Three new models are but a smattering of the boom in factory-made automatics.
When it comes to a truly original American knife, it’s hard to top the auto.
Unfairly maligned over the decades as the “weapon of street gangs” and other inaccurate smears, the knife still known to many as the switchblade is enjoying a renaissance in popularity due to the reversals of many statewide auto bans spearheaded in large part by the two leading pro-knife legislative action groups: Knife Rights and the American Knife & Tool Institute.
With autos now legal to many thousands of enthusiasts in dozens of states, one of the results has been a boom in factory-made autos by a growing number of knife companies.
CobraTec FS-3 Molon Labe
The handle of the CobraTec OTF has a Cerakote® finish and graphics with the Molon Labe—Latin for “come and take it”—text. A ramped thumb slide switch actuates the blade, which deploys and retracts with quick, crisp action.
If you’re into OTF (Out The Front) autos, Texas-based CobraTec Knives should be of interest. The small, family-owned operation offers entry-level, midgrade and high-end automatic and manual opening knives, as well as fixed blades.
Its OTFs* are a great bang for the buck. The medium FS-3 Molon Labe edition features a 3-inch clip-point blade of satin-finished D2 tool steel paired with a 4.5-inch aluminum handle. Available in either a plain or partially serrated edge, the test model is the latter. The serrations give extra cutting power through thick or fibrous materials.
The knife is sized just right to handle most cutting tasks and still be compact enough for comfortable carry. The handle has a Cerakote® finish and graphics with the Molon Labe—Ancient Greek for “come and take it”—text. A deep carry, reversible/ambidextrous pocket clip held by a large screw doubles as a glass breaker. A ramped thumb slide switch actuates the blade, which deploys and retracts with quick, crisp action.
A ramped thumb slide switch actuates the blade, which deploys and retracts with quick, crisp action.
D2 is known for toughness, edge holding and ease of resharpening. It’s been a popular choice for custom knifemakers for years and has become widely adopted in the production industry as an alternative to low-grade stainless steel, offering the enhanced edge retention at a nominal price increase, if any. The belly of the modified clip point blade has excellent slicing abilities.
Medford Knife & Tool MERC-1
The MERC-1 has a symmetrical dagger-style blade of CPM S45VN stainless for enhanced edge holding.
If you think the Medford Knife & Tool MERC-1 is like all the other OTFs on the market, you’re wrong. The 3.75-inch blade comes in either a double-edge dagger style or Medford’s single-edge Praetorian-style drop point, each in CPM S45VN stainless.
Sporting two sets of fullers, the dagger test blade is loaded with attitude. The 5-inch handle is hard anodized aluminum. A sturdy, wide, deep-carry pocket clip is affixed to the end of the handle by a large screw and has a glassbreaker point.
One of the more interesting facts about the MERC-1 is there are no handle assembly screws. How is this done? The top handle cover slides onto the body via a tongue and channel system. The large clip screw fastens the two together, preventing unwanted movement of the top cover. The no-screws approach provides a visually streamlined, cleaner look than most.
Note the MERC-1 blade’s dual fullers (page 44), reducing weight as well as giving the knife a double dose of attitude.
The MERC-1 is a solid performer. Blade deployment and retraction are quick with a solid feel. The sliding button requires some force to push and pull but once you get used to it, it’s no problem. This is done by design to prevent inadvertent blade movement.
The knife does well at general cutting but needs a bit of pushing to get through some tasks. Dagger blades are more for thrusting and penetration. One thing is certain, the MERC-1’s is definitely cool looking! (Author’s note: the knife for this review is an earlier version with a hex-bolt machining pattern on the handle. The pattern has been changed to a series of chevron lines and an engraving of a crossbow.) The MERC-1 is Medford’s first attempt at an OTF and an excellent one at that.
Vero Engineering/Pro-Tech Synapse
The Synapse handle is a half-and-half hybrid construction style, with a black Micarta® presentation side and the opposite side (right) hard-coat-anodized T6-6061 aluminum alloy for strength, light weight and minimal mass. A stylish milled titanium pocket clip carries the closed knife blade tip up in the pocket.
Pro-Tech Knives has teamed with Vero Engineering to produce a collaborative auto: the Pro-Tech Synapse. The framelock design features all advanced materials in a no-nonsense folder ideal for EDC. It’s especially notable for the infusion of Pro-Tech’s trademark ultra-snappy automatic opening action.
The 3.2-inch drop-point blade is flat-ground CPM MagnaCut stainless steel, which is known for its edge holding and corrosion resistance. The drop point shape provides plenty of blade belly.
The handle is a half-and-half hybrid construction style, with a black Micarta presentation side and the opposite side hard-coat-anodized T6-6061 aluminum alloy for strength, light weight and minimal mass. A stylish milled titanium pocket clip carries the closed knife tip up in the pocket. Another nice touch is the firing button, which sits inside a milled cavity to help prevent accidental blade deployment.
The Synapse’s drop-point blade of CPM MagnaCut stainless is conducive to a wide range of tasks. The blade action is quick and snappy as with all Pro-Tech autos.
With a closed length of 4.1 inches, the Synapse is neither too big nor too small. The large finger groove helps lock your grip onto the handle effectively, allowing a more secure grip with or without gloves.
