tasks associated with hunting and camping.

For instance, the model 104 Camp Knife’s 9.5-inch overall length makes it the choice for certain game care chores as well as all-around cutting duties. With its forward weighting, the 1 pound, 7.7 ounce Compadre Hatchet is tailored for chopping and also game prepping and other hunting and camping chores. And, at an overall length of 16.75 inches and weighing in at just under 2 pounds, the heavy-duty Compadre Chopping Froe can handle any number of brush clearing, heavy chopping, splitting and baton duties

The handles on each piece are made of Heritage walnut Dymondwood®, and both the 104 and Compadre Hatchet include black leather sheaths.

Held at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Tradeshow, like its name implies, is targeted to those who have a passion for the outdoors. Thousands of retailers will be on hand to see the latest in outdoor products, and the new Buck series will be just one of many.

If the Buck series is something you think you’d like, check with your local retailer and see if he’s attending the show to get more information on it. If he’s not attending, see if he’s aware of the new series for possible stocking in his store.

Did Knives Build America?

Featured Knives

Joe Kertzman

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July 31, 2014

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“This Built America,” a new multimedia platform from AOL exploring the companies and people reimagining American manufacturing, visited Jacksonville, Alabama, and profiled a knife factory that is a family beyond its owners—Bear & Son Cutlery.

This Built America. I think it was knives. “This Built America,” a new multimedia platform from AOL exploring the companies and people reimagining American manufacturing, visited Jacksonville, Alabama, and profiled a knife factory that is a family beyond its owners—Bear & Son Cutlery.

Ken Griffey’s Bear & Son Cutlery was officially founded in 1991 after Griffey was approached by Jacksonville town leaders to buy the closing W.R. Case Cutlery factory, Griffey’s then employer. Since then, the factory and its employees have been on an incredible journey demonstrating the value of family and community.

In this “This Built America” AOL episode, Griffey and his son Matt discuss the family that Bear & Son has created while dealing with tough decisions like selling the business, another potential closure and all that comes their way.

“I had a lot of mothers and fathers,” recalls Griffey on his youth in the Jacksonville factory. That type of attention and care comes through every Bear & Son product. It also can be seen in the 36-year relationship, in business and marriage, between Ken and Sandy Griffey.

For Bear & Son Cutlery, being part of “This Built America” is proof that Ken Griffey made the right decisions banking on Bear & Son, no matter the circumstance. “Being part of ‘This Built America’ was simply amazing,” explains Griffey. “We were very honored to be a part of this, and would like to thank everyone who helped make this happen.”

To view the full episode and more on the Bear & Son family, click here.

Bear & Son Cutlery joins a national movement in “This Built America” that is devoted to supporting American companies and American-made products. AOL is proud to support the effort along with sponsor Ford Trucks. Through the year, the editorial and video teams will explore 50 states in 50 weeks to bring 50 stories of the people who are bringing back manufacturing to America. The platform is produced in coordination with Man Made Content.

For more American-made knives, click here.

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.

BLADE Magazine

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!

Well, Modern Rambo, Which Knife?

Ivory Ban Targets Possession & Ancient Varieties

Ivory Protection Act Gains Support, Needs More

New Buck Knives Compadre Series in Hot Red

Buck Knives’ new Compadre series in a hot red finish will debut Aug. 6-9 at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Tradeshow in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Recommended

Did Knives Build America?

“This Built America,” a new multimedia platform from AOL exploring the companies and people reimagining American manufacturing, visited Jacksonville, Alabama, and profiled a knife factory that is a family beyond its owners—Bear & Son Cutlery.

Lawful Ivory Protection Act Needs Your Help!

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