No.01.2013 Knives Illustrated - January-February

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YES, ITS GENUINE STAG.

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or friendly get-together around the campre, try on a Case genuine Stag
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The ultimate magazine for

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013
VOLUME 27, NO. 1
www.knivesillustrated.com
70
COVER STORY
44 The Art Knife Tactical Maker John W. Smith
An Art Knife Invitational maker whose tacticals are just as nice!
By Les Robertson
FEATURES
14 New King At Queen
The inside story on how the oldest knife factory in
America ended up with a new owner
By J. Bruce Voyles
18 Wolfhawk: A Drop Kit And Git Knife

TOPS latestdesigned for soldiers
By Jim Weiss and Mickey Davis
26 A Multi-Feature Approach To Sharpening 52

New Guided Field Sharpener from Work Sharp!
By KI Staff
28 Function Without Frills

Ontarios Blackbird is a true survival knife
By Jim Weiss and Mickey Davis
36 CAS Hanwei Rock Creek Folders: Practical Tactical

Heavy-duty folders that do double duty as practical and tactical
By Abe Elias
40 New Twist On Metal Handles

Bokers Minos is titanium a different way
By KI Staff
52 Half-Tangs, Loveless And Al Capone 26

Supplying Loveless knives to sportsmen and Thompsons to gangsters
By John Denton
57 Internet Directory
The best of the Net when it comes to knives
By J. Bruce Voyles
70 When It Hits The Fan

What knives do you have in your worst-case kit?
By J. Bruce Voyles
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013
Volume 27 Number 1
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Q&A
ALBERT
BAER:
1958
Adaptable
Cutlery A mainstay of
Schrades busi-
ness was their
Genius
BY J. BRUCE VOYLES
patented switch-
bladeuntil 1958
when the U.S.
government
banned the
knives.
Q: What do you consider one
of the important moments in
cutlery history when the knife THE FIRST GOOD KNIFE I EVER BOUGHT
industry was fundamentally
changed? A Schrade Old Timer was the first good knife I ever bought with
my own money. I think it was $4.75 at my cousins family grocery
A: The Switchblade Act of 1958 is store. It was a 34OT.
the moment. Albert Baer and how he A few years later that same store stocked a new knife with stag-
adapted is the real story. looking handles (but still plastic), a shield that said, Uncle Henry,
Albert Baer had left his Camillus and a certificate inside that said if I registered the knife and lost it
Cutlery sales job to purchase Ulster within a year, they would replace it free.
Knife Co. He made plenty during They must be crazy, I thought. Everyone will send this in and
WWII associating with Imperial, taking have two knives for the price of one.
advantage of Imperials fine blanking to It was perhaps one of the most brilliant moves in cutlery history,
produce wartime knives. He brought and Uncle Henry became the very popular stainless alternative to
Schrade into the deal at wars end. the carbon steel Old Timers.
Schrades big thing was switchblades,

KI-1302-Q&A.qxp 12/11/12 10:02 PM Page 9

Imperial-Schrade was the
second largest cutlery company in
the world, topped only by
Victorinoxs Swiss Army knife, a
position they held throughout the
remainder of the 20th century.
bone-handled switchblades, and they

didnt just make them for themselves.
Prior to WWII, Schrade had also made
switchblades for Case, Remington and
the major hardware brands.
But in 1957 things began to change. A
group of New York do-gooders concerned
about youth violence, as depicted in West
Side Story and Rebel Without A
Cause, in which the villainous delin-
quents were armed with switchblades,
decided that if they could get such knives

out of the hands of teenagers they would
solve the youth gang problem. (We can
see today how that actually worked out
but once a law, always a law. Just because
do-gooders envision an idiotic concept
does not stop the idea from being idiotic.)
To add insult to injury, Camillus,
Alberts former employer, had hired a
lobbyist and testified before Congress
on behalf of the proposed switchblade
ban. It became law in 1958.
In one day, Schrades market share, its
hold on the switchblade marketheld Albert Baer were driving back to New tion they held throughout the remain-
with patents, customers and good York City from Ellenville, and Henry der of the 20th century.
designswent away like a poof of tells Albert, You know, what this coun- With the passing of the Baer broth-
smoke. The people at Ulster and try needs is a knife like our granddads ers, the driving genius that built
Schrade still needed to eat. had. Before the trip had ended, the Old Schrade was gone. In the 9/11 attack
Timer line was born. It was a raging suc- backlash, it was no longer possible to
So what did Albert Baer do? cess in its wood-grain boxes, bone-look- carry even a small pocketknife in some
He adapted. He combined the opera- ing handles and inexpensive price. restricted areas, and companies that had
tions of Schrade in Walden with their So what did Albert Baer do when given knives as premiums and favors
Ulster plant in Ellenville. And by 1960, his number-one selling line was out- fled the market. It was the beginning of
Steve Moskell of Crown Plastics had lawed? the end, and in 2004 Imperial/Schrade
handed the bosses at Schrade samples of He adapted. closed their factory and the trademarks
their knives handled in a new material He started another new line, and and intellectual properties were sold to
Delrina plastic that would have less another, and by the 1980s, Imperial- Taylor Brands, LLC.
breakage, no import laws, and was cheap- Schrade was the second largest cutlery However, the genius and adaptability
er, a lot cheaper. Bye-bye, bone handles. company in the world, topped only by of Albert Baer remains an inspiration to
It was not much later that Henry and Victorinoxs Swiss Army knife, a posi- anyone involved in cutlery. KI
KNIVES ILLUSTRATED FEBRUARY 2013 9

KI-1302-POI_V2-final.qxp 12/11/12 10:06 PM Page 10
Points Of The Gerber

parang has been
INTEREST
sold individually
and as a part of
their Apocalypse
Survival Kit. The
GERBER
Consumer
Product Safety
Commission
recommended a
RECALLS
recall based on
24 reports of
breakage out of
119,000 knives
PARANG
made.
he U.S. Consumer Product
T Safety Commission and Health

Canada, in cooperation with
Gerber, has issued a voluntary recall of
the Bear Grylls parang.
Consumers should stop using recalled
products immediately unless otherwise
instructed. It is illegal to resell or
attempt to resell a recalled consumer
product. es. The handle is dark gray with a tex- SOLD FOR A YEAR
tured rubber grip, orange trim, stylized AND A HALF
119,000 KNIVES24 INCI- BG logo and it comes with a wrist The knives were sold at sporting
DENTS PROMPT RECALL lanyard. The blade is marked with the goods stores nationwide and online
There are estimated to be 119,000 Gerber trademark and a stylized Bear from January 2011 through June 2012
Gerber Bear Grylls parang machetes in Grylls trademark. The machete comes for about $43 for the individual parang
circulation. The reason cited for the in a black nylon sheath with orange and machete and $349 for the Apocalypse
recall is a weakness in the area where gray trim. Survival Kit. The knives were manufac-
the handle meets the blade, which can The machetes were sold separately or tured in China.
cause the handle or the blade to break as one of the products in Gerbers
during use, posing a laceration hazard. Apocalypse Survival Kit. The model SEE GERBER FOR
Of the 119,000 knives, Gerber had numbers are on the package. Model REPLACEMENT
received 24 reports of breakages, includ- numbers are: 31-000698, which has Consumers should immediately stop
ing one report of a laceration injury in Survival Series printed on the pack- using the recalled parang machetes and
Canada, which did not involve stitches. age; and 31-001507, which was sold contact Gerber Legendary Blades to
only at Walmart. Model number 30- receive a free replacement. For addition-
PARANGCURVED BLADE 0006010 is for the Apocalypse Survival al information contact Gerber
MACHETE Kit, which includes a parang machete Legendary Blades toll-free at (877)
The parang is a curved-blade among other items in a foldable black 314-9130 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
machete with an overall length of 19.5 cloth case with Gerber printed in PT Monday through Friday, or visit the
inches and a blade length of 13.5 inch- orange on the inside right. firms website at www.gerbergear.com.

Of the 119,000 knives, Gerber had received 24 reports of breakages, including one

report of a laceration injury in Canada, which did not involve stitches.

New Bear & Son 510D SPECS

DamascusSpecial
Bear & Son 510 Sideliner
he new 510D Sideliner from Bear & Son is the only commercial
T
Closed: 4 1/8 inches
Bear & Son provides a full range knife manufacturer offering knives with Blade: 3 inches
of features that make it a special Damascus blades. And it's a very special Steel: 416-layer Damascus
knife. From the handsome genuine 416-layer, high-definition Damascus Weight: 4.5 ounces
India stag bone handle to the Damascus steel, made in Alabama. It combines
steel blade, it has a distinctive look. And steels of different properties to produce
the smooth Sideliner locking system blades with extraordinary toughness and
makes it so easy to use. edge-holding ability.
With Bear & Son's ball bearing Beyond their distinctive look,
action, the 3-inch modified spear-point Damascus blades have unique qualities a thumbprint.
blade opens easily with one hand and that set them apart from other steels. As is the case with all Bear & Son
locks securely open for safe use. It folds The cutting edge has tiny saw-tooth knives, the 510D Sideliner is made in
neatly into its 4 1/8-inch handle, per- carbides, formed by forging in a coal the USA, and has an MSRP of
fectly contoured for comfortable feel. fire. This enables the blade to cut even $159.99. For more information about
For convenient carry and ready for use, when it feels dull to the touch. Every the Sideliner or any Bear & Son knife
the 4.5-ounce 510D has a belt clip. piece of Damascus steel is as unique as visit www.bearandsoncutlery.com.
CRAWFORD
NECK KNIFE
his new neck knife from Pat
T Crawford is modeled after their

folder, the Stealth Folding
Fighter. The Stealth Fighter neck knife is
made of 154CM stainless steel, and is
tungsten DLC-coated, the best coating
available. It is 7 1/2 inches long overall
and the blade is 2 7/8 inches long. It
comes with a Kydex sheath with a stain-
less steel ball chain. Its decorated with
holes, slots and thumb serrations that
SPECS CRAWFORD STEALTH NECK KNIFE
OVERALL: 7 1/2 inches BLADE: 2 7/8 inches
makes this a unique neck knife. The first COATING: Tungsten DLC SHEATH: Kydex with a ball chain
25 will be numbered. RETAIL: $170
KNIVES ILLUSTRATED FEBRUARY 2013 1 1

The Vaquero has a 5 1/2-inch barrel

NAVAJO ARTISAN DAVID and weighs 43 ounces. The frame of
YELLOWHORSE ADDS GUN each pistol is stippled by hand and then
polished to a mirror finish. David
AND KNIFE SET Yellowhorse has marked each gun with
his logo and signature. The grip area is
ommemorating the epic Battle of turquoise, black jet with gold web,
C
channel inlaid with sterling silver, black
the Little Big Horn, Native white bone, orange spiny and nickel sil- jet with gold web, turquoise, white bone
American artisan David ver. After these channel inlays were and orange spiny. The image of Custers
Yellowhorse has created the US 7th applied, the sterling silver images were horse and the US 7th Cavalry designa-
Cavalry Custers Last Stand Gun and added. The handle has been polished to tion in nickel silver are inlaid into the
Knife Set. a high luster. handle.
The knife, made by Bear & Son The revolver is a .45 caliber stainless Only 25 of these gun and knife sets
Cutlery, is a traditional American-made steel Ruger Vaquero, a modern version of will be built, and they will be sequential-
12-inch Bowie, with an 8-inch blade, the traditional single-action pistol. A ly numbered from 01 to 25. Serial num-
forged from high-carbon stainless steel, fully functional working firearm, its built ber allocation is done on a first-come,
then beveled, heat treated, tempered and from highly polished stainless steel. It first-served basis. The set comes in a
fitted with an engraved brass guard. features the most modern internal safety handsome hardwood display case. A cer-
Yellowhorse has added his signature and features and performance engineering, tificate of authenticity is supplied with
logo to add to the set. while maintaining the rich traditional each set. Theyre priced at $6,000. To
The handles are inlaid with look of the gun that won the West. order call (870) 236-0133.
THE FAST
CUDA
he new Camillus Cuda bolt
T folding knife is a folder that fea-

tures a lightweight aircraft alu-
minum alloy body with a black G-10
SPECS
bolster, pocket clip and a quick-release CARBONITRIDE
blade for ease of opening with one
hand. CAMILLUS CUDA
TITANIUM
Camillus Carbonitride Titanium bonded
The 3 3/4-inch AUS-8 steel blade is OVERALL LENGTH: 8 3/4 inches steel is patent pending technology and cre-
then super-hardened with non-stick BLADE LENGTH: 3 3/4 inches ates one of the hardest surface treatments
containing titanium--its harder than even
Carbonitride Titanium (see description BLADE MATERIAL: Japanese AUS-8
carbide or chrome!
at right) molecular bonding. BLADE SAFETY LOCK: Liner lock The process of bonding takes place at
The Camillus Cuda bolt is priced at HANDLE MATERIALS: Black G10 the molecular level, forming a complex crys-
just $56.99. Contact Camillus Knives, and aircraft alloy aluminum talline structure which protects the blade
60 Round Hill Road, Fairfield, CT surface against wear, staining and damage,
and it will not flake, blister, chip or peel.
06824, 800-835-2263,
www.camillusknives.com. KI

KI-1302-Guess-v3-final.qxp 12/11/12 10:10 PM Page 13
Guess The
MAKER
SCORE
Guess The Maker, And You Can Win
A Free One-Year Subscription
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY JIM COOPER
The knife featured in the November

issue was offered with the hint that the
maker was originally a vintage knife
collector. The knifemakerwhos best
known for adding his unique twists to
modernizing vintage patternsis Tony
Bose.
The first correct answer came from Now for the next Guess The Maker
Dan Skean, Jr. of Albion, Michigan. Two hints: Hes new and hes going places. Send your entries
The random drawing was won by Mike to bvoyles@beckett.com.
Rochford. KI
Were adding a new rule to

the contest. If you enter, please
include your full name and mail-
ing address (not just your email
address). It makes it much easier
to mail a magazine to you when
we have your mailing address!
HOW WE DRAW The method we use to determine who wins among the correct entries: The entries are placed in
numerical order, and a random number is generated by a random number-generating website (www.random.org).
WHAT YOU WIN, HOW TO WIN

The first winner for each knife will receive a one-year subscription to Knives Illustrated. If you
already receive KI, you can have your choice of extending your subscription or receiving a one-
year subscription to one of our sister publications (Gun World or Bow & Arrow Hunting).
Among the correct entries, we will also draw for a second winner. So be sure to enter, even if you
are not the first one to respond.
Send your guesses to bvoyles@beckett.com
Please mention promotional code AD23L011-FEBRUARY
Winners are limited to one win every 12 months
knivesillustrated.com KNIVES ILLUSTRATED FEBRUARY 2013 1 3

KI-1302-COVER_v2.qxp 12/12/12 9:05 PM Page 14
The first new knife

out of the gate at
Queen Cutlery under
the new owners is
an olive drab canvas
Micarta-handled
Mountain Man pat-
tern, with a heavier
saber-ground blade,
combining tactical
and practical in a
single pattern.
NEWKing
at Queen
THE INSIDE STORY ON HOW THE OLDEST KNIFE FACTORY IN
AMERICA ENDED UP WITH A NEW OWNER.
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY J. BRUCE VOYLES
There is a new king at Queen. own the Ontario Knife Company.

Knife factories rarely change The significance of the transfer of
handsbut the oldest operating knife ownership at Queen is best demon-
factory in America did just that in strated by a quick look at the compa-
September of 2011. nies making knives in the U.S. in the
Ken Daniels of Daniels Family recent years. Western Cutlery, Schrade
Knives purchased Queen Cutlery and Camillus did not transfer owner-
Company from the Servotronics ship of their factorythe factory shut
Corporation, which will continue to down and the trademarks were sold.

The heavy stan-

dard lockback and
a useful brass-lined
lanyard hole com-
bine security and
function.
The moment knife history changedKen Daniels signs

the documents to purchase Queen Cutlery.
Arrowhead Cutlery was a start-up building in 1914, when Schatt & The day-to-day management of
near Knoxville, Tennessee, and again, Morgan Cutlery constructed the build- Queen will fall to new president Jennie
when it closed, there was no one to buy ing and started producing knives there. Moore, marking the first female in the
the factory. Buck Knives moved their In the 1990s, Queen registered and U.S. to be named the president of a
entire operation to Idaho, and the El revived the Schatt & Morgan name, major knife company. (See related side-
Cajon factory ceased to produce knives and once again Schatt & Morgan bar in this story). Daniels son Ryan is
altogether. But making history at knives were coming from with the fac- sales manager for the company.
Queen Cutlery is nothing new! tory in Titusville.
NEW PATTERNS
HISTORIC SITE WHATS NEXT FOR QUEEN Believing in the if its not broken do
The current resident of the Titusville, When asked what would be different not fix it theory, Queen will maintain
Pennsylvania, factory is Queen Cutlery at Queen, Daniels first response was, their/its traditional knives, but they are
Company, which has produced knives in For the first time in many years, also looking to the future, with a
that facility since the 1930s, but knives Queen will have a knife-man in rumored line of G10 and Micarta-han-
were first turned out in the historic charge. dled knives, and carbon-fiber handles.
KEN DANIELS,
KNIFE COLLECTOR FIRST ducing short-run special under the Tuna Valley
factory knife orders, which Cutlery Company name,
Queen Cutlery owner regular at most major were made for him by and again Queen made the
Ken Daniels recalls as a knife shows, and at one Queen Cutlery. From this knives for him. In one of
child going to the monthly time was the market contact Daniels met Bill his visits at Queen in con-
trade days at Washington maker for Case stag-han- Howard, and in 2006 the junction with his special
Court House, Ohio, with dled knives, at the same two men formed Great factory order knives he
his grandfather to exhibit time building a successful Eastern Knife Company, learned that the company
and sell knives. I recall international tire business. also located in Titusville. might be for saleand he
buying my first knife when When his son Daniels sold his interest began an almost yearlong
I was five, he says. Ryan began showing in Great Eastern in 2011 pursuit of Queen, culminat-
He never stopped. Over more interest in the newer and returned to producing ing with the official pur-
the years he has been a knives, Daniels began pro- special factory order knives chase in September.

