The best custom knives by some of the world’s best custom makers were celebrated this past weekend at the world’s largest knife show, the BLADE Show (www.bladeshow.com), at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Georgia.

Michael Ruth Jr. won both the Hugh Bartrug Best Of Show and Best Sword for his elegant English hunting sword. Meanwhile, Mike Williams scored big time by winning two awards: Best Utility Hunter and Best Of The Rest. Japan’s Yoshio Sakauchi won the Yvon Vachon Best Miniature for a phenomenal fifth straight year.

All of the winners, by category:

Hugh Bartrug Best Of Show/Best Sword: Michael Ruth Jr.

Best Tactical Folder: Kirby Lambert

Most Innovative Design: Brian Tighe

Best Handle Design: Ron Newton

Best Folder: Ken Erickson

Yvon Vachon Best Miniature: Yoshio Sakauchi

Best Art Knife: Van Barnett (pictured at top)

Best Fixed Blade: Kevin Cashen

Best Bowie: Jason Knight

Best New Maker: Tom Ploppert

Best Fighter: David Mirabile

Best Knife Collaboration: Bob Terzuola and Gus Cecchini

Best Utility Hunter: Mike Williams

Best Damascus: David Lisch

Best Of The Rest: Mike Williams

For the complete story on the winners and the knives, see the November BLADE®.

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Rodney Watts won Best New Maker at the 2011 BLADE Show for his fancy fighter (above).

    The 31st annual BLADE Show (www.bladeshow.com) will be June 8-10 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta. One of the most important events is the custom knife judging. Below are the rules:

NOTE! These rules are subject to change!

Special Note: The following rules are in effect for the 2012 BLADE Show Custom Knife Competition.  Any violation of the rules may make the knife and/or the maker ineligible for awards. Any infraction validated after the award presentation may result in the forfeiture of the award.

WHAT: The Custom Knife Competition For The 2012 BLADE Show & International Cutlery Fair

WHEN: Friday, June 8, 2012

WHERE: At 3:30 p.m. bring your knife/knives to seminar room #104 for judging. No entries accepted after 4 p.m.

QUALIFICATIONS

1)     Custom knives can be submitted and accepted only from table holders at the 2012 BLADE Show.  (Shared tables must be declared to show management before the show begins.)

2)     The maker must submit the knife personally and so identify himself/herself as the maker of the submitted knife.  The maker’s business card or some other form of identification should accompany each knife.

3)     The BLADE Show is not liable in any way for the submitted knife while under the care of the BLADE Show.

4)     To be eligible for competition, the submitted knife must have been made after June 1, 2011, and never previously received an award from the BLADE Show.

5)     The knife must be of the entering maker’s construction, excluding embellishments (engraving, scrimshaw, filework, etc.) and materials.

6)     By entering this competition, the entrant confirms that he/she has read all of these rules and qualifications and agrees to said rules.

CATEGORIES:

Hugh Bartrug Best in Show            Best Art Knife                                 Best Tactical Folder                           Best Knife Collaboration                 Best Fixed Blade                            Best Fighter                                   

Best Utility Hunter                           Best Sword                                     Best Damascus                             

Best Bowie                                      Best Folder                                       Best New Maker

Yvon Vachon Best Miniature           Best Handle Design                        Most Innovative Design                    

Best Of The Rest

BEST KNIFE COLLABORATION: For the best handmade collaboration between two or more artists (knifemaker/knifemaker, knifemaker/embellisher, knifemaker/designer, etc.) on one knife.

BEST NEW MAKER CATEGORY: This category is limited to those who have been making knives for five years or less.

HOW MANY KNIVES YOU CAN ENTER: You may enter up to three (3) knives in the competition, but only one (1) knife per category and one category per knife (in other words, you cannot enter the same knife in more than one category).

BEST UTILITY HUNTER: Should be a hunting knife designed for use in the field.

BEST HANDLE DESIGN: Should be a handle that is notable for its design, whether utilitarian, aesthetic or both.

BEST OF THE REST: For cutting tools that do not fit well in any of the other categories (tomahawks, multi-tools, fantasy knives, ulus, etc.)

WHERE AND HOW TO ENTER YOUR KNIVES: Tables labeled by category will be set up in seminar room #104.  Put your knife on the table pertaining to its category, along with your business card.

HOW TO PICK YOUR CATEGORY: There may be some crossover in categories but the rule of thumb is to look over the knives entered in each category and then enter your knife in the category in which you think it has the best chance to win (as long as it fits the category).

SECURITY: A guard will be present at all times in room #104 to watch your knives.

KNIFE PICK-UP: An announcement will be made for you to pick up your knives when the judging is completed.  Winners will be announced before the close of the show Friday evening.

            GOOD LUCK!