Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Blade - November 2020
Blade - November 2020
NOVEMBER 2020
www.blademag.com
COW
MO JASON
KNIGHT
Forged
INTERMEDIATE FO
THE LIN RHEA WAY
inFire:
GUARDS: KEYS TO
& SILVER SOLDER P
INFLUENCERS OF
CUSTOM HUNTERS
KNIFE INDUSTRY
AND COVID-19 P. 78
US $5.95
CAN $6.95
11
0 09281 50251 7
Display until November 02, 2020
-----------NOVEMBER 2020
CONTENTS
54
Spyderco’s
Lum Darn Dao.
(Pat Covert image)
12
Jason Knight
forging demo
in Johnson City,
28
Tennessee.
(Shelly Knight
image)
The Hunter’s Dream by Steve Schwarzer. (Weyer International image)
FEATURES ------------
10 PARDON MY APPENDAGE 48 SQUARE HOUSES PART VII
What about knives is susceptible to the cancel culture? Learn how to fit and silver solder the guard the Ed Fowler way.
By Steve Shackleford By Ed Fowler
[4 ] B L A D E ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
SPOTLIGHT
6 | READERS RESPOND
7 | COVER STORY
20 | THE KNIFE I CARRY
62 | SHOW CALENDAR
64 | NEXT IN BLADE ®
64 | WHERE TO GET ’EM Domestic Producers of sheet and plate products for the knife industry.
Stainless and tool steel grades, all CPM knife steels plus new:
67 | BLADE SHOPPE CPM cruwear, CPM 20-CV and 6/4 titanium sheet, and the
68 | WHERE TO NET ’EM re-introduction of CPM S60V (CPM 440V).
Quick response. Quality workmanship.
69 | AD INDEX
75 | WHAT’S NEW
34
Shawn
McIntyre
custom
hunter.
(Sharp-
ByCoop
image)
70
agrussell.com
Dept #H1120
D To gh
Pro-Tech TR-5 in Devin Thomas
Basketweave damascus. (Justin Ayres It’ll NEVER be a Screwdriver.
image)
© 2020 A.G. Russell Knives
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ B L A D E [5 ]
READERS RESPOND
was not going to waste time on someone admire their skills and professionalism.
The Joy of Knifemaking ------------- who was not willing to work and learn. I can only imagine the headaches and
Hobby: an activity or interest pursued
He did not give up on me and I did not conflicts one would have to deal with
for pleasure or relaxation and not as a
give up on knifemaking. daily as a full-time maker, and, at the
main occupation.
I started acquiring the machines end of the week, be able to pay his/her
I am a hobbyist knifemaker. I enjoy
and tools necessary to make knives. bills and provide for his/her family.
making knives but I never sell them.
I took BLADE Magazine Cutlery
I seldom get stressed. I never have
Hall-Of-Fame® member Gil Hibben’s Frank Richey, a letter via e-mail
deadlines. I never have accounting,
knifemaking course. I was honored to
billing, collection, tax and business
meet and study under one of the great
problems. I don’t have a waiting list.
master knifemakers. This really opened
Jamin, not George, Brackett
I make knives for the joy of making I really appreciated seeing my work in
my eyes to what making knives was
knives. I make knives for pleasure and your magazine, especially the pointing
all about. I came home with a renewed
relaxation, and to create beautiful things. out of my lock up on page 49 of the
interest in knifemaking. Since then, I
During my productive years, I worked September issue. My name is Jamin,
have continued learning and have made
in public education and as a minister. though. I do have a cousin named
about 130 knives. Some I keep, some
I never made anything out of steel. I George Brackett in Florida who makes
I give away. All have tested my skill,
have always loved knives but never knives, too.
patience and training. I’ve not made a
contemplated making one with my
single dollar on any of them.
hands. Jamin Brackett, a letter via e-mail
So, what is the payoff for me? I make
A few years ago as I prepared to retire,
things that I think are beautiful, and
I met a man who made knives. I asked
every hour I am in the shop I’m not
Honoring the Military -----------------
if I could come see his knives and his I just wanted to tell you I really
sitting in my lounge chair with my feet
shop. When I saw the knives he made, enjoyed your special military issue
up in the air. I work when I want to work
I was fascinated that a person could (August BLADE®). The honoring of the
and rest when I want to rest.
make something so beautiful in an 8x10 military and the personal stories were
Another benefit of knifemaking is that
storage building behind his house. I was heartwarming.
my oldest son, Matt, became interested
hooked immediately. It’s lovely to have those kinds of stories
in it as a result of my interest, and has
My mentor, Tommy, asked me if I and articles in these crazy times.
exceeded his father’s ability as a maker.
wanted to make a knife. “Yes!” I said
In fact, one of his knives was featured
emphatically. He gave me a pattern Harriet Kellokoski,
in BLADE® (“Small and Scary Sharp” by
and a piece of steel and said “go make a Kellam Knives Worldwide, Inc.
BLADE field editor Kim Breed, page 22,
knife.” I took the steel home, cut it out
July 2019 issue).
with a hacksaw and shaped it with a file. For the latest knives, knife news,
I also imagine that the number of
I carried the blade back to Tommy and trends and more visit blademag.com,
hobbyist knifemakers is legion. I’m sure
he put a grind line on it, and sent me BLADE®’s popular Instagram page @
there are many hobbyists who subscribe
back home to sand out the scratches. I blade_magazine, and on Facebook and
to BLADE, or buy it on newsstands,
worked on the blade for about 10 hours Twitter.
enjoy it and support your advertisers.
and brought it back. I was then told to
I have great admiration for those
go home and sand it for 10 more hours.
who are professional knifemakers. I
I knew this was gut check time. Tommy
[6 ] B L A D E ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
COVER STORY
IF IT CUTS,
WE CARRY IT.
SMKW.COM
ANNIVERSARY
separately from nickel, 1084 powder
and 4800E powder. Once he forge-
welded and drew the elements down,
he combined them to create the cowboy
riding the bucking horse in the desert.
Respective blade and closed lengths: 3
and 7.25 inches.
The insets in the picture-frame handle
are 18k gold and the rope and barbed-
wire inlays are 24k gold. The insets have
bright cut engraving and the thumb
stud holds a diamond set in 18k gold. In
all, the folder contains over 1 ounce of
gold. Rick’s list price for a similar knife:
$7,500.
For more information contact
Rick Dunkerley, Dept. BL11, PO Box
601, Lincoln, MT 59639 406-210-
4101 dunkerleyknives@gmail.com, EST. 1978
EST
dunkerleyknives.com, and/or see the
story on the history of canister steel on
page 12.
Eric Eggly/PointSeven photographed
the cover knife. Matt Cohen/2020
Knight Forge Studio photographed the Facebook: /SmokyMountainKnifeWorks . Twitter: @SMKWCom
inset image of Jason Knight. Lin Rhea
photographed the background. Instagram: @SmokyMountainKnifeWorks
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ B L A D E [7 ]
Chris Order at chrisreeve.com
THE WORLD’S #1 KNIFE PUBLICATION
Reeve
Vol. XLVII, No. 1, November 2020
Knives
Publishers Of
Editorial/Advertising Office:
5600 W. Grande Market Drive, Suite 100,
Appleton, WI 54913
920.471.4522 • blademag.com
steve@blademag.com
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Editor
STEVE SHACKLEFORD
Online Product Manager
BEN SOBIECK
Field Editors
MSG KIM BREED, ABE ELIAS
DEXTER EWING, ED FOWLER, MIKE HASKEW
B.R. HUGHES, LES ROBERTSON
JOE SZILASKI, RICHARD D. WHITE
IMPINDA ADVERTISING
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NPS MEDIA GROUP
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www.nordicknives.com
[8 ] B L A D E ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
HOW TO SHARPEN:
PARDON MY APPENDAGE
T
he so-called cancel culture that’s
plagued our nation for some time
now has somehow managed to
overlook our beloved knife community—
at least so far. Of course, this is not to
say that the “woke mob” hasn’t attacked
a number of personages revered not only
worldwide but in the knife community as
well, such as presidents George Washing-
ton and Abraham Lincoln, both of whom
carried knives of various types, including
some really cool pocketknives that have
been featured in BLADE®.
In fact, some knifemakers, including
Ernest Emerson through his Emerson
Knives, Inc., and ABS master smith
Jerry Fisk, have built and sold knives
with handles made of wood taken
from the trees on Washington’s Mount
Vernon estate. Many other presidents
Among the knife
have connections to knives as well, but, terms that might
for now, their statues or monuments fire up the cancel
haven’t been toppled, spray-painted culture is butt—as
with graffiti, or otherwise vandalized in butt of the
handle, aka the
by the wokesters—or at least not like
end of the handle.
Washington’s and Lincoln’s have. Dave Armour uses
All of which got me to thinking: If stabilized box
the woke mobsters were to come after elder burl for the
the knife community, what might they handle—including
the butt—of his
single out? There are some words knife bowie. (SharpBy-
enthusiasts use that could be targeted. Coop image)
Stockman, for instance, would no doubt
enrage those who might demand it be
called stockperson instead. However, if for their own use. As a result, whenever all knives designed for law enforcement
you ask for a stockperson at a knife store, we do stories on gent’s knives, we would probably come under attack from
instead of a knife the attendant might include them under a gent’s/lady’s knives the mob and would require replacement
bring out Hank, the 38-year-old shelf umbrella. On the other hand, who am I with some other knife name—social
stocker from the storeroom. kidding? I would likely get “bricked” by worker knives, anyone?
Another pocketknife pattern name that the woke mob for that one, too. On the other hand, I can think of
might ruffle wokester tail feathers is boy’s One knife term that might fire up at least one knife term that the woke
knife. Somehow I don’t think changing the wokey-dokers is butt—as in butt of troopers would probably embrace
the name to girl’s knife would placate the the handle, aka the end of the handle. wholeheartedly—pig sticker.
mob, either. The next-door neighbor, My wife Susan is always saying “pardon With that, consider this installment of
Mr. Wingtip, referred to me as a juvenile my appendage” when she bumps into “Unsheathed” canceled!
delinquent when I was a kid, but juvenile me, so maybe we could change butt to
delinquent’s knife probably would send appendage. On the other hand, we could For the contact information for the maker
the culture cancelers into conniption-fit just tell the cancelers to butt out, eh? of the pictured knife, see “Where To Get
overdrive. I’ll just leave the “solution” to Slip joint is another knife term that ’Em” on page 64.
that one to woke R&D. As for Boy Scout might raise some woke-brows. Joint is
and/or Girl Scout knives, I’m not even also another name for prison—think For the latest knives, knife news, trends
going there! “the joint”—and with so many wokester and more visit blademag.com, BLADE®’s
That brings us to the venerable gent’s calls to abolish prisons, slip joint might popular Instagram page @blade_
knife, but BLADE has chronicled a trend have to be replaced with slip halfway magazine, and on Facebook and Twitter.
that has been ongoing for quite a while house or some such. Speaking of which,
now—women embracing gent’s knives the defund the police movement means
[ 10 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
[ STORIED STEEL ] BY MIKE HASKEW BLADE ® FIELD EDITOR
a BLADE CaN
IN THE
THE HISTORY OF
CANISTER AND
MOSAIC DAMASCUS
STEEL TRACES
ITS ROOTS
TO SEVERAL
PIONEERS
[ 12 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
Editor’s note: Mike Crenshaw was the The Hunter’s Dream by Steve Schwarzer (inset) is believed
impetus for this short modern history to be the first time anyone forged a scene into a mosaic
of canister steel. He got the ball rolling damascus blade. The man, each bird and the dog are all
in proportion with none of the wavy distortions seen in
by gathering information on the early previous mosaic patterns. “It was an elaborate image,”
days of canister steel, information that Hank Knickmeyer recalled. “He had to keep the barrel of
included the contributions of ABS master that hunter’s shotgun straight as he takes the shot at
smith Steve Schwarzer, Daryl Meier, Gary those quail, and that is hard to do.” (Weyer International
knife image)
Runyon and others, including ABS master
smith Hank Knickmeyer.