Few companies make traditional folders as well as Queen Cutlery, as

evidenced by this amber bone gunstock pattern.
DID YOU
KNOW?
Among its more noted innova-
tions, Queen pioneered the use of
stainless steel in pocket cutlery,
and has been at the forefront of
preserving the production of tradi-
THE BACK STORY tional pattern knives.
The story of Queen really italize on the confusing of According to legend, with well that started the
begins with two men in the the similar names.) the coming of the Great Pennsylvania oil boom.
cutlery business before the When U.S.-imposed tariffs Depression, five Schatt & When their moonlighting
turn of the 20th century, C. restricted import knives, the Morgan employees, most of was discovered, the five
B. Morgan and J. W. Schatt. new company was forced them upper management in were released from Schatt &
The two had worked for into producing their knives the small factory, began to Morgan, and a couple of
other cutlery companies, at home, and Schatt & run parts in the S&M factory years later when Schatt &
and decided to import Morgan Knife Company was afterhours. Later in their Morgan ran into problems
knives under the New York formed, first in Gowanda, free time, they would get with the slow economy (and
Cutlery Company name. New York, and in 1914 mov- together and assemble the the loss of five of their key
(The largest knife company ing to their new building in knives under the Queen employees), the company
at the time was New York Titusvillethe same building City name, taking the name was purchased by the same
Knife Company, and its that houses Queen Cutlery from the nickname of five former employees
likely the two hoped to cap- Company today. Titusville, site of the first oil under the Queen name.

FIRST LADY Jennie

Moore,
PRESIDENT the new

president
JENNIE MOORE of Queen
Cutlery.
Ken Daniels has taken the out-of-
the-norm step in naming long-time
Queen employee Jennie Moore as
Queen Cutlery Company president.
This makes her the first female cut-
lery company president in history. highlighted by Moores three-gen-
Moore has worked at Queen eration history. Her mother worked
Cutlery for 25 years, starting as a at Queen until her retirement, and
drill punch operator and working her father began working for
her way up to plant manager for the Queen after his retirement. Moores
past five years. daughter, Ashley Wright, also
The family aspect of Queen is works at Queen.
These two extended-bol-

ster folding hunters han-
dled in stag and jigged
bone will be featured in a
short-run limited edition.
Note the double pulls on
the stag hunter at top.
We understand they are in discussion 1925, one of the legendary Bullet pat-
with several name knife makers for col- terns. Closer examination will reveal
laboration knives. this new Queen model is handled in
olive-drab canvas Micarta for durability, ONE KERSHAW AT A TIME
THE COVER KNIFE and the blade is saber ground, giving a
One example of Queens bridging the mass of steel for strength to the blade.
CRYO 1555TI
'HVLJQHGE\5LFN+LQGHUHU
tactical/practical field is what at first A maroon Micarta-handled version is 6SHHG6DIHDVVLVWHGRSHQLQJ
glance appears to be a traditional Queen also in the planning stages, as well as )UDPHORFN
&U0R9VWHHOWLWDQLXPFDUERQLWULGHFRDWLQJ
Mountain Man pattern. This pattern G10 versions. Suggested retail on the LQEODGHOHQJWK
first appeared in cutlery as a one-blade new Micarta-handled Mountain Man
lockback in the Remington line in pattern is $105. KI
CONTACT QUEEN CUTLERY COMPANY, P.O. Box 408, Titusville, PA,

16354, 814-827-3673, jmoore@queencutlery.com, www.queencutlery.com ,&34)"8,/*7&4$0.t'"$&#00,$0.,&34)"8,/*7&4

KI-1302-WOLFHAWK_v2-final.qxp 12/11/12 10:21 PM Page 18
The polymer
sheaths edges
were a little
rough, but since
it was made for
use on a
Picatinny rail,
Paul Granger
didnt feel it real-
ly mattered.

WOLFHAWK
A Drop W
hen it comes time to drop
Kit & Git

kit and git, no soldier leaves
his rifle. Now with the
TOPS Wolfhawk his knife will not be
KNIFE
left behind either.
NON-TYPICAL DESIGNER
Unlike many other knife designers,
Kelly Van Orden, the president and
designer of Battle Blades Knives, is not
a custom knifemaker, nor a military
man, nor a martial arts person. Hes a
retired Rocky Mountain rancher with a
small workshop.
TOPS LATESTDESIGNED FOR SOLDIERS. He shoots his guns daily, and just as
often uses knives. Hes the type of guy
BY JIM WEISS AND MICKEY DAVIS / PHOTOS BY THE AUTHORS
who wants to give back, donating guns
to returning soldiers. Making a profit
isnt important to him. But designing a
knife that fits the soldiers needs is
important.

If the knife and
its sheath were
designed with input
from our troops, for our
troops, then who am I
to determine their
functionality in the
sandbox?

QUICK
FACTS
OVERALL: 7 inches
BLADE: 3 inches
THICKNESS: 5/32 inches
STEEL: 1095 high
carbon RC 56-58
HANDLE: Black linen
Micarta or paracord
BLADE COATING: Black
traction coating
WEIGHT: 3.8 ounces
WEIGHT WITH
ATTACHMENT: 5.2 ounces
MANUFACTURED BY: TOPS
Knives (Idaho Falls, Idaho)
SUGGESTED RETAIL:
$169.95
DESIGN ORIGINS
Van Orden talked with the returning
soldiers from active duty in combat
zones to get their input concerning
what they felt were the necessary fea-
tures of a usable tactical knife. He
learned that the soldiers commonly
carry their knives in their kit.
Sometimes they have to dump their
kits, but they never dump their rifles.
Knowing this, Van Orden began to
design a special knife with our military
in mind, a knife that soldiers wouldnt
lose. This knife would fit on a soldiers
rifle, the one item he keeps with him
always.
Van Orden spent about a year of his
time and money designing the TOPS
MP4 Wolfhawk, beginning with crude
prototypes. The resulting knife is one a
soldier or user can count on, and one
Van Orden thinks his father (see side-
bar) would have liked.
ENTER TOPS
In mid-project, Mike Fuller of TOPS
Knives was approached and became an
asset, offering much help. The knife was Mark Allen Prince is
first designed to have a spear point, but shown here with his
Fuller talked him out of that design. Wolfhawk mounted
on his tactical rifles
Van Orden also at first wanted to go
Picatinny rail.

Kelly Van Ordens assess-

ment of our troops' needs
(with their input) and their
equipment, was that if an
operator needed to dump
kit and git, they never left
without their rifle, so why not
design a knife that traveled
with the rifle at all times?
with stainless steel, but Fuller encour- black linen Micarta version himself, but couldnt comment on the rifle-mount-
aged him to use 1095 carbon steel, survivalists and people in the prepared- ing setup as he was not a rifleman, nor
something Van Orden considers sharpness movement favor the version with owner of a rail-system rifle. His com-
ens well and holds an edge, as well as the paracord handle. They like it mentary for this article would be
resists corrosion. because they can unravel the paracord reserved to the knife itself, one he
Van Orden had some issues while for other uses and then rewind it onto described as the little rifle knife.
working on a design with a swivel for the handle. The paracord has about a - Right off the bat, as he removed the
the sheath, and hes still improving a ounce difference from the black linen Wolfhawk knife from its sheath, he was
sheath for better belt carry. Micarta, but locks into the sheath the impressed by the clever locking system;
same way. Sales are about 50/50 a thumb release that locks the knife into
TWO BLADE STYLES between the two. the sheath. He said it took a while to
The Wolfhawk knife is offered in two Van Orden also wanted his knife, get used to the lock, but felt it was a
blade styles: a hunters point and a designed to be carried on the great feature and the knife deploys easi-
tanto blade. Van Orden said he calls the M4/AR15-type rifle or other military ly once the operator has experience with
drop-point style a hunters point because rifles with Picatinny rails, to be light it. This locking feature will especially
as a big game hunter, he knows about enough not to weigh down a rifle the appeal to anyone who has ever lost a
hunting and skinning, and the hunters way other items mounted on a Picatinny knife in the woods.
point serves a hunters purposes. rail tend to do.
Van Orden designed the grip of the The TOPS MP4 Wolfhawk, in addi-
handle to do work. Its designed to be tion to being offered in the two differ-
drawn from the sheath and instantly be
able to cut or slash in any direction. As
ent blade styles, also comes with either
black linen Micarta or paracord handles.
TACTICAL
to the jimping (finger and thumb hori-
zontal grooves) on the handle, he felt
Kelly Van Orden showed a prototype at
the 2012 Shot Show.
TRADITION
that jimping and scalloped grooves work And our review team takes a look at it Kelly Van Orden, designer of
well with the users hands and fingers, here. the Wolfhawk, is the son of Sgt.
with or without gloves. Rulon (Rudy) Van Orden, an
REVIEW FROM A infantry sergeant with the 94th
PARACORD OR MICARTA KNIFEMAKERS ANGLE Infantry Division, who served in a
HANDLES Custom knifemaker Paul Granger machinegun squad at the Battle
There are two handle versions offered examined the Wolfhawk tanto-blade of the Bulge.
for this knife. Van Orden prefers the review knife, first cautioning that he

purpose. There are also two scallops and

four grooves on the face of each side of
the handle, which is nice, especially if
the knife is used for horizontal slicing.
A full tang runs through the handle,
but the butt itself is not useful for ham-
mering or tasks of that nature. Granger
would probably add a lanyard hole at
the butt.
The tanto blade he examined was
thick with a shallow grind, not particu-
larly good for detailed work, but sturdy
and probably valid for military use such
as shredding wood for tinder. Japanese-
style tanto blades are excellent for pierc-
ing, and are the choice for Samurai
swords and other stabbing weapons.
The shallow grind of this knife renders
it ineffective for outdoorsman tasks like
Shown is the Wolfhawk
hunting and skinning; a high, flat grind
mounted on Picatinny rails. The polymer sheaths edges were a or hollow grind would be better for
little rough, but since it was made for that. The blade is made of 1095 steel, a
use on a Picatinny rail, he didnt feel it carbon steel commonly used by TOPS.
really mattered. If the knife had been The company lists it as being high car-
developed for belt use, Granger would bon with an RC of 56-58. Its finish is
file off the rough edges. (The blade is described as black traction coating.
advertised as being able to be belt This coating will totally protect the
mounted). Theres a good drainage hole blade from rust except for the edge.
in the sheath. Sharpening the blade would remove any
such rust.
THREE-PIECE KNIFE: BLADE The review knife did not arrive sharp
AND TWO HANDLE SLABS out of the box. It had a black linen
There is jimping at both This is a three-piece knife: the metal Micarta handle, an excellent knife han-
ends of the handle: near the tang blade and the two sides of the dle material. TOPS ad for this knife
butt, top and bottom as well handle. Granger said the Wolfhawk fits indicates that the buyer may choose to
as at the front end of the relatively snugly in the hands, and is order it with either a paracord handle or
handle inside the finger equally snug and comfortable in all four a black linen Micarta handle.
grooves at the top and bot- grip positions. The balance is good.
tom of the small double Theres jimping at both ends of the MARK ALLEN PRINCES
guard. The jimping is deep,
handle: near the butt, and top and bot- REVIEW
coarse and effective.
tom as well as at the front end of the The Wolfhawk arrived on a rather
handle inside the finger grooves at the hot and humid summer day in August.
top and bottom of the small double My writing pals introduced this knife to
guard. The jimping is deep, coarse and me as something different. When I was
effective. able to give it the time it was due, I
The guard is just right for its size and found them to be correct. First, the
PAUL GRANGER-REVIEWER QUALIFICATIONS

Custom knifemaker Paul Granger (www.palehorsefighters.blogspot.com) specializes in making fixed-blade knives
of his own unique design as well as in traditional patterns. He has created a line of lightweight, non-metallic, non-
ceramic knives currently in use by the American and Canadian Military, multiple police departments, and both the
FBI and the CIA.

KI_1302_23 12/10/12 4:30 AM Page 23
Visit our new website today!

www.KnivesIllustrated.com
The premier knife magazine

s4HEHOTTESTKNIVESANDLATESTINNOVATIONSINSTEELANDDESIGN
s4HELATESTNEWSVIEWSANDREVIEWSs(ARDTESTINGOFKNIVESANDTHERESULTS

If an operator needed to dump kit and git they never left
without their rifle, so why not design a knife that traveled with the
rifle at all times?
MARK
ALLEN knife was not as large as the fixed-blade tanto with a straight spine and rather
PRINCE, knives I had been evaluating of late.

Second, the knife came with an inter-
simple Micarta grips. Not really large
enough to be a fighting knife, or a bush
USDOE SRT esting scabbard. Third and finally, its

mission was not the same as all the
or survival knife, I thought perhaps it
was just a novelty due to its scabbards
OPERATOR other knives I had evaluated recently.
Kelly Van Orden, the designer of the
design to hang off of a rail. But then I
began the field evaluation.
Mark Allen Prince is a professor Wolfhawk created this knife to support
of Law Enforcement Technology/ our troops overseas. It was not designed WITHSTANDS 400
Special Operations at Central with the specific intent of any task HAMMER BLOWS
Ohio Technical College, a former other than to be a back-up tool for the The Wolfhawk easily withstood the
USDOE SRT operator, and spent military. Through his assessment of our 400 strikes delivered from the steel claw
18 years in local law enforcement troops needs (with their input) and hammer. One hundred strikes were
special operations and training. their equipment, it was ascertained that delivered to each side except the edge. I
He has developed and teaches if an operator needed to dump kit and observed only slight deformation on the
courses in homeland security and git they never left without their rifle, spine from the 100 strikes delivered
special operations for military, so why not design a knife that traveled there. The sides of the blade showed
state and local special operations with the rifle at all times? As a result, only slight cosmetic disfigurement, and
personnel and organizations. Hes TOPS Knives produced the Wolfhawk the tail end of the grip showed none!
an instructor trainer certified by and the scabbard that would attach it to The black traction coating is tough,
the late Colonel Rex Applegate. the rail mounts of an M-4 style rifle. tough, tough. The hammer test
The knife itself was at first rather removed only a bit of it on the 90-
plain to me. It appeared to be a mini degree angle of the left side of the
spine.
As the knife is often a tool more so
than a weapon, I used it as such. I pried
a board from a pallet with more than a
little effort (mostly because the little
knife lacked the leverage of the larger
blades); this caused no damage to it at
all. Although the knife is not big
enough for outdoor chores like batoning
wood for a fire, or hacking large
branches for making a shelter, it worked
well in duties that included carving
wood, peeling apples and general
kitchen duties.
PIERCES STEEL JEEP BED

The high-carbon steel, 5/32-inch thick
blade is 3 1/4 inches long. As a result, its
Van Orden, the Wolfhawks designer, talked with the returning solders to get their not best for heavy chopping. As the blade
input concerning what they felt were the necessary features of a tactical knife they reviewed is a tanto style, it does lend
could use.

