Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2019 i Blade

If ever the saying “you can’t judge a book by its cover” applied to someone, that someone would be BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® member Frank Centofante. What Frank may have lacked in Hollywood good looks—I can see him giving me his patented sidelong “look” now—he more than compensated for in treating those he dealt with in a sincere and caring fashion. If you needed his help and he was able, he would provide it. By the same token, if you did something wrong he would take you to task. He was nothing if not fair and measured in most everything he did. Though he would chuckle at the notion—and as his fellow Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer and friend Ron Lake observes in the story on page 71—Frank was a natural leader. In…

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 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 knife. The drawing will be November 15. Mail to: BLADE® , POB 789, Ooltewah, TN 37363-0789, or e-mail steve@blademag.com. If you send your entry by e-mail, please include your physical mailing address in case you win the knife.…

Often enough, time is of the essence. When it comes to deploying a knife to get a job done, it can make the difference between effi ciency and fumbling with two hands. There is a place and a time for swift opening, and knife manufacturers today are paying attention to that critical attribute with some of the world’s fastest openers. Responding to popular demand, they have developed finely tuned implements that incorporate the best materials, mechanisms and expert knowhow in their products. At Columbia River Knife & Tool, designer M.J. Lerch of Sussex, Wisconsin, has seen her brainchild come to life in the Hyperspeed—one of several fast openers in the company’s line. The fleet folder incorporates a 3.582-inch blade of 8Cr14MoV stainless steel with a glass-reinforced nylon handle that sports…

Note: Events with an asterisk (*) have knives and knife accessories as the main/sole focus. Events with two asterisks (**) are knifemaking seminars or symposiums, cutting competitions, auctions or other knife-related events. JULY JULY 12-13 BELLEVILLE, IL Belleville Knife Expo, Belle Clair Fairgrounds. Contact Carl Edwards 618-645-2959 bvilleknife@yahoo.com.* JULY 12-14 AUBURN, ME The 11th Annual New England Hammer-In, New England School of Metalwork. Contact Dereck Glaser 888-753-7502 dglaser@newenglandschoolofmetalwork.com and/ or Cindy Sheely 419-832-0400 cindy@americanbladesmith.com.** JULY 27-28 WASHINGTON, MO The AIK Knife Show, Elks Lodge. Contact Crystal 618-656-9868 adamsknifeworks.com@gmail.com, aikknifeshow.com.* AUGUST AUG. 3-4 SYDNEY, NSW, AUSTRALIA Sydney Knife Show, Rosehill Gardens Grand Pavilion. Visit knifeartassociation.com/Sydney-knife-show/ .* AUG. 3-4 CROSSVILLE, TN Cumberland County Knife & Gun Show, Cumberland County Complex. Contact Donnie 931-250-1981 donnie.moody@hotmail.com. AUG. 16-17 BOISE, ID The 6th Annual Idaho…

A blade’s profile geometry has a considerable effect on how well the knife works for an intended use. A blade with a substantial curve facilitates slicing cuts along the length of the edge, as on skinners and some butcher knives, such as steak scimitars. Straighter blades work well for tip control and power cutting. A recurve combines features of a couple of blade styles. Depending on the size of the knife and its intended use, the recurve provides certain benefits. The edge line is “S”-like in shape. The overall form leaves the front part of the blade with a sweeping curve. Such a curve provides the edge with belly for slicing and plow/furrow-like cuts, along with the ability to do detailed cuts using a reverse pinch grip. As to which…

He was the right man for the time. He built consensus, devoting energy and affable drive to the effort, serving as president of the Knifemakers’ Guild for eight years (1989-96). BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® member Frank Centofante offered time and talent as a Guild administrator while simultaneously creating quality handmade knives that stand the test of time and fostering his craft among others. His was indeed a rare combination of abilities. “ It was really the best time for the Guild, and it thrived under his leadership,” remembered Sue Centofante, Frank’s wife of 43 years, who was at his side working on behalf of the organization as well. “He was, first of all, a gentleman. He was also a good speaker and facilitator, and a good person. He was always…

Montana joined the growing number of states fully legalizing automatic knives and observing knife preemption legislation this past April with the passage and signing of HB 155 into law. The dual-purpose bill, which went into effect April 3, repealed a measure that had limited the carry or use of autos to those with blades under 1.5 inches long. Moreover, by preventing local governments from enacting or enforcing any ordinance, rule or regulation that restricts or prohibits the use, possession or sale of any type of knife that is not specifically prohibited by state law, HB 155 doubles as a statewide knife preemption measure. For more information visit akti.org and/or kniferights.org.…

Anew look and feel in titanium highlights K.C. Gray’s “Superstition” flipper folder. Called Stag TextureTech® and developed by Alpha Knife Supply (alphaknifesupply.com), the striking handle material had been available in commercially pure titanium and copper and bronze only but now comes in the more mainstream 6Al4V titanium, according to Gray. “It’s an interesting material, very grippy, and provides a really unique look,” he said. One of Gray’s customers came up with the knife’s name. “I posted the original prototype on Instagram and a lot of people expressed interest in it,” he observed. “A customer suggested the name ‘Superstition,’ so I ran with it.” For more information contact K.C. Gray, Gray Handmade Knives, Dept. BL7, 3911 S. Grand Palm Dr., Tucson, AZ 85730 520-425-0779 grayhandmadeknives@gmail.com, Facebook/Instagram: kc_gray_knives. For the latest knives,…