F
iring the forge and melding
metals into a cohesive alloy is a
methodology that stretches back
millennia. Blade steel was one of the
methodology’s primary products, even as
the process evolved to include the most
primitive of mosaic patterns and images
emerging from the steel itself.
One significant milestone occurred in
the 1700s when Frenchman Jean Francois
Clouet produced the word “Liberté”—
French for Liberty—on the face of a
blade. The word was not etched on the
blade, it was in the steel itself. From there,
gunsmiths of the era produced intricately
ornate barrels of steel decorated with
assorted images in them.
Today, the modern magicians of
mosaic damascus have continued
to push the creative envelope. Steve
Schwarzer, Daryl Meier, Gary Runyon,
Hank Knickmeyer and others have
continually produced incredible results. “You do it because it
The mosaic damascus process received
a huge shot in the arm in the late 1980s
is freaking beautiful!”
when several luminaries attended one — Steve Schwarzer
of BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-
Fame® member Jim Batson’s hammer
ins at his home in northern Alabama
Experimentation led to a breakthrough
and it was demonstrated and discussed
during those days. The idea was actually
simple. Put the components in a can!
“I wanted to create a poor man’
HIP [hot isothermal press],” explained
Schwarzer, an acknowledged damascu
virtuoso who has plied his steel craft fo
the past half century. “The idea was to pu
a sealed metal skin over the materials and
put a vacuum on it. I was putting material Daryl Meier forged his American Flag Bowie
and presented it to President George H.W.
in a piece of stainless steel tubing and Bush at the White House in 1991. Thirteen
found that if I forged that, it would crack. American flags, each underscored with
Then we put nitrogen in there and left a “USA,” appear on both sides of the blade.
little positive pressure on it.” “The project involved 800-plus hours of
Schwarzer was excited by the favorable work over an 18-month period,” Meier
noted. “The American Flag knife was totally
results. made using solid steel parts, no powder.”
“I couldn’t wait to tell Daryl [Meier] Bush inspects the knife as Daryl (right,
about my great discovery,” he said. “He inset) explains how it was made. (Weyer
was one of the few people interested in International knife image)
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 13 ]
STORIED STEEL
He ended up with a piece of steel with screws, ball bearings, powdered 1095
wider grain than others because you had steel and more. He has at times drilled a
the nickel between the pinhole in the canister
wire. When Steve saw lid and inserted a piece
that you could put the of paper or cardboard
powder in a can like “One of the to exhaust the oxygen
solid steel, he ran with
it.”
nice things content inside. After
all, reducing the
Runyon’s background about canister oxygen level allows the
stretchesback decades to stuff is that materials to bind.
Teledyne and Allegheny “I think you could
Technologies, where he you can almost use muffler pipe if you
worked as a specialist treat it like wanted to,” Runyon
in metallic ore deposits. added, “anything
“Depending on the drawing.” that will contain the
material and if it is — H an k Kn ickmeye r material and not let
properly welded, the the oxygen get to it.
damascus steel is fine Essentially it’s the same
bokerusa.com
The mosaic damascus process got a big kickstart in the late 1980s when several luminar-
ies—including Hank Knickmeyer—attended one of BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame®
member Jim Batson’s Alabama hammer-ins. Hank (left) teaches a class at a Batson Blade-
smithing Symposium at Tannehill State Park in McCalla, Alabama, in 2003.
[ 14 ] BLADE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
STORIED STEEL
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 15 ]
STORIED STEEL
[ 16 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
MGE CONTINUES TO EXPAND
Daryl Meier
SHINING STARS
According to Hank and Steve, several
stars are shining brightly in canister
and mosaic damascus, including Rick
Dunkerley, Shane Taylor, Josh Prince
and Salem Straub. And there’s still more
to come from the old masters. Schwarzer
and Runyon have been working on
something innovative for 20 years, and
though they don’t want to get specific, it’s
coming soon.
“It’s one of those things like you can’t
put the smoke back in the bottle once
you let it out,” Schwarzer grinned. “It’s
something new to pattern welding, but
we’re not ready to talk about it yet.”
A host of admirers is waiting.
[ 18 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
52100 Roundstock Evapo-Rust®®
Evapo-Rust
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THE KNIFE I CARRY
[ 20 ] B L A D E ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
Knives To Be Auctioned Before Year End by
J. BRUCE VOYLES, AUCTIONEERS
Email, call, or write to be included on our email notification list. No Reserves on knives shown.
M. H. C OLE
D. E. H ENRY B OWIE
OWNED BY NOVELIST J AMES J ONES
COOPER
SHOW CHEST
J. BRUCE VOYLES
AUCTIONEERS
COOPER P. O. Box 22007 Chattanooga, TN 37422
BRONZE Phone 423.238.6753 knifeauctions@gmail.com
J
“NIGHT OF THE GRIZZLY” TAL#4860 TFL #4016
www.jbrucevoyles.com
[ KNIFE SHOP ] BY LIN RHEA ABS MASTER SMITH
INTERMEDIATE
[ 22 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
I
t’s been said there’s nothing new under the sun. I might add that new ideas in
knifemaking are rare. I do not claim the technique I am about to share is new because
that could start the story off on the wrong foot. On the other hand, I will say I have
not seen it done in the context of making knife parts. Comparisons can be drawn to
particular cultural techniques, and I encourage that in the name of inspiration. Speaking
of, that will be the purpose of this discussion—inspiration.
PHOTO 2 The
stainless piece is
inserted into the
middle and the
outside layers of
spacers are used as
templates for drill-
ing alignment holes,
and to establish the
margin of reveal
above the sur-
face—in this case,
¼ inch. The middle
spacer is simply cut
and ground to this
margin and further
prep is done. (See
PHOTO 3.)
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 23 ]
KNIFE SHOP
PHOTO 5 While this vise is not the one the I have been fortunate to have had that can be beautiful as well as inspiring.
author uses for this step, it illustrates several sources of inspiration, not the I call the technique intermediate forging.
the way the piece is held and the relative least of which is my time and training I chose the name to imply it involves a
position to the top of the jaws that the in historic blacksmithing. One of the mixture of old and new techniques within
piece should be held during forging. Use
a small, 6-to-8-ounce ball-pien hammer guiding principles of the early blacksmith the same process in order to accomplish
so as not to move the piece around in the was practicality. You will end up being the the task. It can involve forging—the
vise when forging the small areas heated judge as to whether or not this technique old—as well as the new via the use of
by the torch. The grip of a common post is practical or not for your purposes. I will modern tools such as grinders, saws,
vise under moderate jaw pressure will be
enough. The radius of the ball along with
try to show how blending the old with the etc. The particular order of the use of the
the positioning in the vise jaws will pro- new sometimes can yield unique results techniques is at your discretion as well.
tect from beating up the outside spacer.
The parallel lines provided by the jaws and
the layers of the spacer will provide ample
references to target the blows. This might
take actually doing it before you really get
confident.
PHOTO 6 The proud area of the middle PHOTO 7 This shows the progress of the
spacer is forged down a little at a time forging as the middle spacer is forged
using focused heat from a brazing tip of down against the outer spacers. The piece
an oxy-acetylene torch. The piece is set will have to be turned often and with a
within the jaws of a vise large enough to tool that won’t scar it. The author uses
provide mass and enough force to the grip. flat-jaw tongs very carefully. The outer
The mass absorbs residual heat that could spacers should need a light surface clean-
build up and soften areas that must not be ing only, so everything outside the forged
deformed. part should be viewed as fragile—espe-
cially the rim.
[ 24 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
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In other words, you may forge, then saw/ in order to improve or actually save a
grind, then forge more before, perhaps, project. It’s often viewed as a concession
grinding again and finishing or polishing. or acknowledgment of defeat if you must
Intermediate forging can be used on return to the forge for corrections. I now
blades or integral parts of blades. This may present to you the possibility of pushing
be where it is easiest to see and accept the aside the puristic view and actually using
possibility of enlisting the technique. I’m the intermediate forging technique as part
sure you may have seen the need to return of some projects, and opening up new
to the forge to refine or make corrections combinations of techniques for new looks.
[ 26 ] BLADE -------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
KNIFE SHOP
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 27 ]
FIF:
TELE-FORGING BY DAVE RHEA
[ 28 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
The long-running goal in mind, which
TV competition is producing good
undoubtedly has television—and that
been an asset to the doesn’t necessarily
forging community. translate into total
For starters, it has satisfaction for the
introduced the general contestants.
viewing public to One way to achieve
a cast of characters “good television” is
that constitutes a to introduce drama.
realistic cross section Thankfully, according
of the knifemaking to Josh Smith, a two-
community. While its time FIF contestant and
list of participants is far the youngest person
from a comprehensive ever to earn an ABS
Who’s Who of master smith stamp
bladesmiths, one at 19 in 2000, it didn’t
would be hard-pressed include any typical
to spend more than reality-show-style
an hour at the next infighting on the set.
BLADE Show without “Everybody needs
encountering a first- to realize that they’re
person recollection of trying to make an
pounding steel on the entertaining TV show,
small screen. and I think they do
More important is At 19, Josh Smith was a good job,” Smith
the awareness such the youngest smith to explained. “The clock
ever achieve ABS mas-
publicity has brought provides the drama
ter smith status when
to the craft, according he did so in 2000. He that they need instead
to J.W. Randall, veteran has appeared on two of drama between the
ABS master smith episodes of FIF. (Bran- contestants.” He added
and winner of FIF‘s don Horoho mage)
that Mareko Maumasi,
2017 international his competitor and
championship (season winner of the “Judges’
four, episode 19). “It’s brought the art, science and technology from an Pick” special episode (season four,
public’s awareness around to hand- ancient world. “It’s important in our episode one), is now a good friend. “We
crafted items, and that’s a good thing,” culture,” Knight added. “People like me didn’t have to become enemies!” Josh
Randall observed. “It appeals to a lot of hold fast to it, and I want to share it as emphasized.
people because it’s an old craft, and it’s art.”
been brought back, in a sense.” Such interest has had a measurable
Indeed, the fiery furnaces easily effect on ABS membership, according to
translate into a burning interest among ABS journeyman smith, board member
many of the show’s viewers. For them, and treasurer, Bill Wiggins. “I don’t
witnessing the process of manipulating know what to call it,” he pondered. “It’s
steel into a knife, sword or axe using not a spike—I’d call it a steady rise in
fire, a hammer and other assorted membership since the show started.”
machinery and instruments, while facing He added that the ABS has also seen
the adversity of time constraints and a lot more turnover lately, with people
random surprises, is at once exciting and joining up for a year only to never be
inspiring. heard from again. “We’re still gaining
“The men and women who compete members, though,” he allowed. “There’s
on this show are engaging in an arena of good and bad, but the good outweighs
gladiators,” described ABS master smith the bad.”