A drop point and enough

belly for skinning makes the
Nyala useful in a multitude of
applications. The integral handle and
blade is sturdy and practical.
According to custom knifemaker Paul Granger, the tanto blade he examined was
sturdy and probably valid for military use such as shredding wood for tinder.
itself to powerful piercing, however. I was of the knife to be a bit larger so that it
surprised when I was able to penetrate would fill the non-gloved hand better if
the steel Jeep bed. The little Wolfhawk possible.
blade penetrated the thick steel over an I must admit I took a shine to the lit-
inch in depth each of the six times I tle knife after handling it for a few
thrust into it. And there was only a weeks. If the knife and its sheath were
minor chipabout 1/8-inch from the designed with input from our troops,
tipwhen this test was finished. This for our troops, then who am I to deter-
was easily fixed with a little work from a mine their functionality in the sandbox?
coarse stone and the kitchen steel.
The jimping on the thumb indenta- FIRST CHOICE TO ANYTHING
tions provide a strong purchase for THAT FOLDS
thumb and finger, but proved to be too As an American peace officer who
painful in the part of the evaluation spends time in harms way hunting
where I coat the knife with canola oil monsters, I dont see the need to attach
and stab the ol poplar stump violently the knife to my rifle rails. But I do see
(this is normally completed using a this little fixed blade as a first choice to
saber type grip). Its important to note anything that folds and that any knife-
that this activity became ideal when I maker calls tactical.
put on a pair of GI leather gloves and The cost of the knife for a field troop
commenced stabbing operations. is a bit high at $169.95 (MSRP), but I
The icepick or reverse icepick grip can attest to the knifes quality and its
with thumb over the butt on this knife performance in our field test and give it
really shines when desiring to penetrate an excellent rating.
an object. Also, I found the knife If I needed a knife and had to choose
worked well for cutting and slashing from any tactical folder or Kelly Van
when I choked up on the grip and Ordens creation, the TOPS MP-4
placed my thumb on the backside of the Wolfhawk rifle knife would do my bid-
blade beyond the thumb indentation ding hands-down, anytime and every
and guard. I would recommend the grip time. KI

KI-1302-Work_v2.qxp 12/13/12 9:22 PM Page 26
A Multi-Feature
APPROACH TO
Sharpening
NEW GUIDED FIELD SHARPENER
FROM WORK SHARP!
BY KI STAFF
The Guided Field

Sharpener from
Work Sharp takes
a Swiss Army
approach to
sharpening, com-
bining diamond
hones, ceramic
rods and even a
leather strop in a
single package.
he Work Sharp Guided Field
T Sharpener 2.2.1. is made by

Darex LLC in Ashland,
Oregon, the same people who produce
the Drill Doctor brand of drill bit
sharpeners.
Our compact, five-stage, angle-guid-
ed field sharpener quickly and easily
restores a sharp edge onto a blade with
repeatable results, says Darex president
Hank ODougherty. It provides dia-
mond plates, ceramic rods and a leather
strop so you can perform any knife
sharpening, honing or stropping task
with one, compact and easy to use
A look at some of the features of the Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener.
sharpener.

KI-1302-Work_v2.qxp 12/13/12 9:22 PM Page 27
The diamond hones are

held in place with mag-
nets, and are removable.
KEN ONION IS IMPRESSED

WITH IT
Legendary knifemaker Ken Onion
said of the Guided Field Sharpener, I
am impressed with the clever details,
like the magnetic plate holders, angle
guides, round ceramics and strop, all in
a small easy to carry package. Its by far
the best manual, portable sharpener I
have ever used.
I especially like the versatility of it,
Onion continued. I have used it on flat
and re-curve blades as well as fishing
hooks and leather punches and it per-
formed well. Something for everyone in
A unique feature this little package.
to the hone is a
leather strop for
the final strop- COMPLETE PACKAGE
ping; ideal for the The Work Sharp Guided Field
razor edge purist. Sharpener ($34.95) comes with two
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ceramic rods (coarse, fine and fish hook
groove) and even a leather strop. All
Work Sharp products are designed,
engineered and assembled in Ashland,
Oregon. KI

Its by far the
best manual, portable
sharpener I have
WORKSHARP GUIDED ever used.
FIELD SHARPENER KNIFEMAKER/DESIGNER
CONTAI NS: KEN ONION
Two sharpening angle guides
Serrated sharpening rod
Three-position three-grit ceramic rod CONTACT
Leather stropping strip DAREX LLC
Coarse and fine diamond stones 210 E. Hersey St., P.O. Box 730
Broadhead wrench Ashland, OR 97520
Retail: $34.95 800-597-6170, www.worksharptools.com

KI-1302-Blackbird.qxp 12/11/12 10:53 PM Page 28
FUNCTION
Without Frills
ONTARIOS BLACKBIRD SK-5 IS A TRUE SURVIVAL KNIFE.
BY JIM WEISS AND MICKEY DAVIS / PHOTOS BY THE AUTHORS

The Blackbird is
shown with the nylon
sheath that comes
with the knife and
the aftermarket
leather sheath.
Designer Scheiter
developed the knife
with the goal of
achieving maximum
function delivered
through pure simplici-
ty. I believe that the
less complicated a
product is, the better
it will perform when
your life depends on
it, said Scheiter.
T
he SK-5 designation for the Scheiter is also the owner of the
Ontario Blackbird sums it well-known sheath company, Hedgehog
upSurvival Knife with a 5- Leatherworks (www.hedgehogleather-
inch blade. Designer Paul works.com), which produces an after-
Scheiter developed the knife with the market leather sheath for the Blackbird
goal of achieving maximum function SK-5. According to the Ontario Knife
delivered through pure simplicity. Company (www.ontarioknife.com), the
I believe that the less complicated a Blackbird has proven itself to be an
product is, the better it will perform invaluable tool for survivalists, soldiers,
when your life depends on it, said hunters and outdoorsmen.
Scheiter. He feels the Blackbird is com- Our reviewers, Paul Granger and
fortable to use, has ideal cutting geome- Mark Allen Prince, said, Well see
try, and is durableall desired features about that. What follows are their con-
necessary for the most demanding clusions after testing.
wilderness survival tasks.

Fast
Facts
OVERALL LENGTH:
10 INCHES
BLADE LENGTH: 5 INCHES
BLADE THICKNESS:
0.13 INCHES
STEEL: 154 CM
ROCKWELL HARDNESS:
58-60 HRC
HANDLE: MICARTA
SHEATH: NYLON
According to Ontario Knife

Company, because of its
emphasis on function with
no frills, the Blackbird has
proven itself to be an
invaluable tool for survival-
ists, soldiers, hunters and
outdoorsmen. The
Blackbird is shown with one
of Heckler & Kochs new
MR762A1 match rifles.

According to Mark Prince,

After a very long weekend
of spending many hours
keeping the Bass Islands of
Lake Erie safe for democra-
cy, I began my field evalua-
tion of the Blackbird on a
Sunday afternoon.
STARTING
WITH THE
SHEATH
BY PAUL GRANGER
The sheath accompanying the

knife used for Grangers review
was nylon. Granger liked it and
thought it was very clever. The
oblong metal link in the retention
strap that fits over the knifes han-
dle falls back to the side, out of
the way, when this strap is
opened. This innovation greatly
reduces the chance of the strap
being accidentally cut when the
knife is removed from the sheath;
an occurrence that can happen,
especially with leather sheaths.
Granger felt this metal link built
into the retention strap is an excel-
lent feature.
REVIEW 1 cleaning pan fish or field dressing small

mammals like squirrels or rabbits more
Whereas some sheaths have
pockets, the Blackbirds nylon
than large, thick-bladed survival and sheath has useful MOLLE loops on
tactical knives. Why people would sell a the front that allow for various-
KNIFEMAKER PAUL person a dull knife is beyond Granger, sized items, such as a survival kit
GRANGER REVIEW perhaps because of liability issues, but or radio, to be attached to the out-
Granger noted that since Paul that is hardly the case with this keenly side. Granger said such MOLLE
Scheiter is known for his Hedgehog edged blade. loops are significantly better than a
Leatherworks sheaths, he would begin pocket because the sheaths user
his review with the Blackbirds sheath. BLADE IS SPEAR POINT has many more choices as to what
(Its important to note that the nylon The knife has a good blade length for can be carried on it.
sheath that comes with the knife is not both utility and tactical work. While A MOLLE strap on the back of
manufactured by Hedgehog spear tips are not particularly common the sheath runs its full length,
Leatherworks). in America, this blade comes together offering versatility in how its worn.
nicely at its centered point. Its spine is The grommet-reinforced drain hole
SHARP OUT OF THE BOX good for forward use as well as for more is a good addition. Theres also a
As to the Blackbird knife itself, its blade control in doing finer work. There Kydexa high-performance,
thin blade is very sharp out of the box. is a flat/full grind all the way to the durable plasticblade liner built
Its readily applicable for tasks such as spine. into the sheath.

in all four basic holding positions: for-

ward, reverse, inverted and icepick. The
three-piece knifes recessed screw holes
are kind to the users hand; non-
recessed screw heads can be irritating if
the knife is used for a while.
Ontario Knife Company's ads call it a
finger groove, but Granger feels that
might be a bit of a stretch; its more of a
finger recess. A true finger groove lets
the user know exactly where the finger
or fingers are.
The handle is made of scaled, canvas
Micarta, which is slightly more grippy
than linen Micarta. Theres a small,
two-dimensional belly swell of 1/4 or
5/32 inches on the blade side of the
handle. The front and back handle pan-
els of this three-piece knife are flat.
Another nice handle feature is the
expanded lanyard slot.
DESIGN BASED ON
OUTDOOR USE
Paul Scheiter is known for his
Hedgehog Leatherworks and his camp-
ing expertise. The 28-year-old Scheiter
began his interest in camping by going
into the deep woods at an early age in
the company of his uncle. These experi-
This Blackbird is shown on
The Blackbird blade is made of ences in Missouri evolved into a passion
the hull of an M42 40mm
self-propelled anti-aircraft 154CM steel, a premium grade stainless for the outdoors and experimenting in
gun called a Duster. Its an steel. Developed in the United States, hill and woods survival skills.
armored light air-defense this particular knife steel is probably Scheiter saw a need for a survival knife
gun on display at Camp one of todays top three knife steels. that bucked the trend of some knives,
Perry, Ohio. Granger thought he would bevel the tip which seemed to be more and more
of the blades guard a little as its a bit about featuring gimmicks. In developing
sharp. If the blade is used for slicing the Blackbird-SK5, he and his staff were
sideways, this guard tip might be an looking for knife characteristics that
infrequent problem. were time-proven in the realities of what
really works well. Instead of thinking
HANDLE FILLS THE HAND about what they could add, they worked
Very effective and simple, the handle at what they could take away.
fills the users hand well, with nothing
flashy and nothing to break off. ROUNDED GRIP
Ergonomically, it has a comfortable grip Blackbirds basics include a handle
Field & Stream magazine's Best of the Best award is one of the most presti-
BEST OF gious in the outdoor gear industry. Each year expert field testers at Field & Stream
THE BEST evaluate hundreds of the best new outdoor products, narrowing them down to the
most outstanding equipment across several categories. In 2011, the Ontario Knife
WINNER Company's Blackbird SK-5, designed by survivalist Paul Scheiter, was awarded
Best of the Best in the knife category.

$9.95/100FT

Genuine 550 lb. Type III, 1/8" diameter
nylon Paracord with a seven strand core.
Ontario Knife REVIEW 2 46 colors available.
Company's ads call it a

finger groove, but MARK ALLEN PRINCE WORKS
THE BLACKBIRD
Granger feels that might The Ontario Knives Blackbird SK-5
be a bit of a stretch; it is arrived at the castle in an unassuming
brown cardboard box. Along with the PC101 White
5
more of a finger blade came a very basic but nice and
functional single-retention-strap and 5
recess.

PC102 Black
earth tone, Cordura/MOLLE-capable
scabbard equipped with a hardened
protective insert. PC103 Olive Drab 0
After a very long weekend of spend-
thats rounded for a comfortable grip; ing many hours keeping the Bass PC104 Coyote Brown
three recessed stainless steel Allen Islands of Lake Erie safe for democracy,
screws securing the Micarta slabs to the
tang; and 154CM steel thats known for
I began my field evaluation of the
Blackbird on a Sunday afternoon. As PC106 Charcoal
P
A
its toughness, edge retention, sharpness this is the day in which I carve and
and corrosion resistance. cook flesh on the grill over seasoned
PC108 Burgundy
Its center-lined spear blade has more indigenous chunks of local hardwoods, I
R
metal behind its point at the tip for a commenced fire preparation operations.
greater degree of point strength. The First, I began ribboning long strips of PC116 Colonial Blue
blades smooth spine is com-
fortable to the touch. For those
knife buyers adding the
Blackbirds leather sheath from
PC118 Neon Orange A
Hedgehog Leatherworks,
theres a 25-year warranty on
PC123 Solar Orange
C
the rapid release sheath.
Hedgehog Leatherworks will
be making future modifications
PC127 Desert Camo
O
on it.
R
PC128 Foliage Camo
THE KNIFE AS A
PC140 G.I. Camo
SPEAR TIP
Though Scheiter is not a fan
of turning a knife into a spear, PC139 Galaxy D
there can be real and psycholog- Side Release Buckles
ical field advantages for doing Durable plastic side release buckles
so, such as a tool for protection used to complete paracord bracelets.
Available in 3/8 and 5/8 sizes.
from animals, etc. Keeping this
in mind, the Blackbirds handle
ends in a flat, level butt. Those
individuals turning the knife
into a spear should rest the butt According to Paul Granger, the knife is
alongside a carved, flattened end of a very effective and simple, and the han- PC993 3/8 (PKG OF 10) Assorted 6.95
PC995 5/8 (PKG OF 10) Assorted 6.95
JANTZ
sapling and attach the knife. This gives dle fills the users hand well, with noth-
better support to the knife rather than ing flashy and nothing to break off.
sticking it onto the end of a pole and Ergonomically, it has a comfortable grip
relying on securing it by lashing. in all four basic holding positions: for-
ward, reverse, inverted and icepick.
1-800-351-8900
knifemaking.com
WHO IS Custom knife maker Paul Granger (www.palehorsefighters.blogspot.com)

specializes in making fixed-blade knives of his own unique design as well
PAUL as in traditional patterns. He has created a line of lightweight, non-metallic,

non-ceramic knives currently in use by the American and Canadian military,
GRANGER? multiple police departments, and both the FBI and the CIA.

cardboard. The Blackbirds factory edge small chunk of the Micarta off the left
was found to be sharp, sharp, sharp. scale doing this), coated the handle with The near
Next I began to baton hard chunks of cooking oil and stabbed violently under-
maple wood. As I was groggy from hand, then overhand or icepick style into amputation of my
fatigue, I slipped and carved a third of
the way through my left index finger.
the ol poplar stump with 100 repetitions.
I carved beefsteaks, both rib-eye and strip,
appendage is an
Once again, I found the Blackbird to be carved corn off the roasted ear, and drilled excellent testimony
sharp, sharp, sharp! holes in wood. I also batoned a bunch of
Luckily my wife, whos a nurse by wood with this knife during this time and to the knife, albeit a
training, helped to put my finger back carried it many, many days.
bit painful.

together so that I could continue grill
operations. No kidding, the factory edge BASIC AND BEGUILING
on this knife, even after completing the When at first you look at the knife,
oftentimes blade-dulling task of cutting you see a very, very basic design that
cardboard, was still dangerously sharp. includes a 5-inch, spear-pointed blade
The near amputation of my appendage with an integral finger guard and basic delivered through pure simplicity. I could
is an excellent testimony to the knife, grip with a lanyard slot. The blade is not explain the Blackbird SK-5 any better
albeit a bit painful. shiny and stainless. The knifes appear- myself.
ance is beguiling.
MONTH-LONG EVALUATION Its performance is amazingits sharp, AFTERMARKET HEDGEHOG
Throughout the course of a month, I lithe and incredibly comfortable. Its design SHEATH A WORK OF ART
completed the standard field evaluation for survival cannot be emphasized enough. An additional treat delivered to the
that included the steel hammer test So many survival knives are complex in castle was the Hedgehog Leatherworks
(pounding each non-edge side of the blade their design. The Blackbird is, in designer leather sheath, custom built by Paul
100 times), hammered the knife into the Paul Scheiters words, less complicated, Scheiters crew in St. Louis, Missouri.
ol poplar stump like a spike (I took a and will achieve maximum function This sheath is a true work of art. Its the
equivalent of a custom-built pair of
boots designed specifically for the
Ontario Knives Blackbird SK-5.
Seriously, this leather sheath is amaz-
ing! The sheath is designed function
first, and can accommodate any
Blackbird knife exterior carry needs. It
comes in two different options starting
at $225. On top of all this, the company
boasts a 25-year warranty. Its important
to mention that Paul Scheiter owns this
company as well.
The price of the knife is right down
any operators alley. It shows at $117.95
at the Ontario Knife online store, and
$122 at Hedgehog Leatherworks. I
highly recommend the Blackbird SK-5
to anyone who desires a highly func-
In 2011, the Ontario Knife Company's Blackbird SK-5, designed by survivalist Paul tional and simplistic tool for wilderness
Scheiter, was awarded "Best of the Best" in the knife category by Field & Stream. survival tasks. KI

KI_1302_35 12/10/12 10:35 PM Page 35
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KI-1302-CAS.qxp 12/12/12 12:01 AM Page 36
Top to bottom: the

CAS Hanwei
THE THREE COMPARED Cascade, Tortugas

and Pecos.
CASCADE PECOS TORTUGAS
Blade: 3 3/8 inches Blade: 3 inches Blade: 3 inches
Overall: 7 5/8 inches Overall: 6 3/4 inches Overall: 7 1/8 inches

