Sommaire pour March 2022 de Blade

Blade|March 2022

SHORT CUTS

Jim Weyer 1934-2022 James Richard “Jim” Weyer, pioneering knife photographer and a long-time member of the BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall Of Fame®, passed away Jan. 2. He was 87. Together with his wife, Louise, Jim formed Weyer Studios in Toledo, Ohio, in 1960, which went on to become Weyer International. Louise passed away in 2015. The Weyers were married for 61 years. Beginning circa the late 1970s, Jim and Louise were regulars at top custom knife shows for over three decades, setting up a makeshift studio and photographing makers’ knives on site. At those shows they photographed the knives of most every leading maker over the years, from Cutlery Hall-Of-Famers Bob Loveless, Bill Moran, Buster Warenski, Jimmy Lile and Gil Hibben to Cutlery Hall-Of Famers Michael Walker and Frank Centofante,…

2 min

Blade|March 2022

10 AMERICAN Knife Pioneers

With this being BLADE®’s made in the USA special issue, following are my top 10 Americans who, over the past 50 years, played and/or continue to play pioneering roles in the positive development of the American knife industry (with the exception of Kevin Pipes, all are in the BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall Of Fame®). • Bill Moran: Moran not only reintroduced damascus steel to modern knives but also almost singlehandedly revived the art of forged blades, serving as the lead in creating the American Bladesmith Society in 1976, today the world’s largest knifemaker organization. His emphasis on the teaching of bladesmithing, epitomized by the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing, provided the template for the instruction that continues to bless the custom knife industry. • Bob Loveless: If Loveless had done…

4 min

Blade|March 2022

CUTLERY COUNTRY QUINTET

Over the past 38 years, I’ve met thousands of knifemakers with work ranging from newbie to legend. Being a newbie myself at first, I found myself gravitating to the newer makers, primarily because I could afford their knives and could get one without waiting years or decades. Today I approach things differently and look for outstanding makers who share the following traits: • Each is charismatic in his own way; • Each gives of both his time and talent(s) to educate others, and; • Each has a great sense of humor and is serious about his knives. Here are my five favorite American makers who share the traits I look for most. The GRINDER During my military service in the U.S. Army 101st Airborne, my unit went through processing for…

8 min

Blade|March 2022

WHERE TO GET ’EM

MAKE MINE AMERICAN P. 12 Bear & Son Cutlery, attn: M. Griffey, Dept. BL3, 1111 Bear Blvd. SW, Jacksonville, AL 36265 256-435-2227 800-844-3034 info@bearandson.com, www.bearandsoncutlery.com; Benchmade USA, attn.: Matt Glass, Dept. BL3, 300 Beavercreek Rd., Oregon City, OR 97045 503.655.6004 or 800-800-7427 www.benchmade.com, info@benchmade.com; Case, attn: F. Feightner, Dept. BL3, 50 Owens Way, Bradford, PA 16701 800-523-6350 CR@caseknives.com, www.wrcase.com; Chris Reeve Knives, attn: A. Reeve, Dept. BL3, 2949 S. Victory View Way, Boise, ID 83709-2946 208.375.0367 www.chrisreeve.com; Diamondblade Knives, attn: C. Allen, Dept. BL3, 3100 Airport Dr., Denison, TX 75020 800-221-6873 903-786-8044 diamondbladeknives.com; Emerson Knives, Inc., attn: E. Emerson, Dept. BL3, 1234 West 254th, Harbor City, CA 90710 310-539-5633 www.emersonknives.com, info@emersonknives.com; Flexcut, attn.: M. Bain, Dept. BL3, 8105 Hawthorne Dr., Erie, PA 16509 800-524-9077 mbain@flexcut.com, flexcut.com; Heretic Knives, Dept. BL3,…

4 min

Blade|March 2022

JASON FRY

Jason Fry follows a direct route to excellence and each of his shop-proven pieces of equipment serves as a milestone along the way. “My number one machine is my 2x72 Wilmont grinder,” he explained. “After 13 years on a homemade machine, I recently upgraded to the Wilmont Quattro (1). Most of the recent high-end grinders will have variable speed, horizontal tilt, adjustable tool rests and specialty fixtures. This is the only ‘brand new’ machine I have ever purchased.” Fry adds a comparison of his heat-treat oven choice, relating, “You can argue Ford vs. Chevy or Evenheat vs. Paragon, but all the modern production ovens have digital temperature control. This gives the maker the ability to precisely dial in the heat treat of their chosen steels, and to heat treat stainless…

