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Majority Opposes Ivory Ban At Meeting

Steve Shackleford
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Majority Opposes Ivory Ban At Meeting

Anywhere from 50-to-60 people attended the March 20 public meeting held by the Advisory Council to the Presidential Task Force on combatting wildlife trafficking, with more than twice as many voicing opposition to the ivory ban as those supporting it.

Questions remain on feds ability to tell fossil from elephant ivory and vice versa. (Ward photo)
Over twice as many against the ivory ban as for it voiced concerns at the March 20 meeting. Jim Crowell’s fixed blade sports a fossil ivory handle.  (Ward photo)

Among those representing the knife industry at the meeting held in Washington, D.C., were scrimshander Sandra Brady, knifemaker Edmund Davidson and others.

“There were about 27 people who stood up to make statements and only about eight were in favor of the ban,” Brady noted. “Even though the words ‘ivory ban’ were not used at all by the committee, that is the ONLY thing that was talked about.

“We had statements from three antiques people, cane collectors, scrimshanders, musical instruments, a knifemaker and knife rights people, among others. So what I came away with is that the committee didn’t expect such a [pro-ivory] turnout. I can only imagine how many more statements were submitted via e-mail. We may have turned the tide at least a bit.”

On the other hand, the pro-ivory ban forces continued their full-court press, and there is much to be done to fight a number of punitive measures federal officials are considering, including making all illegal ivory sales felony violations. Committee members also talked about requiring violators to pay restitution and basically treat selling ivory as selling illegal drugs. “It was three hours of the ‘for-the-greater-good’ stuff, so that was the bad news,” one observer stated.

Several initiatives were mentioned by the knife industry group against the ivory ban, including finding a congress person to champion the anti-ivory ban cause and also the possibility of setting up an official fight-the-ban organization.

Craig Hoover of U.S. Fish & Wildlife said he expected someone on the advisory council to post more information, perhaps a summary video of the meeting, on its web page at some point. The link to the page is

http://www.fws.gov/international/advisory-council-wildlife-trafficking/

For further developments stay tuned to www.blademag.com.

Most of the Stolen Knives Found; 3 Still Missing

Steve Shackleford
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Most of the Stolen Knives Found; 3 Still Missing
Be on the lookout for this folder, the Shin, by Rockstead. (KnifePurveyor.com photo)
The Shin by Rockstead is the one of the three stolen knives still missing. (KnifePurveyor.com)
Keep an eye out for this missing John W. Smith folder. (KnifePurveyor.com photo)
This John W. Smith folder in fossil ivory is the second of the three stolen knives that are still missing. (KnifePurveyor.com photo)

Purveyor Michael Donato was one happy man earlier this week when all but three of approximately 150 stolen knives were returned.

The three knives that remain missing are the Shin by Rockstead and two John W. Smith folders, all of which are pictured at right.

“This has been the craziest roller-coaster ride of my life,” the owner of KnifePurveyor.com said. “The support of the custom knife world between collectors, dealers and others has been incredible.”

How the alleged thief was caught is a story in itself. Video surveillance captured him stealing Donato’s pelican case containing the knives at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport that services Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina. Law enforcement was able to identify the man from the video and later used it to identify him among the passengers coming off a flight from Indianapolis, Indiana. Officials determined the suspect’s next flight destination and were waiting for him when he got off the plane. He was even wearing the same clothes he had on when he allegedly stole the knives. Detectives watched as he apparently tried to steal another piece of luggage and nabbed him. He confessed and is being held on $100,000 bond. He led detectives to the knives, which he had stashed in his hotel room. Donato said the man had separated the knives by maker and had prices by each. “He must have seen my business card, visited my website and guessed at the values from it,” Donato said. “He was pretty spot on with the prices.”

A mother of pearl John Smith folder is one of the three knives still missing. (KnifePurveyor.com photo)
This John Smith folder in mother of pearl is the last of the three stolen knives still missing. (KnifePurveyor.com photo)

Unfortunately, the man apparently was able to sell the three knives that are still missing before he was apprehended.

If you have any information concerning the stolen knives, contact Donato via www.knifepurveyor.com.

For the latest knives, knife trends and more, visit www.blademag.com.

