1ST-EVER FORGED KNIFE SPECI L ISS E!

NOVEMBER 2020
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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

12 A BLADE IN THE CAN 54 AMAZIN’ ASIANS

The history of canned steel traces its roots to its pioneers. Three blades with an Eastern design flair are zesty cutters.
By Mike Haskew By Pat Covert

22 INTERMEDIATE FORGING 60 LET ME TELL YOU ‘BOUT AHAB

Blending the old with the new sometimes yields notable results. What would the white whale have thought of harpoon patterns?
By Lin Rhea By BLADE ® staff

28 FIF : GIMMICK, INSPIRATION OR BOTH? 70 DAMASCUS DOES IT

Those in the know scrutinize TV’s long-running Forged in Fire. 3 cool knives take the hanging-bandana test and more.
By Dave Rhea By James Morgan Ayres

34 HOW TO COLLECT CUSTOM HUNTERS 78 KNIFE AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL?

The author’s series ends with the collectible influencers. The factory knife industry has fared well during COVID-19.
By Les Robertson By Dexter Ewing

40 STEEL WITH OLD SCHOOL FEEL 82 TWICE IS OH SO NICE

Carbon steel knives continue to be top factory performers. Second Broadwell/Randall knife stuns in steel, ancient ivory.
By Dexter Ewing By BLADE ® staff

[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

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ByCoop
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70

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Dept #H1120

D To gh
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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

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[6 ] B L A D E ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
 COVER STORY

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faster, & easier to use.

IF IT CUTS,
WE CARRY IT.
SMKW.COM

• TOP BRAND CLOSEOUTS

“T • ANTIQUE & CUSTOM KNIVES
he customer wanted a West-
ern-themed knife,” ABS mas-
ter smith Rick Dunkerley said
of the special canister-steel edition of his
• LIMITED EDITION KNIVES
sole-authorship Model 35 folder, “so I • DAILY FLASH SALES
made a cowboy riding a bucking horse as
the main feature of the damascus.”
The cowboy and horse are pure nickel CELEBRATING
OUR 40TH
surrounded by 15N20 nickel-alloy steel.
Rick created the cactus desert scene

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
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[8 ] B L A D E ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
 HOW TO SHARPEN:

PRECISION ADJUST THE PRECISION ADJUST

BRINGS THE ABRASIVE
TO THE BLADE,
KNIFE SHARPENER OFFERING A HIGH-LEVEL
OF CONTROL OVER THE
IN STORES & ONLINE NOV 1ST 2020 SHARPENING PROCESS.

1. SET THE ANGLE

Select any angle between 15°
and 30° by rotating the top knob.

2. CLAMP THE BLADE

The V Stop clamp secures each
blade and positioning is
repeatable for consistent
maintenance and sharpening.

3. SHARPEN THE EDGE

Draw the abrasive over the knife
either pushing or pulling and
sharpen from heel to tip. Raise a
burr then repeat on the opposing
side. Hone with finer grits with two
passes per side before switching.

See Our Sharpeners and Learn More Sharpening Tips at

W O R KS H A R P TO O L S . C O M / E D U C AT I O N
Subscribe to our Youtube Channel
WORK SHARP SHARPENERS
 UNSHEATHED BY STEVE SHACKLEFORD

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

According to Steve Schwarzer

and Hank Knickmeyer, along
with Shane Taylor, Josh Prince
and Salem Straub, Rick
Dunkerley (inset) is one of
the rising stars forging
knives of canister steel.
Rick’s Model 35 folder
is a representative
example. For more
on this issue’s cover
knife, see page 7.
(Eric Eggly/Point-
Seven images)

[ 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

what I was doing, and he told me that in performance,” he offered, “mainly

he had been putting a couple of drops of
diesel in there.”
Runyon was also at the Batson
hammer-in, and when the discussion
came around to canister steel, there was
talk about getting nickel to bond to high
carbon steel. “Steve was doing canister
work with wire EDM stuck together with
solid pieces of steel,” Gary related. “He
suggested putting steel cable in a pipe and
pouring nickel all around and through it,
and sealing it up with the nickel powder
in there. As far as I know it was the first
time somebody had put powder in a can,
and it was just a piece of plumbing pipe.
BOKER PLUS LEGION | 9Cr13CoMoV blade steel | G10 handle scales | Liner lock | Blade length: 3.43” | Overall length: 7.87” | Item No.: 01BO242
because you can control the grain size to
1 or 1.5 microns. So, you can use them at
high hardness, and the product is tough
enough to perform.”
Knickmeyer agrees.
“I wouldn’t argue that it performs
better than other steels,” he assessed,
“but it has a lot to do with the elements
you put in it. Heat treating is still very
important. I usually have a cutting edge
that is all tool steel, a forge-welded tool
steel or a san-mai kind of thing, keeping
the nickel away from the edge.”
Runyon recalls hearing of damascus
forgers using such materials as drywall

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

as forge welding solid steel once you get

STEELING THE SHOW
it to bright yellow heat and get enough
energy for the particles to bond with
enough pressure or force to consolidate.”

AMERICAN FLAG BOWIE

Meier, author of the famed American Flag
Bowie knife (page 50, June 1991 BLADE®)
that he presented to President George
H.W. Bush at the White House, was also
a frequent guest at the Batson hammer-
ins. “The story of the ‘Bush Bowie’ is too
complex to be part of an article, or a whole
article. It would take a series of articles to
do justice to that knife!” he commented.
“The project involved 800-plus hours
of work over an 18-month period. The
American Flag knife was totally made
using solid steel parts, no powder.
“The earliest things I can remember
that involved canister steel were when
Schwarzer made a covey of quail on
a blade and Hank Knickmeyer did an
animal form, maybe a deer, as well as his This Native® 5 Lightweight showcases our exclusive CPM® SPY27TM blade steel in a signature
‘HK’ icon,” concluded Meier, who also cobalt-blue fiberglass-reinforced-nylon (FRN) handle. All other features are consistent with
famously forged his name into a blade the Native 5 Lightweight model.
in the late 1970s. “Both were using solid
spyderco.com 800 525 7770
metal and powder in a can, I believe. The
only thing I have done for my own use

N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 15 ]
 STORIED STEEL

in blades was some diamond dust and

carbon steel powder in a can.”
Knickmeyer remembers watching Scott
“As far as I know
Lankton work on a Viking-style sword at it was the first
a Batson event and heading home intent
on trying his hand at forge welding steel.
time somebody
He learned of the canister-steel forging had put powder in
process from Schwarzer and Meier, a can, and it was
applying his own twist on the production.
“Daryl has done some very elaborate just a piece of
things,” he remarked. “The American plumbing pipe.”
Flag Bowie was elaborate conceptually,
— G ar y Runyon
and he thought all the way to the end on
that. It reads on both sides and has words
and stuff like that in it. Usually you have
words and a mirror image on the other
side. He worked it to read on both sides.
“Different people do canister steel
different ways,” Hank continued. “Early
on, I would coat the inside of a can with Steve Schwarzer’s cover knife for the
September 1994 BLADE® featured a blade
zinc oxide or something that would allow of his intricate mosaic damascus that
me to peel the cover of the can off. For included a net-like mosaic at the tip giving
the most part, I would make the can and way to a dense spider-web pattern fram-
put things inside it. Later, when people ing a mosaic target that has been hit by a
gold tomahawk and arrow.
started doing powders, it made things
much simpler. The early stuff was built
up of metal shapes, wire EDM or such
cut into various shapes. I did that, too.
I used to build out of shapes I found in
my stock rack. Later, with the powder
you could almost do anything, dividing
different areas and using different kinds
of powders. The light and dark in my
work is primarily nickel differences.”
There was trial and error along the way,
but Schwarzer has found the experience
rewarding in its refinement. He started
off with a coal forge, migrated to charcoal
and now uses propane.
“Heat is heat,” he noted, “and steel Gary Runyon worked for Teledyne and
doesn’t care as long as you keep the Allegheny Technologies as a specialist in
oxygen down. High O2 will burn carbon metallic ore deposits.
out of steel, and one of the problems with
complex welding is temperature. The work of Steve’s I had seen, and it was an
Hank Knickmeyer was inspired to forge
material will sheer if you don’t take the elaborate image,” he recalled. “He had to steel after watching Scott Lankton
time to thermocycle, heating it just below keep the barrel of that hunter’s shotgun (above) work on a Viking-style sword at a
critical and letting it cool. The hardest straight as he takes the shot at those quail, Batson Bladesmithing Symposium.
part to teach is how something feels to and that is hard to do.”
you. But you are feeling what’s going on When Hank takes to the forge, he animals running through a landscape,
in the steel. The puzzle of the steel is the sees the opportunity with a discerning I did the landscape separate from the
easy part, but it’s only the start of the sculptor’s eye. “One of the nice things animals and combined them in a block,
picture. Finishing the puzzle properly about canister stuff is that you can almost and then another block, developing
is the hard part, having extreme control treat it like drawing,” he reasoned. “I’ve complexity over time.”
over a material you can’t see and feeling had things like landscapes, or human To the layman it probably appears that
what is going on in the bar. I can’t really figures or animals, many of them very the entire exercise is complex, start to
tell you about it. It’s like trying to describe elaborate. You get good at anticipating, finish. The obsession to find something
a color to somebody.” and that is true of any kind of drawing. new is welded just as sturdily into the
A sculptor by training, Knickmeyer I would say that basically you think in minds of those who love layered steel as
admires Schwarzer’s effort with that sequences, and if I was doing a simple the contrasting elements in the steel itself.
first covey of quail. “It was the first such example like a piece with an image of Why do they do it?