3 min

Blade|March 2022

HATCHET MATCH

IMAGES BY THE AUTHOR While some say the art of the axe has been lost on many, the same might be said of five smaller models that neatly fit in the hatchet category. Make no mistake, these choppers are capable of more than splitting tinder—each is a substantially different tool in its own right. I tested each equally in the field. Each excelled and failed at different things. There is no right answer, just things to consider as you enter the woods. My tests ran a gauntlet of various survival and camp tasks. I used the hatchets to chop into dry and green wood, split wood, take down limbs, make kindling, smash bricks, drive tent stakes and strike to start a fire. These were hard tests but not outside the…

11 min

Blade|March 2022

SHOW CALENDAR

FEBRUARY FEB. 17-19 TEXARKANA, TX Junior Bladesmithing For Ages 14-17, Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing, Texarkana College. Register for this course and/or others at cbe.texarkanacollege.edu.** FEB. 26-27 LEWISBURG, PA Keystone Blade Association Knife Show, Country Cupboard Inn. Contact Skip Fryling 570-204-1544.* MARCH MARCH 3-6 NURNBERG, GERMANY The IWA Outdoor Classics 2022 Show, Messe Nuremberg. For the trade only. For more information visit iwa.info. MARCH 4-5 GODFREY, IL Bunker Hill Knife Club Show, Alton-Wood River Sportsmen’s Club. Contact Scott 618-779-9773 slongnecker@gmail.com.* MARCH 4-5 LITTLE ROCK, AR Arkansas Knife Show, Statehouse Convention Center. Call Logan Pearce 870-279-7329 or visit arknife.com.* MARCH 4-5 TROY, OH Spirit of the Blade Custom Knife Show, Miami Co. Fairgrounds Duke Lund Guard Building. Contact Joel at maplewoodforge@gmail.com or call 937-638-9518.* MARCH 18-19 FORT WORTH, TX The BLADE…

4 min

Blade|March 2022

HOW TO REACH US!

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.com or call 920-471-4522. BACK ISSUES FOR SALE: Subject to Availability. Call 920-471-4522. ADVERTISING: Contact Lori McDaniel at 715-498-3768 or lori@gundigest.com, or request a media kit by writing to: BLADE, 5600 W. Grande Market Dr., Appleton, WI 54913. LETTERS OR ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS: Steve Shackleford, Editor BLADE Magazine 5600 W. Grande Market Dr., Ste. 100 Appleton, WI 54913 or email steve@blademag.com.…

1 min

Blade|March 2022

Make Mine AMERICAN

In many ways, knives made in the USA are the life’s blood of the world cutlery industry. Old-time factory names such as Buck (page 30), Case, Gerber, KA-BAR (page 30), Camillus, Colonial, Ontario and more, and relatively newer names like A.G. Russell Knives, Benchmade, Bradford USA, Emerson Knives, Inc., ESEE, Hogue, Leatherman Tool, Spyderco, TOPS Knives and many others epitomize what U.S. knife manufacturing is all about: performance, quality, looks, affordability, dependability and much more. On this and the following pages are examples of the knives of some of today’s top companies that make all or at least some of their knives domestically. Of course, some of the knives are made with offshore parts, but the realities of modern manufacture of most any product require that. In addition to quality…

7 min

Blade|March 2022

IT’S AN AMERICAN THING

IMAGES COURTESY OF THE PARTICIPATING COMPANIES UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED If the knife isn’t man’s oldest tool, it’s probably a close second. It has been around in some form since time began. Styles, looks, form and function have steadily evolved, and even though the basics of a particular type may have originated somewhere else, there are those that are associated most closely with the good ol’ USA. These are knife styles that the buying public, the collector, the factory, and the custom maker would probably associate with the United States more closely than any other country. “You have to start with the time period when knives actually became ‘American,’” explained BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame® member Bruce Voyles. “From the first settlers, the Spanish in Florida or the Vikings, every…

11 min

Blade|March 2022

MULTI-TALENTED MULTIS

IMAGES BY THE AUTHOR “I HONED IN ON THE FEATURE BY GIVING THE CUTTERS A GO ON SOME MULTI-STRAND COMPUTER CABLE.” Right off the bat, anyone who needs a multi-tool on a daily basis will face one huge question when making a purchase: How much multi-tool do I need? Options abound on the multi-faceted workhorses. Blades, pliers, shears, screwdrivers, wrenches, wire strippers/snips, files, cap lifters, can openers and the like are great to have when you need them. The dilemma is weeding out what you do and don’t need, plus what size multi-tool you’re willing to carry. Alternatively, if you just need a multi-tool for the tool or glove box, the world is your oyster. Let’s test four diverse multi-tools that offer a wide variety of talents to help make…