The blade has an aggressive bite to it and the curve of the belly makes slicing almost effortless. The Synapse is a great working folder.
*Editor’s Note: According to CobraTec, its OTFs have a built-in safety feature that prevents the blade from fully deploying if anything is obstructing its path. Once in “safety mode” the blade must be reset by pulling it all the way into its locked position, making it fully functional again.
How two U.S. knifemakers successfully transitioned from home shop to factory.
Ever wonder why some custom knifemakers decide to take the leap from the rarified air of being a sole artisan to the crowded arena of factory fare? Sometimes the answer is easy. For instance, in 1999, BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member Chris Reeve switched his custom shop over to a micro-manufacturing outfit in Boise, Idaho, simply because he couldn’t supply enough of his popular Sebenzas to a thirsty knife-buying public. That one move catapulted Chris Reeve Knives (page 26) into a successful American manufacturer of folders and fixed blades.
We thought the practice of switching from shop-to-factory, and the reasoning behind such a move, to be an interesting one, so we sought out a couple of like-minded makers from two different genres to bring you an inside look at such a move.
Long Road Of American Knife Manufacturing
Daniel Winkler never planned on producing factory knives, but when a government contract to aid the troops fighting in the Middle East came along, his love of country won out. He had, however, made a name for himself long before that. Winkler built his first knife in high school shop class and still has it among the knives he has archived. In the ensuing years he began gaining popularity among members of the black-powder and knifemaking communities. In the late 1980s he teamed up with partner Karen Shook, whose sheaths greatly complement his custom period knives to this day. In 1992 he forged blades for the hit movie The Last of the Mohicans starring Daniel Day-Lewis, which enhanced Winkler’s popularity even more.
Daniel Winkler went from a one-man knifemaking shop he used from 1992-2006 in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, to the 35,000-square-foot facility he and partner Karen Shook operate in Blowing Rock today.
Simply stated, Daniel Winkler is more than a knifemaker, he’s an institution. But it was a long road with a lot of steps along the way. “My first shop was in the hall of my house. I would clamp knives to the stairs and file them to shape,” he recalls. “I graduated to a garage and bought a 1-by-42-inch belt sander. My first forge was made from a truck wheel and a vacuum cleaner. I used charcoal and a piece of railroad rail for an anvil. I still have that anvil, too.” Winkler says his biggest challenge during those early days was “a lack of time, as I had to work a full-time job—and mostly a lack of practical knowledge.” As his popularity grew so did his equipment and capabilities as a master forger, but that would bring change as well.
“I never really wanted to make factory knives,” Winkler opines. “Back in the mid-2000s I was contacted by members of a Special Operations group. They were not happy with the edged equipment they were getting and asked if I would help them get better designed and higher functioning equipment. Initially, I was going to help with the design and development and contract another manufacturer to make the tools. What I found was other people wanted to do things their way and not adapt their manufacturing methods to how I wanted operations done.
“Karen and I discussed the situation and decided whether we were going to be involved with making edged equipment that could very realistically mean life or death based on the performance of the equipment. We decided that no compromise was worth accepting, so we started our own limited production company. We called it Winkler Knives II since we were still making our hand-forged pieces. We successfully made the requested equipment, and [Winkler Knives II] started growing by word of mouth in the military community. As we grew in professional circles, the public with an interest in Tier-1-level military uses found us. Our involvement was verified in a book written by a Navy SEAL and the Sunday edition of The New York Times. Business took a big leap after that.”
Making The Leap Into Knife Manufacturing
Sparks fly on the grinding line in Winkler’s Blowing Rock, North Carolina, facility. The company employs one part-time and 28 full-time employees.
“My first shop was my one-man forging/grinding shop. I hired two part-time staff to assist in handling it. It was a very tight space,” Daniel notes. “From here I added additional grinders and rented a small space in a warehouse. I did the steel grinding and heat treating while Karen worked on finishing. The first models were two Combat/Breaching Hatchets—one for Naval Special Warfare and another for Army Special Operations. That was in 2004-2005.”
Today Winkler Knives has exploded in size to a 35,000-square-foot facility with one part-time and 28 full-time employees. Daniel credits buying a water jet to cut production costs, hiring the right people, and creating an environment for lasting and satisfying jobs.
“I have a rule we adhere to,” he observes. “Any changes we make must make the product better in performance and/or quality, and make the operation safer for our employees.” It is a dictate that continues to make Winkler Knives a mainstay in the business of all that cuts.
Paying Dues
In 2019 McNees Knives went from a 400-square-foot shop to today’s 3,500-square-foot factory. Among the hot sellers for McNees are the MAC2 integral-lock folders.
United States Marine Corps veteran and devoted outdoorsman Jonathan McNees of Vernon, Alabama, has always been a knife fan, and when he got drawn into the world of custom knifemaking on the internet he was hooked for good. “I started making knives in 2008 after discovering online forums where people were discussing making knives in their personal garages and the like. Before that,” he remembers, “I really had no idea people were doing that—not at that level, at least.” Finding some brands he’d never seen before, like Strider Knives, led him to locating the forums, he added.