Jason Knight, B.R. Hughes Award winner “The bad” is definitely part of the mix,
and guest FIF judge during portions of according to the story’s sources who
seasons three and four. He agreed that were contestants. Though none had the An ABS journeyman smith and treasurer
of the ABS, Bill Wiggins said the ABS has
the show’s primary value lies in inspiring proverbial sour grapes about their FIF enjoyed a steady rise in membership ever
its audience to appreciate, and perhaps experience, the recurring caveat was since FIF’s debut episode seven years ago.
pursue, a craft that ties together history, that good television producers have one (image courtesy of Bill Wiggins)
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 29 ]
TELE-FORGING
ABS master smith J.W. Randall holds his spadroon sword, the one he made to win the
International Competition episode of FIF. At left is “Dan the cameraman.” (Tammy Randall
image)
[ 30 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
Tim Britton
TELE-FORGING
“It’s good
television but Knifemaker
it’s not good
bladesmithing.” “Cigar Jack”
Fiji Fire Pearl $775
—Jason Knight Engraving Jim Small
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 31 ]
TELE-FORGING
[ 32 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
TELE=FORGING
“And more so in my closing remarks,” contestants should be better paid. The was gracious in his comments about
Randall added regarding the editing. $10,000 prize, which is only administered Forged in Fire, often reiterating that the
“I gave God the credit and the glory at to the winner, isn’t enough compared drawbacks are tied into the fact that it
the end of this deal, and I also gave our to the month it takes the maker away is a television show. The point is to be
military a bunch of credit for providing from his or her work. For non-winners, entertaining, and it comes at the expense
the freedom that we should never take for it is a big financial hit to walk away with of some grievances about how it should
granted. That all got omitted. Represent nothing. “If you’re not sure if you do be produced. They unanimously agreed
people accurately for who they are and that show that you’ll be able to make that the most important effect is that it
what they are.” your house payment, don’t do it,” Smith has enlightened and inspired millions of
advised. people regarding the craft of forging and
MORE JACK “It’s like rolling the dice,” Randall knifemaking.
Unanimously, those interviewed who proclaimed. “For me, it’ll take $25,000
appeared on FIF maintained that the to get me back. They’re cutting a fat hog, For the contact information for the pictured
partner. That producer is making money knives, see “Where To Get ’Em” on page 64.
hand over fist. They asked me to come
back and I told them I’m not leaving my For the latest knives, knife news, trends
shop for 10 grand when I can make more and more visit blademag.com, BLADE®’s
money staying in my shop. Why would popular Instagram page @blade_
I roll the dice and potentially come up magazine, and on Facebook and Twitter.
empty and lose a month of income?”
Overall, each source in the article
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 33 ]
[ COLLECTING CUSTOMS ] BY LES ROBERTSON BLADE ® FIELD EDITOR
S
n influencer, by definition, is a person that can influence potential
buyers and possibly add credibility to a product’s brand. In fact, given
How to Collect
that there is no singular definition of exactly what a custom knife is,
brand may be the perfect word to describe one.
The argument can be made that an influencer is more than just the
custom knifemaker. Influencers can be new machines, new blade steels, new
mechanisms, new handle materials, etc. If you have been following custom
knives for more than a few years, you no doubt have seen these influencers
in the types of knives you buy and/or collect.
However, all of the new machines, materials and techniques are inert
without the maker who uses them to create new styles of knives and/or
improvements on classics. Primarily, new materials and techniques are
tried on classics. Why? Because the classics have already established a “sub-
brand.” Examples would be slip-joint folders, bowie knives, combat knives
and, of course, hunters/skinners.
[ 34 ] BLADE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
As discussed in the first part of this knives, such media staples motivate some of his knives. Now into his fourth decade
series, there are more hunters/skinners makers, nonetheless. That said, most of knifemaking, he has given generously
than any other pattern/style of custom buyers find inspiration for their knife of his time to teach others how to make
knife, primarily because they are buying or knife collections in what they knives. Today, the majority of his work
generally the easiest and least expensive see in magazines such as BLADE®, knife consists of stunning art knives fully
to learn how to make. Subsequently, shows, knife websites, other collections, embellished with engraving and gold
they represent the sub-brand that is the etc. This is commonly referred to as the inlay.
easiest/best for makers to experiment on. eye test.
When I serve as a judge in the custom STANLEY FUJISAKA
knife judging competition at the BLADE FORK in the ROAD Stanley “Stan” Fujisaka started his
Show, I am never surprised at the number The eye test is done not only by custom knifemaking after buying a copy of How
of knives submitted in the hunter/skinner knife buyers but makers as well. Often, it To Make Knives by Richard Barney and
category. Nor am I surprised by the many represents the inspirational “fork in the BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-
different styles and materials used to road.” Though not an either/or choice, Fame® member Bob Loveless. No doubt
make the knives. the fork will direct most collectors to you can see the Loveless influence in the
On occasion, I have asked the makers the finished product, while most makers image of Stanley’s drop-point hunter
of some of the more unusual knives where will take the fork to learn inspirational accompanying this story.
they get their inspiration(s) to build techniques. Stanley became the best-known maker
them. Typical answers include movies Following are examples of makers who in the Hawaiian Islands, influencing
(prim rily sc ence fiction) com c h i i d b th l t d th ti f k E t ll h
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COLLECTING CUSTOMS
[ 36 ] BLADE -------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
COLLECTING CUSTOMS
NC
Knifemaker 21
including mosaics, and handle materials. the improved precision of the craft, design - 3 Burner
His knives have achieved that which tweaks, or materials never used before. - Firebox
4” x 4 ½”
most makers strive for: a signature style. They also have given of themselves and x 21”
He gladly makes himself available to help their knowledge to help their craft. - Solid Door
- Cast iron
his fellow makers, and his influence can Influencers can be found in all aspects port on
be seen on knives throughout Australia. of custom knives. They are not limited to one end
Makers in other parts of the world have those who have been active for
also taken notice of Shawn’s exceptional decades. There are new
NC Knifemaker
- 2 Burner
work. ideas and designs - Firebox
4” x 4 ½” x
13 ½”
START of SOMETHING NEW - Door with
2” x 3” port on
What all of the featured makers one end
have in common is their ability - Solid door
on one end
to incorporate what has gone
before them, interpreting
it and then pushing Both forges offer:
- Safe valve train design delivering
those boundaries— Two of the things W.E. “Bill” fuel to heat chamber
whether that be Ankrom’s known best for - High temperature cast iron burners
are his sense of humor and the - Two inch insulation for long liner life
precision of his knives. Maker: Bill
Ankrom. Model: Drop-point hunter. Call for Free Catalog
Blade Length: 3 5/8 inches. Blade 800-446-6498
Steel: ATS-34 stainless. Blade Fin-
ish: Satin. Guard: Stainless steel. NC Tool Co. Inc.
Handle Material: Desert ironwood. 6133 Hunt Road
Overall Length: 8 inches. Sheath (not Pleasant Garden, NC 27313
shown): Custom made of leather by 336/674-5654 • 800/446-6498
Cody Custom Leather. Bill’s list price: Web site: www.nctoolco.com
$850. (Impress By Design image)
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 37 ]
COLLECTING CUSTOMS
www.blacksmithsdepot.com
Kayne and Son
100 Daniel Ridge Rd Candler NC 28715 USA
PHONE: 828-667-8868
International Shipping available • Inquiries Welcome
W I T H OL D SC HOOL F E E L
[ 40 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
H
igh-performance stainless steels— thickness is more considerable as
CPM S30V, S35VN, S90V and well. Another A.G. idea was to offer a A-R-RMY, SIR!
20CV, along with CPM 154, “varied edge angle.” Most of the blade Knifemaker Daniel Winkler and U.S.
M390 and CTS 204P, to name some— would be sharpened at A.G.’s preferred Army veteran Clint Romesha (page
rule in many corners of today’s knife angle of 15 degrees, but toward the tip it 43) designed the Case Hambone to be
market. While such steels exhibit changes to a more obtuse angle to bolster a “do-all” field knife for field dressing,
astonishing edge-holding power and the point strength. Phil Gibbs, company batonning wood, preparing food and
ability to go the distance without much design engineer, was in charge of torture more. Hambone was the nickname of
maintenance, the tradeoff is they can be testing prototypes. One of the tests he the legendary U.S. Army pack mule,
difficult to sharpen. With the ascendance successfully performed was driving the Hamilton T. Bone. Hambone was based at
of such “super steels” you might think dagger through an AK-47 magazine, with Fort Carson, Colorado, as part of the pack
carbon steels would be gone for good. absolutely no damage to the tip, and the mule program and served from 1943-56,
Nothing could be further from the edge remained very sharp. including two combat missions during
truth. While carbon steels may not attract The 6-inch blade is DM1 steel, named World War II—the same base Romesha
the attention they once did, that doesn’t in honor of bladesmith/metallurgist Dan operated from during his military career.
mean they’re no less a
viable option for hunting,
camping and even
tactical knives. Many still
prefer carbon steels over
the high-performance
stainless ones, and the
primary reason is ease
of sharpening, especially
in the field. While
carbon steels require a
bit more maintenance,
such as a light coat of
oil to prevent corrosion
and staining, they can
give premium stainless
steels a run for the
money. Another factor is
the all-important lower
cost of carbon steels.
SANDBOX STEEL
The inspiration for the
Sandbox Dagger from
A.G. Russell Knives
comes straight from the
old Camillus Marine
Raider Stiletto and
legendary Fairbairn-Sykes dagger, both Maragni, who assisted in its development Hambone the Old-school
of World War II fame. BLADE Magazine and heat treatment for A.G. Russell knife embodies steel, from top:
Steel Will Bar-
Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® member A.G. Knives. It is a modified version of the the hardworking ghest, Condor
Russell’s intent was to recreate the 0170-6C carbon steel the old Camillus spirit of Hambone Tool & Knife
effectiveness of the venerable dagger used. DM1 can sustain hard use without the pack mule. The Blue Havoc, A.G.
designs while boosting the durability of edge deformation or chipping, yet 80CrV2 carbon steel Russell Sandbox
the blade, as the tapered, relatively thin remains easy to resharpen. is tough and holds Dagger and
Case/Winkler
blades were prone to break. Carefully The ergonomic handle is green, rib- an edge. The trailing Hambone.
studying the old combat knives, A.G. textured Rucarta. The rounded handle point/skinner blade
devised the Sandbox Dagger. expands toward the tang to better fit your is 4.75 inches with
Beginning with a wider blade that takes hand. Indentations on either side give a full flat grind and
longer to taper, thus giving it more body, your thumb a non-slip resting place for generous belly that facilitate chores
he discovered new ways of grinding that grip retention, as well as a reference point like slicing and chopping/batonning.
allowed more stock thickness to remain, for blade indexing. The blade is razor Handle material options are black canvas
enhancing lateral strength. Traditionally sharp out of the box. Manufacturer’s Micarta®, curly maple and black textured
a weak spot for daggers, the point suggested retail price (MSRP): $375. rubber. The finger-grooved handle with
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 41 ]
CARBON CUTTERS
a bird’s-beak butt and integral guard OD green Kydex features black overlay
ensures a secure grip in most conditions. with a star laser cut into it to symbolize
The eight stars engraved on the handle the Army’s colors and logo.
spine memorialize Romesha’s eight The Hambone’s deep blade belly is great
teammates who gave their lives during for cutting meats and vegetables. The
the Battle of Kamdesh in Afghanistan blade is fairly thick up to the tip, which
(page 43). The exposed blade tang can makes it strong for heavy use and
be employed as a hammer or glass abuse. The handle is quite comfortable,
breaker. The felt-lined Kydex sheath providing ample blade control at all
promotes sure knife retention and easy times, even with wet hands. The Micarta
deployment equally well. Rather than material is an excellent choice for an all-
having a typical fold-over or sandwich around user.
construction, the sheath uses a Micarta The only downside might be the
spacer to separate its Kydex halves. The weight. Some may find the knife too
Is it tactical or outdoor? How about both? The Case Hambone is a heavy-duty fixed blade
of 80CrV2 carbon steel that will serve either function very well. The flat-ground blade
slices easily.