[ 16 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
MGE CONTINUES TO EXPAND

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 STORIED STEEL

Daryl Meier

“You do it because it is freaking

beautiful!” Schwarzer exclaimed. “I saw a
book not long ago that was put together
for people that curate museums and
high-level art dealers and such. The only
thing new in the book for the 21st century
was mosaic steel, and Hank and I were
the only two steel people in it. A friend
called and told me we were in the book,
and there was a picture of a face pattern
I had done.”

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.

For the contact information for the pictured

knives, see “Where To Get ’Em” on page 64.

For the latest knives, knife news, trends

and more visit blademag.com, BLADE®’s
popular Instagram page @blade_
magazine, and on Facebook and Twitter.

[ 18 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
 52100 Roundstock Evapo-Rust®®
Evapo-Rust

1-800-351-8900 52100 is a high carbon, chromium

Knife Sharpening alloy steel. With excellent formability
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Wheel Set and shaping, it has been highly prized
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Used by professionals, this two 7.5” The high carbon, chrome-vanadium EBR152 0.813" x 12" 8.95 many metals).
wheel system allows the user to grind chemical composition makes EBR208 1-1/8" x 12" 16.95 Rust-Block™ by Evapo-Rust® for
a fine edge then clean & polish to a 80CrV2 a good steel for knives. long term rust preventative. Keeps
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projects. Featuring a black Cordura CAT# SIZE LENGTH PRICE powders of 1084, 1095 or 1080 with biodegradeble. Safe on auto parts,
exterior and soft fabric interior. Black CZ0615 3/32” x 1 1/2” 18” $8.95 a 2% pure nickel or 4% pure nickel tools, hardware, and more.
poly foam padding and a nylon zipper CZ0620 3/32” x 2” 18” $11.95 mix for making canister damascus. CAT.# DESCRIPTION PRICE
CZ0815 1/8” x 1 1/2” 18” $9.75 ER088 Evapo-Rust Gel 8oz. $9.95
CZ0820 1/8” x 2” 18” $12.95 ER012 Evapo-Rust 1Gal. $21.95
CZ1015 5/32” x 1 1/2” 18” $12.15 ER018 E/R with dipper 3.5Gal. $64.95
CZ1020 5/32” x 2” 18” $16.25 ER013 Evapo-Rust 5Gal. $97.95
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CV0815 1/8” x 1 1/2” 36” $16.85
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CV0820 1/8” x 2” 36” $22.45 CAT# METAL SIZE PRICE
R13N Fighter 4” x 13” $9.95
CV1015 5/32” x 1 1/2” 36” $20.95 PSBR1 Brass 2 lb $33.95
West System Adhesives CV1020 5/32” x 2” 36” $27.95 PSCU1 Copper 2 lb $33.95
CV1215 3/16” x 1 1/2” 36” $25.25 PSBZ2 Bronze 2 lb $39.95 CITGO -
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Epoxy CV1615 1/4” x 1 1/2” 36” $32.95
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WEST SYSTEM G-FLEX EPOXY for making Damascus. Typical PS845 1084 5 lbs $19.95 PARK’S AAA - Widely used patented
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G5 EPOXY is a fast curing epoxy for XN252 .049” x 2” 12” $5.50 BS205 CITGO Oil 5 gal. $149.95
quick repairs, tooling and general XN198 .095” x 1 1/2” 18” $12.95 Knifemakers BS301 PARK’S 50 Oil 1 gal. $54.95
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BS405 PARK’S AAA Oil 5 gal. $149.95
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Wood/Blade Care XN296 .090” x 2” 36” $31.95 marking ATP-641 Anti-ScAle
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Scribe the center lines
1084 High Carbon Steel for grinding knife blades. Can be
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LIN SPEED OIL deeply penetrates choice for forging and for layering
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be sprayed, flow coated, brushed
patterns from within. RENAISSANCE Chemistry:C .80/.93, Mn .60/.90
WAX provides a barrier against CAT# SIZE LENGTH PRICE
Hardened File or dipped onto your knife blade
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XW1215 3/16” x 1 1/2” 18” $13.23
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CAT.# DESCRIPTION PRICE cooling, and parts rinse clean in
XV1220 3/16” x 2” 36” $33.75 Overall 3.250”, maximum blade
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LS101 2 oz. Lin-Speed Oil $9.95 XV1240 3/16” x 4” 36” $63.94 width 2”, each jaw is 3/8” x 3/4”.
RW065 2.3 oz. Ren. Wax $16.95 XV1615 1/4” x 1 1/2” 36” $33.75 Made in USA. CAT.# DESCRIPTION PRICE
RW200 7 oz. Ren. Wax $26.50 XV1620 1/4” x 2” 36” $48.24 CAT.# DESCRIPTION PRICE AP111 Anti-Scale Pint $19.95
EDC4 EDCI 4 oz $11.95 XV1640 1/4” x 4” 36” $90.51 FG101 File Guide $49.95 AP112 Anti-Scale Quart $38.95
 THE KNIFE I CARRY

“I carry my father’s KA-BAR everywhere

it is practical and legal to do so. He
carried it for years when deer hunting in
the Adirondack Mountains of northern
New York state. I remember frequently asking to see
it when I was growing up, and listening to his stories
from deer camp. I think it is these fond memories I
have and the sentimental attachment that make it
my favorite.”
Robert Gutknecht,
Madison Heights, Virginia

My EDC is a Case jigged-bone “I carry one of the new Gerber Asada

trapper I’ve had for years. pocket cleavers. I like the idea of
I use it for all the standard having a folding cleaver in my pocket.
stuff—peeling apples, whittling, Hey, you never know when you’ll need
cleaning my fingernails, cutting open various to cleave something, right?”
packages and so on. It’s a trusty tool.”
Matthew B. Pencraft,
Paul Kocina, a letter via e-mail
a letter via e-mail
         
 

 
 
 


Tell us what knife you carry. Add a little history or an anecdote.

Try to include a photograph—if digital, at least 600 KB but no
larger than 2 MB—of you with your knife. We will publish your
comments in an upcoming “The Knife I Carry.” Your name will
then be entered in a drawing to win a free, high-quality, name-
brand knife. The drawing will be Nov. 15. Mail to: BLADE ®, 5600
W. Grande Market Dr., Ste. 100, Appleton, WI 54913, or e-mail
steve@blademag.com. If you send your entry by e-mail, please
include your physical mailing address in case you win the knife.

[ 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.

S CAGEL , VL&A MARK

R ICHTIG WWII KNIVES

N ICHOLS WWII KNIVES

G OLD D IPPED H ANDLE G ERBER M ARK II

T ENITE H ANDLE R ANDALLS

B USTER W ARENSKI B OWIE

M. H. C OLE

D. E. H ENRY B OWIE
OWNED BY NOVELIST J AMES J ONES
COOPER
SHOW CHEST

J OHN N ELSON C OOPER

I RON M ISTRESS

WWII E RA R ANDALL N O . 1’ S America’s Knife Auctioneers AKA

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

>> IMAGES BY THE AUTHOR UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED

INTERMEDIATE

BLENDING THE OLD

WITH THE NEW
SOMETIMES CAN
YIELD NOTABLE
RESULTS

The author (inset) used his

intermediate forging process
to make the handle spacer
for his S-guard bowie.
(Whetstone Studio image)

[ 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.)

PHOTO 1 The spacer arrangement includes the tem-

porary Micarta® spacer in the middle and the actual
stainless piece for the spacer in the author’s hand.

PHOTO 3 The margin of PHOTO 4 The next

reveal is established and, consideration is “How
for the author’s purposes do you hold the thing?”
in this particular look, The author inserted
the notches are cut. If a bolt of appropriate
you want a simpler look, size into the slot. Note:
you may want the smooth On a knife this large,
band—often called wedding use a quarter-inch
band—and omit the notches. center hole as a start
For the wedding band, the to the slot. Hence, a
author recommends not quarter-inch bolt (or all
only omitting the notches thread) works well for
but using less reveal, say, the process. The bolt
3/16 inch or so. Remem- has a washer and a
ber, every decision has its nut on each side and is
consequences. Consider cut off after tighten-
the volume of the material ing. The alignment pins
no matter how small and are slightly inside the
adjust accordingly. surface so as not to in-
terfere with the bolt/nut
arrangement, as well as
the necessary pressure
to hold it, while forging
the spacer.

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.

