DUKE’S JOHN WAYNE CENTENNIAL MOVIE BLADES

KN IVES
JULY 2007
JULY 2007

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 July
2007
®
THE WORLD’S #1 KNIFE PUBLICATION

FEATURES
12 Up-And-Coming Tactical
Makers to Watch
Tomorrow’s stars are here today—and BLADE’s® got ’em pegged. By Mike Haskew

22 For Dear Ol’ Dad

Father’s Day is June 17—time enough for you to get him a sharp treat. By BLADE staff

24 Short, Sweet and Discreet

12
Compact assisted-openers are convenient cutters short on length but long on fun. By David Rhea

30 King of Them All

Join the author and thousands more at the BLADE Show June 8-10 in Atlanta. By Ed Fowler

34 Knives of the First Responder

In Rick Hinderer’s knives, form follows function and vice versa. By Dexter Ewing

42 That Centuries-Old Look and Feel

Pick up an Albion sword and journey back into medieval history. By Mac Overton

46 Edge Pro Apex Makes Sharpening Fun

The clamp-less angle-guide model delivers professional results. By Dexter Ewing

49 The Knife Industry’s Steel Team

Knife steel research at Crucible is a priority instead of an afterthought. By Mike Haskew

22 56 EDGES What Are The Good Wards?

Collector interest in the knives of Montgomery Wards continues to build. By Richard D. White

80 Duke’s Movie Knives Part I of II

Celebrate John Wayne’s big-screen blades on the 100th anniversary of his birth. By Joseph Musso

88 Who’s the Best “Go-To Guy” for You?

Custom-knife buyers share what they look for most in a purveyor. By Steve Shackleford

102 The 35-Day Test

The WHK GenTac is one of the lightest, sharpest pocketknives around. By MSG Kim Breed

106 Give Me That Old-Time Patina!

Explore the different chemical and natural methods for antique blade finishes. By Joe Szilaski

24
4 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Contents.indd 4 4/10/07 8:33:57 AM

 80

BLADE
SPOTLIGHT
6 Readers Respond
7 Cover Story
9 Web Services Page
10 Unsheathed
20 The Knife I Carry
38 Your Knife Rights
64 Next in BLADE®
65 O’Brien Joins BLADE
67 BLADE Shoppe
73 Show Calendar
74 BLADE List
74 Classified Ads
75 Ad Index
76 What’s New
78 Knifemaker Showcase
95 Guild Directions
97 The Leading Edge
98 Handmade Gallery
100 Where To Net ’Em
112 Where To Get ’Em
114 Hot Handmade

114
BLADE® (ISSN 1064-5853) is published monthly, including the
directory and calendar issues, by F+W Publications, Inc., 700 E. State
St., Iola, WI 54990-001. Periodical postage paid at Iola, Wis., and at
additional mailing offices. Canadian Agreement Number: 40665675.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to BLADE, P.O. Box 420235,
Palm Coast, FL 32142 877.485.6426 or outside the U.S. 386.246.3419.

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 5

Contents.indd 5 4/10/07 12:53:29 PM

 readers
readers respondrespond

This Is Your Column! And we want to know what you think. BLADE, P.O. Box 789, Ooltewah, TN 37363-0789, or visit our
Do you like what you’ve read in BLADE®? Do you have a website: www.blademag.com or e-mail: BladeEditor@fwpubs.
complaint, a suggestion, or an opinion you’d like to share with com. We reserve the right to edit your comments to fit the space
the largest knife audience in the world? Mail your comments to: available.

Now That’s Aftermarket Power! may soon be available. and its maker, Blade Magazine Cutlery
Hall-Of-Famer© Jimmy Lile, more than

I have been collecting knives for 37 years

and enjoying BLADE® from the days it
was called the American Blade. I read your
Lou De Santis, Staten Island, New York

Editor’s note: Mr. De Santis, who was

of Mr. Stallone, though without Stallone’s
insistence upon Rambo carrying a knife in
the movie, there would have been no First
two-part article entitled “Rock-Star Knife- interviewed for the story “Backordered Blood knife. As to whether Mr. Stallone did
makers” (January and February BLADE) Five Years—And Counting” on Mr. Young or did not serve in the military, again, we
and would like to add to your list. in the June BLADE, sent the above letter fail to see the connection. The last time we
There is no one making knives today to us before the interview. looked, John Wayne did not serve, either.
who is more sought after than John Young (Speaking of “Duke,” see page 80.)
of Ephraim, Utah. Your coverage of most No To China and Sly
of the others in the story was correct. Their A Thing of the Past?
knives are in demand. They have designed
knives for production companies and they
sell out at shows, but the aftermarket power
I am dismayed that a significant portion of
the American cutlery industry has seen
fit to adopt the Wal-Mart globalization I have read BLADE for a long time. I have
become very disappointed in the maga-
that John’s knives possess is really special. paradigm as a business model (“Beasts of zine in the past couple of years. All the ar-
To prove my point, you need only visit the Far East,” March and April BLADE). I ticles that you write are on factory knives
the websites of the many purveyors who have not forgotten that the government of or “hi-tech” knives.
used to be collectors. Many knives by Communist China has never been a friend I have been making knives for over 40
some of the other principals in the “Rock- of the Free World and has been directly re- years. I still do it the old-fashioned way—I
Star Knifemakers” story can be found for sponsible for the deaths of Americans in hold it in my hot little hand and grind it. I
sale on those sites. Vietnam, for forcing down U.S. aircraft have left untold amounts of skin and fi n-
Conversely, you cannot fi nd one John and detaining the aircrew, for looking be- gernails on grinders over the years.
Young knife available for sale hours after it nevolently upon her little sister, North Ko- Most of the knives nowadays are made
is shown on a website. Most purveyors sell rea, and for regarding human rights viola- on CNC mills and other similar equip-
John’s knives with a phone call and then tions as standard operating procedure. ment. The makers of these knives would
photograph them and put them on their Make no mistake, if Communist China not have the fi rst clue as to how to make a
websites and mark them sold. The reason is unable to dominate the Free World by handmade knife. The vast majority of the
they do that is to indicate that they have military means, it has no qualms about knives covered in your magazine are for-
Young knives for sale once in a while. domination through use of economic mea- eign-made “hi-tech” crap.
I have been collecting Young knives sures. (Recall Japan’s not-too-distant threat The handmade knife is almost a thing
for 3 1/2 years now and have accumulated to unload the American dollars they pos- of the past. It is becoming a lost art be-
about 20. For the past two years, John has sess on an already depressed market!) Sup- cause the trend is toward all this junk. Most
sold knives at shows with the aid of a draw- port for the Communist Chinese cutlery people today would not know a handmade
ing. Potential buyers write their names on industry is support for the goals of Commu- knife if they saw one. True handmade
cards provided by John. Then someone in nist China and will assist in the dilution of knives are not perfect in all aspects, at
the crowd is picked to draw the cards from America. What’s next, the issue of Commu- least not the knives with which I am famil-
a hat. After a name is selected, the lucky nist China’s cutlery and QBZ95 assault rifle iar. Most of today’s so-called handmade
winner is fortunate enough to pick which to the American armed forces? knives have few signs of being handmade.
knife on John’s table he or she wants to The article regarding the silver anni- I would really like to see some articles
buy. The knives are pre-priced and every versary of the Rambo First Blood knife about some of the true makers of hand-
one of them sells. There are usually 40-50 was interesting (“Happy 25th, Rambo!” made knives. Not everyone can be a knife-
buyers for only nine or so knives. March BLADE), but failed to identify what maker. You have to have a feel for it; if you
Recently, a drawing winner bought branch of the U.S. military Sylvester Stal- can’t feel it, you can’t do it.
one of John’s ironwood drop-point hunters lone served in. I consider what little talent I have as a
listed for $550 and was then offered $1,000 gift. I have never had a lesson, was never
for it. After the purchase the new buyer re- Joseph R. Dombroski, fortunate enough to work with other mak-
sold the knife to me for $1,500. I called a Chatsworth, Georgia ers. When I started there were no knife-
purveyor I know and sold the knife to him making supply stores; we had to really
for $1,650. In turn, the purveyor sold it to Editor’s note: With all due respect to Mr. scrounge for materials.
an end user for $1,800. Now that’s after- Dombroski, we know of no connection
market power! between the action he alleges to have Tom Bullard, Flippin, Arkansas
John works full time after quitting his been taken by Japan with any collusion by
job at the mine. Collectors everywhere are China. As for “Happy 25th, Rambo!,” it
rejoicing, because a few more of his knives was a celebration of the First Blood knife
6 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Respond.indd 6 4/10/07 11:32:46 AM

 cover cover story
story
T he Escapade is one of Matt Cucchi-
ara’s most popular models. The CPM
154 stainless blade is hand rubbed to an
expert finish that belies the fact that Matt
has been making knives only since 2003.
The blade is all business—a beefy clip-point
recurve with a false top swedge. The flipper
action is super smooth without the use of
bearings, and the lock-up is bank-vault tight.
When
The detent is designed extra strong to
hold the blade in place. Not only does it
technology flipper opening technology
prevent accidental opening in the pocket,
it also acts as a catapult to launch the blade
from the frame. The tighter detent makes
and
it necessary to use a bit of pressure on the
flipper to get the blade out but, once that is
nature NEW07
done, the blade slams open with authority.
Matt hand carved the solid titanium
handle. In the design, the octopus is
share a GROOVE
Model 1730
Steel......Sandvik 13C26 stainless-steel
on a bed of “fizz”—Matt’s first handle
treatment. The result is an extremely
common with 3-D machined grooves
Handle...410 stainless-steel
comfortable feel in any grip—standard,
saber/ice-pick or reverse. The blade-to-
handle ratio is just right.
goal. with Textured G-10 overlays
Lock......Frame lock
Blade.....3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm)
For more information on the cover Closed...4 1/2 in. (11.5 cm)
piece and other Cucchiara knives, Weight...5.2 oz.
contact Matt Cucchiara at 559.917.2328
[email protected], or see the
story on page 12.
The cover knife is courtesy of Tarek MSRP $84.95
Mirshak, and the cover photo is by Bob
Best.

Designed by
RJ Martin
www.kershawknives.com
8OO.325.2891

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 7

CoverStory.indd 2 4/10/07 8:27:18 AM

 BLADE
WORLD’S #1 KNIFE PUBLICATION
®

Vol. XXXIV, No. 7, July 2007

Publishers Of

And Cutlery Retailer

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Copyright 2007 by F+W Publications, Inc. BLADE and its logo
are registered trademarks. Other names and logos referred to
or displayed in editorial or advertising content may be trade-
marked or copyright. BLADE assumes no responsibility for
unsolicited materials sent to it. Publisher and advertisers are
not liable for typographical errors that may appear in prices or
descriptions in advertisements. The possession, transportation
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Distribution in USA. federal, state and local laws. BLADE and F+W Publications,
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TEL: (800) 367-5900 FAX: (800) 367-5903 PO BOX 25, Seki City, Gifu Pref. JAPAN 501-3224

8 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

MastHead.indd 2 4/10/07 3:14:40 PM

 Find out what exhibitors and seminars were
featured at BLADE Show West Sept. 15-17.
Go to www.bladeshowwest.com and click on “exhibitors” or “seminars.”

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JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 9

WEB.indd 9 4/10/07 2:24:13 PM

 unsheathed
unsheathed
By Steve Shackleford

The BLADE Tattler We Aren’t

O
ver the past few months there has were accused of taking orders but not ing that delves into things that are not
been a spirited—in some cases, fi lling them, or taking much too long to directly related to the performance or
some might say mean-spirited— do so. You might be surprised at some of collectibility of the knives themselves,
discussion in certain quarters over a partic- the big names in the industry who have reporting that may or may not have a hid-
ular knifemaker’s past private life. I won’t been accused of this. den agenda or agendas.
go into the maker’s name or the particulars Then there were the makers who were At BLADE ®, knives have always
because that is not the point here—though accused of accepting deposits on orders been the focus and I endeavor to edit the
on second thought, it is the point. and not fi lling them. One of the most re- magazine to avoid discussing a maker’s
Before continuing, let me emphasize spected organizations of knifemakers ex- or company official’s private life in print.
something. Every business has its share pelled at least one maker for violating that Fortunately, at least to my knowledge,
of bad apples, and the knife business is organization’s rules of business ethics. none of these folks have been convicted
no different. This is not to judge anyone Some of the alleged crimes would ap- of being serial killers, child molesters
but rather to stress that, for the vast ma- pear to be more serious than others. For and/or other atrocities that would ostra-
jority, the knifemakers, knife company instance, some individuals have been cize them not only from the knife busi-
officials and other knife professionals I accused of running up huge bills with ness but society in general.
have encountered in my 20-plus years in manufacturers, suppliers, etc., and then, In my view, if you talk about one
the business of blades have been ethical, for whatever reason, not paying the bills. knife professional’s failings in private
genuine, forthcoming and pleasant in my And, of course, there are the instances life you have to talk about all knife pro-
dealings with them. of knifemakers or knife companies be- fessionals’ failings in their private lives,
That being said, since I got into the ing accused of copying knifemakers’ or and that is not what BLADE is about.
knife game, there has been a number of other companies’ designs or patented (Besides, where would you draw the line
instances of knifemakers and knife com- knife features without those makers’ or between significant personal failings and
panies being accused by one person or companies’ permission, paying royal- insignificant ones?) And, if someone has
other of any number of “crimes against ties, etc. committed a crime that is not in the afore-
cutlery.” On the other hand are those who al- mentioned atrocity category and paid his
Probably the earliest complaint I can legedly stretched the truth. These would debt to society, I am also of the opinion
recall in the mid-‘80s was of makers who include knife companies or knifemakers that he deserves a second chance.
accused of not being completely forth- Earlier in this column I delineated
coming about where, how or by what or some instances of makers and companies
whom their knives are made, misrepre- being accused of a number of improper
senting their prior industry or indus- or questionable activities. Some of those
try-related experience or experiences, makers and companies are no longer in
“renaming” existing or slightly modified the business. Some are. The feeling here
materials to make those materials appear is that those who are gone probably did
to be completely new or different, etc. not make very good knives and/or did
Not to belabor you with my status as not treat their customers well, and those
a cutlery fossil but, when I fi rst got into who remain make good knives and treat
this business, it was nowhere near the their customers well.
burgeoning international phenomenon it Right or wrong, in the fi nal analy-
is today. There are other businesses much sis, those who make quality knives and
larger, of course. Still, the knife industry, treat their customers properly are going
especially the sporting and handmade to be the ones who survive in this in-
sectors, is practically colossal compared dustry. Whether their alleged personal
to what it was in the mid-’80s. shortcomings are enough to discourage
Along with the growth of the indus- you from buying their knives is for you
try has come an accompanying expan- to decide.
sion and maturation in media exposure, However, if it is a knife professional’s
Two of the more enjoyable people to deal which, of course, is good and bad. alleged personal shortcomings people
with in the knife industry are knifemaker As you well know, there is responsi- want to read about, they will have to read
Loyd McConnell (left) and Jim Fray of ble reporting and there is reporting that about it someplace other than BLADE.
Wild Woods, here talking handle material is not so responsible. In this instance,
at a past Guild Show. by “not so responsible” I mean report-

10 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Unsheathed.indd 2 4/10/07 11:33:14 AM

1150760_BL.indd 1 4/6/07 1:39:57 PM
 sharp futures
sharp futures
This issue’s cover knife, Matt Cucchi-
ara’s Escapade is an upscale tactical
folder sporting a 4-inch recurve blade
of 5/32-inch-thick CPM 154 stainless
steel with a hand-rubbed satin finish.
finish.
The titanium handle is carved in a
“Blue Ringed Death Octopus” theme
and equipped with a framelock. (knife
from the collection of Tarek Mirshak)

By Mike Haskew

12 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Tactical.indd 12 4/5/07 3:48:53 PM

 The Global Surveyor by Shane Sibert offers a
6-inch blade of CPM S30V stainless steel in
a satin finish and a natural Micarta® handle.
Overall length: 11.5 inches.

heir names are not yet household

words. Their faces may not be in-
stantly recognized in the pages of
BLADE®, on the floor of a crowded knife
show, or on the Internet. Those in the
know, however, say it is only a matter of
time—probably a short time.
These are the up-and-coming makers
of tactical folders and fi xed blades that
run the gamut, from neck knives to up-
scale models and everything in-between
and beyond. Their designs, materials, fit
and fi nish, and overall appeal in the mar-
ketplace are rapidly gaining notice. Their
work is more highly sought. The balance
of supply and demand is becoming a chal-
lenge.

“Topping
several lists is
Tom Krein.”
—the author

Mark Terrell’s 3-Finger Cleaver boasts a Topping several lists is Tom Krein,
blade of 3/16-inch-stock CPM S30V stain- who dealer Dave Stark of Steeladdiction.
less steel and a black, bead-blasted G-10 com identifies as potentially the next
handle. Overall length: 7.25 inches. Mark’s Bob Dozier. “Tom makes fi xed blades
list price: $240 and up. and is starting to do some folders,” Stark
said. “His designs and attention to detail
are great, and so is the way he treats cus-
tomers. His stuff is gaining momentum

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 13

Tactical.indd 13 4/5/07 3:49:29 PM

 sharp futures
sharp futures

Daniel Koster is becoming known for his Tusk

model and the Wilderness Survival Knife, and
working in O1 tool and 1095 and 5160 carbon
steels, and a lot of G-10 and Micarta® for handles.

- See Us
At Blade
Show

Peter Atwood outfits his

Prybaby in 3.25 inches of
5/32-inch-thick CPM S30V
stainless steel. Peter’s list
Web prices range from $35 for the
basic model to $60 for the
fancy one. There are many
variations of the Prybaby,
including titanium.

14 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Tactical.indd 14 4/5/07 3:49:45 PM

1151693_BL.indd 1 4/6/07 1:40:35 PM
 sharp futures
sharp futures

Phil Rose’s Last Stitch is a small neck knife.

His list price for a similar piece: $130.

by the day, and it just slides right off our bone and carbon fiber for handles. The TK-
website. He makes a good product that is 1 blade is 2.25 inches long, while the TK-
razor sharp, and the collectors love deal- 2 is a bit larger at 3 inches. Krein makes
ing with him.” his own Kydex® sheaths and also offers
Larry Brahms of Bladeart.com agrees leather sheaths made by Paul Long.
that Krein is a rising star and points to Stark includes Phil Rose in this latest
Tom’s experience with Dozier as a defi- crop of tactical makers, including a more
nite boost to his career. Krein’s TK-1 and established fi xed-blade line and new fold-
TK-2 neck knives and other fi xed blades er offerings. “His grinds are out of this
sell in the $200 range. Favorite blade ma- world and spooky sharp,” Stark observed.
terials include D2 tool steel, CPM S30V “He’s going to be a name in the business
stainless and Talonite®, and G-10, jigged and just started making knives last No-

Maker* Knife Price

Peter Atwood Goblin $125
Tanya Begg Thumb Shovel of Doom $75
Lucas Burnley Evolution n/a
Matt Cucchiara El Dorado $700-$1,000
Brian Fellhoelter Kink $400
Brad Fairall Interceptor n/a
Jeremy Krammes Apox n/a
Tom Krein TK-1 $200
Gerry McGinnis Notorious $300-$400
Phillip Patton Tactical fixed blade $350
Lourens Prinsloo Tactical folder $300-$350
Phil Rose Last Stitch $130
Shane Sibert Global Surveyor n/a
Mark Terrell 3-Finger Cleaver $240 and up
Brad Zinker Fruit knife $350-$400

*Listed in alphabetical order.

16 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Tactical.indd 16 4/5/07 3:50:06 PM

 vember after sharpening and grinding for

TechBowie
the last 10 years.”
Rose’s Last Stitch is a small neck belt, SOG is always turning heads!
knife, which sells for $130, and a fra- Whether in your pocket or on your
melock folder will be available soon. Af-
ter saving his pennies and buying equip-

Black TiNi coated blade/crossguard & pommel • Includes Kydex sheath

Blade: 6.4” Overall: 11”

Tech Bowie™ S10B

ment, he is working with O1 tool, 1095
carbon and ATS-34 stainless steels, and
G-10, Micarta® and carbon fiber.
Brian Fellhoelter is making both fi xed-
blade and folding tacticals, along with
some custom mini-automatics. His favor-
ite steels include CPM 154 and S30V and
154CM stainless, and he was named best
new maker at the 2006 Bay Area Knife
Collectors Association Knife Show. Ac-
cording to Stark, the fi xed-blade Cheath-
am fighter with a blade serrated by Mick
Strider, which debuted at the Pasadena
Show last year, and the Kwerk and Twitch
folders are gaining momentum with buy-
ers of Fellhoelter knives. Neil Ostroff of
True North Knives said he is impressed
with Fellhoelter’s newest folder, the Kink,
which sells for $400 and was fi rst shown
at the 2006 BLADE Show.

“His grinds
are out of this
world and
spooky sharp.” the use of interspaced white washers and provides an unmistakable SOG look.
TiAlN deep black coating. The tactile Kraton rubber handle nods to tradition with
—Dave Stark are satin finished stainless steel and coated in SOG’s proprietary Hardcased™
materials, and a little class thrown in for good measure. The metal parts
morphed into a top-notch work knife with the use of technology, modern
Based on the classic SOG Bowie that founded our company, but
Thumb Shovel of Doom
Ostroff said he also likes the work of Tan-
ya Begg. Tanya, the wife of knifemaker
Todd Begg, has been selling a titanium
letter opener called the Thumb Shovel of
Doom as quickly as she can make them at
$75 each. Working under Todd’s tutelage,
she has followed up with the Push Dagger
of Doom and the Tree Frog Neck Knife.
Others who have caught Stark’s at-
tention include Daniel Koster, Gerry
McGinnis and Shane Sibert. Koster is
becoming known for his Tusk model
and the Wilderness Survival Knife, and
working in O1 tool and 1095 and 5160
carbon steels, and a lot of G-10 and Mi-
carta handle materials.
McGinnis is producing high-end tac-
tical fi xed blades and folders, with the
Notorious folder leading the way. His list
prices are $300-$400. Sibert has regularly
sold out at shows, making futuristic neck
Tom Krein’s TK-8 has a 4-inch blade of knives, the folding Pocket Rocket, and
Talonite® and a red-and-black carbon the fi xed-blade Global Surveyor with an
fiber handle. Overall length: 8.5 inches. excellent satin fi nish. His blades are most
often CPM S30V stainless, and handles
are mainly G-10 and Micarta. www.sogknives.com | 888-SOG-BEST
Stark and Ostroff both have their

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 17

Tactical.indd 17 4/5/07 3:50:23 PM

 sharp futures
sharp futures

Among Brian Fellhoelter’s hotter

pieces is his Kwerk folder in a 3
3/8-inch blade of ATS-34 stain-
less steel, carbon fiber handle
with liners anodized green,
and a dovetailed
titanium bol-
ster. Closed
length: ~4
7/8 inches. (Lum
photo)

eyes on the work of Lucas Burnley, a 24-

year-old maker who has been construct-
ing knives since 2003. He calls his work
“practical tactical” and specializes in fi xed
blades of A2 tool steel and 154CM and
CPM 154 and S30V stainless steels. The
Evolution features a 5.5-inch blade, while
his Japanese-style Kwaiken is fashioned
of A2 with a black coating. His list prices
generally run from $100-$400.
Ostroff described the Kwaiken as a
“simple, utilitarian fi xed blade,” and said,
“Burnley is currently working on the Fox,
a folding framelock version of one of his
fi xed blades, which was to be introduced
at this year’s BLADE Show [June 8-10 at

“Most of his
stuff is from
$50 to $100.”
—Larry Brahms

the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta].”

Brahms identified Peter Atwood,
maker of the Prybaby and other tacti-
cal implements—some of which include
blades, others that do not—as an innova-
tive maker whose popularity is steadily
growing. “He has taken the Prybaby
mentality into an entire line of products,”
Brahms indicated. “He has made tactical
folders and fi xed blades, and [his] little
pieces are keeping him coming in the tac-
tical community. The knives are top qual-
ity and mainly in CPM S30V stainless. In
the fi xed-blade line, he has the Goblin
with a 2.25-inch blade and skeletonized
handle, which he sometimes wraps with
cord. The Goblin sells for $125, and most
of his stuff is from $50 to $100.”
Brahms’s other favorites include the
knives of Eric Blair, Mark Terrell, Brad
Zinker and Lourens Prinsloo. Terrell
works in D2 tool and CPM S30V stainless
steels with G-10 handles primarily. His
18 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Tactical.indd 18 4/5/07 3:50:42 PM

 3-Finger Cleaver with a 3.5-inch blade els of note, including Fairall’s Interceptor
doubles as a neck knife and sells for $250.
Blair is coming up with original designs,
and the Apox and Peregrine by Krammes.
Robertson suggests visiting moorecutlery. SANTOKU™
while Zinker’s fruit knives with a rounded com or contacting purveyor Gary Moore
3-inch Talonite blade and handles of ivory of Moore Cutlery for more information See our
or giraffe bone fetch $350-$400. Prinsloo, on these rising makers. complete line of
a South African maker, is selling attrac- professional kitchen
tive folders for $300-$350. Incredibly Cool cutlery at
Though he has been making knives for www.Almarknives.com
several years, Matt Cucchiara is drawing
attention with his upscale tactical folders
“He’s a guy who in carved titanium handles, including the Exhibiting
at Blade
Escapade, this issue’s cover knife.
is on the cusp of “You can really see how Matt devel-
Show

oped into what he is making now,” Ostroff

breaking it big.” said. “He has been influenced by Tom
Mayo, Jerry Hossom and Ken Onion, and
—Neil Ostroff specializes in engraved framelock fl ipper
knives. His [knife] names are incredibly
cool, like the Batwing, Scrapper and Cli-
max. His very fi rst knife was the Banshee,
For Les Robertson of Robertson’s
and he introduced a new one called the El
Custom Cutlery, Phillip Patton is a
Dorado at the last BLADE Show. In my
strong newcomer. “He primarily forges
opinion, he’s a guy who is on the cusp of
knives and makes a couple of tactical
breaking it big. His prices are between
fi xed blades in D2,” Robertson noted.
$700 and $1,000. That’s a lot of money
“He makes very comfortable handles of
for somebody in his position, but the work
black Micarta, which are tapered for a
he puts into the fi nal product is worthy of
great, ergonomic fit, and stainless steel
commanding these prices.”
guards. These knives have 8-inch blades
and are great for the field at an afford-
For the contact information for the knives
able price of around $350.”
in the story, see “Where To Get ‘Em” on
In addition, Robertson says that Jer-
page 112.
emy Krammes and Brad “Ghostmaker”
Fairall are making several different mod-

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 19

Tactical.indd 19 4/5/07 3:51:04 PM

 the knife i carry the knife i carry

“I have always relied on my edge, from

my military days to being an operations
manager for an international security
firm. Now in life, unfortunately, I am
injured, so my days are spent teaching
survival skills to Boy Scouts as well as
my children. Every day I can be found
with either my Cold Steel Trail Master San
Mai III or my TOPS Tom Brown Tracker (in
both sizes). My pocketknife is an extra-
large Lone Wolf Bill Harsey T3 folder
because, here in Texas, everything
is bigger—especially the chores. My
knives serve me well and I could not be
happier with them.”

Kevin Jay Cash, a letter via e-mail

“My 8-year-old son Jared and I have one rule—we must pack a knife every day, all day
long. It has been great to collect folding knives as a father-son team. Between us we
have over 40 knives so far. And, we are picky about our knives. We have several Bucks,
Cold Steels, Columbia River Knife & Tools, Gerbers, Cases and Kershaws. We love them all
and pack them all. But we have noticed something. Most often when we ask each other
every morning, ‘Whatcha packin’ today?’ the answer comes back ‘Gerber’—more specifi-
cally, the Gerber Revolt. We both love the tough tanto blade, lightweight Zytel® handle

i n
and unique design. A close second for me is the Gerber Torch, while my son loves his
Gerber AR3. All in all, I guess we could be labeled ‘Gerber Guyz.’”

Jim and Jared Newcomer, Chesapeake, Virginia

WKnife!
A Tell us briefly what knife you carry. Add
a little history or an interesting anec-
dote. Try to include a photograph of you
holding your knife. We will publish your
comments in an upcoming “The Knife I
Carry.” Your name will then be entered
in a drawing to win a free, high-quality,
name-brand pocketknife. The drawing
“The accompanying photograph is of a picture of my dad when he was younger and the will be held May 15. Mail to: BLADE® ,
knife he carried. He passed away in October 1989. The knife is a Case trapper from 1969. POB 789, Ooltewah, TN 37363-0789 or
My dad loved knives and most of the time he carried a Case. Because of that, I love e-mail [email protected]. If you
knives and I also carry a Case knife in my pocket on a daily basis, sometimes my dad’s send your entry by e-mail, please include
Case trapper. My dad worked construction all his life and was an outdoorsman and
your mailing address in case you win the
used his knife for many tasks—to cut rope and drywall, strip electrical wire, cut fruit,
make sandwiches, for fishing and hunting, and many other chores. My dad said, ‘Son, drawing for the pocketknife.
there is always a need for a knife if you’re a man.’ My dad carried a knife from sunup to
sundown until his dying day. I carry one daily and you can bet I’ll have one on me until
my dying day. I love and miss my dad and oh, how I love knives!”