[ 42 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
CARBON CUTTERS
TACTICAL CLASSIC
The Steel Will Barghest has all the
hallmarks of a great tactical folder. The
test model’s modified clip-point blade
of 3.5 inches is full flat ground from D2
tool steel, a favorite among production
companies and custom makers for its
toughness and ease of sharpening. The
blade opens via a flipper or ambidextrous
thumb studs, and the swedge grind adds
a bit of attitude. The action is quick, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Clint Romesha,
smooth and precise, with the blade riding co-designer of the Case Hambone, also
on a pair of phosphor bronze washers. authored Red Platoon: A True Story
of American Valor, his account of the
The handle is a study in the perfect bloody firefight with Afghan rebels in
tactical folder design well suited which eight of his teammates per-
for prolonged use regardless of the ished. The book is a New York Times
bestseller. The OD green Kydex sheath
features black overlay with a star laser
cut into it to symbolize the Army’s colors
and logo.
CLINT ROMESHA:
MEDAL OF HONOR
Former U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Clint
Romesha grew up in rural Northern
California on his family’s farm, where
from an early age he learned the value
of a pocketknife. At age 18, he enlisted
in the Army in 1999 and began a 12-
year military career. He eventually
was assigned to an elite cavalry team
at Fort Carson in Colorado. With the
outset of the war in Afghanistan, it
wasn’t long before his unit was called
up for active duty.
On Oct. 3, 2009, Romesha and
Bravo troop, 3rd Squadron, 61st
Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade, were
engaged in an intense firefight with
an estimated 300 enemy fighters in
the Battle of Kamdesh, a relentless
conflict that spanned a punishing 15
hours. Tragically, eight of Romesha’s
Army brothers were killed in the
battle. Not too long after his discharge,
Romesha was awarded the Medal
of Honor “for conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty.” For
more in-depth details of Romesha’s
extensive, heroic actions under
Most daggers fail with broken tips. The some of the most trying conditions
A.G. Russell Sandbox Dagger in DM1 car-
imaginable, visit https://www.army.mil/
bon steel is redesigned to allow for more
blade tip thickness. The knife survived medalofhonor/romesha/citation.html.
this sideways snap-out treatment with no —by Dexter Ewing
damage whatsoever.
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ B L A D E [ 43 ]
CARBON CUTTERS
elements. The integral guard prevents (3.5-inch blade) and $89.99 (4-inch
your hand from slipping forward, and blade).
the handle gracefully curves and expands
slightly at the midsection to fill your STOUT as it is SOLID
palm nicely without feeling too unwieldy. The Condor Tool & Knife Blue Havoc
The blade secures via a linerlock, and features a 5.5-inch drop-point blade of
dual steel liners provide rigidity. Black 1075 carbon steel mated to two-tone
G-10 scales feature a series of machined black-and-blue paper Micarta scales
grooves that enhance your grip with or and a black phenolic bolster. The knife
without gloves. A pronounced chamfer on is a handful, a beast that can tackle any
the edges of the scales makes the Barghest cutting task at camp or, in a pinch, use
feel very comfortable, eliminating any hot for combat. It is stout as it is solid. The
spots. A fold-over steel pocket clip carries satin-finished blade’s full flat grind is
the knife deep in a pocket. Steel Will also aces in cutting efficiency. A series of
offers a second clip for lefties—just switch traction notches filed into the blade spine
clips. The G-10 handle spacer sports large provide optimal positioning for applying
traction notches, and is slightly oversized downward pressure for tougher cutting
to make the notches stand out. tasks.
The Barghest offers what I like in a The handle sports a generous palm
tactical folder. The blade shape and size swell that fills your grip comfortably,
is ideal for many cutting tasks, not too is non-slip and offers precise blade
small nor too large, and has plenty of control. Micarta is an excellent choice
bite to power through a variety of tough for using knives because it is strong yet
materials. lightweight. It is impervious to most fluids
The only negative I see is the pocket and isn’t affected by weather changes,
clip. Yes, it is a positive as well, but not humidity, heat or most any external factor
everyone likes the deep-carry feature, as that would cause integrity issues. Plus, it
no part of the handle sticks above the comes in a myriad of hues to please the
pocket to grab onto. Hence, you must pickiest knife enthusiast. The dual-color
fish around a bit to grab the knife. Hey, Micarta® layers show through, adding
you can’t please everyone! MSRPs: $84.99 an exciting visual texture, more so than
The Condor Tool & Knife Havoc is an edged tool to take on your next camping trip. Its drop-
point blade and ergonomic handle are ideal for a variety of cutting tasks.
[ 44 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
CARBON CUTTERS
Up your
Prepare for hunting season and equip yourself
with our set of F2z, F3z and F4z for field dressing,
preparing and portioning your game post hunting.
F2z
F3z
A book about knives by Fällkniven’s
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delivers short and accurate information
about everything that has to do with
knives.
F4z
@officialfallkniven US distributors:
www.blueridgeknives.com
www.motengna.com
FallknivenSweden www.jboutman.com
www.fallkniven.com
info@fallkniven.se
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 45 ]
CARBON CUTTERS
STILL RELEVANT
Carbon steel is alive and well at a time
when super steels are all the rage. It
remains the steel of choice of many
hardcore knife users, not only for the
lower cost but primarily for the ease of
sharpening. It may require a bit more
maintenance than stainless, but carbon
steel is still relevant and here to stay.
The Steel Will Barghest and its D2 blade packs the punch to get tough cutting jobs
accomplished and still hold an edge very well.
[ 46 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
BLADESHOW
KNIFE TALK BY ED FOWLER BLADE ® FIELD EDITOR
the
rd
e to
lver
cking
.
T
R
E
E
R
m a functional
e. This time
and why I fit
them to the blade.
I have a finished blade (Image 2). I
like her so far. Forged at low temperature
from a 6.5-inch round bar, she comes
with a rate of reduction of over 99 percent
and is more than capable of entering
what I call the realm of High Endurance
Performance Blades.
The first thing I need to do is make
her safe from harm while I work on her,
as well as make her safe for me to be
working around. Many makers, including
PART VII
me, have been seriously cut with finished
blades while working on them. I’ve
seen and tried many safety devices and
methods. The following is the best and
cheapest I’ve found so far.
[ 48 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
Image 2: Forged at low
temperature from a 6.5-inch
round bar, the finished blade
comes with a rate of reduc-
tion of over 99 percent and is
more than capable of enter-
ing what the author calls
the realm of High Endurance
Performance Blades.
(Image 4
any shar
someone
fit safety s
I make
thickness o a good
fit of the g (Image 5). I like to taper
my guards in line with my plunge grind
for both looks and added tang strength Image 3: Split the area around the tang, double it over and wrap it with masking tape.
(Image 6). The fact that the tang is not
hardened is obvious when I am able to
compare it to the hardened edge.
I believe that the fit and finish of a
pierced guard that complements the
functional ambitions of the maker and
the client is the mark of a quality knife.
Those of us smiths who forge our tangs
and have no set dimensions for them
must drill, mill, file and slowly fit and
finish. It is good times when we win! We
have the option of developing a custom
ricasso of any shape we want.
In the final fit, I drive the guard down
tight to the shoulders of the blade where
they join the tang (Image 7). I feel that the
fit (Image 8) is a good one.
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 49 ]
KNIFE TALK
Image 5: Be
sure the tang
tapers up to the
thickness of the
blade to ensure
a good fit of the
guard.
[ 50 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
KNIFE TALK
Image 9: Coat the area with Loctite® Super Glue gel as a further protective coating to
keep the silver solder from flowing where it will show.
Pathogens that can threaten your health and protect the blade edge from getting
also have been known to live inside knife too hot.
handles. After the guard has partly cooled, I
The first thing I do is coat the blade spray any remaining Super Glue with
and guard with soap stone to help WD-40® and brush the joint clean using a
prevent silver solder from sticking on the brass brush (Images 13 and 14). If I have
surface (Image 1). Next, I coat the area done everything right, no silver solder
with Loctite® Super Glue gel as a further will be visible on the joint other than a
protective coating to keep the silver very fine silver line.
solder from flowing where it will show
(Image 9). I place the blade in a vise or
rack point up and let dry. I usually let it
dry for 24 hours (Image 10).
The blade is now ready to silver solder.
To protect the blade from being stained
by any contaminants it may be exposed
to while soldering, I dip my finger in
the quench tank and coat the blade with
quenching oil (Image 11).
I place the end of the guard in a vise
with the blade tip down and apply flux
specially formulated to work with All-
State® low-temperature 430 silver solder.
I fill the joint with flux and apply heat
using a neutral flame (Image 12). (The
Super Glue seal will prevent the flux from
running down the blade; where no flux
has been, the silver solder will not stick.)
I do not allow the flame to touch the flux,
as it will turn black and not work as flux
anymore. If this happens, you must start
over.
As the brass heats up, the flux will
boil away. As it boils, I touch the silver
solder to the joint. I continue to heat the
brass and slowly it will reach the flow
temperature of the silver solder, and it
will melt into the joint. When it fills the
gap, I stop heating and cool the brass with
a wet paper towel. Another advantage of
the ricasso is that it will absorb the heat
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 51 ]
KNIFE TALK
60 YEARS
Looking back on these methods, they
seem pretty simplistic. Still, it took me
over 60 years of learning to put them all
together. There were a lot of mistakes
and some wrecks, but this is where my
work is today.
Thank you for sharing time with me. Image 15:
I hope a few makers will benefit from Notch the guard
with a hack-
the shared ideas.
saw blade to
Yours truly, provide a start
Ed Fowler of a groove for
eafwb@wyoming.com roughing it out.
edfowler.com
[ 52 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
Your passion,
more production.
CNC machines
perfect for
small-batch and
one-off blades.
Repeatable operations make
for easier, more accurate
production and less wasted stock.
Affordable pricing lets you make
chips sooner.
