Here’s a look at a bamboo chef knife from Patrick Knives. For more blades like this one, check out the kitchen knives at ShopBlade.com.
Missouri Auto Ban Repeal Is Law
According to Knife Rights, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has signed legislation repealing the ban on the possession, sale and manufacture of automatics—such as the Benchmade Infidel (pictured above)—in Missouri as long as they are not “in violation of federal law.” In practical terms, it means you cannot do so in interstate commerce, on Indian reservations or wherever federal regulations may prevent such activities.
Knife Rights officials indicated they worked closely with the National Rifle Association on this important legislation and appreciate the NRA as a strong partner in their second front in defense of the Second Amendment.
For more info on the bill click on www.KnifeRights.org
For more on the latest knives, knife legislation, knifemaking instruction, knife trends, knifemakers, what knives to buy and where 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/?r+ssfb071112 for more information.
Knives Of Summer: Knife/Multi-Tool Combo
Whether it’s a standard summer cutting job such as opening a bag of dog food for Fido or something more tool oriented, such as tightening down a nut on junior’s bicycle, the Kutmaster Team Realtree Liner Lock Mini Tool Combo will handle the job.
The knife sports a one-hand-opening 420 stainless blade and a Realtree camo handle, while the Mini Tool includes a needle-nose pliers, can opener, scissors, medium screwdriver, grippers, small slotted screwdriver and more.
ShopBlade’s price to you: $19.99.
For more info click on http://www.shopblade.com/kutmaster-team-realtree-liner-lock-mini-tool-combo-y7745 /?r+ssfb071112
Pennsylvania Pro-Knife Measure Pending
According to the American Knife & Tool Institute, a Pennsylvania bill has been introduced to ensure knife liberties for the citizens of the Keystone State. HB 2548 would amend Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. If the measure passed, the current definition of “offensive weapon” would be updated, including removing switchblades—such as the Pro-Tech Stinger pictured above—as an offensive weapon.
For over a year, AKTI officials indicated they have been working with Rep. Marc Gergley (D-35) and Jeff Pyle (R-60), and more recently with Rep. Michelle Brooks (R-17), to add Pennsylvania to the growing number of states that do not restrict knives based on their classification, for mere possession, nor allow cities to enact laws that are stricter than the state’s knife regulations.
Dan Lawson, AKTI legal contributing counsel, has been committed to seeing his home state remove all prohibitive laws on knives, including switchblades. In proposing an amendment to Title 18 to Rep. Marc Gergley in December 2010, Lawson commented, “It may be interesting to note that there are a number of states which never adopted a switchblade prohibition. These states include Oregon, Idaho, North Dakota and Arizona. I would suggest…that there is no discernible difference in knife crime in states with extremely stringent knife laws and states with relatively lenient or no knife laws.”
Since Nov. 28, when Rep. Michelle Brooks announced her intention to sponsor knife legislation, several other legislators have agreed to sponsor the bill, including Representatives Gergley, Pyle, Gabler, Cutler, Evankovich, Geist, Grove, Haluska, Harhai, M.K. Keller, Marshall, Metcalf, Perry and Youngblood.
In explaining the need for the legislation, Rep. Brooks noted, “The intention here is to remove the strict prohibition of switchblades and instead require that the implement must be, ‘for the infliction of serious bodily injury [and] which serves no common lawful purpose.’ In other states where switchblades are not strictly prohibited, these implements are used for various lawful purposes. For instance, many first responders use switchblades so they can open a knife quickly with one hand. This can be critical when trying to save someone’s life by cutting a seat beat or other obstruction to an injured person.”
For more info on the law click on http://www.akti.org/news/pennsylvania-bill-will-remove-all-knife-restrictions
For more on the latest knives, knife legislation, knifemaking instruction, knife trends, knifemakers, what knives to buy and where 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/?r+ssfb071012 for more information.
Knives Of Summer: Keep Those Puppies Sharp!
When you use one of our “Knives Of Summer,” you will need to sharpen that puppy. In fact, a little edge maintenance after each use—when feasible—is the best way to keep your knife sharp for the next time you need it.
GATCO’s Natural Arkansas Sharpening Kit is a great way to keep your edges keen at all times. Designed for sporting, kitchen and other knives, it features a novaculite stone mined from Arkansas. The kit includes a block-mounted 5-inch stone for sharpening, a 3-inch stone for final touch-ups, honing oil and a storage case.
For more info click on http://www.shopblade.com/gatco-natural-arkansas-sharpening-kit-80005/?r+ssfb070912.
Build a Knife From The Latest Knife Kits
Knife kits have helped launch more than a few of the careers of today’s custom knifemakers, and have been well-documented in BLADE® (www.blademag.com) and elsewhere. The competition among knife kit companies continues to be keen and, largely as a result, the variety and quality of the kits has never been better.
The top kits provide most of the components of the folder or sheath knife, including blade, handle materials, pins, springs, bolsters, even glue for the final phase of the construction project. Many knifemaking suppliers offer kits with skill levels ranging from basic to advanced, and shop tool requirements, affordable prices, and even instructions to guide you from start to finish. Blade steels vary from carbon to stainless and damascus options, while handle materials run the gamut from G-10 and other synthetics to various woods, stag or horn.
