ASE KNIFE AND GUN ICONS MAKE HISTORY!

FEBRUARY 2O12
wwVv.blademag.com

HOTTEST
DEA1SIN
STUFF TO CLASSIC KNIFE ÑAME
REINVENTSITSELF

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SCHOLl CAMP KNIFE

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Made wilb piidc in Jantz's Davix Oklahuma
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l .11 I] blade if double lempered & cryo trealed
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Available with oí without a lightly elched Oak
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046" Ihick.

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i'attrrn 21
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batidle ni.iii.-i uil I i-iiiith 7-3/4" opened. 4-3/8" 9" overall, 4 3/16" blade, 5/32" thickne»
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Eachpiece U 5" x 10'. Pmttcrn 31 camp need*.

11 ii'li Carbón Stamless blade, NS boliler, belt

MI932 Canary Yellow .039" thíck
M 19.14 Kelly Creen 039" thíck
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HARDENED FILE
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For fítting guards.

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FEATURES
1 2 Malaysia's Men of Steel
Pacific Rim makers forge uves of quiet
desperation. By Philip Lim Chin Guan
20 Coat of Arms
Blade coatíngs add safety, style, steafth
and field valué. By Mike Haskew
24 The Contradiction
That Works
Spyderco's Ball Bearing Lock secures two
unlike pieces into one. By David Jung
38 Ray Appleton Passcs Away
The fun-loving knifemaker was light years
ahead of his time. By BLADE- staff
40 Knife & Gun Icons 70 In Sharp Supply
Make History Materials go-to-guys offer sweet deals
Case "co-stamps" knives with Colt for on knifemaking stuff. By Joe Kertzman
two ann i versarles. By Tyler Pipes
82 Wonder Whackers
44 Pass The Oyster Bar Exam Four factory hawks and hatchets get a
How to make and use the Chuck campout workout.
Schuette "King's Oyster Knife." By Chuck By James Morgan Ayres
Schuette
88 Big Blade Play
52 NBN Knives of Héroes Tim Scholl's camp knife tackles a brace
The author took his dad's war knife back of test challenges. By MSG Kim Breed
to its roots. By Gene Englehart
92 EOGES No Fingernails?
66 Classic Knife Ñame No Problem!
Reinvents Itsetf Vintage easy-open jackknives are useful
Puma USA pumps contemporary style and collectible. By Richard D. White
into its traditional lineup. By Dave Rhea
6 Readers Respond
7 Cover Story
1O Unsheathed
19 The Knife I Carry
30 Ed Fowler's Knife Talk
32 Joe Szilaski's Q&A
36 Handmade Gallery
48 Profile In Steel:
Grace Horne
54 Next in BLADE'
6O BLADE Shoppe
65 BLADE List
65 Ad Index
69 BLADE Web Services
74 Knifemaker Showcase
76 Where To Net 'Em
78 Show Calendar
80 Where To Get 'Em
96 What's New
98 Cool Custom

BLADE1 (ISSN 1064-5853} is publishcd mimihly (Vol. XXXIX,

No. 2j. wilh aii additinmil IM.UC in Novcmber, by F->W Media, Inc.,
700 R State St., lula, WI S49WM100I. Ptraxlicals ptistage paid al
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F E B R U A R Y 2012 blademag.com 5
 READERS RESPOND
This is your column! And we want to ^iow what you think. Do you like what you've read in BLADE*? Do you have a complaint, a sugges-
tion, or an opinión you'd like to share with the largest, most sophisticated knife audience in the world? Mail your comments to: BLADE, RO. Box
789, OoltewahJN 37363-0789, orvisit our Website at www.blademag.com.or e-mail us at steve.shackleford@fwmedia.com. We reserve the right
to edit your comments to fit the space available.
Two In A Million
I
have a farm with my husband in
Hopewell, Oregon. On May 14, 2010,
our horse arena hurned to the ground.
The cause was something that can happen
in anyone's home. A healer was on low in
the tack room. 'Ihe plug was pulled away
from the wal! outlet a quarter inch and it
began to are for hours. Picase, everyone
check your outlets and get rid of those
plug-ins—they are causing many fires. We
lost 11 horses, many ducks and geese, one
donkey, and a 41-year-old pony in the fire.
Our neighbor, Roy, found in the
charred ruins of the tack room the pre-
cious knife my 25-year-old son gave me
when he was 12. Needless to say, it had no
covering and was charred but the stain-
less steel was still good. It is a Buck Pro
Rodeo knife that is no longer made. This
is the only possession left from the hor-
rific tragedy.
I contacted knifemaker Alan Warren
of Roseville, California, on the Internet
and took the knife to him. He said he did
nol have the tools to repair it bul he knew
someone who did—knifemaker Leroy R.
Remer of l.akeside, California. Alan con-
tacted Leroy, who dropped what he was
doing and repaired the knife so well that
it made me cry. 1 have nothing but admi-
ration for both of these great men.
Leroy did not clean it up on one side,
as it would have removed the logo. I went
up and retrieved the knife from Alan. I
am so pleased with it. It has such tremen-
dous sentimental valué, particularly after
all we have been through. Not only was
it a gift from my son, who was 12 when
he gave it to me after I had lost mine on
the trail, but it also has been restored and
engravcd, "In Memory of 5-14-10."
I had never known a knifemaker before
I met Alan. He convinced me he would
restore the knife and that if he could not,
he would pay to have il shipped to some-
one who could. And believe me, it took
some convincing to sway me to first let
him have my knife, then to have to accept
that he would take good care of it when
it had to be shipped to California! Both
of thcse men never charged me for their
efforts in getting my knife restored.
I am very, very grateful to both of these
individuáis—more than they will prob-
ably ever know. Ihey are one, or should I
say two, in a million.
Reme E. Zipser-Luckart,
a letter via e-maíl
Another Jim Schmidt Fan
T
hanks so much for the recent arti-
cle on Jim Schmidt and his knives
(page 46, October BLADE-).
I was fortúnale enough to attend a few
of the Ashokan hladesmithing seminars
back in the Dan Maragni/Tim Zowada
days, and the fondest memory for me was
how all weekend long Jim would tcach
filework to any and all intcrested parties.
He would sit at a tablc in the lodge cabin
and, with infinite patience, teach any tile-
work pattern to anyone, beginner or "ex-
pert," for as long as ti look them lo grasp
each technique and until everyone had a
turn.
I also remember how ama/.ing his file-
work sample block was and I look forward
to sceing it in a future issue of BLADE.
Byron Mellinger,
Wyomissing, Pennsylvania
For The Love of Randall Made
guess you can cali every Randall Made knife a
factory custom. As I have noticed several makers'
knives are coming down in price due to the hec-
tic economy, I do not notice this ¡n Randall Made
knives. It would be very saíeto say that iiwesting in
a Randall that has been marked up on the second-
ary market is a good bet, seeing how most of us
cannot wait the 48-52 months for a new one. Be-
sides, if noíhing else, you can pass the knife down
to your son or daughter.
I do not know íf the Randalí model you choose
will go up in valué quickly, but it is not going to
come down— that is, as long as you have done a
little research and picked one up for a good price.
And, with the widespread knowledge of eBay, every
pawnshop owner knows (he knives' valué as well.
EBay is a good source to price knives, but not the
Editors note: A story on Schmidt's filework
block is slated for an upcoming issue of
BLADE.
Icing On The Cake
B
ig thanks for the "Knifemaker
Showcase" mention on page 75 in
the April 2011 issue. For a spare-
time maker such as myself, it was a big
deal to me and greatly appreciated.
So, I was completely surprised when
a friend of mine called and advised me
there was a photograph of one of my
knives in the September issue (page 32).
My friend could not remember what the
article was about, so I had to wait a couple
of days for my issue to arrive. Talk about
suspense!
The article, "What To Look For In a
Utilily Fixed Blade," quoted such knife-
making greals as Murray Cárter, Blade
Magazine Cutlery Hall-Oí-Fame^ mem-
ber Blackie Collins, Johnny Perry and
Bob Terzuola. To have a photo of my
knife featured along with these guys was
just icing on the cake.
H.L. Holbrook,
a letter via e-mail
only lorum to use. Knifeshowcase.blademag.com is
an excellent choice and there are several others
out there. While on this site, I have read "wartís"
for certain knives from some not-so-knife-savvy
buyers. There are hundreds of reputable knives
available, and I really prefer the custom kmfemak-
ers (Daniel Winkler, S. Powers and Les Voorhies,
to ñame a few). But, in my humble opinión, also
consider a Randall Made for your collection or out-
door/tactical use.
JefferyE. Wagner
Editor's note: To read Mr. Wagner's post and
others, visit fittp-Mnifeshowcase.blatíemag.com
and click the "Forum" tab.
 KNIFE AND GUN ICONS MAKE HISTORYI

D
esigned by Justin Gingrkh, the
Ranger RD Hawk Pick from
Ontario Knife Co. combines in-
tegral construction and a dramatic pick/
spike in a heavy-duty yet compact utility
tomahawk.
A 1075 carbón stcel head in a lextured
black powder coat—all of the steel save
the edge is so coatcd—and an ergonomic
Micarta- haft offer a marked visual con-
trast between the hawk's two business
ends. Cutouts reduce weight and enhance
aesthetics.

"ONTARIO ALSO
MAKESTHERD
HAWK, A VERSIÓN
WITHOUTTHE
PICK/SPIKE" DLC STEALTH
$595.00
Overall length: 12 inches. Sheath: Black
nylon. Country of" origin: USA. MSRP:
$191. Ontario also makes the RD Hawk, TIGER STRIPED
a versión without the pick/spike. Incidcn-
tally, RD stands fbr ready detachment.
$550.OÓ
For more information, contact Ontario,
attn: Nick Trbovich, Dept. BL2, POB 145,
Franklinville, NY 14737 800-222-5233
or 716.676.5527 www.ontarioknife.com,
and/or see the story on page 82.
The cover photo is by Kris Kandler.

BLADE

F E B R U A R Y 2012 blademag.com 7
 BLADE
WORLD'S #1 KNIFE PUBLICATION
Vol. XXXIX, No. 2, February 2012
Masecraft Supply Co. offers the world's largest l¡ne-up of
natural and synthetic materials tor knife handles. gun grips,
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Edito | STEVE SHACKIEFORD
sfieei. todand barfotm. WealsoofferafulMineol Reconsti-
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 U N S H E A T H E D | By Steve Shackleford

Lets Save The Bables!

T
he recent tragic death of the 11-month-old infant
onlookers were unable to free from a burning car
because no one had a knife to cut the baby free from
a jamnied seat belt is heartbreaking. First and foremost,
a young life was snuffed out in a most painful, terrifying
way. My thoughts and praycrs go out to the child's parenls
and family, as well as those on the scene who were unahlc
to save the infant. The inciden! will continué to haunt all
concerned for many lifetimes.
The lack of a knife carried by any of the bystanders to
cut the seal belt and free the baby was a contributing factor
in the infant's death. The fact it happened in Los Ange-
les with íts strict anti-knife laws is an indictment of a city
where anti-knifers continué to succeed in their crusade
against kiiives. Anti-knife laws indirectly—some might
say directly—kept the child from being rescued, and no
doubt will prevent others i rom being saved in tuture catas-
trophes as well. (For more, see "For the Want of a Knife" in
the "Foruní" at http://knifeshowcase.blademag.com.)
Ordinances barring people from carrying knives and,
henee, from saving the lives of others in cmcrgcncies musí
be repcaled! Of course, organi/ations like the American
Knife & Tool Institutc and Knife Rights and elected officials
such as New Hampshire Rep. Jenn Coffey are Ihe standard
bearers in focusing on the repeal of anti-knife legislation.
By joining and supporting theni and spcaking out on your
own, writing your legislators and local newspapers, voic-
ing your concerns on social media like Facebook, Twitter,
etc., you can do your part, too. And be sure to voice your
concerns in non-knife venues. You are "preaching to the
choir" if you do it in pro-knife venues. It is the non-knife Columbia River Knife & Tool's Exitool is a seat-belt cutter, flashlight and win-
ones that need to hear the message. dow breaker that attaches to a seat belt—where you need it, when you need
it. (CRKTphoto)
In addition to repealing anti-knife ordinanccs that ex-
aggerate the problem, why not institute pro-knife laws
that address the slaughter on our nations highways by further cy situation (see picture). Another is Henchmade's 9CB Hook,
enabling citizens to respond to emergencies such as the one in which has a retractable safety blade cover. If nothing else, a folder
L.A.? Why not rcquire the manufacturera of automobile baby with a sheepfoot blade in the glove box would work.
seats to equip each of the seats with a seat-bclt cutter convenient- Even with such a law, the baby in L.A. probably would have
ly placed out of children's rcach for a parent or onlooker to use to perished anyway because the car was engulfed in flames and no
cut the baby's seat belt in an emergency? And while at it, why not onccouldhave reached ihe seat-belt cutter even if it had been in-
rcquire automobilc and truck manufacturéis to stock each and side the car or attached to a baby seat—which is why anti-knife-
every vehicle with such a seat-belt cutter? carry laws nmst be repealed, too. Still, though, a seat-belt cutter
Idcally, said manufacturera would take the lead and includc remains a must-have tool stored in vehicles and with baby seats.
seat-belt cutters with their producís. Not only would it be a pub- Repealing anti-knife legislation and promoting a scat-belt-
lic service, the manufacturen would add valué lo their baby seats cutter law would save lives—ironically, given the proper circum-
and vehicles. However, in today's cost-cutting and suc-happy stances, maybe even those of the politically correct idiots who
atmosphere, mosi manufacturera probably will not act without refuse to carry knives and persecute those who do.
some kind of liability-free Icgislativc push.
A number oí knife companies have seat-belt culters with the To rcad similar slories and the latest knife news, forums, blogs uncí
cdges recessed for safety. Columbia River Knife & Tool offers much more, see http://knifeshowcase.bladetnag.com.
one—it also has a window breaker and flashlighl—ihat attaches
to a seat belt and is thus immcdiately accessible in an emergen -
 A cut above the rest
UDDEHOLM ELMAX®
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Máximum cleanliness and a mínimum powder size.
That's the success of Uddeholm's third generation of
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process and powder propercies minimize the risk for
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(|| UDDEHOLM
MALAY BLADES 1 By Philip Lirn Chin Guan