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. Outside USA: 386-246-3419. BOOK SALES: Visit us at www.gundigeststore.comor 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, 5600 W. Grande Market Dr., Appleton, WI 54913. LETTERS OR ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS: Steve Shackleford, Editor BLADE Magazine PO Box 789, Ooltewah, TN 37363-0789 or email steve@blademag.com.…

Out-the-front automatic knives are a genuine thrill. Arguably, they are the most entertaining to operate of all autos. BLADE® has not polled the masses for a consensus view, but, in this writer’s subjective opinion, OTFs get top billing on the line-up of cool fast knives. The examples herein are double-action OTFs, where you slide a handle button forward or backward to build spring pressure and clear two locks that hold the blade in place, either open or closed. Double-action OTFs rely on inertia to throw the blade fully open or closed, as opposed to a single-action that is button-released from a spring-loaded position and has to be manually retracted (page 42). “OTFs are cool!” exclaimed Anthony G. Marfione, owner of Heretic Knives. He should know. Marfione is a second-generation maker…

“Spec Sheet” compared a custom knife and a factory model a few issues back and the response was positive. We’re doing it again this time with the Matt Richey custom Bird and Trout and Flexcut factory Explorer. The two small knives work great for EDC or tucked away in a backpack. Each can slice up a storm and also do heavier chores. Both have beautiful wood handles and 1095 carbon steel blades. Richey’s blade is more of a saber grind, while Flexcut’s is of the Scandi variety. FRESH EDGE CHECK I like to slice paper first to check out the fresh edge. Using 20-pound bond paper, the Bird and Trout went first. I could hear the paper being cut—zip, zip, zip—in clean slices the full length of the blade. This…

Knives come in all types and sizes. The knives in Brittany Gambee’s collection, for instance, are miniatures, all of which, with the exception of one, are made by ABS journeyman smith Dale Huckabee. And the genesis for them all started with a hug—or the lack thereof. It started almost two decades ago when Brittany was 6. She and her mom, Dianna, were visiting their first Batson’s Bladesmithing Symposium, a three-day celebration of bladesmithing seminars and knives at the Tannehill Ironworks and park in McCalla, Alabama. Then a fledgling bladesmith, Huckabee was displaying his knives at his second or third Batson event, when up walked Brittany. “This little girl about 2 or 3 feet high came up and said she’d give me a hug for a knife,” Dale recalled. Huckabee was…

A.G. Russell Knives, Inc. www.agrussell.comag@agrussell.com Adams International Knifeworks - AIK www.adamsknifeworks.comCustomized Automatic Knife Specialist Admiral Steel www.admiralsteel.comterry@admiralsteel.com Widest Range of Stock for Blade Needs Alaska - Northern Knives www.northernknives.comA Real Store & Working Knife Shop! Andre de Villiers - Facebook email - adv44sales@gmail.com www.advtactical.co.zaButcher SOB folders. Arizona Custom Knives Largest selection in the world of new and consigned knives on the internet. Let us help you find the perfect knife. www.arizonacustomknives.comsharptalk@arizonacustomknives.com Arkansas Made Dozier, Inc. www.dozierknives.cominfo@dozierknives.com Artknives.com www.artknives.comfred@fredeisenleather.com BladeGallery.com www.bladegallery.com www.bladeconnection.com www.epicedge.com BladeJunkee www.bladejunkee.combladejunkee73@gmail.com BladeOps, LLC www.bladeops.comtrevor@bladeops.com Bocki Custom Knives www.bockiknives.comeshword@aol.com Buckeye Engraving www.BuckeyeEngraving.comStamps@BuckeyeEngraving.com Manufacturer of Custom Hand Stamps, Dies and Brands CRKT www.crkt.cominfo@crkt.com Culpepper & Co., Inc. www.knifehandles.com www.oldschoolknifeworks.com www.stingrayproducts.com info@culpepperco.com Custom Knife Gallery of Colorado www.customknifegallery.combob_glassman@yahoo.com Cutlery Specialties www.restorationproduct.comdennis13@aol.com Renaissance Micro-Crystalline Wax/Polish, Dennis Blaine D. Hoskin's Hand-Made Combat Knives www.dhoskinsknives.comdhbladeisland@twc.com Bob Dozier Knives www.dozierknives.cominfo@dozierknives.com Emerson Knives www.emersonknives.cominfo@emersonknives.com Faneema Cutlery…