Jeff Long, Martinsburg, West Virginia

20 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Knife_Carry.indd 20 4/10/07 11:32:13 AM

1150759_BL.indd 1 4/6/07 1:39:27 PM
 pop-pin’ sharp
pop-pin’ sharp

By BLADE ® staff
Knife: Caly3. Company: Spyderco. Pattern: Utility folder. Blade Steel:
VG-10 stainless. Blade Length: 3 inches. Blade Pattern: Leaf shaped.
Blade Grind: Flat and thin. Handle: Black G-10. Pocket Clip: Low-pro-
file wire model, tip up. Lock: Mid-positioned back lock. Miscellaneous:
Substantial choil, spine jimping. Weight: 3 ounces, 86 grams. Closed
Length: 4 inches. MSRP: $154.95.

Knife: Navy Blue Herringbone Barlow.

Company: Case. Pattern Number: 62009
1⁄2 SS. Blade Steel: 420HC stainless.
Blades: Clip and pen. Weight: 3.2
ounces. Closed Length: 3 3/8 inches.
MSRP: $103.50.

Knife: The Parlow. Maker: Mel

Pardue. Pattern: Upscale Barlow.
Blade Steel: CPM S30V stainless.
Blade Length: 2.5 inches. Handle: Moth-
er-of-pearl. Bolsters: Fluted stainless steel
Spirograph damascus by Devin Thomas. Liners
and Backstrap: Fileworked CPM S30V stainless.
Miscellaneous: Stainless screws and fileworked pivot
Knife: Tom Brown Tracker. Company: TOPS screw; comes w/case by Bill’s Custom Cases; and a True
Knives. Pattern: Combat/sportsman’s/survival North Knives’ exclusive. Weight: 3.3 ounces. Closed Length: 3.5
knife. Blade Steel: 1095 carbon. Rockwell Hard- inches. True North Knives’ List Price: $775.
ness: 58 Rc. Blade Length: 4.25 inches. Blade
Stock: .25 inch. Blade Finish: Black Traction
Coating. Spine Saw Length: 2.5 inches. Draw
Knife/Edge: 2 1/8 inches. Handle:
Black linen Micarta®. Weight:
1 pound 12 ounces. Overall
Length: 11 7/8 inches. Sheath:
Kydex® w/two rotating steel
spring clips. Miscellaneous: Each
knife serial numbered. MSRP: $299.

22 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

FathersDay.indd 22 4/5/07 3:58:54 PM

 Knife: G30 T Rex. Company; Wil-
liam Henry Knives. Blade Steel:
Typhoon damascus by Devin
Thomas. Handle: Antique
mammoth bone. Bolsters/
Frame: T Rex damascus by
Delbert Ealy. Fittings: Tita-
nium. Thumb Stud/But-
ton: White topaz. Clip:
Titanium. Miscella-
neous: Limited edition
of 25. MSRP: $1,250.
Model: Rifleman’s
Belt Ax. Maker: Joe
Szilaski. Head: Highly
detailed and engraved,
and forged from 5160
carbon steel. Heat
Treatment: Differential.
Finish: Gun blue. Haft:
Carved curly maple w/
silver accents. Maker’s
List Price For a Similar
Piece: $2,000.

Knife: Catapult.
Company: Buck.
Pattern: Utility/
gent’s knife. Blade
Steel: 420HC stain-
less. Blade Length: 2.75
inches. Blade Pattern:
Drop point. Operating
Mechanism: Assisted open-
ing w/lever safety. Handle:
Molded thermoplastic. Pocket
Clip: Stainless steel. Weight:
3.5 ounces. Closed Length: 4.25
inches. MSRP: $50-$58.

For the contact information for the knives

on this and the facing page, see “Where To
Get ‘Em” on page 112.

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 23

FathersDay.indd 23 4/5/07 3:59:38 PM

 sharp shorties
sharp shorties

By David Rhea

Designed by Ed Van Hoy, Columbia

River Knife & Tool’s new Van Hoy On
Fire is a framelock folder with CRKT’s
OutBurst assisted-opening mechanism
and AutoLAWKS safety. The 2.375-inch
blade is AUS-8 stainless in a bead-blast
finish, the frame is 420J2 stainless
and the side plate is aluminum anod-
ized black. The pivot pin is adjustable.
MSRP: $89.99.

24 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Assisted.indd 24 4/6/07 1:23:24 PM

 As Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-
Famer© Blackie Collins noted, just like
instant grits, assisted-openers are
convenient—and the compact versions
are even more so. The 2.25-inch blade
of 440A stainless and G-10 handle of
the Meyerco A-OKSM is a case in point.
MSRP: $34.99.

f factory sales figures are any indi- enough to carry discreetly and ultra-con-
cation, the popularity of small as- venient because you can easily deploy
sisted-opening knives is undeniable. them with one hand and snap them open
With the combination of a practical size in one simple, quick movement.
and a can’t-put-it-down feel and operat- Most of those interviewed for the sto-
ing mechanism, it is understandable why ry said there were no real legal reasons
these little edged tools are so hot. for designing assisted-openers in the
Sporting blades at 3 inches smaller size, that general convenience
long and usually less, the and ease of use was the determining fac-
knives are small tor instead. However, Blade Magazine

“Sometimes, you need to be a little bit dis-

creet just because you don’t want to draw
any unnecessary attention, perhaps, to the
fact that you carry a knife,” Kershaw’s
Craig Green said. For such situations,
the Kershaw Leek’s 3-inch blade of
440A stainless steel comes in
quite handy.

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 25

Assisted.indd 25 4/6/07 1:25:15 PM

 sharp shorties
sharp shorties

“Maybe if someone works in an office situa-

tion, a bigger knife may be intimidating to
some people,” noted Chris Cashbaugh of SOG
Specialty Knives. For such folks, the SOG
Blink should do the trick. The 2.125-inch blade
is AUS-8 stainless and the clip is reversible.
Weight: 2 ounces. MSRP: $50.

Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer © Blackie Collins a shorter blade,” he contended. “In many

had a different take on the legal aspect. instances, blade length is the determin-
“The knives are “There are concerns but they are ab- ing [criterion] in whether or not an edged
stract legal reasons,” he explained. “Most instrument is illegal—whether it be a
small enough to people, when they see [an assisted-open- switchblade, assisted opening or grand-
er], one of the fi rst comments you get is, daddy’s pocketknife. Blade length really
carry discreetly.” ‘That’s like a switchblade. Isn’t that ille- plays a part; it seems like a blade that is
gal?’ To defeat the stigma aspect of it, you over 3 inches is considered dangerous. So,
—the author try to make it look less like a weapon. I would say that the popularity of shorter
“One of the ways to do that is to give it blades is initially prompted by the desire

Featuring a 2.1-inch blade of 420HC

stainless steel and an integrated safety
and lock release in the handle, and at
a compact 3 inches closed and only
1.9 ounces, the Gerber Mini Fast Draw
is one of the smaller assisted-openers
around. MSRP: $32.

26 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Assisted.indd 26 4/6/07 1:27:27 PM

 to get out of the weapons category.”
Meanwhile, Kershaw’s Craig Green
said he was not so concerned about le-
www.myknifedealer.com
galities when it came to Kershaw’s mo-
tivation for offering smaller assisted-
openers.
“I think it just comes down to the size
featuring:
that everybody wants to carry,” he said.
“Something that’s too long is not very
unique custom and
user friendly.” production knives
He added that a big part of Kershaw’s
business is with people who carry knives
everyday who cannot realistically wear offering:
bulky leather knife pouches or sheaths
on their belts. “Local dealer”
“Sometimes, you need to be a little
bit discreet just because you don’t want service with
to draw any unnecessary attention, per- “Internet dealer”
haps, to the fact that you carry a knife,”
he said. pricing

“Blade length
really plays
a part.” Phone: 800.207.6615
Email: [email protected]
—Blackie Collins

“Maybe if someone works in an of-

LYNN O OLSON
fice situation,” agreed Chris Cashbaugh,
marketing manager of SOG Knives, “a
bigger knife may be intimidating to some
people. The biggest reason we are offer-
ing the smaller platforms is basically to
offer a nice choice for someone who may
not want the larger knife.”
Steel Addiction Custom Knives
For a slim, comfortable everyday Come Feed Your Addiction ! We Buy Sell And Trade
carry knife, the small size is very attrac-
tive. And hey, did I mention that these
folders are fun to play with?
Featuring Knives
Easy as Instant Grits
For the uninitiated, assisted-opening
by J.L. Williams
knives differ from automatics in that the
main actuator of the movement is man-
ual. Typically, the end user will physi-
cally open the knife with a thumb stud to
about 30 degrees. From there, the vari-
ous coil- or leaf-spring-loaded designs
will take over and fl ip the blade out to
the fully opened position. Autos, on the
other hand, are typically triggered by a
button release and fully actuate under a SR1 with Kick-Stop™
loaded pressure.
Collins said that one of the chief
selling points of his A-OK (acronym for
“Assisted-Opening Knife”) models from
Meyerco is that operating them is quick Large Selection of Custom Knives in Stock
and easy, just as most people prefer to We Ship World-Wide
use electric windows in cars.
“This morning I had instant grits
for breakfast. It was a simple matter of
WWW.SteelAddictionKnives.com
convenience and a matter of making life
easier,” he related. “The same concept
applies to assisted-opening knives. It al-
Dave Stark 909 731 3903
JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 27

Assisted.indd 27 4/10/07 12:52:45 PM

 sharp shorties
sharp shorties
lows you to get about what you’re doing
in a better way.”
Meyerco’s A-OK models, Kershaw’s
“ John White of Sheffield England” Ken-Onion-designed Chive, Scallion
Gentleman’s Pen Knife with fluted pearl. and Leek, and SOG’s Blink, Flash and
Available in white or black pearl with hand Twitch are excellent examples of some
filed fluting. Blade is ATS-34 and also includes of today’s hottest knives in the category.
file work on the back of the spring! Others also offer assisted-opening fold-
ers with blades 3 inches long or less.
Doug Flagg of Columbia River Knife
& Tool said CRKT’s biggest seller is the
LIMITED EDITION
The Buck Rush Model 291GY is a cute
With Knifemaker little assisted-opener with a 2.5-inch
blade of 154CM stainless steel and
Joel Chamblin a gun-metal-gray aluminum handle.

Photo includes the original

top right and one each
white and black.
www.plazacutlery.com ◆ [email protected]
3333 S. Bristol St., Suite 2060, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-549-3932 ◆ Ordering Toll Free 866-827-5392
Phone order welcome and we accept all major credit cards!

KENNETH KING KNIVES

See us at the
2007 Blade Show
Table 18A

Ivory folder with Asteroid textured

bolster set with diamonds, Damascus
Steel Blade (Hot Blued) with texture
design, 14kt Gold thumb stud,
fileworked backspine, and jeweled
titanium liners.

Visit our Web site at:

www.kennethkingknives.com
770-476-1475

28 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Assisted.indd 28 4/9/07 3:33:38 PM

 Mini My Tighe, an in-pocket carry ver- ping it and it’s just going crazy. Every-
s sion of Brian Tighe’s bigger My Tighe body loves it. It’s a framelock that is
design. At a size typical of the category, small, compact and very fast. It’s just a
it has a 3-inch blade, a closed length of cool knife.”
3.73 inches and weighs 3.8 ounces, and CRKT’s On Fire is defi nitely smooth
offers CRKT’s OutBurst assisted-open- and is this writer’s current everyday
ing mechanism. carry knife. But, lo and behold, there is
something new on the horizon that prom-
ises to take the world of small assisted-
openers another step forward. Collins
“Something that’s said Meyerco plans to unveil a new as-
sisted-opening mechanism—so new that
too long is it does not even have a name yet.
“I already have the design over to
not very user the patent office. It utilizes two features
which I employ [in my other assisted-
friendly.” opening designs]—a cam and a brake,”
he explained. “I haven’t really decided
—Craig Green on a name for it yet, but it will be an
A-OK-something or other. When I fi rst
started it, I called it the Cam-Brake, but
Flagg indicated that the main motiva- that didn’t sound good.”
tion for offering compact assisted-openers Be on the lookout for this latest next
is that people just want something small generation in the world of assisted-open-
they can carry discreetly. Other small as- ers. Blackie promises that it is a complete
sisted-openers CRKT offers are the Koji departure from anything on the market,
Hara Ichi (Ichi is Japanese for “number “and it is going to be fantastic.”
one”) designed by Japanese knifemaker
Koji Hara, the Russ Kommer-designed For the contact information for the knives
Full Throttle, and the light and very cool in the story, see “Where To Get ‘Em” on
Ed Van Hoy-designed Van Hoy On Fire, page 112.
which is CRKT’s latest offering.
“The Van Hoy On Fire is brand new,”
Flagg explained. “We just started ship-

speedsafe® assisted
opening technology

When advanced technology NEW07

G-10 OFFSET Designed by Ken Onion
becomes reality. Model 1597G10
Steel......Metal injection-molded (MIM)
440C stainless-steel with
Chromium Nitride coating
Handle...Black G-10, 3-D machined
Lock......Stud-lock
Liner......410 stainless-steel
Blade.....3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm)
Closed...5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm)
Weight...8.5 oz.

MSRP $299.95

www.kershawknives.com
8OO.325.2891

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 29

Assisted.indd 29 4/6/07 1:28:05 PM

 knife talk
knife talk

The BLADE Show—slat-

ed for June 8-10 at the
Cobb Galleria Centre
in Atlanta—is the
one single event with
unlimited opportunity
for finding knives and
meeting knife people.
(Point Seven photo) No knife event can match the BLADE Show for uniting both the
factory and handmade segments of the knife industry. In 2001, the
author (right) presented Paul Gillespie (left) and Rod Bremer the
Blade Magazine Imported Knife-Of-The-Year® Award for Columbia
River Knife & Tool’s BladeLOCK folder. (Gillespie has since retired
from CRKT.)

By Ed Fowler
BLADE ® field editor
30 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Fowler.indd 30 4/5/07 4:00:32 PM

 with a knife that remains special to me. If
you look closely at the antique knives in the
show hall, you very probably will note some
of the great “discoveries” of the future wait-
ing to be discovered again.
I believe it was Harry Truman who said,
“The only thing new in the world is the his-
tory you don’t know.”
Patrons of lady knife have an opportu-
nity to talk to the many who display antique
knives, as well as those who sell them. This
Legends past, present provides each who wants to know the oppor-
and future all assemble tunity to talk to specialists in their fields.
at the BLADE Show. In
1996, Blade Magazine
For example, Dr. Jim Lucie will be
Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer© there. He knows more about Blade Maga-
Bill Moran met 15-year- zine Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer© William
old Josh Smith, who Scagel than any man alive. If you are in-
became the youngest terested in Scagel and his knives, you will
ever to gain the rank of have the opportunity to meet and talk to a
ABS journeyman smith. person who has devoted much of his life
studying the man and his work.
Lucie makes Scagel reproductions of

T
hroughout the world of knives, there individuals she has known who have made which Scagel would be proud. If you want to
are many events that display the history, knives, and those she has served through the know, Dr. Lucie will be more than welcome
the present and sometimes provide in- ages. This is the basis of the attraction of the to share his knowledge. This is an opportuni-
sight to the future of lady knife. The BLADE BLADE Show to patrons of lady knife. We ty for all. If you own a Scagel knife and won-
Show is the one single event with unlimited come to learn, see, touch and share. der about its authenticity, ask Dr Lucie and
opportunity for sharing our own special in- he will tell you the truth. Should you wish
terests in our favorite subject. Waiting for Discovery to explore the Scagel legend, you will have
Many patriots of lady knife travel thou- Antique knife dealers from many venues as- the opportunity to hear it firsthand. Many
sands of miles seeking their dream. Some semble at the BLADE Show. Some are high- know a Scagel knife by its surface. Dr. Lucie
wish to buy a special knife. Others hope to ly expert in their fields, yet each always has knows the soul of Scagel knives intimately.
sell and many to see and learn and, for a a knife he does not know in his display. Like This year I will bring my special knife by
while, be with and share time about knives I said, no man can know them all, therefore Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer Rudy Ruana to share
with others. Many lasting friendships have many bargains await the patron with special time with Scagel’s “Mermaid of the Great
their genesis at the BLADE Show, for it is a knowledge or desires. Lakes.” I believe the knives know each other,
gathering of people who know and share a I have attended the BLADE Show since either from a common ancestor or just may-
common interest. The most complete assem- 1982 and, as I write these words, I vividly re- be a planned meeting. You are invited to visit
blage of lady knife’s realm happens every member knives I should have bought when them—the Ruana knife at my table (table
year at the BLADE Show. I had the chance. Other sentiments are of number 3-N), the Scagel knife at Dr. Lucie’s
Back when I was a new maker in the gratitude for simply being able to enjoy time
world of knives, the BLADE Show was
already known as the king of them all, the
annual temporary palace of knifedom. Com-
moners and VIPs, legends and newcomers—
some to be legends of the future—all bring
their tribute to lady knife for others to visit.
Some hope to sell, others to share, and many
to enjoy lady knife, learn of her history and
seek vision into her future.
Lady knife is an artifact of man that
can speak through her nature to those who
are able to hear her message. For some, it
is a visual communication. Others seek to
touch and, for a time, be one with a crafts-
man who, through his emotion devoted to
the development of a very special knife,
sends a powerful message that will not be
heard by all who pass by his table—though
maybe a precious few will know his gift to
the future. The maker could be at his first
show or lived hundreds of years ago; his
knife still carries his message. The BLADE Show is also the family reunion
of production knives. Factory booths line
Our queen, lady knife, is no simple the perimeter of the show hall, as does the
woman. She has shared the hunt, meals and enthusiasm that attends them. At left, Joyce
life with man from the beginning of time. Laituri explains the latest Spyderco knife to
No one man can know all her secrets, no interested cutlery enthusiasts at last year’s
book can reveal all. Her history is as vast show. (Point Seven photo)
as the millions of knifemakers, cultures and

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 31

Fowler.indd 31 4/6/07 1:30:08 PM

 The BLADE Show is where I first met

$OUBLE !CTION knife talk

knife talk
Paul Burke, the attorney for the American
Bladesmith Society. He became a lifelong
!UTOMATICS
table (table number 2-O)—and decide for
friend. I miss him greatly. Every year I can
visualize Paul and his wife, Edie, walk-
yourself. (For more on the Ruana and Scagel ing into the area surrounding The Pit, the
/NEHANDEDOPENINGORSCALE knives, see the author’s story, “The Scagel- sunken bar in the host Renaissance Waverly
Ruana Connection?” in the June BLADE®.) Hotel and, for a few minutes, enjoying time
RELEASEAUTOMATICOPERATION A few years ago a man had a display of with some of the finest patrons of lady knife
"LADESARE#0- 36INFOR knives at the show that he said were made I have had the opportunity to know.
THE$OUBLE $UTYANDFORTHE by James Black, the blacksmith some believe Please do not take my thoughts to enter-
,OBO' OR#OCOBOLOHANDLES made a knife for Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer tain an opinion that the legends are all gone.
James Bowie. The display was highly infor- New ones are entering the realm of lady
9OURSATISFACTIONIS!UTOMATIC
mative. I treasure the time I spent with him knife all the time, under the watchful memo-
examining the knives that he said were made ries of those who are no longer with us. They
by Black. I was able to form some definite will be at the BLADE Show as well.
conclusions about the nature of the knives in The BLADE Show is also the family re-
my mind. Should the man choose to display union of factory knives. Like any industry,
his knives at the show again this year, you some are no longer with us. Camillus, West-
will have the same opportunity. My thoughts ern and others are gone, but many of the in-
,OBO are not important. Black, his knives and their dustry that live on will be there this year. The
$OUBLE !CTION place in history have been documented many icons of tomorrow will be at the show and
!UTOMATIC times by writers who may or may not have you can meet them in person. Their booth
0ARTIALSERRATION been correct. I had the opportunity to judge displays line the perimeter of the show hall,
COCOBOLOHANDLE for myself and it would not have happened if as does their enthusiasm.
,# not for the BLADE Show.
One Display at a Time
Past, Present & Future Legends When you enter the exhibit hall of the Cobb
Many of the legends in the world of knives Galleria Centre, you will be awed by the
were at my first BLADE Show. I well remem- enormity of the displays that await you. The
ber Dan Dennehy, Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer floor plan is well thought out. Copies of it are
Bill and Margaret Moran, Clyde Fischer and available in the show program in the show
Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer Jimmy Lile visiting lobby. Take a few minutes to study one and
in the aisle at my first BLADE Show. Cutlery you will have your own tour guide. Relax
Hall-Of-Famers George Herron and Chuck and visit the BLADE Show one display at a
Buck were there. Their gentlemanly manner time, and then take home the memories of
made a lasting impression on me. Many of which you will be a part.
them are gone now, but their memory lingers Here’s hoping I meet you at the BLADE
and I saw them at the BLADE Show. I talked Show.
to them, shook their hands and cherish the
memories dearly. Yours truly,
Rob Simonich and I met at a BLADE
Show. Neither of us made enough money at Ed Fowler
that particular show to buy a cup of coffee
afterward, but I still remember him sitting Editor’s note: If you would like to visit with
across the table from me waiting for a flight the author online, he welcomes you at www.
home. We were friends from that moment knifetalkonline.com.
forward. Again, I thank the BLADE Show
for the opportunity to meet him.

$OUBLE $UTY Antique dealers from many venues exhibit at the BLADE Show. Some are highly
0LAINEDGE expert in their fields,
fields, yet each always has a knife he does not know in his display. No
' HANDLE man can know them all, therefore many bargains await the patron with special knowl-
$OUBLE !CTION edge or desires. At left, antique bowie afi
aficionado
cionado Floyd Ritter (hands on hips) studies
a knife in a display case at a past BLADE Show.
!UTOMATIC
,#

37"ARBER3TREET3TE!
7ILSONVILLE/2
$EALER,OCATOR!T
WWWLONEWOLFKNIVESCOM

32 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Fowler.indd 32 4/6/07 1:30:22 PM

 Cutting Edge
Art Four Days of Knife Events
Jam
es
Sh
ave
rK
nif
e

Meet the world’s top

knifemakers and see
their finest work! 2007
Knifemakers’
Guild Show
Alfred Pendray Knife
July 26, 27, 28, 29

Thursday - President’s Gala

Buena Vista Palace
for Honorary Members Orlando, FL
Knife Displays & Sales:
(Admission $5/day)
Friday, July 27 Hotel Reservations:
12 p.m. Noon - 6 p.m. Buena Vista Palace
1900 Buena Vista Dr
Saturday, July 28 Lake Buena Vista, FL 328030
10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (866) 397-6516 (toll free)
ask for Knifemakers’ Guild rate
Sunday - Everyone welcome to attend and
enjoy the Cutting Competitions
and Educational Seminars
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
You could win one of the Buena Vista Palace is 20 min-
knives pictures just by utes from downtown Orlando
and the Orlando International
For event details and schedule being there! Airport (MCO)
or Guild membership information Driving directions: I-4 West
visit: www.knifemakersguild.com towards Walt Disney World.
Get off at Exit 68 (Lake
or contact: Gil Hibben, Dept. B, Buena Vista/Kissimmee). At
2914 Winters Ln, LaGrange, KY 40031 the bottom of the exit ramp,
(502) 222-1397 or go right (SR 535). At the first
Email: [email protected] stop light (Hotel Plaza Blvd),
go left. Go to the 3rd stop
light (Buena Vista Drive) and
make a right. Buena Vista
ife Palace is on the right.
Kn
r)
Mille
es
Jam
.(
J.P

Point Seven Photos e

Knif
ling
Dow
Tom

1147853_BL.indd 1 3/13/07 9:51:48 AM

 profile in steel
profile in steel

Rick Hinderer’s XM-18 flipper folder is his hottest model,

here in an orange G-10. The 3.5-inch “Spanto” blade is
CPM S30V stainless steel. The lock side of the handle is
titanium while the opposite side is G-10. Rick offers the
model with the pocket clip tip up or tip down, and a cover
plate to seal off the recessed pocket for the clip—a very
nice touch! (Doss photo)

Rick Hinderer

By Dexter Ewing
BLADE ® field editor

34 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Hinderer.indd 34 4/5/07 4:01:57 PM

 With its titanium handle and clip anodized a bright blue,
Rick’s Flash flflipper
ipper folder lives up to its name. The drop-
point blade is CPM S30V stainless steel. Note the Lockbar
Stabilizer just beneath the hole in the end of the pocket clip.
(Doss photo)

ome things go hand-in-hand, one fac- during his art-knife days made his tran- ing that time I also had a lot of different
tor or event feeding off another. Such sition into tactical knives relatively easy. ideas on what I thought would make a good
is life for Rick Hinderer. The tactical crowd is perhaps just as criti- hard-use knife. I didn’t act on those ideas
The Hinderer name is familiar to cal about knives as the art-knife one. back then because my clientele bought my
those who follow the custom tactical What were the catalysts for the change art knives.” One day, he decided to make
folder scene, for Rick’s star is shining from collector-grade art knives to user- solely hard-use knives whose designs and
brightly thanks to his popular tactical grade, “rough-and-tumble” knives? “One, style of construction were based on his ex-
models such as the Flame, Firetac and, of course, was my involvement with the periences as a fi rst responder.
more recently, the XM-18, the cover fi re department and the dive team,” he Many knifemakers can count on real-
knife for the April BLADE ®. notes. The second catalyst happened more life experiences they have had to shape
It is his meticulous, fastidious attention or less over the course of time. their philosophy on knife design and
to knife design and knifemaking, coupled “Even while I was making art knives, I construction. Some come from a military
with his real-world experience as a long- still missed the feeling I got when a cus- background, others law enforcement, oth-
time EMT and fi refighter, which sets him tomer told me about using his knife that I ers machinists for aerospace and construc-
apart. A volunteer fi refighter/EMT for 10 made for him in the field hunting or just tion industries, still others as professional
years and a search-and-rescue diver for 11, doing everyday tasks,” Rick recalls. “Dur- hunting guides.
his design philosophy is deeply rooted in
his experience with his use of knives as
part of a fi rst responder’s essential gear.
Rick’s knifemaking odyssey has been
an interesting one. The road to knifemak-
ing stardom was not always paved, as he is
all too quick to point out. “Most of what I
learned was learned by trial and error,” he
grins, “and making a lot of scrap.” He says
there was a lot of trial and error in knife
design as well, including “trying new de-
signs and learning from them what works
and what doesn’t.”
His knifemaking journey began with
fashioning art knives, a far cry in the
schools of thought and design from the
tactical scene in which he is fi rmly en-
trenched today.
“While making art knives in those early
years, to catch the public’s eye you had to
be extremely creative but, at the same time,
nearly perfect in your technical ability,” he
Rick operates the drill press in
opines. “I spent countless hours perfect- his shop. (Lori Hinderer photo)
ing my skills to make the very best knife
I could possibly make.”
Rick indicates that what he learned

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 35

Hinderer.indd 35 4/5/07 4:02:31 PM

 profile in steel
profile in steel
Tsuba Pendants The Wooster, Ohio, maker has
enjoyed a successful collaborative

By
relationship with Gerber. The com-
pany offers a few of Rick’s designs,
one of which, the Gerber Hinderer
Rescue folder, has garnered ac-

Underhill Jewelers colades both inside and outside the

knife industry. (Gerber photo)

Rick is one of the few knifemakers

whose current knife design and construc-
tion ideals have been shaped and molded
by experience as a fi rst responder. In his
three fields as volunteer fi refighter, EMT
and search-and-rescue diver, knives are
not only a part of his turnout gear, they
are essential tools that are key to him
performing his jobs. In a situation where
seconds can mean the difference be-
using my own knives while on duty and
tween life and death, having the properly
began seeing areas of improvement that I
designed and made tools is of the utmost
had never thought of before.” He says that
importance.
using his own knives on duty has been an
www.underhilljewelers.com “After joining the fi re department and
dive team, I began to really look at knives
invaluable fi rsthand learning experience
206-933-0533
that quickly brought any deficiencies to
and knife designs more as hard-use tools
light, as well as demonstrating what re-
than as works of art,” he relates. “I started
ally works. “My designs started changing
because of these experiences,” he offers,
“and new mechanisms gave birth to solve
different problem areas that arose from ac-
tual call experience.”
SCAR CUSTOM KNIVES One of the mechanisms that Rick de-
veloped for his integral lock (also called
Commemorating 10 Years framelock) folding knives is what he calls
ZACHARIAS FIGHTER - (Premium Model) his Lockbar Stabilizer. It is a round metal
disk that is inlaid via a TorxTM-head screw
into the lock side of the handle. It prevents
the user from pushing the lockbar too far
over to “de-spring” the lock. It basically
limits travel of the lockbar in the opposite
direction. In addition, it prevents any up-
and-down movement of the lockbar that
results from the user gripping the handle
a bit too hard in high-stress cutting situa-
tions such as might be encountered during
a rescue operation.
“The Lockbar Stabilizer came about ac-
tually from experiences with working with
my framelock folders while on duty with
the fi re department,” he begins. “While
working with these framelock folders I
noticed that it was easy with the adrenalin
flowing and with heavy turnout gloves on
to actually overextend the lockbar.”
All of Rick’s framelock tactical folders
come with the Lockbar Stabilizer. He said
it impressed Mick Strider and Duane Dw-
• 7-1/2 Damascus blade Richard & Sharilyn
• fossil walrus ivory handle Schuchmann yer of Strider Knives so much that, “Mick
• nickel-silver guard
[email protected] 3975 Hamblen Dr. contacted me asking if I would grant them
• white fur calf hide sheath Cincinnati, OH 45255 a license to use it.” Now, Rick’s Lockbar
• List price is $1,200 www.scarknives.com 513-553-4316
Stabilizer can be found on Strider’s SnG

