Remembering a dedicated craftsman of the Fujisaka lineage known for his tactical precision and collaborative artistry.

Keith Derrick Ouye, award-winning knifemaker of Honolulu, Hawaii, passed away on October 5. He was 80.

A stocky, happy guy well-liked by both knife enthusiasts and his knifemaking peers, Keith primarily made tactical knives, though he also built hunting knives to sell at local gun shows. In addition, he made fancy folders, often with fine engraving by Bruce Shaw, C.J. Cai or Lisa Tomlin. Keith exhibited his work at the BLADE Show and other top knife events over the years. Like many Hawaiian knifemakers, he was a student of BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member Stanley Fujisaka.

Born in South Hilo, Hawaii, Keith lived in Hawaii Kai on the island of Oahu. “I spend most of my day working on my knives,” he wrote in his mini-bio on the Arizona Custom Knives website. “With assistance and guidance from Stan Fujisaka, I started to make fixed blades in early 2004. By the end of 2004, I also started making folders. I began making knives full-time in 2005.”

Keith was a big believer in sole authorship, noting “except for the screws, dowels, standoffs and pivots, I fabricate the rest of the knife myself.”

Remembering Others The Knife Industry Has Lost:

• Betty Dowell, Driving Force Behind Knifemaker Ted Dowell, Passes
• B. R. Hughes, Pioneering Writer And Bladesmithing Teacher, Passes Away
• ABS Lose Two Long-Time Leaders In Passing Of Steve Dunn & Hanford Miller
• Bob Cargill Knifemaker, Company Founder And NKCA BOD President Passes