Page 247 – BLADE Magazine

NEW BLADE Show Site Easy To Use/Navigate

Joe Kertzman

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February 15, 2013

NEW BLADE Show Site Easy To Use/Navigate

The brand-new BLADE Show website makes learning about the show, buying tickets, seeing exhibitor and sponsor lists and getting updates on the seminars schedule easier than ever!

As most knife enthusiasts have already discovered, if you like seeing new knives first-hand, and buying, collecting, selling or just talking everything knife related, then the BLADE Show is the place to be. Nearly every major knife manufacturer worldwide exhibits at the show, and more than 600 custom knifemakers display their handmade pieces. The BLADE Show truly is the world’s largest knife show, and the ultimate knife show experience.

Read news and information about the new Living Ready Expo held in conjunction with the BLADE Show. Be prepared. Relevant and timely, the Living Ready Expo is designed to educate those interested in preparing themselves and their families for all kinds of real-life survival scenarios. Get practical advice and tips on preparedness, debunk urban survival myths, learn from survivalist experts and network with other urban preppers. It is the best knife show and survival show, all for one ticket!

Arkansas Custom Knife Show Feb. 16-17

Steve Shackleford

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February 14, 2013

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The 18th Annual Arkansas Custom Knife Show will showcase some of the world’s best bladesmiths and knifemakers Feb. 16-17 at the Robinson Center Exhibit Hall in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The proceedings will kick off with a special cutting competition on Feb. 15, followed on Saturday and Sunday with a 100-table show that will include 28 American Bladesmith Society master smiths, knifemaking supplies, leather products and knife-related books, and more. The cutting competition will be held on the Log House grounds of the Historic Arkansas Museum on 2nd and Cumberland Streets. Admission to the competition is free.

Show hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $10 for a two-day pass.

Door prizes will be given hourly. Awards will be presented for the best Hunter, Fighter, Folder, Bowie, Damascus, Miniature, Camp knife, Art knife, Bird and Trout, and Pearl handle. Awards also will be given for best sheath, best historically inspired knife and best of show. Knives can be bid on during a silent auction both days. Four handmade knives will be given away Sunday afternoon. Ray Kirk will be giving away his NDN model among them.

The Robinson Center Exhibit Hall located at Markham and Broadway Streets in downtown Little Rock.

For more information click on www.arkansasknifemakers.com.

Knife Maker Skip Miller Passes Away

The BLADE Blog w/Steve Shackleford

Steve Shackleford

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February 7, 2013

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Knife maker John Keith “Skip” Miller of Keystone, South Dakota, died Jan. 22. He was 69.

A member of the Professional Knifemakers Association, Skip had made knives since 1994, winning a number of awards for them in the process.

Surviving him are his wife, Vicki; mother, Mae Miller; sister, JoAnn Girten; sons and family; daughter and son-in-law, Brandi and Dan Tackett; and grandson, Nash.

Memorials in memory of Skip may be made to Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, 1317 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314.

Knifemaker Steve Fecas Passes at 66

Steve Shackleford

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February 6, 2013

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The world of knives lost a class act when knifemaker Stephen John “Steve” Fecas passed away Feb. 1. He was 66.

A long-time member of the Knifemakers’ Guild and one of the original members of the South Carolina Association of Knifemakers (SCAK), Steve operated out of Anderson, South Carolina. He sold his first knife in 1977 and started making knives full time in 1980. One of the many disciples of Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© member George Herron, Steve made tight, clean folders in the stock-removal style and also designed knives for Benchmade.

A Vietnam War-era veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Steve was easy going and always had a joke or kind word to impart in his deep South Carolinian drawl. He and Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© member Frank Centofante were good friends and often were seen hanging out together at knife shows.

Steve is survived by his wife, Mary, six brothers, one sister and a number of nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice. Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or visit www.legacy.com/obituaries/charleston.

Knives A Bright Spot in American Economy

Joe Kertzman

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January 31, 2013

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Knives A Bright Spot in American Economy

The American Knife & Tool Institute (AKTI) shared data during its annual SHOT Show meeting regarding the U.S. knife industry and the significant economic impact it has, including jobs creation and the nation’s economy.