36 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Hinderer.indd 36 4/10/07 12:51:24 PM

 to work with.” The steel already has caught
the attention of a few other knifemakers,
as well as several production knife com-
panies, including SOG Specialty Knives.
Does Rick see it overtaking S30V? “Yes,
once it gets out there in more quantity for
makers to buy,” he forecasts.
For handles, Rick uses titanium, all
available colors of G-10 and Micarta®, car-
bon fiber, and a variety of exotic stabilized
hardwoods. Unlike many makers, he has
both the machinery and know-how to fash-
ion the pivots, screws, standoffs, handle
bolts, etc., for his folders. “I make all my
hardware from 17-4 PH stainless,” he says.
Doing it this way may take a bit more time
but guarantees his total control over the
Rick also offers the XM-18 in cranberry knife’s overall quality.
G-10. (Doss photo) Rick has enjoyed a successful col-
laborative relationship with Gerber. The
tactical model I came out with when I company offers a few of his designs, one
and SMF framelock folders.
switched to using knives, and it’s still of which, the Gerber Hinderer Rescue
Another innovation that Rick intro-
one of my most popular,” he observes. folder, has garnered accolades both inside
duced on his XM-18 tactical folder is what
“It’s a straight-forward workhorse.” It and outside the cutlery industry. The knife
he calls his Spanto blade. It is a spear-point
comes in a wide variety of blade styles has comprehensive features that a fi rst re-
pattern with a tip that is ground like a tanto,
and grip insert materials. The Firetac’s sponder needs when arriving on the scene
leaving the full thickness of the spine up to
handle features a machined inlay portion of most any situation where a life may be
the tip, yielding both a strong tip and over-
in which a variety of natural or synthet- at stake. It is perhaps the best-thought-out
all blade. “It allows combining the cutting
ic inlay materials are available to give rescue knife on the market today.
ability of the spear-point grind with the tip
each Firetac its own distinct personality Rick is a popular knifemaker whose
strength and prying ability of the tanto into
and feel. “It’s also a very easily carried designs and methods of knife construction
one useful blade,” he sums up. As a result,
knife,” Rick adds. draw on his years of experience as a fi rst
the Spanto is the most popular blade con-
In terms of materials, he has a wide responder, as well as his art-knife back-
figuration for his XM-18 folder. He offers
array at his disposal. For blades he uses ground. Having this unusual perspective,
the knife with a tanto pattern as well.
440C and CPM S30V stainless and D2 tool he is able to offer hard-use tactical knives
Another popular model is his Firetac
steels. Most recently, he has been using the that not only are aesthetically pleasing to
tactical folder. “The Firetac is the fi rst
new-to-knives Duratech 20CV stainless the eye and comfortable to the hand, but
on his XM-18 models. also are engineered to go the distance
Rick Hinderer According to Rick, 20CV reportedly when it counts the most—whether it be
Dept. BL7, 5423 Kister Rd. has a little more edge-holding power than when a life is on the line or just to be a
Wooster, OH 44691 S30V. “It is a fantastic blade steel. I like it good, sturdy cutting tool.
216.263.0962 a lot!” he exclaims. “It grinds a lot easier
[email protected] than S30V and fi nishes better and is easier
rhknives.com

Specialties Tactical folders Rick’s shop is equipped with the lat-

Blade Steels 440C, CPM S30V and est in knifemaking equipment, and
Duratech 20CV stainless, and D2 he makes his own screws, standoffs,
tool steels handle bolts, etc. (Lori Hinderer photo)
Handle Materials Titanium, all
available colors of G-10 and Mi-
carta®, carbon fiber, and a variety of
exotic stabilized hardwoods
Special Features The Lockbar Sta-
bilizer, a round metal disk that is
inlaid via a TorxTM-head screw into
the lock side of the handle of his fra-
melock folders that prevents lockbar
failure; also the Spanto, a spear-point
blade with a tip that is ground like a
tanto pattern, leaving full thickness
of the spine up to the tip, yielding a
strong blade and tip
Miscellaneous Makes the pivots,
screws, standoffs, handle bolts, etc.,
for his folders
Maker’s List Prices $150-$4,000
and up

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 37

Hinderer.indd 37 4/6/07 1:37:28 PM

y your knife your knife rights

rights
Swiss Army Wars:
Behind The Lines
The author reviews a case concerning a “skirmish”
between Forschner and Arrow in the early ‘90s
By Judge Lowell Bray
BLADE® field editor

W
hether they fashion factory or knives in 1891, and Wenger began knife. Despite a similar physical ap-
handmade knives, knifemakers producing its knife in 1908. pearance, it is undisputed that the
appreciate the value of produc- The knives achieved prominence Arrow knife is comparatively inex-
ing work that is easily recognizable by in the United States when American pensive, is markedly inferior and fails
the knife-buying public. On the factory soldiers returning from Europe after to meet the standard of high quality
side, the Spyderco hole is a good exam- World War II brought this well-craft- found in a Swiss Army knife distrib-
ple. On the custom side, many makers ed, intricate pocketknife used by the uted by Forschner.
work to develop knives with “a face”— Swiss military home with them. The On September 22, 1992, Forsch-
meaning a style that is identified with a Swiss Army knife is renowned for its ner commenced an action in the
particular maker. quality and durability, familiar red United States District Court for the
During the 1990s, Victorinox and color, its multi-purpose blades and Southern District of New York seek-
Wenger went through protracted litiga- utensils, and its cross-and-shield in- ing to enjoin Arrow from marketing
tion in an attempt by one to protect the signia. knives made in China as Swiss Army
look of its knives. (Editor’s note: Vic- While the phrase “Swiss Army knives. The Complaint alleged mis-
torinox bought Wenger in 2005, with knife” has never enjoyed trademark representation as to the characteris-
the agreement that each company would protection, the two Swiss firms have tics, qualities and origin of its goods
continue to make knives at its respective agreed between themselves to share pursuant to the Lanham Act, and [it]
plants in Ibach and Delemont, Switzer- the use of the phrase. Victorinox has alleged unfair competition under New
land. However, the 1990s case remains exclusive use of the term “original” York State common law.
instructive and is presented here for the Swiss Army knife, Wenger may call The district court found that Ar-
legal lessons it offers.) The case went its knife “genuine,” and their Ameri- row’s use of the phrase “Swiss Army
back and forth between a Federal trial can distributors have accepted the knife” in connection with a multifunc-
court in New York and the Federal Court same terms with respect to promot- tion pocketknife that was manufac-
of Appeals. The court of appeals ex- ing the pocketknives. Forschner has tured outside of Switzerland and
plained the case as follows: continuously imported Swiss Army was of inferior quality constituted a
knives manufactured by Victorinox misrepresentation as to geographic
Forschner v. Arrow Trading since 1950. Precise Imports Corp., origin and quality, in violation of the
Since the beginning of this century, which is not a party to this litigation, Lanham Act. Thus, the district court
two Swiss firms, Victorinox Cutlery distributes Wenger multifunction enjoined Arrow’s use of the phrase
Company and Wenger, S.A., have pocketknives in the United States. “Swiss Army knife” to advertise, pro-
been the only purveyors of the well- Early in 1992, Arrow began mar- mote or sell its knives.
known “Swiss Army knife” to the keting a red pocketknife contain- Arrow appealed and this Court va-
Swiss Armed Forces. Victorinox first ing multiple utensils manufactured cated the district court’s order, hold-
designed its multifunction pocket- in China and called it a Swiss Army ing as a matter of law that the phrase

38 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

KnifeRights.indd 38 4/10/07 2:42:05 PM

 “Swiss Army knife,” as applied to a
multifunction pocketknife that was
not manufactured in Switzerland,
was neither geographically nor quali-
tatively descriptive and thus was not
deceptive under the Lanham Act. This
Court remanded the case for consid-
eration of whether Arrow’s remaining
claims alleging unfair competition
under both federal law and New York
common law had been proved so
as to provide alternative grounds to
deny, restrict or circumscribe Arrow’s
use of the phrase “Swiss Army knife.”
On remand, the district court re-
jected Forschner’s trademark claims
but found the trade dress of Arrow’s
knife, particularly its red color, had
substantially increased the likelihood
of consumer confusion, and conclud-
ed that Forschner had adequately Kelly Carlson
supported its allegations of false des-
ignation of origin under [the Act], and
unfair competition under New York
common law.
The district court issued an Order
and Judgment enjoining Arrow from:
advertising, promoting, selling or of- EDC
fering to sell any multifunction pock-
etknife represented as a Swiss Army
knife, unless:
(1) the phrase “Swiss Army knife” 54 So. Holt Hill www.carlsonknives.com Tel: 603-588-2765
is immediately preceded by (as in Antrim, NH 03440 [email protected] 603-588-4223
“Arrow Swiss Army Knife”), or immedi-
ately followed by (as in “Swiss Army
Knife by Arrow” or “Swiss Army Knife
from Arrow Trading Co.”), the name
of the defendant in such a way as to Professional Knifemakers Association 15th Annual
clearly designate its origin, although
in no case should the size or presen-
tation of the type designating origin
be smaller or less prominent than the
Denver
type used in the phrase “Swiss Army
knife”; (2) the term “original” is not
used to describe the knife; and; (3)
Custom Knife Show
the language “the Swiss Army logo Friday _____ 17th, 12 NOON to 6 PM
design is a trademark used under li- August 2007 Saturday_____ 18th, 9 AM to 5 PM
cense by Arrow Trading Co., Inc.,” or Sunday _____ 19th, 9 AM to 3 PM
any similar language, is not used.
Bring in this ad for
A New Appeal $2.00 off admission!!
Forschner then took a new appeal argu-
ing that the court erred when it refused Regular admission – $7.00 – For all three days
– Children under 12 Free
to prohibit Arrow from using the color
red in connection with its multifunc-
tion pocketknives and the phrase “Swiss HOLIDAY INN – DIA
15500 East 40th Avenue
Army Knife.” The court said:
Denver, Colorado 80239
(I-70 and Chambers Road Exit)
The law of trademarks and unfair Show rate is $84
competition is shaped primarily by two Reservations (303) 371-9494
competing public policies—namely, (All reservations must be made by July 18, 2007)
preventing consumer confusion on
the one hand while promoting and Many of the world’s finest knifemakers and purveyors will be displaying and selling their custom
rewarding healthy competition on the hunting, fishing, folding, tactical, kitchen, and artistic knives at this prestigious show.
PKA members’ knives will be presented through a special raffle.
other. With respect to the federal law Custom knives and other cutlery items will be given away as door prizes.
of unfair competition, the Lanham Act Public There will be forging and grinding demonstrations.
provides protection for unregistered Welcome Do not miss this custom knife extravaganza.
trademarks and trade dress by hold- For additional information
ing liable in a civil action: Contact: Craig Camerer at (618) 753-2147 or e-mail [email protected]

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 39

KnifeRights.indd 39 4/10/07 2:42:17 PM

 your knife
your knife rights
rights
Any person who, on or in con-
nection with any goods or services,
,OJGF
CZ
-BSSZ
'VFHFO or any container for goods, uses in
commerce any word, term, name,
symbol, or device, or any combina-
tion thereof, or any false designation
of origin, false or misleading descrip-
tion of fact, or false or misleading
representation of fact, which is likely
to cause confusion, or to cause [to]
mistake, or to deceive as to the af-
fi liation, connection, or association of
The Raven The
Introducing Combat
Raven Combat such person with another person, or
7” Blade 12 5/8” overall 530-V Rc 59-60 as to the origin, sponsorship, or ap-
G-10 Gunner Grip™ Handles proval of his or her goods, services,
Blackhawk Sheath or commercial activities by another
$299.00
$329.00 person.
Combat Tested in Afghanistan To prevail in an action for trade
dress infringement under the Lanham
Act, a plaintiff must demonstrate that
(1) its trade dress is distinctive and
(2) there exists a likelihood of confu-
Simonich Knives LLC sion between its product and the al-
Box 278
leged infringer’s product.
Clancy, MT 59634
(406) 933-9151 The threshold issue in the case
www.simonichknives.com before us is whether the trade dress
E-Mail: [email protected]
E-Mail: [email protected] of Forschner’s Swiss Army knife, in
particular the red color as applied to
its multipurpose pocketknife, iden-
tifi es the particular source of the
product or distinguishes it from other

LONE STAR WHOLESALE products. A trade dress may identify

the producer in one of two ways: if
the good is inherently distinctive or if
the product has acquired distinctive-
G R E AT P R I C E S ness to the consuming public through
a secondary meaning associating

DEALERS ONLY 806-356-9540 Resale Certificate or FFL Required

the trade dress with the source of the
good.
We observe that color is never
inherently distinctive, but is capable

MOST MAJOR BRANDS

Lone Star Wholesale, PO BOX 587, of identifying a product’s source
Amarillo, TX 79105 FAX 806-359-1603. and may be a protected trademark
All FAX Correspondence, please include only when it has attained secondary
Tax info, and phone number. meaning and has come to be associ-
ated in the consuming public’s mind
with a single source of origin.

The court then held:

The use of the color red on han-

dles of multifunction pocketknives
does not indicate in the minds of the
public a single source of origin in Vic-
torinox. The record indicates that for
nearly forty years, at least two differ-
ent and competing Swiss companies,
Victorinox and Wenger, have manu-
factured Swiss Army knives with red
handles and the cross-and-shield
logos for distribution in the United
States. For nearly the same length of
time, an American company, Colonial,

40 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

KnifeRights.indd 40 4/10/07 2:42:25 PM

 has marketed a multifunction pocket-
knife with red handles and a two bar
cross design under its SWISS MAS-
TER trademark, and the purchasing
public has referred to its product as a
Swiss Army knife. As such, the trade
dress consisting of the color red as
applied to multifunction pocketknives
does not serve to primarily designate
Forschner as the single source of the
product, nor does it serve to distin-
guish Forschner’s product from those
of its competitors.

Moving on to the claim under New

York common law, the court said:

The essence of unfair competition

is “the bad faith misappropriation of
the labors and expenditures of an-
other, likely to cause confusion or to
deceive purchasers as to the origin of
the goods.” A likelihood of confusion
exists when consumers are likely to
assume that a product is associated
with a manufacturer other than its
actual source because of similarities
between the related goods.
In order to establish that a likeli-
hood of confusion remains unless the
injunction is expanded to prohibit Ar-
row from using the color red, Forsch-
ner would have to demonstrate that
prospective consumers— (1) seeing a
display of multifunction pocketknives;
(2) with red handles (and a cross-
and-shield insignia); (3) and with
the phrase “Arrow Swiss Army Knife”
embossed on the knife—would likely Bringing you the finest knifemaking products!
be misled into purchasing an Arrow
-804-068
888
knife instead of a Forschner Swiss Giraffe Bone Damascus
Army knife. Warthog Tusk 1- 3 5 Turn
Again the court found that Forsch- Mammoth Ivory See us at the 20 Turn
ner had failed to prove its case. The The Blade Show Odin’s Eye
Kudu Horn
appeals court approved the trial Rose
court’s ruling as one, striking a rea- Impala Horn Atlanta, GA
Cape Buffalo Horn Hakkapelita
sonable balance between Arrow’s June 8, 9 & 10, 2007 Random
and Forschner’s conflicting interests, African Woods
focusing upon hindrances to legiti- CAL US
www.giraffebone.com L www.ssdamascus.com
mate competition as well as assuring Sandy & Jerry McClure Sandy McClure
suffi cient product differentiation to Please Visit Our Web Sites!
avoid source confusion.

Hence, the appeals court affi rmed the

trial court’s decision.
Tac-II
[Facts taken from The Forschner Bigfork, MT
Group, Inc. v. Arrow Trading Co. Inc. www.skknives.com
124 F. 3d 402 (2d Cir. 1997)]

The author has been a lawyer since 1973 Blade Show

and a judge since 1982. He is also the Table 20-Q
secretary/treasurer of the Knifemakers’
Guild, an ABS journeyman smith
and a charter member of the Florida
Steven Kelly
Specializing in Performance
OAL: 7”
Knifemakers Association. Blade: 3” Hunting Knives
Steel: 52100 Or CPM 154 406-837-1489
Sheath: Horizontal Carry Leather
Price: $165 [email protected]

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 41

KnifeRights.indd 41 4/10/07 2:42:36 PM

 factory focus
factory focus By Mac Overton

Albion Swords

Albion’s swords are made to look not only like the originals, but also to feel,
handle and perform like models from hundreds of years ago. The Next Gen-
eration series is priced at around $500 and up. The swords are made sharp
and built to withstand medieval-style combat. (Albion photos)

42 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Albion.indd 42 4/5/07 3:53:04 PM

 Peter Johnsson designs all of Albion’s swords. Johnsson is an author ocated in southern Wisconsin, the
and researcher in the field and a swordsmith in his own right. An example
of the exactness with which Albion’s swords are made is one recreated
“Swiss Village” of New Glarus is
model, the Svante, which is a precise .75-inch thick at the base of the home to Albion, maker of some of
blade. Company president Howy Waddell said it is a faithful reproduction today’s fi nest reproductions of Me-
of a sword found in the grave of a viceroy of Sweden. (Albion photos) dieval-style swords. Company president
Howard “Howy” Waddell said that the
swords are designed and crafted not only
to look like the originals, but also to feel,
handle and perform like the models from
hundreds of years ago.
He stressed that Albion’s swords are
different from other period pieces for sev-
eral reasons.
“Most companies that make swords
work from the outside in,” Waddell told
BLADE®. “Our swords are all designed by
Peter Johnsson. He’s a noted author and
researcher in the field, as well as a sword-
smith in his own right.
“Peter goes into a museum and takes
painstaking measurements of every inch,
every angle of the piece. He’s able to han-
dle the piece as well, and knows how it
should feel.”
Waddell said the company takes John-
sson’s documentation and begins work
from there.

“The Svante was

built on the
Top of the line is the Museum series, which is
based on Peter Johnsson’s research. Expect
‘golden section.’”
to pay $1,000-$3,500 each for the “Museum
pieces.” (Albion photos) —Howy Waddell
“In the fi rst step, we design the blade
and mill blanks out of steel on comput-
erized milling equipment to establish
the baseline,” he explained. The blades
are then heat treated and hand ground to
Johnsson’s exact specifications.
Albion uses a number of tough car-
bon steels, including 5160—which Wad-
dell describes as “very homogenous”—
6150 and 1075. “The steel used depends
on the requirements of the individual
piece,” he noted.
A tough leaf-spring and heavy truck
coil-spring steel, 5160 is often used in
handforged blades. It has a little bit of
chrome and .60 percent carbon. Steel type
6150 is also used for heavy truck springs.
It has .50 percent carbon and is other-
wise similar to 5160 except that it has .18
percent vanadium, which Waddell said
reduces grain structure and adds a little
bit of toughness. Type 1075 is a “straight
carbon” steel with .75 percent carbon. It
is similar to cutlery-grade steels that have
been used for centuries and also is used
by many bladesmiths and swordsmiths.
The company president said Albion
is proud of the quality of its swords, and
intends to maintain high standards. To
ensure this, the company uses what Wad-

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 43

Albion.indd 43 4/5/07 3:53:35 PM

 factory focus
factory focus
Jody Samson, designer of the swords for the 1982 movie starring
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Conan The Barbarian,
Barbarian, and a maker of fi
fine
ne
knives, moved his shop from Burbank, California, to New Glarus in
2001. “He set up the process for the recreation of the Conan swords
and began making one-of-a-kind swords, daggers and artwork,”
company president Howy Waddell noted. This is Jody’s Conan-At-
lantean model. (Albion photo)

dell describes as a “pretty elaborate test- An example of the exactness with Johnsson lives in Sweden but visits
ing system.” This includes a flex test to which Albion’s swords are made is one Albion’s U.S. shop twice a year “to make
make sure the blade can withstand side- recreated model, the Svante, which is a sure we’re doing everything right,” Wad-
ways pressure. In the flex test, blades are precise .75-inch thick at the base of the dell explained.
bent past 90 degrees before taking a set. blade. Waddell said it is a faithful repro- Originally a graphic designer, Johns-
The blades are also used in cutting and for duction of a sword found in the grave of a son returned to school to study blacksmith-
thrusting into a steel barrel, with the bar- viceroy of Sweden. “Peter [Johnsson] was ing. He researched the Svante, which was
rel simulating the armor that the originals the fi rst academic to document what was in a museum, and wrote his thesis about
would have encountered. a very successful battle sword,” the com- it. He studied it from a graphic designer’s
There are also destructive tests, so Al- pany president observed of the piece. standpoint.
bion officials know just how much dam- The hilts of Albion swords usually are “He noted subtle differences in vol-
age their blades can take. The tests are made of arctic birch, a natural material umes and distribution of mass in the
configured to ensure the pieces reaching impregnated with glues to make it more sword,” Waddell pointed out. “He discov-
consumers will not fail in use—not that stable, Waddell advised. Fittings are cast ered the Svante was built on the ‘golden
most of them will ever be used. Company from 1018, a “mild steel” low in carbon—
officials advised that conducting such tests in this case, .18 percent. They are made
with your own sword would be considered from waxes carved for authenticity by Albion Swords
abuse, so do not try them at home. Johnsson. attn: H. Waddell
Dept. BL7, 421 Second St.
New Glarus, WI
53574
888.806.4356 or
608.527.4356
[email protected]
www.albion-swords.com,
http://jodysamson.com/about.
htm, http://jodysamson.com
and http://filmswords.com/

Specialties Swords, including his-

toric “recreation,” functional, af-
fordable/beginner and sparring
models and scabbards; also armor
and accoutrements
Blade Steels 5160 spring and 6150
and 1075 carbon
Hilts Usually arctic birch
Fittings Cast from 1018 mild steel
Miscellaneous Designs by Sweden’s
Peter Johnsson; also some designs
by Jody Samson
Website Extensive options includ-
ing a “Moat Sale” with leftover or
discontinued pieces (chiefly blades
which you can use to make your own
swords); test demos, full on-line cat-
alogs and more
Upcoming Albion swords report-
edly will be used in the upcoming
movie, Reclaiming The Blade
List Prices $400-$3,500

44 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Albion.indd 44 4/5/07 6:54:48 PM

 section.’” Waddell said that the golden
section refers to the use of “harmonic pro-
portions,” a principle found in the animal
kingdom in the nautilus and that is used
in building cathedrals, ships and making
musical instruments. “He found that me-
dieval architects used the golden section.
Swordsmiths used it as well. It was done
very frequently,” the company president
continued. “It made swords very attrac-
tive, and actually makes a difference in The Maestro line is for sparring. Since the
Maestros are not sharpened, they look slightly
how a sword performs.”
different than their counterparts in the com-
Johnsson makes a handful of swords pany’s other series, but will handle the same,
by hand. His list prices range from $2,000- according to Albion officials. (Albion photos)
$5,000. Waddell said some of Johnsson’s
work is exhibited in museums in Europe,
including one in the old German cutlery-
making center of Solingen. In a museum nia, to New Glarus in 2001. “He set up the cluding a “Moat Sale” section in which
in Stockholm, Sweden, Waddell contin- process for the recreation of the Conan you may fi nd leftover or discontinued
ued, a “tritonic pitchfork” made by John- swords and began making one-of-a-kind pieces, chiefly blades, which you can use
sson is on display. swords, daggers and artwork,” Waddell to make your own swords. For example,
“He’s quite the respected authority on noted. “He and his apprentice, Shan-Aan, the section recently marketed several
swords in the U.S. and Europe,” Waddell produce about 100 swords a year. Jody is bronze dagger blades for as little as $35.
said, adding that Johnsson has published a now slowly getting back into knifemak- Hilt and pommel components also have
book in Swedish on the Svante. Johnsson ing as well and plans to release a few col- been for sale in the section.
is also the author of a series of scholarly lector knives a year.”
“white papers”—authoritative reports ei- Albion has an extensive website, in-
ther documenting particular pieces or on
Medieval swords in general. “His work is
used as standard references. For example,”
Waddell remarked, “he described how the Can’t afford to lose your edge?
lacing on scabbards was done.” Dozier Knives has the solution
At Albion, “15 people pretty much do Bob Dozier has
hasperfected
perfectedthetheedge
edgeholding
holding ability of D2 steel so well, he
everything but make the steel,” Waddell Bob Dozier ability of D2 steel so well, he has
has earned
earned the name
the nick nick name “Dr.For
“Dr. D2”! D2”. For a handmade,
a handmade, qualityknife
quality custom custom
at aknife
said. The company has four basic lines,
with custom work available. The least ex- at a price
price youafford,
you can can afford, visit
visit our our website
website at www.dozierknives.com.
at www.dozierknives.com.
pensive line is the entry-level Squire se-
ries, in which various models are priced KM-20
at about $400 and up. These have similar New Dozier
designs to some of the company’s more Tactical
expensive series, but do not have fi nished 3 1/2” Blade
edges and sport other cosmetic differ- 7 7/8” Overall
ences. .175 D2 Blade
The Next Generation series is priced Black Micarta® Handle
around $500 and up. These swords are $215.00
Other handle materials available for
made sharp and built to withstand me- an additional cost

dieval-style combat. The Maestro line is

for sparring. Since the Maestros are not
sharpened, they look slightly different
than their counterparts in the other se-
ries, but will handle the same, according
to Albion officials. Prices are in the $411-
$566 range. Top of the line is the Museum
series, which is based on Johnsson’s re-
search. Expect to pay $1,000-$3,500 each
for the “Museum pieces.” Stop in and see what our customer’s Dozier Knives
Waddell added that Jody Samson, de- are saying on our discussion forum
signer of the swords for the 1982 movie Dept. BL
www.dozierknives.com/forum PO Box 1941
starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Conan
The Barbarian, and a maker of fi ne knives, Springdale, AR 72765
moved his shop from Burbank, Califor- 888-823-0023

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 45

Albion.indd 45 4/5/07 3:54:55 PM

 edge testers
edge testers

By Dexter Ewing
BLADE ® field editor

Attached to the end of the angled table are two suction

cups that help stabilize the Apex during use, and two
foldout legs at the opposite end with rubber feet that
also prevent sliding. The sharpening rod assembly is
connected to the lower end of the table. The assem-
bly consists of the stone holder with a securing knob,
angle joint and an upright rod. (photo by the author)

46 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

EdgeTesters.indd 46 4/9/07 3:30:32 PM

 The joint block at which the sharpening rod is attached to the The Apex hones are all water stones.
upright allows for up-and-down and side-to-side movement of You need no oil for lubrication, just water.
the rod during the sharpening process. The rod moves fore and For your convenience, a small squeeze bottle
aft, perpendicular to the upright, thus moving the stone over
is provided to spray the stones throughout
the cutting edge and sharpening it. Note the selection of water
stones. (photo by the author) the sharpening process. The coarser stones,
such as the 120- and 180-grit ones, will soak
up some water, so I found it best to let the
liquid soak in by running the stones under
the faucet and then locking them in on the
sharpening rod. Also included are 220-, 320-
and 600-grit stones as well, for a total of five
in all. With the five grits, you can sharpen
any steel.

Cull the Dull

Initially, it is best to sharpen a knife using
the 120-grit stone, followed by the 220 and
320 grits. If you do everything right, the
edge will be very sharp. The 600-grit stone
does not remove metal. It polishes the cutting
edge instead, leaving it extremely sharp.

T
he Apex sharpening kit from Edge The assembly inserts into the end of the
Pro Inc., is not only on the upper end table and locks into place. The upright rod I sharpened a variety of pieces on the
in terms of pricing but probably has has a series of color-coded notches to which Apex: long and short knives, fixed blades,
the most pieces of any model on the market. you may set the height of the sharpening rod folders, tactical knives, hunting knives,
However, do not let that scare you. The Apex portion and determine the sharpening angle. gents knives and plenty of kitchen knives.
consistently delivers professional results. Just loosen the setscrew, raise or lower the The Apex sharpened them all very well.
The Apex is a bit different from most rod assembly on the upright, and tighten However, I discovered that smaller
other kits that use a clamp to hold the knife back down. It’s that easy! blades, such as on multi-blade slip joints,
blade and the holes that represent the choices The joint block via which the sharpening were more difficult to sharpen with the Apex
of angles to sharpen the edge. There is no rod is attached to the upright allows for up- than larger blades. This could just be me, but
clamp to attach to the blade with the Apex. and-down and side-to-side movement of the I recommend using another sharpener for
Instead, the blade lies on an angled table. An rod during the sharpening process. The rod small blades. The problem was keeping the
adjustable rest sets the blade up so that the moves fore and aft, perpendicular to the up- small blades still since the Apex does not
entire edge hangs over the end of the table right, thus moving the stone over the cutting clamp them in physically.
for easy sharpening. Since the blade is situ- edge and sharpening it. Among high-performance steels, the
ated at an angle and against the rest, all you The large knob on the end serves two Apex handled CPM S30V stainless very
need do is hold the handle with one hand and purposes. First, it acts as an anchor for the at- well. And, among such lower-grade steels as
work the sharpening rod with the other. A tached sharpening stone. Lock the stone into 440A and its equivalents—which are com-
grip setscrew easily releases and tightens the the holder by tightening the knob and release monly used in kitchen knives—the Apex
rest, and a molded plastic lip prevents metal- tension by loosening it. Switching out stones performed with aplomb.
to-metal contact with the blade spine. is accomplished in this manner. The knob You will see why the kit is a great choice
Attached to the end of the angled table also gives you something to hold onto as you for longer blades because with a clamp-style
are two suction cups that help stabilize work the rod during the sharpening process. unit you have to reposition the clamp to cap-
the unit during use, and two foldout legs
at the opposite end with rubber feet that
also prevent sliding. The sharpening rod
assembly is connected to the lower end
of the table. The assembly consists of the
stone holder with a securing knob, angle
joint and an upright rod.

