Everybody Wing Chung Tonight (with Knives 2013 Wing Chung Swords)

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September 17, 2012

Featured in the “Foray Into the Far East” Trends section of the Knives 2013 book are a pair of Richard Van Dijk “Wing Chung” Chinese martial arts butterfly swords. Rarely do you see knifemakers tackle the pattern, and thus they catch your eye immediately, and then with the inclusion of 400-layer-damascus blades, ebony handles, brass fittings, iron guards and a side-by-side scabbard (not shown), they elevate themselves to one of the “Editor’s Favorites from the Knives 2013 book.”

I especially like how the brass fittings complement the ebony grips, and the D-guards trail down, extending into sword catchers for extra protection.

Neat stuff, Richard Van Dijk!

Hunter’s Edge: 4 Hot Gut Hooks

Steve Shackleford

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September 17, 2012

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Get your meat hooks on four great gut hooks while they’re hot at ShopBlade.com. Four classic examples of the genre include two folders and two fixed blades.

The first of the folders is the Buck Alpha Folding Knife with gut hook. Blade length: 3.5 inches. Handle: Black rubber. Closed length: 5 inches. ShopBlade’s price: $69.99. For more info click on http://www.shopblade.com/buck-alpha-folding-knife-w-gut-hook-y4516/?lid=blss091812

Next up is the Gerber Gator II Gut Hook. Blade length: 3.7 inches. Grip: rubber. Closed length: 4.72 inches. For more click on http://www.shopblade.com/gerber-gator-ii-gut-hook-fine-edge-knife-y6979/?lid=blss091812

The fixed blades include the Gerber Freeman Fixed Blade Knife with gut hook. Blade length: 3.25 inches. Blade steel: AUS-8 stainless. Handle: Pear wood. ShopBlade’s price: $44.99. For more click on http://www.shopblade.com/gerber-freeman-fixed-blade-knife-w-gut-hook-y6976/?lid=blss091812

The second fixed blade is the Kutmaster Team Realtree Guthook Knife. Blade steel: 420 stainless. Handle: Realtree Ap HD. Sheath: Nylon belt loop model. ShopBlade’s price: $19.99. For more click on http://www.shopblade.com/kutmaster-team-realtree-guthook-knife-y7735/?lid=blss091812

Eat Up These Edged Combatants

Joe Kertzman

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September 14, 2012

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Paraded in the Knives 2013 book like dress soldiers at a welcome-home party is a pair of Daniel Winkler fixed blades in camouflage finishes, and cord-wrapped and otherwise synthetic handles. They each measure 9.75 inches overall and feature extended “striker pommels.”

Soldiers will no doubt take as much of a liking to the twosome as the Editor of Knives 2013, further catapulting them to the top of the “Editor’s Favorites from Knives 2013 Book” list. (Eric Eggly, PointSeven Studios photo)

BLADE MAGAZINE 2012 AMERICAN-MADE KNIFE OF THE YEAR®

Steve Shackleford

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September 14, 2012

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The late great purveyor J.W. Denton said the best-looking knives were shaped like sports cars, and the Microtech Socom Delta—the Blade Magazine 2012 American-Made Knife Of The Year®—is one J.W. would have loved to take around the block for a cut or two.

MICROTECH SOCOM DELTA

•Pattern: Single-action folder

•Blade steel: Powdered CPM S35VN stainless

•Blade length: 3.75”

•Handle material: G10/carbon fiber

•Closed length: 5.25”

•Weight: 4.2 ozs.

•Special stuff: Carbon-fiber handle has a titanium lockbar w/removable insert to hold the blade securely in place; ceramic bearing system provides smooth, fast action

•MSRP: $330

•Available: Now

The Blade Magazine Knife-Of-The-Year® Awards are voted on each year at the BLADE Show (www.bladeshow.com) by the show’s exhibiting booth holders, plus a panel of five special judges, the latter whose votes count double. The 2013 BLADE Show will be held May 31-June 2, once again at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Georgia.

