The folding knife that has become the yardstick against which others are compared, the Sebenza has earned a worldwide reputation for rock solid performance a…
Indiana Senate Committee Votes To Repeal Switchblade Ban
Indiana Senate’s Committee on Corrections, Criminal and Civil Matters unanimously passed Senate Bill SB06, a Knife Rights requested bill sponsored by Senators Jim Tomes and Johnny Nugent, which would overturn the state’s antiquated and irrational ban on the possession of switchblade/automatic knives. Senate Bill SB06
This is just the first step in this effort, but the unanimous bipartisan vote bodes well for the bill’s future. If you live, work or travel in Indiana, please contact your Senator and ask them to support SB06 when it comes to the floor for a vote in the coming days. Locate your Senator, or the Senator who represents where you work or travel here: http://district.iga.in.gov/DistrictLookup/.
Knife Rights Director of Legislative Affairs, Todd Rathner, testified at the hearing that these antiquated bans were implemented in the 1950’s in response to hysteria induced by movies like Rebel Without A Cause. They were not based on any type of public threat, increase in crime or other public policy decision. He also explained to the committee that “modern technology has created knives that open just as fast or faster than switchblades or automatics, so the bans on these knives are obsolete.”
SB06 removes a provision that makes it a Class B misdemeanor for a person to manufacture, possess, display, offer, sell, lend, give away, or purchase any knife with a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, device containing gas, spring, or other device in the handle of the knife. Read the bill here: http://1.usa.gov/sffRrU.
White-Hot Knife Websites
Some websites offer exclusives on custom knives. True North Knives (TNK) has the exclusive on Kirby Lambert’s “Scorpios” (above). Blade steel: CPM-S35VN stainless. Blade length: 3 1/8 inches. Handle: Ironwood burl. Bolster/guard: Lightning strike carbon fiber. TNK’s list price: $675. (TNK photo) For more information about this knife and/or more like it, click on http://www.truenorthknives.com/vcom/index.php
WHITE-HOT KNIFE WEBSITES
The hottest cutlery websites offer the best in knives, selection and service
By Mike Haskew
The Internet crackles with items to buy, sell and trade, and the number of websites serving the knife community has steadily grown in recent years. Browsing online does have its advantages with a broad selection just a click away.
Knife specs and prices can be easily compared, while information on custom makers and manufacturers is readily available. However, before buying online, it pays to be informed as to service, responsiveness, quality of the items once received, and the degree to which an Internet source is prepared to stand behind the knife it sells and ships.
“It’s important to remember,” advised BLADE® field editor Dexter Ewing, “that the Internet in general is very dynamic, and folks that sell knives on [it] have the advantage of harnessing the power of cyberspace and using it to their advantage. If they get a new knife in from, say, Benchmade or Spyderco, they can almost immediately have the picture of the knife up as well as the specs, pricing and a ‘virtual shopping cart’ feature.”
Those considering the online purchase of a custom or factory knife may want to visit some of the best sites around to find out for themselves just what may be in store.
From the custom angle, three story sources said Neil Ostroff and his truenorthknives.com is a winner. “This Canadian purveyor is a real success story and an inspiration for me,” commented collector Lorien Arnold. “There is a constant movement of knives through the store, and there are quality photos accompanying each knife. Pricing is very consistent, and although my interest isn’t primarily in folding knives, visiting this site regularly keeps me informed on what is hot. True North Knives really has its finger on the pulse of what is hot in cutlery.”
True North Knives is also high on the list of collector Mike Searson. Others topping his list are Bladeart.com, EDCknives.com, nordicknives.com, bluelinegear.com and schmuckatellico.com. “I primarily collect custom knives, and these sites often have photos and stats of the latest knives more up to date than even the makers’ own sites,” he commented. “Pricing is pretty reasonable, and all of these dealers have gotten back to me usually within the same day.
“For production knives,” Searson continued, “I usually go to the factory websites as they tend to keep those more up to date than the custom makers do [their sites], and these include emersonknives.com, spyderco.com, chrisreeve.com, microtech.com and others. They all offer an equal level of customer service and response time.
