Table of contents for November 2019 in Blade

Pretty Picky Girl Impressed I decided to renew my subscription online so I don’t get a subscription notice in the mail. Why I subscribe in the first place is the magazine focuses on forged knives, not just pretty stock-removal, chrome-looking knives. At least that is my take. I even attended my first BLADE Show recently. Wow. What an awesome event. There just wasn’t enough time to visit every table/booth. I took my wife with me just so she could see what it is. She was impressed—especially The Pit parties. She does not impress easily. She’s a pretty picky girl. Now I am just an engineer, retired. My wife is also an engineer. We worked for Super Steel Treating in Warren, Michigan, at one time. I know steel. What I would…

Allow the BLADE Show West staff to help you decide why you should attend the 2nd Annual BLADE Show West (page 12) Nov. 1-3 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. In fact, staff members have been studying ways to inject some Vitamin C—as in C for Cut—into the proceedings, and I think they have hit on at least three new attractions that will make your decision for you. •First is the chef ’s knife cutting competition. Instead of holding it during show hours, we’re going to do it after show hours on Saturday at a venue that will be announced o on our website of bladeshowwest.com. Ethan Becker, who knows chef ’s knives quite well from his four decades of writing and editing the world-famous cookbook, Joy of Cooking,…

“Hiking as I do in all weathers in the Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa, I would not dream of being without my Cold Steel GI Tanto. It is enormously useful for chopping branches to make both shelter and fire, not to mention its use in outdoor food preparation. Custom glow-in-the-dark scales ensure it is visible even in low-light conditions. It is truly an all-purpose knife.”Paul Scher, Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa “I carry a Zero Tolerance 0393 designed by Rick Hinderer. I like the harpoon-style ‘Spanto’ blade, the fact that it’s a manual flipper folder, and ZT’s always streamlined, cool look.”Claude Nobis Jr., a letter via e-mail “My carry knife is a Tactical Response 3 Military Issue from Pro-Tech. The action is solid as a rock and the fish-scale frame engraving…

NEW MASTER SMITH Zach Jonas (New Hampshire) NEW JOURNEYMAN SMITHS Mitch Cargile (Mississippi) Charles Carpenter (Missouri) John Cenotto (Washington) Justin Chenault (Ohio) Michael Clark Jr. (Oregon) Rudy Dean (Virginia) Francesco Muci (Florida) Steve Myers (Illinois) Matt Roberts (Virginia) Jackson Rumble (Australia) J.J. Simon (Delaware) Stuart Smith (South Africa) Kelly Vermeer-Vella (California) Jason Weightman (Australia) Stephen Williamson (Florida) Forging knives has never been so popular, and the American Blade-smith Society celebrated that fact and the best of its best during its annual awards reception at BLADE Show 2019. As has been the custom for three decades, the ABS faithful gathered at the world’s largest knife show to reward those who have performed over and above the call of duty on behalf of the Society. Thus, on the evening of June 7…

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

He has been acknowledged, grudgingly by some, as the master of the bowie knife. Much of his talent and technical skill set the standard by which custom knifemakers measure their abilities today, though it’s a fair assumption many of them don’t know it. During his lifetime (1924-1993), Ed “D.E.” Henry created a superb body of work. His forehead bore a deep scar that was always the object of curiosity—and he left some scars on others as well. Still, observers have pointed out that Henry, probably known as much for his curmudgeonly ways as his knives, might be measured most accurately by those magnificent blades rather than the rude comments or the slights he was accused of dishing out with regularity. “In summary, Ed Henry’s most significant contribution to knifemaking was…