KI-1302-CAS.qxp 12/12/12 12:01 AM Page 37
PRACTICAL
Tacticals
BY ABE ELIAS The different
blade styles
provide for a
range of pref-
erences.
PHOTOS BY ABE ELIAS
an tactical and practical be combined THE CASCADE
C for dual purpose? Maybe.
I am always interested in finding a strong

The Cascade has a hollow-ground clip point
blade measuring 3 3/8 inches with an overall
length of 7 5/8 inches. For carrying, the
EDC (every day carry) knife that can double in Cascade has a single-position pocket clip that
a pinch as a semi-tactical. CAS Hanweis holds the knife in tip-up position on right-side
Cascade, Pecos and Tortugas models looked carry only.
like they might fit that bill. I decided to take I wanted to see what the pivot point set-up
these three brethren out for a spin. was on the knife to check if there was any

KI-1302-CAS.qxp 12/12/12 12:01 AM Page 38
TOP (L TO R) CAS Hanwei fit the folders with beefy pocket clips. | These Rock Creek folders use innovative material for the
scales: stabilized leather with a checker pattern. | The Cascade and Pecos models have the lockback release toward the rear of
the knife. BOTTOM (L TO R) A thumb stud is provided to open the blade with one hand. However, its right-handed only. | There
is no pocket clip on the Tortugas model, but a traditional-style heavy bail. | An aggressive tip is formed with the clip point profile
of the Pecos blade.
room for adjustment. I unscrewed the provided with the Pecos, and like the ground thin enough that it slices
scales, and I will tell you, my friends, Cascade its positioned for blade-up through materials with ease.
theres something else holding those right-side carry. The full round belly design makes
bad boys on besides the screws. They these blades excellent little choppers in
were solidly attached. Theres a check- THE TORTUGAS a folder. As you rock your hand
ered thumb stud to open the Cascade, The Tortugas blade design is flat upwards, you can still get a long enough
but its right-handed only. ground and of typical Chinese influ- run of the blades edge to chop without
ence. The overall length of the Tortugas slamming your knuckles, while the
THE PECOS is 7 1/8 inches long with a 3-inch design of the Tortugas aids in draw cuts
On the Pecos model, CAS Hanwei blade. For opening, they provide a and slicing motions.
uses a hollow-ground drop point pat- right-handed thumb stud as in the The full leaf-like blade profile has
tern for the blade and it too has a right- other two models (I always bring this more to offer than merely a different-
handed thumb stud. The blade mea- up because of my sympathy for the left- looking design. The Tortugas doesnt
sures 3 inches with an overall length of ies). come with a pocket clip, instead it
6 3/4 inches. A full hollow grind on The handle profile is narrow, but comes with a traditional bail at the rear
this knife makes for a thin blade. because of the gentle arch it tends to of the handle. I suppose you could say
The Pecos is sharp right out of the feel like a larger handle than it is. Its its ambidextrous.
box and, with just a little extra TLC, I comfortable, manipulates well in the
brought it to the next level. It makes a hand, and the flow of the whole knife A NEW LOOKLEATHER
great cutter and, as of this writing, its just has that catch-your-eye appeal. HANDLES
been holding its edge. A pocket clip is Even though the blade is broad, its still What is a new twist on this line is

KI-1302-CAS.qxp 12/12/12 12:02 AM Page 39

The flow of the whole knife just has that catch-your-eye appeal.
the use of stabilized leather for the han-

dle scales. Thats right, they use stabi-
lized leather for the scales, and to top it
off, the leather scales have a checker
pattern. The outline profile of the han-
dles is nothing earth shaking, although
they actually use a solid, straightforward
profile on all three models. The frame is
made of stainless steel. All three knives
are lockback design, with a mid-handle
release for the Tortugas, and a more tra-
HWS-2K steel. To be truthful, I dont
have any information on this material
except it would be considered a stainless
steel from the limited description, and
the blades are set up with a Rockwell of
58 on the C scale. CAS Hanwei refers
to it as high alloy steel. To date, the
edges have held up fine with no rusting,
rolling or chipping.
DIFFERENT APPEALS
CAS
HANWEI
CAS Hanwei is best known for
its contribution to the sword
world by providing a number of

different fighting arms from vari-
ous cultures. They recently put in
ditional rear lock for the Cascade and The three Rock Creek series knives an effort to bolster their knife
Pecos. have different appeals and styles. The offerings and have been adding
use of stabilized leather really gives the models to their Rock Creek line.
HWK-2K STEEL handles the look of a wine-colored
All three knives use CAS Hanwei s wood. I enjoy using them. KI
A bold knife. A killer price.

The A. G. Russell Orca - not to be toyed with.
SHOP ONLINE AT
www.agrussell.com
A. G. Russell Orca Frame-Lock
AGFR-C1S10 $39.95
For a free catalog, call 479-878-1644, Dept #Y0113 To order, call 1-800-255-9034.
2900 S. 26th St. - Rogers, AR 72758
Copyright 2013 A.G. Russell Knives

KI-1302-LAST.qxp 12/11/12 11:59 PM Page 40
NEW TWIST
On Metal
Handles
BOKERS MINOS IS
TITANIUM A
DIFFERENT WAY
BY KI STAFF
PHOTO COMPLIMENTS SPECS
OF BOKER USA BOKER USA
MODEL: Minos 110629
DESIGNER: Jens Anso
BLADE LENGTH: 3 inches
OVERALL LENGTH: 7 inches
WEIGHT: 6.5 ounces
SUGGESTED RETAIL: $389
Just when we ask, How many more additional screws were added to the
ways can someone make a metal-han- scales, eliminating any potential weak
dled knife and make it look different? points. The deep-milled grooves provide
someone comes along and does it. In a high level of grip.
this instance, its Jens Anso, whos
graced Boker USA with a variety of A BELLIED BLADE
innovative and different knife designs. The bellied blade provides excellent
His latest creation is called the cutting and skinning capabilities with CONTACT
Minos. Boker calls the knife, A new its slight hollow grind, and features a BOKER USA, 1550 Balsam St.
dimension titanium frame lock. special finish which harmonizes with Lakewood, CO 80214-5917
the anodized titanium handle to provide 303-462-0662
TITANIUM IS THE CORE a unique appearance. KI www.bokerusa.com
Anso designed the Minos to provide
maximum stability, with solid .157-inch
(4mm) titanium plates and a .197-inch
(5mm) blade thickness. The blade is JENS ANSO
made of N690BO steel, while the pock- Jens Anso is a Denmark-based knifemaker and industrial designer who
et clip, spacer and thumb rest are also has been making knives full time since 2001. His state of the art website is
milled of titanium. www.ansoknives.com.
To prevent torsion inside the handle,

KI_1302_41 12/17/12 9:47 AM Page 41
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KI_1302_42 12/10/12 10:42 PM Page 42
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KI-1302-LES.qxp 12/12/12 12:40 AM Page 44
The
Art Knife
Tactical
MAKER
John W. Smith
BY CUSTOM KNIFE FIELD EDITOR LES ROBERTSON
Fourteen exhibitor tables. ENGRAVED MOSAIC

Thats what I walked into at a knife show in North BLADE: My high-contrast ladder-cut W pattern
Carolina 18 years ago. I didnt have much hope, initially, for Damascus hot blued, 18K gold thumb stud with
this show, but sometimes what appears to be a bad show at bezel-set diamond, inlaid in 24K gold with 24K gold
first glance turns out to be an excellent show. That certainly inlay on the spine. SPACER: My high-contrast lad-
was the case for that one. der-cut W pattern Damascus hot blued, file worked
The highlight of that particular show was meeting a new in a rope pattern with 24K gold inlay on the exterior
knife maker attending his first show, John W. Smith. and interior. FRAMES: 416 stainless steel mounted
With me, however, (as usual in those days) was my late with internal screws (I make the screws and wrench).
friend Bob Neal, who had an exceptional eye for custom fold- Inlays: long sunrise with gold lip pearl sun over sea
ers. Bob was significantly impressed, so with his recommen- snail, black lip pearl and white pearl rays separated
dation, I bought several knives from John. I continue to do by 18K flat wire. ENGRAVING: Scroll and vine pat-
so. John enjoys taking an idea or concept and through his tern with 24K gold inlay (all my work). LINERS:
abilities seeing the knife come to fruition. Jeweled 6AL-4V titanium with vine file work.

KI-1302-LES.qxp 12/12/12 12:40 AM Page 45

KI_1302_46.qxp 12/14/12 10:59 AM Page 46
www.meyercousa.com www.meyercousa.com www.meyercousa.com

214-467-8949 214-467-8949 214-467-8949
Meyerco Kirby Lambert Meyerco Greg Lightfoot Meyerco Greg Lightfoot
Shockwave Manual Opening Catch Dog Folding Knife Fixed Blade Knife
Liner Lock Knife
s#2 s#2(ONED s#2(ONED
3TAINLESS3TEEL "LADE "LADE
(ONED"LADE s-ICARTA(ANDLE s&ULL4ANG
s#ARBON&IBER WITH#ARBON #ONSTRUCTION
"OLSTERWITH &IBER"OLSTER
' (ANDLE
s3TAINLESS3TEEL
s4HUMBSTUDAND#LIP #LIP s' (ANDLE
s-EASURES/PEN s-EASURES s-EASURES
s,IMITED&OREVER /PEN /VERALL
7ARRANTY WITHA"LADE WITHA"LADE
s,IMITED&OREVER s,IMITED&OREVER
7ARRANTY 7ARRANTY

214-467-8949 214-467-8949 214-467-8949
Meyerco Jeff Hall Meyerco Jeff Hall Meyerco Jeff Hall Sedona
Antara Assisted Opening Knife Heat Seeker Assisted Opening Knife
Assisted Opening Knife
s#ARBON&IBER
s' -ICARTA s' (ANDLEWITH (ANDLE
(ANDLE #ARBON&IBER s3TAINLESS3TEEL
s3TAINLESS3TEEL "OLSTER 3ATIN&INISH
(ONED"LADE s3TAINLESS3TEEL 3ERRATED"LADE
3ATIN&INISH
(ONED"LADE
s! /+
&UNCTIONALITY s#LIP0OINT"LADE
s$OUBLE,INER,OCK s! /+&UNCTIONALITY s! /+&UNCTIONALITY
s-EASURES#LOSED s-EASURES7#LOSED s-EASURES7#LOSED
/PEN /PEN 7/PEN
s,IMITED&OREVER7ARRANTY s,IMITED&OREVER7ARRANTY s,IMITED&OREVER7ARRANTY

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Meyerco Jeff Hall Matrix Meyerco Jeff Hall Yakuza Meyerco Law Dog Knife
Assisted Opening Knife Assisted Opening Knife s2UBBER/VERMOLD
s!LUMINUM' s' (ANDLEWITH (ANDLE
(ANDLE .ESTED3TAINLESS s3TAINLESS3TEEL"LACK
s3TAINLESS3TEEL 3TEEL,INERS &INISH(ONED"LADE
3ATIN&INISH s3TAINLESS3TEEL
3ERRATED"LADE 3ERRATED"LADE
s! /+&UNCTIONALITY s.YLON3HEATHWITH

s-EASURES#LOSED s!MBIDEXTROUS4HUMBSTUD "EAD#HAIN-ETAL#LIP
/PEN s! /+&UNCTIONALITY s-EASURES/VERALL
s,IMITED&OREVER s-EASURES#LOSED/PEN WITHA"LADE
7ARRANTY s,IMITED&OREVER7ARRANTY s,IMITED&OREVER7ARRANTY

KI_1302_47.qxp 12/12/12 4:20 AM Page 47
A quality knife deserves

a quality sheath
All the supplies you need
at tandyleatherfactory.com
FREE Buyers Guide
available TLF_Knives Illustrated_1111
knivesillustrated.com KNIVES ILLUSTRATED FEBRUARY 2013 47

KI-1302-LES.qxp 12/12/12 4:09 AM Page 48
ENGRAVED AUTO
BLADE: My high-contrast ladder-cut W pattern Damascus hot
blued, scrollwork inlaid in 24K gold with 24K gold inlay on the spine.
SPACER: My high-contrast ladder-cut W pattern Damascus hot
blued, file worked in a rope pattern with three pearl inserts and 24K
gold inlay on the exterior and interior. FRAMES: 416 stainless steel
mounted with internal screws (I make the screws and wrench).
INLAYS: long sunrise with 18K gold sun over sea snail, black lip
pearl and white pearl rays separated by 18K flat wire. ENGRAVING:
Scroll and vine pattern with 24K gold inlay (all my work). LINERS:
Jeweled 6AL-4V titanium with vine file work. BAIL: Carved 18K gold
with solid 18K gold screws. MECHANISM: Button-release automatic
with button incorporated into the engraving.
PROFESSIONIAL ARTISAN
Several things impress me about John
and his knives. First is his professional-
ism. While John is truly an artisan, hes
also a businessman; a rare combination
in the custom knife market. He does his
very best to build exactly what his client
orders.
Johns communication skills are
exceptional. If theres a problem, John
will contact you. If you contact him
with a question you can rest assured he
will return your phone call or email; a
skill set that seems to elude many of
todays makers. As John says, Im
responsible for the outcome. If some-
thing goes wrong I only have to look in
the mirror to place blame.
Next are his abilities to incorporate
all aspects of the custom folder. John
says, When I design a knife, whether a
tactical or a $10,000 collector piece, my
first goal is to make a functioning tool
with an edge that can maintained in the
field if necessary.
SD-3
A 3 -inch S35-VN blade with
hand-rubbed finish, ceramic bead-
blasted bolsters and satin finish
Lightning Strike carbon fiber scales.

KI-1302-LES.qxp 12/12/12 4:09 AM Page 49
CHRIS SMITH PHOTO
AKI BLACK LIP

BLADE: My high-contrast ladder-
cut W pattern Damascus hot blued,
18K gold thumb stud with bezel-set
emerald, inlaid in 24K gold with 24K
gold inlay on the spine. SPACER: My
high-contrast ladder-cut W pattern
Damascus hot blued, file worked in a
rope pattern with 24K gold inlay on
the exterior and interior. HANDLES:
Presentation-grade black lip pearl
carved in a diamond pattern with
solid 18K gold screws. BOLSTERS:
My carbon W pattern Damascus hot
SOLE AUTHORSHIP FOLDERS blued with 24K gold inlay and solid
Johns art folders are truly sole authorship. He creates all 18K gold screws. LINERS: Jeweled
aspects of the knife, including doing his own gold inlay, 6AL-4V titanium with vine file work
engraving, file work, bluing and lapidary work. He even and anodized gold.
makes his own Damascus, gold screws and thumb studs.
Given his mastery of so many aspects of folder making,
it should come as no surprise that John is the only tactical
folder maker whos also part of the prestigious Art Knife
Invitational. This show is held every other year in San
Diego, California. The show features 25 of the worlds
best knife makers.
While Johns favorite handle materials are black lip
pearl and mother of pearl, he also uses an assortment of
ivory and stone. My favorites of Johns art knives always
TACTICAL FOLDERS
START AT $500 AND
RUN UP TO $10,000
The price range for Johns tactical folders is $500
to $600. His hybrid folders will be more depending
on the features you choose. His art folders start at
$4,500 and can run up to $10,000 and possibly
more, depending on the options you choose. His
current delivery time for tactical and hybrid folders
is six to eight months. The delivery time for his art
knives is 18 to 24 months. John attends three
shows a year: the New York Custom Knife Show,
the East Coast Custom Knife Show and the Art
Knife Invitational.

KI-1302-LES.qxp 12/12/12 12:40 AM Page 50
opener or flipper.
John is currently using CPM-S35VN
steel for his tactical and hybrid folders.
Handle materials are G-10, Micarta,
carbon fiber and Lightning Strike car-
bon fiber for the tactical folders. For
what he calls his dress tacticals
(hybrids) he prefers selected hardwoods
and stag. These knives will generally
feature a hand-rubbed satin-finished
blade and titanium bolster.
Theres only one problem with Johns
knives: theyre so nice that you almost
hate to use them!
LAY DOWN THE MONEY

When I asked John what he likes
best about making his knives, he
replied, Its very rewarding to work
with a collector to create what they
have envisioned, whether its their idea
of the perfect utility knife or an all-out
engraved art piece. I think the best
award a maker can receive is when
someone appreciates it enough to lay
down their hard-earned money.