THE KNIFEMAKERS OF PASIR

lALÜSIi"! PENAMBANG FORGE UVES

OFQUIETDESPERATION

•EMOf E
vcry morning, Lim Loong Hoi is at his
dirty workshop—it looks more like a
shack from thc front—at about 8 o'clock.
Beyond the upen door in the rear, the passage
leads to a hallway and a few small rooms.
'Ihe honcshaker of a wooden shop has been
home to Lim and his family for decades. He
said he has been making utility tools, includ-
ing parangs, goloks, large fishermarís blades
and sickles, since his school days.
His instructor and mentor was his grand-
father. Back in the day, Lim found lime aftcr
school lo help his grandpa at the workshop.

Lim hammers a blade on his shop anvil. (photo courtesy of the author)
Picture a teenager's delicate hands with a
heavy hammer and a pair of tongs when,
during morning hours, he was holding a
pen or ruler in school. That was about 50
years ago.
Called Sin Sam Hup Lee, Lim's shop still
stands firm against fluctuating economic
conditions and the ravages of time. His
back is slightly bent frorn the long, dreary
years of standing before the furnace or
hydraulic pump, pounding away at pieces
of elongated steel.
Pasir Penambang is a small village on
the outskirts of Kuala Selangor in the
state of Selangor, Malaysia. The locáis,
especially the Chinese, are mostly fisher-
men, shopkeepers or fish wholesalers.
The Chinese fishermen are Lim's regu-
lar customers. 'Ihe edged tools he makes
for them are larger than usual. 'Ihe blades
are similar to huge butcher knives, having
a curvature that helps in slicing a big fish
in two with one swift downward stroke.
The Malay farmers usually ask for long
sickle blades used in dislodging oil palm
fruits, a.k.a. kdapa sawit nuts. Each sickle
is hollowed out at the handle to accept a
long pole. The pole enables the user to ex-
tend the blade about 7 to 8 feet to harvest
the nuts from the palm trees. Each sickle
costs $2 to $2.60. The price depends on
the quality of the steel and blade size.
In Lim's workshop, stacks of Jeep leaf
A selection of Pee's parangs and goloks are
ready for sale. Note the dropped design of
the handles. (photo courtesy of the author)
(Below) Cleaver-type tools and utility knives,
sharpened and ready for sale, (photo cour-
tesy of the author)
F E B R U A R Y 2012 blademae.com

03
ífí
L.
A Jesper Voxnaes design
Micarta scales
Full tang construction
440C stainless steel blade
Two tone satín flnish
Includes leather sheath
Limited editíon (999 pieces)
Blade length: 6"
Overall length: 11 Vi"
Weight: 13.2 02.
Model No.: 02BO2011
MALAY BLADES
Sickles are the subject of conversaron in a
Pasir Penambang workshop. (photo courtesy
of the author)
springs used for blade steel rest in a cór-
ner. The four-wheel-drive springs are
rusty and grimy. The haggard bladesmith
likely sourced the spring steel pieces by
the ton from an oíd junkyard. He prob-
ably got them cheap, too. Most of the
time they are cut to required lengths. H
is a low-tech, slightly primitive method of
stock removal.
Practícallty and function rule the land.
Almost nobody here has heard of CPM-
S30V, VG-10 or ZDP-189. The most con-
vincing line Lim uses is, "This is Jeep
spring steel." That alone gives his cuslom-
ers some assurance they are getting qual-
ity steel.
Kdged tools used by fishermcn or farm-
ers in the fields have no time to get rusty
because they are used regularly and on a
daily basis. After six to eight years, the pa-
rang, golok, fisherman's blade or farmer's
sickle may be dcemcd unusable. The user
According to the author,
the knives are functional and for
utility purposes only. (photo courtesy of the
author)
simply buy.s another one from Lim. After
all, it costs just a few bucks. Compared to
its long-term usefulness and hardiness,
the cost per blade is minuscufe—which
is why the agrarian folk in Pasir Penam-
bang and nearby villages are I.im's loyal
customers.
Lim's assistant is taciturn, works like a
well-oiled machine and knuws ihe blade-
making process intimately. I-ike his boss,
the assistant relishes the feel of steel in his
hands.
Of coursc, the untidy workplace is not
exactly ideal for a prívate conversaron.
Customers determine what they want,
haggle over the price and depart with
the edged tool they bought wrapped in a
newspaper.
Occasionally, some outsider brings a
drawing of the piece he wants made. 'Ihe
bladesmith examines the drawing and
Ihen determines whether his outdated
cquipment and other machines are suit-
able for the order.
The volume of edged tools he sells
wilf not even make Lim a member of the
middle class. He obviously is not making
a fortune, as some people no doubt sus-
pect.
Chuan Lee Chan
A couple of doors away along the same
row of wooden shops is another knife-
maker, Ah Pee. A sign at the front of his
cstahlishment says "Chuan Lee Chan."
Originally from China, he has aged be-
ibre his time, though his eyes have a cer-
tain fire that belics his years.
Pee said his children, especially his son,
have absolutely no interest in knifemak-
ing. "The young men today prefer air-
conditioned offices and as littlc dirt on
their hands as possible," he observed.
The long hours and intense heat from
the furnace are enough to deter most
from pursuing such a profession. It is
backbreaking work with the added disad-
vantage of low and slow financial return.
 42ÜJ2 stainless interframe with ZyteP scales.
AUS 8 stainless steel spear-point blade with
non-reflective black finish.
Seat belt cutter and tungsten carbide window breaker. O
2 position pocket /gear clip included. E
N u
-o
re

CM
i—i
O
«
--

o:
CD
i
 MALAY BLADES

er. The way Pee does it looks easy—until
SDLINGEN [ÍERMRNY you put the same grinder in your hands.
A ílat grind is apparcntly the way to go.
First, he clamps the blade on a table
vise, covers his mouth with a piece of
cloth and dons plástic goggles. He moves
the grinder side to side and applies just
the right amount of pressure.
A shower of bright orange sparks fly
past his body, but Pee pays them no heed.
When he is fully satisfied the blade has
the correct grind, he unclamps it and
adds the finishing touches to the edge
with a smnoth stone.
Again, it is all "touch and feel." When
a man has spent three-quarters of his life
sharpening blades, you do not question
his judgment. He said, "The blade can
easily shave the hair on the arm." I believe
him totally.
He then gives me a piece of advice.
After the blade has been used, wash it in

Drop furged hlciHi- made

from 1.4116 st.iinless steel
Stng scales
10.6 Inch ovoall Icngth
Curved bUk- for cutting,
sticing & skinning
Sln>ng Iwtk pdgc fot h,u k¡ng
Li-íithiT Shhilh
I Inndmjdo l>y skiMed
era Asmen

The ongest bladeis a blank with no handte. The author bought it because the customer who
wanted a custom handforged goloK did not return to pick it up. "I like the weight, the feel of
the steel and the shape, so I bought it," the author stated. "I am sí/// looking for a suitable
tropical wood for the handte and sheath. Malaysia has a wíde variety ofexotic hardwoods that
have lovely grains that are suitabte to be made into handles." (photo courtesy of the author)

WOULDN'T YOU PREFER

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 SAVE THE DATE
JANUARY % Knife
-—^ j.mj.j.j_i.\^0 ^ 0
running water. Do not wipe the water off
but put the knife out in thesun todry. Al-
low the sun to dry the blade and it will
remain sharp indefinitely.
97™ 29™
Exposition
American Bladesmith Society
It took awhilc hefore I realized the wis-
dom of his words. Could it be the tropical
weather, coupled with the scorching Ma-
laysian sun, acts as a form of heat treat-
ment on the sharpened blade? Perhaps the RAFFLE TICKETS ON SALE NOW
sLin's rays strengthen the already hardened
J. W. Randall huntíng sword forged from 160 layers
molecular structure of the blade's edgc? of 1084 and 15n20 ladder patterned steel. The handle
Or is it a sales gimmick? Who knows bet- is premium fossilized walrus ivory and the half guard
ter—the bladesmiths of Pasir Penambang is made (rom (ile worked 416sta¡nless. The sheath ¡5
or me, the end user from the city? black leather with a basket weave pattern.
Overall length is 27" long.
Paying Homage
There are only two bladesmiths along the
main road in Pasir Penambang. Both are Sheraton Gunter San Antonio
advancing in age. This is a dying trade.
205 East Houston Street, San Antonio, Texas 78205
The youngsters are not intercstcd. Trióse
888-999-2089 I gunterhotel.com I ABS Room Rate $129 Ideadline 01.06.20121
of us who appreciate all things steel and
sharpened tools come to this tiny town,
away from the hustle and bustle of the
bigger cities, to pay homage to men of FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT
steel who live a life of quiet desperation.
Steve Dunn 270-563-9830 absknifeexpo.com
To read similar stories and all the latest
knife news, forums, btogs and much more,
sec http://knifeshowca$e,bladeinag.com.

BLADE

Encrusted with dirt and grime, an oíd power

ww.timbritton.com \
hammer keeps a lonely vigil. (photo courtesy
of the author)
P.O. Box 71, Bethania, NC 27010
F E B R U A R Y 2012 blademag.com I/
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 THE KNIFE I CARRY

M I carry a Bear & Son Mini

Executive Lockback

it makes a great gent's knife, and Tve

noticed more than one nice young lady
in
mother-of-pearl. At 2.5 ¡nenes

checking ¡t/me out when l'm using it.

Yeah,baby!ff

PatrickBlanchard,
a lettervia e-mail

M l'm new to knife carrying and

selected the Columbia River
Knife & Tool M16-DFSG Kit
Carson design in desert tan. I just retired
after 29 years service in the Army and am getting
on in age, which makes me less sure I can either run
away or handle myself in a threatening situation. So,
I carry a knife that clearly says 'military.' I considered
a smaller blade but it does not have the same visual
impact the large one does. By the way, I chose CRKT
M I carry a Kershaw 1480 with
a blade of VG-10 steel ciad in
420HC I love the classic look
of the knife and it cuts like it's going out of
style. Tve had it since my Navy service and
as I always carried a CRKT A.B.C. blade sheathed on
still use it daily to cut shroud Une for my Job
my web gear whenever I was deployed to one of
as a civilian. It also does a number on the
my three combat tours, along with a CRKT K.I.S.S
occasional apple and the errant strings on my
backup, and they never failed me."
wife's sweaters.ff
LTC John Thompson, J.S. Dondino,
U.S. Army (retired), Portland, Oregon
from knifeshowcase.blademag.com

Tell us what knife you carry. Add a titile history or an anecdote. Try
to include a photograph (if digital, at least 600 K but no larger than
2 MB) oí you with your knife. We will publish your comments in an
upcoming "The Knife I Carry." Your ñame will then be entered in a
drawing to win a free, high-quality, name-brand pocketknife. The
drawing will be Nov. 15. Mail to: BLADE®, P.O. Box 789, Ooltewah,
TN 37363-0789, or e-mail steve.shackleford@fwmedia.com. If you
send your entry by e-mail, please include your mailing address in
case you win the pocketknife.