Puma Celebrates Anniversary w/Limited Edition Knives

Joe Kertzman
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Puma Celebrates Anniversary w/Limited Edition Knives

Let’s let this sink in: 245th anniversary in 2014. That’s right, German knife manufacturer, PUMA, was founded in 1769 by Johann Wilhelm Lauterjung in the town of Solingen, where it still resides today. Over the centuries, PUMA has produced many great and legendary knives, none more so than the White Hunter, first introduced in 1956 for the East African Professional Hunting Association. The White Hunter, along with other famous models like the Skinner and Hunter’s Pal have become a staple for hunters across the world and especially in North America.PUMA_2014 Knife of Year

In 2003, PUMA expanded its lineup by introducing the PUMA IP series in Europe, which is produced in Spain and offers unrivaled price performance. The PUMA IP series is now available in North America, as well. To mark its 245th anniversary—wow—PUMA has introduced two new, limited-edition knives. First is the 245 Year Anniversary Knife, with the inscription “Me Fecit Solingen 1769-2014” (Made in Solingen 1769-2014) engraved on the 440C blade, and featuring a stag handle. Each knife is individually numbered from 1 to 245 and is available for $659.99. Second is a 2014 knife that features the same inscription engraved on thePUMA_245 Anniversary Knifeblade, but with the handle made of mammoth tooth and with special mammoth motif engravings on the bolsters. Each knife is individually numbered from 1 to 24 and is available for $1,699.99.

PUMA and PUMA IP knives are imported by MINOX USA, Inc., and are available through an authorized PUMA original dealer. For more details and to order these special limited-edition knives commemorating PUMA’s 245th anniversary, please call 866-469-3080 or visit www.pumaknives.us.      To learn more about PUMA, pick up this informative digital issue!

$750,000 Worth of Custom Knives Stolen

Steve Shackleford
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$750,000 Worth of Custom Knives Stolen

Approximately 150 custom knives valued at over three-quarters of a million dollars were stolen recently from KnifePurveyor.com, according to KnifePurveyor.com.

Knives valued at a quarter million dollars were stolen from KnifePurveyor.com. (KnifePurveyor.com photo)
This custom knife made by Josef Rusnak is one of about 150 that were stolen from KnifePurveyor.com. (SharpByCoop photo)

Michael Donato, owner of KnifePurveyor.com, said the knives were stolen from his luggage at the Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) Airport that serves the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina. He was returning from the East Coast Custom Knife Show held Feb. 28-March 2 in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Custom knives by some of the world’s best knifemakers were included in the luggage. For a complete list of them all, contact Donato at [email protected] or call him at 646-872-0476.

According to Donato, his original flight after the show was cancelled. Meanwhile, as his luggage was stored at the airport, someone stole the pelican case containing the knives. He said the area where the knives were stolen had video surveillance and the authorities have footage of the theft and a picture of the suspect, which is being circulated. If you have any information concerning the theft, contact Donato or Detective Charles Shelton at 919-840-7556 or 919-702-2556 (cell).

“We have suffered a major blow,” Donato noted. “This theft occurred at RDU Airport when United Airlines left my transportation case of knives unattended at the baggage area. The crook simply walked off with the entire case.

“Several law enforcement agencies and the Collectible Insurance company are hot on the case. Due to the magnitude of this loss, my staff and I have our hands full with this investigation. Clients whose knives are involved in this loss have already been notified.”

Meanwhile, contrary to any rumors that may be circulating the knife industry, KnifePurveyor.com is not out of business as a result of the theft.

“It is my honor and pleasure to be part of the custom knife community,” Donato continued. “I look forward to fulfilling your future knife needs and would like to thank you for your continued friendship, patronage and support.”

For the latest knives, knife news, trends and more, stay tuned to www.blademag.com.

Act Now To Fight Ivory Ban

Steve Shackleford
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Act Now To Fight Ivory Ban

If you think it’s too late for you to do anything about the oppressive ivory ban being implemented by federal officials, think again.

Ivory ban is unjust.
With federal officials saying elephant ivory is being disguised to resemble fossil ivory in some cases, authentic fossil ivory pieces such as Jerry Fisk’s majestic bowie could attract undeserved scrutiny from law enforcement. (Chuck Ward photo)

You can act now to have your voice heard by congressional and federal officials to stop more language adverse to those who buy, sell and collect ivory knives being added to the federal government’s “use after import” regulations.

One of the issues that apparently remains unsettled in the official language of the new ban is the exact wording concerning the legality of the sale of ivory, including ivory knives, across state lines. The updated regulations are due to be completed and released sometime in April, sources said.

