Table of contents for March 2026 in Blade

ABS ’26 Class Schedule Set The American Bladesmith Society has set its bladesmithing class/school schedule for 2026, including those both in the USA and abroad: FEBRUARY: Feb. 6-8: Hunting Knives, Full Tang Construction, w/Don McIntosh, ABS journeyman smith (JS), Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing, Texarkana, TX; MARCH: March 2-13: ABS Intro to Bladesmithing w/Kevin Harvey, ABS master smith (MS), Heavin Forge, South Africa; March 13-15: Damascus Steel w/Don Mc-Intosh, JS, Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing, Texarkana, TX; APRIL: April 11-18: Intro to Bladesmithing w/James Rodebaugh, MS, Shadow Mountain Forge, UT; April 13-24: ABS Intro to Bladesmithing, Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing, Texarkana, TX; April 13-24: ABS Intro to Bladesmithing w/Timothy Potier, MS, New England School of Metalwork, Auburn, ME; April 18-19: Spring Piney Woods Hammer-In, Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing,…

UNITED BLADES OF AMERICA P. 14 Hogue Knives, attn: Bill Crook, Dept. BL3, POB 91360, Henderson, NV 89009 805-239-1440 800-438-4747 office@hogueinc.com, hogueknives.com; Keanison Knives, attn: Bryan Montalvo, info@keanisonknives.com; Kershaw, c/o Kai USA Ltd., attn: D. Aiello, Dept. BL3, 18600 SW Teton Ave., Tualatin, OR 97062 800-325-2891 daiello@kai-usa.com, kershaw.kaiusa.com; Koenig Knives, support@koenigknives.com; Montana Knife Co., https://www.montanaknifecompany.com, josh@montanaknifecompany.com; Tactile Knife Co., will@tactileknife.com, https://tactileknife.co LINGERING LEGACY P. 26 Harvey Dean, harveydeanknives@gmail.com; Josh Fisher, 903-203-2130; Karis Fisher, karisann21@gmail.com; James Fleming, wastelandforge1@gmail.com; Gene Kimmi, genekimmi@kimmis-cww.com; Logan Lichtenhan, lhlichtenhan@gmail.com; Raymond Richard/Hannah Morgan, greyleathercompany@gmail.com; Matt Parkinson, matthew.parkinson@dragonsbreathforge.com; Shawn Shropshire, shawn@sdsknifeworks.com WHAT KNIFE WOULD BOWIE CARRY? P. 34 Bear Forest Knives, attn: Garrett Tremblay, chiefbearofficer@bearforestknives.com; CAS/Sobral, c/o exquisiteknives.com; Lin Rhea, lwrhea2@windstream.net; Spartan Blades, attn: C. Iovito, Dept. BL3, 625 S.E. Service Rd., Southern Pines, NC 28387 910-757-0035, contact@spartanblades.com,…

Among the top custom makers and bladesmiths exhibiting at BLADE Show Texas will be: Allen Elishewitz; Arno Bernard Knives; Bertie Rietveld; Bill Burke; BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member Bill Ruple; Bob Merz; Brad Zinker; Brion Tomberlin; Bruce Barnett; Bruce Bump; Carver Knife Co.; Charles Carpenter; Chuck Gedraitis; Corey Dunlap; Tanner Couch; Craig Brewer; Craig Brosman; Bubba Crouch; Cutelaria Pedro Fornari; Dennis Friedly; Deon Nel; Dunlap Custom Knives; E. Fritz Custom Knives; Edwards Knives; Esnyx Knives; Dionatam Franco; Garcia Knives; Gary Langley; Les George; GTC Knives; Cutlery Hall-of-Famer Harvey Dean; Henry Torres; Herucus Blomerus; Anders Hogstrom; John Horrigan; House Custom Knives; J.R. Cook; J.W. Randall; James Rodebaugh; Jason Fry; Jason Knight; and Jean Pierre Potvin. Also: Jean-Louis Regel; Jim Poling; Johnny Stout; Josh Fisher; Karis Fisher; Kelly Vermeer; Koster Hand-Forged Knives;…