FEBRUARY 2012 blademag.co

 BLADE FINISHES | By Míke Hask^w bíLAUt1 neia eanor
BLADE COATINGS ADD SAFETY, STEALTH, SURVIVAL AND STYLE, AND ARE A GOOD FIELD VALUÉ
A
coated blade offers protection,
non-glare and striking looks. For
those who serve in the military,
preserve the peace through law enlotvo
ment or for knife enthusiasts in general,
hiades are coated black, Fíat Dark Earth,
tan or what have you for a variety of rea-
sons, and are permanent fixtures in their
complement oí" working gear. The look
and feel are appealing, and the ease of
maintenance is an attractive attribute.
Buying a coated blade makes a state-
ment and serves a practica! purpose. Knife
manufacturers recognize the demand for
such hiades and scc their contributions to
the available selection as filling a neces-
sary niche.
According to Paul Tsujimoto, sénior
engineer at KA-BAR Knives, powder
coating was developcd in the mid-to-Iate
1960s. "Powder coating is applied using
the electrostatic principie," he said. "The
parts to be coaled are given a negative
charge and the powder coat is givcn a
positive charge and sprayed on. The dry
coated parts are Lhen baked in an oven
or furnace, where the powder nielts and
fuses into a hard, protective finish."
For HSHE Knives, Rowen Mfg. applies
Textured Powder Coat to blades of 1095
carbón steel through an electrostatic
spray process that causes powder parti-
cles to adhere to the steel. Then the coated
steel goes through four stages to complete
the process: mclt, fiow, gel and cure.
"The powder is applied with an electro-
static spray gun. Before the powder is sent
to the gun, it is fluidized to sepárate the
individual grains of powder and improve
the electrostatic charge that can be applied
10 the powder so Ihat the powder flows
(Left) ESEE knives receive the Textured Pow-
der Coat at Rowen Mfg. (Rowen Mfg. photo)
ESEE employs its Textured Powder Coat for
the finish on the ESEE-5P fixed biade. Blade
steel: 1095 carbón. Blade length: 5.25
inches. Blade grind; Sabré. Handle: Canvas
Micarta®. Features: Glass breaker, bow-dríll
pivot. Weight: 16 ounces. Overa 11 length:
11 inches. Sheath: Kydex® with belt clip.
MSRP-. $262 (includes sheath). (ESEE photo)

more easily to the gun. Because the pow-
der partióles are clectrostatically chargcd,
the powder wraps around the back of the
part as it passes by tovvard the air off-take
system," ESEE's Jeff Randall explained.
"To obtain the final solid, timgh, abra-
sión-resistan! coating, the powder-coated
items are placed in an oven and heated to
U-m per al u res that range from 160 to 210°
Cclsius, depending on the powder—400°
in our case.'1
President and co-owner of Spartan
Blades, Curtís lovito said his company's
coating of knife blades is called Physical
Vapor Deposition (PVD). "The process is
characterized by the creation of a mate-
rial vapor that can be reacted with differ-
ent gases to form a thin film coating," he
noted. "We use a method called are de-
position. This process is carried out under
nigh-vacuum conditions. One of the nice
propcrties ot" CVD coating is that it ap-
plies uniformly
so that you don't get
build-up on corners and edges
like some coatings." lonBond coats Spar-
Um's blades.
The cominercial ñame Spartan Blades
has given its PVD coating is SpartaCoat.
lovito and business partner Mark Carey
became familiar with PVD coating while
working on the development of a new
rille with Special Forces applications.
"While in the Army, we had been look-
ing for a durable coating in [a Fíat Dark
Earth color] for a new weapons system we
were developing," lovito remarked. "For-
tunately, we were aware thal the develop-
ment of a true Fíat Dark Earth Pantone
had been done usiny /irconium carbón
nitride. We believe that we were the first
company lo use a true Fíat Dark Earth
PVD coating on knivcs. This coating is
often referred to as diamond-like coating,
or DLC, in the gun and knife industry be-
cause of its resistance to wear."
Iil<n k Traction Coating is the propri-
etary ñame of the tínish TOPS Knives
uses on its blades through the services of
James Bowen (see page 22). "We use an
epoxy hybríd base with polyester in it,"
TOPS President Mike Fuller said. "It is
electrostatically applied in its dry powder
form, and it goes on the blade between
three and five thousandths-inch thick-
ness. The knives are then put into an oven
and baked at a little over 400° Fahrenheit
F E B R U A R Y 2012
Spartan Blades' latest model to sport the
company's SpartaCoat is the Spartan Harsey
Hunter (below), a Bill Harsey design. Blade
coating: PVD in Fiat Dark Earth. Blade steel:
CPM-S35VN. Handle material: 3D con-
toured CE canvas Micarta®. Overall length:
10.5 inches. MSRP: $495. (Spartan Blades
photo)
Spartan Blades' models hang on racks
befare being coated at lonBond. (lonBond
photo)
for about 17 min-
utes, depending on the
thickness of the material. It's
not an ultra-smooth finish like
some coatings have, and it enables
the user to hold the blade for cióse
work il necessary."
Carbón and Stainless
While the processes are
similar from manufac-
turar to manufacturer,
each has its own variation on the coal-
ing theme. KA-BAR coats both carbón
and stainless steels, while ESEE uses 1095
carbón steel exclusively as a bíade mate-
rial. Spartan Blades uses CPM-S30V and
S35VN, and 154CM stainless steels.
"At our clients' request, we use Black
Traction Coating on ail our producís,
1095, 5160 and all the stainless steels as
well," TOPS' Fuller noted. "One of the rea-
sons we use it on 440C or 154CM stainless
is that it preserves the visual integrity of
the blade, as well as being easier to clean.
it doesn't add appreciably to the knife's
cost, but the benefit from our perspective
is that the chance for oxidation is nil where
the covering takes place. However, in ár-
eas like the final edye of the knife whcrc
there is no covering, the blade still needs
to be oiled like any other good tool."
Spartan ollkials acknowledge that the
coating oí their stainless steels tbllows the
surface blasting of the blades in order to
elimínate glare. However, when a knife
blade is blasted, a surface is creaíed thal
is less corrosión resistan!. Therefore, the
PVD/SpartaCoat helps resist corrosión
and maintain the fíat finish.
Tsujimoto identiries four primary rea-
sons for. coating knife blades: corrosión
proteclion, anti-reflection, enhancing
cutting lubricity, and any combination of
blademag.com 21
 BLADE FINISHES

1: The blades are sandbfasted to remove oils, dirt, rust, mili scale, etc. 2: The blades hang in the coating booth, ready to be coated. 3: A
slow, even application of Black Traction Coating is applied via an electrostatic spray. 4: Completely sprayed, all of the blades are placed in the
oven to bake on the powder coat. 5: The blades cool down after baking. 6: The blades are removed from the oven. 7: The finished blades
are given a final inspection.
7"OPS í/ses Black Traction Coating for the
finish on its blades, including the onPoint
Táctica! (top). Desígned by Kevin Reeve,
the knife features a 4-inch blade of 1095
carbón steel and a tan canvas Micarta®
handle. Weight: 6.3 ounces. Over-
all length: 8 3/8 inches. MSRP.
$169.95 (includes Kydex®
sheath). (TOPS Kníves photo)
Many think only of carbón
steel when it comes to
blade coating, but many
stainless blades are
coated, too. The Bull
Dozier Fixed Blade
(middle) from KA-BAR in AUS-8A
stainless at a Rockwell hardness of
57-59 HRC is an example. Blade
length: 6.5 inches. Blade grind:
Hollow. Handle: Zytel®. Overall
Length: 12 1/8 inches. MSRP:
$127.74. (KA-BARphoto)
Camillus coate its blades with Carbonitrrde
Titanium, reporíedty one of the hardest
surface treatments containing titanium.
The Model 18513 (bottom) employs the
coating on its hollow-ground AUS-8 stain-
less blade. The handle is aluminum. MSRP.
$43.99. (Camillus photo)
the first three. "KA-BAR is no exception,"
he said. "Because wc use a lot oí carbón
stee! that is very pronc to corrosión, we
utilize blade coatings a greaí deal. Stain-
less is coated for both anti-reflection
and corrosión. Remember, stainless steel
means that it wíll slain less than carbón
steel. Stainless is not totally stain proof."
lovito agreed.
"Knives generally are coated to provide
anti-glare surfaces and provide wear re-
sistance, as well as to add additional cor-
rosión resistance, not to mention that it
makes for a grcat looking finish," lovito
noted. "This finish should not be con-
lused with other spray or paint finishes.
While these other íinishes are OK, PVD
coating cannot chip or rub of I" because its
bonded lo the steel at a molecular level."
Of course, the coating is only as good
as its ability to stay on the blade. Durabil-
ity may relate to the composition of the
coating itself, and to the degree of abuse
and wear a particular knife is expíe ted to
weather. Recoating of blades is cither rare
or not offered by many manufacturera,
and the premise is simple. The coating is
made (o last.
SpartaCoat is applied at a thickness of 3-
to-5 microns, and its final hardness regís-
ters 70-to-90 HRC on the Rockwell scale.
V
A collaboration with
Jesigners Graní and (7av/n
Hawk, the Ti-Lock is unusual,
innovativc, and eye-catching. The
bluc titanium spring and thumblugs
drop ínto recesses in the handle
"tying'" blade and handle together.
so me
blades in the
past, primarüy
because the owner
requested a change of
color or to have some-
thing etched on the blade.
lovito said only a couple
have been recoated for any
other reason through the years.
Snowmobiles & Judian Chiefs
The coating of blades has a practica!, aes-
thtític and utilitarian appeal. Il adds an
element of safety, stealth, survival and
style (o a blade, while demonstrating a
good valué every day in the field. Two of
Fuller's experiences are telling.
"Some time ago we were working with
a snowmobile manufacturer," Fuller com-
mented. "The manuhicliiK'r used the
coating material as an undercoating on
its snowmobiles. That says something
about the toughness of our Black Trac-
tion Coating. It's extremely durable with a
bit of flcxibility, and the mixture we make
has passed military 24-hour saltwater
spray tests and chemicai emergent tests
with flying colors.
"Years ago, a survival expert took one
of our knives to the Peruvian Ama/on
and left it with a chief down there. These
people use their knives every day and
sharpen them on river stones." The sur-
vival expert returned three or four years
later, Fuller added, and found the chief,
who still had the knife—and the coating
on the blade was intact.
for the contact informaron for the knives líhulr lA-ii^tli: .1.75" Tilunimn
11 mulle: 3»4" Titanium
¡nctured, see "Where To Get 'Etn" on page
I liiiniMiii's SiliaiiiL- Hron/e
80. Wt'ifílil: 3 02
To read similar stories and the latest knife crkinfo@chniirKve.coni
news, forums, blogs and much more, see w w' w. e It ri s rw v i-. co 111
http;//knifeshowcase. blademag, com,
BLADE hiahtt Mude
IEBRUARY
 KNIFE M E C H A N I S M S | By David Jung

Contradjüt
** m -B-^r»-

That Works
SPYDERCO'S BALL BEARING LOCK EMPLOYS A
ROLLING BALL BEARING AND SLIDING PISTÓN
TO SEGURE TWO PIECES INTO ONE

T
he idea of a ball bearing used as a knife lock may seem
like a contradiction. Ball bearings are designed to kecp
things in motion, not freeze them in place. Howcver, it is
the shape of the ball bearing that gives the Spyderco Ball Bearing
Lock some of its greatest strengths.
Since variatíons on knife shapes and handle materials are
harder to patent, that leaves lock designs. Borrowing such a de-
sign involves paying a royalty. Devising your own lock negales
paying the royalty but involves many hours of research, design
and testing.
The Ball Bearing Lock began on paper, progresscd to plástic
models and then to the metal prototypc stage. Throughout Ihe
process, the locks patcntabiliíy was considered—though hold-
ing a patent does not mean the patent holder is free and clear.
Competitors love to pore over a design to look for loopholes to
exploit. Defcnding a patented design is crucial to its econornic A close-up shows the larger first-generation Ball Bearing Lock. The
success. In the end, Spyderco CEO Sal Glesser, a Blade Maga- hardened ball bearing sudes easily and allows for a smooth opening
zine Cutlery HaH-Of-Pamee member, said he felt his Ball Bearing action. The knife is the Spyderco Polliwog. (David Jung photo)
Lock was dilierent enough to warrant a patenl, and the design
(Right) A Spyderco Manix 2 is surrounded by a selection of Spyderco
would be difficult to copy. models resting on a "láser remnant" cutout sheet, clockwise from
The Ball Bearing Lock and the evolutionary caged Ball Bear- top: Blue Dodo G-10, P'Kal, Phoenix, Polliwog, Polliwog G-10, P'Kal
ing Lock comprise Spyderco's attempt to develop a robusl lock Trainer and Black Dodo G-10. The P'Kals and the Manix 2 have the
that meets martial blade craft (MBC) standards without being smaller caged Ball Bearing Lock. The others have the first-generation
Ball Bearing Lock. (David Jung photo)
too bulky or hard to open or cióse. The hardened ball bearing,
which is the main element, is allowed lo rotate freely Ihroughout
its travel. Because it will always be in a difíerent position, wear
and tear is greatly reduced. Another benefit is the lock continu- How It Works
ally self-adjusts wíth each use. Because of its design, it can be When the knife is closed, the ball bearing sits in a slightly curved
operated on either side of the handle. An additional benefit is the channel. The channel provides the track for the ball bearing,
lock is hard to accidentally disengage, which adds to its safety. which is pushcd toward the blade due to pressure from a small
One look at the Hall Bearing Lock reveáis the creative thouglu shaft surrounded by a coil spring. Opposite the slightly curved
process required in its creation. "The design objective," Glesser ramp is the other side of the channel, which is formed by the
noted, "was to have a fairly simple, very strong, very reliable fold- knife blade.
ing knife lock." As the blade pivots, the ball bearing pushes past the resisíance
When the knife is closed, the newer, smaller "caged" batí bearing
pushes into a cutout on the tang's underside. As the blade pivots
(shown above in a cutaway versión of a Spyderco knife), the ball 4
bearing rolls atong the curved tang. When the knife is fully o**--
the bal! bearing sudes forward into a channel formed by the
handle on top and tang on bottom. Pressure to cióse is res/si
by compression on the ball bearing. Only when the ball bearing is
retracted will the blade cióse. (David Jung photo)