PHOTO 8 The piece appears as it does

after a few rotations and triple checks to
ensure the forging is done. Note that it
is not beat up, nor wracked out of shape
and shifted. Risky work? Yes, but it can be
done. Bladesmiths do this kind of thing all
the time. As the man said, “Aim small, miss
small.” PHOTOS 9 & 10 It’s time to return to the finishing. Take the piece apart and examine it.

[ 24 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
 ntz

800-351-8900
Handle Material 3/16” x 12” Mosaic Pins

#MP300 #MP310 #MP320 #MP330

SALE
CAT.# DESCRIPTION PRICE
0
MP300 Morning Star $22.95
MP310 Lucky Clover $22.95
MP320 Speeding Bullet $29 95

oks

ku

Giraffe Bone

esert Heavy Duty Red Canvas Handle

onwood with Lucky Clover Mosaic Pin
1/4” x 12” Mosaic Pins

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CA
J1503
ESC
Paring
STEEL PRICE
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MP440
MP405
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Steel Hot Rolled Mill

Blanchard Ground Precision Groun
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asting parts for your
xt project. Metal
wders of 1084, 1095
1080 with a 2%
re nickel or 4% pure
l mix for making
mascus.
so available.
SALE SALE
CAT# METAL SIZE PRICE CAT# METAL SIZE PRICE
Jantz offers the widest available selection of knife blade steel. PS845 1084 5 lbs $19.95 PSNI1 Pure Nickel 1 lb $36.95
Visit our web site for more detailed information on the various PS955 1095 5 lbs $19.95 PSBR2 Brass 2 lb $33.95
compositions and sizes. The latest additions to the line are PSCU2 Copper 2 lb $33.95
80CRV2 and AEB-L steels. PS802 1080 w/2% Ni 5 lbs $25.95 PSBZ2 Bronze 2 lb $39.95
PS804 1080 w/4% Ni 5 lbs $26.95 PSNS2 Nickel Silver 2 lb $64.95

CAT.# DESCRIPTION PRICE

G-10 Liner Material
NA72036 2” x 72”..36 grit $12.95
NA72050 2” x 72”..50 grit $12.95 Save time and money when you select Norton Blaze or
NA72060 2” x 72”..60 grit $10.45 BlueFire belts, which last 50 to 200 percent longer than
NA72080 2” x 72”..80 grit $10.45 comparable belts. Handle all of your coarse grit metal
NA72120 2” x 72”..120 grit $9.95 and wood projects for light to moderate stock removal
with these belts Blaze belts are also offered in 1” x

CAT.# DESCRIPTION PRICE

NA8036 2” x 72”..36 grit $9.95
NA8050 2” x 72”..50 grit $8.50 In 1/64” or 1/32” thicknesses.
NA8060 2” x 72”..60 grit $7.95 5” x 10” G10 Spacer Material
NA8080 2” x 72”..80 grit $7.50 pecify Color and Thickness When Ordering
NA8120 2” x 72”..120 grit $6.50 Price $6.95 Each
 KNIFE SHOP
In other words, you may forge, then saw/
grind, then forge more before, perhaps,
grinding again and finishing or polishing.
Intermediate forging can be used on
blades or integral parts of blades. This may
be where it is easiest to see and accept the
possibility of enlisting the technique. I’m
sure you may have seen the need to return
to the forge to refine or make corrections
[ 26 ] BLADE
in order to improve or actually save a
project. It’s often viewed as a concession
or acknowledgment of defeat if you must
return to the forge for corrections. I now
present to you the possibility of pushing
aside the puristic view and actually using
the intermediate forging technique as part
of some projects, and opening up new
combinations of techniques for new looks.
PHOTO 11 The piece is ready for final
shaping and finishing.
PHOTO 12 After final shaping and finish-
ing, the author installs permanent align-
ment pins. While the way the three pieces
are fit together means it’s unlikely they’ll
get turned around, the author pins them
anyway just to be on the safe side.
-------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
 KNIFE SHOP

The HANDLE SPACERS

One way in particular I have made
changes in the look of my knives by
intermediate forging is on the handle
spacers. The accompanying photos
and descriptions pertain to how I set
up and mix the techniques of old and
new to arrive at a unique process with
almost endless possibilities. I show the
progression of one project along with
a finished photo, and then some other
examples of variations of the technique.
I use stainless steel for the spacer,
though mild steel or other forgeable
materials would work as well. I start with
three layers, leaving the middle layer
proud by a chosen margin according to
my plan. Note: I often “lean” the guard
and spacer forward. This creates the need
to provide a fake middle spacer that will
be discarded after the outside spacers
have their inclination established. I then
insert the actual middle spacer and leave
it proud for the subsequent steps. PHOTO 13
All hail the
YOU be THE JUDGE completed
project!
As noted, you must be the judge as to
whether intermediate forging is for you.
I’ve found that the results are worth the
extra effort it takes to accomplish my
intent. Also, while steps in this process
are examples of workmanship of risk*, the You’re not just making a knife, you’re
risk is usually limited to an individual
part of and not the whole knife. I’ve
making a statement.
also found that risk itself adds intrigue High-quality steel worthy of your artistry.
to the project, and intrigue attracts the
curious. Of course, as with a movie, risk
and intrigue are good when the ending
can be written with a predictable result.
Hence, intermediate forging also needs to
have predictable results. I can say that it
certainly has for me.
Our commitment to service and
value is as strong as our products. You
*Workmanship of risk refers to a principle can count on us for the widest selection of
found in the book, The Nature and Art of blade stock, internationally renowned quality, and
Workmanship, by David Pye. accurate on-time delivery of any size order. Bar sizes
and full sheets or plates from 1/32" to 1/2" in stock.
For more information, contact Lin Rhea, Small quantities are always welcome
Dept. BL11, 413 Grant 291020, Prattsville,
AR 72129 870-942-6419 lwrhea2@ • Stainless • Alloy • Damascus
windstream.net, rheaknives.com. • High Carbon • Tool Steels • Precision Ground
• Low Carbon • Nickel Stainless

For the latest knives, knife news, trends

and more visit blademag.com, BLADE®’s Visit our website and order online at www.admiralsteel.com,
call 800-323-7055, or email us at sales@admiralsteel.com
popular Instagram page @blade_
magazine, and on Facebook and Twitter.
4152 West 123rd Street
Alsip, Illinois 60803-1869
Admiral is a registered trademark of Admiral Steel LLC. Alsip,
Illinois. Reg. No. 2430959. All rights resereved

N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 27 ]
 FIF:
TELE-FORGING BY DAVE RHEA

Gimmick, Inspiration or Both?

A former guest judge on
Forged in Fire, ABS master
smith Jason Knight ham-
mers a hot blade in his
shop. (Matt Cohen/
2020 Knight Forge
Studio image)

THOSE WHO KNOW

B
ladesmithing enjoys the same treatment as motorcycle building got in the mid-
2000s—that is, it has become a well-established reality show competition on
DISSECT TV’S cable television. Such treatment has ups and downs regarding its effect on the
knife industry. Be that as it may, History Channel’s hit show, Forged in Fire, has been on
LONG-RUNNING the air for seven seasons, which proves its staying power.
FIF is characterized as both inspirational and gimmicky depending on who you ask.
FORGED IN FIRE And ask we did—two contestants, a former FIF guest judge and a member of the board
of directors of the American Bladesmith Society—with the goal of shedding light on
where the hit show lands on the spectrum between the two.

[ 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

Proudly Made in the USA

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)

TIME TELLS have three hours to finish and handle

Regarding the clock, each bladesmith is the blade, followed by another round of
presented with strict time constraints— judging.
typically three hours to forge, grind and “Three hours is a totally unrealistic
heat treat a blade, followed by a round timeframe,” Randall said. “That’s what
of judging. In a second round, they makes the show interesting. Everything

THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY

Preserving the art

of the forged blade since 1976
What does your future hold?
Bladesmithing?
Courses for
ABS Master Smith James Rodebaugh
beginners to
advanced smiths are
available at ABS
CPM-3V sanctioned schools
Guardian4.5 and demonstrations
Build your blade TODAY are given at weekend
@Bradfordknives.com seminars around the
country and abroad.
Check us out!
www.americanbladesmith.com (click on Schools and News)
Or call Cindy Sheely at 419-832-0400

[ 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

is stacked against you from the front,

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overcoming-adversity deal. If you realize
you’re backed into a corner, you have to
adjust and come up with something to
overcome it to gather yourself some time
back on that clock.”
“A lot of these contestants have no
experience, and it’s very entertaining to
watch someone who doesn’t know what
they’re doing get out there and forge a
blade with unknown material,” Knight

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Unanimously, those interviewed who