“We do our own cryogenic blade treating, and that’s an advantage for our kits,” related Lance Reid, manager of Texas Knifemakers Supply. “We have a lot of kits available, and they’re very popular right now because they allow you to express your own artistic ability and influences. LinerLock™, lockback, slip joint and trapper kits are all selling well, and the tools needed for them are generally a belt sander, drill press, buffer and ball-pein hammer.”
The Judge’s Favorite hunter kit (pictured above) is one of the hottest at Texas Knifemakers Supply (TKS). Retailing for $36.45, the kit includes a 4-inch blade of cryogenically treated 6A stainless steel, a Dymondwood™ handle in a choice of more than 30 colors, and 30-minute epoxy to set the knife for use. The Sam Houston Skinner kit has an MSRP of $30.45 and comes complete with a 3 5/8-inch blade of 6A stainless with a slightly dropped point, Dymondwood handle, brass pins, and epoxy.
TKS offers beginner, medium and advanced kits. Beginner kits include premade guards and bolsters, and requirements are simple assembly, grinding and shaping. Medium-skill kits involve the shaping of the guard and bolster, while advanced assembly requires the maker to fabricate the guard and bolster.
BEGINNER TO ADVANCED
Jantz Supply’s latest knife-kit entry is a new line of handles for its U.S.-made pattern blades. The preshaped and contoured handles crafted from G-10, Micarta® and Dymondwood include a variety of textures, and enable enthusiasts at all levels to choose their favorite handle material, color and texture, along with the guards and screws. “Our pattern blades are manufactured from tool steels, including D-2, and stainless steels such as CPM-S30V, 154CM and 440C,” Ken Jantz noted.
By offering fixed-blade kits, Jantz affords beginners an opportunity to learn the basics of knifemaking without the hassle of moving parts and the requirements of close-tolerance fittings. Kit components require only basic tools such as rasps, files and hammers, and the final knife can be completed with hand sanding and finishing.
“Beginners like the kit concept because it provides them with a strong foundation and process for creating a solid, high-quality knife they can be proud of when finished,” Jantz said. “Advanced [enthusiasts] like the ability to customize basic knife kits, showing off their personal creativity and ability to take something standard to an entirely different level. In the hands of someone who knows what they are doing, a kit knife can be truly special.”
Jantz provides beginners and advanced enthusiasts alike many customizable components, unusual materials and opportunities for personal inspiration in the creation and personalization of their fixed kit blades.
When asked about his company’s most recent improvements in folder kits, Jantz stated the availability of the thrust ball bearing in 440C stainless designed by custom maker Gustavo T. Cecchini of GTC Knives brings a new level of quality customization options to knife kits. The bearings are built to provide motion with minimal friction and a smoother action.
PERIOD ORIENTED
“Our knife kits are oriented toward the long hunter and pre-1840 style, and we have only fixed-blade kits,” advised Rex Reddick of Texas-based Crazy Crow Trading Post. “We sell a lot of knifemaking supplies and have been importing blades from Solingen, Germany, since about 1980.
“Our Rocky Mountain Drop Point in either carbon or stainless steel comes with black walnut handle scales and brass rods for rivets,” Rex continued. “It sells for $17.95 and $19.95, depending on the blade steel.”
Other kits of choice from Crazy Crow include the Green River series, which features seven different combinations ranging in manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRPs) of $14.95 to $20. The bowie kit retails for $56 and includes a 6-inch carbon steel Solingen blade and curly maple handle material. Patch knife kits for muzzleloader enthusiasts retail for $14.95.
“We are putting bone scales in some of the kits now,” Reddick said, “and the kits are new this year and also available with curly maple or walnut. The kits are pretty simple. Basically, you drill the scales and glue them with epoxy and hammer the rivets in, drilling the countersink. You need basic tools to put them together, something like a coping saw to saw out the blade blanks. The handle scales come in rectangular form, so a rasp might be needed to file them down if you want to put some taper on the edges.”
DRIVING KIT SALES
At Knifekits.com, the designs of Darrel Ralph are driving kit sales, and the company’s hottest folder going is the SS 2.0 Super Squirt (MSRP: $39.95). “This manual button-lock folder can be built as a standard manual release or converted to automatic by simple modification,” explained Steven Andrews, Knifekits.com general manager. “These are very popular for kit builders who like small folders or who reside in automatic-legal areas, especially those who are engaged in jobs that permit or require automatic carry.”
The AUS8 Super Squirt blade is 2 inches long and available in a black or satin finish. Handle scales are black G-10 or carbon fiber but are not included in the kit. They are premilled and require a simple finish option with basic handwork. The hottest fixed-blade kit from Knifekits.com is the Clip Point Skinner (MSRP: $17.95) available with a stainless or brass guard. The hollow-ground, satin-finished blade is AUS8 stainless. Handle material is not included.