“WITH PATIENCE THAT WAS SOMETIMES FLEETING, HE DID NOT SUFFER FOOLS GLADLY.” The constant, the heart and soul of BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member Bob Loveless, was wrapped up in custom knives. There was little time for anything else and there were only rare occasions that he travelled. Bob and his wife, Yoshi, made a few trips to Japan or to Hawaii, on a rare occasion to Europe, but most often with some business purpose involved as well. And over time, Robin Askew came to appreciate and understand the singular purpose, laser-like focus and personal intensity that drove her father. He was capable of kindness but often brutally frank. He was willing to entertain young knifemakers, share information and then criticize or dismiss flaws with stark, unvarnished perspective. With…

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. 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, 5583 W. Waterford Ln., Suite D, Appleton, WI 54913. LETTERS OR ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS: Woody Shelton, Editor BLADE Magazine 5583 W. Waterford Ln., Suite D Appleton, WI 54913 or email woody@blademag.com.…

“HIS EVERYDAY CARRY WOULD REFLECT BOTH TRADITION AND MODERN UTILITY.”—REUBEN BOLIEU Jim Bowie is known for more than a few things, among others the Sandbar Fight, the Battle of the Alamo and the knife called by his surname for nearly 200 years. A member of the BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame®, he was a businessman, soldier, pioneer and frontiersman, and a gentleman of means. While he gave his life at the Alamo 190 years ago this March 6, if he were as immortal as his namesake knife, what would be his EDC today? BLADE® field editor Reuben Bolieu knows knives, the outdoors and bushcraft. “If Jim Bowie were around today, he’d do as I’m sure he did back in his time—use the best materials on hand up to his…

MAKER: Corbet Sigman MODEL: Chute BLADE LENGTH: 4.5” BLADE STEEL: 440C stainless BLADE FINISH: Mirror polish HANDLE MATERIAL: Sambar stag GUARD MATERIAL: Stainless steel OVERALL LENGTH: 9.25” AUTHOR’SCOMMENT:“Corbetmade a wide variety of excellent knives.” Custom knives from the 1980s-1990s have become especially collectable, not just because of nostalgia but for specific reasons. To understand why, a trip down memory lane is in order. The ’80s and ’90s encompass a unique intersection of custom knife history, innovation, craftsmanship and scarcity. In the 1970s, custom knifemaking was mostly hobby based and regional. The two leading knifemaker organizations were The Knifemakers’ Guild and the American Bladesmith Society (ABS), established in 1970 and 1976, respectively. The latter, in fact, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The two organizations helped move knifemaking from a predominantly…

Once the wire grooves and flutes are complete, the entire handle finished to its final state and the tang slot broached, insert the wires and lock them in tightly. As mentioned, 24-gauge wire looks good. If you want to use silver, Argentium® or fine silver are both better choices than sterling, which tarnishes more quickly. Twenty-four-karat gold is terribly expensive but is the ultimate in luxury. If you have Rolls-Royce taste but a Toyota budget, consider gold-filled wire as an alternative to pure gold. It’s brass at the core but at least 20 percent gold by thickness, and consequently much more durable than simple gold electroplate. It usually comes in 14k only. As a reference point, not long ago 12 feet of 24-gauge pure silver wire could be had for…

“EACH KNIFE’S 10-INCH BLADE OF 440C STAINLESS STEEL SPORTED AN ORIGINAL AMERICANA DESIGN ‘ELOQUENTLY ETCHED’ BY AURUM ETCHINGS.” The March-April 1976 edition of The American Blade kicked off the American Bicentennial with a full-color backcover ad—the magazine was almost all black and white back then—of the Bicentennial Bowie by custom knifemaker Ruffn Johnson. Advertised as “truly the most beautiful bowie ever offered for sale to the general public,” each knife’s 10-inch blade of 440C stainless steel sported an original Americana design “eloquently etched” by Aurum Etchings with images of the Liberty Bell, versions of Old Glory new and old, the classic image of a fife and drum corps and more. It also includes an American eagle in 24k gold, along with a lugged brass guard and eight-facet, diamondshaped buttcap, all…