F E B R U A R Y 2012 blademag.com 25
 KNIFE MECHANISMS

of the closed-position detcnt and ibllows
a circular path untii the knife approach-
es the open position. When the knife is
nearly open, the blade channel drops
away, allowing the hall bearing lo push
out into the channel formed at the top of
the blade. Throughout ihe travel the hall
bearing rolls unobstructed, with the out-
ward spring prcssure providíng the resis-
tance to allow the blade to swing freely.
In the open positkm, the pressure to cióse
is SUrmounted by (he hall bearing lock-
ing in place, 011 top by the liner and below
by the blade. When the user removes the
outward spring pressure by pulling back
on the ball bearing, the blade can be piv-
otcd to the closed position. 'líie hardened
ball bearing is unyielding under normal
use. In the case of the newer models, a
cage of a durable proprietary polymer
blcnd surrounds and centers a smaller

From left, the four-panel photograph shows how the ball bearing sudes into the channel formed by the blade and the handle as the Polliwog is
closed. The ball bearing self-adjusts when the knife is opened and/or closed. (David Jung photo)

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 KNIFE MECHANISMS
and a much thinner profilc.
The original Ball Bearing Lock was
visihly difieren! than any other lock, and
some of thc first models using it did not
look iraditional. Hric's Polliwog design al-
lows the ball-bearing channel to be open
when the knife is closed, making it ap-
pear the hall bearing could slip out. Erics
Dodo design features an ergonomic han-
dle. It is scheduled to return in Spyderco's
carbón fiber and orange G-10 "Sprint
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28 BLADE F E B R U A R Y 2012
Run" versions. The Phoenix, designed by
knifemakcr Howard Viele, also used the
larger Ball Bearing I.ock.
'Ihe P'Kal has the cagcd Ball Bearing
Lock. The knife is based on an edged
martial arts technique from the Philip-
pines, which involves an "ice-pick" grip
with corresponding downward pulling
thrusts. I.ock strength ¡s crucial in knives
used in the martial arts, so the P'Kal
needs the MBC-rated lock.
Model 120
For a store near you, cali:
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'Ihe knife that has received the most at-
tention of the caged series is the Manix
2. The original Manix knives fcatured a
massive, heavy-duty design. By moving
to the caged versión of the Ball Bearing
Lock, Spyderco changed the Manix in a
positive way for everyday carry.
Use & Maintenance
The Ball Bearing Lock takes some getting
used to if you are accustomed to Liner-
Locks™ or traditional lockbacks. Opening
is the same as with othcr Spyderco knives
via the blade hole. The difference is in
closing. While it is possible to unlock the
blade using one side of the lock, the best
way is to pulí the lock cage back with thc
thumb and Índex fingcr until it releases.
Once the lock disengages, the blade can
be pivoted closed. "People either like ¡t or
they don't," Sal obscrved. "They like the
smooth action. They like the strong lock-
up. We wanted it tunctional and easy to
open, but I guess 'not too easy' would be
The 2002 Spyderco World Trade Center
Knife was a volunteer-driven project to
raise funds for 9/11 survivors. It was the
fírst knife to feature the Ball Bearing Lock.
(David Jung photo)
one way of saying it."
Among thc advantages of having an ex-
poscd lock is ease of cleaning. "We usu-
ally just rinse them out and add a drop of
oil here and there," Sal said. "Wc've never
had an issue with the spring. These coil
springs go a long time, so really there is
not much maintcnance, other than occa-
sional oil."
The Ball Bearing Lock is one of many
locks on the market. Others that share
similar characteristics include the Bolt
Action Lock designed by Cutlery Hall-
Of-Famer Blackie Collins, and the Axis
lock designed by Bill McHenry and Jason
Williams and tound on severa! Bench-
made folders.
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Spydercos World Trade Center (WTC)
Knife, a non-profit fundraiser for vic-
tims of 9/11. On the WTC knife and
the follüw-up D'Allara knife, Spyderco
used FRN (tiberglass-reinibrced nylon)
handles. 'Ihe FRN made for a fairly thick,
though comfortable, knife. Subsequenl
knives with the Ball Bearing Lock, in-
cluding the Polliwog, Phoenix and Dodo, Remlnüs
used such "fíat" handle materials as stain-
voupfyour
less steel and G-10, which addressed the bestfríendeach
thíckness concerns. time you use
The first-generation versión had a large,
vour knifell
hardened ball bearing. Some seemed
conccrned it took two fingers to easily
slide the ball bearing back in its channcl. Plaza Cutlery
Fríe Glesser, Sais son, designed the ncwer www.plazacutlery.com • E-mail: dan@plazacutlery.com
versión, which addressed the concern by
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F E B R U A R Y 2012 blademag.com 27
 íur inj KIUÍ-J li
fcl li-JC.U C?i',l 33!)?.
"I think all locks compete and have
advantages and disadvantages, so I dorít
know that one would be better than an-
other," Sal opined. "Most locks will either
NIÁGARA ' C . Ü-2 ülld iiüw

SPECIALTY METALS
slide or roíate; I guess [the Ball Bearing
Lock] would be considered sliding, al-
www.nsm-ny.com
though it is more rolling than sliding that
is the action of the lock."
Henee, the Ball Bearing Lock takcs the
contradictory rolling motion of a ball
bcaring and the sliding of a pistón ¡nto a
channel to lock two pieces of metal into
one. It is a contradiction that works.

Por more information on the Ball Bear-

ing Lock and the Spyderco knivcs that
have it, contad Spyderco, attn: f. Laituri,
Dept. BL2, 820 Spyderco Way, Golden, CO
80403 800.525.7770 www.spyderco.com,
custOfnerservice@spyderco.com.

To read similar stories and the latest knife

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Niágara Specialty Metals
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F E B R U A R Y 2012 blademag.com 29
 KNIFE TALK By Ed Fowler BLADE® field editor

The Cure for Blade Warp conclusión -i-

TEMPERATURE CONTROL, BLADE GEOMETRY, POST-FORGING QUENCHES AND MORE

I
n my cxpcricnce, blades that were
ovcrheatcd at any time from the first
heal to the last are most pronc to warp.
The more exact your tempcrature control
ot'ihe stcel whilc forging and through the
thermal cycles, the higher the potential
quality of your blades. When hlades are
'overheated, many times warp is one of
the consequcnces.
We use a propane three-burner Man-
kel Forge at the Willow Bow Ranch.
The propane flows through two mainlinc
regulators and thcn to the three burners.
1-ach hurner has ils own regulator. It took
a while to learn how, hut now we can fine
tune the tcmperature in the forge with a
high degree of precisión.
Kailure to evenly heat the stccl also can
be a causativo factor in blade warp. Thus,
wc nced to tend our blades carefully as
they heat up in the forge or vía a torch
while hardening.
When I program my Paragon hcat-
trcating oven to tempcr a blade, I set it to
heat to 388°F in onc hour, hold it at that
tcmperature for two hours and then shut it
down. This díctales that the Paragon will
slowly and evenly heat the blade to the
desired tcmperature. I allow the Paragon
to cool naturally to room temperaturc,
and strongly rccommend against cooling
blades rapidly from tempcring tcmpcra-
tures.
Anothcr significant event that can
cause an inferior blade is thermal shock.
Never place a hot blade on an anvil or
steel table to cool. Instcad, suspend the
blade in the air or in a cooling rack thal
makes mínimum contact with the blade
surfacc until you can hold the blade com-
fortably in your haré hands withoul burn-
ing lliem.

Larry Davis, a student at one of the Willow Bow seminars, watches his blade
heat up in the forge, To avoid blade warp, "it is absolutely mandatory to care-
fully tend blades through all thermal cycles," the author observed. (photo
courtesy of Ed Fowler)

To avoid thermal shock, never place a hot blade on an anvil or steel table to
cool. Instead, suspend the blade in the air or in a cooling rack (right) that
makes mínimum contact with the blade suríace. (photo courtesy of Ed Fowler)
Blade Geometry
Uniformity in the geometry of
the blade also can be a signifi-
can! variable. If one side of the
blade is flat and the other con-
vex, the potential for blade warp
during heat treat increases. Ir-
rcgularities on the surfacc of the
sides of the blade also increase
the probability of warp. When
you qucnch a blade, the quench-
ing fluid must be able to flow
evenly over it. I rccommend at
least a 220-grit surface or finen
Rex Walter and I explored ev-
ery variable wc could identify. The author's three-burner Mankel forge has one inline regulator,
We read the literature available and three sepárate regulators, one for each burner. "While these are
high-ticket regulators, they allow us to very accurately regúlate the
to us and traveled many paths, individual burners and the resultant temperature inside the forge," he that I finished into a completed
some of valué to various de- noted. (photo courtesy of Ed Fowler)
grees, others that Icd nowhere.
Slowly and by increments we were able to
reduce the influence of internal stress in
our blades, but they still occasionally ex-
perienced warp to some minor degree.
Post-Forging Quenches
My friend, attorney and defender ofSec-
ond Amendment rights, BLADE- con-
tributor Evan Nappen, ordered a blade
with hardened, sharpencd edges on top
and bottom, and with a soft core. In at-
tempting to provide him with his knife, I
was required to forge, harden and temper
three blades, all of which failed. One at a
time all three warped. The hard edges on
both top and bottom of the blade with a
soft center were asking too much for my
methods. When I tried to straighten the
warped blades, I had to apply a tremen-
dous amount of forcé of well over 100
foot pounds, requiring a cheater bar on
the handle of my heavy-duty bench vise.
They would barely flex and then broke
catastrophically into two or more pieces
with a very loud bang!, rendering them
worthless (see page 38, January BLADE).
I was not going to allow this challenge
to defeat me. ! tried manipulating many
variables and failed while developing the
first three blades. Then and I must ad-
mit, mostly in utter desperation I tried
subjccting the blades to three post-íbrg-
ing quenches in the following manncr.
I forged the blade lo shape. After all the
forging was done, I heated the blade a lit-
tle above critical tempcrature in my forge
as determincd by the blade bccoming
non-magnetic, and quenched it in room-
temperature Texaco Typc "A" quenching
fluid for 35 seconds. 1 repeatcd this op-
cration for a total of thrcc quenches, one
immcdiatcly following the other.
From thcrc I suhjected the blade to
two flash normalizíng heata (thcrmal
cycles up Ihrough the allotropic phasc
change, from magnetic to non-magnetic,
then cooling down to magnetic in still
air, then immediately back into the forge
for the next cycle). That was followcd
by one full normalizing cycle of heating
the blade until it was non-magnetic, then
allowing it to cool to room temperature
while suspended in still air at 70°F.
All blades of our high-endurancc per-
formance knives are then annealed at
988°F three times for two-hour soaks,
heated slowly from room temperature
in our Paragon oven up to 988°F in one
What initially looked like a flawless 3-inch
ball bearing was annealed, welded onto
a bar and heated to forging temperature.
It fractured after a couple of hits from a
power hammer, illustrating how well forging
exposes bad steel early in the process.
F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 blademag.com 31
hour, and held at that tempera-
ture for two hours. The oven
shuts off and naturally cools
back down to room temperature
gradúa lly to achieve what we
believe is optimum softncss for
grinding and future heat treat-
ing, while still maintaining the
uniform flow and fine grain we
have developed in the blade
through our methods. 1 strongly
advise against cooling blades
from their annealing or tempcr-
ing temperature rapidly.
The net result was the three
post-forging quenches provid-
ed succcss on the fourth blade
knife and sent to Evan. She
was perfectly straight, the first
of my commemorative fighter blades.
Again, I thank Evan for challcnging me
in another direction and providing an-
other Icarning opporlunity. This solution
for the reduction of blade warp was not
my solé revelation. Many worked on the
devclopment of the methods we now use.
The importance of tcamwork in any en-
deavor cannot be overcmphasizcd.
These approaches may or may not
work for other knifemakers using other
stccls or methods, but I suggest blade
warp is both our friend and our foe. Blade
warp is a symptom of stress and can lead
us to new methods- -providing we pay
attention—that can aid us in our quest for
a bettcr knife.
Yours truly,
Ed Fowler
Knifetalkonline
Edfowlerhighperformanceknives.com
Aurhor's note: A future article will dixcusx
grindintz timi huffing mcthods thal can lead
eithcr !<> u belter hlade, or one that is not as
good as U could be.
To read similar glories and ¡he laíest knife
newa. forums, blogs and much more, see
h tip://knifesh owcase. bludemag. com.
BLADE
CUESTIÓN & ANSWER | By Joe Szilaski BLADE* field editor