“My first shop was a 400-square-foot pole barn in my backyard that started with an extension cord run from the house to power it,” McNees reveals. “I cobbled together my first 2-by-72 grinder using some ‘no weld’ grinder plans I picked up. It was the epitome of a ‘Frankengrinder’—a bench grinder for a motor and a plastic lawnmower wheel as a drive wheel, but it got the job done. I ground hundreds of knives on it before I bought a real grinder. The most difficult thing in the early days, aside from learning the hand-to-eye coordination on the technical stuff, was getting my name out there and building a reputation. I had to be aware of my place in the food chain and pay my dues.
“My breakthrough moment to switch to factory knives came from looking at my work from a business perspective. I always tried to work fast but no matter how fast I got, the business was never going to scale with me building customs by myself. I realized I not only wanted to be a craftsman but I also wanted to build a business. I went to production in 2019. I realized I couldn’t make the kind of impact in the industry I wanted to by just flying solo doing customs. I was probably putting out between 200-to-300 knives a year as a custom knifemaker.
The McNees Knives Ridge Runner won the BLADE Magazine 2024 Fixed Blade Knife Of The Year® Award at last year’s BLADE Show. The 3.7-inch blade is CPM 3V carbon steel and the handle is G-10. MSRP: $312. (Jocelyn Frasier image)
“The first step into production was using U.S. OEM shops to do all the machining and grinding work,” he continues. “I hired two people—one primarily ran our laser, which we did non-knife projects with to help with cash flow, and the other I taught to do all the hand fitting and assembly. I helped where needed on the production but mostly continued to make customs during this phase.” All this continued to be done in the 400-square-foot shop.
“One big step forward came in 2021 when we moved and built a 3,500-square-foot shop and bought our first CNC mill,” Jonathan states. “Since then, we’re up to seven full-time employees plus myself, and my wife has come to work full time in the business for a total of nine. Our bread and butter is our framelock tactical folders, but we also have a good start on a fixed-blade line with three new models added this year.
“We should finish with 3,000-to-4,000 knives produced this year, but our biggest recent accomplishment is a great increase in production numbers thanks to getting a lot of processes dialed in and getting a really solid team in place,” he observes. “We have a new folder coming out next year that is based off one of my most popular custom designs, so we’re really excited about that. We plan to continue to scale and grow as much as we can. We love this industry and want to provide a positive influence.”
Parts for a McNees Knives folder are removed from the plate used to surface grind them, a far cry from the days when they were done by hand.
Daniel and Jonathan are two custom knifemakers who made the leap to factory production for two different yet legitimate reasons, but both share the common commitment of making knives. They reflect the American dream in action and have done themselves proud.
The Tar Heel Hurricane turned lives upside down, but North Carolina knifemaker Winkler Knives has proven resilient.
Hurricane Helene devastated parts of Western North Carolina, East Tennessee and other states this past fall. Among those damaged was the Winkler Knives shop in Blowing Rock, North Carolina.
Daniel Winkler estimated the monetary loss to his business from $500,000 to $600,000, though the biggest setback was the death of one of the company’s long-time employees, Steve Limbacher.
“He could not handle the stress and his heart just gave out,” Winkler wrote. “Steve is missed every day at Winkler Knives.”
Up to 15 inches of water flowed through the Winkler shop from a creek adjacent to the structure, leaving behind one to 6 inches of mud. The company lost several machines, computers, printers, cabinets and shelves, carts and other daily use tools. Materials for handles, sheaths and other shop supplies were destroyed. Four large garage doors were damaged, as was all the flooring in the office and breakroom. All the office doors were lost.
One to 6 inches of mud were left at Winkler Knives factory requiring a extensive cleanup process.
For cleanup the Winklers bought a track hoe, dump truck and small skid steer, and also numerous hoses, pressure washers, wet vacuums, mops and scrubbers. In all, it took the full staff 2 ½ weeks to clean up the mess. “However, compared to others in our area, we were just inconvenienced,” Daniel noted.
“Many others were devastated with lost buildings, vehicles and many lives. We are truly blessed.”
To aid those in one of the most severely damaged areas in North Carolina, through its fundraising efforts Winkler Knives presented a check for $13,018.75 to the Mitchelle County Development Foundation. The company also raised money for its own recovery efforts via tent sales of Winkler knives, tomahawks, axes and sheaths at Winkler Knives Actual on Nov. 30 and Dec. 2.
Leading domestic factory companies outline barriers to producing knives in America.
The slogan “Made in the USA” carries a specific meaning across the globe. American knife manufacturers tout that aspect of their operations with justifiable pride. Still, they face challenges in the arena of worldwide competition, constantly seeking methods and management that offer the best opportunities for success.
In addition to the inherent competition related to the actual quality of their finished products—the attributes that compel the buyer to choose their knives over that of a competitor—American cutlery manufacturers often find themselves up against a foreign-government-subsidized or bankrolled competitor. Trade barriers may prevent their products from reaching a broader customer base, and the shifting costs of labor, materials and production demand attention.
Export Hurdles
To remain successful in today’s competitive knife marketplace, Anne (left) and Tim (right) Reeve of Chris Reeve Knives focus on consistency in the company’s brand and models, as well as uncompromising quality in materials, designs, workmanship and customer service.
“One major challenge is the cost of distributing products overseas, particularly to the European Union,” related Curtis Iovito of North Carolina-based Spartan Blades. “The combined impact of Value Added Tax [VAT] and customs duty can exceed 21 percent, and in some countries it is even higher. These additional costs ultimately get passed on to the consumer, making it harder to remain competitive.”