Admiral Steel www.admiralsteel.com sales@admiralsteel.com Widest Range of Stock for Blade Needs A.G. Russell Knives, Inc. www.agrussell.com ag@agrussell.com A.G. Russell The Cutting Edge® www.cuttingedge.com ce-asst@cuttingedge.com ADV Tactical Andre de Villiers www.advtactical.co.za Facebook - Andre de Villiers Facebook Group - ADV SOB BADNESS IG - advtactical adv44sales@gmail.com Butcher SOB folders and button lock flippers Adams International Knifeworks - AIK www.adamsknifeworks.com adamsknifeworks.com@gmail.com (618) 656-9868 Automatic & Customized Knife Specialists Artknives.com www.artknives.com fred@fredeisenleather.com BladeGallery.com www.bladegallery.com www.bladeconnection.com www.epicedge.com Sooner State Knives www.soonerstateknives.com ssknives@swbell.net Buckeye Engraving www.BuckeyeEngraving.com Make Your Mark Manufacturer of Custom Hand Stamps, Dies and Brands Cutlery Specialties www.restorationproduct.com dennis13@aol.com Renaissance Micro-Crystalline Wax/Polish, Dennis Blaine Ed Fowler Knives www.edfowler.com eafwb@wyoming.com High Endurance Performance Knives Farina Fine Arts www.farinafinearts.com studio@farinafinearts.com One of a kind, fine art, collectible knives Knife Center www.knifecenter.com info@knifecenter.com RECON 1 www.Recon1.com…

BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame member Bob Loveless made the banana skinner especially for his daughter, Robin Askew (page 68), as a high school graduation present. Bob had a silversmith do the engraving, and a few years ago Steve Johnson cleaned the knife up and put an edge on it. It is truly a one of a kind. Made in the USA, the KATAKT II (page 40) by Bear Ops is an out-the-side automatic, the blade of which both opens and unlocks via the Slide Lock mechanism. Pull your choice of the lockbar ends to either automatically open the 3.25-inch blade of Bohler M390 stainless steel or to unlock it when it’s in the open position. The American-made Zero Tolerance 0117 (page 53) is new for 2026 and will be among…

SPEC CHART KNIFE NAME: Rustick Raider Dagger BLADE LENGTH: 7” BLADE STEEL: S45VN stainless HANDLE MATERIAL: Black G-10 GUARD: 1018 low carbon steel POMMEL: 1045 carbon steel OVERALL LENGTH: 11 7/8” SHEATH (NOT SHOWN): Black leather w/snap retainer by Chattanooga Leather Works KNIFE TO KNOW: The CEO of Task Forge Dagger-SOF hired Jack Stottlemire to make a dagger to commemorate the first strike against the Taliban (Objective Gecko) after 9/11; Jack made 200 for the operators and pilots on that mission and another 200 for the civilian market MAKER’S PRICE FOR A SIMILAR KNIFE AND SHEATH: $750 MAKER: Jack Stottlemire, Fayetteville, NC 910-551-6204 stottlemire@gmail.com (Jocelyn Frasier image) SPEC CHART KNIFE NAME: Stars and Stripes PATTERN: Fixed hunter BLADE LENGTH: 4.75” BLADE MATERIAL: Stars and Stripes mosaic damascus BLADE GRIND: Full…

Automatics long have been a popular knife category for the tactical/serve-and-save professions, as well as the military. In recent years, they have shifted from tactical only to include EDC, too. Autos continue to be like other tactical and EDC lines in that they also leverage the advantage of hi-tech materials for blades and handles, thus creating stronger and harder working knives that anyone can use. The tactical division of Bear & Son Cutlery, Bear Ops offers the KATAKT series of tactical/EDC knives with the latest in blade and handle materials. At 4.5 inches closed, the KATAKT II sports a 3.25-inch blade of Bohler M390 high performance blade steel. M390 provides the ultimate in edge-holding power, is designed to go the distance and eliminates frequent sharpening. Simply put, it is one…