Spec Check

Sharpener Apex The author said he

Company Edge Pro Inc. sharpened a variety of
pieces on the Apex: long
Style Angle guide and short knives, fixed
Sharpening Medium Water stones blades, folders, tactical
in grits of 120, 180, 220, 320 and 600 knives, hunting knives,
Features An adjustable rest secures gents knives, and plenty
the blade on a table, and you hand of kitchen knives. The
operate a rod that holds the stone Apex sharpened them all
and passes it over the edge repeat- very well. (photo by the
edly. Includes a water bottle, bal- author)
listic nylon carrying case and an
instructional DVD
MSRP $190

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 47

EdgeTesters.indd 47 4/9/07 3:30:58 PM

 edge testers
edge testers
ture the entire blade. Yes, you still have to re-
position the knife with the Apex, but all you
do is move the blade then continue sharpen-
ing. There is no tightening the clamp back
down and the like. As a result, you are able to
teel make minor adjustments on the fly since the
Blade S
CPM-M4 blade is not clamped—yet another big sell-
ing point for the kit.
817-596-2894 Gayle Bradley, Maker One thing to watch out for when using
www.bradleysblades.com 1383 Old Garner Road the coarser-grit stones is that they tend to
wear away faster than the fi ner-grit ones. If
[email protected] Weatherford, TX 76088-8720 you place the coarser-grit stone on a flat
surface such as a countertop, you will see
a bow in the stone’s middle after repeated
sharpenings. Use a large diamond bench

The KNIFE CENTER of the INTERNET

stone to flatten the water stone and remove
the bow. I did it using the extra-coarse side
of my DMT DuoSharp two-sided bench
The Original and Largest Catalog of Cutlery on the Web stone. After a few minutes of work, the
coarse-grit stones were flat once again.
WWW.KNIFECENTER.COM Because the kit comes with multiple
stones and an array of parts, Edge Pro makes
it easy to store and transport the Apex thanks
The Only FULLY SEARCHABLE Database to a high-quality ballistic nylon caddy. It has
two main compartments that contain the
of the Cutlery Industry table with its legs folded up underneath and
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800-338-6799 neath the fabric-fastener closure flap is a long
5111 Berwyn Rd., Ste. 110, College Park, MD 20740-4132 tubular pocket that contains the combination
sharpening rod/upright. A large strap handle
enables you to easily carry the unit. The case
is around 15 inches long, so the Apex may

INSURANCE
not be a good choice for tossing into your
backpack for your next camping trip, but the
case makes it convenient to store the kit and
keep its various pieces and parts together.

Don’t Be Fooled
For The Knife Collector The Apex is one of the more complicated-
looking sharpening units on the market, but
don’t let looks fool you. Each kit comes with
Your homeowners insurance is rarely a very detailed instruction manual that walks
enough to cover your collectibles. We've you through how to set up, use and care for it
provided economical, dependable in general. The Apex produces very impres-
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insurance since 1966. Three kit variations are available, each
• Our insurance carrier is AM Best's rated A+ (Superior). differing with the grades of water stones.
• We insure knives, edged weapons...and scores of other The basic unit begins at a manufacturer’s
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everything you collect. kit evaluated herein is the top of the line and
• Personal Attention. Consumer friendly service. Dedicated staff. has an MSRP of $190, which includes an in-
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If you are serious about taking your
• See our website (or contact us) for full information, including standard exclusions.
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Collectibles Insurance Agency For more information contact Edge Pro Inc.,
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website includes a short video on how to use
More Info? Call Toll Free:
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Visit: www.collectinsure.com

48 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

EdgeTesters.indd 48 4/9/07 3:31:11 PM

 steel source
steel source
One example of the successful interface between Crucible and the cutlery
industry is the development of CPM 154 and CPM M4 blade steels. Gayle
Bradley and fellow makers Warren Osborne, Tom Overeynder and Jerry Half-
rich contributed to the efforts of the knife steel team by testing the steels for
cutting, grinding, edge holding and other properties, and even making proto-
type knives out of the new
materials. This is Gayle’s
Beaver Creek cutter in
CPM M4 blade steel.
(Hoffman photo)

Hot steel enters the 26-inch rolling

mill at the Crucible plant in Syra-
cuse, New York. (Crucible photo)

S
everal years ago, the management of Crucible Steel recog-
nized the value of the collective approach to steel develop-
ment, particularly as it relates to the cutlery industry. To that
end, the company’s knife steel team came together.
Scott Devanna, a district manager for the Syracuse, New York-
based company who also leads its knife steel program, has been
instrumental in taking Crucible to the forefront among steel-pro-
ducing concerns as it services an ever-growing number of knife
manufacturing companies and custom makers.
“In 1998, a couple of the knife companies came to us and asked
that we make 154CM again,” remembered Devanna, who is based
in Arlington, Texas. “So, we decided we would do that. Then, we
had people in different parts of the country pursuing knife steel
business with distributors, custom guys or knife companies, and
it just made sense to communicate on what everybody was doing,
By Mike Haskew coordinate it, and bring it into one program.
“We do more than just communicate by telephone and e-mail be-

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 49

SteelTeam.indd 49 4/5/07 3:51:35 PM

 steel source
steel source
A martial arts design, the
Spyderco P’kal is a collabora-
tion with Shivworks and is
designed to be carried in
the reverse grip with the
sharpened edge of Crucible’s
CPM S30V stainless facing
in toward the user. Set in the
spine is a removable Ernest
Emerson wave deployment
feature. Closed length: 4 1/8
inches. MSRP: $249.95.

cause quite a few people are involved in who schedule different grades of steel
order for our knife program to succeed. when they are rolled, and people in the
This includes people from processing up field who are in contact with end users.”
at the mill in Syracuse, New York, and The Crucible knife steel team con-
the research facility in Pittsburgh, people sists of 10 company employees, including
those in production, sales, research and
metallurgy. Some names Devanna sin-
gled out are Frank Cox, West Coast sales
manager; Bruce DiVita, Dallas district
sales associate; and Peggy Schneider and
Bill Owens, mill representatives. Along
with experience, they bring numerous

These are the grades of steel Crucible

makes. The only grade not listed is the
company’s new CPM D2. Crucible’s
Scott Devanna will discuss it and all the According to Crucible metallurgist Ed
CPM steels in a seminar at the BLADE Tarney, CPM S30V stainless was really
Show June 8-10 at the Cobb Galleria the fi
first
rst steel specifically
specifically developed
Centre in Atlanta. (Crucible image) with the cutlery market in mind.

50 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

SteelTeam.indd 50 4/10/07 2:11:35 PM

 The needle-nosed 3.3-inch blade
of the Lone Wolf Knives Diablo
LINVILLE KNIFE
AND TOOL CO.
manual folder is Crucible’s
CPM S30V stainless heat
treated to a Rockwell hard-
ness of 60-61 Rc for edge
retention and toughness. www.linvilleknifeandtool.com
The handle is fiberglass- PO Box 71, Bethania, NC 27106
filled nylon. MSRP: 336-923-2062
$199.99.

$45 POSTPAID

“Scarab”, #011-a
all stainless, 2 3/4” blade
black linen micarta handle

Purveyors and Collectors

ART KNIFE OFFERING
Why do purveyors and collectors buy knives from
me? Because I search the field constantly for the
best in art knives: at major knife shows, on the
relationships with knife manufacturers, web, collectors’ estates, eBay, and directly from
custom makers and bladesmiths. Dis- makers. I buy only the best. I also work with
cussions among team members lead to master makers co-designing singular knives.
research into potential improvements Recent winners: Best Art Knife Collaboration at
on existing knife steels, and to experi- the 2005 and 2006 Blade Shows and the Cronk
mentation and testing of new materials. Award at the 2005 Guild Show.
Much of the inspiration for such efforts Several times a year, I search my personal collection of over 400 knives (I
comes from suggestions and ideas sup- simply can’t resist the artistry and buy too many knives). I select 50 to 70
plied by those in the cutlery field. knives I am no longer madly in love with and place these knives on my Web
site. I buy right. I sell right.
People say I have an eye for art knives of enduring aesthetic value. Knives
“We embrace the from my collection were chosen to appear on two Blade Magazine covers. I
know quality assures lasting financial value.
cutlery business.” I add 60 or so knives to my Web site three or four times a year, then I send
an e-mail notice to my secure list of collectors and purveyors. Do you want
—Scott Devanna to be on my e-mail list? Simply e-mail your request to me. Good things are
coming up. Don Guild
“What we are trying to do with a multi- GET ON MY LIST NOW
functional team like this is engage people [email protected]
who are our eyes and ears in the market,” www.GUILDKNIVES.com
explained Ed Tarney, chief product metal-
lurgist at Crucible. “We try to listen to what
people are looking for and to understand

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 51

SteelTeam.indd 51 4/6/07 1:38:07 PM

 Exhibiting
at Blade
Show

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THE INDUSTRY’S FIRST
ASSISTED-OPENING FOLDING KNIFE

MDTAOKG10H

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www.meyercousa.com

1151417_BL.indd 1 4/9/07 3:36:04 PM

 “In my opinion, Crucible shines in the tool-steel world but
steel source
steel source
they own the stainless world,” noted Duane Dwyer of Strider
Knives. “I can call if I need technical information, and they
will talk to me. The neat thing is that they have been a
sounding board for us when we say something like, ‘Can we
try this?’” Duane employed Crucible CPM S30V stainless on
his custom RC Tanto Trisula. (Lum photo)

how to develop and provide such steels.” prototype knives out of the new materi-
One example of the successful inter- als. (For more on CPM 154, see “CPM
face between Crucible and cutlery is the 154: The Ideal Blade Steel?” in the April
development of CPM 154 and CPM M4 “We try to listen 2006 BLADE ® ; for more on CPM M4,
blade steels. Gayle Bradley, a 20-year see “CPM M4: The Next Super Steel?”
knifemaking veteran, and fellow makers to what people in the December ’06 BLADE.)
Warren Osborne, Tom Overeynder and Bradley, Osborne and Halfrich also
Jerry Halfrich contributed to the efforts
are looking for.” perform in cutting competitions on the
of the knife steel team by testing the
steels for cutting, grinding, edge holding
—Ed Tarney International Cutting Competition Trail
(ICCT), as does Devanna. At press time,
and other properties, and even making Bradley was No. 1 in the ICCT rankings

According to Scott Devanna, Chris Reeve

was a big proponent of developing CPM
S30V stainless steel. For the 10-inch
blade of his integral dagger, Chris opted
for Crucible’s CPM 154 stainless. The
handle is rayon braid. (Lum photo)

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 53

SteelTeam.indd 53 4/5/07 3:51:53 PM

 steel source
steel source

Crucible makes D2, perhaps the closest

to being a stainless steel without being
a stainless on the market today. Todd
Begg used the tool steel on his 13.5-
inch “Peacebreaker.” The knife boasts
“straddle-tang integral” construction and
a curly koa handle. (Lum photo)

and Devanna was No. 5.

Though Bradley acknowledges that
M4 is not a new steel—in fact it was one
of the fi rst steels Crucible fabricated via
Tom Overeynder is one of the makers the CPM process—he points out that it
who contributed to the efforts of the
was not initially a cutlery-related mate-
knife steel team by testing various
CPM steels. Tom’s black-lip pearl folder rial. Such a crossover application of steels
boasts blades of Crucible’s 154CM has been commonplace through the years
stainless. (Hoffman photo)

“S30V came
out of the steel
team’s research
and work.”
—Scott Devanna

as the knife industry closely shadowed

other industries in a continuing search for
improved performance. Now, the focus
has shifted. Knife steel research at Cru-
cible is primary rather than secondary, a
priority rather than an afterthought.
“M4 had not been a knife steel,” Brad-
ley observed, “but it had been used with
stuff that was subjected to high heat and
rough use, such as end mills, spade drills
and hob cutters. There are other uses but
these are some examples. All of them are
rough use and tough on tooling.

54 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

SteelTeam.indd 54 4/5/07 3:52:08 PM

 “I had made a couple of knives out of “They are readily accessible,” Dw-
CPM S30V and BG-42, and Warren told yer noted of Crucible’s knife steel team,
me about M4. So, I got a piece, and he “and the reason that’s important is that

warned me that I would not like grinding during the years ATS-34 was so domi-
it. That was an understatement. I made nant in the knifemaking industry, you
that fi rst knife out of M4, and it exceeded bought what you could get from the steel
the durability and edge-holding capabil- dealers. That was good but you weren’t
ity of the other two steels.” going to get any [direct contact with the
To date, Bradley said he has completed steel maker]. I tried buying direct from
five different heat-treating regimens with Hitachi in Japan through a translator, but
M4 in search of the optimum results. He that was almost impossible.
has shared the information with Devanna, “In my opinion, Crucible shines in the
and the Crucible knife steel team also tool-steel world but they own the stain-
tests the steel and provides makers with less world. I can call if I need technical
the results. Bradley continues to experi- information and they will talk to me. The
ment, but he says Osborne is even more neat thing is that they have been a sound-
prolific. Between the two of them, they ing board for us when we say something
have made 70 knives using 19 different like, ‘Can we try this?’”
steels for comparison purposes. Though the cutlery industry is a small
segment of the Crucible overall market in
Steel Success Story high-performance steels, the concerted ef-
The members of the knife steel team agree fort by the knife steel team has fostered a
that their most significant accomplishment relationship that benefits everyone involved,
thus far is the development of CPM S30V. especially the buyer of the finished knife.
“S30V came out of the steel team’s
research and work,” Devanna related.
“Over a period of about a year-and-a-half,
people were calling and asking when we “They have
were going to come out with a stainless
version of CPM 3V, which was not devel- literally changed
oped for knives and was not a stainless.
So, we called this new, knife-specific the face of our
stainless CPM S30V.
“Quite a few people were involved in business.”
its development. Like any steel, we had
to test it to determine if it would be a via- —Duane Dwyer
ble product. We had to have knives made
out of it, so Chris Reeve made some and
tested them. Chris was also a real pro- “We embrace the cutlery business,”
ponent of developing this new grade of Devanna said. “We want it and will keep
steel. There were also other grades that going after it. Down the road, we hope to
were developed and tested during that come out with products that will allow
time.” Another early proponent of CPM us to sell into a bigger majority of that
S30V was the late Rob Simonich. market segment.”
According to Tarney, the develop-
ment phase for CPM S30V included An Ongoing Process
lots of feedback from users, a couple of The partnership between the Crucible
tweaks where necessary and, ultimately, knife steel team and the cutlery industry
a well-received product. is indeed revolutionizing the development
“It has taken off much faster than we of blade steels. “The knifemaking world
thought it would,” he noted. “In hind- had constantly followed the aerospace in-
sight, it was really the fi rst steel specifi- dustry,” Dwyer remarked, “but in the last
cally developed with the cutlery market couple of decades the industry involved
in mind. So, the knifemakers were not in the making of steels and various al-
out looking at other applications and loys has become interested in the cutlery
trying to determine what might work in world. They want to work with us, and
knifemaking. We are quite happy about the people at Crucible are the most read-
it and we shouldn’t have been surprised. ily accessible. They go beyond basic cus-
It was the result of sitting down and mak- tomer service in a world where it is tough
ing something specifically aimed at that to get work done and provide great cus- žv#-"LADE3TONEWASH&INISH
market rather than making the knifemak- tomer service at the same time, but they (ARD!NODIZED!LUMINUM
ers fi nd something and adapt to it.” have never failed us. They have literally v/!,
v#LOSED
4ITANIUM#LIP
Duane Dwyer of Strider Knives said he changed the face of our business.”
sees the industry as benefiting greatly from 
the Crucible knife steel team’s endeavors For the contact information for the knives
and from the company as a whole. Respon- in the story, see “Where To Get ‘Em” on
siveness and a willingness to get involved page 112.
with the cutlery industry have been the ini- NEMESIS KNIVESCOM
tial steps toward a productive association.

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 55

SteelTeam.indd 55 4/5/07 3:52:22 PM

 ®

from the publishers of BLADE, the World's #1 Knife Publication

No. 99

What Are The

Good Wards? By Richard D. White
BLADE® field editor
all photos by the author
Collector interest in the antique pocketknives
of Montgomery Wards continues to build

T
he dust has long settled on one of Though the Chicago fi re of 1871 and order sheet, which eventually turned into
America’s oldest retail institutions, a very poor economy of the late 1870s al- a catalog of products from which rural
Montgomery Wards, which closed most doomed his business model before folk could order almost everything imag-
its doors on Dec. 28, 2000, after over 128 it could get started, Ward persevered. He inable, from clothing to guns, to horse
years of continuous operation. With 250 continued to develop a larger and larger collars to buggies. The catalog, known by
stores and thousands of employees in 31
states, one of the most recognizable of U.S.
retail icons left behind a legacy and busi- A striking example of a Montgomery
ness model that propelled America into the Wards knife is this Texas toothpick atop
20th century. an 1894-95 Montgomery Wards catalog.
Handled in bright red celluloid, the knife
Montgomery Wards (originally known compares favorably to similar models
as Montgomery Ward) started in 1872 made in the early 1920s and ’30s.
when a young traveling salesman, Aaron
Montgomery Ward, noticed that many
consumer products were priced too high
and were of inferior quality. It was during
his trips to the rural South and Midwest
when he recognized that families were be-
ing held hostage by the exorbitant prices
charged by local merchants.
Ward reasoned that rural folk would
be willing to pay cash to a merchant who
could offer quality goods for reasonable
prices in order to avoid paying the outra-
geous amounts charged for everyday ne-
cessities. Using his recently acquired busi-
ness sense, Ward developed a one-page
“offer sheet” that was distributed to land-
owners across the country. Participants
were encouraged to circle the goods and
amounts they needed on the sheet, send the
cash and orders back to Wards and, in turn,
receive their goods, which were mailed to
the nearest railroad station.

56 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Edges.indd 56 4/10/07 11:47:55 AM

 Wards Antique
Pocketknife Values* Deepak Chopra Cutlery
& Accessories, Inc.
Knife Description Value

1-blade, 5” Texas toothpick, genuine, red or

A True Microtech
other-colored celluloids $55-$65 Distributor
2-blade serpentine jack, genuine bone $40-$50
4-blade, premium stockman, jigged bone $95-$135 Who supports his dealers
2-blade, 3” penknife, variety of celluloids $25-$35 with
3-blade, 3.5” stockman, yellow celluloid $35-$45 Honesty and Integrity
2-blade, 3.5” serpentine jack, genuine
jigged bone, Winchester $100-$125
2-blade, 3.5” serpentine jack, various colored celluloids $55-$65
3-blade, regular stockman, yellow, cracked-ice celluloid $40-$50
2-blade, equal-end penknife, mother-of-pearl $25-$30

*All values are the author’s for knives in mint condition.

consumers as a wish book, contained liter- indeed for a mail-order catalog. It offered
ally thousands of items and was found in the comforts that made the average house-
almost every household. wife’s small farmhouse a real home.
There are two interesting facts about Second, Montgomery Wards operated
the catalog. First, it has been recognized as solely as a mail-order fi rm from 1872 until
one of the 100 books that had a significant 1926, when it opened its fi rst retail store in See Us
At Blade
impact on American culture, tall praise Indiana. All the while, Mr. Ward held on to Show

Also handling the following product lines.

Al Mar Masters Of Defense
Arc Flash Light Merc Worx
Autotech Knives Microtech
Black Hawk Mission Knife and Tool
Boker Ontario Knives
Buck Knives Paragon
California Knives Peak LED Solutions
Camillus Phantom Knives
Case Photon Micro Lights
Chris Reeves Piranha Knives
Wayne Clark Protech Knives
CMG Lighting Tools Rob Dalton
Cold Steel Round Eye Knife And
Colt Knives Tool
Columbia River Knife Ryan Wilson Tactical
and Tool Knives
Barry Dawson
Delta Z Knives S.O.G.
Desert Knife Works Sheffield Knives
Emerson Simonich Knives
Extremema Ratio Smith And Wesson Knives
G.G. and G. Spyderco
G.T. Knives Super Knife
Gatco SWAT
Gerber Ti Knives
Inova Timberline
Junglee Tool Logic
KABAR TOPS Knives
KATZ Victorinox
Kershaw Wenger Swiss Army
Lanskey Woodard Knives
Longbow Xikar
Columbia River and Buck Conversions

Wholesale only, information on a

retail location also available.
Ready for immediate delivery.
Limited quantities available.
Phone: 925-454-0595
Probably the premier Montgomery Wards knife was the four-blade premium stock- Fax: 925-454-0289
man in jigged brown bone. With its four workmanlike blades, the knife was the [email protected]
perfect choice for early ranchers, farmers and stockmen. The knives appear on the
NEW www.deepakcutlery.com
actual pages of the cutlery section of an 1895 Montgomery Wards catalog. E-Mail 12 noon - 8 pm PST

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 57

Edges.indd 57 4/10/07 11:48:45 AM

 KNIFE/SWORD BLADE STEELS EDGES (CONT.)

Expanded Stocks For Blade Needs the slogan that appeared as early as 1875:
“Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Money
• Stainless – ATS34 – 440C –154CM–BG42–303–304– 410– 416– 420 Back.”
• Alloy – CPM154CM – S30V – S90V – A203E – 5160 – 52100 (rd/flat)
Homestead Standouts
• High Carbon – 1050 – 1075/1080 – 1095 Within the voluminous Montgomery
• Low Carbon – 1008 – 1010 – 1020 Wards catalog—over 600 pages in the
• Tool Steels – I5N20 – O1 – A2 – D2 (precision ground) 1895 edition alone—was a special section
devoted to pocketknives and fi xed blades.
• 6AL/4V Titanium – Nickel 201 – 8670M (L6 alt) For those living on small farms or in cit-
• Damascus – Admiral Hi Q – Random/Twist/Ladder/Snakeye ies, the pocketknife was an implement as
common as a shovel or saddle. It was in
Bar sizes & full sheets or plates up to 1/2" in stock – use many times each day, cutting twine,
Small quantities welcome removing splinters, slicing apples, open-
ing feed bags, or snipping off a piece of
Quality Steels Quality Service Quality Value tobacco, as well as by women who used
it for cutting hanging threads, trimming
torn nails, or cutting tags from pieces of
clothing.
Custom Knife/Sword Blades Because knives were constant com-
panions they tended to get lost, misplaced,
to your specifications. 4152 West 123rd Street dropped, or were simply used up. Conse-
Alsip, Illinois 60803-1869 quently, there was an almost constant need
Send drawings for fast quotes. to replenish these valuable implements, or
800-323-7055 • Fax: 708-388-9317
to upgrade to a knife that had a special-
Order online/PayPal–See website. www.admiralsteel.com ized blade for use around the homestead. I
e-mail: [email protected] am sure that many a night was spent care-
fully reading the descriptions of the pock-
etknives that appeared in the Montgomery
Wards catalog.
The cutlery section of the catalog con-
tained prints of literally hundreds of dif-
ferent pocketknife styles, concentrating
on larger jackknives and premium-stock-
man, whittler and three-blade cattle pat-
terns. Spey and sheepfoot blades were
generously represented, as were knives
with blades etched “Cattle Knife,” “Texas
Ranger,” “Frontier,” “Cowboy,” “Hunters
Favorite,” “Cattle King,” “Forest King”
and “Regulator.” In addition to the heavy
knives normally used around the ranch and
farm were examples of specialized pieces,
including physician’s patterns, florist bud-
ding knives, pruning knives, even knives
for shaving corns from feet and knives
with fleams for bleeding cattle.
Though a few of the knives were iden-
tified by specific brand, namely those im-
ported from George Wostenholm of Shef-
field as marked on the blade by the I*XL
symbol, most were not identified by brand
name. The master blades of many, how-
ever, boasted the “WARDS” stamp.
Since Montgomery Wards did not
manufacture knives, the question for col-
lectors is which company produced knives
for the enormous catalog sales outfit. One
way to fi nd out is by looking at the shape,
blade configuration and handle material of
the knives and comparing them to catalogs
from other cutlery companies, or the ac-
tual knives themselves.
Close examination of the mother-of-

58 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Edges.indd 58 4/10/07 11:49:08 AM

 Blade Art Inc.
14216 SW 136 Street Miami, FL 33186

Email [email protected]
The founder of Montgomery Phone (305) 255-8684 Fax: (305) 233-6943
Wards, Aaron Montgomery
Ward would be especially
proud of this knife, stamped
with his name and etched
“MASTER QUALITY” on the
master blade. It would make
a great centerpiece for a col- Exhibiting at Blade Show
lection.

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 59

Edges.indd 59 4/10/07 11:49:30 AM

 THE SURVIVAL STAFF EDGES (CONT.)
By Pat and Wes Crawford
Handmade for 15 years

Hiking
Staff

Walking
Stick

Baton

Blow Gun

Lance

All in one package

Made from Hard Aircraft Aluminium
$269.95 - Ready for delivery
CRAWFORD KNIVES, LLC.
205 N. Center Drive
West Memphis, AR 72301
(870) 732-2452 Here are two outstanding examples of Wards knives. It is likely that Kutmaster (Utica)
www.crawfordknives.com made the top one, a small, bone-handle serpentine jack. The bottom one, handled in
email: [email protected] rare, genuine stag, is a premium stockman with a spey blade and leather punch. Ac-
cording to the author, the position of the nail pull on the master blade is a sign that
the knife was made by Utica.

pearl handles, bolster lengths and etched it is obvious that Utica made the bone-han-
slogans indicates that many of the early dle pieces.
Wards knives were made by German and
English manufacturers, especially the Wards-Winchester Mystery
smaller lady’s knives with the worked or One of the rumors surrounding Wards-
checkered mother-of-pearl handles. stamped knives centers on the connection
One pocketknife depicted in the 1894- Montgomery Wards had with the Win-
95 Montgomery Wards catalog has the dis- chester Arms Co., which was started around
tinctive master-blade etching, “EXCEL- 1865. The Winchester name has a certain
SIOR CLIPPER.” The etching refers to the aura among collectors of the company’s
Excelsior Knife Co., which once was lo- many diversified products, from shotguns
cated in Torrington, Connecticut. Started to roller skates, signs, catalogs and tools of
in 1880, the short-lived cutlery concern’s all kinds. Even today there is a significant
assets were sold in 1884. collector following of all things Winchester,
Another way to fi nd out who produced with specialized auctions, swap meets and
Wards’ knives is to look into the histories club meetings devoted to them.
of major knife companies and see who Though Winchester did not begin pro-
made knives on contract to other concerns. ducing knives until 1919, when it bought
The leader in producing contract knives both the Eagle and Napanoch knife com-
was Camillus, the best and most famous panies, its original manufacturing facili-
contract maker for a significant number of ties were expanded with the purchase of
hardware stores and major mail-order out- the Walden Knife Co. machinery, and
lets. (Camillus shut down on Feb. 28.—Ed.) the production of not only the Winchester
Camillus was known for producing knives stamping but the Keen Kutter stamp as
for Sears and Roebuck, Woolworth’s, S.H. well. Winchester, meanwhile, merged
Kress and any number of other companies. with Simmons Hardware, which owned
Another possible producer of Wards the Keen Kutter trademark, and both tang
knives came with a small cache of bone- stampings were used. Winchester and Sim-
handle serpentine jackknives. Though the mons went their separate ways in 1929.
majority of the knives were stamped “Kut- Just how the Wards-Winchester ven-
master,” a Utica brand, several bore Wards’ ture got started is anybody’s guess, but
stamp. When comparing the knives, it is an examination of several Wards knives
obvious that they are identical in every provides some insight. Certainly, the time
way except for the different stamps. Hence, period of Winchester production fits that

60 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Edges.indd 60 4/10/07 11:49:48 AM

 56.95

BLJUL07.indd 2 4/9/07 3:39:45 PM

 cutlery publications.
EDGES (CONT.) It is the Wards-Winchester connection
that will continue to make the knives poten-
tially more valuable, considering the bargain
price for Wards knives compared to similar
models bearing the Winchester stamp. In the
case of the Winchester model #2974 at $200
for a mint example versus the $50-$60 price
tag for the same knife with the Wards stamp-
ing, the difference is clear to see.
It is interesting to note that the most
common Wards knife appears to be the
massive four-blade stockman in jigged
bone. With the master, sheepfoot and spey
blades, and punch, the knife would appear
to be the ideal pocket tool for a rancher or
farmer. A glance through vintage Camil-
lus, Remington, Utica and Winchester cat-
alogs reveals no similar model. Who pro-
duced the collectible knife? No one is sure
since an identical piece produced by other
companies cannot be located. That is part
of the Wards mystique. As a result, most
collectors would pay upward of $100 for
a four-blade, bone-handle premium stock-
The deeply jigged bone provides proof of man, even one with the Wards stamp.
just how well made Wards knives were. The
“WARDS” stamp on such knives is almost All The Requirements
always very pronounced. Are Wards knives increasing in value? Col-
lector interest in premium pieces with col-
lectible handle materials, including bone,
continues to be on the upswing. Recent
auctions have shown that as the number of
older knives made by more famous compa-
nies have been gobbled up in private col-
of when Wards was looking for companies Wards-stamped knives. The similarities lections, new collectors have begun to look
to produce pocketknives for inclusion in are uncanny, with the Winchester model for quality knives bearing previously over-
its catalog, and Winchester was known to #2974 looking identical, even down to the looked stamps. Wards’ premium knives
produce contract knives, or knives with small federal shield and 3.5-inch overall have all the requirements: quality con-
different stamps. length, to two dogleg jacks with Wards- struction, unusual patterns and outstand-
The real clue, however, comes when stamped master blades. Even the long clip ing providence, including Winchester.
you compare knives featured in a Win- master blade is identical to pictures of
chester catalog or price guide and actual Winchester knives that appeared in several Editor’s note: According to Wikipedia,
Direct Marketing Services, Inc., revived the
Montgomery Wards brand under the name
of Montgomery Ward® in 2004 as an online
and catalog-based retailer headquartered
in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. As far as BLADE®
could determine, it offers no knives.