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 31 ]
 TELE-FORGING

guys about details that otherwise they

wouldn’t notice with a cursory glance. I
think it would have made a difference.”
He feels like he got a raw deal with
his Kora Sword, in which his mosaic
damascus (page 12) was oriented so the
pattern lined up, made with all take-
down construction and blind-pinned
together. “It’s a lot of stuff that no one
on TV knew,” he noted. To his credit,
changing the rules to allow non-winners
to get their knives back was a prerequisite
for his return to the show.
Randall said editing was an aspect that
bothered him. “I want to be represented
for who I am. I don’t want television to
modify me and make me be somebody
that I’m not,” he said, referring to being
“bleeped” twice during his episode
when he did not use profanity. “I don’t
want to be seen by the world as that guy.
That’s not who I am and what I want to
Jason (left) and his fellow FIF judge, Doug Battle of the Bladesmiths began as an represent, and it bothered me.
Marcaida, deliver looks that “will keal” at ABS competition. “In 2010, Bill Wiggins
the Winkler Knives booth during the 2018
SHOT Show. (image courtesy of Shelly
asked ‘Hey, what could we do at a
Knight) hammer-in that would be more fun?’”
Knight recalled. “Shelly got the idea from
Iron Chef. She said ‘What if you did a
added. “It’s like throwing them to the competition where you have unknown
beasts. It’s very gladiatorial and can be materials, a limited amount of time and
catastrophic. A lot of people will win by you have to make a knife that works?’”
default because competitors will push “Jason approached me about doing
themselves to the edge or get a bad choice Battle of the Bladesmiths at the Haywood
in some garbage materials.” Hammer-In,” at Haywood Community
He emphasized that the use of College in Clyde, North Carolina,
questionable materials adds a dramatic Wiggins confirmed. “He won the first
challenge to the mix, and during his one, and since then it has become a
time as a judge, Knight would advise yearly event.”
the show’s producers on what to make Flash forward to 2014. Knight also
available. “They have no idea about competed in and won the first-ever,
metallurgy, chemistry, physics or any never-aired pilot episode of Forged in
science,” he remembered. “Their job is to Fire. “I’m glad to have been a part of
produce content, and they have license the founding legacy that no one knows
to do whatever they want because it is about,” he laughed, adding that he also
entertainment. It’s good television but it’s advised the content producers on 12 of
not good bladesmithing.” the episodes but remains unlisted as a
During a third portion of the show, creator. “I wouldn’t do the show again
makers have five days, or 40 hours, at unless they paid me what I want to get
their home shop to produce another paid,” he added. “What I want to do is
more elaborate project. what I’m doing. What I want that show
Knight likened the whole production to be, it can’t be.”
to a television game show made to Smith, who competed on the show
entertain rather than inform viewers of twice (including season three, episode
the actual forging process. “You shouldn’t five) but never won, said if he could Big recurve blades are one of Jason’s
watch Forged in Fire with an expectation change something about the show, it specialties. He said he and his wife,
of learning how to forge blades,” he said. would be an opportunity to explain the Shelly, created the original premise for
“That isn’t what the show is about.” knife project to the judges. “Instead FIF: the Battle of the Bladesmiths, the
first of which was held in 2010 during an
He should know, as he said he and his of just handing the sword over to the ABS hammer-in at Haywood Community
wife, Shelly, created the original premise. judges, give me two minutes to talk about College in Clyde, North Carolina. (Matt
Before Forged in Fire was ever conceived, it,” he said. “I would have educated those Cohen/2020 Knight Forge Studio image)

[ 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

J.W. wipes down the spadroon sword in his

shop. Of FIF he said, “It’s brought the pub-
lic’s awareness around to hand-crafted
items, and that’s a good thing.” (Tammy
Randall image)

“You shouldn’t watch

Forged in Fire with an
expectation of learning
how to forge blades,” said
Jason Knight, here in his
FIF garb during a forging
demo in Johnson City,
J.W. and Argentina’s Guillermo Mendoza Tennessee. “That isn’t
(left), the two contestants in FIF’s Inter- what the show is about.”
national Competition, enjoy a reunion at a (Shelly Knight image)
past BLADE Show. (Tammy Randall image)

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

THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES HIS SERIES

WITH THE COLLECTIBLE INFLUENCERS

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

Though not this one, the

first forged knife the
author ever bought was
by Jim Crowell (inset).
Maker: Jim Crowell.
Model: Hunter. Blade
Length: 5 inches. Blade
Material: 1084 carbon
steel. Blade Finish: Satin.
Guard: Stainless steel.
Handle Material: Desert
ironwood. Overall Length:
10 inches. Sheath (not
shown): Custom made
of leather by Jim. His list
price: $850. (Jim Crowell
image)

N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 COLLECTING CUSTOMS
ROB BROWN
Rob Brown exercised his interest in
knife design with a practical hands-on
approach. In 1985, as a hobbyist building
custom fishing rods, he found he needed
a good working hunting knife. Like many
other would-be makers, he bought How
To Make Knives. After joining the South
African Knifemaker’s Guild in 1986, he
b f ll ti k i 1988
Stanley “Stan” Fujisaka became the
best-known maker in the Hawaiian
Islands, influencing generations of
makers. Maker: Stan Fujisaka. Model:
Drop-point hunter. Blade Length: 3 5/8
inches. Blade Steel: ATS-34 stainless.
Blade Finish: Satin. Guard: Nickel silver.
Handle Material: Koa. Overall Length:
8 inches. Sheath (not shown): Custom
made of leather by Stan. List price:
$475. (Impress By Design image)
[ 36 ] BLADE
DIETMAR KRESSLER
In 1986, Dietmar Kressler was one of
the founding members of the German
Knifemakers Guild. He was also inspired
by Loveless designs. However, Dietmar
decided to make them integral.
While Loveless is credited with a few
integral hunters, it was Dietmar who took
them to the next level, offering the option
to have his reproductions of Loveless
designs made either as standard versions
or as integrals. He is widely recognized
by makers, collectors and at least one
custom knife purveyor (yours truly) as
making the finest such knives in the
world. While the influence
of his incredible work
may have started
in Europe,
According to the author,
Shawn McIntyre’s knives have
achieved that which most makers
strive for: a signature style. Maker:
Shawn McIntyre. Model: Hunter. Blade
Length: 4 inches. Blade Steel: Damascus.
Guard: Twist-pattern damascus. Handle
Material: Black palm. Overall Length: 8.5
inches. Sheath (not shown): Custom made
of leather by Shawn. His list price: $850.
(SharpByCoop image)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
the standard of precision and quality his
knives embodied became the envy of
makers and collectors the world over. 
JIM CROWELL
In 1986, Jim Crowell earned an ABS
master smith stamp. Among other
honors, he was the first to win the ABS
Bill Moran Award and won the first
BLADE Show World
Championship Cutting
Competition, then conducted
by the ABS, in 2003.
Jim is a selfless educator who has
shared his knowledge with thousands
of would-be makers over the years.
His knives are deceptive at first glance.
They seem to be relatively simple. The
simplicity is an illusion. Crowell designs
and makes each knife explicitly for the
task for which it is intended. This master
craftsman removes everything from the
knife that does not need to be there. This
and more is what influenced me to buy
my first-ever forged knife—and that knife
was forged by Jim. 
SHAWN MCINTYRE
In my humble opinion, Shawn McIntyre
is the pre-eminent Australian ABS master
smith. His superlative work has won
many awards both in the Land Down
Under and the USA.
Shawn is always testing the limits of
traditional designs. He uses a variety of
carbon steels and types of damascus,
 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

to be found throughout the custom knife

world. Next time you attend a knife show,
read a knife magazine or peruse the
Internet, keep a sharp eye out for a maker
who may be the start of something new.

For the contact information for the pictured

knives, see “Where To Get ’Em” on page 64.

For the latest knives, knife news, trends

and more visit blademag.com, BLADE®’s
popular Instagram page @blade_
magazine, and on Facebook and Twitter.

The author stated that Rob

Brown was one of the few
Loveless-style makers who
modified the style to make
it his own. Maker: Rob
Brown. Model: Skinner.
Blade Length: 4 inches.
Blade Steel: CPM 154
stainless. Blade Fin-
ish: Mirror. Guard:
Stainless steel. Han-
dle Material: Stag.
Overall Length: 8.5
inches. Sheath
(not shown): Cus-
tom made by Rob
of water buf-
falo hide. List
price: $800.
(Impress By
Design image)

www.blacksmithsdepot.com
Kayne and Son
100 Daniel Ridge Rd Candler NC 28715 USA
PHONE: 828-667-8868
International Shipping available • Inquiries Welcome

[ 38 ] B L A D E ---------------------------------------------------------------- NOVEMBER 2020

 CARBON CUTTERS BY DEXTER EWING BLADE® FIELD EDITOR

>> KNIFE IMAGES BY MART Y STANFIELD, MART Y STANFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY

W I T H OL D SC HOOL F E E L

The Condor Tool

& Knife Blue
Havoc and its
CARBON STEEL
beastly blade
of 1075 carbon
KNIVES CONTINUE
steel can tackle
most any camp
cutting task.
TO BE AMONG THE
TOP FACTORY
PERFORMERS

[ 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

FREE KNIFE CATALOG

A complete catalog of knives, including
Damascus, collectors knives, tactical and
work knives, and much more!

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.

The Barghest and its D2 tool steel blade is

the latest tactical folder from Steel Will. It
comes in two sizes and two blade finishes,
and features flipper opening as well as dual
thumb studs. It’s a rugged EDC folder at a
great MSRP ($84.99 and $89.99).