Marked wíth masking tape and held

between the two leather strips in the vise,
the elk antier (ten) is ready for cutting on
the band saw in the author's shop. (photo
courtesy of Joe Szilaski)

Dave Hermán, the author's friend and

ex-partner, made this knife and gave it
to the author as a present in 1989. It
shows how creativa you can be with elk
antier. The handle is pieced together like a
jigsaw puzzle. The top half is hidden-tang
construction and the bottom half is slabs.
(photo courtesy of Joe Szilaski)

Keys to
the Best
Elk-Antler
i~r D r> i i A o v
Handles
 HOWTOCHOOSE THE BEST
ANTIER, CUTIT AND FIX
SUB-PAR EXAMPLES

Q tl enjoyed rcadíng and learned a

• lot from your story (pagc 52, July
BLADE-) on using elk antier for hidden-
tang knives. I have some nice elk antlers
and would likc to use them for the han-
dlc on a full-taiig knifc. You mentioned
in your article that elk antier can be
very porous in the center. What is the
best way to go ahout cutting slabs from
elk? (Johnny C., address n/a)

A An elk rack is quite massive. Kach

Xi*time 1 huid one of thcse magnifi-
cent specimens, my mind wandcrs to
great childhood memories, I grew up in
Hungary where elk wcre plcntifut, and
I was lortunate tliat my godlather was a
Photo 1: Seasoned antier (right) is less porous in the center and has a thicker outer wall.
lores! ranger. One ot'his responsibililies Green antier (left) is usually more porous in the center and has a thinner outer wall. (photo
was monitoring the elk herds, and I saw courtesy of Joe Szilaski)
many ni aj eslíe bull elks, especially during
full rut season.
Elk antier can make an excellent han-
dle lor a full-iangknite. Betorc answering
your question, I would likc to tell BLADI:
rcaders what to look for when buying elk
antlers for handles.
Try to buy a "seasoned" rack, otherwise
you will need to store it for a fcw years be-
forc use. You cannot be 100 perccnt surc it
is a seasoned rack unless the seller knows
and is honest about it. 'llie only way to
be sure is to cut into ihe antier and see
if the core is sort of gooey or oily fecling.
If so, this mcans the antier is slill groen
and you should wait at least two to three
\Tars before using it. Using green antier
Inr handles is not a good idea bccause the
shrinkage will be niuch greater. 'Ihis ¡s the
case with most natural materials.
I look for an antier that fccls hcavy for
its size. In other vvords, the heavier the
antier, the more solid it should be. The
heavier weight is a good indication the
antier ís less porous in the center and has
a thickcr ouler wall. A lighter antier is
usually more porous in the center and has
a t h i n n e r outer wall. (See Photo I.)
Of course, the thinner wall does not
mean you cannol use ihe antier tor scales.
You can but it takes a . titile more work. As
Photo 2: After cutting the antier section to síze, cut it in half lengthwise to form slabs. Mark
I mentioned in the July ULA /)/:, you must the centerline using masking tape along the antler's top, bottom and ends. (photo courtesy of
remove the porous section and fill the Joe Szilaski)
 QUESTION & ANSWER

void with wood or other solid material.

When working with a more solid ant-
ier, by the time you grind your scales to
the desired thickness and si/e, thcrc will
not be much porous section left to worry
about—and that you can satúrate with ex-
tra-thin Super (¡lúe- in order to make it
solid. Most likcly you will need to repcat
the application of glue a few times. Make
www.ontanoknife.com sure the glue has completely dried belbre
applying another coat.
As far as the best way to cut your ant-
ier, 1 can tell you what has workcd for me.
WARNING: Be safety conscious ifyou use

LONE STAR WHOLESALE tools such as a powersaw.

Before cutting it, I study the rack from
difícrent angles and determine which

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den-tang knives or as slabs for íull-lang
knives. I hold the difíercnt parts of the
antier to find the sections that feel most
comfortable in my hand. l;rom there, I
mark with masking lape where cach cut
will be.
After cutting the section to size, I cut
it in half lengthwise to form slabs. 1 mark
the centerline using masking tape along
the top, botlom and ends of the antier
(see Photo 2, page 33).

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When positioning the antier in the
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grip because the soft leather will íbrm to
the antlers irregular shape.
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Most of the time, I use a small wooden
wedge to compénsate for the irregularily
www.knivesplus.com of the anller and to help true up the cen-
terline. If marked and cut correctly, the
slabs should be similar in size and thick-
ness, so not much efibrt will be required
kÉH^É^^^^Z^Mu^ to grind or sand the scales fíat.
If the antier is small, I may use a wide-

^knifeCenter com
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faced, sheet-metal locking pliers instead
of a maehinist's vise (see Photo 3, page
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the handle is pieced togerher líke a jigsaw
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THE FIXED KASPER FIGHTER

all handmade
By Wes Crawford
A Bob Kasper design.

Personal Protection.
Light, slim, fast and sharp.
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patcrawfordl@earthlink.net
870.732.2452 Crawfordknives.com
Photo 3-. If the antier is small, the author
may use a wide-faced, sheet-metal locking
pliers instead of a machinist's vise and
slowly push the antier into the band-saw
blade to cut lengthwise. (photo courtesy of
Joe Szilaski)

puzzle. The top half is hiddcn-tang con-

struction and the bottom half is slabs. I
madc a few sub-hilt fighters with similar
"jigsaw handles." It is a lot of fun but also
a lot of fitting. As noted, you are limited
only by your ¡magination—and maybe
your patience.

Send your questions for Wayne God-

dard or Joe Szilaski to BLADE, POB 789,
Ooltewah, TN 37363-0789 steve.shack-
leford@fwmcdia.com. Inclitdc a self-ad-
dressed, stamped envelope with your ñame
and address for a personal response from
Wayne, or e-mail him at wgoddard44@
[H1IEILILOOWI
comcast.net. To contad Joe by e-mail, his t te v..
feeleÁ ty $4
•*— __
e-mail address is joe@szilaski.com. If yon
wish, BLADE will not print your ñame
with your question.
QRL: -1—
To read similar stories and the latest knije rQ 5TRINLE5S STEEL
news, forums, blogs and much more, see K Y D E X SHERTH
http://kntfeshowcase.blademag.com. HIN &L RCCES5ORIE5
sij-j su—, SPYDER 5ERRRTED
INFO@NEME5I5-KNIVE5.COM
BLADE

F E B R U A R Y 2012 blademag.com 35
 HANDMADE GALLERY

£ 4

¡anna Casteel; Haley DesRosiers;

Chantal Gilbert; Dee Hedges;
Harumi Hirayama; Grace Horne
(see page 48); Julie Warenski-Erickson—
and those are among the female
knífemakers' knives not pictured on this
and the facing page. Which ones have
we left out? Let us know.

For the contad Information for the pictured

knives, see "Where To Get 'Em" on page 80.

Gail To read similar stories and the latest knife

Lunn's news, foruttts, blogs and much more, see
"Galaxy" http://knifeshowcase.blademag.com.
lockback
folder boasts a
damascos handle
trame with a black-lip BLADE
mother-of-pearl inserí, 10
sapphires, full filework and
a 4-inch stainless blade. (Point
Seven photo) Dellana outfits her sole-authorship
art folder in a 3.5-inch clip-point
\. damascus blade and an 18k-
rose-gold handle and bail.
^ (Point Seven photo)

"Antier & Turquoise" by Audra

Draper features a 3-inch damascos
blade and an antier handle with a
turquoise spacer. Overall length; 8
inches. (BladeGallery.com photo)
A 2.75-inch wharncliffe blade of
CPM-154 stainless, an ivory handte
with Gary Williams scrimshaw and
a bolster of Mike Sakmar mokume
top off Barbara Baskett's gent's
knife. (Point Seven photo)

Elizabeth Loerchner
delivers catving that
ripples throughout the
knife and handle of
her folding art dagger.
(Point Seven photo)

Kathleen Tomey
equips her fíxed
blade in a 4.5-inch
fíleworked blade of 01
tool steel, a red oak burl
handle, and brass furniture.
Overall length: 8.75 inches.
(Point Seven photo)

Lora Sue Schwarzer offers

up the William Scagel styte
in a 5.5-inch blade of 1084
carbón steel and a crown stag
handle with leather and fiber
spacers, silver and brass.
Overatl length: 10.75 inches.
{Point Seven photo)
DEATH IN THE FAMILY | By BLADE® STAFF

Multilock Master
Ray Appleton Passes Away
LIGHT YEARS AHEAD OF HIS TIME, THE GIFTED, FUN-LOVING MAKER WAS 87

R
iy Appleton, maker of the "I.Q."
ind other pu/,7,le-type, "mulli-
ock" cuslom knives, passed away
Sept. 24. Hewas87.
'Ihe tall, lanky, likable Appleton began
making knives around 1984. He caused
a sensation with his multilock knives
when he displayed them at the Solvang
Custom Knifc Show in 1986. Beautifully
carved, anodized titanium (blders, they
were marvels of hi-tech cutlery work-
manship and ingenuity. Among their
endearing features were the "hidden"
opening mechanisms Appleton built
inlo Míe knives that he delighted in hav-
ing people try and figure out how to op-
érate. The knives featured button locks
with the opening and locking mecha-
nisms self-conlained in Ihe hlade pivot.
On average, each multilock liad a lotal of
10 locking positions.
While soine might be said to be years
ahead of their time, Appleton was light
years ahead of his. "We've lost a master,
genius and greitl man with the passing of
Ray," said the award-winning knifemak-
erknown simplyas Dcllana.
Born in Denver, Colorado, in 1924,
Appleton enlisted i n t h e Armyat 18 and
fought in North África and Italy dur-
ing World War II. He made his knives
with the use of only one good arm, as his
right arm was permancntly crippled in a
ski accident in 1949. Until then, he had
been an Olympic-class downhill skier.
His "Ap" blade mark, when viewed side-
ways, is a tiny picture of a ski racer.
His niain business was custom tool and
component machining, and prototype
die and machine work, including some
of [he latter for Martin Marietta. He also
made hi-tech surgical instruments such
as wire-thin orthoscopic nippers from
titanium used hy surgeons to opérate
inside a human knce joint through an
incisión about a quarter oí an indi long.
In his shop he had most every conven-
tional machine tool you can imagine. He
excelled at using electrically discharged

Ray Appleton made his first

"Super IQ" folders (right) in
1993. (from the collection
of Laurence J. Marión; photo
by Dr. David Darom from his
book, The Great Collec-
tions; photo of Ray Appleton
[above] also by Dr. Darom)
machining (EDM) to make knives,
and, in the late 1960s, bought what COPPER TONE • • •/ i -t
reportedly was the first EDM ma- »V«3r
chine installed between the Appa- HA ND- TE CH-MADE
lachian and Rocky Mountains. The GH3 is HTM modeled from t..
A round 6'6" tall, with long of Darrel Ralph's custom Gun Hammer.
hair, head wrapped in a bandana
Specifications for the HTM GH3
or capped by a cowboy hat, plaid
shirt and blue jeans, Appleton liter- Military "Type III" hard coated aircraf
ally stood above the crowd at knife aluminum frame - COPPER TONE
shows. His echoing laugh was un- * CPM S30V blade steel
mistakable, his íim-loving nature * 3D Machined ergonomic
infectious. According to "Ray Ap~ handle with grip grooves - ETAC gr
pleton Redefines the Folding Knife" : Hardened wear parts
by Bladc Magazine Cutlery Hall- : Assisted opening system
Of-Fameo member Bernard Levine * .09ThickTitanium frame loe
in the January/February 1988
RLADK-, Appleton liked to reserve
his time for "making his knives,
taking high-speed photographs of
hummingbirds, programming his
computer, driving fast cars, or tell-
ing stories to his seven pet horses."
BLADE field editor Ed Fowler, a
long-time acquaintance of Apple-
ton's, had nothing bul good things
to say about his friend. "Ray was
my hero when I was a kid in high
school and remains a hcro to me,"
Fowler observed. Added knifemak-
er Steve Hill, "I'm real sorry to hear
of this fine gent's passing. We used
to have some in-depth spiritual yak
fests back in the day. Vaya con dios,
mi companero!"
According to Appleton's son,
Ron, an accomplished maker who
was preparing for the Art Knife In- NEW
vitatíonal at press time, his father
had not been in a knife shop in at
\S
least seven years and had not made 9.9,* 9 5
a sole-authorship piece in a decade.
Appleton had moved from Colo-
rado to live with his son in Texas
circa 2001 before moving to Mon-
tana three years ago to be with bis
daughter and grandkids, and do one
of ihe things he liked best—play on
the computer.

To read similar stories and the latcst

knife news, forums, blogs and much
more, see http://knife$howcase.
bladetnag.com.