The Spartan experience is not unique, and in order to address the issue American knife manufacturers naturally gravitate toward the domestic consumer.
“One of our strategies is to focus on the American market,” Curtis advised, “where consumers value high-quality products and excellent customer service. We optimize our manufacturing processes for maximum efficiency, allowing us to control costs as effectively as possible.”
Such an inward perspective is driven both by access to markets and by an acknowledgement of the barriers that exist in global trade.
Illustrative of Chris Reeves Knives’ approach to the market is the most American-looking of the U.S.-based manufacturer’s knives: the Sebenza 31 CGG Forever Flag Drop Point. MSRP: $550.
“In regard to stuff abroad, we source everything in the U.S., period,” asserted Ernest Emerson of Emerson Knives, Inc., located in the Los Angeles, California, area. “We don’t get steel screws or handle materials except from U.S. suppliers at this point, so availability of materials doesn’t affect us. Also, 99 percent of our product is sold domestically, so we don’t have any dealers set up in Europe, although there is a tremendous fan base for us there.”
The benefits of an established brand and loyal following are hallmarks of the success story at Chris Reeve Knives, located in Boise, Idaho, as well.
“We are in the very fortunate position of having established a legacy brand many years ago and are supported by an incredibly loyal customer base,” explained Anne and Tim Reeve. “The market has changed considerably in recent years, but we have remained stable. To keep competitive, we focus on consistency in our brand and our models and uncompromising quality in materials, designs, workmanship and customer service.”
Dangers Abroad
Domestic competition is welcomed among American knife companies. Consumers are invited to question, evaluate and commit with their dollar at home. However, in the wider world there are obvious signs that the playing field is far from level when it comes to price points.
Known worldwide for his custom as well as his factory knives, Ernest Emerson—putting blade to grinding belt here—said he finds Chinese knife companies and their advantages a real danger to the knife industry overall. “They are ruthless,” he opined, “and their endeavors inside our industry are the same exact game plan as the Chinese government is using across all U.S. industries—break them down, undercut them, put them out of business.”
Further, the encroachment of foreign knife companies into the American market with the economic power and financial backing of their government’s bankroll is troubling—and among these foreign companies no others stand out more prominently than those headquartered in the People’s Republic of China.
“A very real danger to our industry is the Chinese knife companies,” Emerson declared. “They are ruthless, and their endeavors inside our industry are the same exact game plan as the Chinese government is using across all U.S. industries—break them down, undercut them, put them out of business. They are funded by the Chinese Communist Party, and don’t get me wrong, the product is good. But what happens is they come in at prices just under [Emerson], Buck or Spyderco. So, in the consumer’s mind they may reason that the Civivi or WE knife is $50 cheaper and buy that knife. It’s a shame because we have seen companies that have been in business for years go out of business. If you take an 18-to-25 percent hit to the bottom line, it affects you like crazy. That’s millions in revenue.”
Iovito adds to that perspective.
“There are two main disadvantages,” he said. “Increased competition from Chinese-made products and rising concerns about counterfeiting. The lower labor costs and government funding available to manufacturers in China create a significant competitive gap. Additionally, counterfeits have become harder to distinguish from genuine American-made knives, especially as platforms like Alibaba make it easier for counterfeiters to distribute their products. The situation is compounded by foreign-government-backed knife companies with substantial marketing budgets, which make it difficult for smaller U.S. companies to compete at sub-$150 price points. We’re also seeing foreign interests penetrate U.S. industry organizations through donations and sponsorships aimed at market expansion.”
At Chris Reeve Knives, the owners acknowledge the market conditions that drive profitability.
In terms of state and local taxes and restrictions, the Chris Reeve Knives business environment in Idaho seems to be better off overall than some other domestic knife manufacturers. “We are fortunate that Idaho is a good place to do business,” Anne Reeve noted, “and there are no particularly difficult restrictions.”
“It is becoming more and more expensive to produce knives or anything else in the USA, but we are grateful that we established ourselves as much USA-made as is possible many years ago,” Anne commented. “Labor costs have skyrocketed and all materials have increased. We monitor costs closely and negotiate as much as feasible with our suppliers. We focus on innovative manufacturing processes, employee training and scrap reduction without compromising quality.”
Hence, keeping costs contained in light of wage pressure, materials availability driven by demand, and other factors that are basic for any business—including utility costs, equipment maintenance, upkeep and upgrades, and the retention of skilled and even unskilled workers—is always a priority. The companies who manage such challenges best are those that survive and prosper.
Trade Protection
However, where is the pressure point or the point of relief when it comes to foreign competition? How does the American knife manufacturer remain competitive and keep each of these critical components in fragile balance? Perspectives on trade protection are somewhat varied but they may well have a purpose in the overall economic scheme of things.
“We see an average Total Import Tax of about 22.4 percent on folding knives and 23.6 percent on fixed blades,” Iovito related. “Often it is much higher. There aren’t many solutions to this issue other than competitive tariffs and trade agreements. The VAT and tax outlay by our dealers can almost double the price of our knives in the European Union. Additionally, the dealer doesn’t receive a refund on the VAT until the knives are sold. This effectively disincentivizes the stocking of American knife brands.