BLADE SHOW WEST P. 12 Benchmade USA, Dept. BL11, 300 Beavercreek Rd., Oregon City, OR 97045 503.655.6004 or 800-800-7427 www.benchmade.com, info@benchmade.com; Ian H. Rogers/Haburn Knives, Dept. BL11, 10514 NW 11th Ave., Vancouver, WA 98685 360-281-0569 ian@haburnknives.com, haburnknives.com; Jeremy Spake 6128 N. Concord Ave., Portland, OR 97217-4735, jeremy@spakeknife.com; Web: www.spakeknife.com, www.instagram.com/jspake; Kershaw, c/o Kai USA Ltd., attn: I. Forrest, Dept. BL11, 18600 SW Teton Ave., Tualatin, OR 97062 800-325-2891 info@kai-usa.com, www.kershawknives.com; Spyderco, attn: J. Laituri, Dept. BL11, 820 Spyderco Way, Golden, CO 80403 800-525-7770 spyderco.com, sfo@spyderco.com; Johnny Stout 1205 Forest Trail, New Braunfels, TX 78132, Phone: 830-606-4067, johnny@stoutknives.com; Web: www.stout-knives.com, Facebook-Johnny Stout, Instagram-Stout Handmade Knives; Mike Tyre 1219 Easy St, Wickenburg, AZ 85390, Phone: 928-684-9601/602-377-8432, mtyre86@gmail.com; Web: www.miketyrecustomknives.com LONG MACHETES P. 24 Cold Steel, attn.: Mike Barroca, Dept. BL11, 6060 Nicolle…

Visit us online at www.blademag.com to: • Sign up for our free newsletter. • Renew your magazine subscription. There’s a subscription link in the nav bar. • Comment on our site stories written by BLADE® staff members and others. LOOK FOR BLADE MAGAZINE ON: SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES: Visit us on the Web at www.blademag.com or call 877-485-6426. Outside USA: 386-246-3419. BOOK SALES: Visit us at www.gundigeststore.comor call 920-471-4522. BACK ISSUES FOR SALE: Subject to Availability. Call 920-471-4522. ADVERTISING: Contact Lori McDaniel at 715-498-3768 or lori@gundigest.com, or request a media kit by writing to: BLADE, 5600 W. Grande Market Dr., Appleton, WI 54913. LETTERS OR ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS: Steve Shackleford, Editor BLADE Magazine PO Box 789, Ooltewah, TN 37363-0789 or email steve@blademag.com.…

Machetes are useful tools, capable of cutting a wide variety of vegetation—everything from briars and thicket to taking down saplings—or even batoning firewood if needed. At the campsite, machetes can fill all these roles. They also can help landowners keep general brush at bay if the conditions are not suitable for the use of power equipment. Machetes also can cut back overhanging growth that encroaches on trails. With proper use and safety practices (see sidebar) machetes can be effective vegetation-management tools. There is a variety of price classes for machetes, as well as features within those price ranges. It’s best to select the right machete for your application and budget, all the while paying attention to factors such as handle comfort and ergonomics. When you’re in the field swinging a…

A knife’s ability to cut is often laid at the feet of whether it is sharp. In fact, being sharp is only part of a knife’s proficiency in being an effective cutting tool. Cross-section geometry also plays a large part—what style of grind the knife has and how well it is executed. Make no mistake, the same principles that apply to a boat or plane apply to a knife. Each must move through a medium with the utmost effi ciency. In the case of a blade and its cross-section geometry, five popular grinds and the knives sporting them—flat (Giant Mouse Biblio); convex (Kizlyar Supreme Bushmate); chisel (Emerson Knives, Inc., Bulldog); hollow (Bear & Son Executive Lockback); and Scandi (Boker Plus Bushcraft Next Generation)—are the focus this time. We will outline…

Ten years ago I met Rick Marchand when he came by my shop to talk knives. In this article I would like to share his different way to put a finish on a blade. At some point in our subsequent many visits, I mentioned to Rick that he had to create his own style of knifemaking. Well, he did—and this is how he does it. As he noted, “There is more than one way to etch a blade. This method is versatile and works for me.” By the way, Rick’s process works with high carbon steels only. For more information contact Rick Marchand, Dept. BL11, c/o Wildertools, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada B0J 2C0 226-783-8771 rickmarchand@wildertools. com, wildertools.com. For the latest knives, knife news, trends and more visit blademag.com, BLADE®’s popular…