Courtesy of Grissom Knife & Tool
CNC.TORMACH.COM/KNIFEMAKERS
EAST EDGES ] BY PAT COVERT BLADE® FIELD EDITOR
THREE BLADES
WITH AN EASTERN
DESIGN FLAIR ARE
ZESTY CUTTERS
ECK
SPEC CH
A GE
T OP S CUM A K
L A D E L E N G T H : 15.5 inches
B
M A T E R I A L : 10 95 carbon steel
BL A DE a c tion Coating
S H : B la c k Tr
BL A DE F I N I
A N D L E L E N G T H : 8.25 inches
H
I A L : Micarta
H A N D L E M AT E R
C I A L F E A T U R E S : Kukri blade tip
SPE
E A T H : K y d e x w /leather dangler
S H
nc e s
W E I GH T: 31.5 ou
R A L L L E N G T H : 23.75 inches
OVE
O U N T R Y O F O R I G I N : US A Designed by Sijo Wayson Johnny Tsai, the
C CUMA Kage by TOPS Knives is 23.75 inches
M S R P : $ 360 overall with 8.25 inches of the total in a
long handle suitable for one- or two-hand-
ed use.
[ 54 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
ECK
SPEC CH
L A CKOU T
SOG K IKU X R B
3 inches
BL A DE L ENG T H:
E S T E E L : C T S X HP stainless
BL A D
D E T Y P E : H y b ri d American tanto
BL A ulpted G -10
M A T E R I A L : S c
H A NDL E ult iple blade grinds
U R E S : M
S P E C I A L F E AT
R R Y : P o c k e t c lip, blade tip up
CA
nc e s
W E I GH T: 5.19 ou
: 4.375 inches
CL O SED L ENG T H
SOG’s Kiku XR Blackou
G I N: Taiwan
has a hybrid version
of the American tanto U N T R Y O F O R I
CO
blade. The recurved
portion of the main M S R P : $210.95
grind does a great
job trapping leather
and rope, and the tip
finishes the job as it is
pulled through.
F
or many decades Asian knives,
tools and swords languished in
the cutlery industry, remembered
most for blades brought back by U.S.
service personnel who fought in the
Pacific during World War II. Times have
certainly changed, thanks in no small
part to a highly accomplished custom
knifemaker named Bob Lum.
SPEC CH
ECK
SP Y DER C O L UM
DARN DAO
BL A DE L ENG T H:
10.63 inches
BL A DE S T EEL : C
PM 15 4 stainless
H A NDL E L E NG T H
: 5.64 inches
H A N D L E M AT E R
I A L : Sculpted G -1
S P E C I A L F E AT U 0
R E S : Dao blade s
S HE AT H: Leathe tyle
r belt carr y
W E I GH T: 17.89 o
unces
O V ER A L L L ENG T
H: 16.2 7 inches
C OUN T R Y OF OR
I G I N: Taiwan
M S R P : $649.95
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 55 ]
EAST EDGES
The author’s neighbor lowers the boom with the CUMA Kage. Short swords this size often
are primarily geared toward combat, but the kukri-style end of the blade gives the TOPS
tool a welcome amount of utility.
[ 56 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
EAST EDGES
CHAMP CHOPPER through the leather strip. while the edge tended to shred thicker
Designed by Lum before he passed away Rope was much easier. The recurve 1-inch sisal. The handle was plenty
way too early in 2007, the Spyderco Lum of the blade trapped the rope, and the comfortable and added to our cutting
Darn Dao is a full-tang Chinese dao-style secondary grind from the dividing line— pleasure.
knife. Overall length: 16.27 inches. The or yokoke—to the tip finished the job.
10.63-inch blade is CPM 154 stainless It should be noted not all tantos have 2-HAND HOSS
steel with a flared tip and a swedge grind a yokoke; some simply sweep through The TOPS CUMA Kage is a tour de force
terminating at the clip on the spine. The upward to the tip. The cuts on 3/8-inch by martial arts guru Sijo Wayson Johnny
5.64-inch handle has a flared base and the rappelling rope were clean as a whistle, Tsai. Overall length: 23.75 inches. The
black G-10 scales are ample, fully sculpted
and highly polished. A handcrafted dark
brown leather sheath with a thumb-break
retention loop comes standard. Weight
(minus the sheath): 17.89 ounces. MSRP:
$649.95. This is a limited edition of one
production run only.
CHAD NICHOLS DAMASCUS
The first thing we noticed about
High carbon, high contrast Damascus
the Lum Darn Dao is that it’s not as Stainless Damascus
cumbersome as it initially looks, and Mosaic Damascus
then we realized it’s just shy of 18 ounces, Mokume
which is not that unwieldy as large knives
go. The handle is an exercise in comfort— Large quantities and wholesale
well sculpted all the way around. pricing available
One inch seemed to be the Darn
Dao’s magic number. Employing a basic
hammer grip, we used the blade to cut 662.538.5966 662.255.0524 www.chadnicholsdamascus.com
through 1-inch sisal rope like it was
butter. When we challenged it on an old
phone book (remember those?) with
diagonal full-force chops, it repeatedly
sunk in an inch deep. For long-term use
we’d opt for a rougher finish or texture on
the G-10 grip, but all in all the Darn Dao
chopped like a champ.
©
HERMES · KALAMAZOO · KLINGSPOR ·
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ B L A D E [ 57 ]
EAST EDGES
[ 58 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
EAST EDGES
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 59 ]
HANDMADE GALLERY BY BLADE ® STAFF
1
Andrew Blomfield outfits his harpoon blade in an
For the contact information for the pictured knives, see “Where To
Get ’Em” on page 64.
6 For the latest knives, knife news, trends and more visit blademag.
com, BLADE®’s popular Instagram page @blade_magazine,
and on Facebook and Twitter.
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.
SEPTEMBER JAN. 23-24 LAS VEGAS, NV Tactical Knife mail@tulsaarmsshow.com, 918-492-0401 mail@
SEPT. 19-20 MISSOULA, MT Montana Invitational and Las Vegas Custom Knife Show. tulsaarmsshow.com, tulsaarmsshow.com,
Knifemakers Association Show, Grizzly For more information visit https://r1promotions. gunshowtrader.com/gun-shows/wanenmachers-
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artknives@yahoo.com.*
JAN. 29-31 LAKELAND, FL The 43rd Annual APRIL 10-11 EUGENE, OR The 46th
Gator Cutlery Club Show, RP Funding Center Annual Oregon Knife Collectors Association
OCTOBER (formerly the Lakeland Center). Contact Dan Show, Exhibit Hall, Lane Events Center and
CANCELED! OCT. 2-4 PORTLAND, OR Piergallini 813-754-3908 or 813-967-1471, or Fairgrounds. Contact Dennis Ellingsen 541-484-
The 3rd Annual BLADE Show West, Oregon visit gatorcutlery.com. * 5564 okca@oregonknifeclub.org.*
Convention Center. The latest in custom and
factory knives, awards for same, 2nd Annual JAN. 30-31 ST. LOUIS, MO Gateway Area
Chef ’s Knife Cutting Championships, demos, MAY -------------------------------------------
Knife Club Cutlery Fair, Sheet Metal Workers MAY 1-2 MYSTIC, CT The 39th Annual NCCA
seminars and more. New show dates for Hall. Contact Steve Markus 314-795-4262
2021 will be announced in the fall. For more Extravaganza Knife Show, Mystic Marriott.
smarkus@gakc.org, gakc.org, Facebook: gakc. Contact Larry Clifford 401-742-6779 lcliff1@
information visit bladeshowwest.com and/or st.louis.*
contact bladeshow.com.* ** verizon.net.*
[ 62 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
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Publisher:JimSchlender,5600WGrandeMarketDr.,Ste.100Appleton,WI54913
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11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1
Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages or Other Securities: None [ SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14 @ 9:00 AM
X] LOCATED: The Barn at Ligonier Valley, 1 Springer Rd, Ligonier PA 15658 (45 miles E of Pittsburgh).
12. Tax Status. The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and FEATURES: African Dangerous Game Guns, Big Bore and Double Rifles, High Grade double barrel shotguns, bronzes, reloading supplies, large selection of ammo.
the exempt status for federal income tax purposes: EDGED WEAPONS TO INCLUDE: Russian Calvary Sword, Dated 1830 45’ straight blade w/ metal scabbard, Russian Straight Sword Marked 1915 23-1/2”
[ X ] Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months long straight blade w/curve at top, German Hunting Sword Circa 1880, 20-3/4” long, German Hunting Sword, 19-1/2” long, Top Of Blade marked “G. Haute Berlin
[ ] Has Changed During the Preceding 12 Months Hoflieferant” Blade engraved/animal scene, Scottish Basket Hilted Sword 41” Straight Blade (no scabbard), European Hunting short sword decorated blade w/
13. Publication Title: Blade brass D guard & brass fittings on leather scabbard, French Cavalry Sword 38’ long Curved Blade w/ metal scabbard, Blade marked 1813 Waterloo ?, Scottish Dirk
17-1/4” long leather scabbard w/silver fittings, Scottish Basket-Hilt Broadsword (2nd Quarter of 18th Century – Scottish Rebellion. 34-3/8” blade, Turkish short
14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: Oct-20 sword (21-1/2”) straight blade,bone handle w/metal scabbard, Arabic inscription on blade, French Cavalry Saber, (43”), Straight blade w/ brass hilt, dated 1835, w/
15. Extent and Nature of Circulation: Average No. No. Copies of metal scabbard, European hunting sword overall length 31-1/2’, blade 25-3/4”, Heavy Civil War Artillery Saber, USM 1850 Foot Officers sword, (no scabbard),
Copies Each Single Issue USM 1860 Cavalry Officers Sword w/ metal scabbard, USM 1840 Artillery Officers (mounted) sword (no scabbard), USM 1906 Cavalry Troopers Saber (pattern
Issue During Published used during Civil War) flaring bomb at blade base w/reversed inspectors marks, USM 1860 Non-regulation Civil War Officers Sword, 33-1/2’, USM 1860 Staff &
Preceding Nearest to
12 Months Filing Date Field Officers Sword, US 1860 pattern Naval Cutlass 26’ curved blade marked at base w/ anchor USN DR (Daniel Reynolds) & 1862 Reverse is American Logo, USM
1840 Cavalry Officers Sword (unmarked), WWI German Artillary Saber, Austrian Military Jager (snipers) short sword, Circa 1765, Austrian Military Jager (snipers)
a. Total Number of Copies (Net press run) 17,533 17,819 short sword w/ sacbbard Circa 1810, Austrian sword cane w/ bone handle, Austrian hunting knife w/ leather and silver scabbard, Stag horn handle w/ ivory insert
b. Paid Circulation (By Mail and Outside Mail) in but depicting lion attacking animal, Bavarian Cavalry Officers sword Circa 1870 (unusual form)
(1) Mailed Outside-County Paid RANDALL KNIVES: Hunter, All Purpose Fighter, Attack Fighting Stiletto ,Airman, Arkansas Toothpick,Raymond Thorpe Bowie, Smithsonian Bowie,
Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541. Bird & Trout, Bren-Dan USM-4, Aerial USM-4, etc.