Spartan Blades won its first-ever BLADE Magazine Overall Knife-of-the-Year® Award last year for the full-tang Clandestina fighter designed by BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member Bill Harsey. The 5.5-inch blade is flat-ground CPM MagnaCut stainless steel. It is also available in a flat-dark blade finish and canvas Micarta® handle. MSRP: $360.
“I believe in maintaining ‘Most Favored Nation Status’ with our allies,” Curtis added, “but tariffs could still be adjusted to ensure fair competition. Ideally, tariffs should be leveled in a way that provides an advantage to U.S. manufacturers, helping to balance the playing field. For those countries that are international trade competitors, I feel their products should be taxed at an equal rate or in a manner that places them at a competitive disadvantage.”
Fair is fair, say Anne and Tim.
“Tariffs hurt the international dealers and, as a result, the end users. The dealers often work on reduced profit margins simply to sell the product at an affordable price. We are fortunate to be an accepted luxury brand and, without sounding arrogant, our international end users generally have higher disposable incomes. There is little that we can offer by way of incentives or discounts to combat tariffs.
“First reaction [to U.S.-imposed tariffs] would say that reciprocity would be fair,” the Reeves concluded. “We should charge as they [other nations] charge us. However, the reality is that high tariffs on incoming knives hurt our industry by making everything more expensive. Tariffs are such a political thing, and a general rise in tariffs is not a good answer to the problem.”
Domestic Taxes & Restrictions
“The Los Angeles council passed a law that the minimum wage will be $30 per hour by 2028,” Ernest Emerson noted. “They are sneaky in that they apply this only to groups like ‘hospitality workers,’ but the truth is that any worker can look at what they are currently doing and say, ‘I can fold bedsheets for $30 an hour instead of doing this.’”
In addition to foreign competition, there are restrictions right here at home that challenge the knife manufacturer on a daily basis. That situation is particularly true for Emerson Knives, Inc. Ernest says the continual pinch of California’s local and state taxes, restrictions and legislation impede his company’s performance. But don’t jump to the conclusion that simply relocating to another state holds the answer. Emerson is committed to his employees, many of whom have been with him for more than 25 years. They have families and deep roots in California and can’t relocate to a more business-friendly state.
Still, Ernest bristles at the simple fact that taxes are levied against every piece of equipment on his facility’s floor. He must follow rigorous guidelines on disposal of byproducts, pay fees for parking, comply with building restrictions, and fork over a fee for a license to operate his laser machines. All the while, he is aware that other companies operate under the radar, ignoring these state-imposed requirements.
“The Los Angeles council passed a law that the minimum wage will be $30 per hour by 2028,” Ernest noted. “They are sneaky in that they apply this only to groups like ‘hospitality workers,’ but the truth is that any worker can look at what they are currently doing and say, ‘I can fold bedsheets for $30 an hour instead of doing this.’ That means that everybody has to pay $30 an hour to retain their workers. Imagine what the cost of a Big Mac will be when fast food workers at McDonald’s are paid $30 an hour.”
In contrast, the Chris Reeve Knives business environment in Idaho is apparently better overall.
“We are fortunate that Idaho is a good place to do business, and there are no particularly difficult restrictions,” Anne remarked. “One of the biggest issues for small businesses is high rates of taxation. I understand that taxes are necessary, but I would rather invest in my employees and equipment than see my tax dollars spent unwisely. The American drive to make high quality goods is still very much alive! We are fortunate to have employees who are proud to work for an ‘all American’ company and strive to make the very best. Most of our market is in the USA and our customers appreciate the fact that we are so doggedly ‘Made in Idaho!’”
Anti-Knife Laws
For years, the issues surrounding restrictive knife laws have influenced American knife manufacturers, from the types of knives they make domestically to their ability to import or export. These days, some softening has been experienced, particularly due to the efforts of groups like Knife Rights and the American Knife & Tool Institute (AKTI), which have challenged some laws in court or successfully lobbied to keep others from reaching the books at the federal or state level.
“Our knives don’t gain too much attention in anti-knife legislation,” Anne said. “The one-hand-opening issue that caused so much concern some years ago has subsided. AKTI and Knife Rights have done yeoman’s work in overturning dated and irrational legislation, and we are happy to support them.”
Interstate commerce remains solid for Emerson as restrictive knife laws appear to be on the wane.
“Knife restrictions state to state don’t really affect us,” he commented. “I’m not aware of any state that we can’t ship to. Thank goodness for AKTI and Knife Rights fighting the good fight for us. I’ve always told everybody that we have to fight for the 2nd Amendment whether you are a gun person or a knife person. No matter what, where guns go, knives are soon to follow.”
When it comes to tariffs, Anne and Tim Reeve recommend reciprocity. The USA should charge other nations as those nations charge the USA, the Reeves stated, though noting that “high tariffs on incoming knives hurt our industry by making everything more expensive.” Here Tim inspects a tray of folders in the Chris Reeve Knives manufacturing facility.
Iovito added a positive point of view.
“In the U.S., legal restrictions on knives are often based on a mistrust of citizens or as a way for a politician to appear tough on crime instead of addressing the root cause of crime in his district. However, I’m seeing positive change as lawmakers and the public recognize that most people carry knives as tools rather than weapons. As knife laws in the U.S. evolve, I’m optimistic about their eventual liberalization. While I won’t comment on laws in other countries, most of these laws tend to be reactive responses to broader societal issues.”