“THE SHOW WILL HOST OVER 400 EXHIBITORS AND THOUSANDS OF KNIVES.” Knives and knifemakers planetwide and most everything else keen, utilitarian and covetable will inundate the 5th Annual BLADE Show Texas March 20-21 in the Fort Worth Convention Center. The show will host over 400 exhibitors and thousands of knives from such countries as Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and elsewhere, not to mention top American custom knifemakers, ABS master and journeyman smiths and knifemaking members of the Knifemakers’ Guild; the lion’s share of members of the South Texas Slipjoint Cartel; the BLADE Show Texas custom and factory knife judging awards; and some of the world’s leading factory knife companies, including current and past winners of BLADE Magazine Knife-Of-The-Year® Awards. The…

1. RANGEWOLF COMPANY: Reiff Knives KNIFE TYPE: A lightweight, compact utility model for hunting and EDC DESIGNER: Stu Shank BLADE LENGTH: 3” BLADE STEEL: CPM MagnaCut stainless BLADE GRIND: Full flat BLADE FINISH: Stonewash BLADE PATTERN: Drop point HANDLE MATERIAL: G-10 or canvas Micarta® HANDLE MATERIAL OPTIONS: Black & orange G-10, black G-10, OD green G-10, green canvas Micarta, black canvas Micarta WEIGHT: 4.5 ozs. w/G-10, 3.9 ozs. w/canvas Micarta OVERALL LENGTH: 7.12” SPECIAL FEATURES: Full spine gimping along 3/4 of the blade; gimped ramp on front of scales for pinch grip; textured, ergonomic handle for secure, comfortable use; recessed lanyard hole; gimping fore and aft of handle for added grip SHEATH: Leather pocket model w/UltiClip (2 leather options); leather scout carry belt model (2 leather options); Kydex model w/2x…

Note: Entries with an asterisk (*) include knives and knife accessories as the main/sole focus. Entries with two asterisks (**) include knife seminars or symposiums, cutting or balisong competitions, auctions or other knife-related events. FEBRUARY FEB. 6-7 JERSEY CITY, NJ The 46th Annual New York Custom Knife Show, Westin Jersey City Newport. Visit www.nyckshow.com and/or fiftyfiftyproductions.net.* FEB. 20-21 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK Oklahoma’s Largest Knife Show 2026, Oklahoma City Fairgrounds. Visit oklahomaknifegroup.com.* FEB. 26-MARCH 1 NUREMBERG, GER-MANY The IWA Outdoor Classics 2026. For the trade only. Call +49 9 11 86 06 82 11 iwa@nuernbergmesse.de, iwa.info/en. FEB. 27-28 HUNTSVILLE, AL Rocket City Knife Show, Huntsville Jaycee Building. Contact Kevin Abernathy 256-653-7073 kevinknives@hotmail.com.* FEB. 27-28 LEWISBURG, PA Keystone Blade Association Knife Show, The Inn at Lewisburg (formerly the Country Cupboard Inn). Contact Skip Fryling…

The knife community lost one of its last members from the golden era of knifemaking with the passing of George Miller “Tim” Britton, who died after a short illness on December 9. He was 85. A veteran (1959-65) of the United States Marine Corps and known as North Carolina’s first professional knifemaker, Tim began fashioning knives in 1971. Early on he specialized in small personal and fancy boot-type knives and assorted fixed blades and wound up his career making all manner of classic slip joints. He appeared in early ’70s issues of The American Blade and later in BLADE®. He learned about knives and how to make them from Jim Mustin of Cajun Knives and BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® members Frank Centofante and Blackie Collins. Other influencers were Tim’s knifemaking…