F-5 seem to either feature jade or lapis
A 4-inch S35-VN
blade with hand-rubbed
lazuli. John only builds three or four of
these a year because, as he puts it, to
When I design a
finish, ceramic bead- help preserve his sanity. These knives knife, whether a tactical
blasted bolsters and take between 100 and 200 hours (some-
bead-blasted olive drab times more) to finish. or a $10,000 collector
canvas Micarta scales.
FLAWLESS TACTICAL FOLDERS
piece, my first goal is to
Last but not least are Johns tactical make a functioning tool
folders. When you hold one of Johns
knives in your hand the word that with an edge that can
comes to mind is flawless. John builds
both liner locks and frame locks featur-
maintained in the field
ing a choice of an ambidextrous wheel if necessary.
KI-1302-LES.qxp 12/12/12 12:40 AM Page 51
ENGRAVED SUNRISE
BLADE: RWL-34 stainless with
2,000-grit hand-rubbed finish and
18K gold thumb stud. SPACER: RWL-
34 stainless file worked in a rope pat-
tern on the exterior and engraved
with 24K gold inlay on the interior.
FRAMES: 416 stainless steel mount-
ed with internal screws (I make the
screws and wrench). INLAYS: Sunrise
with gold lip pearl sun, black lip pearl
and white pearl rays separated by
18K flat wire. LINERS: Jeweled 6AL-
4V titanium with vine file work.
ENGRAVING: Scroll and vine pattern
with 24K gold inlay (all my work).
ONE OF THE FINEST

No matter what category of folder,
John W. Smith is one of the finest fold-
er makers in the world, regardless of the
type of custom folders you use or col-
lect. If you do not already own one of
Johns knives, you owe it to yourself to
obtain one!
Bumping into John W. Smith at a
knife show is enough to make even a
small show a success. KI
How to reach him:

John can be contacted
via email at:
jwsknive@mrtc.com

KI-1302-LOVELESS.qxp 12/12/12 12:11 AM Page 52
Half-Tangs,
LOVELESS & A

VAN LENGERKE AND ANTOINE SUPPLIED LOVELESS KNIVES TO

SPORTSMEN, AND THOMPSONS TO GANGSTERS.
BY JOHN DENTON / PHOTOS BY HIRO SOGA
AL CAPONE
VL&A
Van Lengerke and Antoine (VL&A) was a
store in Chicago formed in 1891. In the early
20th century, VL&A competed with
Abercrombie & Fitch for being known as the
greatest sporting goods store in the world. (In
those days, such sporting goods legends were
one-stop outfitters for everything from a
Teddy Roosevelt Amazon expedition to
Ernest Hemingways African safaris.)
One of the legendary moments in knife
history was when Bob Loveless went into
Abercrombie & Fitch in New York and sold
them the first Loveless knives with the
Delaware Maid mark. The fact that VL&A
was bought by Abercrombie & Fitch in 1938
opened a door for Loveless to walk through
years later.
The rarest logo to come out of the R.W.
Loveless Delaware Maid period was a small
group of knives stamped Van Lengerke &
Antoine.

Few such small
knives have felt so good.
The blade begs you to cut
something.

A Loveless knife is one of the most desired hand-
mades in the world. And one of the most desirable
Loveless logos? The early Delaware Maid mark.

Dimensions
of the VL&A
model
OVERALL: 7 inches
BLADE: 3 inches
HANDLE: Walnut
STEEL: Unknown,
possibly a car spring
The Van Lengerke and Antoine marking on these two knives make them two of only three known to survive. The other is in the
Randall Museum in Orlando.
SUPPLIER TO CAPONE TOO! store, eventually forcing the 1938 sale to metal was used to make the handle.)
Chicago in the 1920s had a tough A&F. While the ownership changed, It was a light knife, and you can see
guy hanging around the town. His the store remained open until the from the photos that metal is exposed
name? Al Capone. VL&A was in the 1960s. half way down the butt of the knife. We
neighborhood run by Capone, and he Loveless studied at Chicagos dont know if the design was so ugly
and his gang would need certain goods Institute of Design in 1948, and later, that they never ordered anymore;
that the store sold. If you look back in when selling to A&F, he took an order Loveless would not say why only six
the history books and the gangs of to make six knives and stamp them were made.
Chicago, you may remember reading Van Lengerke & Antoine.
about the 1929 St. Valentines Day A MYSTERY SOLVEDWHERE
Massacre. Apparently two of the VL&A KNIVES THE KNIVES ARE TODAY
Thompson machine guns that were These little knives were made with a Three were lost in a hunting expedi-
used in the massacre had been delivered wood handle, 2 -inch blade and, tion in South America, and never
to VL&A, and sold. something strange for Loveless at the found. One is in the Randall Knife
When this became public knowledge, time, they were all half-tang construc- Collection in Orlando, Florida. Where
it was the start of hard times for the tion. (This means that only half of the are the other two knives? Did they even

In pursuit of those knives, Williams told my father, J.W. Denton, and me, I
will give you my new minivan if you find one.

THE CHICAGO Loveless knew of VL&A because when he got out of WW II, he
studied in Chicago, and certainly would have been in the store in
CONNECTION the early 1950s. Only three of these knives exist todayone is
located in the Randall Knife Museum in Orlando, Florida, and the
OF LOVELESS other two reside in the Denton Loveless collection.

exist or did Bo Randall have the only The deal was that Loveless would
remaining one? make the man a new knife, and Al My dad, J.W.,
This was the question that A.L.
Williams wanted to know as he sought
would get the VL&A. So, Al did not
have to give up his minivan; he got the
said to Bob, Dont do
to assemble the largest Loveless collec- knife that he had been trying to find for it, dont lower the
tion in the 1990s. In pursuit of those many, many years. Al would eventually
knives, Williams told my dad, J.W. find the second VL&A. quality of your knives.
Denton, and myself, I will give you my
new minivan if you find one. The van
We now own two of the half-tang
VL&A knives. It took some time for
Your name is too big
was about $21,000 at the time. Since
J.W. was a former racecar driver, and
this knife to grow on me, but when you
pick it up, the magics there. Few such
and youve always
nothing would have bored us to death small knives have felt so good. The stood by your product.
like driving a minivan, we just laughed blade begs you to cut something.
and said, Run some ads in newspapers Just dont make them.
around the nation.
One of those ads is pictured in one of
NOT THE END OF THE
HALF-TANG STORY
Bob made them

the shots accompanying this article. These VL&A knives were the first anyway.
Williams goal was a complete collec- Loveless half-tang knives. They were
tion of the various Loveless logos, and not the last. In 1985, knives were slow.
it was the only logo he did not have. He Loveless came to the Blade Show in
meant to get it, minivan or not. And, Knoxville, Tennessee, brought 27 knives might be the ticket. My dad, J.W., said
by golly as Al would say, someone and took home 21 knives. Many makers to Bob, Dont do it, dont lower the
called him up and said, I think I have were talking at the show about making quality of your knives. Your name is too
what you want. a cheap version of their knives; some big and youve always stood by your
The knife was sent to Loveless for that would be faster to produce and product. Just dont make them.
verification, and Loveless said, This is maybe help lagging sales. Bob made them anyway, but he only
my knife. Not much on looks but it sure George Herron and Corbet Sigman made 15-20 of them in all. They were
can cut. To a professional this is a very said they were going to make some Micarta for the most part, belt finished,
desirable piece of equipment. half-tang knives. Loveless thought this some were drop-point, semi-caper, and
a few with the duplex-grind were to go
on to fame as the Riverside Pro Hunter
design.
Back in the 1950s, Loveless had
already done his first half-tang, and
then 30 years later tried it one more
time. The knives are now hard to find,
very collectible and very valuable. Once
again, Bob makes a collectible trying to
make a usable knife. We could all use
that sort of problem. KI
The ad in the background of this photo
was run by famed Loveless collector Al
Williams in pursuit of a VL&A Delaware Contact John Denton
Maid knife. It worked, resulting in his
obtaining the knife shown. boblovelessknives.com,
jwdenton@windstream.net

KI_1302_56 12/10/12 5:45 AM Page 56
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KI-1302-DIRECTORY057,068Q7.qxp 12/13/12 10:05 PM Page 57
BEST OF
THE NET
YOUR GUIDE TO ONLINE KNIFE SITES
BY J. BRUCE VOYLES
ollowing is the shortcut to the
F best of knives on the Internet.

These are sites we have visited,
enjoyed and want to pass along.
We have not included knifemakers for
a couple of reasons. First there are several
thousand knifemakers, and second, the
significant knifemakers will usually be
reached via one of the organizations to
which they belong: the Knifemakers
Guild, the American Bladesmiths Society,
the Professional Knifemakers Association,
and others. Each of these organizations
maintains lists of their current members,
and we do have the URLs of those
association sites.
This is not a complete list by any
means, but it is a list of our favorites.
If you have a favorite site that weve
missed, please pass it along to us for
updates in our annual listing and on
our recently redesigned website at
TERRILL HOFFMAN
www.knivesillustrated.com.

KI-1302-DIRECTORYQ7NEW.qxp 12/12/12 1:22 AM Page 58
MANUFACTURERS/ Bear & Son Cutlery

Bear & Son Cutlery of Jacksonville,
Buck Knives
Buck Knives dates it history back more
IMPORTERS Alabama, is an American cutlery manufac- than 100 years to the handmade knives
turer with a rich tradition that includes made by Hoyt H. Buck. Today, in their
A.G. Russell Knives being the largest manufacturer of knives Idaho factory, Buck manufactures and sells
A.G. Russell Knives is the oldest mail-order with Damascus steel blades. pocket, folding and fixed-blade knives, and
knife company in the world, in business www.bearandsoncutlery.com multiuse equipment. It also offers pock-
since 1964. Theyve been instrumental in etknives, folding, fixed and fillet knives,
the founding of the Knifemakers Guild, as Benchmade Knife Company and accessories such as sheaths, scissors,
well as the former owner of Bertram (Hen Founded in 1988 by Les de Asis, saws and axes.
& Rooster), and in the forefront of the knife Benchmade Knife Company was built on www.buckknives.com
business for years. the premise of designing, manufacturing
www.agrussell.com and delivering the highest quality Bulldog Knives
sporting cutlery. Bulldog Knives has been one of the
Alcas Cutlery www.benchmade.com favorite work and collectible knives for the
(Cutco Cutlery Corp) last 25 years. In 1990, they started run-
Founded in 1949 in Olean, New York, Alcas Blackhawk ning a mail-order knife service to several
Corp changed its name to CUTCO Blackhawk was founded in 1993 by former hundred people. Now, they sell on eBay
Corporation, the largest manufacturer of Navy SEAL Mike Noel. Blackhawks gear is and their website. Their knives are made
kitchen cutlery in the United States and now the choice of many Special Op units in Germany.
Canada. They have also made on contract worldwide. Their knife line is but a small www.bulldogknives.org
for other manufacturers some of the best fac- part of their tactical product line.
tory-made folding hunters and pocketknives. www.blackhawk.com Busse Combat Knives
www.alcas.com Busse Combat Knives came into existence
Boker Knives, USA in the late 1970s when Jerry Busse started
Al Mar Knives Todays Boker Knives descend from the selling custom knives out of a small cabin.
Since 1979, Al Mar Knives has been Boeker tool factory in Remscheid, Germany. Today, the company is a retailer of knives
creating unique designs. Each Al Mar knife Boker has two major knife factories, one for combat, outdoors survival, law enforce-
features flat-ground blades for strength in Solingen, Germany, and one in Buenos ment, fire, rescue and military personnel.
and superior performance. Aires, Argentina. Boker Knives makes www.bussecombat.com
www.almarknives.com quality cutlery for kitchen, pocket, military,
law enforcement, collecting, and hunting. Camillus Cutlery
Atlanta Cutlery Corp. www.boker.de/us/ Company
The Atlanta Cutlery Corp. is a seller of While the manufacturing company of
unique and hard to find knives, cutting Browning Knives Camillus ceased operation, the trademarks
tools, antique firearms, military swords and Browning knives are specifically were purchased by a new company that
adventure gear. Atlanta Cutlery also sells designed with the needs of the outdoors- has emerged as a serious player in the
knife-making supplies. You can also pur- man in mind, in a wide variety of designs knife industry, with a variety of designs
chase military replica guns. and categories. and a unique blade coating.
www.atlantacutlery.com www.browning.com www.camillusknives.com
Canal Street Cutlery

Taking the street name that fronts a 100-
plus-year-old knife factory (both Ulster
and Schrade have inhabited this same
building), Canal Street Cutlery blends the
old and the new. CSCC has a wealth of
knife-making experience and technical
knowledge. It supplies knives that are
100-percent hand assembled and finished.
www.canalstreetcutlery.com
CAS Hanwei
CAS Hanwei is a leading manufacturer
of swords and historic replica weaponry.
Their catalogue boasts the finest in
hand-forged, authentic and battle-ready
Japanese swords and Samurai swords.
www.casiberia.com
Chris Reeve Knives

Chris Reeve Knives came into existence in
1987 when Chris manufactured the first
Sebenza. This folding knife has become
one of the standard knife designs. The
pioneering frame lock designed by Reeve
is one of the more notable design accom-
plishments in recent cutlery historyand
is a design copied by a wide variety of
other manufacturers.
www.chrisreeve.com
Coast Cutlery
Coast Cutlery has been setting the stan-
dard for quality products since 1919, and
while they veered into the lighting field

where they became a leader, in the recent

years theyre making a stronger push back
into the cutlery business, led by long-time
Gerber alum Doug Hutchins. Among their
designers is the legendary Ron Lake.
www.coastportland.com
Columbia River
Knife & Tool
Columbia River Knife & Tool is an American
knife company established in 1994 and
based in Oregon. It produces a wide range
of knives, tools and associated accessories.
These include both fixed blades and
folding knives along with multi-tools.
They also produce sharpeners and different
carrying systems. They boast the largest
group of professional knifemaker/ design-
ers, most of whom have contributed a
variety of designs to the company.
www.crkt.com
Condor Tool and Knife

Condor Tool and Knife traces its history
back to 1787 when it was founded in
Solingen, Germany. Today, the company
offers high-quality designed tools for the
outdoor enthusiast. Their line of fine
machetes, axes and knives are made to
the highest technical specification.
www.condortk.com
Dark Ops Knives

Dark Ops Knives are made from a propri-
etary hybrid alloy of chromium, cobalt,
tungsten, vanadium and molybdenum
with surgical-grade stainless steel.
Variants include tactical knives, military
knives and combat knives.
www.darkopsknives.com
Diamond Blade NEW ENGLAND SCHOOL OF METALWORK
The idea of Diamond Blade was conceived
in 2003 when two quail hunters stood AUBURN, MAINE
up to the challenge of building an
advanced blade. Today, Diamond Blade 2013 BLADESMITHING CLASS SCHEDULE
AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY
has made technological advances that

take manufactured knife-edge performance
to another level.
www.diamondbladeknives.com
DATE CLASS INSTRUCTOR
Emerson Knives, Inc.
The #1 Hard Use Knives In The World is Feb. 6-9 Damascus Kevin Cashen
the slogan for Emerson knives. Company Mar. 4-15
head Ernest Emerson is a noted trainer in
Intro to Bladesmithing Tim Potier
knife combat, and his knives are carried by June 17-28 Intro to Bladesmithing Greg Neely
people ranging from entertainer Zac Brown
to U.S. Navy Seals. July 12-14 ABS Symposium Mace Vitale
www.emersonknives.com July 15-19 Handles & Guards James Crowell
ESEE Knives Aug. 19-23 Quillon Dagger Kevin Cashen
This line of extra heavy-duty tactical and Nov. 4-15
extreme outdoor knives is designed by a
Intro to Bladesmithing TBA
team that also teaches survival training in
South American jungles.
www.eseeknives.com ABS Hammer-In Director: Mace Vitale, 203-457-5591
Frost Cutlery Company ABS Website www.americanbladesmith.com
This major import company is perhaps best
known as the producer of knives for the
cable channel knife sales shows.
www.frostcutlery.com
Contact Dereck Glaser, School of Metalwork
Gerber Gear
Gerber is a maker of consumer knives and
Phone: 207-777-3375
multi-tools headquartered in Oregon. Fax: 207-784-5383
Gerber was established in 1939 by Pete and sturdy tactical knives designed by sharpening technology. In recent years,
Gerber, and has a reputation for making knifemaker Alan Elischewitz, who has also they have added knives to their offerings.
quality knives with innovative designs by served as a Recon Marine. www.lanskysharpeners.com
famous knifemakers. www.hogueknives.com
www.gerbergear.com Leatherman
KA-BAR Knives, Inc. Founded in 1983, Leatherman is a produc-
Great Eastern Knives Manufacturer of military, law enforcement, er of a top-of-the-line range of multi-tools
Great Eastern Knives is located in hunting, sporting and outdoor knives since and knives. Company founder Tim
Titusville, Pennsylvania, and they 1898, with current designs that include Leatherman invented the folding pliers
specialize in highly collectable and Zombie knives and the Becker Knife & Tool knife. One of Oregons most reputed com-
premium-quality usable pocketknives, line of Ethan Becker. panies, Leatherman caters to both tool and
hunting knives and kitchen knives. www.kabar.com knife connoisseurs, and DIY handymen.
The company is noted for its American www.leatherman.com
craftsmanship and traditional hands-on Kershaw Knives
manufacturing methods. Started by ex-Gerber Blades salesman Pete Lone Wolf Knives
www.greateasterncutlery.net Kershaw, Kershaw Knives designs and Lone Wolf Knives was founded by Jim
manufactures a range of knives, including Wehrs with the goal of producing fine
Grohmann Knives kitchen cutlery, pocketknives and outdoor semi-custom knives, and became a part
A small Canadian family business that knives. Currently owned by the Japanese of Benchmade Knives in recent years.
came into existence 45 years ago, KAI Group, Kershaw is headquartered in www.lonewolfknives.com
Grohmann Knives have won more than 25 Tualatin, Oregon.
international honors, including a place in www.kershawknives.com Mantis Knives
the prestigious New Yorks Museum of Mantis Knives provides its customers with
modern Art. KutMaster Knife & Tool something that no other knife company is
www.grohmannknives.com For nearly 90 years, KutMaster of Utica, providing: new product innovations by
New York, has been a leading manufactur- rejecting the constraints of conventional
Hallmark Knives er of top quality knives and specialty tools ideas.
This important companys brands include for outdoor and household use. Through www.mantisknives.com
Robert Klauss Kissing Crane knives and a the years, theyve continued to produce
new line of tactical knives. innovative products that meet the demand- Meyerco
www.hallmarkcutlery.com ing performance requirements of serious Designed by Blackie Collins and Bill Meyer,
outdoorsmen, DIY handymen and profes- Meyerco is the original assisted opening
Hogue, Inc. sional tradesmen around the world. mechanism knife company. The first
Primarily a custom pistol grip producer, www.kutmaster.com Meyerco knife was called the StrutNCut
Hogue has expanded into a line of efficient and it won the 1997 Blade shows Most
Lansky Sharpeners Innovative American Design award.
& Knives StrutNCut is today the slickest and sleek-
Since 1979, Lansky Sharpeners & Knives est automatic around.
has been recognized as the world leader in www.meyercousa.com
MIL-TAC
Knives & Tools
Craig Sword had a background working
with other knife companies before he
launched this company specializing in tac-
tical knives, with addition products that
include tactical pens and pistol grips.
www.mil-tac.com
Mission Knives
A knife company with a tactical knife bent.
www.missionknives.com
Mora of Sweden AB
Mora of Sweden AB was founded when
two knife companies, K.J. Eriksson and
Frosts Knife factory, merged. This compa-
ny is a manufacturer of cutlery, tools and
general hardware. The company supplies
professionals with premium quality cutting
tools that are designed with advanced
ergonomics in mind.
www.moraofsweden.se
OKC-Ontario Knife Co.