As a result, you have time to contact your representative and other federal officials now before it’s too late. For more on the specifics of the ban, frequently asked questions and more, visit http://www.fws.gov/

To determine the name and contact information for your Congressional representative, visit http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/

In addition, make your views known to Sally Jewell, Secretary of the Interior, and Daniel M. Ashe, director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife. The mailing address for the Department of the Interior is 1849 C St., NW, Washington, DC 20240. It can be reached by phone at 202-208-3100 or e-mail at [email protected]. The mailing address for U.S. Fish and Wildlife is 4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Arlington, VA 22203.

We recommend hitting all of them on all fronts—by phone, e-mail and snail mail. They say a written letter carries more weight, so it may be time to break out the pen and paper and attack this issue old-school style.

For the latest knives, knife news, trends and more, stay tuned to www.blademag.com.

Radio Show Addressed Ivory Ban

Steve Shackleford
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Radio Show Addressed Ivory Ban

The federal ban on elephant ivory was one of the topics on the DIane Rehm radio talk show March 4.

Ivory highlights Rehm talk show.
The Diane Rehm radio talk show had ivory as a topic on March 4. Steve Nolte’s fixed blade sports an ivory grip. (Chuck Ward photo)

Craig Hoover of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was among the show’s guests. Hoover is one of the federal officials several in the knife industry have been contacting for information on the federal ivory ban.

Much of the program seemed geared toward the poaching of elephants and how awful that is—which everyone agrees is pretty much the case. What everyone can’t agree on is the best way to address it, and most in the knife industry agree a ban is not it.

Meanwhile, the Obama Administration’s ivory ban drags on.

In a related development, it appears the anti-ivory edict will be updated with new wording due to come out sometime in April. You can make a difference by contacting your Congressional representative and voicing your views. To find out the name of your representative and how to contact him or her, visit http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/

In addition, make your views known to Sally Jewell, Secretary of the Department of the Interior, and Daniel M. Ashe, Director of Fish and Wildlife. Both can be reached at their respective departments at 1849 C St., NW, Washington, DC 20240. For the former call 202-208-3100 or email [email protected] for more information.

Stay tuned to www.blademag.com for the latest knives, knife news and more.

7 Keys To Top Knife Handles

Steve Shackleford
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7 Keys To Top Knife Handles

Know the keys to the best handle design to enhance your knife’s performance and safe use. Following are seven:

1) According to ABS journeyman smith Dan Farr, the size of your hand is a key to arriving at the best handle for you. Longer hands require a larger handle diameter and thicker hands a smaller diameter. Wearing gloves works best with a longer and thinner handle. Remember that an eighth-inch difference in handle diameter means approximately a 3/8-inch difference in circumference.

Do you know the keys to top handle design? The knife is the Kershaw Mini Skinner. (Kershaw photo)
Know seven keys to top handle design. The knife is the Kershaw Mini Skinner. (Kershaw photo)

2) As for handle material, most synthetics tend to be stable, durable and often require no protective finish. Wood is strong for its weight, finishes well and adds beauty. Stag is somewhat limited in shape and size, but has good texture and adds traditional looks.

3) Contoured and formed grips are great if they fit your hand, but the more form fit the handle, the fewer people it fits. Finger grooves are an example. They are nice if they fit your fingers, horrible if they do not. Handles with a single finger groove for the index finger will generally be versatile enough to fit many hand sizes.

4) Round handles have no natural indexing for the blade edge (natural indexing refers to the ability to know where the edge is by how the handle feels in your hand rather than having to look at the edge to know where it is). Oval handles are much more useful. They index the edge to the handle and add the ability to use twisting force.

5) Curving the butt of the handle down—also known as the dropped handle—will improve purchase.

6) A palm swell allows a relaxed, comfortable handhold. It keeps your hand in the same place on the handle, provides a natural pivot point and helps with retention.

7) Guards are important safety features. A guard should blend with the contours of the grip and be strong, though in proportion to the rest of the knife.

A Knife Handle That Really Sticks With You

best drop point deer hunting knifeThis Deer & Deer Hunting Drop Point Knife is a great example of a knife that gets its handle right. This hard-working hunting knife was made exclusively by the American Knife Company for BLADE‘s sister brand, Deer & Deer Hunting, and is a great pick for hunters and collectors alike.

Order the Deer & Deer Hunting Drop Point Knife only at ShopBlade.com.

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