American Resilience
Considering the challenges of modern business and the complications presented, American knife companies have proven remarkably adaptable and resilient.
“The thing that has kept Emerson Knives, Inc., afloat,” Ernest explained, “is being the right size to be super flexible. We are small and every operation is done in-house, and I have worked with companies over the years to make smaller amounts of knives to fill orders. That way we don’t sit on ‘XYZ number’ of knives and wonder what we’re gonna do. Small businesses and shop owners really drive the average Joe in the U.S., and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Let’s end the 67-year scourge of the Switchblade Act.
There are knives more American in terms of historic origin but none more American in terms of being persecuted by the federal government than automatics. As such, the effort underway by Knife Rights and its fellow plaintiffs challenging the constitutionality of portions of the Federal Switchblade Act should be of special interest to knife enthusiasts.
Originally enacted in 1958 with the help of Sen. Estes. Kefauver (TN) and other elected leaders apparently more interested in suppressing rights than upholding them, the Act restricts the introduction into interstate commerce of common automatically opening knives, popularly known as switchblades.
It also bans the knives’ possession on Native American reservations and in U.S. territories and on U.S. lands. The Act’s definition of a “switchblade knife” includes gravity knives and butterfly knives/balisongs, despite the fact that few if any balisongs operate according to the Act’s definition of doing so “automatically.”
In fact, since the original Act targeted knives that were blackballed at the time of the Act’s passage as those used by gang members, a significant percentage of whom were minorities, a strong case can be made that the Act is patently racist. Moreover, also racist is the Act specifically targeting the approximately 5 million people of color on 326 Native American reservations and in U.S. territories and U.S. lands that include Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
In the two most recent developments in the case, on Dec. 9 KR and its fellow plaintiffs filed a Motion for Summary Judgement requesting the Court to find the Act unconstitutional, and that the portions restricting the knives in interstate commerce and on Native American reservations, U.S. territories and U.S. lands be permanently enjoined. Meanwhile, the Act’s existing import ban of autos would not be disturbed. In response, on Jan. 13 the Department of Justice filed a Reply Brief and Motion to Dismiss the plaintiffs’ federal lawsuit challenging the Act.
Among the DOJ’s reasons for the motion to dismiss is that the Plaintiffs’ claim has no standing because the Act “is not enforced.” This DOJ reason for dismissal is contradicted by the facts. As KR noted in an entry on its website dated Sept. 27, it was as recently as 2020 that federal agents staged a violent raid on a business, a raid that included forced entry into the home/business.
The upshot of it all: authorities seized/confiscated approximately $2.8 million worth of automatics and automatic parts and shut down multiple retail websites, forcing the business to close. Of course, even if the Act were not enforced, its mere presence serves to intimidate knife entrepreneurs who are or may be considering the manufacture or sale of automatics from doing so.
BLADE® will continue to follow the effort by KR and its fellow plaintiffs to rescind portions of one of the longest running federal acts of oppression and racism in U.S. history. While it is hoped the new administration will be more amenable to the effort, please take nothing for granted.
Contact your elected federal representatives—and anyone you know who may have pull with any and all federal reps—and urge them to help free automatics from the 67-year scourge that is the Federal Switchblade Act.
England has had an uptick in knife crime in recent years, including the horrible incident costing three young girls their lives in Southport. Certainly, crime of any kind deserves scrutiny and solutions so that society can conduct its daily affairs in a safe and secure environment. Unfortunately, it’s never the calmer heads that prevail when dark winds blow.
Case in point, the utterly asinine suggestions emanating from the host of a BBC documentary on UK knife crime.
“Actor Idris Elba announced amid his forthcoming knife crime documentary that the United Kingdom must consider “innovative” prevention methods such as blunting or banning knives.”
Let that sink in… blunting or banning knives. And he’s not talking about neutering simply what might be considered “scary” knives—tactical fixed blades, karambits and the like. No, it’s the whole megillah.
He said in the Post article:
“The truth is that kitchen knives are perhaps 25% of the knives used in most terrible crimes. That’s one of the stats in the film. And those kitchen knives are usually a domestic situation,” Elba warned. “So kitchen knives… of course, it’s very difficult. They’re a domestic knife.”
This walks hand in hand with other extreme actions that have taken place in England regarding knife sales. One of the more atrocious, ID requirements and live video sales to purchase knives online. Why, the next thing you know there’ll be a proposal for licensing knives.
Well, you don’t have to wait long for that either.
Elba thinks this might be the panacea for his country’s woes, banning nearly everything, and licensing those scant few deemed worthies to own their family’s cherished sword or knife.
“So let’s ban them all, and if you have one of those knives, get a license for it,” he suggested of people wanting to keep family heirloom swords. “Simple as that.””
And if you think this sentiment is contained to one crackpot actor, well you’d be wrong.
“A ban on the sale of pointed kitchen knives has been backed by the Church of England, judges, top trauma doctors and psychiatrists, the police and victims as they argue that it would make life-threatening injuries far less likely.”