Situated in Franklinville, New York, Ontario
Knife Company produces a wide-ranging
product lines, and is best known as the
primary U.S. government contractor for
their armed forces standard issue knives.
www.ontarioknife.com
Pro-Tech Knives
Pro-Tech Knives is a family-owned knife-
building company. Each Pro-Tech knife is a
blend of the finest materials available and

built with the most current high-tech

manufacturing processes that include CNC
machining, wire EDM, laser cutting, etc.
www.protechknives.com
Puma Knife Co., USA

Puma is the eighth oldest trademark in
Germany. Puma has been distributed in the
United States for more than 50 years and
has established a strong reputation for
sharp, high-quality hunting knives.
www.pumaknifecompanyusa.com
Queen Cutlery Company

Located in Titusville, Pennsylvania, Queen
Cutlery is now owned by Daniels Family
Knives. A well-known maker of finely
crafted pocketknives, their products have
won awards from Blade Magazine, the
American Blade Collectors Association and
the National Knife Collectors Association.
www.queencutlery.com
Remington Cutlery
Remington Cutlery began manufacturing
top-quality pocketknives in the early
1920s. They stopped producing knives
at the beginning of WWII and reentered
the knife market in 1982 with limited
editions and eventually expanded into
a full line of knives, including many
American-made designs.
www.remington.com
Sebertech
Brett Sebers company offers unique
designs from keyring knife tools to a heavy
duty folder with ratchet points in the
opening, allowing a variety of cutting
positions.
www.botachtactical.com/sebertech
Sheffield Tools
A hand-tool manufacturer since 1919,
Sheffield Tools is a manufacturer of quality
multi-tools, knives and lockback utility
knives.
www.sheffield-tools.com
SOG Specialty Knives

SOG Specialty Knives is a Washington-
based company producing fixed
blades, folding knives and multipurpose
tools, many created by SOG founder
Spencer Frazer.
www.sogknives.com
Spartan Blades, USA

A knife company that produces tactical
knives and is owned and operated by
retired Special Forces vets. Real deal
knives designed and produced by real
deal vets.
www.spartanbladesusa.com
Spyderco Knives
Founded in 1978 by Sal Glesser, Spyderco
Knives is a manufacturer of quality knives
and sharpeners. Backed by more than 30
years of R&D to find the right steels and
handle materials, often utilizing some of
the worlds top designers and knifemakers
for collaborations, these knives are
ergonomically designed to open easily and
fit comfortably in the hand.
www.spyderco.com
Stone River Gear TOPS Knives branched out to Linder, Okapi and River
This company imports new designs Founded by Oliver James Bailey, TOPS Trader knives as well as custom knives.
based on ceramic blades and carbon Knives has a 12-member knife-design www.wildboarblades.com
fiber handles, among other designs. team that makes sure that the companys
Principals in the company are former knives remain hard to the core. TOPS William Henry Knives
Schrade Cutlery alums. fixed-blades are designed and handcrafted Founded in 1997 by Matthew William
www.stonerivergearl.com at their own facility and are the choice of Conable and Michael Henry Honack,
many Special Ops teams. William Henry Knives today manufactures
Strider Knives www.topsknives.com fine upscale production folding knives, and
Strider Knives is an American company are often marketed in fine jewelry stores.
producing a line of popular tactical United Cutlery www.williamhenryknives.com
fixed-blade knives and folders. United Cutlery covers a full spectrum
www.striderknives.com of products, from knives to swords to Wilson Tactical
novelty items. A newcomer to the knife field, Wilson
Taylor Brands www.unitedcutlery.com Tactical has added tactical folders to their
The trademarks of Smith & Wesson, offerings of tactical gear.
Schrade Cutlery, Old Timer and Uncle Victorinox www.wilsontactical.com
Henry are just a few of the brands The producer of Swiss Army knives.
produced by this company. Nuff said. Winkler Knives 2
www.taylorbrandsllc.com www.swissarmy.com An offshoot of Daniel Winklers handmade
knife operation, this line of tactical knives
Timberline Knives Wild Boar Blades came into prominence when Navy SEAL
Timberline Knives is the knife company In 1995, Ray Simonson opened a company Mark Owen described in his book on the
arm of Gatco sharpeners. They produce a called Kopromed and started selling Polish Bin Laden mission that he had carried a
line of heavy-duty sportsman knives. Kopromed Knives. The name changed to Daniel Winkler knifeproof positive what
gatcosharpeners.com Wild Boar Blades in 1998 and Simonson some Navy SEALs really carry.
www.winklerknives.com
W.R. Case & Sons

W.R. Case & Sons is an American manufac-
turer of premium, handcrafted knives.
Cases offerings include a wide variety
of knives that fit virtually any need, from
convenient folding pocketknives and fixed
blade sporting knives to limited edition
commemoratives and collectibles.
www.wrcase.com
ONLINE KNIFE
FORUMS
All About
Pocket Knives
The All About Pocket Knives (AAPK) project
began in 2004. This is the leading forum
for vintage knives, knife shows, and that
segment of the market.
www.allaboutpocketknives.com
Blade Forums
With more than 20,000 members and
one-million posts, BladeForums.com
is one of the largest knife forums, and
with those numbers comes a large share
of opinions.
www.bladeforums.com
JerzeeDevil
One of the liveliest online knife forums,
populated with members with strong opin-
ions and a low tolerance for vapid bull.
Some not-safe-for-work sections directed
to this primarily male audience.
www.jerzeedevil.com
The Knife Network

Many phases of knifemaking, sheath
making, technical repair, usage and
embellishment are covered from fixed-
blades to folding knives. Access online
tutorials, miscellaneous shop tips and
equipment usage.
www.customknifedirectory.com

Knife Dogs
A family and business friendly forum all
about knives and the knife industry. G
rated and a no drama policy.
www.knifedogs.com
Knife Enthusiast Forum

Knifeforums.com is a forum where knife
enthusiasts can meet and discuss online
their industry, politics and personal experi-
ences in a sensible and non-aggressive
way. A part of the Blade Magazine segment
of the market.
www.knifeforums.com
Usual Suspects
Discussion Board
The Usual Suspects Guild Forum Index
includes a knife discussion board with top-
ics and posts centering on tactical knives
and related subjects.
www.usualsuspect.net
ORGANIZATIONS
The American
Bladesmith Society
Established in 1976, The American
Bladesmith Society works towards promot-
ing and advancing the art and science of
the forged blade and other implements.
And also to inform and educate people
about bladesmithing, metal forging and
heat-treating processes, knife and tool
design and fabrication, and related arts.
www.americanbladesmith.com
Knifemakers Guild
Started in 1970 by A.G. Russell, the
Knifemakers Guild now has more than 300
members. The Guild's mission is to promote
custom knives, to assist the knifemaker
technically and to encourage ethical and
professional business conduct. Members
meet once a year to showcase their prod-
ucts and elect office bearers at the annual
Knifemakers Guild show.
www.knifemakersguild.com
National Knife Collectors

Association
The National Knife Collectors Association is
a not-for-profit organization, established in
1972, to promote the hobby of knife col-
lecting and preserve all aspects of the his-
tory of cutlery and cutlery related items.
www.nkcaknife.org
Professional Knifemakers
Association
The Professional Knifemakers Association
is a nonprofit organization with members assuring reasonable and responsible knife
spread the world over. The primary requi- laws and educating lawmakers and law
site for all members of the PKA is to have enforcement on your behalf.
achieved the highest possible level of pro- www.akti.org
fessionalism in their craft or service.
www.proknifemakers.com Knife Rights Advocacy Group
The Knife Rights Advocacy Group is a
American Knife & Tool foundation dedicated to encouraging safe
Institute (AKTI) and responsible use of knives and edged
Representing the entire knife community tools; educating knife owners, public offi-
since 1998, AKTI is the nonprofit cials and the general public about the his-
organization protecting knife rights for tory of knives and knife-related laws.
all. Learn how AKTI is proactively www.kniferights.org
STATE ORGANIZATIONS Montana Knifemakers handmade knives in the state and the
Knifemaking Organizations by State Association (MKA) craftspersons who make them. It also,
Founded in 1994, the Montana among other things, introduces handmade
Knifemakers Association is a non-profit knives to more of the buying public and
Arkansas Knifemakers encourages the productive use and collec-
Association educational organization to further the art
of knifemaking in the state. Its members tion of handmade knives.
The Arkansas Knifemakers Association
are custom knifemakers dedicated to per- www.tkca.org
brings together the finest craftsmen in the
region and provides an opportunity for fecting their craft and providing their cus-
enthusiasts to discover and admire their tomers with quality products. These mem-
work. The association also has members bers are highly proficient, and emphasize
from surrounding states and highlights the the highest quality in both their workman- RETAILERS
art of knifemaking in Arkansas. ship and in their business ethics.
www.arkansasknifemakers.com www.montanaknifemakers.com Blade Connection
Blade Connection.com has assembled
California Knifemakers North Carolina Knifemakers Guild one of the worlds largest collections of
Founded in June 1992, the North Carolina every-day carry knives. The secure
Association website features both production and
Formed by Bob Loveless in 1981, the Knifemakers Guild has four fundamental
purposes: to promote the craft of custom handmade knives.
California Knifemakers Association was
knifemaking, to seek to constantly improve www.bladeconnection.com
formed to improve knifemaking in the
state. Goals of the association are to pro- the craftsmanship of its members, to pro-
mote California knives and their makers, to vide an educational resource to anyone Blade Gallery
interested in the craft, and to encourage BladeGallery.com is one of the oldest pur-
help California knifemakers improve their
new makers and provide a forum for veyors of custom knives in the world. Visit
work, and to put on a great knife show at
their training. BladeGallery either online or at their retail
least once each year.
www.ncknifeguild.org gallery in Kirkland, Washington.
www.calknives.org
www.bladegallery.com
Florida Knifemakers Ohio Knifemakers
Association Association (OKA) Custom Knife Gallery
The Florida Knifemakers Association, Ohio Knifemakers Association is an organi- of Colorado
zation dedicated to increasing public Gallery of custom/handmade knives led by
home of fine custom knives, is dedicated
awareness and further the art of knifemak- proprietor Bob Glassman.
to the preservation of knifemaking in all
ing by promoting Ohio knives, their makers http://customknifegallery.com
its forms in the state. It was founded in
1997 to promote and advance the craft, as well as other businesses related to the
art and science of knifemaking, and to art of knifemaking in the state of Ohio. Cutlery Shoppe
www.geocities.com Located in Meridian, Idaho, Cutlery
improve the overall quality, performance
Shoppe is a retailer of name brand cutlery,
and value of knives, edged tools, cutlery
and related products. Texas Knifemakers and sharpeners and tools. It specializes in
www.floridaknifemakers.org Collectors Association German and American fine cutlery and
Established in 1999, the Texas Knifemakers dinnerware products.
& Collectors Association primarily promotes www.cutleryshoppe.com
Deadwood Knives
The USP (unique selling proposition) of
Deadwood Knives is confidence in the sale.
www.deadwoodknives.com
Epicurean Edge
Providing household cutlery to the world at
the lowest possible price, they also offer an
assortment of knife storage, accessories,
cutting boards and sharpening tools.
Ordering is easy, fast and safe.
www.epicedge.com
Knife Cave
Knife Cave offers all major fantasy blades
for every function imaginable. Fantasy
items from swords, anime, movie replicas,
gauntlets, martial arts, self-defense and
more. A division of the Smoky Mountain
Knife Works organization.
www.knifecave.com
Knife Center
Created in 1995, Knife Center is the origi-
nal online cutlery catalog. Offers a wide
selection of knives and cutlery.
www.knifecenter.com
Knives Plus Retail

Cutlery and Cutlery
Accessories
KnivesPlus.com has been in the retail
cutlery and cutlery accessories business
since 1987. They carry thousands of
new production knives, representing

most major knife or knife accessory features todays market leaders and those
manufacturers. who will be in the future. They feature
www.knivesplus.com exclusive designs, limited editions and
expertise provided with regards to invest-
knivesshipfree.com ing in fine custom knives. Robertson is
They claim to have the best selection of also the Custom Knife Field Editor for
Bark River Knives and everythings in Knives Illustrated.
stock. Free shipping. www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
www.knivesshipfree.com
Sarge-Knives-Store.com
Knife Zone Sarge-Knives Store is the worlds largest
The Knife Zone is Canadas premier online online source for Sarge products. They
knife store that sells knives and swords. offer a wide range of types, styles and
www.knifezone.ca sizes of knives.
www.sarge-knives-store.com
La Bottega Del Coltello
Italian Knife Shop Shepherd Hill Knives
La Bottega Del Coltello was founded by Shepherd Hills Knives started in 1972
Tarcisio Ambrosioni who started out as a when Ida Reid opened a store in Lebanon,
scissors manufacturer and later, along with Missouri, with just one employee. Today,
his wife, Anna, ventured into knives. In this 100-employee company is the largest
2008, the group launched an online store case knives dealer firm in the country with
selling custom knives, kitchen knives, out- seven stores across America.
door knives, scissors and shears, wood- www.shephills.com
carvings tools, home tools and a lot more.
www.bottegadelcoltello.it Smoky Mountain
Knife Works
New Graham Knives Beginnings in 1970 when Kevin Pipes and
The New Graham Knives website features John Parker started selling pocketknives at
Smith and Wesson knives, clothing and flea markets, Smoky Mountain Knife Works
collectible items not found anywhere else. today offers all major knife brands for
www.newgraham.com every function imaginable. More than
1.2 million customers visit their retail
One Stop Knife Shop showroom annually.
One Stop Knife Shop, in operation since www.smkw.com
1998, boasts all major brands of cutlery. It
stocks more than15,000 knives, switch- Sonoma Cutlery
blades, butterfly knives, automatic knives, Sonoma Cutlery distributes the highest
kitchen cutlery and military knives. quality knives, cutlery, chef tools and scis-
www.onestopknifeshop.com sors to the United States. Its the largest
cutlery, knife and gift store in California.
Paragon: The Finest Sports Sonoma has every chef tool and gadget,
Specialty Store quality cookware and specialty items that
Since 1908, Paragon Sports has been the cannot be found find anywhere else.
leading specialty sports equipment retailers www.sonomacutlery.com
in New York City.
www.paragonsports.com The Blade Shop
Established in 2001, The Blade Shop is a
Plaza Cutlery family owned business, which brings to
Plaza Cutlery, a family-owned business, is you the highest quality and selection of
one of the finest cutlery stores in the knives. Due to the success of their website,
world. It sources new knives as soon as they only sell knives on the Internet.
they are available and is always well www.thebladeshop.com
stocked. In addition to factory-made fold-
ing knives, fixed-blade and specialty Yellowhorse Collectibles
knives, Plaza Cutlery also carries a large One of the largest distributors of
selection of custom knives. Yellowhorse knives and collectibles in the
www.plazacutlery.com U.S., with more than 700 Yellowhorse
knives, money clips, lighters and other col-
Redhill Cutlery lectibles. Many one-of-a-kinds or very low
Starting from humble beginnings in the runs by David, Brian and Ron Yellowhorse.
late 90s when the Basham family started www.yellowhorsecollectibles.com
with a single-panel case knife display that products are designed and made in the
held six to eight knives, Redhill Cutlery, USA using the highest quality materials
established in 2004, is today Kentuckys and workmanship.
largest cutlery dealer and showroom. SHARPENERS www.dmtsharp.com
Redhill sells the best knives at the best
prices with service that sets them apart DMT Diamond Great American
from the competition. Machining Technology Trading Co.
www.redhillcutlery.com DMT Diamond Machining Technology has Great American Trading Co. offers
been an innovator and producer of the sharpeners, knives and related items.
Robertsons Custom Cutlery world's finest diamond knife and tool www.gatco.com
Expert in the world of custom knives with sharpeners for more than 30 years. DMT
25 years experience, and offering an excel- manufactures a full range of precision- Lansky Sharpeners
lent selection of in-stock knives with an engineered diamond and unbreakable & Knives
emphasis on value pricing, Robertsons ceramic sharpeners and honing cones. All Since 1979, Lansky Sharpeners & Knives

