Innehållsförteckning för February 2025 från Blade

The Nate Posner Award I was so happy to see the article in BLADE® about BLADE editor/BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member Steve Shackleford receiving the Nate Posner Award, as well as the report on the three inducted into the Cutlery Hall of Fame at last year’s BLADE Show: T. M. “Ted” Dowell, Bill Harsey and Don Fogg (pages 10 and 38, September BLADE). While Ted’s induction did not occur during his lifetime, I was so happy that his wife Betty was still living when it happened. Their son, Jeff Dowell, sent me a photo of Betty holding Ted’s Hall-of-Fame plaque and she was absolutely beaming. Little did we know that her death would occur a month after the induction ceremony (page 6, January BLADE). I was equally happy that Steve…

When it comes to spending your hard-earned dollar, knowing what to look for in a knifemaker provides a perspective that can’t be achieved any other way. The knife itself offers a real, tangible opportunity to assess the workmanship, and a dialogue with the maker—or at least some knowledge of his or her career and standing in the knife community at large—allows for informed decision-making. “The main thing I look for in a knifemaker is someone with an original design aesthetic,” observed longtime collector Jim Berkenfield. “I always tell up-and-coming makers that they want to create something that can be immediately identified as theirs if it is sitting on a table in the middle of 100 other knives.” Meanwhile, being mentored by a leading maker is not something Jim looks for…

“SOMETIMES THE SIMPLE DESIGNS STAND OUT MOST BECAUSE THEY ARE SOLID USERS.” I have always had an issue with the word tactical. Realistically, almost anything could be called tactical. Is the word about appearance or features? So, I was thinking about wearing camo and a bandana while testing three midsize factory tacticals—two folders and one fixed blade. Outside of that, you can flood the editor’s box (steve@blademag.com) with what you think tactical means. Be polite—I want to keep my job. The test subjects are the CobraTec Special Ops, Maserin 920/TP Tactical and Hogue Deka Manual folder. I carried them for a while and found plenty for them to do. Some of them weren’t so tactical. I was able to get a good feel for them and I will share it all…

VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.BLADEMAG.COM TO: • Sign up for our free newsletter. • Renew your magazine subscription. There’s a subscription link in the nav bar. • Comment on our site stories written by BLADE® staff members and others. LOOK FOR BLADE MAGAZINE ON: SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES: Visit us on the web at www.blademag.com or call 877-485-6426. BOOK SALES: Visit us at www.gundigeststore.com or call 920-471-4522. BACK ISSUES FOR SALE: Subject to Availability. Call 920-471-4522. ADVERTISING: Contact Lori McDaniel at 715-498-3768 or lori@gundigest.com, or request a media kit by writing to: BLADE, 5583 W. Waterford Ln., Suite D., Appleton, WI 54913. LETTERS OR ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS: Steve Shackleford, Editor BLADE Magazine 5583 W. Waterford Ln., Suite D Appleton, WI 54913 or email steve@blademag.com.…

When knife fans think Vikings and Viking blades, the seax is at or near the top of the list. The seax (pronounced sax) blade shape originated in northern Europe from late Roman to early medieval times and was used widely by the Germanic tribes. Seax means knife or cutting tool, both of which aptly describe the useful blade shape that is equally at home as a tool or a weapon. Typical uses include but are not limited to food preparation, general cutting, carving and more. Medieval warriors entered battle carrying swords, axes and the seax as a back-up. It was a very well-rounded knife design that played a prominent role in daily life. Typical seax construction included forged carbon steel blades paired with wood, bone or antler handles. The handle…

The balisong has become a global symbol of precision and cutting edge design, with Benchmade, Boker Plus, Schrade and Squid Industries among those pushing the boundaries of the knife’s craftsmanship. Incorporating high-quality steel alloys, handle materials and the smoothest in pivot technology have elevated the four companies’ latest balisongs—aka butterfly knives—and those of others as well to new heights of performance and aesthetics. The Boker Plus Papillon is a contemporary take on the classic balisong, blending traditional design with advanced materials and engineering. The skeletonized stainless steel handles, finished with a bead blast, provide a comfortable and secure grip, even during extended use. The heart of the knife is the blade of D2, a tool steel renowned for exceptional edge retention and durability. The stonewashed finish enhances the blade’s aesthetic…