One of the mysteries that surrounds

Wards knives is who manufactured them.
According to the author, these two piec-
es, lying on a price guide for Winchester
knives, prove that Winchester was one of
the makers. Between the knives is a line
drawing of a Winchester knife described
as a “model 2974,” with the description
as follows: “Clip and pen blade. Large
blade, full polished. Brass liner and
stag handle. Crest shield, length 3 1⁄2
inches.” The author said that if you look
at the nail nick, shape (serpentine jack),
shield and size, there is no doubt that
Winchester made the knives in the late
1920s and ’30s.

62 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Edges.indd 62 4/10/07 11:50:00 AM

 JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 63

BLJUL07.indd 3 4/10/07 1:54:12 PM

 NEXT ISSUE

WHAT’S NEXT
Northwoods Knives
The new Mini Skinner by
Mini Skinner Northwoods Knife Co. is a product
of The Custom Shoppe, LLC of
Gladstone, Mich., USA. A four-inch
blade of high-grade D2 steel with
lots of curve for skinning and
Made in the USA plenty of point to boot makes the
Mini Skinner the ultimate tool. THE WORLD’S #1 KNIFE PUBLICATION
®

The guard and pommel are aircraft

aluminum and the handle beautiful
cocobolo, or stacked leather. The
On Most Newsstands
Mini Skinner comes complete with a
906-789-1420 quality leather sheath. by June 10
David G. Shirley and The Custom Shoppe, LLC
7266 U.S. 2 and 41, Gladstone, MI 49837
Can The Knife
Industry Reinvent
Itself?

That Mind-
Boggling Mosaic
Damascus

Mammoth-Tooth-
Ivory Handles

Makers’ Kids
Making Knives

Knives of the
Russian Guild

Choices: Two
Best Knives for
Survival?

Explosion in
Sheath Options

Profile In Steel:
Bill Ruple

Factory Focus:
Entrek USA

64 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

What'sNext.indd 75 4/10/07 2:39:53 PM

 n college, when it became apparent
that my hopes of earning a living
hitting home runs or throwing touch-
down passes would go unfulfilled, I decid-
ed to pursue a career in journalism.
At a very early age, like most grade school
students, I developed the ability to read and Terzuola knives
write. I dutifully scanned my reader because,
well, that’s what you did after spelling and
before math. This was not unusual. However,
as I continued through college, I realized that
it was somewhat unusual to actually want to
do these things. We Buy Trade and Consign Knives
I went to Edgewood College, a small LAYAWAY AVAILABLE
Division III school in Madison, Wisconsin,
where I spent three years serving as the
sports editor for the college newspaper. I di-
vided my time between playing baseball and
working for On The Edge, the school’s cam-
pus-based publication. It was a balancing act
that often prevented me from pursuing an
avid interest in the outdoors.
After my graduation in 2004, I spent the
next couple years tiptoeing the tightrope that
leads into the journalism industry. It’s not
always a simple industry to break into—a
lesson I learned by surviving on a variety of
low-paying freelance writing gigs. That pur-
suit, a pursuit that has been interesting and
educational to say the least, has led me here to
BLADE®, and to you, the faithful reader.
It may surprise you that, upon my ar-
rival at the magazine, my knowledge of
knives was minimal. In fact, I’ve probably
learned more in the last month than in my
previous 25 years combined. At first, I was
a little hesitant about plunging headfirst into
an industry so beloved, and so passionately
followed, by so many.
However, as some of you might know,
our editor Steve Shackleford knows a thing
or two about knives. The people around
me in the office know a thing or two about
knives. And it’s my hope and intention to
soon be able to talk knives as passionately as
them, and as passionately as all of you.
In the meantime, I look forward to con-
tinue making BLADE the quality publication
you’ve all come to expect and I look for-
ward to meeting many of you at this year’s
BLADE Show in Atlanta.

Sincerely,

Brendan O’Brien

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 65

Brendon.indd 65 4/10/07 2:23:09 PM

 66 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

BLJUL07.indd 4 4/10/07 12:26:59 PM

 MastersmithS

www.beautifulblades.com
877-8KNIVES Store located at 403 East 58th St., NYC

LOVELESS KNIVES
-Buy-Sell-Trade-
Call or Write:
706-896-2292 24 Hrs.
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102 N. Main St., Box 429
Hiawassee, GA Exhibiting at Blade Show
30546-0429 FAX 706-896-1212 • E-mail: [email protected]

The Original Razel

Extreme Utility 3 / 1 6 ” t h i ck
S 3 0 V, 1 5 4 C M ,
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JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 67

BLJUL07.indd 11 4/10/07 12:28:57 PM

 Finest Quality
Superior Service
Popular Blade Material
440C, 440V, ATS-34, 154 CM,
BG-42, 52100, D-2, 0-1, A-2, 1084,
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Heat Treat Supplies, Tools, Handle Bolts,
Polishing Supplies, Engraving Supplies,

From the Abrasive Belts, Blades, Books & Videos.

Where the past and
the future collide.
Ancient Secrets Catalogs $5.00 U.S.A.
* $8.00 outside U.S.A.
the Wind Cutter
SHEFFIELD KNIFEMAKERS
is Forged SUPPLY INC.
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$125.00 Phone: 386-775-6453 • Fax: 386-774-5754
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Waterjet Cutting Service

Maximize Material Yield
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Scagel
Dustar Israeli Combat Knives Rocking K. Knives
William Henry Knives
Benchmade Knives
Micro-Tech Knives
K Northwoods

Tops Knives By Mike Working

Lone Wolf Knives and & Period
Jan Kiley Knives
& Custom DLT Trading Company
J.T.’S Knife Shop Sheaths P.O. Box 674
Menominee, MI 49858
264 East Main Street
Port Jervis, NY 12771 www.dlttradingcompany.com
Toll Free 877-364-9114 1325 Florida Lane
Chino Valley, AZ 86323 Call Toll Free
www.jtknives.com PH: 928-636-2076 877-622-2397
68 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

BLJUL07.indd 6 4/9/07 3:40:40 PM

 American Bladesmith
Master Smith Knife of the Year
Made by James Walker

♦ Ladder pattern Damascus

.70¢ ea.
♦ Gold wire inlay
.70¢ ea.
$1.15 ea.
$21.00 ♦ Fossilized Walrus Ivory Handle
$1.40 ea. ♦ Blued fittings
2˝ x 72˝ $1.70 ea. ♦ 15 1/2” overall
$1.20 ea.
$2.90 ea.

To be auctioned at the
Blade Show
Cobb Center
12771 Rt. 536
Atlanta, Georgia
Punxsutawney, PA 15767
June 16, 2007
No Catalogs Available At This Time
814-938-2379 for info
800-938-0021 purchases only
VISA, MasterCard, C.O.D.
shipping
shipping&
& handling $6.95
handling $8.95 Sheath by Kenny Rowe

Measure of Quality

Custom Made Knives

George Trout
P.O. Box 13 Cuba Ohio 45114
Ph. 937-382-2331
[email protected]

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 69

BLJUL07.indd 13 4/10/07 12:29:24 PM

 Edmund Davidson
See Me
At
The Integral- Blade

The Ultimate
Hand Tool The Sparrow

Now Offering Loveless

CPM 154 - CM Design
Straight
Hunter Sean O’Hare

3345 Virginia Ave. [email protected]

Goshen, VA 24439 www.ohareknives.com
Phone: 540-997-5651 867-695-2619
www.edmunddavidson.com P.O. Box 374, Fort Simpson, NT
X0E 0N0, Canada

P.O. Box 1988

Orlando, Florida 32802
WRITE FOR 40-PAGE FULL COLOR CATALOG - PRICE $2.00
INTL. MAILING - CATALOG US $5.00 http://www.randallknives.com

70 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

BLJUL07.indd 12 4/10/07 1:19:19 PM

 Don’t miss the next

Magazine
Aug. ‘07 April 18, 2007
Sept. ‘07 May 16, 2007
Oct. ‘07 June 13, 2007
Nov. ‘07 July 18, 2007
Dec. ‘07 Aug. 15, 2007
Jan. '08 Sep. 19, 2007
Feb. '08 Oct. 17, 2007
Mar. '08 Nov. 14, 2007
ORDER YOUR
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700 E. State St., Iola, WI 54990-0001
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FAX (715) 445-4087

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 Subscribe Today
and Save 56%
Blade magazine is the world’s
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· coverage of the hottest and most
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BLJUL07.indd 16 4/10/07 1:18:33 PM

 show calendar
show calendar
Note: Shows marked with an asterisk (*) have knives as the main focus. Events marked
with two asterisks (**) are knifemaking seminars or symposiums, knife-throwing
competitions, auctions or other events. BLADE’s® “Show Calendar” also can be seen
on BLADE’s website at www.blademag.com.

NKCA 2-Day Show, Ozark Empire Fair- Vista Palace. Contact Gil Hibben, Dept. BL7,
APRIL grounds. Call the NKCA 423.875.6009 POB 13, LaGrange, KY 40031 502.222.1397
[email protected]. [email protected].*
APRIL 27-29 SOLVANG, CA The 23rd
Annual Solvang Custom Knife Show, Royal JUNE JULY 27-28 TITUSVILLE, PA Queen
Scandinavian Inn. Contact Dave Harvey Cutlery Collectors Biennial Show, CAC Hall.
JUNE 1-2 LEESPORT, PA Dutchland
805.688.3612 www.nordicknives.com.* Contact Queen Cutlery Collectors, Dept. BL7,
Knife Show, Leesport Farmer’s Market.
POB 109, Titusville, PA 16354 or call Jennie
Contact Lar r y Thomas, POB 5, Dept.
APRIL 27-29 WILMINGTON, OH The Moore 814.827.3673 wwwqcutlery.com.*
BL7, Intercourse, PA 17354 610.678.6132
NKCA Ohio Spring Knife Show, Roberts
[email protected].* AUGUST
Centre. Call the NKCA at 423.875.6009
[email protected].*
JUNE 8 -10 ATLANTA, GA The 26th AUG. 10 -12 LAWR ENCEBURG, KY
Annual BLADE Show & International Central Kentucky Knife Club Show, Eagle
A PR IL 28 -29 GULFPORT, MS The
Cutlery Fair, Cobb Galleria Centre, I-285 Lake Flea Mall & Convention Center. Contact
5th Gulf Coast Custom K nifemakers
& US 41, one exit off I-75 across from the Joe Litton 502.863.1840 [email protected].*
Show, Orange Grove Community Center.
Cumberland Mall, adjacent to the Renais-
Cont act Ron Ja m ieson 228.868.6858
sance Waverly Hotel. The world’s larg- AUG. 17-19 DENVER, CO 15th Annual
[email protected].*
est combined show of handmade, factory Professional K nifemakers Association
& antique knives. Over 664 tables and Denver Custom Knife Show, Holiday Inn-
APRIL 28-29 NOVI, MI Wolverine Knife
129 factory booths. Join the world’s great- DIA. Contact Craig Camerer 618.753.2147
Collectors & Michigan Antique Ar ms
est national and international knifemakers, [email protected].*
Show, Rock Financial Showcase. Contact
cutlery manufacturers, collectors, collections
Pat Donovan 586.786.5549 or Frank Meek
and knife lovers. Site of the Blade Magazine AUG. 24-26 MISSOULA, MT 12th Annual
586.264.2031.
2007 Knife-Of-The-Year Awards® for factory Montana Knifemakers Association Show,
knives, points for the 2007 BLADEhand- Holiday Inn Parkside. Contact Darlene Wein-
MAY made™ Awards for custom knives, the Blade and 406.543.0845.*
MAY 4 -5 WELLFORD, SC Palmetto Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© induction
Cutlery Club Knife Show, Mid City Shrine & much more. Site of the annual ABS meet- SEPTEMBER
Club. Call Jerry Riddle 864.414.9505.* ing and special Knifemakers’ Guild section.
Seminars include BLADE Show World SEPT. 7-8 ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL
Championship Cutting Competition, forging Chicago Custom Knife Show, Tactical Invi-
M AY 4 - 6 BR I STOL , T N H a rley’s
demo, how to collect, how to make, the latest tational & Knife Auction, Sheraton Chicago
Hammer-In, Lonesome Pine Forge. Contact
materials, etc. Contact BLADE®, c/o F+W/ Northwest. Contact Ed Wormser 847.757.9926
Lar r y Harley 423.878.5368 www.lone-
Krause Publications, 700 E. State, Iola, WI [email protected].*/**
somepineknives.com.**
54945 715.445.2214 blademagazine@krause.
com, www.bladeshow.com.* SEPT. 14-16 PORTLAND, OR The BLADE
MAY 5-6 MYSTIC, CT The 25th Annual
Show West, Portland Airport Holiday Inn &
NCCA Extravaganza, Hilton Hotel. Contact
JUNE 23-24 KINGMAN, AZ Pioneer Conference Center. The best in handmade
Caroline Levine 978.375.0896 cklevine@att.
Cou nt r y Events Gu n & K nife Show, and factory knives, including the naming of
net.*
Mohave County Fairgrounds. Contact Lon the 2006 BLADEhandmade™ Awards, knife
928.692.0937 or 928.530.0937 (cell). seminars and much more. Contact BLADE®,
MAY 5-6 WASHINGTON, AR The ABS
c/o F+W Publications, attn: Mary Lutz,
Spring Hammer-In, Bill Moran School
JUNE 30-JULY 1 KNOXVILLE, TN An Dept. BL7, 700 E. State St., Iola, WI 54990
of Bladesmithing. Call Scot t y Hayes
NKCA Knife Show in conjunction with the 877.746.9757 [email protected], www.
903.838.4541, ext. 237.**
RK Gun Show, Chilhowee Park Conven- collect.com/shows.*
M AY 11 -1 2 S H E P H E R D S V I L L E , tion Center. Contact NKCA 423.875.6009
KY The NKCA Spring Show, Paroquet [email protected].
Springs Conference Centre. Call the NKCA To ensure timely publication of your knife show in
423.875.6009 [email protected].*
JULY the “Show Calendar,” BLADE® requests that you
JULY 20-22 ROUND ROCK, TX 9th send all pertinent information concerning your show
MAY 13 BRISTOL, ENGLAND Knives- Annual Central Texas Knife Show, William- in written form—dates, locations, etc.—at least
UK 2007 Knife Show, Aztec Hotel and Spa, three months before the show takes place to F&W
son Hotel and Conference Center (Wingate
Aztec West Business Park. Contact Mike Publications, attn: B. O’Brien, 700 E. State St., Iola,
Inn). Contact Chris Carlson 512.759.5111.*
Keogh 01726 882673 or 07903 870515 WI 54945 715.445.2214 fax 715.445.4087. BLADE
[email protected].* depends on the shows themselves for prompt and
JULY 26-29 ORLANDO, FL The 38th
accurate information.
Annual Knifemakers’ Guild Show, Buena
MAY 19-20 SPRINGFIELD, MO The
JULY 2007 BLADE / 73

Calendar.indd 73 4/10/07 11:37:12 AM

 6466 Bulldog 7290 Diving 8030 Goddard (Wayne) 9710 Catalogs / Mail Order
6476 C.A.S. Iberia Inc 7322 Fighters 8128 Holder (D’) Lists
6480 Camillus 7334 Folding 8188 Hudson (Robbin) 9712 Cigar Cutters
6486 Case 7338 Folding (Multi-Blade) 8348 Lile (Jimmy) 9715 Collectible
Advertisements
6492 Case Classics 7344 Fruit 8400 Loveless (Bob)
MAGAZINE CLASSIFIED 9720 Collections
6510 Cold Steel 7374 Hunting (Folders) 8450 Moran (Bill)
HEADINGS AVAILABLE 9730 Dealers Wanted
6523 Columbia River 7376 Hunting (Straight) 8708 Randall
9735 Design Services
CLASSIFIED ADS Knife & Tool 7420 Machetes 8788 Ruana (Rudy)
9738 Distr Wanted
Only 60¢ per word 6530 Cripple Creek
6580 Fairbairn-Sykes
7450 Navy
7460 Office
8808 Scagel (William)
8880 Shadley (Eugene)
9740 Engraving
9750 Factory Reps Wanted
Minimum charge is $9.00 per ad. 6586 Fight’n Rooster 7466 One-Hand 8900 Smith (J.D.) 9770 Handle Materials
800-942-0673 6614 Gerber 7526 Razors 8968 Terzuola (Robert) 9780 Heat Treating
6650 Henckels 7532 Rifleman’s 9000 Tighe (Brian)
CLASSIFIED FREQUENCY DISCOUNT 9790 Knife Boxes / Containers
(Consecutive Issues Only Of The Same Ad.) 6660 IBCA/ABCA 7540 Scout 9100 Walker (Michael) 9800 Knife Cases / Displays
1-2 Issues No Discount; 3-6 Issues 15%; 7-12 Issues 20% 6700 Ka-Bar 7546 Senator 9150 Warenski (Buster) 9810 Knife Clubs / Societies
ANTIQUE FACTORY KNIVES 6135 Grohmann 6766 Marble’s 7576 Sog (Type) 9170 Wile (Peter) 9825 Knife Rolls
6010 American Knife Co. 6140 Heimerdinger Cutlery Co. 6842 Puma 7602 Swords 9180 Yellowhorse (David) 9840 Knifemaking Equipment
6020 Baldwin Cutlery Co. 6150 Henry Sears 1865 6860 Queen 7622 Tool/Pliers 9224 Miscellaneous
6025 Belknap Hardware Co. 9850 Knifemaking Instruction
6175 John Primble, Belknap 6876 Remington 7628 Toothpick Handmade
6030 Bertram (C) Cutlery Co. 9875 Knifemaking Supplies
6200 Klaas, Robert 6940 Smith & Wesson 7640 Trench MILITARY
6035 Boker Germany 9890 Knife Shops
6210 Lackawanna Cutlery Co. 7650 Utility 9310 Civil War
6944 Sog Specialty 9895 Knife Shows
6040 Boker USA 6225 Marble Arms & Manf Co. 7660 Wharncliffe 9365 Korean
6952 Spyderco 9900 Leather / Sheaths
6045 Bruckman (E) Cutlery 6235 Napanoch Knife Co.
7000 Tops 7666 Whittler 9405 Vietnam 9915 Manufacturers Wanted
6050 Bruckmann, Solingen 6254 Ontario Knife Co.
7040 Valley Forge 7674 Misc. Knife Types/ 9432 WWI 9924 Memorabilia (Knife)
6055 Burkinshaw Knife Co. 6262 Pal Cutlery Co. Patterns
6060 Camillus 7046 Victorinox 9445 WWII - German 9935 Multiple Brands For Sale
6282 Russell Barlows HANDMADES
6065 Canton Cutlery Co. 7084 Winchester 9450 WWII - Japanese 9936 Multiple Brands Wanted
6300 Utica 7718 Bartrug (Hugh)
6070 Case Brothers 7090 Misc. Factory Brands 9465 WWII - USA 9938 Oils & Lubricants
6310 Wade & Butcher 7778 Bose (Tony)
6075 Cattaraugus KNIFE TYPES / PATTERNS 9470 WWII - Miscellaneous 9940 Original Catalogs
6325 Misc. Antique Factory 7785 Boye (David)
6080 Central City Knife Co. Knives 7100 Advertising 9475 Miscellaneous Military 9945 Repair (Knife)
7792 Burke (Dan)
6090 Christy Knife Co. FACTORY BRANDS 7126 Baseball Bat MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCTS / 9965 Sales / Auctions
7800 Centofante (Frank) 9975 Scrimshaw
6095 Colonial Cutlery Co. 6340 Al Mar 7132 Bayonets SERVICES
7818 Cooper (John Nelson) 9980 Services, Miscellaneous
6100 Cripple Creek, USA 6380 Barteaux Machetes Inc. 7138 Bolos
7825 Corbit (Jerry) 9680 Agency Wanted
6105 Diamond Edge 6390 Bear MGC 7144 Boot 9985 Sharpening /
7888 Davis (Terry) 9685 Appraisal Services Sharpeners
6110 Eagle Pocket Knife Co. 6398 Benchmade 7152 Bowies
6120 Eye Brand Knives 7928 Emerson (Ernest) 9690 Auction Services 9988 Show Cases
6421 Blue Mountain 7158 Bowies (Antique)
6125 George Wostenholm Turquoise 7958 Fisk (Jerry) 9700 Books / Magazines / 9991 Steels
7180 Camp
6130 Gerber Legendary 6424 Boker 7980 Fowler (Ed) Videos 9993 Tobacco Products
7232 Commemoratives /
Blade 6448 Buck Limited Editions 8020 Gilbreath (Randall) 9705 Buy / Sell / Trade 9996 Miscellaneous Products

8450 MORAN (BILL) 9710 CATALOGS/ MAIL ORDER

FOR SALE: Moran ST-23 w/ sheath. One owner. Mint LISTS
condition. E-mail: [email protected] for pics and info. DISCOUNTS UP to 55% on Case, Columbia River, Chris
MORAN KNIVES bought, traded and sold by collector. Bob Reeve, Buck, Puma, Lone Wolf, Smith and Wesson, Gerber,
415-768-4821. Boker, Benchmade, Spyderco, Queen Schatt & Morgan,
Kershaw and many more. Free catalog. Sooner State Knives,
PO Box 67, Konawa, OK 74849. 580-925-3708 VISA/MC.
8808 SCAGEL (WILLIAM) [email protected] or visit our web site
www.soonerstateknives.com.
SCAGEL KNIVES and axes wanted: Gordon White, PO Box
181, Cuthbert, GA 39840. 229-732-6982 anytime. LIST OF over 600 automatic antique and modern knives.
Including Case Zippers, Ka-Bar, Grizzly, Presto, Flylock, Case,
Remington, Latama, Italian pick locks and many more brands
9224 MISCELLANEOUS HANDMADE including over 200 knives out of the Schrade factory
collections of switchblades & pocket knives off of the display
BOMBSHELL STEEL Maestro Wu cutlery- handmade from boards. Authenticity with each knife. Send $5.00 refundable
real bombshells! Folding knives, Chef’s knives, Sushi knives with first order. Skelton Enterprise, Jerry Skelton, 3795 Hwy
6448 BUCK & Chinese cleavers. Custom designing available.
www.jendeindustries.com
188, Alamo, TN 38001. 731-656-2443.
BUCK KNIVES on consignment. To sell or for list of knives to COLLECTOR KVIVES- Queen, Schatt & Morgan, Ka-Bar,
buy, call Larry Oden. 765-472-2323 wkday eves. or Sat. MINIATURE CUSTOM Knives. Since 1978. Information and Remington and Case. Send $2 for our catalog. S & S and
References available. photos, $2. MT Custom Knives, 12447 N. 49 Ave., Glendale, Sons Cutlers, Po Box 501C Lomita, CA 90717 PH 310-326-
AZ 85304-2211. 3869 or www.snsandsonscutlers.com.

6486 CASE VANADrSTIN KNIFE wanted $300 reward + $ retail. Stamp

AJVANADrSTIN, VANADrSTIN, VANADESTIN, ?condition. 9750 FACTORY REPS WANTED
OLDER CASE pocketknives for sale. XX, USA, 10 Dot and 920-450-0723. www.buckstix.com/vanadestineknife.htm
others. Clean outstanding knives with pretty handles. Please RECENTLY U.S. Patented knife sharpening device. Looking
WANTED: SCAGEL, R.H. Ruana, Randall, Loveless, Morseth, for a licensee. USA only. Phone: 843-669-1594.
call or write. Charlie Mattox, PO Box 1565, Gallatin, TN Remington, and Marbles knives and axes. Any Heiser knife or
37066. Mobile phone 615-419-5669. www.mattoxknife.com axe sheaths. 229-732-6982, anytime. Gordon White, Box
WANTED: CASE pocketknives especially 10 Dot and older.
181, Cuthbert, GA 39840. 9780 HEAT TREATING
Check with Charlie before you sell. Call or write. Charlie HEAT TREATING/ Tempering all steels. Bearclaw Knives, P.O.
Mattox, PO Box 1565, Gallatin, TN 37066. Mobile phone 615-
419-5669. Http://www.mattoxknife.com
9705 BUY, SELL, TRADE Box 1391, La Porte, TX 77572-1391. Call for prices 281-587-
6080.
FOR SALE: Antlers (deer, elk, moose), buckskins, tanned
furs, etc. Over 150,000 items. Complete Internet catalog
6510 COLD STEEL (pictures). http://www.hideandfur.com 9790 KNIFE BOXES/ CONTAINERS
CUSTOM SERIES: Black Talon $250, Black Sable $275, LEE’S CUTLERY knives for work, sport, pleasure & collecting. DISPLAY CASES: Oak, Walnut, wood, glass, standard or
Spectre $250, Talwar 300, Hamamoto $250, and Caldonian For a wide variety of knives, check out www.leescutlery.com custom sizes. 28 page catalog. Send $1. Woodland Products,
Edge $275. Alan Cooper 215-676-0506. E-mail: 61292 CR 7, Elkhart, IN 46517.
[email protected]. SELLING PRIVATE collection of knives including custom and
collectibles such as Joe Kious and many others. Also a large DISPLAY CASES: Oak, Walnut, wood, glass, standard or
number of Case, Buck and Puma brands, old and newer, to custom sizes. 28 page catalog. Send $1. Woodland Products,
7602 SWORDS name a few. 765-457-2794 or 765-860-1991. 61292 CR 7, Elkhart, IN 46517.
SUPERIOR SWORDS Indestructible. Simply The Best. WANTED: ANY condition handmade knives; Randall,
Quality is never an accident it is always the result of high Scagel, Ruana, F.S. Richtig, Morseth, Bone, Cooper, 9850 KNIFEMAKING INSTRUCTION
intention, sincere effort, and intelligent direction. Skillful Loveless, Moran, Lile, etc. Also military knives and
execution it represents the wise choice of many pocketknives, watches. Send description and price to: KNIFEMAKING UNPLUGGED DVD - 2 hour video. We also
alternatives. Blades only also available. Google or Yahoo Angelo Solino, 6 Wesley Court N, Huntington, NY 11743. offer an affiliate program for Web site owners.
WWW.BRADYODOM.COM 405-615-8098, 800-573-4005/28. 631-423-1729. http://www.livelyknives.com