has been recognized as the world leader in its professional quality forging tools and Sheffield Knifemakers Supply
sharpening technology. In recent years equipment. They strive to give the best Established full line knife suppliers.
theyve expanded with knives, too. customer service and quick turnaround on www.sheffieldsupply.com
www.lanskysharpeners.com your orders.
www.customforgedhardware.comwww.blac Texas Knifemakers Supply
Smith's: The Edge Experts ksmithsdepot.com Complete knifemaking supplies for the
Today, Smith's has a broad line of knife, professional and hobbyist.
tool and scissor sharpeners, ranging from Burl Sales www.texasknife.com
electric sharpeners and manual sharpeners Dealers in burl woods.
to accessories. All information and educa- www.burlsales.com Uncle Al
tion on knife sharpeners and sharpening is Al Lawrences knifemaking supply store.
available on their website. Great Lakes Waterjet, Inc. Hosts a knife get-together the second
www.smithsedge.com High-quality knife blank and knife-related Thursday of each month at his DeQueen,
cutting and parts. Arkansas, store.
Warthog Sharpeners www.greatlakeswaterjetinc.com www.riversidemachine.com
The V Sharp is the worlds first adjustable
(17, 20 and 25) freehand precision Hawkins Knifemaking Supply
knife sharpener that sharpens your knife Run by Knifemakers Guild member
at a consistent angle every time. Two Rade Hawkins. WHOLESALERS
high-quality, 325-grit natural diamond www.hawkinsknifemakingsupplies.com
rods sharpen the blade on both sides Blue Ridge Knives
simultaneously. Jantz Supply Blue Ridge has been in business for more
www.v-sharp.com A full-service knifemaking and hobbyist than 30 years and provides expert assis-
supplier. tance and quality service. Their catalog
www.knifemaking.com lists more than 20,000 items and 375
brands, and if clients prefer the conve-
SUPPLIERS Knife & Gun nience, they also offer online shopping.
Finishing Supplies www.blueridgeknives.com
Alabama Damascus Southwest-based supplier with a long
Source for Damascus in a variety of history within the knife industry.
configurations www.knifeandgun.com
www.alabamadamascussteel.com www.kniefandgun.com
Blacksmiths Depot: Kayne & Son Koval Knives

Custom Hardware Full line of knifemaking supplies.
Blacksmiths Depot is known worldwide for www.kovalknives.com
Midwest Knifemakers
Supply, LLC
A full-line knife-making supply house.
www.USAknifemaker.com

Cut Knife Distribution Inc.

Cut Knife Distribution is a Canadian
multi-brand wholesale distributor for
cutlery, swords, knives, battle axes, other
decorative weaponry, sharpeners, medieval
replica armor and collectibles.
www.cutknifedistribution.ca
Moteng Knives and Tools

Moteng Knives and Tools is a trusted,
one-stop resource for dealers and resellers
offering cutlery, lighting, camping and
outdoor products, public safety products,
apparel, and other popular items. With
an inventory of more than 50,000 prod-
ucts, Moteng is dedicated to providing an
outstanding online shopping experience
with exceptional services and benefits to
their customers.
www.moteng.com
KI-1302-DIRECTORY057,068Q7.qxp 12/13/12 10:05 PM Page 68
BEST OF
THE NET
YOUR GUIDE TO ONLINE KNIFE SITES
We update this website

listing regularly.
Please send any updates
or your recommendations to
bvoyles@beckett.com.
TERRILL HOFFMAN

KI_1302_69 12/13/12 10:12 PM Page 69
KI-1302-BUYERS.qxp 12/12/12 12:46 AM Page 70
WHEN
IT HITS
THE FAN!
WHAT KNIVES DO YOU HAVE
IN YOUR WORST-CASE KIT?
BY J. BRUCE VOYLES / PHOTO COMPLIMENTS
OF THE MANUFACTURERS
Seventy-two hours.
Thats all you need. FEMA recom-
mends you have food, water and gear to
hunker down for 72 hours, because
thats the maximum time it should take
for them to get to you. Or so they say.
Of course, that doesnt count if you
live in a suburb of the largest city in the
United States of America. Hurricane
Sandy has reinforced the lessons we
should have learned after Katrina
there are times that the cavalry bugle is
heard in the distance in the way of
speeches and photo opsbut the wag-
ons rolling in with the supplies are
going to be late.

SPYDERCO SPECS:
OVERALL OPEN
6.94 inches
CLOSED
4.06 inches
BLADE
2.94 inches
STEEL
CtsBd1
HANDLE
Glass fiber-reinforced
co-polyamide
ORIGIN
Golden, Colorado
RETAIL
$55.96
SPYDERCO
UK PEN KNIFE
A quick surfing of travel sites lets us know
quickly that what is legal and acceptable for knife
carry here in the U.S. may not be legal in other
countries. At the same time, its important to carry
as much legal knife as one can when traveling.
Sal Glesser of Spyderco is a world traveler and
understands the need of a reliable knife that could
serve in a self-defense role if required. His solution
is the UK penknife.
The knife has a round thumb hole, quick-open-
ing design and no lock. Thats righta legal knife
for places like England and France where the
lockback is illegal. The finger groove is cut so that
your index finger blocks the blade from closing.
Its my standard knife in my overseas travel kit.

TERRILL HOFFMAN PHOTO

BECKER KNIFE & TOOL
MODEL BK7
OVERALL 12 inches
BLADE 7 inches
STEEL 1095 epoxy powder coating
HANDLE Grivory or Micarta
WEIGHT 12.9 ounces
SUGGESTED RETAIL $120
COMMENT Extreme heavy-duty
construction, .188 inches thick.
KA-BAR KNIVES, INC.

200 Homer St.
Olean, NY 14760
716-372-5952
www.kabar.com
MY LIST
FIXED
BLADES
WINKLER II KNIVES
Mark Owen, in his book No Easy
Day, described gathering his gear for
the SEAL Team Six mission to take
care of Osama Bin Laden. His knife
choice was a Daniel Winkler. If theres
a better endorsement for a tactical knife
There are disasters that are bigger that in a critical situation you can bet than SEAL Team Six, I do not know
than even a large government can your life on the good nature of your what it is. Throw in that Daniel is con-
handle effectively, despite govern- fellow manespecially if you have stantly improving his designs and meth-
ments claims otherwise. food and your fellow man has not ods of testing, such as becoming a com-
eaten in four daysthats your choice. petitive cutting competition participant
WE DO NEED A 72-HOUR KIT I suspect the only thing separating the to explore cutting edges and handle
For our basics, we do need a 72- supposed civilized man from becom- geometry, and its a comfortable choice
hour kit. No argument there. But we ing a total savage is about five days of for my kit.
need to be prepared for longer, too. If food.
we are in a cold climate, we need to SPARTAN BLADES
be prepared to provide our own heat. THERES ALWAYS I once heard the Spartan team
In a hot climate, food preservation BETTER GEAR described thus, Youve heard of the real
and shade can be a concern. My personal kit is an ever-evolving deal? Those guys are the real real deals.
When it hits the fan, when it goes affair. Im always looking to improve The principals are retired Special Forces
beyond a mere disaster, when it all with better gear when I find it. sergeants, still living near Ft. Bragg and
goes to crapdepending upon our When it comes to knives I have active in military related events there.
proclivities, we might want to consid- spent an inordinate amount of time Does that make them the final word on
er being prepared for the worst. reviewing, handling, using and knife design? Not necessarily. But
researching the knives available on the theyve been there. Consider the flat
DEPEND ON YOUR market. handles on many of their knivesall
FELLOW MAN? the better to lie flat against a vest with
The degree of preparation is a per- Here are some of the knives I pick PALS strapping. I yield to their exper-
sonal choice. If you have confidence for my own kit. tise on a combat knife.


POINT SEVEN PHOTO
I used to ques-
tion the need to carry
a pair of folding pliers,
until I carried a
Leatherman tool for
a week.

careful not to say a former Marine as
theres no such thingonce a Marine,
always a Marine). The knife also feels
right in your hand. The affordable price
in comparison to a lot of knives doesnt
hurt. It will fit in any prep kit.
BUCK HOODLUM
It has the length, but more than that,
it has the feel. Few big knives can boast
the balance on this knife. Chop, cut or,
if in a face-off, utilize that lovely bal-
ance to be quicker than your opponent.
Its almost like an extension of your
hand.
BECKER KNIFE & TOOL BK 7

Ethan Becker stunned the knife com-
munity when he debuted -inch thick
sharpened pry-bars. No one else was
doing it. Once others discovered that in
many tactical situations these beyond-
heavy-duty knives were needed and
HOGUE worked, almost overnight a great many
WINKLER KNIVES While Hogue specializes in firearms knifemakers and manufacturers were
MODEL WK2 S.A.R. Knife grips, since they combined with Allen copying his design.
(Search and Rescue)
HANDLE Rubber or Micarta
Elishewitz to produce a line of heavy- He didnt stop with one design, and
STEEL 154cm duty tactical knives, the result are knives is constantly refining and streamlining
COMMENT Glass breaker pommel that not only look right, but also feel his knife designs. This is perhaps the
RETAIL $465 right and perform right. toughest knife of all those listed here.
Also, Ive been in a lot of knifemak-
DANIEL WINKLER
P.O. Box 2166 ers shops. Allens Texas shop is ONE KNIFEONE
Blowing Rock, NC 28605 absolutely the cleanest, most efficient EMERGENCY?
828-295-9156 that Ive ever seen. He even has a small If you follow the one knife, one
danielwinkler@bellsouth.net room just for grinding to keep the dust emergency credo, its best you hope and
www.winklerknives.cominklerknives
away from everything else. This preci- pray that that one knife is the best one.
sion shows in his knives, as well. I prefer several.
No knife man who knows his stuff
COLUMBIA RIVER believes theres a single one-knife solu-
KNIFE & TOOL tion for every task. My recommendation
Also designed by Allen Elishewitz, is at least two tools that have stood the
who has served as a Recon Marine (Im test of time.

LEATHERMAN
MODEL Charge
CLOSED 4 inches
BLADE 2.9 inches
HANDLES 6061-T6 Hard
anodized aluminum
RETAIL $119.95
COMMENT 17 tools
LEATHERMAN TOOL GROUP, INC.

12106 N.E. Ainsworth Circle
Portland, OR 97220-9001
800-847-8665
www.leatherman.com
SWISS ARMY
MODEL SwissChamp
CLOSED 3.6 inches
WIDTH 1 inch
HANDLE Cellidor, polished
WEIGHT 7 ounces
RETAIL $199
COMMENT 33 implements
VICTORINOX SWISS ARMY, INC.

7 Victoria Drive
P.O. Box 1212
Monroe, CT 06468-1212
800-442-2706
www.swissarmy.com

HOGUE-ELISHEWITZ
MODEL EXFO1
OVERALL 12 inches
BLADE 7 inches
STEEL A2
HANDLE Green G-mascus
WEIGHT 12.5 ounces
SUGGESTED RETAIL $250 HOGUE, INC
P.O. Box 1138
COMMENT Paso Robles, CA 93447
A torx wrench is tucked into the front han- 800-438-4747
dle to allow handle removal to access an www.hogueknives.com
under-grip storage compartment.
COLUMBIA RIVER KNIFE & TOOL

MODEL 2060
ESEE KNIVES Designed by Allen Elishewitz
MODEL Izula II OVERALL 11.63 inches
OVERALL 6.75 inches BLADE 6.3 inches
BLADE 2.75 inches STEEL SK5
STEEL Powder coated 1095 HANDLE Textured Zytel
HANDLE Skeletal WEIGHT 10.8 ounces
SUGGESTED RETAIL $117 SUGGESTED RETAIL $159.95
COMMENT A compact skeletal COMMENT Elishewitzs experience
knife made to be light and in martial arts and as a Recon Marine
tough with a classic drop-point has given him a strong background for
design. the tactical edge.
ESEE KNIVES COLUMBIA RIVER KNIFE & TOOL

P.O. Box 99 18348 S.W. 126th Place
Gallant, AL 35972 Tualatin, OR 97262
256-613-0372 800-891-3100
www.eseeknives.com www.crkt.com

BUCK HOODLUM
MODEL 60BKSBH
OVERALL 15 inches
BLADE 10 inches
STEEL 5160 with powder coating
HANDLE Black linen Micarta
WEIGHT 14.6 ounces

SUGGESTED RETAIL $205
COMMENT Handle has a shock migra-
Chop, cut or, if in a face-off, tion system. It points quickly.
utilize that lovely balance to be BUCK KNIVES

660 S. Lochsa St.
quicker than your opponent. Post Falls, ID 83854-5200
800-326-2825
www.buckknives.com
TOP
TOOLS
LEATHERMAN purpose blades are trinketsuntil we
I used to question the need to carry a need to use one. Then much to our
pair of folding pliers, until I carried a delight we discover that that myriad
Leatherman tool for a week. I have one assortment of spring-backed tools actu-
in my every-day carry bag, my camera ally workand work well.
bag and my vehicles, and theres a rea-
son. On several occasions I have found SKELETON KNIFE ESSE
myself in a situation in which the only There are a lot of skeleton and neck
functional tool a group of us had for a knives. Its always good to have a good
quick repair was a lone Leatherman. hideout knife, and a neck knife fits that
bill. The nice thing about the ESSE
SWISS ARMY KNIFE Isuzu is its a terrific skeleton knife, but
The SAK is the best-selling knife in with the attachment of optional
the world for a reasonits reliable, Micarta handles, its a dandy useful SPARTAN KNIVES
and it works. At first glance, we might hunting knife, too, and will serve tasks MODEL Ares
think the wide array of tools and multi- beyond that role. KI DESIGNERS Iovito/Carey
OVERALL LENGTH 10 1/2 inches
BLADE LENGTH 5 3/8 inches
BLADE THICKNESS 3/16 inches
BLADE STEEL CPM S35VN
BLADE HARDNESS 59-60 HRC
BLADE STYLE Fixed drop pointthis
design allows for strength of the blades
tip by placing it in line with the users
hand while keeping the upward curve of
the cutting edge.
COATING SpartaCoat PVD"flat black"
or "flat dark earth"
HANDLE MATERIAL CE canvas
Micartablack, green or natural tan
WEIGHT 0.422 pounds
RETAIL $333
SPARTAN BLADES USA

P.O. Box 620
Aberdeen, NC 28315
910-757-0035
www.spartanbladesusa.com

KI_1302_77 12/13/12 9:54 PM Page 77
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AD INDEX
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American Bladesmith Society . . . . . . . . . . . .59 Niagara Specialty Metals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Arkansas Custom Knife Show . . . . . . . . . . . .78 Olamic Cutlery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Bear and Son Cutlery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Paracord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Blue Line Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 Southeastern Custom Knife Show . . . . . . . . .67
Blue Ridge Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63, 79 Spartan Blades USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
Chris Reeve Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Tandy Leather Factory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
GreatEasternCutlery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 TOPS Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
HallMark Cutlery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47, 69 Tormach LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Jantz Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
John H. Davies Custom Knife Ma . . . . . . . . . .79 Wilson Combat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
Kershaw Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
knivesillustrated.com KNIVES ILLUSTRATED FEBRUARY 2013 77