It’s unfortunate England has endured an uptick in knife crime, yet this isn’t the license for it or certain segments of it to go off the deep end. I know it might sound crazy, but perhaps the English should address the root of the problem—the perpetrators.
The harsh truth is this: no amount of blunted blades, banned kitchen knives, or bureaucratic licensing schemes will stop individuals hell-bent on violence. You can’t legislate evil out of existence by targeting inanimate objects. England doesn’t have a knife problem—it has a people problem. A system problem. A failure-to-act-when-it-matters problem.
Axel Rudakubana—the perpetrator of the Southport killings—wasn’t some shadowy figure hiding in the margins; he was a neon warning sign flashing in plain sight. Reported repeatedly, known to authorities, radiating red flags—and yet, nothing substantial was done. But instead of holding systems accountable for their glaring incompetence, the knee-jerk reaction is to demonize cutlery.
Blaming knives for violent crime is as absurd as blaming spoons for obesity. The issue isn’t the tool; it’s the hands that wield it—and the institutions that refuse to act until it’s too late. England doesn’t need another ban. It needs accountability, courage, and the will to confront the real problem: violent individuals, not the utensils in their kitchens.
They’re role is more than making a knife look groovy.
At first, it’s an item of curiosity. The fuller, the symmetrical groove that runs along the partial or full length of a knife or sword blade, might function simply as an aesthetic touch. It could have some utilitarian purpose. Or maybe it’s a bit of both.
Makers of knives and swords have included the fuller with their work for centuries, and today it remains a focal point in the process. Its presence is often prominent but its purpose is at best somewhat obscure. Why, then, is it common among the work of accomplished makers?
“The primary purpose of the fuller is to lighten a blade without compromising strength,” explained award-winning custom knifemaker and swordsmith Vince Evans. “Many cultures incorporate a decorative aspect into the fullers on their blades. Italians are well known for segmented fullers. You also see segmented fullers on Chinese swords, as well as some German hunting swords.”
Evans took home the custom awards of Best of Show for his Italian Cinquedea and Best Sword for his Italian Schiavona—the former at last year’s Solvang Custom Knife Show and the latter at BLADE Show 2024. He also won Best Sword for his Roman spatha and Best Fixed Blade for another of his cinquedeas at BLADE Show 2022. All four feature multiple fullers. Vince sees the fuller as operational on more than one level, from practical to pretty.
Thomas Taylor’s kukri sports a 12-inch fullered blade of W2 tool steel with a compound bevel grind and heart-shaped Spanish notch. Handle: buckeye burl. Overall length: 17 inches. The sheath is cowhide and water buffalo. Taylor’s price for a similar knife and sheath: $550. (SharpByCoop knife image)
“Even in the Bronze Age you see multiple fullers,” Evans continued. “Sometimes they are very narrow. Multiple fullers can give more rigidity to a blade but with reduced weight, and a wide blade lends itself to multiple fullers. Typically, fullers are on both sides of the blade, although not always. There are examples of 2nd-century Germanic swords that have fullers on only one side or have different numbers of fullers on each side. Their purpose may be partially aesthetic.”
Evans uses a fullering tool to press the groove into the hot steel when working with a larger blade. On smaller blades he usually grinds the fullers into the steel after the blade has been shaped and beveled. Other techniques involve the use of round or flat tools to scrape the groove in, depending on the blade style.
Much of Vince’s work is an homage to history, and the fuller finds its place there for sure.
“Since my work is primarily historical in nature, I use fullers where they were seen on originals,” he remarked. “A fuller may be used on any blade that you want to lighten without losing strength.”
Varied Methods Of Creating Fullers
Seth Lopez outfitted each side of the 9.38-inch recurve blade of his BLADE Show 2024 Best Fighter winner with a stylized fuller. The blade is a damascus of 1080 carbon and 15N20 nickel alloy steels and the grind is a combo convex/hollow clip. The handle is African blackwood with 416 stainless steel domed pins. Overall length: 14.5 inches. (SharpByCoop knife image)
Seth Lopez is an accomplished master of the fuller and took home the custom award for Best Fighter at BLADE Show 2024. His take on the fuller lies in function, helping the blade to perform as optimally as possible.
“In a sword, the fuller will provide rigidity through surface area while also taking out a lot of weight,” he remarked. “In smaller knives, I like the way they look, and they help take out some weight. Fullers can be on one or both sides of the blade. Many single fuller blades are ground only on one side, so the fuller on the opposing flat side relieves that area. Many culinary knives and sushi knives are made this way.”
According to Lopez, fullers can be achieved via several methods. Traditionally forged blades may have them scraped in, while they can be milled, ground or filed in as well. Seth’s method is dictated by the size and shape of the blade he intends to create. The application from a practical standpoint is seen easily in the sword or chef’s knife, while in smaller knives he says fullers add “some completeness and flow to the overall design.”
When custom maker Thomas Taylor includes a fuller, his methods are varied.
The 3.4-inch fullered blade of Eyal Landesman’s folding dagger is RWL-34 stainless steel with a hand-rubbed finish. The handle is zirconium with mosaic paua shell inlay. Closed length: 4.75 inches. (SharpByCoop image)
“There are dies available for a press, and a fuller can be pressed in or hammered in,” he related. “Most bladesmiths will grind the fuller in before grinding the bevels in. After the initial grinds are done, fullers and bevels, then the heat treating and tempering are done. Then the long, tedious process of hand sanding begins.”