74 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

BLJUL07.indd 14 4/10/07 12:27:38 PM

 STEEL TANG Stamps: Mark your knives with your name, logo
9875 KNIFEMAKING SUPPLIES or design. Quality hand-cut hardened steel stamps made to
your specifications. “If it’s worth making, it’s worth marking.”
9900 LEATHER/ SHEATHS
Established 1898. Henry A. Evers, Corp. 72 Oxford St., CUSTOM LEATHER Knife Sheaths in your design or mine.
ANTI-SCALE COATING protects steel up to 2300 F. during Providence, RI 02905. 800-553-8377. Write or call: Robert Schrap, 7024 W. Wells St., Wauwatosa,
heat treating. Water based, easy to apply, easy to remove, WI 53213. 414-771-6472 or [email protected]
cost effective. Available in pint and gallon containers. Contact
Advanced Technical Products, 508 Northland Blvd., FINE FOLDERS deserve protection. Ron Lake and Mike
Cincinnati, Ohio 45240. Phone: 513-851-6858. E-mail: 9890 KNIFE SHOPS Walker send their folders with one of these soft goatskin,
[email protected] ultrasuede lined slips. Six sizes for pocket or belt. Arne
ESTABLISHED STOREFRONT knife shop for sale. 14 years in Mason, 258 Wimer, Ashland, OR 97520. 541-482-2260,
EVERYTHING FOR the knifemaker. Steel, handle material, Maryland, historic district and tourist area. Owner retiring. www.arnemason.com
hammers, tongs, forges, all kinds of tools. Contact: Uncle Al Serious inquires only. 800-520-0321. [email protected].
870-642-7643 or e-mail: [email protected]
KNIFESUPPLY.COM- ALL Major Brand Knives at Rock
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I HAVE a large selection of damascus blanks, billets, round Bottom Prices! America’s #1 Knife Supply. CUSTOM SCRIMSHAW by Juanita Rae Conover. Single or full
billets {for gun, jewelry and tattoo manufacturing}, huge http://www.KnifeSupply.com color. Wildlife a specialty. Exceptional quality. Call for sample
inventories available round the year, custom orders taken. pictures and turn around information. PO Box 70442,
Gold or silver engraving done on blanks with knifemakers’ NEW YORK CITY’S ONLY CUSTOM KNIFE SHOP- Eugene, OR 97401, 541-747-1726 or
names. Recurved blades available up to 26 inches long. E- MasterSmiths, 403 E 58th St, NY, NY 10022 877-8-KNIVES [email protected]
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NORDIC KNIFE making supplies. The most extensive catalog WE CARRY a massive selection of knives such as 9985 SHARPENING/ SHARPENERS
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ADVERTISERS’ INDEX
A Du-Star Knife ........................ 71 Knivesshipfree.com ............... 68 Rader, Michael ...................... 83
A.G. Russell Knives, Inc. ..... 115 E Koval Knives & Supplies ....... 11 Randall Made Knives ............ 70
Admiral Steel ........................ 58 Edgecraft Corporation ........... 64 L Randy’s Custom Knives ......... 41
Al Mar Knives ....................... 19 Elishewitz Custom Knives ..... 40 Lambert, Kirby ...................... 41 Red Hill Corporation ........... 112
American Bladesmith Society Emerson Horseshoe Supply .. 69 Lansky Sharpeners ................ 85 Rocking K Knives .................. 68
.............................................. 69 F Lightfoot Knives .................. 103 Rummel, Hank ...................... 96
Arizona Custom Knives ......... 65 Finer Points .......................... 59 Lone Star Wholesale ............. 40 S
B Fowler, Ed ............................. 44 Lone Wolf Knives .................. 32 Saviolo Publishing ................ 19
Beckwith’s Blades ................ 110 Frost Cutlery ......................... 58 M Scar Knives ..................... 36, 83
Blade Art ............................... 59 G Magnum USA ....................... 69 Sheffield Knifemakers Supply
Blade Show ......................... 111 G.L. Pearce Abrasive Co. ...... 69 Mantis Knives ....................... 50 Inc. ........................................ 68
Bladegallery.com ................... 65 Gary Levine Fine Knives ........ 83 Masecraft Supply .................. 82 Simonich Knives, LLC .......... 40
Blue Ridge Knives ......... 67, 107 George Trout ......................... 69 Mastersmiths ........................ 67 SK Knives ............................. 41
Bob Dozier Knives ................ 45 Giraffebone.com .................... 41 Meyerco ................................ 52 Smoky Mountain Knife Works
Boker USA .............................. 3 Graham Knives ...................... 67 Moki Knife Company .............. 8 Inc. ........................................ 92
Bonds House of Cutlery ........ 96 Guild, Don ............................ 51 Moteng International Inc. ...... 15 Sog Specialty Knives Inc. ...... 17
Bowie Corporation ................ 68 H Mother of Pearl Company ... 105 Steel Addiction Custom Knives
Bradley’s Blades .................... 48 Halpern Titanium................... 68 Myknifedealer.com ................ 27 .............................................. 27
Britton, Tim ........................... 51 Hawkins Knife Making Supplies N Strider Knives ....................... 86
Buck Knives .......................... 18 ............................................ 110 National Knife Distributors .... 71 T
Burger Knives ....................... 60 Hoskins, D ............................ 68 NC Tool Company ............... 112 Taylor Cutlery ...................... 104
C J Nemesis Knives .................... 55 Texas Knifemakers Supply..... 84
C.A.S. Iberia ........................ 116 Jancy Engineering ................. 87 New Graham Knives ............ 108 Tops .......................... 66, 70, 71
Carlson, Kelly ....................... 39 Jantz Supply ......................... 21 Nordic Knives ..................... 104 Tormach LLC......................... 63
Center Cross Video ............... 68 JT’s Knife Shop ..................... 68 O Tru-Grit ................................. 93
Chopra Deepak ..................... 57 Kencrest/Hara ................. 25, 69 Ohare Knives ......................... 70 True North Knives........ 5, 8, 108
Chris Reeve Knives ............... 14 K Only Fine Knives ................. 105 Twin Blades ......................... 103
Collectibles Insurance Agency Kershaw Knives ................. 7, 29 P U
.............................................. 48 King, Kenneth ....................... 28 Pacific Solution ................... 103 Underhill Jewelers ................ 36
Condor Tool & Knife, Inc....... 29 Knife & Gun Finishing Supplies Palacio Enterprises, Inc. ........ 69 Utica Cutlery. ........................ 16
Crawford, Pat ........................ 60 .............................................. 87 Paragon Industries ................ 93 V
Custom Knife Company ........ 39 Knife Center of the Internet .... 48 Paragon Sporting Goods ....... 40 Vagnino, Michael .................. 71
Custom Shoppe, LLC ...... 64, 83 Knife Depot ......................... 110 Parkers’ Knife Collector Service W
D Knifekits.com ........................ 61 .............................................. 85 W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co
Davidson, Edmund ................ 70 Knifemakers Guild Show ....... 33 Peters’ Heat Treating Inc. ....... 89 ................................................ 2
Denton, J.W........................... 67 Knifeshows.com .............. 85, 96 Plaza Cutlery ......................... 28 White, John ......................... 110
Denver Custom Knife Show .. 39 Knives Plus ........................... 96 R William Henry Knives .............. 5
The advertisers’ index is provided as a reader service. Occasional last-minute changes may result in ads appearing on pages other than those listed here.
The publisher assumes no liability for omissions or errors.

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 75

BLJUL07.indd 15 4/10/07 12:27:57 PM

 what’s new
what’s new
Stylish Advisor Sports Evogrip Has Inlays For Smith’s Trench Knife Is
Eggerling Damascus Comfort And Safety 12.5 Inches Overall

A Robert Eggerling damascus blade and

mammoth ivory scales highlight the
24k-gold-plated Advisor by Stan Wilson.
W enger’s latest is the Evogrip. The
company’s newest advancement in
the Evolution pocketknife family features
G ary Smith’s Deluxe Trench Knife
boasts a 7.5-inch blade and measures
in at 12.5 inches overall.
For more information contact: Stan rubber inlays for added comfort and safety, For more information contact Gary N.
Wilson, Dept. BL7, 1908 Souvenir Dr., providing its strongest grip to date. Smith, Dept. BL 7, 3516 St. Luke Ln., Sul-
Clearwater, FL 33755 727.461.1992 For more information contact Wenger, phur, LA 70663, 337.527.6911.
[email protected]. c/o Precise International, attn: Jenni-
fer Voss, Dept. BL 7, 15 Corporate, Or-
angeburg, NY 10962 800.431.2996 www.

Dunathan’s Book Uruguayan Maker Quick Grit Changes

Chronicles Marble’s Debuts Sleek Design Highlight New Diafold

N ew from SOLDUSA.com is author

Arni Dunathan’s hardcover book,
The Encyclopedia of Marble’s Knives &
T he blade of Alberto E. Symonds’
knife is forged from Mattias Styrefors
damascus. The handle and sheath are made
T he new magnetic Diafold Magna-Guide
offers portable, two-stone sharpen-
ing at its best, requires no adjustments to
Sporting Collectibles, profiling the long- of axis deer stag from the Symonds’ ranch. use and allows for grit changes in seconds
time knife manufacturer. For more information contact Alberto by flipping over the magnetic angle guide.
Contact Marble’s, attn: C. Lauerman, E. Symonds, Dept. BL 7, 485 Rambla M. For more information contact Dia-
420 Industrial Park, Dept. BL 7, Glad- Gandhi, Apt. 901, Montevideo, Uruguay mond Machining Technology, attn:
stone, MI 49837 906.428.3710 www.mar- 11300 [email protected]. Christine Miller, Dept. BL 7, 85 Hayes
blesoutdoors.com. Memorial, Marlborough, MA 01752
508.481.5944 www.dmtsharp.com.

76 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

WhatsNew.indd 2 4/10/07 8:30:07 AM

 what’s
what’s new
new
Sheffield Pocketknife Wharny Boasts Flat Byrd’s Hunter Sports
Sheds a Little Light Grind, Steep Bevel ATS-34 And Ivory

T his new Sheff ield pocketknife is

equipped with an LED that enables
users to clearly see any cutting surface in
T he wharnclifffe blade of Jeff Neil-
son’s forged-tactical “Wharny” is flat
ground with a steep bevel on the spine and
T he all-purpose hunter by Ward Byrd
Jr. features an ATS-34 blade, ivory
Micarta® handle and red, white and blue
different lighting situations. a hand-rubbed finish. The 7 5/8-inch knife spacers.
For more information contact Shef- is accompanied by a cross-draw Kydex® For more information contact Ward
field Mfg., Dept. BL7, POB 3, Mineola, sheath with a removable belt loop. Byrd Jr., Dept. BL7, 1620 Charles Ave.,
NY 11501-0003 516.746.5352 sheffield- For more information contact Jeff Neil- Worland, WY 82401 307.347.2277
tools.com. son, BL 7, RR 2, Box 16, Wyalusing, PA 18853 [email protected].
570.746.4944 [email protected].

A New Way To Cut Martial Artist, Benchmade Nitrous

From Midwest Tool Magazine Team Up Stryker Assists Open

T he MagSnips ® from Midwest Tool

and Cutlery features a cast-magne-
sium frame weighing just 14.4-ounces
M artial artist Jerry VanCook has
teamed with Thrust Magazine to
create the Grip-Changer. The “Spin-slot” is
W ith the new Nitrous mechanism built
directly into the liners, the blade of
the new Nitrous Stryker from Benchmade
designed for ease of use and less fatigue. designed for security when changing from assists open with ease.
For more information contact Midwest a standard to reverse grip. For more information contact Bench-
Tool, attn: H. M. Cody, Dept. BL 7, POB For more information contact Noah. made USA, attn: M. Smedly, Dept. BL 7,
160, 1210 Progress St., Sturgis, MI 49091 [email protected] 780.637.0253 www.thrust- 300 Beavercreek Rd., Oregon City, OR
269.651.7964 [email protected] magazine.net. 97045 503.655.6004 www.benchmade.com.

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 77

WhatsNew.indd 3 4/10/07 8:30:24 AM

 knifemaker knifemaker showcase

showcase
“Knifemaker Showcase” spotlights the photographs of knives sent by any and all custom knifemakers to BLADE® for filing in the Knifemakers’ Archive. The
Knifemakers’ Archive is the most complete collection of photographs of knifemakers’ knives and information in the world. If you are a custom knifemaker and
have not sent us a photo (the better quality the photo, the better chance it has of getting in the magazine), write to: BLADE, c/o F+W/Krause Publications, 700
E. State, Iola, WI 54990 [email protected]. Please include a close-up mug shot of yourself with your knife picture.

Mike “Whiskers” Allen

“I’ve won several best folder awards over my 22 years of professional making,” says
Mike “Whiskers” Allen. “I got my interest in knives as a boy and made some from
files. My grandfather was a part-time blacksmith and taught me that you could make
anything with your hands.” Mike is a member of the Knifemakers’ Guild as well as
vice president of the Professional Knifemakers Association (PKA). His award-winning
folder (below) has a 2.5-inch blade of TNT Damasteel damascus and the handle is
black mammoth ivory. Mike engraved the bolsters and the plated area of the automatic
in 24k gold. The knife won the best art/fantasy category at the 2006 PKA show. Mike’s
list price: $900 for a similar piece. His address: 12745 Fontenot Acres Rd., Dept. BL7,
Malakoff, TX 75148 903.489.1026 whiskersknives @aol.com. (Thomason photo)

Don Robinson
Don Robinson is a self-taught, full-time knifemaker from Brownsville, Texas.
“I have always made knives for my own pleasure derived from creating
something from raw materials that has function and value to others,” he says.
An experienced tool-and-die maker as well as a manufacturing engineer,
Don has been making knives all his working life and began taking orders in
1988. “I enjoy teaching and helping others to learn knifemaking skills, both
in my shop and on Internet knife forums,” he observes. He is the newsletter
editor for the Texas Knifemakers and Collectors Association, as well as the
chairman of the Texico Knife Association. His locking-liner barlow (above)
is ATS-34 stainless steel with a gold-lip mother-of-pearl handle. His list price
for a similar knife: around $600. His address: 5034 Jane Ave., Dept. BL 7,
Brownsville, TX 78521 956.546.4861 [email protected].
Steve Busch
Steve Busch started working with knives in 1998,
making mainly automatics as an apprentice under
Butch Vallotton and family. Since 2002, Steve has
been designing and making his own knives, includ-
ing folders, fixed blades and dual-action, scale-
release autos. “Each knife I make starts with laying
out potential materials to visualize their artistic
flow,” Steve says. “Some knives may sit for a year
or so until it ‘works’ for me.” He uses damascus
primarily and prefers high-contrast steel that can be
colored. His dagger (right) is a dual-action, scale-
release auto with mosaic damascus by Doug Ponzio.
Steve’s list price: $2,000. His address: 1989 Old Town
Loop, Dept. BL 7, Oakland, OR 97462 541.459.2833
[email protected].

78 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Showcase.indd 2 4/10/07 8:31:05 AM

 Rusty Preston
“I get tremendous satisfaction from each knife I
complete, and I see the same joy in others I have met
in the custom knife industry,” says Rusty Preston.
He has used ATS-34 stainless and is now working
with CPM 154 stainless. “I find that because of the
powder matrix structure in the CPM, I get a cleaner
satin finish,” he notes. He uses jigged bone, stag,
mother-of-pearl, giraffe bone and ancient ivory for
his handles. Rusty was presented the A.G. Russell
Award for Best Value in Show at the 2007 Arkansas
Custom Knife Show. His saddlehorn trap-
per (right) measures 4 inches closed and
sports CPM 154 blades and backsprings,
and a giraffe bone handle. Rusty’s list
price: $500. His address: 950 S. Garcia
St., #100, Dept. BL7, Port Isabel, TX
75878 956.943.2098 rusty@prestoncusto
mknives.com.

Henry Torres
“I’ve been a bow hunter since the age of 17
and I’ve always had difficulty obtaining a
blade that suited me,” says Henry Torres. “I
soon began experimenting and making my
own knives in my garage using whatever hand
tools I had to create a knife that would fit my
hand.” He names Mike Vagnino, Bill Burke
and Tim Hancock as a few of his favorite
makers because of their “unique specialties.”
The carbon steels he uses are 52100 and 5160
from a John Deere load shaft. Henry says
he prefers sheep horn, desert ironwood
and curly maple for handles. He won the
Bob Engnath Best New Maker Award at
the 2006 BLADE Show West. His Cali-
fornia Bowie (left) is his first as an ABS
journeyman smith. Henry’s list price:
$695. His address: 2329 Mood Ave., Dept.
BL 7, Clovis, CA 93619 559.297.5279
[email protected].

Steve Hill
“Much to mom’s dismay I got my first hunting
knife from dad when I was 7,” says Steve Hill.
“I’ve carried a knife almost daily ever since.”
Among the many tools in his shop are a Speed Cut
belt grinder, a Sherline miniature mill and lathe
for automatic knife work, and a disc grinder built
by Rex Robinson. “I enjoy bringing a vision in my
mind’s eye into the world and then seeing the joy
it brings to those who appreciate my work enough
to purchase a fine knife,” Steve
notes. His folding dagger (right)
has a 3.5-inch blade with sculpted
bolsters and black-lip pearl scales.
His list price: $2,650. His address:
40 Rand Pond Rd., Dept. BL 7,
Goshen, NH 03752 603.863.476
[email protected].

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 79

Showcase.indd 3 4/10/07 8:31:21 AM

 reel steel
reel steel

In a scene from The Big Trail

Trail,, John Wayne (left) as Breck
Coleman confronts Red Flack, played by Tyrone Power Sr.,
each with knife in hand. In the middle is Lopez, played by
Charles Stevens. (photo courtesy the author; Fox Films)

By Joseph Musso
assisted by Michael Wayne, son of John Wayne

80 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

DukeKnives.indd 80 4/6/07 1:32:00 PM

 As the historic James Smith in Allegheny Upris-
ing (1939), John Wayne uses a small clip-point
knife to interrogate a captured Delaware chief
(played by Noble Johnson) while Smith’s
“Black Boys” watch. Moments later, upon hear-
ing the chief confess to wiping out a British
regiment, one of Smith’s Men, Tom Calhoun
(left, played by Moroni Olsen), shoves Smith’s
hand and the knife into the Indian. (photo cour-
tesy the author; RKO Radio Pictures)

Editor’s note: If John Wayne were still alive, A 22-year-old John Wayne leads a
he would celebrate his 100th birthday on wagon train West in his first starring
May 26. A lifelong fan of Wayne and a role, Fox Films’ The Big Trail, released
collector of the Duke’s movie knives, as on Oct. 24, 1930. In his right hand is
well as being a noted authority on antique his 1863 Springfield rifle with carved
bowies, the author also is a production stock, while tucked in his belt is his
illustrator who has done artwork for a trusty knife. (photo courtesy the
long list of movies, including Flags Of Our author; Fox Films)
Fathers, The Italian Job, Ladder 49, Space
Cowboys, Basic Instinct, Out For Justice,
Body Heat, Tora! Tora! Tora!, In The Heat
Of The Night and many more. Following
are his observations on perhaps the most
iconic actor—and his knives—in the history
of American cinema.

“I
’m a fair hand with a bowie knife,
mister,” admonishes Marshal Bob
Seton to the notorious Civil War
Confederate guerilla leader, William
Cantrell, and one of Cantrell’s henchmen
as they stalk him. Preparing to carve his
opponents up like the turkey he pulled the
knife from, Seton further promises, “I’ll
put this through the fi rst one of you that
pulls a gun.”
Meant to be a defi ning moment in
Civil War drama, this was a theatrical in-
terpretation of what would happen when
the historic William Clarke Quantrill en-
countered a Texas lawman, personified by
John Wayne, in the 1940 film classic from
Republic Pictures, The Dark Command.
While the scene and Wayne’s character
were fiction, Wayne’s warning about his
proficiency with a bowie knife was fact.
Even though Hollywood’s legendary

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 81

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 reel steel
reel steel

The actual retractable-blade bowie

John Wayne uses in Reap The Wild
Wind appears here over a poster of the
movie showing Duke use the knife to
fend off a giant squid. (photo courtesy
the author)

leading man for almost five decades is

remembered more for twirling an 1892
“Handles With Care” large-levered Winchester carbine and an
1872 Colt single-action pistol, or leading
from a charge with a U.S. cavalry saber and
MASECRAFT clenching oversized fists befitting his
strapping 6’4” frame, Wayne actually en-
joyed his fi rst starring role in the 1930 epic
SUPPLY COMPANY Fox Pictures western, The Big Trail, by be-
coming equally proficient with a knife. He
would continue this prowess with cutlery
Pearl, Horn, Bone, Exotic Woods, Micarta, through many other memorable movie mo-
ments in his long, iconic career.
G-10’s, Carbon Fiber, Celluloid, India Stag, Unfortunately, for whatever reason,
Wayne’s association with knives is often
ImiStag, Pearl Laminated Veneer Sheets, overlooked by most of his present-day
COLORPLY Laminated Wood Veneer, chroniclers in favor of his trusty Win-
chester, Colt and saber. However, instead
Imitation Pearl, Ivory Alternative, Recon Stone of the weapons with which he would later
become synonymous for his initial star-
and a lot More. ring role in The Big Trail as the frontiers-
man, Breck Coleman, the script called for
Call to order our catalog the 22-year-old Wayne to be armed with
P.O. Box 423 BL an original 1863 Springfield Rifle with
its wooden stock carved in the northwest
254 Amity St., Meriden, CT 06450 Indian style, an engraved 1861 New Army
Remington Pistol and a knife.
Phone: (203) 238-3049 Though the rifle and pistol survive to-
day in collections, the whereabouts of the
www.masecraftsupply.com knife and/or its doubles are unknown, so
E-mail: [email protected] we cannot be entirely certain as to exactly
what type of blade Wayne used in his pre-
mier landmark film. From photos of the
movie, it appears to be a form of Scandi-
82 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

DukeKnives.indd 82 4/6/07 1:32:57 PM

 Northwoods Knives
The new Mini Skinner by
Mini Skinner Northwoods Knife Co. is a product
of The Custom Shoppe, LLC of
Gladstone, Mich., USA. A four-inch
blade of high-grade D2 steel with
lots of curve for skinning and
Made in the USA plenty of point to boot makes the
Mini Skinner the ultimate tool.
The guard and pommel are aircraft
aluminum and the handle beautiful
cocobolo, or stacked leather. The
Mini Skinner comes complete with a
906-789-1420 quality leather sheath.

David G. Shirley and The Custom Shoppe, LLC

7266 U.S. 2 and 41, Gladstone, MI 49837

www.levineknives.com
● Specializing in ● The rising stars
folders
● Fair prices
● The best makers

Dealer of Handmade Knives

John Wayne practices throwing a knife

Phone: (203) 438-5294
in between scenes during filming of PO Box 416 • Ridgefield, CT 06877
Allegheny Uprising.
Uprising. (photo courtesy the
author; RKO Radio Pictures)
GARY LEVINE FINE KNIVES
navian sheath knife, possibly a Finnish
puukko with a 4-6-inch blade. SCAR CUSTOM KNIVES - Commemorating 10 Years
Besides throwing the knife into the
villain at the film’s conclusion, the script Richard & Sharilyn
called for Wayne to establish his frontier Schuchmann
3975 Hamblen Dr.
prowess in the early scenes by throwing
Cincinnati, OH 45255
three knives, one above the other, into a 513-553-4316
narrow post from a distance of about 15
feet. The film’s director, Raoul Walsh, [email protected]
wanted Wayne to actually do it on camera www.scarknives.com
in one take. Walsh correctly reasoned that
• 7-1/2” Damascus blade
it would impress the movie-going audience
• fossil walrus ivory handle
to know it was truly Wayne and not some • nickel-silver guard
professional knife thrower accomplishing *Photo by Mike Carter
• white fur calf hide sheath
the feat off camera. • List price is $1,200
While knowing how to handle guns ex- ZACHARIAS FIGHTER - (Premium Model)
pertly, Wayne was also given knife lessons
by the Indian actor, Rodd Redwing, ac-
cording to Wayne’s son, Michael. Born in
1904, Redwing, a full-blooded Chickasaw Uniq ue Sw o r ds and K ni v es
Indian, was only three years older than Designed and Individually Handmade by Michael Rader, J.S.
Wayne and also at the beginning of his
Inspired by history and tradition, influenced by many
career at the time. Redwing would eventu-
cultures, Rader swords are original creations
ally become one of Hollywood’s top gun, offering rare styling and
knife, tomahawk and whip instructors, as performance.
well as appearing in many films prior to
his sudden death of a heart attack on May
30, 1971.
Of additional interest, the noted stage
actor, Tyrone Power Sr., played the film’s
villain, Red Flack, who was brought to his
end by Wayne’s knife. Power would die of
Michael Rader
PO Box 393, Wilkeson, WA 98396 ◆ 253-255-7064 ◆ Free Brochure
a heart attack a year after making The Big [email protected] - www.raderblade.com
Trail on Dec. 23, 1931, in the arms of his
JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 83

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 reel steel
reel steel

Outfitted
Outfi tted in his deep-sea-diving suit,
John Wayne as Capt. Jack Stuart
hefts the retractable-blade bowie in
an underwater scene from Reap The
Wild Wind (1942). (photo courtesy
the author; Paramount Pictures)

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 17-year-old-son, also named Tyrone, who,
in turn, became the famous film star and
leading man of the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s.
Following completion of The Big Trail,
which was shot in two versions for the
theaters to choose from—the standard,
www.knifeshows.com
almost square-screen format and an early
widescreen 70mm format, known at the
time as Fox Grandeur, for the fi rst-run the-
aters—Wayne was sent on a major public-
Your Complete Site for Shows,
ity tour, in costume, to the Northeast and
Midwest to promote his potential stardom
and the film. While on the tour, Wayne
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gave knife demonstrations to mitigate the
fabricated biography the studio public re-
lations department invented for him.
Log on & see for yourself!
Among the PR department’s asser-
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the press ignored his real-life candor and
unanimously agreed that he was an expert We also sell antique knives and “out of production” knives too.
knife thrower.
The film itself is a remarkable visual
achievement and can still impress audi-
ences today with its epic Indian battle,
buffalo stampede and storm sequences. It
was filmed all over the West, including the
Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Sequoia
National Park, Yellowstone National Park
and the Grand Tetons.
Unfortunately, in spite of the favorable
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reviews that both the film and Wayne re-
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of the Great Depression on Oct. 24, 1930,
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 reel steel
reel steel

The Apache warrior Silva, played by Rudolfo Acosta,

plunges his knife into John Wayne’s character,
Hondo Lane, as Wayne attempts to overpower him
in Wayne’s 3D classic, Hondo (1953). (photo cour-
tesy the author; Warner Bros.)

John Wayne’s sons, Michael (left) and Patrick, recre-

ate Wayne and Acosta’s knife fight
fight on the set of
Hondo.. Michael play-acts the part of Hondo Lane
Hondo
while Patrick does the honors for Silva. They are us-
ing the knives employed in the actual sequence from
the movie. (photo courtesy the author)

riors annihilated an English regiment, one underwater conclusion, Wayne, as Capt.

of Wayne’s men, Tom Calhoun, played by Jack Stuart in a deep-sea-diving suit, hefts
Moroni Olsen, pushes Wayne’s arm and the a large, clip-point bowie knife to attack a
knife into the Indian, killing him. Disap- giant squid, sacrificing his own life to save
proving, Wayne observes, “We teach them his fellow diver, played by Ray Milland.
everything, don’t we, Tom?” The knife One of the versions of the knife is
Wayne uses in the scene has a retractable known today. It has an 11 3/8-inch blade,
blade—the first half of the blade retracts 1.5 inches wide, and is 17.25 inches over-
into the back half to give the illusion that a all, with a nickel-plated brass crossguard,
person is being stabbed. ferrule and pommel, and a lacquered black
However, despite Wayne’s warning hardwood handle.
about his proficiency with bowie knives Slightly more sophisticated than
the following year in the Dark Command, Wayne’s Allegheny Uprising knife, the
under Raoul Walsh’s capable direction front half of the blade is made to retract
again, Wayne’s adversary, Cantrell, played inside the sheet-metal back half, but the
by Walter Pidgeon, was eventually dis- knife also has a plunger inside the hol-
patched by Wayne’s Colt. low handle filled with fake blood. When
It took another legendary director, Ce- the front half of the blade is depressed, it
cil B. DeMille, to reintroduce film audi- drives the plunger up inside the handle
ences to Big John’s association with Big to send the stored “blood” down through
Jim Bowie’s mighty blade in the 1942 sea- a hole in the blade’s ricasso area. When
faring adventure about shipwrecking sal- filmed properly, an actor going through the
vagers, Reap the Wild Wind, for Paramount stabbing motions with the knife appears to
Pictures. It is set in 1840, around the Flor- be actually penetrating and drawing blood
ida Keys, Charleston, South Carolina, and from his opponent.
Havana, Cuba. For the film’s spectacular Seven years later, in Republic Pictures’

86 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

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 rendition of Garland Roark’s best-selling
novel, Wake of the Red Witch, Wayne, as
Captain Ralls, would dive underwater
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Midway through the film, Wayne, as
Hondo Lane, is captured by the Apaches,
led by Victorio (played by Michael Pate).
Wayne taunts Rudy, Victorio’s second-
in-command, into challenging Wayne
to a duel. Victorio hands Wayne a knife.
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At the film’s conclusion, though, Ru-
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the knife from his buddy, Buffalo, played 2” X 48” Belt

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The bowie knife Wayne uses appears
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JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 87

DukeKnives.indd 87 4/6/07 1:34:02 PM

 collecting
collecting

By Steve Shackleford

Carlos Lopez collects mid-to-high-

end folders and fi fixed
xed blades, includ-
ing the folders of Joe Kious. Of
stocking and restocking fees Carlos
said, “I don’t deal with anything
like that and would be suspicious
of it, at least at the high-end of the
market.” Ron Skaggs’s fantastic
Japanese-themed engraving lends
Joe’s gold-bailed damascus folder
an air of oriental royalty. (SharpBy-
Coop.com photo)

88 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Purveyors.indd 88 4/6/07 7:25:48 PM

 Chris Schluter, who collects the tactical folders
of such makers as Kirby Lambert and
others, prefers that his purveyors
attend knife shows to stay cur-
rent on the latest in custom
knives. An example of Kirby’s
tactical work is this handful
of folder.