To request a free catalog of

knives, visit our website at
www.bokerusa.com or call
1-800-835-6433

[ 42 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
 CARBON CUTTERS

heavy on a belt, but, then again, the

weight is one of the contributing factors
to its cutting power.  MSRPs: $325.99
(black canvas Micarta), $333.99 (curly
maple) and $342.99 (textured rubber).   

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

The eight stars

on the blade
spine of the
Case/Winkler
Hambone
memorialize the
eight men who
were part of
Army Staff Sgt.
Clint Romesha’s
Cavalry unit who
perished during
a 2009 battle
with Afghan
rebels. Along
with Daniel
Winkler, Rome-
sha designed the
Hambone.

Up your
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info@fallkniven.se

N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 45 ]
 CARBON CUTTERS

any solid color Micarta can offer. Integral

front and rear guards prevent unwanted
hand movement in either direction, and
the front guard enables you to choke up
to exercise control for precise cutting. As
big as the knife is, it’s important that
it be able to tackle finer cutting as well,
especially in a camp or survival scenario.
The Blue Havoc’s sheath materials are
an unusual mix: molded Kydex and a
leather belt loop.  Most Kydex sheaths
usually have either a Kydex belt loop or
some sort of quick-release attachment,
such as a Blade-Tech Tek-Lok.  The
reason Condor went with the leather
belt loop on a Kydex sheath is to allow
you to remount the belt loop in the event
the sheath orientation must be reversed
to accommodate left-hand/side-body
carry. Simply remove/replace two screws
to dismount/remount the loop. Also, the
leather allows the entire sheath to move
on your belt to a degree to prevent the
knife from being caught up in bushes,
branches, etc.
Condor’s catalog states the Blue Havoc
can be used in either a tactical or outdoor
The Sandbox Dagger from A.G. Russell is a highly functional cutting tool. It sliced up card- setting, though due to its appearance,
board just as well as any single-edge knife would. It is razor sharp out of the box. the knife is probably better suited for
outdoor use.  Moreover, the drop-point
blade shape makes it a great camp utility
knife for food prep or field dressing/
skinning tasks.  The 1075 carbon steel
resharpens very well, which helps at the
campsite. MSRP: $134.98.  

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.

For the contact information for the pictured

knives, see “Where To Get ’Em” on page 64.

For the latest knives, knife news, trends

and more visit blademag.com, BLADE®’s
popular Instagram page @blade_
magazine, and on Facebook and Twitter.

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

>> IMAGES BY THE AUTHOR

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.

JOINING PREP for SOLDER

It’s time to prepare the guard and blade
for sealing with silver solder to keep out
any contaminants such as water, solvents
Image 4: Once you have the blade wrapped, squeeze the tape tight around it with a
or rust—anything that can weaken the vise. The result will be a custom-fit safety sheath for you and your knife that should
bond between the tang and the handle. last while your work progresses.

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.

Image 7: In the final fit, drive the guard down tight to

the shoulders of the blade where they join the tang.

Image 6: The author likes

to taper his guards in line
with the plunge grind for
both looks and added tang
strength.

Image 8: The author

indicated that he
thinks the fit is a
good one.

[ 50 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
 KNIFE TALK

Image 10: Place

the blade in a vise
or rack point up
and let dry. Let
dry for 24 hours.
WARNING: Never,
ever leave any
sharpened object
in a vise where
someone can run
into it. Use your
custom-fit safety
sheath as much
as you can.

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

Image 12: Fill the joint

with flux and apply
heat using a neutral
flame. Do not allow
the flame to touch
the flux, as it will turn
black and not work as
Image 11: To protect the blade from being flux anymore. If this
stained by any contaminants it may be happens, you must
exposed to while soldering, the author start over.
dips his finger in the quench tank and
coats the blade with quenching oil.

I notch the guard with a hacksaw

blade to provide a start of a groove for
roughing it out (Image 15). I find that
an 8-inch half-round bastard mill file
has close to the perfect radius to fit most
people’s hands. This is the time to start
roughing the guard, as I will not have to
work around the handle material.
Most of my guards on blades of
this size start out as stock brass, alloy
#360, 2.25 inches long and 5/8-inch
square. I have tried bronze, copper,
nickel, German silver, coin silver and
gold (custom ordered). I prefer brass
because I feel it is an honest metal and
I like to work with it. Some folks feel
German silver has some value as silver. Images 13 and 14: After the guard has partly cooled, spray any remaining Super Glue
This is not the case, but folks pay for it with WD-40® and brush the joint clean with a brass brush.
anyway because of its perceived value.

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

For the latest knives, knife news,

trends and more visit  blademag.com,
BLADE®’s popular Instagram page @
blade_magazine, and on Facebook and
Twitter.

[ 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

See your vision through

with the power of CNC.
• Cut and sharpen custom blades and handles
• Engrave embellishments
• Cut through tough stainless, alloys,
titanium, G10, wood, and other composites

Check out our custom

knife gallery.
Go to cnc.tormach.com/knifemakers
for inspiration and our suite of machines.

The 1100MX and 770MX CNC mills

feature servo motors and BT30 spindles.

CNC.TORMACH.COM/KNIFEMAKERS
 EAST EDGES ] BY PAT COVERT BLADE® FIELD EDITOR

>> IMAGES BY THEAUTHOR

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.

The 17.89-ounce Spyderco

Lum Darn Dao is light-
weight for its size, making
it easy to manipulate.
Moreover, there’s plenty
of handle to play with, as
seen here with the knife
extended in a hammer
grip.

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

Of Asian descent, Lum introduced the

custom knife world to his “American”
version of the Japanese tanto and leaf-
shaped blades circa 1980. Through the
balance of the ’80s, and later in the ’90s,
Lum’s tanto design was rabidly embraced
by a budding modern tactical knife crowd.
The tanto has been a mainstay ever since.
Other Asian blade styles, such as the bolo
and kukri, have been embraced as well.
My team and I look at three modern
takes on the “Asian Equation” here and
put these intriguing cutters through the
paces.

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.

4857 South Orange Blossom Trail

Orlando, Florida 32839 407-855-8075
NEW 80TH ANNIVERSARY CATALOG – PRICE $2.00
INTL. MAILING – CATALOG US $6.00 http://www.randallknives.com

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110 BUCKEYE RD., FAYETTEVILLE, GA 30214
PHONE 770-964-1023
Contact us for your
Knifemaking Supplies and Equipment!
The Kiku XR Blackout may have a short-

www.HawkinsKnifeMakin Supplies.com ened version of the American tanto blade

style but it still likes to stab. Here it sinks
to the hilt in the cantaloupe. The handle
Send $2.00 for Complete Listing • ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED is chubby and comfortable, making the
whole package work in harmony.

[ 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.

SHORT, WIDE HYBRID

SOG’s Kiku XR Blackout is a mid-size
folder 7.375 inches open and 4.3 inches
closed. Designed by custom knifemaker
Kiku Matsuda of Japan, the 3-inch black-
coated blade of CTS XHP stainless steel
is a hybrid of the tanto style with some
interesting twists. The main grind is
recurved and there is a swedge grind on
the spine that ends in a harpoon dip. The
blade opens via a kidney-shaped hole M
M · BADER · BALDOR · BURR KING · DEERFOS · DAMASTEEL · DYNABRADE · ELECTRO CHE E
in the blade or by an optional gimped
·3

TCH · EVENHEAT · HARDCORE PRODUCTS

©
HERMES · KALAMAZOO · KLINGSPOR ·

flipper. The black handle has sculpted

G-10 scales over black stainless steel
liners, and SOG’s XR pull-down slide
release unlocks the blade. On the rear is
a blade-tip-up pocket clip. Weight: 5.19
ounces. MSRP: $189.95.
The Kiku XR Blackout’s blade is shorter 760 East Francis Street, Unit N (909) 923-4116
and wider than the traditional tanto Ontario, California 91761 trugritinc@gmail.com
pattern. We tested it first on 1.5-inch- ABRASIVE BELTS, BLOCKS, DISCS, PADS, ROLLS, STONES & WHEELS ∙ ADHESIVES ∙ BLADE BLANKS ∙
wide harness leather, executing straight BUFFERS ∙ BUFFING WHEELS ∙ CARBON FIBER ∙ COMPOUNDS ∙ DAMASCUS ∙ ETCHING SUPPLIES ∙ KILNS ∙
GRINDERS ∙ HANDLE MATERIALS ∙ HARDWARE ∙ HEAT TREATING PRODUCTS & SERVICES ∙ KNIFE CASES ∙
cuts and pull-throughs. The modified KYDEX ∙ LINERS ∙ MACHINES & ACCESSORIES ∙ MOSAIC PINS ∙ PARTS ∙ SAFETY PRODUCTS ∙
edge cut very well, though we almost M SCOTCH-BRITE ∙ SHARPENING SUPPLIES ∙ SHEETS ∙ STEELS ∙ TITANIUM & MUCH MORE
TM ·
E RIT · NORTON · PEARL · STANDARD ABRASIVES · SURGI-SHARP · VSM · WALTER · WILTON
ran out of blade while pulling upward

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ B L A D E [ 57 ]
 EAST EDGES

SOG Kiku XR, we stabbed the forlorn

melon to the hilt. As stubby a version of
the tanto as the Kiku XR’s blade may be,
the cantaloupe’s pithy skin gave into the
knife’s wishes quite easily.
Next up the TOPS CUMA Kage tried
the task of halving the cantaloupe in one
fell swoop, which we captured in burst
mode on my neighbor’s IPhone. Mission
accomplished. Finally, we used the Lum
Darn Dao to “prepare the meal” by using
the blade in quick, rapid-fire chops. The
sword’s deep V-grind—not unlike that of
a chef ’s knife—performed admirably.