“In today’s market, everyone has to be competitive. The bigger production houses can take a day or two to get back in touch with you, but that’s understandable with their volume or if you are looking for a discontinued item that may be in stock. Usually, I will buy any needed supplies from these folks when placing a knife order.”
A collector of high-end custom tactical knives, Tarek Mirshak likes arizonacustomknives.com, steeladdictionknives.com and ebosshoss.com. “They have a great variety of custom tactical knives, updates on a regular basis, great communication,” he said. Of arizonacustomknives.com he added, “It’s a ‘real-time site,’ so once an item is sold, it’s automatically marked as sold. Pricing is reasonable and shipping is prompt.
“If I’m looking for a very special piece, the place to look is ebosshoss.com. Jon Ukman has a knack of having hard-to-find pieces and most people’s ‘holy grails.’ His prices are sometimes on the high side, but considering the rarity of the pieces he has, the prices are not unreasonable. His communication is great and shipping is always prompt.” At steeladdictionknives.com, Mirshak says to expect more of the same, a real-time site with regular updates and outstanding customer satisfaction.
Ewing is a fan of truenorthknives.com, knifeart.com and knifecenter.com. In addition to knives, the sites offer sharpeners from angle-guide kits to bench stones, files, storage cases, storage bags, zippered pouches, lubes and sheaths. All three keep their content updated with timely postings of new images and information.
“Their site is their storefront, and they have to keep posting new knives on a timely basis because that’s what helps generate sales,” Dexter related. “To some degree these sites offer exclusives with custom knifemakers of a special design that the site and the maker agree on. They usually are models that are not offered in the maker’s regular lineup and offer a point of attraction for these websites to be the only source for a knife that only can be purchased from that one website.
“The selection of these sites is enormous,” Ewing added. “They all cover the range from custom and production slip joints, fixed-blade hunters, gent’s knives, full-blown tacticals, and some investment-grade collector pieces. They also stock a good variety of knife care supplies and equipment. All three sell flashlights, too, something that apparently a lot of knife guys are also into, including me! So, it’s great to see a wide variety of cutlery and related products for sale on just one website.”
Arnold said he credits his online experience with his “discovering” custom knives on Bladeforums.com. “It’s a place which provides social interaction with people whom I’ve befriended there over the years. I also frequent a number of custom knife purveyors’ websites, and I am always looking for new work by my favorite makers or newly available work from makers who unfortunately may no longer be in this world.”
Arnold indicated he enjoys browsing robertsoncustomcutlery.com. “There are rarely any exceptional deals to be found, but if you are looking for a knife which will either maintain its value or go up in value, this is a good place to look, and a great place for solid, informed advice. The store’s owner [Les Robertson] is very communicative,” he added.
Materials, Sheaths and More
Arnold said he has made a few knives himself and purchased most of the materials needed from alphaknifesupply.com. He indicated he appreciates the site’s wide selection, and researching its materials costs has provided insights on how finished knives are priced. Among his other favorite sites are beautifulblades.com and nordicknives.com.
“This purveyor always has very interesting knives of all varieties available and somehow seems to get high-end knives of a level rarely seen elsewhere,” he said of the Solvang, California-based Nordic Knives owned by Dave and Grace Harvey. “The photos are consistent and easy on the eyes and is a very simple site to navigate as well.”
At beautifulblades.com, a specialty is custom sheaths, and the site features custom fixed blades and art knives, some of which are the work of Magnus Axelson. Arnold said he recently bought an Axelson knife from beautifulblades.com and was pleased with the packaging and turnaround time.
While the Internet presents challenges all its own, and nothing quite takes the place of holding a knife and getting a feel for its balance and a solid look at the craftsmanship, online shopping opens a whole new arena for knife buyers. As always, doing the necessary homework and understanding pricing, terms of delivery and return policies help make the most of an online purchase from a reputable and responsible source.