KNIVES WITH SEAX APPEAL P. 12 CAS Iberia/Legacy Arms, CAS Iberia, attn: P. Shipley, Dept. BL2, 650 Industrial Blvd., Sale Creek, TN 37373-9797 423.332.4700 pshipley@casiberia.com, www.casiberia.com; Condor Tool & Knife, attn: R. Jones, Dept. BL2, 9924 Universal Blvd. #224-106, Orlando, FL 32819 407-458-9396 fax 407-458-9397 rtj@att.net, condortk.com; Emerson Knives, Inc., attn: D. Trefflich, Dept. BL2, 1234 West 254th, Harbor City, CA 90710 310-539-5633 www.emersonknives.com, danny@emersonknives.com; TOPS Knives, Dept. BL2, 3415 E. 109 N., Idaho Falls, ID 83401 208-542-0113 info@topsknives.com, www.topsknives.com DOES YOUR CUTLER CUT IT? P. 24 Elemental Forge, c/o Chris Losacco, chrislosacco13@gmail.com; Lloyd Hale, https://www.facebook.com/people/Lloyd-Hale-knives/100063611430970/; Paul LeBatard 228-238-7461 lebatardknives@aol.com; Schuyler Lovestrand 772-453-7424 lovestranded@aol.com; Bertie Rietveld 27 83 232 8766 Intl 083 232 8766 Local, bertie@rietveldknives.com, rietveldknives.com; Bob Terzuola, terzuola.net LATEST ACROBAT BLADES P. 32 Benchmade USA, Dept. BL2, 300…

1. FOX KNIVES ELEMENTUM DAGGER BLADE LENGTH: 3.94” BLADE STEEL: Bohler N690 stainless HANDLE MATERIAL: Black polypropylene and Thermo rubber (PP and TPE) WEIGHT: 3.53 ozs. OVERALL LENGTH: 8.11” SPECIAL FEATURE: One side plain, one side serrated SHEATH: Kydex w/dual MOLLE mounts COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Italy MSRP: $123.40 at press-time exchange rate 2. KA-BAR EK COMMANDO PRESENTATION KNIFE BLADE LENGTH: 6.625” BLADE STEEL: 440C stainless HANDLE MATERIAL: Walnut WEIGHT: 8.8 ozs. OVERALL LENGTH: 12.625” SHEATH: Brown leather belt model COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA MSRP: $351.64 3. SPARTAN-GEORGE RAIDER DESIGNER: Les George BLADE LENGTH: 7” BLADE MATERIAL: SK5 carbon steel HANDLE MATERIAL: Black thermoplastic WEIGHT: 7.1 ozs. OVERALL LENGTH: 12” KNIFE TO KNOW: Tribute to U.S. Marine Corps Raider stiletto of World War II SHEATH: Black injection molded COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:…

Note: Entries with an asterisk (*) include knives and knife accessories as the main/sole focus. Entries with two asterisks (**) include knife seminars or symposiums, cutting or balisong competitions, auctions or other knife-related events. FEBRUARY FEB. 1-2 BOAZ, AL Beulah’s Annual Knife Show, Beulah Family Life Center/Beulah Baptist Church. Contact Brandon Shankles bamboo_02@yahoo.com 256-630-3624. FEB. 1-2 ANAHEIM, CA California Custom Knife Show – Spring, Embassy Suites Anaheim South. Visit RECON1.com. FEB. 15 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK Oklahoma’s Largest Knife Show, Oklahoma City Fairgrounds. For more info visit oklahomaknifegroup.com.* ** FEB. 22 HUNTSVILLE, TX Rocket City Knife Show, Huntsville Jaycee Building. Contact Kevin Abernathy 256-653-7073 kevinknives@hotmail.com. FEB. 28-MARCH 2 INEZ, KY Inez Kentucky Knife Show, Roy Collier Community Center. Contact Mason Fitch 606-626-6108 masonfitch@outlook.com. MARCH MARCH 7-8 FORT WORTH, TX The 4th Annual…