BEASTS of the EAST

While we often think of knives and
swords of an Asian design in the context
of combat and martial arts, it’s easy to
forget that many Eastern blades were
used for everyday utility as well. The tanto
was an everyday carry by the Samurai
class in Japan, and men and women alike
carried a smaller version, the kaiken,
The Lum Darn Dao has a deep V-grind, MELONIOUS ASSAULT aka kwaiken. The chisel grind was not
making it an excellent slicer. Sisal rope After testing the blades on a variety of typical on tantos as we see on some of
was a piece of cake. Full grinds like that
of the Darn Dao slice and chop well, as
fare, just for fun we took to the backyard them today, but on knives for culinary
the edge doesn’t encounter the hump of a to let them each have a go at a cantaloupe. purposes. The Japanese kiridashi, which
ricasso when it goes about its work. Leading off with a reverse grip on the is rapidly gaining a toehold in the cutlery

15.5-inch blade of 1095 high carbon steel

sports TOPS’ Black Traction Coating.
The lengthy handle is 8.25 inches with
Micarta scales sized for two-handed
delivery. The blade is a hybrid straight
sword pattern blended with 7 inches of
kukri bulge at the tip to give it a bit of
utility to go with its, ahem, badassery. It
includes a full-length black Kydex sheath
with a dangler/attachment ring. Weight:
31.5 ounces. MSRP: $360.
To test the CUMA Kage for its utility
billing, we took it outside for brush-
clearing duty. We’ve always admired the
kukri and have cleared an acre or two
over the years with one, so this long send-
up of the chopper intrigued us. We found
out quickly we could use the CUMA Kage
with one hand or two, which gives it a big
leg up on its smaller cousin. The Micarta
handle is well filled out and plenty grippy.
One-handed we were able to easily whack
through half-inch-thick green hardwood
stalks and branches. Two-handed we
sliced through stalks three-quarter of
an inch with ease, and 1 inch as long as
we had clearance to pull back for a full
stroke. Though not the CUMA Kage’s
original intent, it does have formidable Like an oversized chef’s knife, the Lum Darn Dao deftly whacked the cantaloupe into
utility. chunks with speed and style.

[ 58 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
 EAST EDGES

Using one hand or two, the author found

the CUMA Kage cut brush equally well.
However, as you might expect, you can
take on much heavier tasks with it by us-
ing both hands. KNIFE AND GUN FINISHING SUPPLIES
Order Line Customer Service
world, was also chisel ground and used 1-800-972-1192 928-537-8877
for wood carving and marking. Stabilizing – - Our Specialty since 1990
The wicked Indian/Nepalese kukri was
employed in combat, but is primarily a
tool for clearing land and is used widely Blades Guards Handles Solder Books Adhesives
for bush whacking today. Even the
Indonesian karambit was considered a How To Grinders Belts DC Etching Buffers
working knife by its users. If nothing DVD’s Motors Machines
else, the distinctiveness of Asian cutlery
design has added richly to our knowledge Buffs Horn Ivory Bone Flitz Scribes
base of cutlery and given us a plethora of
modern-day knives to explore. Screws Taps Drills Sheaths Pommels Rivets
For the contact information for the pictured Stabilized Knife Hermes Steel & 416 1080
knives, see “Where To Get ’Em” on page 64. Wood Cases Abrasives Blades Stainless Steel
For the latest knives, knife news, trends CM 154 440C 1095 D2 Pure
and more visit blademag.com, BLADE®’s Powdered Nickel
popular Instagram page @blade_ Steel
magazine, and on Facebook and Twitter.

1972 Forest Ave www.knifeandgun.com

Lakeside AZ 85929 csinfo@knifeandgun.com

N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 59 ]
 HANDMADE GALLERY BY BLADE ® STAFF

>> IMAGES BY SHARPBYCOOP.COM

Let me tell you ‘bout

[ 60 ] B L A D E ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOVEMBER 2020

 C
apt. Ahab did not carry a knife with a harpoon-pattern
5 blade. If Moby Dick’s nemesis had carried a knife, it prob-
ably would’ve sported a sheepsfoot or other blunt-ended
pattern with a straight edge. That being said, the harpoon-pat-
tern blade has a look all its own and is ideal for any of today’s
custom knives on the leading edge.

Brilliant golds and browns emanate from the stabi-

1 lized curly koa handle of ABS apprentice smith Rob-
ert Erickson’s Terosaur bowie. The harpoon-pattern
blade is Vanadis 4E carbon steel and the bolster is
416 stainless steel. Blade and overall lengths: 6 and 12 inches.

A Turkish-twist damascus and flat grind complete the

2 harpoon blade of ABS master smith Shayne Carter’s
D-guard bowie. The fittings are damascus as well.
The handle is ancient walrus ivory. Blade and overall
lengths: 10 3/8 and 15 3/8 inches.

1
Andrew Blomfield outfits his harpoon blade in an

3 electrifying damascus and a guard of blued tool

steel. Blade grind: flat. The handle is ringed gidgee
with a damascus insert in the butt. Blade and overall
lengths: 9 and 14.5 inches. The maker’s list price for a similar
knife: $1,800 (includes a leather belt sheath with strap and
snake-skin inlay).

The Sobral Brothers offer up their fighter in a 13-

4 inch harpoon blade of damascus with fuller. The “S”
guard and pommel are blued steel and the handle is
ironwood. Overall length: 19 inches. The makers’ list
price of $6,000 includes an elaborate leather belt sheath (not
shown) with pins and loops made by Marcelo Sobral.

ABS master smith Haley DesRosiers forged the har-

5 poon blade of her integral bird & trout knife in a Bat-
sauce multibar twist damascus from 1080 carbon
and 15N20 nickel-alloy steels. The handle is Hawai-
7 ian koa and the bolster is G-10 with a bronze spacer. Blade and
overall lengths: 3.5 and 8 inches. Francesca Wilburn-Ritchie
used hand-dyed special sauce Hornback tail leather for the
sheath (not shown).

Jim Hammond’s 1 of 1 spinoff of his 30th anniversary

6 sub-hilt fighter sports a 10.4-inch harpoon blade of

BG-42 stainless steel with two oval holes. The handle
is Scottish red stag. Overall length: 16 inches. The
sheath (not shown) features a solid 416 stainless steel frame
and bolsters with Honduras rosewood scales.

ABS apprentice smith Tory Utt’s slip joint includes

7 a 3.25-inch harpoon blade of Vegas Forge random-
pattern stainless damascus, and a handle of Hanson
and Sons ivory paper Micarta®. The bolster is G-10 and
the liners, pins and shield are nickel silver. Closed length: 4.125
inches. The backspring is CPM 154 stainless steel.

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.

NOVEMBER 2020 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 61 ]

 SHOW CALENDAR BY BLADE ® STAFF

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-
Harley-Davidson. Contact Rick Wheeler rmw_ com/.* tulsa-arms-show/.
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.*

