Knife Collecting Archives

Commissioned by U.S. Army Col. Robert T. Frederick in 1942, the Case V-42 was issued to troops of the joint U.S.-Canadian First Special Service Force. Gene Gutierrez, 98, (right) was with the FSSF when it drove the Germans from Italy’s Monte la Difensa in 1944, and was on hand in 2015 to help Case introduce a repro of the knife at the SHOT Show. The pictured V-42 is an original from the collection of Les George. (Les George knife image)

Legendary knives that gave the U.S. military its edge

Steve Shackleford - August 14, 2026

These knives formed the tip of the U.S. Military's spear.

Putting his sole-authorship philosophy on full display, Ethan Kolar's folding dagger not only boasts an impeccable feather damascus blade, but an ornate handle including engraving from the smith himself. The white-lipped mother of pearl ups the eye appeal of this eclectic build. (Jocelyn Frasier image)

Feather Damascus: Blades Forged Light And Airy

Mike Haskew - August 6, 2026

The popular pattern offers a complex combination of materials and motif.

Brazilian Bonanza: A Bevy Of Brazilian-Made Custom Blades

BLADE Staff - August 3, 2026

Hot custome knifes from Brazilian makers.

Jon Christensen was commissioned to create the Guardian Sword, a project that retells the Greek myth of Perseus and Medusa in engraved iron panels and a bronze shield on the handle. The project took an estimated 4,000 hours to complete.

Cool Custom: Jon Christensen’s Mythical Undertaking

BLADE Staff - July 27, 2026

Guardian Sword proves a painstaking quest.

“The USMC fighting knife has not always been made by KA-BAR, and KA-BAR didn’t even make them first, but they made it their own,” noted Marine Corps veteran/knifemaker Les George. “It’s the stereotypical military knife in the western hemisphere.” It was the Marine Corps knife of choice in World War II, including on the beach landing at Iwo Jima. (Knife from the Les George collection; Les George knife image)

Military Knives: Historic Star-Spangled Steel

Steve Shackleford - July 17, 2026

Few knives have served America more than those of the U.S. military. Editor’s Note: This is the first of a two-part series on the most...

Designed by Clarence “Bud” Holzmann, the Gerber MK II gained legendary status during the Vietnam War and is still highly sought after today. Its defining feature was its wasp waist, a design adding to its penetration prowess. (Rock Island Auction Company image)

U.S. Military Daggers: Blades That Have Taken Point

Mike Haskew - July 7, 2026

Daggers have struck home the U.S. military's point from the trenches of Europe to the jungles of Vietnam. Through the years, the military dagger has...

Robert Wayman quips that he packed a lot into his 14-inch pattern damascus cleaver, mainly in the handle. The grip features a damascus collar, stainless steel and G-10 spacers, cross-cut carbon fiber, green malachite and blue coral accents, stabilized amboyna burl, and a damascus butt cap with stainless mounting pins inset with blue coral, framed with green malachite. (SharpByCoop image)

Custom Cleavers That Have Culinary Chops

Mike Haskew - June 30, 2026

Four custom makers push the boundaries of the tried-and-true cleaver. An inclination toward the kitchen and a desire to design and deliver cutlery used on...