Author’s note: To avoid the appearance of most important of all, attend knife shows
playing favorites, no specific purveyor’s name where you can talk to the makers and pur-
is mentioned in the following story. Instead, veyors, handle as many knives as possible,
the story identifies the traits you should look and see exactly what they look like and how
for in a purveyor so that you can make your they feel. No matter how many knives you
own informed decision on the purveyor that see pictured, nothing can replace the experi-
is best for you. For a list of many of today’s ence of touching, holding and examining a
purveyors, see the accompanying sidebar. knife in the flesh. You might also consider
attending a knifemaking or bladesmithing

T
he most important person in your school or symposium to watch and learn
relationship with your purveyor is about how knives are made.
you—and that involves more than “The buyer has the obligation to do his
just your knife needs. It means that, when homework,” observed Peter Gill, a buyer/
push comes to shove, it is you who is re- collector of handforged knives by Jim Crow-
sponsible for getting the best knife pos- ell, Harvey Dean, Jerry Fisk, Don Fogg, Don
sible from the purveyor. Hanson and others. “He has to know what
This is not to say that the purveyor is he’s buying. He can’t expect everything to
not responsible for providing you with the come up roses. The buyer has to know that
best knife for your money. What it does the knife is for him.
say is that you can be your own best insur- “The buyer should expect to pay a pre-
ance policy for acquiring the best knife for mium for the privilege [of receiving an ex-
your hard-earned dollar. cellent knife without the delay of maker’s
To help insure that you get the best waiting lists, etc.]. If the buyer wants instant
knife possible from the purveyor, educate gratification from the purveyor, the buyer
yourself on the types of knives you want has to expect to pay for it.”
to collect, your favorite examples of those At the same time, fair pricing is man-
knives and their makers, what to look for datory. “I understand that there is always
in fit and fi nish, what the knives are fetch- market volatility,” noted Carlos Lopez, a
ing in terms of prices, etc. collector of mid-to-high-end folders and
To do all that, you must read as much fi xed blades. “Purveyors have to be fair.
as you can on your favorite knife types and They’ve got to make money but they’ve got
makers in BLADE® and other knife publi- to be reasonable.”
cations, visit the various knife discussion Also, be sure you go into the process with
groups on the Internet, visit the websites of your eyes open. “It’s in the purveyor’s inter-
knifemakers and purveyors, and, perhaps est to sell the inventory he has,” Gill stressed,

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 89

Purveyors.indd 89 4/6/07 7:25:25 PM

 collecting
collecting

Handforged knives, such as Russ

Andrews’ regal bowie with a 12.25-inch
blade of W2 tool steel and an amboyna
burl grip, are among Peter Gill’s favor-
ite collectibles. Peter recommends
that you look for a purveyor who
will work with you “over the
long haul.” (SharpByCoop.
com photo)

“and the buyer has to be conscious of that.” How do you know if the maker specializ- integrity are absolute musts.
es in the knives and makers you like? Again, “Honesty and integrity are most impor-
First Things First this is where you are going to have to do tant in somebody who is selling a high-end
First, of course, you must determine that the some research. Scan the list of purveyors in product. Everything’s secondary to that,”
purveyor deals in the kinds of knives and the the sidebar on page 94 and look for their con- Brandon stressed, “and that’s hard to assess
makers of them that interest you, and that he tact information in ads in BLADE and other over the Internet or phone.”
offers a wide selection of them. knife publications. Contact them and/or visit “It’s important to find an honest and fair
“Purveyors stock and specialize in dif- their websites on the Internet to find out what person to build a relationship with,” Lopez
ferent knives,” Gill noted. Added George knives and makers they specialize in. agreed. Added Chris Schluter, buyer/collec-
Brandon, a buyer/collector of knives by Once you narrow down the list of pur- tor of the tactical folders of Kit Carson, Er-
such classic makers as S.R. “Steve” Johnson veyors to those who specialize in your favor- nest Emerson, Rick Hinderer, Mike Obenauf,
and Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fam- ite knife types and makers, you are ready to Bob Terzuola and others, “I’m very picky
ers© George Herron, D’ Holder, Jimmy Lile determine which purveyor and/or purveyors with the opening of my knives. I like the
and Bob Loveless, “You need to know what are best for you. knife to be harder to open than smooth. I may
kinds of knives and what kinds of makers see something on my purveyor’s website and
the purveyor specializes in. The purveyor Top Traits say I like it and he tells me I’m not going to
may not recognize the failings of a particular When asked for the top things they look for like the knife because it’s too smooth or too
knife or knifemaker if [the purveyor] doesn’t in a purveyor, the buyers/collectors inter- big. I appreciate that kind of honesty.”
specialize in that knife or maker.” viewed almost to a man said honesty and Outstanding customer service is another
prerequisite, which includes open communi-
cation, fast shipping and a reasonable return
policy if the knife does not meet with your
approval.
“If I have a question about a particular
knife I want to buy, I want to be able to con-
tact the purveyor and ask him about it,” said
Richard Evanchick, buyer/collector of tac-
tical-type knives by Brian Fellhoelter, R.J.
Martin, Spencer Reiter (SAR), Mark Terrell
and others. Added Lopez, “I want prompt
answers to my phone calls or e-mails.”

Buyer/collector Carlos Lopez says

prompt return of phone calls and e-mails
from purveyors is very important. Among
others, Carlos collects the folders of
Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer©
Ron Lake. Lake’s interframe folder with
the maker’s tail-lock release tab needs
no introduction. The “Orion” includes
the maker’s double logo on the 154CM
blade. (SharpByCoop.com photo)

90 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Purveyors.indd 90 4/6/07 7:25:03 PM

 Buyer/collector Peter Gill said it is the collectors return knives.
buyer/collector’s obligation to do his “There’s only one purveyor I know that
homework so he knows what he’s buy- does that and I try not to deal with that per-
ing. Another of Peter’s preferred knives
son,” Lopez noted. “I don’t deal with any-
to collect include those by Steve Dunn.
Engraving and gold inlay by the maker thing like that and would be suspicious of it,
complement a 10-inch ladder-pattern at least at the high-end of the market,” Bran-
damascus blade of 1075 and 15n20 don observed. Said Gill flatly, “I don’t think
steels and the modified stag coffin there should be any restocking fee.”
handle of Dunn’s clip-point
bowie. (Point Seven photo) Websites
All those interviewed agreed that purveyors
should have a website and that they should
update it regularly. “What’s important to me
is that the site remains current,” Evanchick
emphasized. Added Brandon, “It’s hard to
deal with when a purveyor’s website doesn’t
change from week to week, and there are
some like that.”
“I like my purveyor’s website because
the knives you see on it are all available, and
there is a separate section for sold knives,”
Evanchick maintained. “On one of my other
purveyor’s sites, if a knife is sold, there will
be a sold sign next to it. Some sites, you click
on a knife and it’s not until then that you find
Return Policies know whether I want the knife or not, so it’s out it’s sold. You see a site with lots of knives
As for return policies, three-to-four days not really an issue.” Chimed in Gill, “If you but they’re all sold, that’s not good.”
seems to be the most reasonable time limit know you’re not going to keep the knife, get “My purveyor’s website not only shows
among those interviewed to return knives if it over to the post office and return it [to the the knives in stock but also those that it has
they are not satisfied with them, though some purveyor] promptly.” sold,” Gill said. “That’s important because
like more time. “I like at least three days. A There was unanimity among the inter- it gives me a source of the different makers
week is nice,” Brandon said, “though gen- viewees on whether purveyors should charge and I can tell if that maker appeals to me. I
erally it takes me only about 15 minutes to stocking or restocking fees for when buyers/ can look at that [sold knife] and talk to the

Purveyors who are honest with him

and tell him when he will not like a knife are
the kind Chris Schluter prefers. John
W. Smith’s knives are high on Chris’s
most wanted list. John’s Persian
folder sports damascus blade
steel and a blue walrus ivory
handle. (Custom Knife
Gallery of Colorado
photo)

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 91

Purveyors.indd 91 4/6/07 7:24:42 PM

 collecting
collecting

“Some makers will only deal with certain purveyors,”

George Brandon pointed out, “so they’re the purveyors
you need to talk to.” Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fam-
er© D’ Holder’s fi
fixed
xed blades are among the knives George
collects. D’s hunter comes in ATS-34 stainless and mam-
moth tooth ivory. (Point Seven photo)

purveyor or the maker about doing a similar

piece for me. That’s very, very important.”

The Intangibles
What about the intangibles, such as the pur-
veyors catering to your specific needs, the
relationships between the purveyor and the
makers whose knives he sells, purveyor
knife show attendance and so on?
Most of those interviewed agreed that a
good relationship between the purveyor and
maker was beneficial to all concerned.
“If it’s a good relationship, the purveyor
will get good knives from the maker,” Lo-
pez opined. “Sometimes you can tell if they
get along by the prices the purveyor charges
you.” In other words, if the purveyor charges
more for the knife, he may not get along with
the maker and had to buy the piece at a high-
er price on the aftermarket.
“I think the purveyor/maker relationship
is very important because, a lot of times, if
the customer has a complaint about the knife,
the purveyor can be a liaison between the
customer and the maker,” Evanchick com-
mented, “though in my experience, if some-
thing isn’t right with the knife, the maker has
to make it right for the customer. It’s not the
purveyor’s responsibility to do it but he can
be of help.”
“Some makers will only deal with certain
purveyors,” Brandon pointed out, “so they’re
the purveyors you need to talk to.”
As for purveyors knowing the specific
92 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Purveyors.indd 92 4/9/07 10:40:30 AM

 Carlos Lopez said he tells his
purveyors what he likes and they
e-mail him pictures of those knives
to see if he is interested in buying
them. Among the knives Carlos
collects are the folders of Henry
Frank. (Point Seven photo)

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the high-end makers don’t attend many (909) 923-4116 * Fax (909) 923-9932 * Out of state (800) 532-3336
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don’t care if the purveyors attend knife Email us at - [email protected] - Call or go online for a Catalog
shows or not,” Evanchick countered, “as
SHOP ONLINE AT : WWW.TRUGRIT.COM
long as they’ve got the knives.”
JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 93

Purveyors.indd 93 4/6/07 7:24:03 PM

 “My gut reaction is it’s very important be-
collecting
collecting
cause I can’t go to all the major knife shows,
so I rely on the purveyor to tell me who’s
hot, who’s not, that kind of thing,” Schluter
stressed. “If there’s another way they can get
that same information, great, but I don’t see
how.” Moreover, if seeing, holding and ex-
amining the knife is important, there is no
better to place to do it with more knives than
at a knife show.

Questions, Questions, Questions!

What other questions and special services
should you inquire about? Always ask the
purveyor what the makers’ policies are on
the guarantees and/or warranties of their
knives. And, of course, the purveyor should
be knowledgeable of knives in general.
“The purveyor has to be able to educate
you. He should be able to tell you what a
good steel is, what a good knife is,” Evanch-
ick noted. “The purveyors should help the
buyer understand that sometimes there may
be a wait for a knife. The maker may be
working on an exclusive with someone else,
so the purveyor should be able to convey that
there may be a wait of a couple of months
before they get the knife in.”
“How are the knives made, why are the
knives made a certain way, they should
be able to provide certain information
about the makers, such as what knives
Peter Gill said a key question to ask a purveyor they make, what materials they use, how
when you buy a knife from him is if, in his opinion, to take care of the knives and how to store
the knife is a superior example of the maker’s them,” Lopez explained.
work. Nick Wheeler’s handforged beauties are
among those Peter collects. A thousand layers
He added that he likes for the purveyor
of 1084 and 15n20 steels comprise the blade and to include the dimensions of the knife in e-
sambar stag the handle of Nick’s hunter. Overall mail or other correspondence. “Most good
length: 9.25 inches. (Point Seven photo) purveyors list the sizes of the knives,” Lopez
commented. “Some list the weight but more
critical is the size.”
Gill indicated there was one question
to pose to the purveyor each time before
you buy the knife. “Ask him if, in his
Some of Today’s Custom Knife Purveyors* opinion, the knife is a superior example
of the maker’s work,” he said. “I think
A&J Enterprises; A.G. Russell Knives; Peter Baribault; BladeArt.com; BladeGallery. it’s a fair question to ask the purveyor if
com; Arizona Custom Knives; Atlantic Bladesmiths; Barrett-Smythe; Bob Neal Custom he’s examined the knife and if he’s sat-
Knives/LDC Custom Knives; Harrell Braddock; Carmel Cutlery; Chow’s Cutlery; Classic isfied with the fit and fi nish, if he’s no-
Cutlery; Custom Knife Consignment; Custom Knife Directory; Custom Knife Gallery of ticed anything that’s not 100 percent. It
Colorado; Lawrence Danielkiewicz; J.W. Denton; Discount Custom Knife; Michael Do- doesn’t hurt to ask.”
nato; Ted Dzialo; EDC Knives; EdgeDealer.com; Elite Custom Knives; Eurochasse; Ex- Finally, look for a purveyor who is will-
quisite Knives; Fazalare International; Rolf Freiberg; Don Guild; Happy Jack Knives; Da- ing to be in it with you for the long haul.
vid Hodge; Hoffman Knives; House of Cutlery; I. Bainbridge & Co.; IQ Knives; J. Bruce “You have to have a purveyor who isn’t
Voyles Auctioneers; Kindal; KnifeArt.com; KnifeLegends; Knifemasters Custom Knives; just interested in selling the one knife but is
KnivesShipFree.com; and LegendaryKnifemakers.com. willing to take the longer view and educate
Also: Gary Levine Fine Knives; Great Lakes Custom Knives; Ray Lew; Rick London the buyer a little bit,” Gill observed. “With
Collectibles; G. Lorenzi; Hugh Lowe; Mastersmiths; Matrix-Aida; Mal Mele; Perry Mill- some purveyors, once the knife is sold, you
er; Moore Cutlery; Eric Morris; Nashoba Valley Knife Works; New Graham Knives; New get the feeling it’s over with.
York Custom Knives; Dave Nittinger; Nordic Knives; Northwest Knives & Collectibles; “I think repeat customers are the goal of a
Northwest Safari; OK-Yess; Lynn Olson; OnlyFineKnives.com; Paul Charles Basch; Pen good purveyor, to have a good customer and
and the Sword; Sandra Piergallini; Plaza Cutlery; Quintessential Cutlery; R&C Knives; make him happy. That way, the purveyor be-
Robertson’s Custom Cutlery; Jerry Schroeder; Stuart Shaw; Robert Simpson; Skylands comes ‘the go-to guy.’”
Cutlery; Angelo Solino; Sonoma Cutlery; Steel Addiction Custom Knives; Stidham’s
Knives; TheKnifePoint.com; TreemanKnives.com; 2 The Hilt; True North Knives; and For the contact information for the knives in
Gordon White. the story, see “Where To Get ‘Em” on page
112.
*There are others.

94 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Purveyors.indd 94 4/6/07 7:23:32 PM

 guild directions
guild directions

A True South By Richard L. Pearce

Carolina Treasure
A close friend’s eulogy of Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall
©
Of Famer George Herron brings it all home
Editor’s note: The following, in its entirety, was that was very disarming and engaging at family affair, with his wife making leather
the eulogy the author gave at Blade Magazine the same time. sheaths that perfectly fit these diamonds of
Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer© George Herron’s His craft is officially called bladesmith- the cutlery trade. His family also helped
funeral in February. In addition to being a ing. Folks in Aiken, later over in Spring- out in the shop. The work was hard, dirty
close friend of the Herron family, the author is field when he moved there, just knew him and took long hours of intense labor. Stout
also solicitor and staff attorney for the city of as “the knifemaker.” He was incredibly milling machines that made war materiel to
Aiken, South Carolina. Mrs. Barbara Herron more than that, however. fight the Axis of Evil in World War II now
requested that the author send a copy of the George had a very practical problem to churned out Herron knives.
eulogy to BLADE® in the hopes that BLADE solve in the 1960s: The knife he tried to use The shop was filled with raw materials
would print it, and BLADE is only too happy to skin a deer just would not do right. He did reminiscent of Thomas Edison’s shop in
to oblige. For more on Mr. Herron’s passing, not run to the store or pick up a catalog to New Jersey. You were assured to see knife
see last issue. solve his dilemma. He simply went out to his blanks of the finest steel sitting alongside
shop and made a knife instead. ivory tusks, marbled exotic woods from far-

T he news was heartbreaking. George Her-

ron is no longer with us.
Meeting him a few years back was a
It was a good one. So good, in fact, that
soon his buddies at work got him to make
one for them. That led to buddies of buddies
flung places, or other materials that would
become the stuff of glistening, finished
Herron knives.
heartwarming and life-altering experience who wanted one. The knives and their qual- The knives took the family on an
for me. He was the type person you meet ity became well known. amazing journey that included thousands
all too rarely in this day and time. He pos- In 1975, George quit his day job and of miles traveled, hundreds of fi nished
sessed a rich sense of humor and gentility started making knives full time. It was a knives, and many, many good friends

Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer©

George Herron made classic hunting knives
and loved to teach others how to do it. (pho-
tos courtesy Bobby Branton)

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 95

Guild.indd 95 4/10/07 2:40:54 PM

 guild directions
guild directions
made along the way.
To this day, when you meet members of
the extended Herron family, you know you
have spent time with people who hold dear
all the qualities that make this country of
ours unequalled.

Master Mentor
George mentored a lot of younger folks in
the fine art of fabricating a special keepsake
knife. To this day, these students of the mas-
ter granddaddy knifemaker, who constantly
dangled a favorite smoking pipe in his
mouth, are sure to mention that George got
them started on their way.

“The knives took

Retail cutlery and cutlery accessories since 1987
the family on an
EXCELLENT MAILORDER PRICES & SELECTION amazing journey.”
CALL FOR YOUR FREE CATALOG
—the author
KNIVES PLUS® 800-687-6202
Retail cutlery and cutlery accessories since 1987
He was a founding member of the South
Carolina Association of Knifemakers. He
2467 I 40 West, Amarillo, TX 79109 www.knivesplus.com did not stop there. He was also one of the
first members, and served as president, of the
Knifemakers’ Guild. In 1987, he was induct-
ed into the Cutlery Hall of Fame. When you
talked with George about all of his honors
and successes, however, there was one honor
that meant a great deal to him.
After being recognized as a 2003 Jean
Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award recipient
in a grand ceremony and joint meeting of the
South Carolina Legislature at the South Caro-
lina Statehouse, the local folks in Springfield
sought out George to serve as grand marshal
in its annual Governor’s Frog Jump Parade.
“They seemed to think there really was some-
thing to ‘the knifemaker’ after that,” George
914-213-5977 was fond of saying, that ever-present gleam
in his eye shining so much more brightly.
If you are lucky enough to own a Herron
knife, you know you have a prize possession.
As its maker did in his time with us, that knife
will give you a lifetime of service, and then

www.knifeshows.com
do the same thing for the person who will be
lucky enough to become the next trustee of a
true South Carolina treasure.
If you do not have a Herron knife but you
still enjoy a story well told; hold your close
friends dear; work hard for a living; never
Your Complete Site for Shows, meet a stranger; share what you have with
others; focus on what is good in life; appreci-
ate quality in your life’s work; or make an ef-
Knives & Makers! fort to bring out the best in others; then, and
only then, you begin to know what this man
was all about.
Log on & see for yourself!
96 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Guild.indd 96 4/10/07 2:41:17 PM

 Modern Art Knives:
Beyond the Samurai Sword
leading edge
leading edge “M odern Art Knives: Beyond the Samurai Sword,”
a special knife exhibition at the National Orna-
mentals Metals Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, will
run from July 15-Sept. 16, according to knifemaker
John Lewis Jensen.
Along with knifemaker Tim McCreight, Jensen
will serve as a co-curator of the exhibition. Each of the
participating knifemakers will be invited to submit up to
three knives. “Work in any style is acceptable and must
be of collectible quality,” Jensen noted. “It is our inten-

Mantis Sponsors Rick tion that the show will demonstrate the wide variety of
art knives being made today.”
At press time, Jensen said that some of the
Wall’s #42 NASCAR makers who have agreed to participate include
Bailey Bradshaw, Virgil England, Allen Elishewitz,

Nextel Cup Racecar

Don Fogg, Larry Fuegen, Chantal Gilbert, Johan
Gustafsson, Jurgen Steinau and more.
A preview of the show will be on display at
the historic Peabody Hotel in Memphis the second
M antis Knives is going high profi le by sponsoring a NASCAR Nextel Cup
racecar, Mantis Knives’ Jared West reported.
“In a special collaboration between Rick Wall Racing and Mantis Knives,
week of June.
For more information contact John Lewis Jensen
323.559.7454 [email protected], www.
the new season will be graced by the presence of the #42 Mantis Knives racecar,” versaillesbuilding.com.
West said. “This car has 850 horsepower and a top speed of 200 miles per hour.
For those interested in watching the progress of Rick Wall and the Mantis Knives
racecar, please feel free to check out the links www.rickwallracing.com, or www. Crowell Wins Lone Star;
mantisknives.com for race schedules and statistics.”
According to West, Wall has won three races on the NASCAR Pro Truck
Bradley First Overall in ICCT
series. While driving the new Mantis-sponsored car, he will wear a fi re suit with
the Mantis “M” embroidered on it.
“Thanks on behalf of Rick and myself to everyone who has supported this idea
J im Crowell held off Reggie Barker to win the Lone
Star Cutting Competition this past December in
Waxahachie, Texas.
from the start,” West noted. “We feel that with Mantis’ support, Rick and his crew Gary Bond, Gayle Bradley and Ted Ott filled out
and the entire team will make it to the big show in no time at all. Before you know the top five places in the event.
it, you’ll be seeing Rick Wall and Kevin Harvick exchanging paint at 185-plus At press time, Bradley held down first in the
miles per hour at California Speedway. Heck, maybe even Daytona.” overall standings of the International Cutting Compe-
tition Trail (ICCT), followed by Ott, Barker, Bond,
For more information contact Mantis Knives, attn: J. West, Dept. BL7, 1580 N.
Scott Devanna and Crowell. The balance of the top 10
Harmony Cir., Anaheim, CA 92807 877.977.2673 mantisknives.com. consisted of Mike Eubanks, John Fitch, Shawn Ellis
and Daniel Winkler.
The ICCT’s overall standings will go a long way
toward determining who will be invited to the BLADE
Show World Championship Cutting Competition during
the BLADE Show June 8-10 at the Cobb Galleria Centre
in Atlanta. For more on who the invitees will be, see the
August BLADE®.

Correction

I n the “Blade News” section of “The Leading Edge”

in the March BLADE®, it was reported that Valiant
Armoury had bought the inventory of ProCut.
As it turns out, according to Peter Kalaydjian of
Emergency Preparedness Products (EPP), a survival
gear wholesaler, the inventory Valiant Armoury bought
from ProCut was the remaining Valiant Armoury inven-
tory that ProCut had on hand at the time. Kalaydjian said
that EPP acquired ProCut in December.
“ProCut’s international reputation of quality
products allowed us to better service the cutlery
market and help introduce new product lines to our
existing dealers,” Kalaydjian noted. “We plan on
continuing with the same friendly and personal
customer care that kept ProCut a leader in the cutlery
distribution industry for many years.”
For more information contact EPP, attn: P. Kalay-
Rick Wall drives the #42 NASCAR Nextel Cup racecar sponsored by Mantis djian, 4045 Via Pescador, Dept. BL7, Camarillo, CA
Knives. The car is wrapped copiously with Mantis Knives graphics on the 93012 800.356.8507, ext. 4045 goprocut.com.
hood and elsewhere. (Mantis Knives photos)

JULY 2007 BLADE / 97

LeadingEdge.indd 120 4/10/07 3:13:25 PM

 handmade
handmade gallery

gallery By BLADE® staff

P roperly embellished and/or decorated, bolsters and fittings serve as table setters for fi ne
knives. Whether just a dab for effect or showy for those who like them that way, they
can turn an attractive knife into an art piece that cuts.

Kevin Harvey not only made the Warthog Hunter but also scroll engraved the
bolster and rear spacer, as well as the spine. The 4-inch blade is differentially
heat-treated O1 tool steel and the handle is wart-hog tooth with buffalo horn
spacers. Kevin’s address: Heavin Forge, POB 768, Dept. BL7, Belfast 1100,
South Africa 2713253-0914 afrikut.co.za. (BladeGallery.com photo)

Julie Warenski did all the engraving on Charles

Bennica’s laguiole French folder. The 4-inch blade
is Conny Persson damascus and the handle is
red coral. Closed length: ~4.75 inches. Bennica’s
address: Chemin du Salet, Dept. BL7, 34190
Moules et Baucels, France 334677-34240 b-ni-
[email protected]. (Point Seven photo)

Mosaic damascus bolsters border the mother-

of-pearl handle of Owen Wood’s Coke Bottle
Double-Action Automatic. The blade is Owen’s
herringbone damascus. His address: 6492 Garri-
son St., Dept. BL7, Arvada, CO 80004 wood.
[email protected]. (Lum photo)

98 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Gallery.indd 2 4/10/07 2:24:58 PM

 Long-time engraver Jim Small embellished the
bolster of Tim Britton’s utility hunter (left). Tim’s
address: 5645 Murray Rd., Dept. BL7, Winston-
Salem, NC 27106 336.972.5627 timbritton@yahoo.
com. (SharpByCoop.com photo)

Bruce Shaw engraved the lengthy front bolster

and butt of Jay Harris’ Toothpick, winner of Best
of Show at the 2006 Bay Area Knife Collectors
Association Show. The 6.5-inch blade is stainless
damascus and the handle is mother-of-pearl. Jay’s
address: POB 828, Dept. BL7, Columbia, CA 95310
209.588.8246 [email protected]. (Lum photo)

Joe Mason engraved the bolsters and handle

pins on S.R. “Steve” Johnson’s dropped hunter.
The blade is ATS-34 stainless and the handle
is amber stag. Steve also made the sheath. His
address: POB 5, Dept. BL7, Manti, UT 84642
435.835.9867 [email protected]. (SharpBy-
Coop.com photo)

Distinctive scroll engraving by Jere Davidson on

both the bolsters and handle pins takes Edmund
Davidson’s healthy integral (right) to the next level.
The 4-inch blade is BG-42 stainless and the handle is
ironwood. Overall length: 9 inches. Edmund’s address:
3345 Virginia Ave., Dept.BL7, Goshen, VA 24439
540.997.5651 edmunddavidson.com. (Point Seven
photo)

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 99

Gallery.indd 3 4/10/07 2:25:18 PM

1120858_BL.qxd 4/9/07 10:38 AM Page 1

A.G. Russell Knives, Inc. C.A.S. lberia Emerson Knives

www.agrussell.com www.casiberia.com www.emersonknives.com
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Angel Sword Canada’s Knife Zone Eric Bergland
www.angelsword.com Online Knife & Sword Store Fine Quality Scandinavian
[email protected] www.knifezone.ca
Missy Beyer, Style Knives
Archers Knives [email protected] www.berglandknives.com
Advertising Sales
ext. 642 www.archersknives.com Carlson Knives [email protected]
e-mail: [email protected] www.carlsonknives.com
[email protected] Ernie Lyle - Knifemaker
[email protected] Arizona Custom Knives www.ernestlyleknives.com
www.arizonacustomknives.com Classic Knife Kits [email protected]
Bruce Wolberg [email protected] www.knifekits.com
Advertising Sales [email protected] Flames N’ Knives
ext. 403 ArtisanIdeas.com www.Flames-N-Knives.com
e-mail: Bladesmithing Books & DVDs Cobra Imports [email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected] Swords, Knives, Armor
Artknives.com www.cobraimports.com John Fraps
www.artknives.com [email protected] www.frapsknives.com
[email protected] [email protected]
Condor Tool & Knife, Inc.
Atlanta Cutlery www.condortk.com Frost Cutlery
www.atlantacutlery.com [email protected] www.frostcutlery.com
[email protected] [email protected]
Custom Knife Gallery of Colorado
Automatic Knives & Italian Switchblades www.customknifegallery.com Georgia Knifemakers’ Guild
“Retail & Wholesale” [email protected] www.georgiaknifemakersguild.com
www.knives4wholesale.com Custom Knife Consignment “Member List, Web sites and
[email protected] Galleries”
www.customknifeconsignment.com
Autumns Edge [email protected] Grand Prairie Knives
www.AutumnsEdge.com www.gpknives.com
[email protected] CustomKnives.com [email protected]
www.customknives.com
Beckwith’s Blades [email protected] Great Lakes Custom Knives
www.beckwithsblades.com www.greatlakescustomknives.com
[email protected] Custom Leather Knife Sheaths [email protected]
www.customsheaths.com
Benchmade [email protected] Guild Knives - Selling
www.benchmade.com Custom Collection, Don Guild
[email protected] Cutlery Specialties
www.restorationproduct.com www.guildknives.com
Benchmark/National Knife Renaissance Micro-Crystalline
Distributors Halpern Titanium
Wax/Polish www.halperntitanium.com
www.nkdi.com Dennis Blaine; [email protected]
[email protected] [email protected]
Blade Art Inc. Dantes Knifeworks Hawkins Knife Making Supplies
www.bladeart.com www.dantesknife.com www.hawkinsknifemakingsupplies.com
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Don Hanson III
Bladegallery.com Sunfish Forge HideAway Knife
www.bladegallery.com www.sunfishforge.com Easy to retain. Easy to conceal.
[email protected] www.donhansonknives.com Fast to access.
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Bob Neal Custom Knives DLT Trading Company
www.bobnealcustomknives.com Hoffman Knives - Selling
[email protected] www.dlttradingcompany.com
customerservice@ Top Quality Collection - Walt
Branton Knives dlttradingcompany.com www.hoffmanknives.com
www.brantonknives.com Jays Knives/American Edge
www.akta-usa.com E-Blades.com
www.e-blades.com www.jaysknives.com
www.combatknifethrowing.com [email protected]
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Brian Tighe EDC Depot Jot Singh Khalsa
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[email protected] The Solution to your Every Day Knives and Swords
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Buckeye Engraving [email protected] [email protected]
www.steelhandstamps.com
[email protected] EdgeDealer.com Knife & Sword Auction
Manufacturer of Custom www.edgedealer.com www.bladebid.com
Hand Stamps [email protected] [email protected]
Busse Combat Knife Company Dave Ellis - “CA. 1st ABS M.S.” Knife Center of the Internet
www.bussecombat.com www.exquisiteknives.com www.knifecenter.com
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
1120858_BL.qxd 4/9/07 10:38 AM Page 2

KnifeMan Moulton Knives Smoky Mountain Knife Works

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High Quality Knives - Low Prices [email protected] [email protected]
[email protected] Museum Replicas
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www.knifemart.com [email protected]
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Lynn O. Olson Steel Addiction Custom Knives
KnifePurveyor.com [email protected]
www.knifepurveyor.com www.SteelAddictionKnives.com
[email protected] Neilson’s Mountain Hollow [email protected]
J & Tess Neilson
Knivesshipfree.com www.mountainhollow.net Johnny Stout
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New Graham Knives
KnifeShows.com www.NewGraham.com Svord Knives
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Bronksknifeworks.com
Knives Plus [email protected] Swamp Rat Knives
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Lee’s Cutlery [email protected] [email protected]
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Legendary Knifemakers.com [email protected] [email protected]
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Lightfoot Knives Specializing in William Henry, www.theknifery.com
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Luna Knives Peters’ Heat Treating The Sword Armory
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Mackrill Knives
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[email protected] Grazyna Shaw Custom Knife Purveyor www.toolshop.de
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Maestro WV Cutlery [email protected]
Jende Industries, LLC Darrel Ralph True North Knives
www.JendeIndustries.com www.darrelralph.com www.truenorthknives.com
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Marzitelli Custom Knives Ray Rogers Handcrafted Knives
www.marzknives.com Twin Blades
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Mastersmiths Uncle Al
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www.winklerknives.com
Charlie Mattox Robertson’s Custom Cutlery [email protected]
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[email protected] [email protected] World Knives, Ltd.
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Moore Cutlery Ruth Knives Featuring a unique selection of
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[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
 spec sheet
spec sheet

By MSG Kim Breed

5th Special Forces (retired)

The 35-Day Test

If you’re looking for one of the lightest, thinnest, sharpest
pocketknives around, the WHK GenTac is for you

I
received an e-mail from Rick Thron- company has started putting pocket clips
bu rg of Willia m Hen r y K n ives on the iterations of its GenTac button-lock
informing me of a first for WHK. The folder—the model G30-CTD of which
was the Blade Magazine 2006 Overall
Knife Of The Year ® —as well as select
models of its other knives.
Now, I did not mind the way WHK
did it before—attaching clips to the
knives’ pouches instead of the knives
themselves—but that approach made me
double check to make sure that I still
had the knife in the pouch. I am used
to a quick sweep with my hand to feel
the clip outside my pants pocket to
let me know I still have the knife.
Anyhow, William Henry taste-
f ully added the pocket-clip
feature without ruining the
great lines of its knives. Over a week’s time, the author used
It was only a couple of the GenTac to cut plenty of leather and
days before the GenTac shave a pine board. The edge stayed
sharp throughout.
G30 -I a r r ived at my
house. One thing I will
say, WHK knows how hardwood box that sets off the whole
to package a knife. piece—first class all the way!
T he G30 -I wa s The initial thing that struck me about
i nside a spor t y the knife is that the clip positions the
G30-I deep inside your pocket. The whole
A thin (.095-inch stock) blade of ZDP- knife is protected and all you can see is a
189 stainless steel and a titanium frame thin piece of titanium on the outside. I
with desert ironwood inlays highlight
the GenTac G30-I from William Henry checked to make sure that the blade was
Knives. Closed length: 3.75 inches. razor sharp. It was. I also looked to see
MSRP: $450. if the lock-up was tight, and I had to
work it in a little. There must have been

102 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Spec.indd 102 4/10/07 8:25:11 AM

 EXHIBITING AT
BLADE SHOW

Check out what's new!