For more on the latest knives, knife websites, 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. For subscription information click on http://www.shopblade.com/product/blade-magazine-one-year-subscripti…?r+ssfb160112#BL1SU
Knife Of The Day XIV: Durvyn Howard
Our Knife Of The Day—make that KNIVES of the day—are these sexy little beauties by Durvyn Howard in gold-lip mother-of-pearl. For more information on these knives, contact purveyor David Hodge of Miami Nice Knife at [email protected]. Howard’s contact info: 4220 McLain St. S., Hokes Bluff, AL 35903 256-492-5720, cell 256-504-1853.
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. For subscription information click on http://www.shopblade.com/product/blade-magazine-one-year-subscripti…?r+ssfb120112#BL1SU
Indiana Senate Committee Votes Unanimously to Repeal Switchblade Ban
Indiana Senate’s Committee on Corrections, Criminal and Civil Matters unanimously passed Senate Bill SB06, a bill Knife Rights officials stated they requested and that was sponsored by Senators Jim Tomes and Johnny Nugent, and which would overturn the state’s antiquated, irrational ban on the possession of switchblades.
This is just the first step in this effort, but the unanimous bipartisan vote bodes well for the bill’s future. If you live, work or travel in Indiana, please contact your Senator and ask them to support SB06 when it comes to the floor for a vote in the coming days. Locate your Senator, or the Senator who represents where you work or travel here: http://district.iga.in.gov/DistrictLookup/
Knife Rights Director of Legislative Affairs Todd Rathner testified at the hearing that the antiquated bans were implemented in the 1950s in response to hysteria induced by movies like “Rebel Without A Cause.” The bans were not based on any type of public threat, increase in crime or other public policy decision.
SB06 removes a provision that makes it a Class B misdemeanor for a person to manufacture, possess, display, offer, sell, lend, give away, or purchase any knife with a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, device containing gas, spring, or other device in the handle of the knife. Read the bill here: http://1.usa.gov/sffRrU
The preceding is courtesy of Knife Rights. For more information click on http://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. For subscription information click on http://www.shopblade.com/product/blade-magazine-one-year-subscripti…?r+ssfb110112#BL1SU
Anti-Knife Insanity Victimizes Georgia Teenager
In yet another example of anti-knife insanity, Jack Persyn, 13, was in chess club before class when he discovered a short knife in the bag he brought to his Georgia school. The teen was severely punished after reporting that he accidently brought the knife to school.
Persyn’s aunt had bought the bag from a yard sale, and gave the purchase to the teen without checking inside first. After Persyn told his Lanier Middle School teacher that he accidentally brought the weapon to class, the teen received four days of in-school suspension, a punishment his father Bill Persyn says is excessive.
“There was never a safety issue,” Persyn told WXIA. “No harm was done. It was a genuine, honest mistake, yet he got pulled out of class for four days. I can see a one-hour detention if they had to do something, but this is nonsensical.”
Full story with video here: http://on.11alive.com/yCiNJj
So, what was the lesson this impressionable teen has learned from this experience? It certainly wasn’t that he should be honest in future dealings with his teachers or authorities.
John Howard, a staff writer for HUMAN EVENTS, penned a very good commentary on this incident, well worth the read: www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=48667Â
The preceding is courtesy of Knife Rights. For more information click on http://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. For subscription information click on http://www.shopblade.com/product/blade-magazine-one-year-subscripti…?r+ssfb110112#BL1SU
The Knife J.S. Dondino Carries
“I carry a Kershaw 1480 with a blade of VG-10 steel clad in 420HC. I love the classic look of the knife and it cuts like it’s going out of style. I’ve had it since my Navy service and still use it daily to cut shroud line for my job as a civilian. It also does a number on the occasional apple and the errant strings on my wife’s sweaters.”
J.S. Dondino, Portland, Oregon
For more on the latest knives and the knives people carry, 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. For subscription information click on http://www.shopblade.com/product/blade-magazine-one-year-subscripti…?r+ssfb100112#BL1SU
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