For the latest knives, knife trends, knifemakers, what knives to buy and where, knife legislation, knifemaking instruction, and much more, subscribe to BLADE® Magazine, the World’s No. 1 Knife Publication. Click on http://www.shopblade.com/blade-magazine-one-year-subscription-us/?lid=blss091712

BLADE MAGAZINE 2012 OVERALL KNIFE OF THE YEAR®

Steve Shackleford

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September 13, 2012

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Knife: ZERO TOLERANCE 0888

Pattern: Premium folder

Blade steel: Composite blade S110V edge, 14C28N spine

Heat treat: 59-61 HRC

Blade length: 3.75”

Blade pattern: Drop point

Blade thickness: .156”

Blade grind: Flat

Blade finish: Satin and bead blasted

Handle: Smooth, contoured titanium

Feature comforts: Stainless steel lockbar insert w/integral over-travel stop; built-in clip slides left or right, integrates into design

Closed length: 5.375”

Operating/locking mechanism: Titanium frame-lock flipper; KVT ball bearings in pivot

Weight: 7.6 ozs.

MSRP: $499

The Blade Magazine Knife-Of-The-Year® Awards are voted on each year at the BLADE Show (www.bladeshow.com) by the show’s exhibiting booth holders, plus a panel of five special judges, the latter whose votes count double. The 2013 BLADE Show will be held once again at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Georgia.

For the latest knives, knife trends, knifemakers, what knives to buy and where, knife legislation, knifemaking instruction, and much more, subscribe to BLADE® Magazine, the World’s No. 1 Knife Publication. Click on http://www.shopblade.com/blade-magazine-one-year-subscription-us/?lid=blss091312

Hunter’s Edge: Outdoor Gear Care Kit

Knife Collecting

BLADE Staff

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September 12, 2012

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New to ShopBlade is Sentry Solutions’ Gear Care Kit-Field Grade for all your hunting knives, guns, tactical gear and collectibles.

The kit includes:

•Sentry Solutions’ award-winning Tuf-Cloth for lubrication and rust protection of all metal, wood and plastic surfaces;

•Tuf-Glide oil-free lubrication in an applicator that can reach inside knife pivots and other hard-to-reach areas (Tuf-Glide was the Blade Magazine 2000 Accessory Of The Year);

•And the GATCO Super Micro sharpener, great for all blades, including those with plain and/or serrated edges.

For more info click on http://www.shopblade.com/gear-care-kit-field-grade-tin/?lid=blss091312

Sweet Simplicity Featured In Knives 2013 Book

Joe Kertzman

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September 12, 2012

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My second Editor’s Favorites pick from the Knives 2013 book is included for its sweet simplicity. Don’t let the straightforward, integral form of Billy Mace Imel’s dagger fool you, though, the lines flow symmetrically, with rounded edges along the grip, a pointed pommel and penetratingly pointed blade.

Only mother-of-pearl interrupts the shapely, blackened 01-tool-steel dagger. (SharpByCoop.com photo)

The knife is featured on page 86 of Knives 2013. Click here to order your copy today!

BLADE Magazine

Everybody Wing Chung Tonight (with Knives 2013 Wing Chung Swords)

Hunter’s Edge: 4 Hot Gut Hooks

Get your meat hooks on four great gut hooks while they’re hot at ShopBlade.com. Four classic examples of the genre include two folders and two fixed blades.

The first of the folders is the Buck Alpha Folding Knife with gut hook. Blade length: 3.5 inches. Handle: Black rubber. Closed length: 5 inches. ShopBlade’s price: $69.99. For more info click on http://www.shopblade.com/buck-alpha-folding-knife-w-gut-hook-y4516/?lid=blss091812

Eat Up These Edged Combatants

BLADE MAGAZINE 2012 AMERICAN-MADE KNIFE OF THE YEAR®

BLADE MAGAZINE 2012 OVERALL KNIFE OF THE YEAR®

Hunter’s Edge: Outdoor Gear Care Kit

Sweet Simplicity Featured In Knives 2013 Book

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