BLADE

F E B R U A R Y 2012 blademag.com 39
 ll

Accpr'ding to/Case spokesman Fred Feightner,

thé series ef Case pocketknives celebrating
¿Colt's 175th anniversary marks the first time
in Capé officials' recotlection that a Case
knífé or series of knives has been offered in
wnich afmtíipf company's tang stamp appears
/along witíi'ihe Case stamping. (photos cour-
tesy/of Srnoky tjóuntain Knife Works)
I t was inevitable two great American companies such as Case
and Colt would eventually come togcther to créate a line of
knives that could be made only ¡n the heart and soul of the
USA—and what better year to do it than 2011 to mark Colt's
Three different Case knives
commemorate the lOOth anni-
versary of the Colt Model 1911,
one of which is the Case Bowie.
175th anniversary?
The front tang has the Case
Case, the company who produces sonie of the best and most 2011 stamp. The back side
collected knives in America, has teamed with Smoky Moun- has the same COLT U.S.A.
tain Knife Works, the world's largest knife retailer and the tang stamp as the Case 175th
licensee for Colt, to make a collaboration of knives not Colt anniversary pocketknives.
The blade features special etched
only to mark Colt's 175th anniversary, but also to artwork commemorating the 1911 's
commemorate the lOOth anniversary of the Colt centennial. (photo courtesy of Smoky
Model 1911, the gun that forever changed the Mountain Knife Works)
world of pistols and quite possibly the out-
come of World War I. two very well-known, respectable American companies. Howev-
And in what appears to be a first er, onc niajor difference should makc these knives more collect-
for Case, the knives will include ible than the standard anniversary models. According to Case
tang stamps of both Case and spokesman Fred Fcightner, it is thought to be the first time Case
another company—in this in- has ever offered a knife or series of knives with both the Case tang
stan ce, Colt. stamp and that of another company.
Samuel Colt received a patent "Case has done much co-branding over the years," Feightner
for his design of a revolving pis- noted. "In most cases, these co-branded opportunities consisted
tol in 1836, and, after many triáis of a knife made by Case with a Case tang stamp and a shield, and/
and hardships, began making the or embellishment on the handle, and/or a blade representing the
pistols on a commercial basis for licensee's brand. Examples include the John Deere, John Wayne,
everyone from the Texas Rangers lohnny Cash, Boy Scouts of America or other licensed products
to the US. Army. The accuracy, in our current catalogs.
precisión and quality of Colt fire- "This is the first time in our recollection that a Case knife, or
arms wcre legcndary and inspired series of knives, has been offered in which another company's
the oíd saying, "God created man, lang stamp appears along with the Case stamping"
Sam Colt made them equal." Pete Cohan said all serious All of which, National Knife Museum Curator Pete Cohan
It is hard to find a movie about collectors should take note said, bodes well for Case aficionados and anyone who valúes col-
the Civil War, the Oíd West or even of the co-stamped Case/Colt lectible knives.
World War II in wbich yon do not knives. "This is a really signiricant move on the part of Case because,
see a Colt pistol carried or refer- to my knowledge, in all of their history, they have never done this
enced. The same is said about every great knife collection—that with another company before," Cohan noted, "and most serious
it is not truly complete if it does not include a fcw Case knives. collectors should take note of that."

Behind The Scenes Co-Stamped

About three years ago, Smoky Mountain Knife Works acquired The first series is a set of six pocketknives. On the fronl tang of
the exclusive licensing from The New Colt Hold-
ing Corp, to be the official licensee to design and
produce knives undcr the Coll brand ñame. Since Smoky Mountain Knife Works is one of two exclusive
then, Smoky Mountain Knife Works has not only sources for the Colt/Case knives, the other being retail
grown and improved the Colt line of knives, but stores supplied by Blue Ridge Knives. Inset is Kevin
Pipes, SMKW CEO and president. (photo of Kevin Pipes
also has expanded its licensing of Colt Ítems to courtesy of SMKW)
otfer a wide range of products under the
new Colt Tactical Gear line—everything
from tactical vests and universal pistol hol-
sters to AR-15 rifle cases.
"We are really excited to be able to bring
these two American companies together
and produce a series of products that we
believe every die-hard American cannot
live without in their collection," said Kevin
Pipes, president and CF,O of Smoky Moun-
tain Knife Works.
To many, it may seem like just another
set of anniversary knives made special by
 CASE/COLT

the primary blade of each is the Case 2011

stamp. Meanwhile, history is made on the
front tang of the secondary blade, where
each knife is stamped COLT US.A.
Along with the dual tang stamps, the
first series of pocketknives features a
"Rampant Colt," the symbol of Colt qual-
ity, etched on the center bolster. On the
secondary blade is not only an etching of
Sam Colt's signature but W.R. Cases sig-
nature as well. A gold color etch on the
primary blade reads ¡75th Anniversary of
Colt. All the knives have Colt-blue Del-
rin handles and are packed in collectible
I75th annivcrsary tín boxes. Depcnding
LANSKY
ÍSHARPENERS
on the pattern, the knives rangc anywhere
from $59.99 to $72.99 in manufacturéis
idard
irpening System suggested retail prices, and are available
IMI inciudes: Knife handllng clamp, oil, guide rods & sharpen-
exclusively at Smoky Mountain Knife
ing hones, whích all store in the handy carry case. Dozens Works and through Illuc Ridgc Knives.
oí accessories available such as hono for serrated kriives.
• Controlled-Angle Sharpening
1911 Centennial Knives
• Fully Customizable
'Ihreediffcrent Case knives commemorate
• American-made
the lOOth anniversary of the Colt Model
www.lansky.com 1911. The first and most prominent is the
Visit our website to víew our full catalog oí sharpeners or to find a doaler near you. Send for a FREE catalog: Case Bowie. The front tang has the Case
Lansky Slwpeners • PO Box 800, Dept BLA, Buffalo, NY 14231 • 71í 2011 stamp. The back side has the same
COLT U.S.A. tang stamp as the pocket-
knives. 'Ihe main blade surface features
i HININti "

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special etched artwork commemorating
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The other two Model 1911 anniversary
knives are trappers. One is the standard
"54" pattern and the other is the saddle-
horn. Each is sold separately and features
its own distinctive packaging celebrating
the pistol's centennial.
"After this first series of knives we are
planning on continuing the line with sev-
eral more series of knives," Pipes noted.
When asked what elsc is in store con-
cerning the knives, he simply said, "Stay
tuned."

For information on how to obtain your

The right knife...
Beckwith's at the right price...
Case/Colt knives, contad Smoky Mountain
Knife Works at 800-251-9306or visit www.
Rl^lffl^C [ii^AL._MAR smkw.com, or contad Blue Ridge Knives at
•_*ic»%awi* IsHpKÑfvES for the work you do!!! 276-783-6143 onestop<a>bli4eridgt>knives.
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J4127 D2 Tool Steel (Peened) 29.95 HF518 3/1612 x 18" CPMS 3SVN 69.95
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PF418 3/16" x 1 1/2" x 18" CPM 154. 46.95 8 1/2" ovciall, blade 3 3/8" x 1/8" thick.
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KNIFE SHOP & OYSTER BAR | By Chuck Schuette

HOW TO MAKE AND USE THE CHUCK

Spatks fíy as
Chuck grinds
SCHUETTE'"KING'S OYSTER KNIFE"
oñe of his oyster
knives. (photo
courtesy of
Chuck Schuette)

The Chuck ,
Schuette King's
Oyster Knife rests
atop a bed of
Chesapeake Bay
oyster shells. (phot
courtesy of Chuck
Schuette)
A h, the brave man who first ate the guts of a stone.
What a marvelous discovery! The lowly oyster
has been esteemed for thousands of years as a
gourmet food and is dístributed worldwidc in many
variations. In my homo state of Maryland there has al-
ways been a strong oyster culture, and the Chesapeake
Bay oyster is highly prized.
I carne to Maryland from the Midwest as a youth and
soon learned of the wonderfu! oysler and the bluc crab,
for which the Chesapeake Bay is also renowned—but
that is another animal. I am here to tell you how I make
my "King's Oyster Knife."
My wife, Pam, actually deserves the credit for urging
me to make oyster knives. I have forged many hunters,
camp knives, fighters and swords, and enjoyed making
them, but she would always say, "You should be making
uyster knives; they would sell like crazy."
Well, I finally listened and made a few and took them
to a local show, along with my usual fare. Darned if in
15 minutes the oyster knives werc sold and gone. Guys,
listen to your wives!
The first oyster knives 1 made were simple, standard
designs with stabilized wood handles. However, I re-
alized there was a niche for an upgraded model. We
wanted to produce something that would be very func-
tional but also bcautiful and eye catching, something
unlike anythíng else on the market. As the design has With the completad knife at upper right, the various parís appear in assorted
evolved, I think we are on the right path. stages of completion—handles at top, guaros, buttcaps and pin stock in the
middle, and 52100 bar stock and blades (in order of stages of compietion from
left) at bottom. (photo courtesy of Chuck Schuette)
Steel & Startup
When 1 first began the King's Oyster series, I was forg-
ing 1.5-inch round bar 52100E into suitable sizes for tire piece and let dry. I use a torch to heat the blade to the cor-
the smallish knives, but soon concluded forging was not really rect temperature and plunge it into 125°F quenching oil. Do this
improving the end product. My oyster knives are designed pri- three times over a three-day period. Draw the temper down in a
marily for prying and scraping, not cutting. As a result, now I use small oven so the blade has a Rockwell hardncss of 55-57 HRO.
5210QF, round b¿ir just over a half inch indiameter. My shop tests Do it three times for a mínimum of two hours, cooling to room
have shown the smaller bar produces a tool that is just as strong temperature between draws. This method gives me great results.
and allows for fewer steps in the process. 1 test ea_ch blade by trying to break the tips off. I have not bro-
Lel's get started. (Refer to the picture at upper right as a guide ken one yet.
for the following steps and for those under "Guard & Buttcap"
and "The Handle") Cut the bar stock to a predetermined length (¡uard Sí Huttcap
and mark it with a permanent marker to show the cul Unes. Next, Since nickel silver is easy to shape and embellish, 1 use it in sheet
grind a set of parallel flats on the billet to allow for the attach- and rod form for the guard and buttcap. Cut out squares of the
ment of a hardened file guide. Using the grinder, grind the stub material, mark them with the correct shapes and profile them on
tang to near the guide and finisb by hand filing, leaving a slight the grinder. Drill a hoie through the guard and hand-file it to fit
radius to prevent stress risers. the tang. Filework the center section of the guard and texture the
From there, using a small chainsaw file, cut three grooves background.
around the billet half the depth of the file to lócate the ricasso From there, cut a top and bottom piece oí" t h i n n e r stock, clamp
and blade. Next, grind ihe barrel-shaped ricasso. U goes quickly it to the cent,er piece, and drill two holes—one on cach side ior
if you do it on the edge of the pialen and with a flexible belt. pinning. Apply a little J-Ii Wcld-and pin the three pieces together.
Shape the point and ground out the top of the bladc for later Precisión holes allow foran invisible fit on the pins when sanding
beveling. Ihen, grind the bottom of the blade in the shape of the and polishing ihe top and bottom of the guard. Grind the guard
botlom of a spoon. Cut in the top bcvcls and the blade is ready lo match the lop and bottom with the oval center.
to hcat treat, Mark, profile and drill ihe buttcap to accept a short section
of pin stock bard soldered in place. Using the grinder, grind the
Heal Trealing dome shape. Filework the piece and it is ready for installation.
I leal trcatment is pretty standard for 52100. Normalize it three Complete the guard and, using J-R Wckl, install it on the blade.
times and thcn anncal. Apply a coat of satanite slurry to the en- Making everytbing Hat belps ensure a good fit.

FEBRUARY2012 blademag.com 4 5
 KNIFE SHOP & OYSTER BAR

The Handle
I use many different types of wood for
batidles but prefer olive wood, dcsert
ironwood and rosewood. They are stable
and beautiful when polished.
Cut a block 2 inches by 2 inches and 3.5
inches loiig, niark it for the profile, then
shape it on the grinder, using a 3-inch
wheel to help cut the contours. Shape the
handle completely before installation so
only minor fitting is necessary later. Glue
on the handle and install the huttcap.
We're alniost done!
I.astly, detail the knífe. Hand-sand the
blade to remove all scratches and buff to a
fine luster. Fine sand and buff the handle.
I etch my logo on the blade and give the
knife to my wife for final inspection. She
has a discerning eye that misses nothing.
Once she approves, the knife is off to ¡ts
new home and, hopefully, will open oys-
ters for many years.
Designing and making knives has becn
a very rewarding activity for me for some
three decades, and 1 hopc those who use
my knives expericnce the same level of
satisfaction I get in making them.
Keep on shuckin'!

TrU-Grít IRC. Knifemaking Supplie

E. Francis St. #N Ontario, CA 91761

Belts, Dir
es, I
g, Hardcore, 6a
Buffets Micarta Buffalo Horn
Buffs Ironwood Jigged Bone
Compound Pearl Stabilized Woods How To Shuck—
Etching Machines G-10 Bandsaw Blades
Steel Stag Kydex Phone: ) 923-4116 (909)923-7046
No Jive!