OCT. 16-18 INDIANAPOLIS, IN The FEBRUARY MAY 28 NASHVILLE, TN Tactical Knife

Indy 1500 Gun & Knife Show, Indiana State FEB. 26-27 LITTLE ROCK, AR Arkansas Invitational and Nashville Custom Knife Show.
Fairgrounds. Contact World Class Gun Shows Custom Knife Show, Statehouse Convention For more information visit https://r1promotions.
405-340-1333 indy1500.com. Center. Visit artknife.com for more com/.*
information.*
CANCELED! OCT. 17 Middletown MD The JUNE -----------------------------------------
William F. Moran Foundation 6th Annual All MARCH JUNE 4-6 ATLANTA, GA The 40th Annual
Forged Knife Show and Auction, The Historic MARCH 5-6 TROY, OH Spirit of the BLADE Show, Cobb Galleria Centre, I-285 & US
W.F. Moran Shop. Contact ejayhendrickson@ Blade Custom Knife Show, Miami County 41, one exit off I-75 across from the Cumberland
comcast.net or cwolf8489@gmail.com * Fairgrounds, Duke-Lundgard Building. Mall, adjacent to the Renaissance Waverly Hotel.
Contact Misty and Joel Worley 937-638-9518 World’s largest show of handmade, factory and
OCT. 23-25 GARDEN GROVE, CA California maplewoodforge@gmail.com facebook.com/ antique knives. A combined total of nearly 1,000
Custom Knife Show and Friday Night Blade sotbcustomknifeshow/. exhibitor tables and booths. Join the world’s
Affair, Embassy Suites-Anaheim South. Contact greatest national and international knifemakers,
info@californiacustomknifeshow.com 888-473- MARCH 12-15 NURNBERG, GERMANY cutlery manufacturers, collectors, collections
2661 californiacustomknifeshow.com.* The IWA Show, for the trade only. For more and knife lovers. Site of the BLADE Magazine
information visit iwa.info. 2021 Knife Of-The-Year® Awards for factory
NOVEMBER knives, the BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-
NOV. 14-15 TULSA, OK Wanenmacher’s Tulsa MARCH 26-28 JANESVILLE, WI Badger Knife Fame© inductions and much more. Host to
Arms Show, Tulsa Fairgrounds. Contact mail@ Club Knife Show, Holiday Inn Express. Visit BLADE University, the annual ABS meeting and
tulsaarmsshow.com, 918-492-0401 mail@ 10times.com/badger-knife-club-knife-show.* more. Seminars include the BLADE Show World
tulsaarmsshow.com, tulsaarmsshow.com. Championship Cutting Competitions, how to
MARCH 27-28 GODFREY, IL Bunker Hill use, how to make, youth clubs, etc. Contact
CANCELED! NOV. 20-21 JERSEY CITY, NJ Knife Club Show. Contact Tim Bryant 618-531- BLADE®, c/o Alicia Newton blade@bladeshow.
New York Custom Knife Show, The Westin 0011 tbryant@yahoo.com or Gene Winston com.* **
Jersey City Newport, Newport Ballroom. For 618-288-6974 for more information.*
more information visit fiftyfiftyproductions.net.* Editor’s note: Due to possible last-minute
CANCELED! MARCH 27-28 DALTON, GA cancellations, if you plan to attend any of the
Dalton Georgia Knife Roadshow, Northwest
DECEMBER Georgia Trade and Convention Center. Contact
shows listed, please contact them for more
DEC. 12 EUGENE, OR Oregon Knife Collectors J Bruce Voyles Auctioneers and Appraisers, attn.: information.
Association December Holiday Mini Winter Bruce Voyles 423-238-6753 knifeauctions@
Show. For more information visit https://www. gmail.com, jbrucevoyles.com.* To ensure timely publication of your knife show in
oregonknifeclub.org/shows.html.* the “Show Calendar,” BLADE® requests that you
DEC. 12-13 COLUMBIA, SC Columbia Gun & APRIL ------------------------------------ email all pertinent information concerning your
Knife Show, South Carolina State Fairgrounds. APRIL 2-3 FORT WORTH, TX International show in written form—dates, locations, etc.—at
Contact Mike Kent and Associates 770-630-7296 Custom Cutlery Exposition 2021 (ICCE), least three months before the show takes place to
mike@mkshows.com, mkshows.com. Stockyard Station, Stampede Room, Hyatt BLADE c/o Lori McDaniel at lori@gundigest.
Place Hotel. Contact ICCE, Dept. BL9, POB com and/or Steve Shackleford at steve@blademag.
2021 1461, Addison, TX 75001 972-839-1609 info@
icceshow.com, icceshow.com.*
com. BLADE depends on the shows themselves for
prompt and accurate information.
JANUARY -------------------------- APRIL 8-11 MCCALLA, AL The 32nd Batson
JAN. 19-22 LAS VEGAS, NV The Shooting, Bladesmithing Symposium & Knife Show, For the latest knives, knife news, trends and
Hunting, Outdoor, Trade (SHOT) Show is for Tannehill Iron Works. Contact James Batson more visit blademag.com, BLADE®’s popular
the trade only and will be at the Sands Expo and james.l.batson@gmail.com.* ** Instagram page @blade_magazine, and on
Convention Center with expansion into the new Facebook and Twitter.
Caesars Forum. For more information visit https:// APRIL 10-11 TULSA, OK Wanenmacher’s
www.lasvegashowto.com/shot-show-las-vegas. Tulsa Arms Show, Tulsa Fairgrounds. Contact

[ 62 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
 :25/'·6 /$5*(67 $506 6+2:
UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
S T A T E M E N T O F O W N E R S H I P, M A N A G E M E N T, A N D C I R C U L A T I O N

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1. Publication Title: Blade
2. Publication Number: 1064-5853

78/6$
78 6$ $506
$ 06 6+2:: 
3. Filing Date: 10/1/20
4.
5.
6.
Issue Frequency: Monthly with and additional issue in November
Number of Issues Published Annually: 13
Annual Subscription Price: $27.98


7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication:
Gun Digest Media LLC
5600 W Grande Market Drive, Suite 100
Appleton, WI 54913
 November 14 & 15
Contact Person: John Schwartze Telephone: (949) 374-2721 :25/'·6/$5*(67 *81 6+2: ,6 $ *5($7 6+2: )25 .1,9(6  7$%/(62)*816
8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of .1,9(6 6:25'6 $17,48( $1' 02'(51 ),5($506 $1'025(
Publisher:
Gun Digest Media LLC 620(7+,1*)25(9(5<21(,1025(7+$10,/(62)(;+,%,76
5600 W Grande Market Drive, Suite 100
Appleton, WI 54913 $)7(5<($56,7·67+(%(675($/*816+2: ,1 7+( :25/'
9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing
Editor
&$//DPSP TABLES

ZZZ7XOVD$UPV6KRZFRP
AVAILABLE
Publisher:JimSchlender,5600WGrandeMarketDr.,Ste.100Appleton,WI54913
Editor: Steve Shackleford,5600W Grande Market Dr., Ste. 100 Appleton, WI 54913
Managing Editor: Not Applicable
10. Owner:
Gun Digest Media LLC
5600 W Grande Market Drive, Suite 100
100+ FIREARMS, EDGED WEAPONS, SWORDS
AUCTION SALE
Appleton, WI 54913
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
nominal rate, advertiser’s proof copies,
TERMS: Cash, Checks, CREDIT CARD: 3% processing fee. VISIT WEBSITE FOR FULL LIST & PHOTOS
and exchange copies) 10,115 10,281 MARK FERRY AUCTIONEERS, INC. AY 2076 MEMBERS OF PAA & NAA
(2) Mailed In-County Subscriptions
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

WANT A RAZOR EDGE?

Including Sales Through Dealers
and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter
Sales, and Other Paid Distribution
Outside USPS 1,344 1,388
(4) Paid Distribution by Other Classes of
Mail Through the USPS
(e.g. First-Class Mail) 3 3
c. Total Paid Distribution
[Sum of 15b (1), (2), (3) and (4)] 11,462 11,672 • No experience needed • Quick & fast
d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution
(By Mail and Outside the Mail)
(1) Free or Nominal Rate Outside County
• Just pull backwards • Maintenance free
Copies included on PS Form 3541
(2) Free or Nominal Rate In-County Copies
89 0
• Handmade right here • Tells you when you’re
Included on PS Form 3541 0 0
(3) Free or Nominal Rate Copies Mailed
at Other Classes Through the USPS
at Knives Plus finished
(e.g. First-Class Mail) 0 0
(4) Free or Nominal Rate Distribution
Outside the Mail 272 166 KNIVES PLUS STROP BLOCK
e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution
(Sum of 15 (1), (2), (3), and (4)) 361 166 800-687-6202 OR WWW.KNIVESPLUS.COM
f. Total Distribution (Sum of 15c. And 15e.) 11,822
g. Copies not Distributed
11,838
We are a stocking dealer of most major knife brands since 1987.
(See Instructions to
Publishers #4 (page #3)) 5,710 5,981
h. Total (Sum of 15f. And 15g.) 17,533 17,819
i. Percent Paid
(15c. Divided by 15f. times 100) 96.9% 98.6%
16. Electronic Copy Circulation Average No. No. Copies of
Copies Each Single Issue
Issue During Published
Preceding Nearest to
12 Months Filing Date
a. Paid Electronic Copies 2,996 1,290
b. Total Paid Print Copies (Line 15c)
+ Paid Electronic Copies (line 16a) 14,458 12,962
c. Total Print Distribution (Line 15f)
+ Paid Electronic Copies (line 16a) 14,819 13,128
d. Percent Paid (Both Print & Electronic
Copies) (16b divided by 16c X 100) 97.6% 98.7%
[ X ] I certify that 50% of all my distributed copies (electronic and print) are paid
above a nominal price.
17. Publication of Statement of Ownership:
[ X ] If the publication is a general publication, publication of this statement is
required. Will be printed in the Nov. 2020 issue of this publication.
18. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner:
Henry Wu, CEO/CFO 8/19/20
I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand
that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits
material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions
(including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties).