(Include paid distribution above
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TERMS: Cash, Checks, CREDIT CARD: 3% processing fee. VISIT WEBSITE FOR FULL LIST & PHOTOS
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Stated on PS Form 3541 (Include paid MARK L. FERRY 724-423-5580; WWW.MARKFERRYAUCTIONEERS.COM LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
distribution above nominal rate,
advertiser’s proof copies, and
exchange copies) 0 0
(3) Paid Distribution Outside the Mails
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 63 ]
WHERE TO GET ’EM BY BLADE® STAFF
BLAD
MT 59639, Phone: 406-210-4101, dunkerleyk- Andrew Blomfield, Dept. BL11, 1298 Puddledock
nives@gmail.com Web: www.dunkerleyknives. Rd., Armidke, NSW, Australia 2350 Lomenforge@
com; Hank Knickmeyer, Dept. BL11, 6300 bigpond.com; Shayne Carter, Dept. BL11, 5302
Crosscreek, Cedar Hill, MO 63016, Phone: 636- Rosewood Cir., Payson, UT 84651 801-913-
On Most 285-3210; Daryl Meier, Dept. BL11, 75 Forge Rd, 0181 shanemcarter@hotmail.com, Instagram/
Newssta Carbondale, IL 62903, Phone: 618-549-3234,
Web: www.meiersteel.com; Steve Schwarzer,
Facebook: @shaynecarterknives/shaynecarter;
CAS Brothers, Malabia 1364, Dept. BL11, Jose
By Novem Dept. BL11, POB 6, Crescent City, FL 32112, Leon Suarez, Buenos Aire, Argentina CP 1655,
Phone: 904-307-0872, schwarzeranvil@gmail. clacuchillos@live.com.ar, casknives.com Insta-
com; Web: www.steveschwarzer.com gram/Facebook: @cas_knives/CAS Sobral; Haley
DesRosiers, c/o Alaska Blades, Dept. BL11, 282
FORGED in FIRE EFFECT p. 28 Wyatt Ave., Idaho Falls, ID 83401 530-356-0063
Jason Knight, knightforgestudio@gmail.com, wilburnforgeleather@gmail.com, alaskablades.
knightforgestudio.com, jasonknightknives.com, com, wilburnforge.com, Instagram/Facebook:
Instagram/Facebook: @jasonknightknives/@ HDesrosiersknives/@wilburnforgeleather; Robert
jasonknightknives; J.W. Randall, Dept. BL11, Erickson, c/o Erickson Knifeworks, Dept. BL11,
11606 Keith Hall Rd., Dept. BL11, Keithville, 2303 W. Predmore Rd., Oakland, MI 48363
LA 71047 318-426-4007 jw@jwrandall.com, 248-376-4113 robertericksonknives@gmail.
jwrandall.com; Josh Smith, Dept. BL11, Box com, ericksonknifeworks.com, Instagram: @er-
753, Frenchtown, MT 59834, Phone: 406-626- icksonknifeworks; Jim Hammond, c/o Hammond
5775, joshsmithknives@gmail.com; Web: www. Knives @Designs, LLC, Dept. BL11, 104 Owens
joshsmithknives.com; Bill Wiggins, Dept. BL11, Pkwy., Ste. M, Birmingham, AL 35244 256-651-
105 Kaolin Lane, Canton, NC 28716, Phone: 1376 jim@jimhammondknives.com, Facebook:
KITCHEN 828-226-2551, wncbill@bellsouth.net Web: www. Jim Hammond; Tory Utt, c/o Sacred Bear Knives,
KNIFE wigginsknives.com Dept. BL11, 73 Harrison Rd., Orangeville, PA
SPECIAL 17859 570-951-9530 sacredbearknives@gmail.
[ 64 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
FORTY YEARS
OF KNIVES!
Y ear after year, the Knives
Annual keeps the knife
industry up to date on design
trends and customer creations.
Whether you’re a maker or a
collector, or whether you’re
jjust shopping for your next
unique piece, Knives 2020 is a
must-have. Order your copy of
the 40th edition of this one-of-
a-kind publication today!
ALSO
SPECIAL LIMITED
EDITION!
ONLY 250 NUMBERED,
HARDCOVER COPIES
AVAILABLE
SO ORDER
SOON!
Item WGBWR
Find this classic, plus other popular rearms and knives books at:
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GUIDE TO
PRACTICAL
KNIVES
FOR DAILY USE
Edited by
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MURRAY CARTER
Item Z7240 Item R0860 Item U1059 Item W1852 PDF Download
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N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 67 ]
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Bob Dozier Knives The best damn forum, period.
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ADVERTISERS’ INDEX
A E N T
Admiral Steel/Terry Summers........ 27 Evenheat Kiln, Inc........................... 57 NC Tool Company.......................... 37 TFS Knives ..................................... 67
AG Russell........................................ 5 Niagara Specialty Metals.................. 5 Tim Britton....................................... 31
American Bladesmith Society ........ 30 F Nordic Knives.................................... 8 TOPS Knives .................................. 84
Fallkniven........................................ 45 Tormach, LLC................................. 53
B Fenixlight Limited.............................. 3 P Tormek............................................ 18
Blade Magazine............47, 65, 66, 69 Pro-Tech Knives, LLC .................... 37 Tru-Grit............................................ 57
BladeGallery-Takefu Steel USA..... 39 H PVK.COM ....................................... 11 True North Knives........................... 38
Blue Ridge Knives .......................... 51 Halfbreed Blades Australia Pty Ltd.83 Tulsa Gun Show Inc ....................... 63
Boker USA ................................ 14, 42 Hawkins Knifemaking Supplies...... 56 R
Bradford Knives .............................. 30 Randall Made Knives ..................... 56 V
Buckeye Engraving-Steel Stamps . 63 J Recon 1........................................... 43 Voyles J. Bruce - Auctioneers........ 21
Jantz Supply ............................. 19, 25 VZ Grips.......................................... 44
C S
CAS Iberia....................................... 26 K Smoky Mountain Knife Works.......... 7 W
Chris Reeve Knives.......................... 8 Kayne Custom Hardware dba Black- Spartan Blades ............................... 26 White, Gordon................................. 67
smith’s Depot................................ 38 Spyderco, Inc.................................. 15 Work Sharp Sharpeners................... 9
D Knife & Gun Finishing Supplies ..... 59 WR Case........................................... 2
Damascus, Nichols......................... 57 Knives Plus ..................................... 63
Damasteel AB................................. 15 Krudo Knives .................................. 67
Davidson, Edmund ......................... 67
Denton, John-Vintage Loveless..... 67 M
Donill Kenney.................................. 42 Mark Ferry Auctions ....................... 63
Dozier Knives.................................. 18 Masecraft Supply Co ...................... 31
MGE Wholesale.............................. 17
Don’t Miss The Next 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.
Lori McDaniel
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ORDER YOUR ADVERTISING TODAY! lori@gundigest.com December 2020 September 02, 2020
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 69 ]
FACTORY DAMASCUS BY JAMES MORGAN AYRES BLADE® FIELD EDITOR
SPEC CH
ECK
P R O -T E C H T
B A S K E T W E ARV-5 A U T O IN D E V IN T H O M A
E DAMASCUS S
B LA D E LE N G T H
: 3.25”
C U T T IN G E D G E
: 2.75”
B LA D E M AT E R IA
L: D
Baske tweave Dam evin Thomas stainless
ascus
B LA D E T H IC K N
E S S : 0.1 25”
B LA D E H A R D N E
S S : 59 HRC
B LA D E S T Y LE : D
rop point
B LA D E G R IN D :
Flat
B LA D E FI N IS H :
Acid etch
H A N D LE M AT E R
IA L: Black T6 -60
The blade of the Pro- H A N D LE T H IC K 61 aluminum
3 COOL FACTORY Tech TR-5 Auto with LO C K IN G M E C H
N E S S : .5”
A N IS M : Auto ac
DAMASCUS FOLDERS Devin Thomas Bas-
ketweave Damascus
lip mother- of-pea
P O C K E T C LI P : B
rl button
tivated by a blac
k-
TAKE THE “FREE- has a toothy edge that
bit into the rolled-up right- hand carr y
lack stainless st
eel; blade-tip -up,
HANGING BANDANA” towel without imped-
ing the cut.
W E IG H T: 3.9 ozs.
C LO S E D LE N G T
AND OTHER TESTS CO U N T R Y O F O R
H : 4.25”
IG IN : US A
M S R P : $850
ECK
SPEC CH
D
amascus steel has a legendary
history. In ancient times, versions ORO
NE W OR KS T E S
of it were reputed to be strong S A N TA F E S T O A M A S C U S
enough to break common steel and sharp DA M A S TEEL D
: 3.25”
enough to cut through a falling silk scarf. B LA D E LE N G T H The Santa Fe Tesoro not only
: 3.25” peeled the apple skin without
The origin of damascus and its C U T T IN G E D G E as te el st ainless damascu
s
cutting into the fruit, it skived
L: D am
construction are a constant source of B LA D E M AT E R IA the skin as well.
pa ttern
fascination. Many believed the steel came in an Odin Heim A M E : A nodized tita
nium
T E R IA L/ FR
from Damascus, Syria, thus the name. In H A N D LE M A
Select
fact, most of the steel was made in India* S C A LE S : A balone
ton lock
and came to damascus in billets, which LO C K T Y P E : But
were then forged into swords, daggers W E IG H T: 3 ozs.
H : 4.25”
and knives. There were many kinds of C LO S E D LE N G T Ch in a made/ US A finish
ed
F O R IG IN :
“damascus” but all had in common a COUN T R Y O
high degree of ductility, strength and M S R P : $624
the ability to take a ferocious edge, all
qualities of critical importance during
ages when people fought one other with
edged weapons made of steel.
The knowledge of how to forge
damascus faded with the advent of more
modern materials. In America the forging
of damascus was considered a lost art,
though not so much in Europe, the Mid-
East or India. BLADE Magazine Cutlery
Hall-Of-Fame® member Bill Moran
was the first to forge modern pattern-
welded steel, a version of damascus,
and use it for knife blades. This led to a
damascus renaissance and soon many
bladesmiths were forging various kinds
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 71 ]
FACTORY DAMASCUS
ECK
SPEC CH
N IC H O LS D A M A SCUS 1906
HAD
BOKER 2020 C
: 3.4 6”
B LA D E LE N G T H mbled
E M A T E R IA L: Chad Nichols Scra
B LA D
Damascus
: 3.1 1”
C U T T IN G E D G E
E S S : .1”
B LA D E T H IC K N
D N E S S : 59 HRC
R O C K W E LL H A R
ip point
B LA D E S T Y LE : Cl
Hollow
B LA D E G R IN D :
Acid etch
B LA D E FI N IS H : birch
LE M A T E R IA L: S tabilized curly
H A ND
N E S S : .4 3”
H A N D LE T H IC K ck
C K IN G M E C H A N IS M : Lockba
LO
W E IG H T: 2.6 ozs.
H : 4.33”
C LO S E D LE N G T O R IG IN : Solingen, Ger
many
N T R Y O F
C IT Y A N D C O U
M S R P : $5 79
OLD-SCHOOL ELEGANCE
The Boker Limited Edition 2020 Chad
Nichols Damascus 1906 Folding Knife is
intended to be a collector’s knife rather
than an everyday user. The design
is classic, very old school and quite
handsome. That said, there’s nothing
to keep you from slipping it into your
pocket and using it for the kind of daily
cutting tasks a gentleman’s or a collector
knife should be able to tackle.