8 min

Blade|March 2022

AMERICA’S FOLDER

IMAGES BY THE AUTHOR From its first patent in 1884, the switchblade was an important addition to most early U.S. cutlery companies. According to Mark Erickson, author of Antique American Switchblades*, between 35-to-40 companies made and/or sold switchblades, including almost all of whose names long-time collectors recognize: Aerial, Camillus, Case, Challenge, Colonial, George Schrade, KA-BAR, L.L. Bean, Novel Shapleigh Hardware, Queen, Remington, Schrade Cutlery Co., Utica, Wade and Butcher, and Shapleigh Hardware, to list a few. Because of the collectibility of the named companies and the significant variety of styles, sizes and handle materials associated with them, switchblades have become a serious endeavor for many collectors of antique knives. As a serious cutlery collector, my downfall has been fingernails that bend backward with even the smoothest opening blades. The…

6 min

Blade|March 2022

THE KNIFE I CARRY

“When I was growing up, my Dad told me, ‘If you have your pants on you should have a knife with you.’ I have carried many different EDC knives throughout my life, from $5 army surplus store knives to some that are well over $100. I have had this folder, a CRKT M16, for about three years and I love it. It opens easy with one hand using the flipper and has a secondary lock mechanism so the knife won’t accidently close on my fingers. I also love the partially serrated blade for cutting through different material as needed. At less than $75 it is affordable and I don’t worry about using it for whatever job needs to be done.” Russ Crane, Ormond Beach, Florida “I always have a knife, whether…

1 min

Blade|March 2022

WHERE TO NET'EM

A.G. Russell Knives, Inc. www.agrussell.com ag@agrussell.com Adams Intl Knifeworks - AIK www.adamsknifeworks.com adamsknifeworks.com@gmail.com Automatic & Customized Knife Specialists Admiral Steel www.admiralsteel.com terry@admiralsteel.com Widest Range of Stock for Blade Needs. Alaska - Northern Knives www.northernknives.com A Real Store & Working Knife Shop! American Edge www.americanedgeknives.com info@americanedgeknives.com 320-393-2792 We have A Knife For Every Life Artknives.com www.artknives.com fred@fredeisenleather.com Andre de Villiers www.advtactical.co.za Facebook - Andre de Villiers adv44sales@gmail.com Butcher SOB folders. Arizona Custom Knives www.arizonacustomknives.com sharptalk@arizonacustomknives.com Largest selection in the world of new and consigned knives on the internet. Let us help you find the perfect knife. Dozier Knives and Arkansas Made Dozier, Inc. www.dozierknives.com info@dozierknives.com BladeGallery.com www.bladegallery.com www.bladeconnection.com www.epicedge.com Bob Dozier Knives www.dozierknives.com info@dozierknives.com Buckeye Engraving www.BuckeyeEngraving.com Make Your Mark Manufacturer of Custom Hand Stamps, Dies and Brands CRKT www.crkt.com info@crkt.com…

2 min

Blade|March 2022

COVER STORY

The featured cover knives are the Source Hera from Microtech and the Ghost Pepper Q36 by RJ Martin. The aircraft alloy handle of the Source Hera features exclusive artwork by Scarlett Cussell that draws inspiration from “nature, symbolism and ‘mandala,’” mandala being a geometric configuration of symbols. The knife image is courtesy of Microtech. For more on the Source Hera, see page 12. The Q36 is one of Martin’s most popular models, and the Ghost Pepper iteration features a black carbo quartz handle with contrasting orange G-10 back-side inlays. The 4-inch blade runs on ceramic ball bearings and hardened stainless washers, and the zirconium screws are by Matthew Martin. SharpByCoop photographed the knife. See page 24 for more. An image of a furled American flag highlights the handle of the…