SPEC CHART MODEL NAME: Takobiki KNIFE TYPE: Kitchen BLADE PATTERN: Tanto BLADE STEEL: Damasteel damascus HANDLE MATERIAL: Gold amboyna giraffe bone and ancient Russian bog oak OVERALL LENGTH: 22” KNIFE TO KNOW: Blade is single beveled MAKER: Pie Cutlery, attn.: Jody Hale, Dept. BL11, 6450 Asa Way, Riverside, CA 92509 909-319-2560 Piecutlery@yahoo . com, piecutlery.com Facebook/Instagram: Pie_ cutlery/Piecutlery (SharpByCoop image) MODEL NAME: Integral EDC KNIFE TYPE: Fixed blade BLADE LENGTH: 3.5” BLADE STEEL: Damascus BLADE GRIND: Flat grind w/a convex edge BLADE PATTERN: Harpoon HANDLE MATERIAL: African blackwood KNIFE TO KNOW: The maker is the daughter of ABS master smith Jason Knight MAKER’S LIST PRICE FOR A SIMILAR KNIFE: $600-$1,200 depending on complexity of the pattern and materials used MAKER: Tigerlilly Knight 843-789-9642 tigerlilyesther@gmail.com (Whetstone Studio image) MODEL NAME: Dominator KNIFE TYPE:…

PHIL LOBRED: “D.E. Henry put bowie knives on the map.” A.G. RUSSELL: “Ed Henry to his friends and D.E. to the rest of the world was the finest bowie maker of his time.” B.R. HUGHES: “Henry’s near flawless bowies set a new standard for exemplary workmanship.” SID LATHAM: “To say Henry makes a good bowie is like saying Enzo Ferrari builds a pretty good motor car.” ED HENRY: “I have been told of my great ability by experts and critics and I’m beginning to believe them.”…

ABS master smith Dan L. Petersen is a professor at Washburn University, so when astronomers found the first real black hole last spring and shared photos of it, it intrigued him—so much so that he made a knife inspired by the wonder of it all. In fact, one of Petersen’s knives using the process won the Custom Knife Collectors Association’s (CKCA) annual Fisk C Cutlery Challenge, earning the prof a cool $20,000. “One of the [black hole] photos looked similar to the circular white and red patterns in the handle,” Dan explained. “I tried to get a bluish-black-of-the-universe effect, then the white swirls showing matter spinning around the red center black holes.” To taper the copper-pipe handle, Petersen spun it on a lathe using metal-spinning techniques. He added vitreous glass…

Designed by Ryan Johnson of RMJ Tactical (page 44), the CRKT/Ruger Black Powder hatchet boasts a 3.161-inch blade of hot-forged 1055 carbon steel that is black powder coated for corrosion resistance, and a polypropylene and glass-reinforced-nylon handle with lanyard. The durable, wear-resistant hatchet head is .9 inch thick and boasts a hammer poll base for powering through firewood via batoning or for hammering. It is also designed for making kindling, building shelters and more. Weight: 26.8 ounces. Overall length: 13.188 inches. MSRP: $54.99 (includes a nylon sheath). For more information contact CRKT/ Ruger, attn: M. May, Dept. BL11, 18348 SW 126th Place, Tualatin, OR 97062 800-891-3100 info@crkt.com, www.crkt.com,and/or see the story on page 58. The image of the cover piece is courtesy of CRKT/Ruger. The inset image of Rick Marchand’s…