The stabilized curly birch scales are
In a recreation of the old falling silk scarf test, the author used the Boker Limited Edition smoothly finished, comfortable and
2020 Chad Nichols Damascus 1906 to slice a free-hanging cotton bandana. attractive. The 200-layer Chad Nichols
Damascus blade in a Scrambled pattern
is eye catching. However, it didn’t cut
of the steel (page 12). However, damascus similar to the ancient silk scarf test. While as well as the other two review knives.
knives remained relatively rare and very not as challenging, it’s more affordable That’s not to say it wasn’t sharp, just that
expensive. In recent years, with further than the latter. We sliced rolled towels, the difference was noticeable. It did slash
development and the advent of factory which are quite difficult to cut and tend through the free-hanging bandanas, not
damascus knives, the material has to squish away from an edge that’s not an easy task, and cut the rolled towels
become much more widely available and perfectly sharp. We also peeled apples, with only a little squishing and slight
less expensive in production folders and another good test of sharpness. We cut drag. I suspect a bit of work with a fine
fixed blades. tough nylon dock line to check sharpness water stone would refine the edge to razor
This review is of three contemporary and also edge-holding ability. Author’s sharpness, but, as stated, we test them as
factory folders sporting damascus note: We test all knives for sharpness they come**. It required a bit of force to
blades. My team and I reviewed each for as they come from the maker and as a draw-cut the dock line, but the Boker
cutting ability and edge holding. We also regular end user would receive them. held an edge for 35 cuts before requiring
evaluated the knives for comfort in hand, We do not sharpen them. This gives all more force. Limited to a production run
appearance and overall quality. makers a level playing field. of 999 units, the lockback folder will
To test cutting ability we slashed free- As to build quality, each of the test undoubtedly find a welcome home with
hanging cotton bandanas, conceptually folders is at the top level. None have those who relish old-school elegance.
[ 72 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
FACTORY DAMASCUS
NINJA KNIFE?
The Pro-Tech TR-5 Auto in a Devin
Thomas stainless Basketweave
damascus blade reveals its tactical roots
at a glance. The fish-scale-textured
handle provides a secure and comfortable
grip and the dark, deeply patterned
damascus blade looks made for serious
work. The glass breaker and strong clip
also say tactical. The black-lip mother-
of-pearl push button has an air of
sinister sophistication and fires the blade
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 73 ]
FACTORY DAMASCUS
Devin Thomas forged the Basketweave of damascus, aka watered steel, in their knife” is sharpened, refinished or otherwise
Damascus for the Pro-Tech TR-5.
legendary Samurai swords. Damascus altered from its original state.
also was made in Germany during World
War II and later by such German smiths For the contact information for the pictured
solid lock, secure clip and comfortable as Manfred Sachse. According to Sachse’s knives, see “Where To Get ’Em” on page 64.
in hand. With superior cutting ability, it book, Damascus Steel: Myth, History,
cleanly slashed through the free-hanging Technology Applications, damascus For the latest knives, knife news, trends
bandana and slid through the rolled- steelmaking goes back much further, as and more visit blademag.com, BLADE®’s
up towel like a dolphin slides through early as 500 B.C. The steel also has been popular Instagram page @blade_
waves. The blade not only peeled apple used on firearms for centuries and today magazine, and on Facebook and Twitter.
skin without cutting into the fruit, it is used in any number of items, including
skived the skin as well. It cut the dock jewelry, pens, golf clubs and more.
line with the least effort of the three test
knives, and was the only one that cut the **Editor’s note: Collector value can be
dock line with a press cut rather than a reduced if a mint or vintage “collector's
draw cut—and it did so for 45 passes
before having to increase pressure. This
is a hawk in peacock’s clothing, an eye-
catching piece of craft that performs like
a superior tactical knife.
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WHAT’S NEW BY BLADE ® STAFF
SPEC CHART
KNIFE NAME: Wolf River Fighter
BLADE LENGTH: 5.25”
BLADE MATERIAL: A go-mai construction w/a core of W2 tool
steel w/a 50 layer-damascus of 1095 carbon and 15N20 nickel-
alloy steels on each side, and 416
stainless steel cladding
BLADE PATTERN: Harpoon
HANDLE MATERIAL: 7,500-year-old bog HANDLE MATERIAL: G-10
oak WEIGHT: 11 ozs.
KNIFE TO KNOW: Single guard and OVERALL LENGTH: 9.75”
bird’s-beak handle construction w/ KNIFE TO KNOW: Textured handle w/integral guard, bird’s-
finger groove beak butt and a hole for a lanyard
BOLSTER: Yellow cedar burl SHEATH: Leather belt model w/snap-closure strap
SPACERS and LINER: G-10 COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Russia
OVERALL LENGTH: 10.5” MSRP: $185
MAKER’S LIST PRICE FOR A SIMILAR COMPANY: Kizlyar Supreme, c/o CAS Iberia, attn: B. Pogue,
KNIFE: $1,000 Dept. BL11, 650 Industrial Blvd., Sale Creek, TN 37373-9797
GRIP ‘N RIP: The maker is a military 423-332-4700 bpogue@casiberia.com, www.casiberia.com
veteran
MAKER: Tyler Hackbarth 920-422-
3580 wolfriverforge@gmail.com,
Instagram: @wolfriverforge
(Caleb Royer edited image)
SPEC CHA
KNIFE NAME: S.A.R.
SPEC CHART KNIFE TYPE: Utility fixe
BLADE LENGTH: 4.75”
MODEL TYPE: Hexagral chef’s
BLADE MATERIAL: 80Cr
knife
steel
BLADE LENGTH: 10”
BLADE THICKNESS: 3/16
BLADE MATERIAL: Radial-laddered
BLADE SPINE: Serrated
W’s-pattern damascus of 15N20 nickel-
rope/cord
alloy steel cladding a 1095 carbon steel
core HANDLE MATERIAL: Bla
BLADE GRIND: “S” type to aid in SHEATH: Lined Boltaron
food release optimal carry; spring be
HANDLE: African blackwood MSRP: $475
BOLSTER: Integral w/hexagonal fit up KNIFE TO KNOW: Adapte
search-and-rescue team
FITTINGS: Silicon bronze and G-10 liner
California; glass breake
CONSTRUCTION: Through tang bolted and
full tang
capped w/silicon bronze to match the spacer
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
OVERALL LENGTH: 15”
MAKER: Winkler Knives, attn: Daniel Winkler, Dept. BL11, POB
KNIFE TO KNOW: “It’s big but light for its size and
2166, Blowing Rock, NC 28605 828-295-9156 danielwinkler@
balanced perfect for a pinch grip.”—Charlie Ellis
bellsouth.net, www.winklerknives.com
MAKER: Charlie Ellis, eaglecrestforge@gmail.com
(Whetstone Studio image)
SPEC CHART
SPEC CHART KNIFE NAME: Plethiros
DESIGNER: Elijah Isham
KNIFE PATTERN: Hunter
BLADE LENGTH: 3.45”
KNIFE TYPE: Fixed blade
BLADE MATERIAL: Chinese damascus
BLADE LENGTH: 6”
ROCKWELL HARDNESS: 59-61 HRC
BLADE MATERIAL: O1 tool steel
BLADE GRIND: Flat
HANDLE: Stabilized and dyed maple
BLADE THICKNESS: .12”
GUARD & BOLSTER: Stainless steel
HANDLE MATERIAL: G-10 w/carbon-fiber overlay
OVERALL LENGTH: 11”
HANDLE THICKNESS: .51”
MAKER’S LIST PRICE FOR A SIMILAR
KNIFE: $450 LOCK: Linerlock
MAKER: Jeff Faria 519-535-7681 LINER MATERIAL: Stainless steel
Jefftam1@rogers.com, Instagram/ POCKET CLIP: Stainless steel; reversible
Facebook: Fariaknives/Fariaknives SCREWS, PIVOT CAP & WASHERS: Stainless steel
(Caleb Royer image) CLOSED LENGTH: 4.45”
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: China
MSRP: $115
COMPANY: We Knife, attn.: Angel or Joe, Dept.
BL11, Yangdong, Yangjiang, Guangdong, 529500,
China 86 662 6624678 weknife.com, sales@
weknife.com
SPEC CHART
KNIFE NAME: Imperial White Provoke
DESIGNER: Joe Caswell
SPEC CHART KNIFE TYPE: Modified folding karambit
MODEL TYPE: Chef’s knife BLADE LENGTH: 2.41”
BLADE LENGTH: 9.8” BLADE MATERIAL: D2 tool steel
BLADE MATERIAL: Wootz BLADE THICKNESS: .209”
HANDLE MATERIAL: Ancient BLADE FINISH: Cerakote® Stormtrooper White
walrus ivory ACTION: Kinematic™ technology; thumb pressure on the upper crossbar of
HANDLE CONSTRUCTION: Frame 6061 T6 aluminum sets the Kinematic chain-opening reaction in motion,
BOLSTER: Heat-colored 1084 causing the blade to lunge forward while you maintain a firm grasp on the
carbon steel and bronze handle
APPROXIMATE OVERALL LENGTH: 14.8” HANDLE: 6061 T6 aluminum
KNIFE TO KNOW: The maker’s inspiration WEIGHT: 6.1 ozs.
for the knife came from a yatagan sword. CLOSED LENGTH: 4.96”
“I wanted to create a kitchen knife with KNIFE TO KNOW: This model is sold out but available at select
similar aspects.”—Mert Tansu retailers while supplies last
MAKER: Mert Tansu +61457913483 COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Taiwan
tansuknives@yahoo.com, Instagram: @ MSRP: $200
tansu_knives (Caleb Royer edited image) COMPANY: CRKT, attn: M. May, Dept. BL11, 18348 SW 126th
Place, Tualatin, OR 97062 800-891-3100 info@crkt.com, www.
crkt.com
[ 76 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
WHAT’S NEW
SPEC CH
SPEC CH KNIFE NAME: NL5 Idun
KNIFE PATTERN: Hunte
KNIFE NAME: Arkansa
KNIFE TYPE: Fixed blad
BLADE LENGTH: 3.25”
BLADE LENGTH: 3.93”
BLADE MATERIAL: L6
BLADE STEEL: VG-10 st
BLADE GRIND: Flat
laminated w/420J2 sta
BLADE PATTERN: Mod
ROCKWELL HARDNESS
BLADE FINISH: Brut d
HANDLE MATERIAL: Le
HANDLE MATERIAL: St
GUARD: Stainless stee
HANDLE PINS: Brass
BUTT CAP: Aluminum
OVERALL LENGTH: 7 5/
WEIGHT: 6.4 ozs.
KNIFE TO KNOW: “The
OVERALL LENGTH: 8.46
handforged from steel
from an antique circula SHEATH: Black leather
blade from an Arkansa COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: S
The handle material wa MSRP: $475
cut, milled and stabiliz COMPANY: Fallkniven, a
Arkansas.”—J.D. Edwar E. Hjortberger, Dept. BL
MAKER: J.D. Edwards, Granatvagen 8, S-961
renegade_forge@yaho 23 Boden, Sweden VAT
com (Whetstone Studi # SE556494-8684-01,
image) P +46 (0) 921 544 22
info@fallkniven.se,
www.fallkniven.com
For the latest knives, knife news, trends and more visit blademag.com, BLADE®’s popular
Instagram page @blade_magazine, and on Facebook and Twitter.