Taylor agrees that strength and weight reduction are primary purposes for the fuller.
“I think when you get to smaller blades under five inches, that it’s really for looks at that point. Yes, it does take some weight off, but it’s very little and any added strength is not noticeable in use. However, a tapered fuller can really dress up a knife, and the shape of the blade can be very pleasing to the eye. I believe that fullers should be on both sides of the blade and of the same depth and length. This, in turn, gives an even balance and slice. In my opinion, if a knife has a fuller on one side of the blade it would cause more drag on one side versus the other and would cause an arc in the slice.”
When knifemaker Eyal Landesman uses the fuller, it expands the aesthetic appeal of his blades.
Robert Wayman goes the cleaver fuller route on the damascus go-mai/damascus nickel core/damascus clad blade of his Kitchen Chopper. The handle is crosscut carbon fiber, G-10, stainless steel, malachite, ancient brain coral and amboyna burl. Overall length: 14 inches. His price for a similar model: $1,850. (SharpByCoop image)
“My work is mainly making folding art knives,” he commented, “so my experience with fullers is always on the small scale. I mainly use them for aesthetic reasons as I love to mix traditional classic design with a modern touch.
“The fuller on a pocketknife has both utilitarian and aesthetic purposes,” Eyal continued. “From the practical standpoint, the fuller can help with weight reduction as it removes material from the blade without compromising strength. This can be a plus for making lighter-weight everyday-carry pocketknives and even enhances the knife’s rigidity under stress, like an I-beam. Aesthetically, my main reason for using them is that they add a distinct, sleek look to the blade, as well as for the historical appeal that I draw inspiration from.”
Landesman says that the single fuller is rather uncommon in blade construction, and when it is used the reasons are generally aesthetic or to facilitate a specialized design. Fullers on both sides help with balance, structural integrity, symmetry and reliable performance.
“Fullers are most appropriate for swords and larger knives, such as daggers where weight reduction and structural integrity are important to performance by making them easier to handle and therefore more maneuverable,” Eyal added. “While they can add aesthetic value, the functional benefits are mainly seen in blades used in combat or heavy-duty use. Fullers are less essential for smaller, precision-focused knives such as scalpels.”
There’s no machine work—including the tapered blade fuller—just all hand filing and sanding on the Hauteclere by Wolfgang Loerchner. Blade length and steel: 13 inches and 440C stainless. The handle is 440C, carved gold, black-lip mother-of-pearl and Bertie Rietveld damascus. Overall length: 19 inches. (SharpByCoop image)
His fuller process is straight forward.
“After I cut the blade profile, I then harden it,” he explained. “Once it has been through heat treatment, I then hard mill the fuller into the blade before grinding it.”
Blood Groove, I-Beam
Accompanying the positive elements of the fuller are a couple of interesting observations related to its function. The I-beam phenomenon as noted by Landesman is described by some as providing additional strength or rigidity, and by others as allowing flexibility while lightening the overall weight of the knife or sword. Its principle has long been utilized for steel beams in the construction industry.
“The I-beam effect does lighten the blade and can help in flexibility, but I don’t know that it will make the blade stronger,” Evans observed.
Ryan Breuer abbreviates the fuller on the clip-point/false-edged blade of 80CrV2 carbon steel for his recurve fighter. Guard and ferrule: blued damascus. Handle: ironwood. (SharpByCoop image)
Added Landesman, “I agree that the main job of the fuller is to lighten the blade and increase its strength through the ‘I-beam’ principle used in construction. However, its main job is to look good.”
Blood groove is often associated with the fuller, and while there is plenty of speculation as to the origin of the term, practical evaluation doesn’t lend itself to validating that purpose.
“I think the term came with the use of the fuller in bayonets,” Evans said. “I don’t believe this is an accurate name for the fuller or its purpose.”
Lopez commented, “With many aspects of weapon history there is a lot of speculation on why certain features existed on different blades. Many of these speculations are made up, and it’s my understanding that there is no ‘blood groove’ function to a fuller on any blade.”
Billy Salyers covered almost the complete blade length with the fuller of his Best Sword winner from the 2024 Texas Select Custom Cutlery Event. The blade is a Rohans Mane damascus of 1095 carbon and 15N20 nickel alloy steels and the handle is African blackwood. Overall length: 35 inches. Billy’s price for a similar sword and scabbard: $7,500. (SharpByCoop image)
Perhaps in the hunting application there is some remnant of actual usefulness in the role.
“Some call the fuller a ‘blood groove,’” Taylor said, “thinking that it gives the blood a way out of the entry point of the carcass and makes it easier to remove the blade. This may help in these areas some but it is not the intended reason for the fuller.”
The consensus is summed up well by Landesman, who related, “The ‘blood groove’ term stems from the theory that it was designed to allow blood to flow out of a wound, supposedly preventing a vacuum from forming and thus making it easier to withdraw the blade in battle. In my opinion this is probably not an accurate representation of the fuller’s purpose, which has much more to do with its utilitarian and structural benefits, unconnected to blood or wound dynamics.”
There it is. Practical, pretty and adding a touch of class, the fuller brings along a bit of historical conjecture, completing a package that delights in many ways.