FRIDAY, NOV. 1 3-4 p.m.: BACK FROM THE EDGE OF DULL Maintaining a keen edge on your knife requires sharpening on a regular basis. However, that isn’t always done and the edge may go almost completely dull as a result. According to Clay Allison of Wicked Edge, his company has the tools to bring your knife back from the edge of dull. Let him show you how. 4:30-5:30 p.m.: RETAKING U.S. WILDLANDS FROM DRUG CARTELS Lt. John Nores (retired), team leader for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Marijuana Enforcement Team, describes his team’s fight to stop drug cartels from destroying U.S. wildlands. Emphasizing the cartels’ use of highly toxic EPA-banned poisons, stolen firearms and homemade anti-personnel and anti-K9 blades, Nores outlines their widespread use throughout black market trespass…

Tomahawks come in many designs, materials and sizes, and offer a fantastic genre for a contrast of the contemporary and the traditional. The RMJ Tactical Kestrel is a modern design using full-tang construction with handle slabs, whereas the McCoun Tomahawk Frontier is a traditional hawk with a forged steel head and a wood shaft. Both have their pros and cons. For me the biggest factor is their feel: the Kestrel has a neutral balance, while the Frontier has a weight-forward one. No matter the feel, however, they must cut and chop. Time to hawk it up. EDGE CHECK I started with a paper slice to gauge the hawks’ edges. I always choke up on the head of a hawk for fine work. With its sharpened beard, the Kestrel was more…

Hatchets can hack it. What with the rise of the tomahawk for tactical users and the emergence of the bushcraft movement with outdoor enthusiasts, there’s plenty to choose from today. Nothing more than a small axe, the hatchet is advantageous to its big brother because it packs more easily and delivers excellent results. Design and technology have transformed the modern-day hatchet. The James Gibson-designed ESEE Gibson Axe has a couple of features that stand out. The chopping head boasts the old, low-slung “bearded-axe” shape. The full-tang design has smoothly and nicely sculpted grooved scales going halfway up the hatchet’s length. ESEE includes a brown leather bit cover to protect the edge when the hatchet is not in use. This issue’s cover piece (page 7), the CRKT/Ruger Black Powder Hatchet is…

The fearsome reputation of the Vikings and their raids in their infamous longboats across Europe from the 8th through the 11th centuries is the stuff of legend. That reputation was augmented in no small part by the powerful axes they carried. If a conventional axe were an aircraft it would be a cargo plane, getting the job done. The Viking axe, on the other hand, is an A-10 Warthog, a powerful striker. Its reputation makes the enemy falter. This discussion is not limited to history books and rusted axe heads displayed in museums. In fact, you too can hold modern production Viking axes to see what made these choppers feared for centuries. AXE ARCHETYPE For Ernest Emerson*, headman of Emerson Knives, Inc., designing the company’s Battle Axe was a project…

BY BLADE® STAFF SEPTEMBER SEPT. 29-30 EASTON, PA Semi-Annual Lehigh Valley Knife Show, Charles Chrin Community Center of Palmer Township. Call Bill 484-241-6176 or visit PAKnifeshow.com.* OCTOBER OCT 5-6 BELOIT, WI The 5th Annual Great Lakes Knife Show, Eclipse Event Center. Call/ text Michael 616-322-5846 greatlakesknifeshow.com , woodlabgroup@gmail.com.* OCT. 12-13 TEXARKANA, TX Fall Piney Woods Hammer-In, W.F. Moran School of Bladesmithing. Contact Mike Williams at hforge@pine-net.com and/or Cindy Sheely 419-832-0400 cindy@americanbladesmith.com.** OCT. 12-13 KINGMAN, AZ Pioneer Country Events Gun & Knife Coins & Collectibles Show, Mohave County Fairgrounds. Contact Lon 928-692-0937 cell 928-530-0937 PioneerCountryEvents@gmail.com , PioneerCountryEvents.com. OCT. 19 MIDDLETOWN, MD The W.F. Moran Jr. Foundation & Museum 5th All Forged Knife Show & Auction. Contact Nancy Hendrickson 301-305-8385 ejayhendrickson@comcast.net, Charlie Wolf 301-471-2829 cwolf8489@gmail.com and/or visit williammoranmuseum.com.* ** OCT. 26-27 GARDEN GROVE,…