Melissa got first crack at the plastic

sign, then the author cut it 40 times with
the GenTac before he started to notice a
slight drag on the edge.

a small impediment by the button lock

because a quick spray of WD-40 ® and it
worked fine.

“WHK knows
how to package
a knife.”
—the author

Knife Switcheroo
Next I did something that I do not like
World Knives, Ltd.
The Best Selection of Unique, LINDER
to do—I put my locking-liner folder FREE KNIFE! Exotic, Imported Knives
up and carried only the GenTac for 35
With Every Purchase!!! on the Internet! KIZLYAR

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-Friendly Customer Service!

SPEC CHART
MASERIN ROSELLI
Knife GenTac G30-I
Company William Henry Knives www.worldknives.com
Orders/Ques. TOLL FREE! (866) 862-5233
Style Upscale tactical folder
Blade Steel ZDP-189 laminate
Blade Length 3 1/8”
Blade Stock .095”
Blade Pattern Drop point
Rockwell Hardness 67 Rc
Frame One-piece titanium
Handle Desert ironwood
Pocket Clip Titanium, reversible
www.twinxblades.com
Lock Button lock Model 23 CPM S30V Steel
Inlay Citrine stones in lock button and 4 1/2” Blade
Mastodon Ivory Handle Charlie Mathews
thumb peg
w/Stainless Fittings
Weight 1.5 ozs. Harry Mathews
Closed Length 3.75” 121 Mt. Pisgah Church Rd.
Miscellaneous Leather-lined wood Statesboro, GA 30458
presentation box 912-865-9098
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail $450
[email protected]

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 103

Spec.indd 103 4/10/07 2:43:49 PM

 spec sheet
spec sheet
Nordic Knives Featuring the finest in
1634-C Copenhagen Drive Custom & Randall knives
Solvang CA 93463 since 1971
800-992-6574

After the GenTac was used to cut the

plastic sign, it dropped down to 28 cuts
on the half-inch sisal rope. It cut the
rope 80 times the last time the author
tested it. Finally, the edge dulled.

To view our collection,

We buy, sell & consign of the ZDP-189 steel, as I do some pretty
please visit our website at
nasty stuff to my work blades.
entire collections www.nordicknives.com At the shop, my friend, Gary Wheeler,
and I were filling an order for a dozen fixed
Your satisfaction is guaranteed by our return policy blades with leather sheaths. Gary does all
the leatherwork and I do the hand stitching.
I was trimming the ends of the twine
with the GenTac when I thought I felt a
little twinge on my fingertip. I just figured
I had a blister and kept on sewing. As I
finish the sheaths, I toss them to Gary for
final fit. Anyhow, he started ragging me
about getting the leather wet because there
were spots on the edges. I noticed the
spots on the bench and I’ll be darned—I
had a clean slice on my fingertip and, as
I pulled the twine tight, my finger would
bleed. GenTac 1, Author 0.
Enough of that—it was time to dull the
knife some. My fiancée, Melissa, moved
the rest of her things into my house and

When the knife dulled following the cuts

on the plastic sign and the half-inch
sisal rope, all the author had to do was
strop the blade and the hair-popping
edge came back to cut another 80 times.

104 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

Spec.indd 104 4/10/07 1:51:07 PM

 The cardboard boxes did
nothing to dull the edge.
Mother
of
Pearl
Company
Pearl slabs including;
white, gold, pink, black, brown & abalone
OTHER MATERIALS;
filled my garage with a pile of cardboard to 28 cuts. It cut 80 or better the last time I Jig, Pick, Smooth & Stag Bone
in a variety of colors & pat-
boxes. Hmm. I told her to cut the boxes tested it. Finally, it dulled. All I had to do terns: Mosaic Abalone, Buffalo
up with the GenTac and we would throw was strop the blade and the hair-popping & Ram’s Horn, Stingray Skins,
them away. The cardboard did nothing to edge came back to cut another 80 times. I Wallets & Belts.
dull the knife’s edge. Over the next week really like this steel for folders.
or so I cut plenty of leather and shaved a
See Us At:
pine board, but the edge stayed sharp. I Would Change ... The Blade Show
On the next batch of knives I made, I I would like WHK to include a tool to Atlanta, GA
was a little sloppy with the epoxy and had adjust the folder’s pivot bolt. June 8-10, 2007
to scrape it off my workbench. Using the The Knifemakers' Guild Show
GenTac for the job was like using a scalpel. Bottom Line Orlando, FL
The thin blade slid under the drops of dried The GenTac is for you if you are looking July 26-29, 2007
epoxy and popped them off with ease. for the lightest, thinnest, sharpest pock-
Catalog send $5.00 or download from our
Back in the garage I grabbed a plastic etknife around. William Henry keeps it Web site to:
political sign to slice up. One of the locals functional yet very classy. Mother of Pearl Company
decided to put it in my yard without my P.O. Box 445, Franklin, NC 28744
permission. I don’t think so! Melissa got For more information contact William Phone (828) 524-6842
Fax (828) 369-7809
first crack at the sign, then I cut through it Henry Knives, attn: R. Thronburg, Dept. www.knifehandles.com
40 times before I started to notice a slight BL7, 3200 NE Rivergate Dr., McMinnville, www.stingrayproducts.com
drag on the knife’s edge. I went to the OR 97128 888.563.4500 or 503.434.9700 Terms:
workbench and started cutting half-inch www.williamhenrystudio.com. C.O.D. • Prepayment • MC/VISA
sisal rope. The ZDP blade dropped down

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 105

Spec.indd 105 4/10/07 2:47:46 PM

 question &
answer
question & answer

By Joe Szilaski
BLADE ® field editor

Give Me That
Old-Time Patina!
Explore different methods for antique blade finishes to
give your knife that vintage look
1: I am a part-time knifemaker. look. I hope you can help. (Steve, sur-
Recently, I forged a bowie-style blade name and address n/a)
to fi ll a custom order. As requested, I
will brush fi nish the blade and I need Creating an old or antique look can be
to color it for an antique or “old” look. done in many ways. The blade will nat-
I do not have any questions regarding urally age from time and use. To speed
how to do the brush fi nish, but I sure do up the aging process, you can use either
not know what to use to provide the old natural or chemical agents to create a nice

Creating an old or antique look can be done in many

ways. ABS master smith and BLADE® field editor Wayne
Goddard (inset) uses mustard to create an unusual
old appearance on some of his blades. He won the
award for best bowie at the 2006 BLADE Show West
for this mustard-finished blade. Wayne’s address: 473
Durham, Dept. BL7, Eugene, OR 97404 541.689.8098
[email protected]. (BladeGallery.com knife
photo)

BLADE
106 / BLADE blademag.com MAY 2007
JULY 2002

QandA.indd 106 4/10/07 8:28:12 AM

 Blue Ridge Knives
DEALERS ONLY

Over 300
There are several good products on the market specifically
made to color and protect steel. Some are used cold while
Brands
others require heat. The methods are more commonly called
hot or cold bluing.
bluing. Michael Tyre blued the lightning-pattern
mosaic damascus blade of his wharncliffe locking-liner folder.
His address: 1219 Easy St., Dept. BL7, Wickenburg, AZ 85390
928.684.9601 [email protected]. (Stout photo)

old look for most carbon steels. allow you to create various colors, and
One way to do it is to surprise your they come in either liquid or salt form.
wife and tell her that you will cook din- Some are used cold while others require
ner. Use the blade you want to give an an- heat. The methods are more commonly
tique look to chop a few onions, tomatoes, called hot or cold bluing.
lemons, some meat, etc. All these foods Steve, if you decide to use a chemical
contain natural acids that will discolor process, I would suggest cold bluing for
carbon steel. The mild natural acids will your bowie. The advantage to cold bluing
not harm the steel but will give it a pleas- is that it does not require a special bluing
ing patina. tank or a heat source, and that it instan-
ABS master smith and BLADE® field taneously creates color. As soon as you
editor Wayne Goddard applies mustard on submerge the blade into the solution, you
some of his blades to create an unusual will see the color is there. You only need a
old look. Other folks soak the steel in a 15-30-second soak, then remove the blade
mixture of vinegar and salt. The salt will and wash it thoroughly. You can repeat
cause pitting in the steel, which will give the process to achieve a darker color.
an antique appearance but may create
more pitting than desired.
These natural substances work well.
However, you may need to prepare and “You can use
cook several dinners before you get the
blade color you like, and then you may either natural or
end up with a new role in the kitchen—but
hey, every special project has its hazards! chemical agents.”
Some makers use acid-etching solution
to obtain an antique blade fi nish, the same —the author
solution that is used for etching damascus
steel. Take care not to soak the blade in
the acid too long, though, because you do Cold-blue colors do not go as deep into
not want to actually etch the blade but just the steel as the hot-blue ones. The advan-
discolor the surface. A 30-60-second soak tage to cold bluing is that you can remove
should do, then remove the knife from the some or all of the bluing with light buff-
solution. Be sure to neutralize whatever ing. As you buff, you will see the color
etching solution remains by washing the become a little lighter.
blade with baking soda mixed with water I use Brownells’ Oxpho-Blue® for
or other commercially available neutral- Send a copy of your business license and
cold bluing. It gives my blades a beauti- $3 (refundable) for 816 page color catalog.
izing solution. This method should give ful, uniform color. Brownells also sells
you a dark grayish color. These are strong a brown patina for steel to create a color
Minimum order required.
acids, so keep in mind that you should similar to what was used on tomahawks Blue Ridge Knives • Department BL
take all safety precautions and follow the and smooth-barreled rifles back in the old 166 Adwolfe Road • Marion, VA 24354
manufacturer’s directions. days. To get the brown color, you use a
There are several good products on Phone (276) 783-6143
somewhat different process than bluing
the market specifically made to color and and it takes more time to achieve.
Fax (276) 783-9298
protect steel. Gunsmith supply companies I usually employ a hot blue on my Web Site: www.blueridgeknives.com
such as Brownells and art foundry supply blades because it provides even better E-Mail: [email protected]
outfits carry them. The chemical mixtures

JULY 2007 blademag.com BLADE / 107

QandA.indd 107 4/10/07 8:28:40 AM

 question &
question & answer
answer
protection from the elements than cold
bluing. It is an old method of patina used
on gun barrels and other steels that need-
ed more protection from Mother Nature,
but it may not give the worn and happy
“someone-has-used-me-well look” that
you want.
There are other methods of antiquing
steel. Some older, traditional procedures
require more experience, as you could
soften the blade in the process. No matter
what method you choose, you will need to
play around and experiment to achieve the
look that you desire. In any case, be sure
to always clean and oil the blade when fi n-
ished to protect your high-carbon steel.

“The mild natu-

ral acids will not
harm the steel.”
—the author

2: I need some information on a

piece of steel I acquired. It is 1/8x2xby36
inches and is wrapped in a brown craft-
type paper with a medium-blue-col-
ored strip of tape on it. The label says
“Molex O” and “was manufactured in
Cleveland, Ohio.” I wonder about the
steel’s characteristics. I have shaped a
few knives out of it and would love to
know how to heat treat it. And I really
want to know if it would make a good
knife steel. (Shane, Pennsylvania)

It is important to know what steel you are

working with in order to get the most out
of it.
Molex is a registered trademark of As-
sociated Steel in Cleveland, Ohio. Associ-
ated Steel markets a series of tool steels
under that name. The steel you have la-
beled Molex O is the company’s old mark-
ing. According to an Associated Steel
representative, the company now calls the
steel Molex #7. Molex #7 is the company’s
oil-hardening tool steel.
I have never worked with this mate-
rial. Associated Steel advertises it as a
tool steel used widely in heavy industry
and that has exceptional toughness, a
high degree of hardness and good wear
resistance. The accompanying spec sheet
claims that the material is an upgrade in
applications that would usually call for O1
or L6 tool steel, or 52100 bearing steel.

108 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

QandA.indd 108 4/11/07 9:37:21 AM

 Sharpen Your Skills
With T
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BLJUL07.indd 5 4/9/07 3:41:02 PM

 question &
question & answer
ABS Journeyman Bladesmith
answer
The specs the company gives for heat
treating Molex #7 are somewhat differ-
Winner ent because it is often used for tools such
Best Fighter as die blocks, punches, etc. Heat treating
steel for knife blades is different.
ACKS The conversation I had with the
company representative left me with the
J. White Knives impression that the steel is not only oil
308 Regatta Dr. hardened but is somewhat similar to O1.
Niceville, FL 32578 Therefore, I would start by handling it in
850.729.9174 the same fashion as you would O1.
To heat treat O1, preheat the blade
slowly to 1,200-1,250°F. Maintain this
temperature for 5–15 minutes, accord-
ing to the blade thickness. Then bring
the temperature up slowly to 1,500°F, or
the non-magnetic stage. Next, quench the
blade in pre-heated 150°F quenching oil.
Do not let the blade cool to room tem-
perature. When it cools to about 120°F,

10,000+ KNIVES immediately temper it to 375°F and soak

it for two hours. Next, take the blade out,
wait for it to cool again to 120°F, and then
temper for a second time. A triple temper
Great prices and selection or quench can be done as well as a sub-
zero quench. If Molex #7 is all that simi-
lar to O1 tool steel, then you should end
up with a blade with a Rockwell hardness
of 60-61 Rc.

See Us
HAWKINS KNIFE MAKING SUPPLIES “Some makers
At 110 BUCKEYE RD., FAYETTEVILLE, GA 30214
Blade
Show! PHONE 770-964-1023 FAX 770-306-2877 use acid-etching
CONTACT: RADE, JUNE OR RUSSELL HAWKINS
www.HawkinsKnifeMakingSupplies.com
solution.”
BELTS: NORTON, KLINGSPOR, 3-M • STEEL BAR STOCK: 154-CM, BG-42, S-60-V, S-90-V
BANDSAW BLADES: LENOX BI-METAL AND WOOD CUTTING
—the author
DRILL BITS, TAPS, S/S SPLINE HEAD SCREWS 0-80 THRU 6-40
BADER GRINDERS, BALDOR BUFFERS AND MICRO LATHES
AUTOMATIC PARTS: COIL SPRINGS, CUTTERS AND ARBORS Since I do not know the exact chemi-
EPOXY, SUPER GLUE, SOLDER AND FLUX • BUFFING SUPPLIES: COMPOUNDS AND BUFFS cal content of Molex #7, you may need
HANDLE MATERIAL: WOOD, MICARTA, BONE AND HORN to experiment with the tempering tem-
MORE ITEMS AVAILABLE; SEND $2.00 FOR COMPLETE LISTING
perature to get the best out of the steel.
ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED
Associated Steel has a website, www.As-
sociatedSteel.com. The phone number is
800.321.9300.

Send your questions for Wayne God-

dard or Joe Szilaski to BLADE,
POB 789, Ooltewah, TN 37363-0789
[email protected]. Include a
self-addressed, stamped envelope with
your full name and address for a personal
response from Wayne, or e-mail him at
[email protected]. If you would
rather contact Joe by e-mail, his e-mail
address is [email protected]. If you wish,
BLADE will not print your name with
your question.

110 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

QandA.indd 110 4/10/07 8:29:26 AM

 2007
BLADE SHOW
June 8, 9, 10, 2007
In Atlanta’s Cobb Galleria Centre
SHOW OPENS TO THE PUBLIC
Friday, June 8: 2pm - 7pm Saturday, June 9: 9am - 6pm
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• Special Knifemakers Guild Section • The Nation’s Top Collections
• FREE “Super Seminars” • Over 600 Knifemaker and Antique Tables
• Blade Magazine’s 2007 Knives of the Year™ and Manufacturers’ Booths
and Handmade Awards™ • All Major Knifemaking Suppliers

Sponsored By:
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for additional information contact

2007 BLADE SHOW
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Fax: (715) 445-4087
E-mail: [email protected]
FOR UPDATED INFORMATION PLEASE GO TO:
For more information on Giraffebone.com http://www.bladeshow.com
"Where to Get Em."

1127056-BL.indd 1 4/5/07 4:14:53 PM

 where to
where to get ’em
get ’em
UP-AND-COMING TACTICAL MAKERS SMALL ASSISTED-OPENERS
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NC Tool Co. Inc.
6133 Hunt Road steeladdictionknives.com); Phillip Patton, Dept. J. Sullivan, Dept. BL7, Owens Way, Bradford,
Pleasant Garden, NC 27313 BL7, POB 113, Yoder, IN 46798 260.639.6202 PA 16701 814.368.4123 www.wrcase.com;
336/674-5654 • Web site: www.nctoolco.com [email protected]; Lourens Prinsloo Mel Pardue, c/o True North Knives, attn: N.
(for more information contact BladeArt.com, Ostroff, Dept. BL7, POB 176, Montreal, Quebec,
attn: L. Brahms, Dept. BL7, 14216 SW 136 Canada H3Z 2T2 514.748.9985 truenorthknives.
St., Miami, FL 33186 305.255.9176 bladeart. com; Spyderco, attn: J. Laituri, Dept. BL7, 820
com); Les Robertson, c/o Robertson’s Custom Spyderco Way, Golden, CO 80403 800.525.7770
Cutlery, Dept. BL7, POB 1367, Evans, GA www.spyderco.com, customerservice@spyderco.
30809 706.650.0252 robertsoncustomcutlery. com; Joe Szilaski, Dept. BL7, 29 Carroll,
com; Phil Rose (for above under Gerry McGin- Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 845.297.5397
nis for Steel Addiction Knives); Shane Sibert, szilaski.com; TOPS, attn: M. Fuller, Dept. BL7,
Dept. BL7, 230 W. Berkeley St., Gladstone, OR POB 2544, Idaho Falls, ID 83403 208.542.0113
97027 503.650.2082 [email protected]; www.topsknives.com; William Henry Knives,
Mark Terrell, Dept. BL7, POB 1113, Mason, attn: M. Conable, Dept. BL7, 3200 NE River-
TX 76856 325.347.7051 [email protected]; gate, McMinnville, OR 97128 888.563.4500,
True North Knives, attn: N. Ostroff, Dept. BL7, 503.434.9700 www.williamhenryknives.com
POB 176, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3Z 2T2
SANDING BELTS FOR SHARPENING 514.748.9985 truenorthknives.com; Brad Zinker, THE “GO-TO GUYS”
Add 10% to Zirc prices for Ceramic belts. Dept. BL7, 1591 NW 17 St., Homestead, FL Russ Andrews, Dept. BL7, 131 S. Sterling Ave.,
SIZE A.O. ZIRCONIUM S.C. 33030 305.216.0404 [email protected] Sugar Creek, MO 64054 816.252.3344; Steve
BROWN BLUE BLACK Dunn, Dept. BL7, 376 Biggerstaff Rd., Smiths
1”x30” $.80 ea $1.50 ea $1.10 ea KNIFE INDUSTRY STEEL TEAM Grove, KY 42171 270.563.9830; H.H. Frank,
1”x42” .85 1.65 1.40 Todd Begg, Dept. BL7, 420 169 St. S., Spanaway, Dept. BL7, 13868 NW Keleka Pl., Seal Rock,
2”x48”/2”x42” 1.20 2.75 2.20 WA 98387 253.531.2113 beggknives.com; Gayle OR 97376 541.563.3041; D’ Holder, Dept. BL7,
2”x60” 1.60 3.00 2.30 Bradley, Dept. BL7, 1383 Old Gamer, Weather- 7148 W. Country Gables Dr., Peoria, AZ 85381
2”x72” 1.70 3.75 2.50
ford, TX 76088 817.596.2894 gaylebradley@bra 623.878.3064 [email protected]; Joe Kious,
2”x132” 2.80 Sale 4.00 5.00
3”x132” 4.00 Sale 6.00 7.00 dleysblades.com; Crucible Service Centers, 575 Dept. BL7, 1015 Ridge Pointe Rd., Kerrville, TX
4”x36” 1.70 3.75 2.75 State Fair, Syracuse, NY 13201 800.365.1180 78028 830.367.2277; Ron Lake, Dept. BL7, 3360
4”x132” 6.00 9.00 9.50 crucibleservice.com; Lone Wolf Knives, attn: D. Bendix Ave., Eugene, OR 97401 541.484.2683;
6”x48” 3.70 7.00 4.50 Hutchens, Dept. BL7, 17400 SW Upper Boones Kirby Lambert, Dept. BL7, 536 College Ave.,
See our internet specials at: Ferry, Ste. 240, Portland, OR 97224 505.431.6777 Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada S4N 0X3
www.supergrit.com fax 503.431.6776 www.lonewolfknives.com; T.R. 306.737.2333 [email protected]; John
examples: 21⁄2x48” zirc. belts 36Y Reg. $3.50; Sale $2.75 ea. Overeynder, Dept. BL7, 1800 S. Davis, Arling- W. Smith, Dept. BL7, 1322 Cow Branch Rd.,
3”x132” Norton SG Ceramic 60Y Reg. $8.50; Sale $6.00 ea. ton, TX 76013 817.277.4812 trovereynderkniv West Liberty, KY 41472 606.743.3599 jwsmith-
CERAMIC BELTS - NORTON “SG”/CARBO “MEDALLIST®” [email protected]; Chris Reeve Knives, attn: C. knives.com; Nick Wheeler, Dept. BL7, 1109 NW
NORTON® BLUE “NORZON” ZIRCONIA, CORK BELTS Reeve, Dept. BL7, 11624 W. President, Ste. B, Mill St., Winlock, WA 98596 360.785.4255
COTTON BUFFING WHEELS & POLISHING COMPOUNDS
Boise, ID 83713 208.375.0367 www.chrisreeve.
com; Spyderco, attn: J. Laituri, Dept. BL7, 820 2007 BLADE SHOW AD
DISCS, FLAP WHEELS, SHOP ROLLS Spyderco Way, Golden, CO 80403 800.525.7770 Giraffebone.com, attn: Sandy McClure, Dept.
RED HILL CORP., P.O. BOX 4234, GETTYSBURG, PA 17325 www.spyderco.com, customerservice@spyderco. BL7, 3052 Isim Rd., Norman OK 73026
$8.00 S&H com; Strider Knives, attn: D. Dwyer, Dept. BL7, 405.321.3614 [email protected]
(800) 822-4003 Free 48p.
Catalog
120 N. Pacific, Unit L-7, San Marcos, CA 92069
760.471.8275 www.striderknives.com

112 / BLADE JULY 2007

Get_em.indd 2 4/10/07 2:16:13 PM

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 hot handmade
hot handmade

By BLADE ® staff

Sweden’s Michael Almqvist has

been making knives for 30 years
and that experience appears to
have paid off quite well in his
Snake Tooth model. (BladeGal-
lery.com photo)

Spec Check

Knife Snake Tooth

Maker Michael Almqvist
Style Fixed blade

A
Blade Material Twist-pattern da- smorgasbord of curves and sharp Dare we say it? It’s a knife you can sink
mascus in 20C and 15n20 carbon edges only where you need them your teeth into.
steels forged by Roger Bergh give Michael Almqvist’s “Snake
Blade Stock .015” Tooth” a look and feel like few knives. For more information on the Snake
Blade Length 3.53” Made of snakewood—what else?—the Tooth, contact BladeGallery.com, attn:
Blade Width .080” handle is a study in contours, dips and D. O’Malley, Dept. BL7, 107 Central
Handle Snakewood swells, all designed to nestle into your Way, Kirkland, WA 98033 425.889.5980
Bolster Mammoth ivory palm just so. Forged by Michael’s fellow www.BladeGallery.com, or Michael
Weight 2.16 ozs. Swede, Roger Bergh, the 3.53-inch blade Almqvist, Kungsvagen 54, Dept. BL7, 930
Overall Length 7.85” is a twist-pattern damascus in 20C and 10 Lovanger, Sweden 0046913-10072
Sheath Traditional tooled Swedish 15n20 carbon steels that sports a dip of its [email protected], home.swipnet.se/
hunting model (not shown) own just under midway of the spine, fol- carlmichael.
BladeGallery.com’s List Price $850 lowed by an unusual clip that ends with an
ever-so-slight upsweep.

114 / BLADE blademag.com JULY 2007

HotHandmade.indd 114 4/10/07 11:37:49 AM

PȥȒɭɄɑȸȇѼɕțȨȽȐɕɜȲȽȨȚȐȃǸɜǸȸɄȠѱ

W
ith an unmatched guarantee, an excellent selection, Whether you’re a collector of fine rare knives, or just a knife
and outstanding value, it’s no wonder that the A.G. user who demands only the highest quality, A.G. Russell is
Russell Catalog of Knives has been the world’s the catalog you can depend on for all your knife needs.
finest knife catalog for the better part of 40 years. With
brands such as Columbia River, Buck, Klötzli, Case and Canal
Order your free catalog today by calling:
Street , and featuring handmade knife makers like Tinus 479-571-6161 - Dept #H0707
Beukes, Gaetan Beauchamp, Larry Page, and Bob Dozier just Visit us online at
to name a few, this is the only knife catalog you’ll ever need. www.agrussell.com/H0707

2900 S. 26th St. • Rogers, AR 72758 • 479-571-6161

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