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

PARDON MY APPENDAGE p. 10 attn: J. Laituri, Dept. BL11, 820 Spyderco Way,

Dave Armour, Dept. BL11, 61 Sugar Creek Hills, Golden, CO 80403 800-525-7770 spyderco.com,
Auburn, IL 62615 217-741-0246 armourcutlery. sfo@spyderco.com; TOPS Knives, attn: Craig
com dave@armourcutlery.com, Instagram/Face- Powell, Dept. BL11, 3415 E. 109 N., Idaho Falls,
book: @armourcutlery/Dave Armour ID 83401 208-542-0113 info@topsknives.com,
www.topsknives.com

NEXT A BLADE in the CAN p. 12

Rick Dunkerley, Dept. BL11, PO Box 601, Lincoln, LET ME TELL YOU ’BOUT AHAB p. 60

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.

ISSUE! HOW to COLLECT CUSTOM HUNTERS p. 34

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book: @sacredbearknives/Tory Utt
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rom@hotmail.com; Jim Crowell, Dept. BL11, 676 DAMASCUS DOES IT p. 70
•CUSTOM CHEF’S Newnata Cutoff, Mtn. View, AR 72560, Phone: Boker USA, attn: N. Nevins, Dept. BL11, 1550
KNIVES 870-746-4215, crowellknives@yahoo.com; Web: Balsam St., Lakewood, CO 80214 800-835-6433
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(0) 42 02/7657 41, info@kresslerknives.com; 90701-2616 562-860-0678 protechknives.com,
CARTER CUTLERY LINE Web: www.kresslerknives.com; Shawn McIntyre, service@protechknives.com; Santa Fe Stone-
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•CLEAVER CLASSICS knives.com Dept. BL11, 3790 Cerrillos, Santa Fe, NM 87507
800-257-7625 or 505-471-3953 santafestone-
STEEL with OLD SCHOOL FEEL p. 40 works.com, Knives@rt66.com
•FACTORY CHEF’S A.G. Russell Knives, attn: Debbie Myers, Dept.
BL11, 2900 S. 26th St., Rogers, AR 72758 479 COVID-19 RESPONSE p. 78
KNIVES 631-0055 debbiem@agrussell.com www.agrus- KA-BAR, attn: J. Bradley, Dept. BL11, 200
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Owens Way, Bradford, PA 16701 800-523-6350 716-790-7188 www.ka-bar.com, info@ka-bar.
•HOT SHARPENING CR@caseknives.com, www.wrcase.com; Condor com; Spartan Blades, attn: C. Iovito, Dept. BL11,
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ing Group, Dept. BL11, 1840 County Line Rd., Ste. CO 80403 800-525-7770 spyderco.com, sfo@
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•SPINE-TINGLING info@smgoutdoor.com, steelwillknives.com
EMBELLISHMENT For the latest knives, knife news, trends and
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SOG Specialty Knives & Tools, attn: Matt Instagram page @blade_magazine, and on
Crawford, Dept. BL11, 6521 212th St. SW, Lyn- Facebook and Twitter.
nwood, WA 98036-7411 425.771.6230 sogsales@
sogknives.com, www.sogknives.com; Spyderco,

[ 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
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Edited by
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MURRAY CARTER

Item Z7240 Item R0860 Item U1059 Item W1852 PDF Download
 MARKETPLACE
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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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AG Russell........................................ 5 Niagara Specialty Metals.................. 5 Tim Britton....................................... 31
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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

>> IMAGES BY JUSTIN AYRES

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

[ 70 ] B L A D E -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOVEMBER 2020

Three handsome production knives in assorted damascus patterns are, from top: Pro-Tech TR-5 Auto with Devin Thomas Basketweave
Damascus, the Boker Limited Edition 2020 Chad Nichols Damascus 1906 in a Scrambled pattern, and Santa Fe Stoneworks Tesoro in a
stainless damascus in an Odem Heim pattern by Damasteel.

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

gaps in the scale to frame fit. All blades

opened smoothly, lined up accurately
and locked solidly. In other words, all
have good fit and finish. As to their
performance, read on.

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

The Boker (top) required a bit of force to

draw-cut the half-inch dock line, but it
held an edge for 35 cuts before requiring
more force. Requiring a draw cut rather
than a press cut to sever the dock line
and due to its thicker, robust blade, the
TR-5 (right) took little effort and contin-
ued to cut with no sign of dulling for 30
passes. The Tesoro (left) was the only test
knife that severed the line with a press
cut rather than a draw cut—and it did so
for 45 passes before having to increase
pressure.

promptly. Limited to a production run

of 60, the knife comes in a low number
sought after and treasured by collectors.
It slashed the free-hanging bandanas
with ease, but, as you can see from the
accompanying photos, it left a slightly
ragged cut. This was due to the edge
being slightly toothy, a feature of some
damascus blades. Some consider it a
desirable trait in that the toothiness gets
the edge into the cut on slick surfaces a
smoother one might slide on. The TR-
5’s toothiness dug into the rolled towels
but didn’t impede cutting. The toothiness
“This is a wore off after a few rope cuts. While the
knife required a draw cut rather than a
folder a ninja press cut to sever the dock line, due to
would carry, its thicker, robust blade, it required little
if ninjas carry effort and continued to cut with no sign
of dulling for 30 passes. This is a folder a
folders.” ninja would carry, if ninjas carry folders.
— t he aut ho r
HAWK in PEACOCK DUDS
The Santa Fe Stoneworks Tesoro
Damasteel Damascus folder is one of the
Chad Nichols more beautiful knives we’ve reviewed.
(left), who forged
the Scrambled
With its abalone scales, anodized
Damascus for the titanium frame and damascus pattern
blade of the Boker that you feel like you could sink into, it is
test knife, plies his simply a gorgeous piece of pocket jewelry.
trade in his shop. Everyone who saw it reached for it.
The TR-5 Auto Everyone who handled it was immediately
(below) begins a overcome with knife lust. It also has
fine peel of apple. considerable tactical DNA: easy to open,

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

According to the author,

the Tesoro “slid through
the rolled-up towel like
a dolphin slides through
waves.”

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.

*Editor’s note: As outlined in BLADE’s

Guide To Knives & Their Values, 7th
Edition, damascus or a damascus type of
steel was not exclusive to India and the
Middle East. According to one of BLADE
Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® member
Bill Moran’s catalogs, Merovingian Franks
and the Vikings made “pattern-welded”
blades as early as the second century
A.D., and the blades were in use at least
until 900 A.D. The Japanese used a type Apple peeling was a breeze with the Boker Limited Edition 2020.

[ 74 ] B L A D E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0
 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)

NOVEMBER 2020 ------------------------------------------------------------- B L A D E [ 75 ]

 WHAT’S NEW

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

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 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

SPEC CHAR SPEC CHART

KNIFE PATTERN: Small cam KNIFE NAME: Brimstone
BLADE LENGTH: 6.5” KNIFE TYPE: EDC folder
BLADE MATERIAL: 1084 ca DESIGNER: Mike Vellekamp
nickel-alloy steels for the d BLADE LENGTH: 3.5”
and random patterns, and BLADE MATERIAL: D2 tool steel
the deer image BLADE THICKNESS: .13”
HANDLE MATERIAL: White
antler, red palm and brass w
FITTINGS: 416 stainless s n
OVERALL LENGTH: 12” G-10 w/holes for a lanyard
KNIFE TO KNOW: “I put a w
of deer in this damascus. I ess, blade-tip-up carry
tried to leave as much of th TO KNOW: Opens via a thumb
antler’s texture as possibl tud on the blade
Terry Wright CLOSED LENGTH: 4.625”
MAKER’S LIST PRICE FOR MSRP: $74.99
SIMILAR KNIFE: $2,000 COMPANY: Doublestar, 888-
MAKER: Terry Wright, 6-7725 or 859-745-1757 fax
bigtknives@yahoo.com 5-4638 star15.com
(Whetstone Studio image)

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

KNIFE AT THE END

OF THE
TUNNEL?
THE FACTORY KNIFE INDUSTRY HAS FARED BETTER THAN MOST DURING THE PANDEMIC
Designed by
knifemaker
Bill Harsey,
the SHF
Plague Doctor
by Spartan
Blades was a
special limited-
edition of 15
folder saluting
medical pros
serving on the
front lines of
the COVID-19
battle. It sold
out fast. For
more informa-
tion, see page
79. (Spartan
Blades images)

[ 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

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 COOL CUSTOM BY BLADE ® STAFF

The second collabora-

tion between David
Broadwell and Steve
Randall includes a
gorgeous sheath
by Nita Broadwell.
(SharpByCoop knife
image)

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.

For more information contact David

Broadwell, Dept. BL11, POB 3373, Wichita
Falls, TX 76301 940-782-4442 david@
broadwellstudios.com, broadwellstudios.
com, Instagram/Facebook: Broadwell
Studios/Broadwell Studios, and/or Steve
Randall, Dept. BL11, 704-472-4957 steve@
ksrblades.com, ksrblades.com, Instagram/
Facebook: knivesbysteverandall/Steve
Randall.

For the latest knives, knife news, trends

and more visit blademag.com, BLADE®’s
popular Instagram page @blade_
David magazine, and on Facebook and Twitter.
Broadwell

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).