S
Adhesives Mosaic Pin Leatner Wheels Outot /onO)
532-3336 elect plump, well-shaped oysters and
Cases Rams Horn Respirators Fax: be sure they were harvested durmg
Oísc Grinders Camel Bone Safety Glasses Shop online a montri with the (etter "r" ¡n it (in
Contad Wheels Polishing Clottis & more email: other words, the colder the remperature
outside when the oysters were harvested,
the better);
Step 1: Hold the oyster down on a hard
surface with the flat-shell síde up, and
insert the poínt of the knífe mto the hmge;
Step 2: Pressing down on the knife
utJlizes the rounded bottom's mechanical
advantage and pops the hinge;
Step 3: Cut the oyster's top accutor
rnuscle and remove the top half of the shell,
and;
Step 4: Cut the bottom accutor muscle
and voila!—you have a perfectly shucked
oyster.
Enjoy! — by Chuck Schuette

KS
Step 1: Hold the oyster down on a hard
surface with the flat-shell side up, and insert
the point of the knife into the hinge.
 USAKnifeMaker KNIFEDOGS
For more information contad Chuck
Schuette, Dept. BL2, 2588A Davisonville
Rd., GambriÜs, MD 21054 410-721-7885
cwsknifediiverizon.net.

To read similar storics and (he tatest knife

news, forums, blogs and much more, see
h ttp://kn ifeshowcase. bladem ag. cotn. www.usaknifemaker.com www.knifedogs.com
BLADE MIDWEST KNIFEMAKERS SUPPLY, LLC
Phone: 507-720-6063 • Fax: 507-720-6305 • Email: info.usakms@gmait.com

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Step 3: Cut the oyster's top accutor muscle
and remove the top half of the shell.

>

Sfep 4: Cut the bottom accutor muscle and

you have a perfectly shucked oyster.

F E B R U A R Y 2012 blademag.com 47
 "MUCH OF MY
WORK DEVELOPS
LIKE A SERIES OF
LIGHTLYMISHEARD
^WHISPERS."

v
A handle <jf shakudo with
gold, silver and copper inlays
highlights Grace Horne's piece
in RWL-34 stainless. Blade
length: 2.25 inches. Overall
length: 5.5 inches. (Point
Seven photo)
G
race Horne is an artist, embrac-
ing the basic elements of her sub- Felt, wool, silk and
ject and then allowing them to aluminum combine
on the handle Home
take flight in her imagination.
customized for her
For two decades she has plied her craft "woolly" Spyderco
in the eradle of modern knifemaking, Urban folder. (Point
Sheffield, England. Before that, comple- Seven photo)
tion of her collcgc degree in design, craft
and technology required a project. For it
she ambitiously chose a set of three slip
joínts with damascus blades, making the
steel with artist and blacksmith Richard
Quinnell at his forge in the Fire and Iron
Gallery in Surrey. By 1994, Horne had
relocated to Shcfficld to seek an appren-
ticeship in knifemaking wilh Stan Shaw,
perhaps the last of the legendary "LiUle
Mesters," the independent Sheffield
knifemakers who helped sustain the citys
storied reputation for quality cutlery. (See
"Stan Shaw: Little Mester of Shefficld,"
March \994BLADE-.)
Though Shaw was unable to ñire an
apprentice, he gave Horne a box of oíd
blades to work with, some having been
forged a century before. "I decided to lake
a more academic approach," she recalled,
"completing both a knife-related masters
degree and Ph.D. at Sheffield Hallam Uni-
versity. My work was workshop based,
and the material I ended up working with
was layers of carbón steel separated by
99.99 percent puré silver foil. Visually, I
like steel and silver together. It is a combi-
nation I have often come back to over the
years. But if the two main rcsearch ques-
tions were 'Can it be done?' and 'Was it Based on a silver-bladed
worth the etfort?' then the answer would fruit knife made by William
Needham in 1918, "Shadow
have to be 'Yes.'" of Opportunity" put Horne's
Horne produces only about lü to 12 work before BLADE- readers
knives each year and does not accept on page 98 of the January
custom orders. She does not sell through 2010 issue. The handle is
kitn-fired giass enamel with
purveyors but maintains a lisl of people
sterling silver flecks. The
to notify when a knife is available or 2.95-inch blade is RWL-34
whcn her online portfolio is updated. She stainless. (Point Seven photo)
describes her work as m ate r i al-and-con -
cept driven yet deeply embeddcd with the
historical Sherfield knifemaking tradition. While knives are and at the end of each week I made all the bits ínto
one of her loves, another is textiles, and a recent foray new scales for that knife and then went on to the next
combined the two. one."
"A couple of years ago," she recalled, "while my new The modified knives actually incorpórate pieces of Ítems
workshop was being converted Irom an oíd Victorian such as corrugated board, duct tape, envclopes, and packag-
public toilet, I didn't have knifemaking space but my tex- ing mesh into the handles, and the effort has been followed by a
tile studio was still accessible. '[his Icd to my first pieces series of "fluffy" knives. Since knife laws are oppressive in Britain
that cross the boundaries belween knives and textiles. and the sight oí a pocketknife can elicit comments, Horne cov-
These modified Spyderco knives were thc result of a project to ered the Spyderco UKPK she often carries with woolen felt.
visnally represcnl ihe valué of knives as everyday tools. During a "I love felt making," she said. "II is versatile and the final prod-
three-week period I collected everything that I cut with the knife, uct can be very hard wearing. My complete knife just gets washetl

FEBRUARY 2012 blademag.com 49

 P R O F I L E IN STEEL

when it's dirty, and how can anyone be scared of a woolly knife?"
From a woolly knife, the innovative artist progressed to "cocoon
knives" that she characterized as soft, warm and visually non-threat-
ening. "Mosl of the fouiidation work is a woolen felt," she comment-
ed. "I use a combination of wet, necdlc and ñuño fclting to créate the
desired effect, incorporating silk, cotton and other meshes intu the
structure of the felt. The surfaces are then stitched, reworked, embroi-
dered and embellished.
"l-'olding knives fascínate me bccause they are all about change—
open and closed, dangerous and safe, big and small. A cocoon holds
a similar fascination; it is full of potential to be somethíng completely
difieren!."
When she finished her academic studies, Horne said she recog-
nized her education had bccn not only about the production of metal,
but also about the creative process. This led to the keeping of exten-
sive noles and sketches.
"I rarely take on commissions but, if I do, then part of the cre-
ative dialogue is often conducted through photos of drawings from
my sketchbook, and then photographs as the work progresses," she
Horne's "Cocoon
#2" incorporales
related. "Ihe story of each knife is importan!—why 1 made it, the
felt, wool, silk and inspiration behind it, what makes it difterent from Ihc other knives I
aluminum for the have madc. liecauseof this, cach knife has its own littlebookcontain-
cocoon handle. The ing vital statistics, life story, background information and pictures."
2.9-inch blade is
RWL-34 stainless.
Every knife Horne makes is one of a kind, likc the creative energy
(Point Seven photo) she channels into her work. "Much oí my work develops like a se-
ries of slightly misheard whispers," she smiled. '"Ihc title ofa picture
or a writtcn description of an event will
créate an image in my hcad that often is
very difierent from the one that would
have developed from a visual input. A
physical event becomcs a wrirren or
spoken distillation and is then reinvent-
ed as a new object. Very often, when I
track back, I am surprised at how far my
creativo process has lakcn me from the
original sourcc."
Tbough she never makes the same
knife twice, Horne does see recurring
themes in her work, and she revisits ba-
3 1/2" blade and 6 1/2" sic forms from time to time. She does
total length. (Sizesare not opérate a forge in her shop but does
enjoy making her own pattern-wcldcd
approximate.)
steel. Award-winning damascus niakers
$95.00 andf 6.00 shippfng Daryl Meier, Hank Knickmeyer and F.d
1095 high Carbón Steel, Elk handles, Schempp work with her in steel mak-
handmade custom leather sheath ing after some "gentle coaxing and tu-
ition" on Horne's part. She also likes to
To choosi; from available models, use RWL-34 and other Swedish stainless
go lo www.wildboarblades.com steels for knife blades.
Most of the work she does is by hand
or with a small surface grinder, and she
has plans to have a belt grinder up and
running soon. A visit to her shop reveáis
P.O. Box 328, Toutle, WA 98649 a number of hand tools used by jewelers,
360-601-1927 cutlers and watchmakers through the
generations. An oíd Shcffield knifemaker
'ww.wildboarblades.com ray@wildboarblades.com would probably feel right at home there.
Annual trips to the BLADE Show are

bO BLADE FFRRUARY?ni?
vital in maintaining contad with other
knifemakers and supplement her use of
social media such as Facebook. When
1MKISA TNK EXCLUSIVE
she comes to the USA, she has knives
photographed by Point Seven and catches
up with others in the global knifemak-
ing community. She also attends the
KnivesUK show and the SICAC show in
2V2" BLADE EDGE - 6W OVERALL LENGTH
París.
"I'm not entirely sure what my knives
will look like next year," Horne laughed.
'Tve started playing with glove leathers,
and 1 fancy incorporating some visual el-
ements from the corsets that I make. One
thing 1 am certain about ís that, yet again,
K.V.A.
KYDEX SHEAT
they will be completely different from the STARTS AT $22
stuff I'm working on at the moment!"

To read similar stories and the latest knífe

news, forums, blogs and much more, see
http://knifeshowcase.blademag.com.

Grace Horne
Depí. BL2, 182 Crimicar Ln
Sheffield, Britain
United Kingdom
S104EJ
07812672 788
gracehorne@hotmail.co.uk
Active on Facebook

Specialties: One-of-a-kind knives, fold-

ers and fixed blades
Blade Steels: Damascus of her own
making and also that of Daryl Meier,
Hank Knickmeyer and Ed Schernpp;
RWL-34 and other Swedish stainless
steels
Handle Materials: Any number of
different ones, from the traditional to
common, including everyday materi-
als not normally seen on knives; also,
shakudo (with a dark blue-purple
patina, ¡t is 4 percent gold, 96 percent
copper) and shibuichi (with muted
shades of blue or green, often one part
MadeilT
silver to three parts copper); also blue the US A
coral, mother-of-pearl, abáleme and
other natural substances
Your Grace: Makes 10 to 12 knives per
year; does not normally accept custom
orders
rice Ranges: $450-$900

F E B R U A R Y 2012 blademag.com 51
 HERO KNIVES By Gene Englehart BLADE® reader

II*

THE AUTHOR TOOK HIS DAD'S WARTHER COMMANDO KNIFE BACK TO ITS ROOTS

The author's dad kept the

Warther Commando Knife
in the original box and, as
far as the author knows,
nevar used it. The 7-inch
blade has the author's
father's ñame and serial
number engraved on it. The
sheath is original, (photo
courtesy of Gene Englehart)

The author (left) holds his dad's World War U Warther Commando Knife in the Warther knife shop
in Dover, Ohio. At right is knifemaker Dale Warther, grandson of Ernest Warther, Dale passed away
in 2010. (photo courtesy of Gene Englehart)

Editor's note: On page 114 of the Decem-
ber BLADE; we ran the story "Ed's Dad's
WWII Ek" about the knife BLADE field
editor Ed Fowler's dad carried during the
Second World War. Along with the story
we asked readers to sena us pictures and
information about their dads' military
knives. It didnt take longfor reader Gene
Englehart to suppiy the following.
mechanics in Michigan, Florida and
Oklahoma.
I believe it was when he was stationed
in Michigan thal he ordered a Comman-
do Knife from Krnest Warther in Dover,
Ohio. After Dad got thc knife, he kept it
in the original box and, as far as I know,
never used it. It has a 7-inch blade with
his ñame and serial number engraved on
it.
good fortune to meet Ernests grandson,
Dale, and to show him the knife. He told
me the copper in the sheath came from a
local sheriffwho had confiscated it from a
moonshíne still. 'Ihe brass came from the
kick plates on the men's room door at the
local bigh school. Ernests son Dave took
it all home for the war effort. Ernest made
only about 1100 of these knives and sold
them for about $15 apiece, which is prob-

M
y father, Orville Englehart of
Paw Paw, Illinois, spent four
years in the Navy as a chief
petty officer during World War II. He
was stationed stateside, Iraíning aircraft
Ever since I was a little kid the knife fas-
cínated me, and I was forbidden to touch
it. In 2009,1 took it with me on a trip Fast
that included a visit to the Warther Mu-
scum and workshop in Dover. I liad the
ably less than they cosí him to make.
Ernest was a genius and an incrcdibly
skilled carver and craftsman. Dale was
very gracious to me the day I vísited his
shop, and I was very sad to hear of his

52 BLADE FFR R I I A R Y
passing about a year later.
I consider Dad's Warther Commando
knife to be a family heirloom now.
Do you have your dad's knife or any knife
used hy any family member—including
you—while in the service? Send a photo-
graph or photographs of it andlor of you
or the family mcmbcr holding it, any infor-
mation/anecdotes about the knife and its
use by the family rnember who owned/car-
ried it, along with the knife's specs—brand/
maker, model, ovcrall length, your family
member's ñame, runk and branch/years/
theater of service, etc.—lo BLADE, 700
E. State St., ¡ola, W¡ 54990. ¡f digital, the
imdge(s) must be at least 600 K. E-mail it/
them to steve.shackleford@fwmedia.com.
To read similar stories and the latcst knife
news, forums, blogs and rnuch more, see
h ttp://knife$howcase.bíademag. com.
BLADE

Ernest Warther makes a metal sheath for

one of his Commando knives in 1943.