Matt Aaron got the idea for his Blacksmith’s Automatic Folder when he took a friction folder class taught by ABS master smith Nick Rossi. Matt’s original intent was how to get a more complicated knife with a similar number of parts as a friction folder. He mulled it over with Rossi and others for two or three years and, inspired by Nick and his taco-style friction folder construction approach, arrived at the Blacksmith’s Auto. The lock is a hybridization of a lockback auto mixed with a little bit of bolster release auto and some of Matt’s own design. The brass lever operates the opening, closing and locking mechanism. The knob at the pivot is not a push button but simply the pivot. Matt forged, folded and cut the lock spring…

The Spektra Dagger by Rafal Kolakowski has an imposing fullered, blackened blade of Becut stainless steel and a highly textured handle of black carbon fiber that also serves as a safe integral double guard. For more on it and the latest in what promises to be a hot custom category this year, see the story on page 40. With decorative etching on its hickory handle and an extensive straight edge, the Norse Dragon Seax from Condor Tool & Knife captures the ancient seax style with a 21st-century vibe. Check out it and other of today’s latest seax knives in the story on page 12. The Tanto Kwaiken is Drew Lininger’s interpretation of the small, single-edged dagger carried for self-defense by the storied Samurai of Japan. Along with other outstanding custom…

Each of the featured test balisongs also comes in a “trainer” version—that is, a model with a blunt tipped/dull-edged blade that enables you to practice flipping without fear of inadvertently cutting yourself. Since everything else—weight, size, feel, etc.—is basically the same as their “live” variants, the trainers are particularly good for beginners to both learn and practice how to use the real thing. Moreover, the trainers also come in handy for those looking to safely try out difficult flipping maneuvers that require practice and repetition. For more information on trainers for the featured balis, see the companies’ contact information in “Where To Get’Em” on page 45.—by BLADE® staff…

The lure of the Eastern style has captivated cutlery artisans for centuries, and interpretations of it remain alive and well, blending tradition seamlessly with modern techniques and materials while staying true to their roots in Japanese culture. While there is plenty of skill required and the artist’s eye lends its perspective, custom knifemakers continue to produce wonderful examples in fusions of blade, tsuka (handle) and furniture—and they are quick to explain the reasons why. “Japanese blades have both an elegance and a mystique to them,” said maker Denis Tyrell of Livermore, California. “They have subtle curves that really appeal to me. They are also very complex to build and get right—I’m still striving for a higher standard.” Setting out on a creative path that brought modern and traditional methods together,…

“We love knives and don’t spend a waking moment without ours. Kaleb carries a Buck that has a razor edge. He also carries a bone handle Schrade Old Timer skinning knife. He loves them. I carry a CRKT and I switch off between it and my Boy Scout knife. Oh, and our dad loves knives as much as we do. He carries a SOG.” Dakoda and Kaleb Singleton, Marion, Virginia For the latest knives, knife news, trends and more, visit blademag.com, BLADE®’s popular Instagram page @blade_magazine, and on Facebook and Twitter. WIN A KNIFE! Tell us what knife you carry. Add a little history or an anecdote. Try to include a photograph—if digital, at least 600 KB but no larger than 2 MB—of you with your knife. We will publish…

A.G. Russell Knives, Inc. www.agrussell.com ag@agrussell.com A.G. Russell The Cutting Edge® www.cuttingedge.com ce-asst@cuttingedge.com Admiral Steel www.admiralsteel.com sales@admiralsteel.com Widest Range of Stock for Blade Needs Andre de Villiers www.advtactical.co.za Facebook - Andre de Villiers Facebook Group - ADV SOB BADNESS IG - advtactical adv44sales@gmail.com Butcher SOB folders and button lock flippers Arizona Custom Knives www.arizonacustomknives.com sharptalk@arizonacustomknives.com Largest selection in the world of new and consigned knives on the internet. Let us help you find the perfect knife Artknives.com www.artknives.com fred@fredeisenleather.com BladeGallery.com www.bladegallery.com www.bladeconnection.com www.epicedge.com Buckeye Engraving www.BuckeyeEngraving.com Make Your Mark Manufacturer of Custom Hand Stamps, Dies and Brands Cutlery Specialties www.restorationproduct.com dennis13@aol.com Renaissance Micro-Crystalline Wax/Polish, Dennis Blaine Ed Fowler Knives www.edfowler.com eafwb@wyoming.com High Endurance Performance Knives Emerson Knives, Inc. 100% Made In The USA https://emersonknives.com 310-539-5633 Farina Fine Arts www.farinafinearts.com studio@farinafinearts.com…