1 min

Blade|March 2022

Custom Made in the USE

SPEC CHART KNIFE NAME: Damascus Petty KNIFE TYPE: Fixed blade BLADE LENGTH: 5.5” BLADE MATERIAL: Damascus in 1095 spring and 15N20 nickel-alloy steels BLADE GRIND: Full flat BLADE THICKNESS: 1⁄16” at the thickest BLADE WIDTH: 11⁄8” HANDLE MATERIAL: Mammoth tooth BOLSTERS & PINS: Brass KNIFE TO KNOW: Jon Bolton is an ABS apprentice smith MAKER’S PRICE FOR A SIMILAR KNIFE: $480 MAKER: Jon Bolton, Lindale, Texas, jbandsonknives@gmail.com, shopjband-sonknives.com (Jocelyn Frasier image) SPEC CHART KNIFE NAME: EDC KNIFE TYPE: Fixed blade BLADE LENGTH: 2.75” BLADE STEEL: CPM 154 stainless BLADE GRIND: Full flat HANDLE MATERIAL: Mammoth tusk HANDLE PINS: Peined nickel silver BOLSTERS: 416 stainless steel OVERALL LENGTH: 6.25” MAKER’S PRICE FOR A SIMILAR KNIFE: $400 MAKER: Alex Ruiz, Voundr Forge, Adkins, Texas, Wesleysa.pc@gmail.com (Jocelyn Frasier image) SPEC CHART KNIFE PATTERN: Bowie BLADE LENGTH:…

4 min

Blade|March 2022

COMPULSION UNDERSTOOD

IMAGES BY THE AUTHOR “THE COOL THING WITH FIXED BLADE KNIVES IS WE NEVER MAKE A MISTAKE, WE JUST MAKE A SMALLER KNIFE.” —LES GEORGE When I finally met him in person, Les George had been making knives for 30 years. I had never made a knife in my life. I had spent most of the years preceding our meeting in the Marine Corps. Les spent a decade as a Marine himself and, though we just missed overlapping in Iraq, we came to know one another through mutual connections in the Corps. After a few years of exchanging texts featuring the kind of sarcastic insults and self-deprecating jokes in which we both seem to specialize, we found ourselves driving south from Memphis and discussing designs for the blade I intended…

10 min

Blade|March 2022

SHOP DUMP

IMAGES COURTESY OF THE MAKERS Editor’s note: “Shop Dump” is a new BLADE® feature showcasing the special knife-making equipment of some of today’s leading knifemakers and bladesmiths. The new feature kicks off with ABS master smith Rick Dunkerley and knifemaker Jason Fry. "I’ve been making knives for almost 40 years,” Rick Dunkerley observed, “and in that time I think I’ve developed a style that is recognizable as my own.” It’s specific equipment that plays a crucial role in him making knives in that style. There are many more tools that help along the way, but he uses seven in particular on every knife. His propane forge (1) is homemade and the burner is over 20 years old. “It’s a vertical Don Fogg design,” he commented, “lined with ceramic wool lining.…

4 min

Blade|March 2022

KNIVES OF THE AMERICAS

IMAGES BY THE AUTHOR UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED Many years ago—actually millions or more—planet Earth thrived. Man and the disease, crime, hunger and jealousy associated with him were unknown. According to Greek mythology, Earth was peaceful and only the gods enjoyed the beauty of the universe that surrounded them. Hephaestus, the mythological god of fire, was the keeper of the peace. He would go on to guide the future workers of other gods, including the development of the tools they made. Some even grew gardens and developed fine wines. As craftsmanship developed, each of the gods worked for his self-satisfaction, seeking to please himself. This came only as he approached his goals. Each of his creations knew no competition. Each creation was his; he made it to his personal satisfaction. While…

8 min

Blade|March 2022

WIN A KNIFE!

Tell us what knife you carry. Add a little history or an anecdote. Try to include a photograph—if digital, at least 600 KB but no larger than 2 MB—of you with your knife. We will publish 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 May 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.…

1 min

Blade|March 2022

Sinnsyk

Shane Magnussen was looking for ways to keep from going bonkers during the pandemic and found one with his “personal renaissance challenge.” The challenge consisted of him sketching one new knife design per day for 75 days and then putting them all up for a vote on social media. The folder winner was his Sinnsyk model. Shane is first-generation Norwegian and sinnsyk is Norwegian for insane or crazy, which most people have been driven at least half during the troubles. His wife, Katie, helped with the zig-zag texturing on the titanium handle, which they did on a half-inch wheel of a Travis Wuertz TW-90 grinder. The elliptical holes are a standard Shane design and enhance looks, lightweight and texture. The line down the center of the electro-anodized pocket clip serves…

1 min