GREASED LIGHTNING P. 12 Boker USA, attn: N. Nevins, Dept. BL7, 1550 Balsam St., Lakewood, CO 80215 800-992-6537 fax 303-462-0668 www.bokerusa.com; Heretic Knives, Dept. BL7, Palm Bay, FL 772-918-4065 Anthony@hereticknives.com, hereticknives.com; Hogue Knives, attn: Bill Crook, Dept. BL7, POB 91360, Henderson, NV 89009 805-239-1440 800-438-4747 office@hogueinc.com, hogueknives.com; Microtech, attn.: A.L. Marfione, Dept. BSP19, 15A National Ave., Fletcher, NC 28732 828-684-4355 fax 828-684-4354 microtechknives.com, marketing@microtechknives.com CUTOUT AT THE ICCE CORRAL P. 28 Todd Begg, Dept. BL7, 1425 Century Dr. #201, Carrollton, TX 75006 253-355-0121 toddbeggknives@gmail.com Instagram/Facebook: @Todd Begg Knives/Todd Begg; Stanley Buzek, Dept. BL7, POB 621, Caldwell, TX 77836 346-412-2532 sbuzekknives.com, stan@sbuzekknives.com Instagram/Facebook: @SBuzek Knives/ SBuzek Knives; Larry Cox, Dept. BL7, 701 W. 13th St, Murfreesboro, AR 71958, Phone: 870-258-2429, Fax: Cell: 870-557-8062, cox870@windstream.net; Josh Fisher Knives, Dept. BL7, 8419 CR…

Most good articles start with a story, one that focuses on a unique experience. This one concerns a recent find at a huge flea market in Denver, Colorado. Once a prime location for discovering many treasures, the Denver flea market has changed from a true antique collector’s fair to a drop-off place for items in storage lockers. Hence, finding authentic treasures has become a challenge. Even so, I espied a fixed blade on a table along with myriad other items. It was not the knife that drew my attention but the leather sheath housing the large, stag-pommeled hunter. It was the finest example of leather tooling I have ever seen. Using a floral design favored by many custom leatherworkers, it was a dark, luxurious brown, rich with patina. With the…

Designed by Allen Elishewitz, the Compound from Hogue Knives is a double-action OTF (out-the-front) automatic—in other words, you can both open and close it with the same spine-mounted push-pull slide release located on the handle, and do so with one hand. In essence, a double-action OTF auto is the most one-handed of all one-hand folders. The 3.5-inch, single-edge blade of CPM S30V stainless steel features options of clip-point or tanto patterns and tumbled or black-PVD-coated finishes. The 6061-T6 frame comes in a choice of honeycomb-textured G-10 and G-Mascus handle materials and colors. The deep-carry tip-down pocket clip is ambidextrous. Weight: 3.6 ounces. Closed length: 4.9 inches. MSRP: $379.95. For more information contact Hogue Knives, attn: Bill Crook, Dept. BL7, POB 91360, Henderson, NV 89009 805-239-1440 or 800-438-4747 offi ce@hogueinc.com, hogueknives.com,…

“The orange folder is a Spyderco Assist that’s great for cutting rope and seat belts. It has a squeezed-close blade and a retractable glass breaker extends from the butt. This is a knife every parent/grandparent should carry. The fixed blade is a Jolly Roger custom knife made by Sean Weirick in Hoover, Alabama. A Kydex or leather sheath is available. This blade is always in my vehicle for whatever.” Jim Holliman, Hoover, Alabama “I carry a DPx HEST F 2.0 folder. I like the bottle opener and wire stripper. It’s just one tough little knife.” Cameron Jones, a letter via e-mail “My KA-BAR Komodo Folder is always in my pocket. I love the straight edge and the name. Sounds like I’ve got a dragon on me.” Sandy Wainwright, a letter…

The International Custom Cutlery Exposition’s first appearance at a new venue—the Stockyard Station March 29-30 in Fort Worth, Texas—appears to have been a very successful one, with the winners of the event’s custom knife awards heading up a honed herd of sharp blades. The ICCE includes members of both the Knifemakers’ Guild and the American Bladesmith Society, with the ICCE awards going to select members of both organizations and the ABS and Guild presenting awards exclusive to their members as well. In addition to those pictured, other Guild Award winners were: Best Hunter-Edmund Davidson; Best Collaboration-Travis Payne with blade carving by Spencer Alpine and scrimshaw by Raluca Markow; Best Fighter-Paul LeBatard; Best Folder-Gene Baskett; Best Multi-Blade Folder-Bill Ruple; and Judges Choice-Edmund Davidson with engraving by Jere Davidson and scrimshaw by…

Today’s selection of choices is mind-boggling for every genre of knife. Automatics are no exception. Four companies provided their latest models for this exercise: Bear & Son and its Bear Ops line, Boker USA/ Pro-Tech Knives, Kershaw and Buck. First up: Bear & Son with the Bear Ops Bold Action IX folder. The smallest auto of the test bunch with a 2.75-inch blade, the Bold Action IX takes styling cues from its bigger tactical brethren. At the same time, the knife is scaled down to a handy and comfortable EDC size. With a closed length of 3.75 inches, it comes in two handle configurations and two blade finishes to suit a variety of tastes. The former pair consists of carbon-fiber bolsters and black G-10 and a dressier version with carbon-fiber…