Acting as a representative of knife manufacturers, distributors and retailers, as well as U.S. knife users, AKTI president Bill Raczkowski of Gerber Legendary Blades said, “Every knife and tool manufacturing and import or distribution company is a valued contributor to jobs, taxes and the economic viability in its city, county, state and region.”

Citing 2010 data collected as part of a survey by the AKTI, Raczkowski said the sporting knife and tool industry has a $4.844 billion economic impact on the U.S. economy. And over 60 manufacturing, import and distribution companies generate more than $807.4 million in gross revenue. Such revenue, of course, as well as taxes and wages paid to employees, contributes dollars to help keep America’s economy in recovery mode.

According to Raczkowski and the AKTI, knife manufacturers, importers and distributors employ 3,566 U.S. workers who hold good, stable jobs in an economy where every job is important, and millions of people are trying to find work. The industry, the AKTI says, generates 17,830 support jobs in supplier and ancillary industries. “That’s enough people to populate the entire city of Hannibal, Missouri, and serve thousands of visitors each year to keep Mark Twain’s spirit alive,” said AKTI executive director Jan Billeb.

To read more, visit the Resources section of the AKTI website under Knife User Data.

World’s Hottest Knives in April BLADE®

Steve Shackleford

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January 31, 2013

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The steel that changed knives forever, the hottest custom makers’ hottest knives, how to build an emergency shelter, Chad Nichols’ MokuTi knife material, how to recognize future knife collectibles, these and much more highlight the new April BLADE®, on most newsstands NOW.

Bill Moran’s introduction of damascus steel at the 1973 Knifemakers’ Guild Show 40 yaers ago this year is the focus of “Steel That Changed Knives Forever.” Find out from those who were there what that was like and from others how the introduction transformed the industry and continues to do so today.

If you were stranded in the woods and needed to build an emergency shelter in a short amount of time, could you do it? James Ayres shows you how in “Shelter From The Storm.”

The custom knives most in demand change at any given moment. Get the latest installment of how they’re changing and what they are in “On The Boil!” The cover knife made by Jim Burke and designed by Tashi Bharucha is one of them.

If somebody asked you what factory knives you should collect now for the future, what would be your answer? See if it gibes with those who know in “Knife Pros Reveal What To Collect.”

There’s much more—a profile of knifemaker Will Zermeno, Ray Kirk’s giveaway knife for the upcoming Arkansas Custom Knife Show, the latest in mid-tech knives, how to clean hunting knives, part two of Ed Fowler’s step-by-step how-to on sheep horn knife handles, a test of Joel Worley’s “Woodsman” brut de forge knife and much more, all in the April BLADE.

For subscription information to BLADE click on www.shopblade.com/blade-magazine-one-year-subscription-us?lid=ssfbbl013113

Illustrated Guide to Types of Blades

Knife Collecting

BLADE Staff

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January 30, 2013

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Learn about the different types of blades out there with these handy illustrated guides. They’re perfect for anyone curious about blade shapes, terminology or what to look for before buying a knife for a particular use. Just click on either image for a larger view. Types of blades covered include:

California Clip
Can Opener
Citrus Peeler
Clip
Clip-Saber
Coping
Cotton Sampler
Cuticle
Dog Grooming
Drop Point
File
Fish Scakler/Cap Lifter
Letter Opener
Long Pull
Muskrat
Pen
Pruner
Punch
Razor
Regular Pull
Saw
Screwdriver/Wire Stripper
Serrated Spay
Sheep Foot
Skate Wrench
Skinner
Spay
Spear
Typesetter
Wharncliffe

This illustrated guide to types of blades is excerpted from the American Premium Guide to Knives & Razors CD. Jim Sargent’s book is ideal for anyone who collects Case knives or has an interest in knife history.

BLADE Magazine

NEW BLADE Show Site Easy To Use/Navigate

Arkansas Custom Knife Show Feb. 16-17

Knife Maker Skip Miller Passes Away

Knifemaker Steve Fecas Passes at 66

Knives A Bright Spot in American Economy

World’s Hottest Knives in April BLADE®

Illustrated Guide to Types of Blades

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