KI_1302_78 12/12/12 2:40 AM Page 78
Find
At The Shops
Near You!
Plaza Cutlery
3333 Bristol St. Ste 2060
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 549-3932
dan@plazacutlery.com 18th Annual
Rivers Edge Cutlery
3977 Trueman Blvd.
Hilliard, OH 43026
(614) 777-8833 A R K A NSA S
CUSTOM KNIFE SHOW
LITTLE ROCK, AR
customerservice@riversedgecutlery.com
Harrys Army
and Navy Store
691 Route 130
FEB. 16 & 17
Robbinsville,NJ 08691
Robinson Center Exhibition Hall
(609) 585-5450 424 W. Markham (by DoubleTree Hotel)
markhmerkh@harris.com Open to the Public S AT : 10-5 S UN : 10-3 Donated Knives
$10 Admission DOUBLETREE HOTEL: to be given away at the show
800/937-2789 501/372-4371
DarkThreads.com SPECIAL HOTEL SHOW RATE:
517 Halsey Ave. $112 SINGLE/DOUBLE $122 TRIPLE $132 QUAD
Pittsburgh. PA 15221 FRIDAY NIGHT RECEPTION GRAND PRIZE
(412) 351-6478
sales@darkthreads.com Joe Flournoy
Bill Miller
Heimerdinger Burr King
Grinder
Cutlery Inc.
4207 Shelbyville Rd.
Louisville, KY 40207
(888) 267-9572 Ray Kirk
www.heimerdingercutlery.com
Mark Nevling
Knife Photos by:
Chuck Ward
Lee-Linda Ferguson, AR
Tom Ferry, WA
Jerry Fisk, AR
Ronnie Foster, AR
Mike Allen, TX Tommy Gann, TX
David Anders, AR Gage Glisson, AR James Scroggs, MO
Karl B. Andersen, IL Gordon Graham, TX Richard Self, TX
Reggie Barker, LA Bob Ham, AZ Ben Seward, AR ABS
Jim Batson, GA Don Hanson III, MO Butch Sheely, OH Alabama Damascus
Bill Behnke, MI Douglas-Gail Hardy, GA Robert P. Smith, MO Ankrom Exotics
Kim Breed, TN John Horrigan, TX Marvin Solomon, AR CKCA
Tim Britton, NC Gary House, WA Craig Steketee, MO Culpepper & Co.
Benoni Bullard, AR Alan Hutchinson, AR Bill Lyons, NE Douglas Stice, KS Forrest Cases
Bruce Bump, WA Larry Inman, AR Roger Massey, AR John Perry, AR Ed Sticker, MS Giraffebone, Inc.
Bill Buxton, MO Lacy Key, AR Jerry McClure, OK Bill Post, AR Charles Stout, AR Glendo Corporation
Attention Shop Owners: The Doug Campbell, MT Harvey King, KS W. J. McDonald, TN Larry Pridgen, GA Johnny Stout, TX Green River Leather
Direct Dealer Program Draws Dan Cassidy, CO Ray Kirk, OK Shawn McIntyre, AUS Mike Quesenberry, CA Tim Tabor, FL Hog Abrasives
Joel Chamblin, GA Bill Kirkes, AR Robert Merz, TX Vernon Red, AR Brian Thie, IA Knife World
consumers attention to your Jimmy Chen, Taiwan Knifeology, KS Bill Miller, MO Lin Rhea, AR Brion Tomberlin, OK Kochheiser Ivory
Jon Christensen, MT Jerry Lairson, OK Sidney Moon, LA Raymond Richard, OR Pete Truncali, TX Ozark Knifemakers
business. J. R. Cook, AR Ben Lane, AR Gary Mulkey, MO Ralph Richards, AR Art Tycer, LA Paul Long Custom Leather
Gary Crowder, OK David Lemoine, AR Keith Murr, AR Ron Richerson, KY Thomas Upton, AR Pop Knife Supplies
Jim Crowell, AR Ken Linton, TX Mark Nevling, IL Dennis Riley, AR Terry Vandeventer, MS Riverside Machine
Steve Culver, KS David Lisch, WA Allen Newberry, AR Kyle Royer, MO Gary Wheeler, TN Rowes Leather
Jesse W. Davis, MS John Lloyd, MO Ron Newton, AR Michael Ruth, Jr., TX John White, FL Charles Turnage
SIGN UP TODAY! Bill Duff, OK
Fred Durio, LA
Larry-Gail Lunn, AR Cliff Parker, FL
Tad Lynch, AR Logan Pearce, AR
Mike Ruth, TX
Lyle Schow, MO
Mike Williams, OK
Joel Worley, OK
Chuck Ward Photography
Wood Lab
Call Dealer Sales at (239)280-2380
or email dealers@beckett.com David Etchieson 501.554.2582 aka@alliancecable.net www.arkansasknifemakers.com
KI_1302_79 12/13/12 11:58 AM Page 79
1. Publication Title: Knives Illustrated

2. Publication No.: 0898-8943
3. Filing Date: 10-01-12
4. Issue Frequency: Published 9 times a year, January/February, April,
May, June/July, August, September, October, November and December
5. No. of Issues Published Annually: 9
6. Annual Subscription Price: $21.95
7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Ofce of Publication:
Beckett Media LLC.,
22840 Savi Ranch Parkway, Suite 200, Yorba Linda, CA 92887
8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General
Business Ofce of Publisher: Beckett Media LLC.,
9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher,
Editor, and Managing Editor:
Publisher Beckett Media LLC.,
Editor Bruce Voyles, Beckett Media LLC.,
Managing Editor Jeffrey Rick, Beckett Media LLC.,
10. Owner: Beckett Media LLC.,
11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders
Owning or Holding 1 Percent of More of Total Amount of
Bonds,Mortgagees, or Other Securities.: None
12.Tax Status (For completion by nonprot organizations
authorized to mail at nonprot rates): Not applicable
13. Publication Title: Knives Illustrated
14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: Nov 11-Oct 12 / Oct-12
15. Extent and Nature of Circulation:
A. Total No. of Copies (Net Press Run): 20,627 / 19,869
B. Paid and/or Requested Circulation:
1. Paid/Requested Outside-County Mail Subscriptions
Stated on Form 3541: 3,127 / 2,932
2. Paid In-County Subscriptions: 0 / 0
3. Sales through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors,
Counter Sales, and Other Non-USPS Paid Distribution:
5,646 / 5,102
4. Other ClassesMailed Through the USPS: 0 / 0
C. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation: 8,773 / 8,034
D. Free Distribution By Mail:
1. Outside-County as Stated on Form3541: 49 / 49
2. In-County as Stated on Form 3541: 0 / 0
3. Other Classes Mailed Through USPS: 0 / 0
4. Outside the mail: 240 / 234
E. Total Free Distribution Outside the Mail: 289 / 283
F. Total Distribution: 9,062 / 8,317
G. Copies Not Distibuted: 11,565 / 11,552
H. Total: 20,627 / 19,869
I. Percent Paid: 96.81% / 96.60%
16. Publication of Statement of Ownership: Jan/Feb 2013
17. Signature: Nick Singh
KI-1302-SHOWS_v2.qxp 12/12/12 12:22 AM Page 80
SHOWS March 8-10, 2013

PASADENA, CA
April 27-28, 2013
MYSTIC, CT
Pasadena Convention Center NCCA Extravaganza Show
UPCOMING Southern California Northeast Cutlery Collectors
KNIFE
Blades Knife Expo Association
Knifeexpo2012@att.net Mystic Hilton
www.knifeexpo.net 401-596-6353
www.ncca.info
March 22-24, 2013 Lcliff1@verizon.net
SHOWS
JANESVILLE, WI
Badger Knife Show May 31-June 2
Holiday Inn MARIETTA, GA
Express/Janesville Blade Show
Conference Center Cobb Galleria Centre
414-479-9765 877-746-9757
rschrap@aol.com www.blademag.com
he shows listed here are knife shows and should not be
T
www.badgerknifeclub.org
confused with gun and knife shows, at which a show June 13-15, 2013
promoter may have thrown in the and knife in hopes April 5-7, 2013 SEVIERVILLE, TN
of luring a couple more tables of knife dealers. HARRISONBURG, VA Parkers Greatest Knife
Show locations and dates do change for a variety of reasons, Shenandoah Valley Knife Show On Earth
so we recommend contacting the show managers to confirm Collectors Show Sevier Events Center at
the date and location before traveling. If you are producing a Rockingham County Bridgemont
knife show, please let us know at bvoyles@beckett.com. KI Fairgrounds 423-892-0448
540-828-0778 www.bulldogknives.org
January 4-5, 2013 February 1-3, 2013 clubmail@svkc.org
HELSINKI, FINLAND LAKELAND, FL www.svkc.org July 12-13, 2013
4th Annual Helsinki Gator Cutlery Club Show BELLEVILLE, IL
Knife Show Lakeland Center April 19-21, 2013 Belleville Knife Expo
Scandic Marski hotel 813-754-3908 LEXINGTON, KY Belle-Clair Fairgrounds
info@helsinkiknifeshow.com www.gatorcutlery.com Central Kentucky 618-889-2563
www.helsinkiknifeshow.com Spring Show bvilleknife@yahoo.com
February 16-17, 2013 Central Kentucky Knife
January 18-20, 2013 LITTLE ROCK, AR Club Show September 14-16, 2013
LAS VEGAS, NV Arkansas Custom Clarion Hotel LOUISVILLE, KY
Las Vegas Invitational Knife Show 859-623-1419 Knifemakers Guild Show
Riviera Hotel & Casino Robinson Center Exhibit Hall thomp@adelphia.net Seelbach Hotel
706-202-4489 aka@alliancecable.net www.knifemakersguild.com
www.antiquearmsshow.com arkansasknifemakers.com April 27-28, 2013
NOVI, MI
January 26-27, 2013 March 8-10, 2013 Wolverine Show
ST. LOUIS, MO DALTON, GA Rock Financial Showplace
Gateway Area Knife Club The Knife Roadshow 586-786-5549
Cutlery Fair Northwest Georgia Trade www.wolverineknifecollector
Carpenters Hall and Convention Center sclub.com
636-537-2975 423-238-6753 patrickjdono-
Choakes10@yahoo.com www.spiritofsteel.com van@wowway.com

KI-1302-TIPS_v2.qxp 12/12/12 12:23 AM Page 81
Quick
Tips
FOR KNIFE OWNERS
LEAVE IT
Alone
BY J. BRUCE VOYLES / PHOTO BY J. BRUCE VOYLES
Three knives in good shape: A mint
bone-handled Western barlow on top
(c. 1960), an IXL mint barlow on the
bottom (c. 1960), and in the center a
Hammer brand New York Knife
Company barlow with an unused but
spotted blade (c. 1932). One can
Just because its shiny doesnt mean PATINA IS IMPORTANT expect to find spots on a knife this old,
its mint. There was a time when that For Bowie knife collectors, a cleaned- but clean it up as shiny as the two later
was the first caution to a new knife col- up knife was abhorred. Cleaning a knife knives and it becomes suspectand
in the end worth less to a collector.
lector. was almost the kiss of death to collec-
Vintage knives were made in batches, tors of expensive 100-year-old knives
but in the final sharpening process the whose collectors valued the original varnish on that Chippendale had cost
knives would be sharpened one blade at patina sometimes as much as they did them $100,000 in value.
a time, so if one laid two apparently the knife. Something clicked inside many vin-
identical knives side by side, on closer tage knife collectors. Hmmmm. I won-
examination there would be variations ENTER THE ANTIQUES der if vintage knife collectors might
between the two blades. ROADSHOW someday think that way. Originally
Enterprising dealers back in the day Suffice to say the vintage pocketknife they didnt. They do now. In my opin-
assumed that if there was some minute knife boys were behind the curve. But ion, one would be better off leaving a
variation, were one to buff the used then the Antiques Roadshow came knife alone, other than a quick cleaning
knife to the original luster, resharpen along. with a polishing paste and a wiping
the blade, tweak a spot here and there, While a Bowie collector might not with a thin coat of oil.
then, presto, you would have a mint travel in vintage knife circles, it didnt
knifeor at least a knife that some take a Rhodes Scholar to see the crest- THE GREATER FOOL THEORY
dealers would call, cleaned to mint. fallen look on a hopeful show guests Of course, theres still the occasional
What that really meant was hopefully face on the PBS show when their piece old hand who still thinks that he can
the buyer couldnt tell the difference of furniture was rolled in front of the shine up the used knife and vastly
between a cleaned-up knife and an origi- camera for a segment, and then in front improve the knifes value. Thats a
nal mint model. The line was so blurry of a national audience when the greater fool theorythinking theres
that the cleaned to mint market price of a appraiser informs them that the quick always someone down the road who
knife was close to that of a mint knife. refinish job to get rid of that old black hasnt got the message, and thinks they
can clean it up better than you.

If you are a vintage knife collector
and have not heard this premise before,
Cleaning a knife was almost the kiss of death to consider this your personal message!
Dont waste the time cleaning a knife.
collectors of expensive 100-year-old knives KI

KI-1302-edge_v3-final.qxp 12/12/12 12:24 AM Page 82
On The throws away a perfectly working pen? Not me.

I pull a box of leftover sheaths that Ive been unable to match to a knife. I
EDGE
slide it back under the table. Im an optimist. Theres always the possibility I
can match one up.
This is a problem. I have rearranged several things on the shelf, but the
file box is still empty. I have to throw something away. I open the next box.
Voila! My box of old installation discs for computer software. The Windows
SPRING
XP installation disc and book can go, and the FrontPage instruction book
and floppy discs. And the small box of unused floppy discsno need to keep
them. I feel better now; there are things in the throw-away box. My wife will
be happy.
CLEANING
I have the stacks of old knife magazines sorted by title. Same way with
the knife catalogs. I resort them, and do toss a couple of catalogs away from
a company no longer operating.
A small drawer containing my cleaning stuff is next. I add a dried-out
tube of Semichrome to the file box. (I had left the lid off last time I had
IN THE FALL cleaned a knife bolster).

I attack the biggest box under the table; antlers, lighters, playing cards,
rolled-up burlap, a leather shop apron, and a stack of vintage postcards. No
BY J. BRUCE VOYLES
way Id throw those things awayall are valuable photo props.
Then I turn to the smaller boxes filled things like broken knives, giveaway
n a slow TV night the channel landed on Hoarders, featuring
O
items, trinkets from the SHOT show like a Glock key ring or a Remington
the homes of poor souls who, usually because of some personal pin. We all know how sporting collectibles are rising in value, dont we? Who
trauma, pile up their houses head-deep in trash, junk, and if the knows what they could be worth in a few years?
footage of the house is accurate, a supply of dead, crushed rats. Perhaps I should go for some bulky items. It would look like I had really
The problem that arose for me was near the close of the show when my accomplished something. The pile of old wood shotgun shell boxes are per-
wife looked at me and declared, Your knife corner in the basement in ways fect for holding books, and they look good, and I saw in a sporting goods
looks like that. catalogs that the repos cost $40 or so. Nope, theyre staying.
My defense was, Yeah, but some of my stuff has value and is collectible. The small wood display cases with the broken glass? A quick trip to the
Talk about poor timingat that instant the homeowner being inter- hardware store and I could fix those. And the pile of knife-related CDs and
viewed on the show declared that her junk and trash was valuable. There those VHS tapes. My VHS player still works. Next time I have a free day
was no appeal at this point. My next Saturday would be consumed cleaning Ill My eyes fall to my box of photos. A big box, older, predating the days
out my knife corner. of digital photography. I removed the lid, and there on top is a group shot of
me, a much younger me, with a half dozen friends at a knife show. Three of
INTO THE BASEMENT them are dead. One is no longer in knives. I replace the lid. Today is not the
That Saturday morning found me confronting a piled up corner of a table day to delve into this box. Memories are not anything I care to clean out or
and shelves, an empty file box to the side to hold the first of my rejects, fac- dispose of.
ing several years of accumulated knife things on which I had been unable to I step back from the shelves and table. Most of the items are now evenly
make a toss, keep or sell decision. I have to admit it was out of hand. So what lined up with the edge of the shelf from my sorting. I sweep the space in front
to throw away? of the table and shelves. It does look better.
I pick up a used 60-knife salesmans roll. I might need that sometime. It
goes back on the shelf. THAT WAS FAST
A dusty Colt folder box from the 1970s? The knives are around, and all I proudly pick up the file box with the bottom half-covered in throw-
I need is the knife in the sheath, then I can add the box and have a mint-in- aways, walk out the basement door to the trash cans and dump it inside,
the-box combo. No need to toss that. striding back into the living room to my recliner where its just about time
Then theres my box of old knife and gun show badges. I thumb through for kickoff.
them, some well-made hard plastic dated oneseach provoking memories Already done? my wife asks.
of the friends I traveled to that show with, or some fine knife I found while Yes, I got rid of more than I expected once I got going. I think it looks a
there; too many memories here to get rid of that box. lot better.
I do have a collection of hotel pens. You know, the ones always lying by Im sure it does, she says, with that knowing smile that lets me know she
the phone with a note pad. I sort through the rubber-banded bundle. Some has already been down to inspect my cleaning, figuring a 1/8th file box of
of the chains are no longer in business. I try one. It still writes. Now who junk gone is better than nothing. KI

KI_1302_C3 12/18/12 11:42 PM Page C3
KI_1302_C4.qxp 12/18/12 11:43 PM Page C4

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KI-1302-COVER.

qxp 12/12/12 3:04 AM Page C1

JAN/FEB 2013 DISPLAY UNTIL: 02/26/13

YES, ITS GENUINE STAG.

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