“Both knives are skill level 1-to-2 for basic construction,” Andrews added. “We would not hesitate to recommend these kits to entry-level builders as well as advanced builders. The fit, finish and precision on these models are unsurpassed in their genre. For the basic build on the SS 2.0 folder kit, the No. 6 and No. 8 Torx wrench tools and medium or fine sandpaper are the only tools required. For a basic build on the fixed blade, a peining hammer, a drill bit for creating the handle recess, and sanding materials are sufficient. Epoxy is also recommended for secure, gap-free handle mounting.”—by Mike Haskew
Editor’s note: In the case of Knifekits.com’s Super Squirt, which can be converted to an automatic by simple modification, be sure to check the laws in your area concerning automatic knives.
For more on the latest knives, knife legislation, knifemaking instruction, knife trends, knifemakers, what knives to buy and where 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/?r+ssfb070412 for more information.
Kai USA Lands Four Knife-Of-The-Year® Awards!
Kai USA returned home from the Blade Show with four Blade Magazine Knife-Of-The-Year® awards. Considered the Oscars of the knife industry, BLADE’s Knife-Of-The-Year Awards are the most sought-after honors in the industry, with winning knives and accessories chosen and voted upon by industry peers with booths at the Blade Show. Winners are judged on a range of criteria, from design, innovation and function to craftsmanship and quality.
“We are very proud to be recognized by our respected peers in the knife industry for our ability to create top-quality knives and innovative designs,” said Jack Igarashi, chief of North American operations, Kai USA Ltd., and managing director of Kai Corporation.
Here’s a brief rundown on the winning entries:
Zero Tolerance 0888—2012’s Overall Knife Of The Year®
Blade Show judges were impressed by the clean, bold looks and advanced materials Zero Tolerance used to build the new 0888. The knife was designed to show off the metal—a Composite Blade of high-performance S110V and 14C28N stainless steel and a titanium handle. Except for the decorative pivot, there’s no visible hardware on the front side of the knife to interrupt the visual flow. To ensure the pivot aligned perfectly with the deep groove in both blade and handle, Zero Tolerance used an eccentric (off-centered) pivot shaft. The blade opens smoothly and easily with a flipper. Visually integrated into the design, the unusual pocket clip slides left or right for the user’s choice of carry options.
“Everybody here is pretty excited about the 0888 and it was great to discover that the rest of the industry shared our excitement,” said Thomas Welk, director of sales & marketing, Sporting and Professional Divisions.
Zero Tolerance & RJ Martin ZT 0600—2012’s Collaboration Of The Year®
Zero Tolerance collaborated with custom knifemaker R.J. Martin to bring a version of his award-winning Q36 to the public. The ZT 0600 features a B75P stainless steel blade and a titanium and carbon fiber handle. B75P is the new powder metallurgy version of the near-legendary BG42. For the award-winning knife, ZT thickened the blade stock to 3/16 inch, and gave it a handsome, stone-washed finish. The titanium pocketclip carries right or left, and a recessed lanyard attachment point means nothing interrupts the great look of the knife.
“Our goal is to create products that are handsome, functional, and innovative. Whether it’s an in-house design or collaboration with a custom knifemaker, our R&D team works hard to make these designs become reality. We’re lucky to have such a talented group of people, and I believe the extra effort they put in can be seen in the finished product,” said design engineer Jim McNair.
The Kershaw Cryo—2012’s Best Buy Of The Year®
The Blade Show judges chose the Kershaw Cryo, model 1555TI as the year’s Best Buy. The Cryo is a classic Rick Hinderer design, but built in stainless steel with matte-grey titanium carbo-nitride coating on both handle and blade. It opens quickly with either flipper or thumb stud, and has a sturdy frame lock with lock stabilization. With a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of just $49.95, the Cryo is indeed an excellent buy.
“With Hinderer design’s hard to get, and Kershaw is proud to be able to create a Rick Hinderer design at a price almost everyone can afford,” Welk said.
Shun Cutlery Taiyo—2012’s Kitchen Knife Of The Year®
Taiyo means “sunrise” in Japanese, and Shun named this limited-edition kitchen knife “Taiyo” for the sunrise-like rays that illuminate the blade surface of this spectacular knife. “We aspired to the highest level of quality on the Taiyo,” said Steve Grutbo, vice president of sales and marketing, Housewares Division. “Absolutely nothing was left undone on this superb knife.”
The Taiyo’s blade is a traditional Japanese kiritsuki blade. Japanese master chefs favor this multi-purpose blade shape and use it in ways similar to the European chef’s knife. The Taiyo’s blade has a cutting core of SG2 “micro carbide” steel. With SG2’s incredibly dense and pure grain structure, it takes and holds a fine edge with unparalleled durability. 160 layers (80 on each side) of damascus cladding support the SG2 core, add beauty, and are part of the sunrise pattern. The handle is a traditional Japanese octagonal shape, but it twists and becomes rounder as it nears the bolster in order to provide a comfortable grip.
“We have challenged ourselves to be the one knife maker that stands out in the minds of the consumer for quality, design and value,” said Igarashi. “Our ultimate goal is to create a deep connection with the knife user and a sense of pride in owning a Kershaw, Shun or Zero Tolerance product.”
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