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 77 ]
COVID-19 BY DEXTER EWING BLADE® FIELD EDITOR
[ 78 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
C
OVID-19 has been an forced to halt production lines. Some KA-BAR Knives CEO. “Around half of
unprecedented struggle worldwide. products, especially those related to our employees are working from home.”
Almost everyone has been affected sanitizing or cleaning, have experienced Curtis Iovito, co-founder and co-owner
negatively in one way or another, some shortages. The knife industry has been of Spartan Blades, says his company has
more than most. Many have died or affected but, thankfully, not in the way no employees working from home. In
fallen ill, and many more no doubt you might think. BLADE® interviewed fact, Spartan is a small operation with few
will. Hospitals, schools, businesses, a few knife industry professionals to see workers. “We build knives and that has to
restaurants, churches, events, myriad how they have handled things during the be done in the shop,” he says. “As far as
venues, the economy in general, and crisis, and how business has been. the work place is concerned, we had the
industries of all types have felt the Their answers may surprise you. ability to spread folks out and conduct
pandemic’s impact. That, of course, social distancing.”
includes the knife industry. CHRISTMAS in the SPRING Joyce Laituri, head of public relations
Manufacturing in general has taken In general, online knife retailers and marketing for Spyderco, says the
a massive hit as companies were experienced an uptick of business during company worked quickly starting March
the early stages of the COVID-19 breakout 15 to shift as many employees as possible to
because most people were staying home/ working remotely from home. “The most
quarantined. Add the stimulus checks the important objective was for us to keep our
government issued and the recipe was crew/family and their families safe and
perfect for consumers to take advantage healthy, and for us to offer work flexibility
of online shopping. to do this,” she explains. As of June 18,
“It’s been Christmas all spring!” she says the staff was back in the office
exclaims Jason Kunkler, buyer for at 50 percent capacity, as per Colorado
Knifecenter.com. He says Knifecenter guidelines. She credits Spyderco’s 135
was busy right from the outset of the employees for realizing what needed
pandemic when people were sent home to happen and working together in an
for quarantine or to work remotely. “We accelerated timeline so they could resume
have moved as many people to ‘work business as usual in the new work mode.
from home’ as we could so that we could In other words, business in general
distance the people that need to be on for knife companies didn’t come to a
campus,” Kunkler points out. Thanks to
advances in image technology, some of
the product photography and videos for
the company’s retail website were shot and PLAGUE DOCTOR
produced in employee homes. A fraction In recent years Spartan Blades
of Knifecenter employees remained in the has been offering limited-edition
building, primarily those who handled versions of the SHF (Spartan Harsey
the fulfilling and shipping of customer Folder) designed by knifemaker Bill
orders, and keeping shelves stocked Harsey. The limited editions feature
with knives as they were delivered. For
special laser etching or engraving on
those who remained onsite, Knifecenter
the handles, and may or may not have
instituted a strict regimen of sanitization,
which included daily wipe downs of all damascus blades. The SHF Plague
contact surfaces, and requiring employees Doctor was conceived to honor the
to wear personal protection equipment. brave men and women who work as
Plus, every employee’s temperature was medical professionals on the front line
taken upon arrival at work each morning. of the COVID-19 battle.
The handle features a cartoon
BUSINESS MODEL SHIFT illustration of “the plague doctor”
From a manufacturing standpoint, drawn by AJ LaFell, a craftsman at
COVID-19 social-distancing protocols Spartan. On the clip side of the handle
have required a radical shift in how
is his rendering of the COVID-19
business is conducted. Company staff
virus. Only 15 of the knives were built
that could work from home were shifted
to working remotely. This includes and they all sold very fast. At press
customer service, marketing, sales and time, Spartan was considering doing
engineering staff. another run of Plague Doctors at some
“We are at a fraction of our workforce point in time. For updates, stay tuned
physically working at KA-BAR to help to spartanblades.com.
maintain social distance,” says John Stitt, —by Dexter Ewing
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 79 ]
COVID-19
Because Spartan Blades is such a small shop, it had the ability to meet governor-man-
dated personnel number restrictions. Hence, the company plowed ahead with no delays
in production. Spartan’s Curtis Iovito (left) and Lannie Harper (center) hold down the fort.
(Marty Stanfield Photography image)
Spyderco’s Joyce Laituri credits the com-
pany’s 135 employees for realizing what
needed to happen and working together in
an accelerated timeline so they could re-
sales with the use of their social media continues to conduct business as close to
sume business as usual in the “new work platforms has been key. “Our advertising, usual as possible.
mode.” (David Jung image) social media and direct consumer contact Compliance among all employees has
never ceased or slowed during the been key for knife companies attempting
screeching halt as some had feared it pandemic,” Laituri says. “If anything, our to press forward during the COVID-19
would. social channels have increased as people age. For the most part, the employees have
are homebound.” been using common sense, performing
BUSINESS BUMP their respective job functions safely.
Many knife companies report a surge in HEALTH/SAFETY CONCERNS
business since the pandemic started. As Ensuring the health and safety of THE FUTURE
mentioned, this is due to the trifecta of employees has been a major concern. “We What does the future hold for the knife
quarantine/work from home, stimulus incorporated all the standard protocols,” industry in terms of manufacturing and
checks from the federal government, Iovito comments. “[This includes] masks selling knives, attending knife shows
and access to technology that allows for or staying home if sick or if they had a and more? “I think that will depend
online shopping. “We have seen about temperature.” KA-BAR has a policy of on a myriad of factors that are largely
50 percent growth since January and checking the temperatures of employees outside the control of the industry,”
have had some of our best months ever and asking them a series of questions Kunkler says. Forecasts Iovito, “I think
since the pandemic hit the United States,” upon their arrival at work each day. “A you will see more online meetings and
Iovito notes. Confirms Kunkler, “We got big part of it is self-monitoring as well,” collaborations; so many people have been
busy right from the start.” Stitt maintains. “Our employees have forced to work with insurance companies,
Spyderco has an on-site retail store at been outstanding at monitoring their banks and business associates online.”
its Golden, Colorado, headquarters and own situation and being honest with us Moreover, he states that companies
manufacturing facility. “Our retail store in regards to their health.” will be forced to tighten up supply
has been open since the governor of How have these policies affected the chains, as well as improve planning for
Colorado issued the second opening step manufacturing process? “On our end it contingencies. In fact, the pandemic has
for retail outlets, ‘Safer at Home,’ with hasn’t been a much of a factor,” Iovito says. taught manufacturers that ordering and
safety guidelines in place for employees “The North Carolina governor added receiving materials needed for production
and customers,” Laituri says. “Our walk- a caveat to his COVID-19 restrictions has been a bit difficult with the slowdown
in sales are healthy, as are our Internet that allowed for the manufacture of of major couriers such as the U.S. Postal
and dealer orders.” Stitt indicates KA- steel products, and, because we are such Service, United Parcel Service and FedEx.
BAR sales were strong at press time, and a small shop, we had the ability to meet Stitt says things returning to the way
that he has great hopes for the immediate personnel number restrictions.” Hence, they were before the pandemic in terms
future. “I think business will continue the folks at Spartan Blades plowed ahead of KA-BAR’s business approach is a tough
to be strong for the next eight-to-12 full steam with no delays in production. question to answer. “We may never go
months,” he observes. Pretty much the same applies to KA- back to 100 percent ‘normal’ operations,”
The knife companies’ ability to leverage BAR, which, while still being cautious, he says, in part because the company
[ 80 ] B L A D E ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
COVID-19
already has had success with what he for June 4-6 at the Cobb Galleria in
calls its current hybrid business model. Atlanta. For updates, visit bladeshow.com.
“We have learned a great deal in regard
to efficiencies and have become more INDUSTRY RESOLVE
agile,” he points out. For now, KA-BAR’s Due to COVID-19, the knife industry
According to KA-BAR
business model is working very well, with has had to make many adjustments to CEO John Stitt, “Our
sales increasing overall. “When we reach a the way it does business. Through it all, employees have been
point in which life returns to a semblance the resolve of industry personnel to rise outstanding at moni-
of pre-COVID-19 normalcy, we may see to the challenge has been remarkable. toring their own situa-
sales drop, but it’s hard to say when and if “In the end, I honestly believe things will tion and being honest
with us in regards
that’s going to happen,” Stitt says. get back to normal for the most part,” to their health.” The
Laituri wonders about another aspect Iovito observes. Echoes Laituri, “These Single Mark KA-BAR
of the industry: trade shows. “The future past months have been a testament to 1320 fighting/utility
of knife shows and other in-person events the leadership and health of our business. fixed blade is one of
the latest versions of
will be an adjustment as the industry finds Whoever could have imagined shifting a knife industry icon.
a new routine,” she says. Adds Stitt, “Trade literally overnight to work systems not
shows have been dying for a number used before in knifemaking? I raise my
of years, and COVID-19 seems to be hat to all of us! We’re a feisty bunch, aren’t
accelerating that decline.” The sporting we?”
industry’s largest trade show, the annual Feisty is a good trait. It gets people
Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade through the tough times.
(SHOT) Show, was still on at press time for
Jan 19-22, 2021, at the Sands Expo Center For how the custom side of the industry is
and Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. However, faring during the pandemic, stay tuned to
SHOT officials were continuing to a future issue.
monitor the COVID-19 situation, sharing
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 81 ]
COOL CUSTOM BY BLADE ® STAFF
K
nifemaker David Broadwell and
ABS master smith Steve Randall
collaborated on a knife once before,
so they decided to do it again—and the
result is a knockout.
Sporting an electric hamon on a 10.5-
inch blade of a laminate stainless steel
over carbon damascus forged, ground
and finished by Steve, the sub-hilt fighter
includes a mostly green mammoth ivory
handle with yellow/gold highlights built
and carved by David. Steve also forged
the damascus for the frame and guard,
the latter also carved by David, who also
sculpted the bronze trim. Topping it all
off is a beautiful belt sheath with exotic
inlay by Nita Broadwell/NB Designs.
Steve
Randall
TWICE IS
SPEC CHECK
KNIFE: Sub-hilt fighter
MAKERS: David Broadwell and Steve Randall
OH SO NICE
BLADE LENGTH: 10.5”
BLADE MATERIAL: Stainless-steel laminate
over damascus
HANDLE: Mammoth ivory
FRAME: Damascus
BOLSTER: Damascus and bronze
SECOND COLLABORATION BY DAVID BROADWELL AND OVERALL LENGTH: 15 7/8”
SHEATH: Leather and exotic inlay by Nita
STEVE RANDALL STUNS IN STEEL AND ANCIENT IVORY Broadwell
[ 82 ] B L A D E ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
HALFBREED BLADES IS PROUDLY 100% AUSTRALIAN OWNED & OPERATED.
Our mission is to bring to market pinnacle performance specialist hand tools, intelligently designed with no compromise in materials or manufacturing techniques.
Featured models are our MIK-01PS (left) & MIK-05PS (right).