1 —

What s in your pocket í

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January 7-Q, 2012
George R. Brown Convention Center
Sat. 9:00 am (o 5:00 pm • Sun. 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Exhibit Set-up Fri. 11 am lo 8 pm • Sat. 7:30 am to 9 am
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700 Tables 8 ft - $75
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Du-Star Knife.... .62 Masecraft Supply 8 Uddeholms AB 11
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The advertigers' índex is provided as a reader service. Occasional last-minute changes may result in ads appearing on pages other than Ihose lisled here.
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F E B R U A R Y 2012 blademao mm
FACTORY FOCUS | By Dave Rhea BLADE® field editor

PUMA USA

An example of Puma USA's

new SGB tactical knives is
the Springbok Black assisted-
opening fíipper folder with a
3.3-inch blade of German-made
440A stainless steel. It is 4.2
inches closed and sports a lock-
ing liner in a black aluminum
handle. (Puma USA photo)
F
or Puma Knife Co., there ¡s a
con uncir uní. On the one hand,
Puma is among the world's most
famous and longest-lived cutlery brands,
recognizable because of a rich pedigree
and back story. It was the eighth regis-
tered trademark in Germany, founded by
Johann Wilhelm Lauterjung in 1769. That
alone is pretty darn impressive.
About halfway through the 20th centu-
ry, particularly after World War II, Puma
turned its focus to the outdoors by ramp-
ing up productton of huntíng, fishing and
pocketknives. "There were a lot of really
cool things done in the '50s, some of the
classics like the Waidbcsteck, Waidmess-
er and the (agdnicker," Vice Presiden! of"
Marketing and Operations Chris Lalik
said of Pumas models with the distinctive
Germán ñames.
However, while Kershaw, Columbia
River Knife & Tool and others have taken
leaps and bounds in recent years to make
their lines known, Puma has done little in
terms of keeping up in North America,
the world's largest knife market.
'Ihat is where Lalik enters the picture.
As a 16-year veteran specializing in bin-
ocular;;, scopes, optics and other Ítems
for Bushnell and Meade, he knows the
American sporting merchandise market.
The team of Lalik and Bob Carpenter, the
latter presiden! of Puma USA who adds
19 years of outdoor/sporting industry
expericnce to the equation, have spent
SGB'M Elk Hunter 6816050
Germán Blade
Characterized by Puma USA's Chris Lalik as probably one
of the most famous knives of all time, the Puma White
Hunter features a 5.9-inch blade of 440A staintess
with a big skinning belly, a false edge on top
for hacking, and old-style serrations for
three years
cutting through joints and gristle of wild
planning and game. The stag handle is rounded
executing a strategy for comfort. Made in Germany,
to return the Puma brand it has a manufacturéis
to tbe forefront. suggested retail pnce
of $409.95. (Puma
'1 here was a time when no such USA photo)
strategy was needed, Lalik noted.
"[Puma] was actually the No. 3
[knife] brand in the early '70s," he
explained. "The people who dis-
tributed it before changed the focus of
their business. Ihey focused a lot of their
eftbrts on ílashlights," though he said not just the tradi-
his predecessors' approach made sense tional hunters but some
in the context of the company business of the other parts of the knife
model as it was structured at the time. market for the younger consum-
Now, though, the emphasis has changed. ers who are looking for spríng-as-
"[Knives are our solé business and weare sist and ílip knives. We are trying
tbcusing 100 percent of our effort on the to realign the product line with what the
Puma knife brand," he continued. "This is consumers are looking for today."
all we do. We are in the knife business." Bringing to market what consumers
Carpenter and Lalik took over Puma want now breaks down to two major com-
USA in lanuary 2009. Since then they ponents: the aforementioned updating of
have been adding ncw knives, Lalik said, the line with more modern ofierings, and
and picking up new distribution fairly lowering the price point to something
regular I y, more affordable for working-class Joes.
"We are getting a significan! portion of These days, that means outsourcing part
our sales from the ncw knives that we've of the production to ("hiña. Puma USA
introduced," he said. "We're updating the recently entered the offshore production
product linc to make it more current— market in order to be successful at the
Clip and saw
blades of 440A stainless
•* steel and a handle of Jacaranda
wood complete the Warden lockback.
MSRP: $79.95. (Puma USA photo)
A 4.2-inch blade of 440A stainless, a stag handle
and brass single guard highiight the Elk Hunter
SGB. MSRP: $95.95. (Puma USA photo)
 FACTORY FOCUS
Thanks to such pocketknives as the Stock-
man SGB, Puma shows it has not forgotten
its roots. Blade steel: 440A stainless.
Handle material: brown jigged
bone. Approximate closed
length: 3 inches. MSRP:
$37.95. (Puma USA
photo)
latter component. The new line is called
SGB (Solingen, Germany Blade) and
Lalik said it is different than the standard
Asian-production offering.
The vast majority of tactory knives are
niade in Asía, he noted, so he of course
maintains no aversión to China-pro-
duced knives. However, he stressed that
German-made blade steel is the must-
have ingredient to a great Puma knifc.
With that in mind, he set out to lower the
cost of the company's otherwise some-
what-priccy knives by shipping pre-made
Puma models to China for assembly.
"What Punía is trying to do is bridge
the gap some between a pure-Asian prod-
uct and a pure-German product," Lalik
noted. "It's really more of a hybrid, and it's
really been selling very, very wcll."
A great example of a new SGB tactical
is the Springbok Black assisted-opening
ílipper folder with a 3.3-inch blade of
German-made 440A stainless steel. It is
4.2 inches closed and sports a locking lin-
er in a black aluminum handle. It is a far
cry from the traditional Puma slip joint.
Lalik said Puma also is devcloping a
folder based on the vintage Puma Tac
2. "We're updatíng the design, niaking
The Cougar exhibits the look and feel of an out-
standing using fixed blade—classic German-made
Puma in evety résped. (Puma USA photo)
it into a folder, and it will come with a
spring assist," he said. "It will combine an
older design with some of the things that
the modern consumers are looking for."
Meanwhile, the Puma line remains rich
with dassics, Including one in produc-
tion that premiered in 1956: the White
Hunter. It is an archetypal multi-purpose
hunting knifc that features a big skinning
belly, a false edge on top for hacking, and
old-style serrations for cutting the joints
and gristlc of wild game. With a 5.9-inch
blade, the White Hunter is all about vari-
able tasks. "Il has a lot of really cool fea-
tures," Lalik grinncd. "It's probably one of
the most famous knives of all time."
Otherclassicsremaining in the lineare
the 1964-era mililary offerings, the Cor-
poral, Lieutenant and Sergeanl. "Many of
these knives went over to Vietnam," he
explained. "People who were deployed
typically flew through (¡ermany, and they
would pick up a bowie or a skinner or a
White Hunter, and they would take them
to war. So, in that sense, [such Puma
models] were sort of the forerunners to
tactical knives."
Now that the Puma brand is making a
comeback, Lalik and Carpentcr are hope-
Puma Knife Co. USA
attn: Chris Lalik, Dept. BL2
13934 W. lOSth St.
Lenexa, KS 66215
913-888-5524
www.pumaknifecompanyusa.com
Specialties: Outdoor and utility fixed
blades, folders and pocketknives
Blade Steel: German-made 440A
stainless with a Rockwell hardness of
55-57 HRC
Handle Materials: Stag, brown jigged
( bone, Jacaranda wood, stainless steel,
ABS plástic and plexiglás
Furniture: Brass rivets, nickel or brass
bolsters
Puma Proofed: Each Puma blade made
in Germany is indented with a Rock-
well diamond hardness tester—look
for the small indented "proof" mark on
the nght-hand side just forward of the
ricasso
Accessories: 0¡l and water sharpening
stones, a pocket sharpener and metal
polisn, all under the Puma brand ñame
MSRP Range: $15.95-$409.95
ful their efforts can bring the richness
and quality of the brand to bear in North
America.
"We have focused on being easy to do
business with. Wc want people to like to
do business with us, both on a consumer
and retailer level," Lalik explained. "We're
advertising really for the first time in
probably 15 years. We're trying to get the
brand back out in front of people. We're
trying to let people know we're slill play-
ing the game and we're paying attention."
To read similar stories and the latest knife
news, forums, blogs and much more, see
http://knifeslwwcase. blademag. com.
BLADE
WHERE
KNIFE COLLECTORS
CONNECT WITH
KNIFEMAKERS
The Knife Showcase at BladeMag.com
¡sthe premier site for knife-collecting. Chat
with knifemakers, visit their blogs, find other
collectors, or buy knives. Whatever it is that
you love about knife-collecting, you'll find ¡t
in the Knife Showcase,

JOIN US TODAY.
click on Knife Showcase at www.BladeMag.com

. '
KNIFEMAKERS: INTERESTED IN SHOWCASING YOUR PRODUCT? CALL 888.457.2873
S T O C K S P E C I A L S | By Joe Kertzrnan
In Sharp Supply
MATERIALS-GO-TO GUYS OFFER SWEET DEALS ON KNIFEMAKÍNG STUFF
TEXAS KNIFEMAKER'S SUPPLY
T he Boone & Crockett Kit offers ev-
erything yon need to assemble a
quality, finished knifc, says Andrew
Robinson of Texas Knifemaker's Supply.
The kit includes an AUS-6A stainless Steel
blade heat treated to 58-59 HRC on the
Rockwell Hardness scale, epoxy, 3/16-inch
brass rod, Dymondwood™ handle scales
and thong hole tubing. Available for $29,
íf the kit's parts were sold separately, they
wouíd add up to $35.
"Whlle the Boone & Crockett Kit itself
is not necessarily unique to other knife
kits on the market, we offer our experience
and cxpertise, either by phone or c-mail, to
MASECRAFT SUPPLY
T;
* - ^his is without a doubt the high-
est-quality man-made material
that we ofFer," says Chris Hart-
man of Masecraft Supply. "It is manufac-
turcd to cxacting standards in the USA and
is true heirloom quality."
Hartman refers to M3 Metal Composite
knife scalc and bolster material, available
in blanks and billets. Macro-Molccular
Metals (M3) are part of a new breed of
composite materials used, according to
Hartman, for everything from the Stealth
Bomber to the International Space Station.
He says they are recognized for astounding
aesthctic properties, and for taking a high-
mirror fmish.
"They are made with puré metáis and
exotic elemenís," he notes. "Tht; engineers
at M3 Cornposite Industries produce them
in a variety of shapes and sizes, including
matched sets for knife scales. They créate
exotic metal colors, beautiful wood-grain
For the contad information for the
supplics jeaturcd in this story, see
"Where To Get 'Etn" on page 80.
To read similar ¡lories and a¡¡ the
latest knife news, forums, blogs and
much more, see http://knifeshaw-
iase.bliifleinag.com.
first-time knifemakers who are un-
familiar with the building process,"
Robinson states.
"For handle materials, customers
can choose from over 30 colors of
Dymondwood scales, and the only
finishing required is shaping, sand-
The Texas Knifemaker's Supply Boone & Crockett
ing and buffing with non-coloring
Kit includes an AUS-6A stainless steel blade, ep-
rouge," he notes. "The typical cus- oxy, 3/16-inch brass rod, Dymondwood'" handle
tomer is either a first-tíme builder, scales. and thong hole tubing.
or a returning customer who has
assemblcd a kit and has been re- gifts, and for Scout troops.
quested by a friend or family member to "We feel our kits are best utilized by
assemble one for them, as well. Customers putting them together and thcn using the
purchase kits for birthday and Christmas kníves in the field," Robinson adds.
patterns and metal combinations
never before possible." Knife scale
sets range from $30-$90, depending
on size and thickness.
"They are engineered to be dense
and stablc with a high strength-to-
weight ratio," Hartman claims. "The
colors and patterns run completely
through the material. It can only be
described as a modern-day versión
of mokumé gane, which literally transíales Described as a modern-day, affordable
alternative to mokumé gane, M3 Metal
to Svood-grained metal.' Real mokumé Composite is offered by Masecraft Sup-
gane ¡s more expensivc than M3, with M3 ply—in blanks and billets—for knife handle
being about the same price as our high-cnd scales and bolsters.
natural handle materials, and worth every
penny." the price a maker initially paíd us— for a
So confident are Masecraft officials of scale that breaks hy mistake while working
the strength and quality of M3, Hartman his or her first few pieces.
says the company offers a full replacement "It is unbelievably easy to turn, cut,
warranty against defects and "unsightly shapc and polish with standard wood-
patterns." "We even offer an 'oops insur- working tools, wood and metal iathes, or
ance'—replacing a part for 50 percent of CNC equipment," Hartman concludes.
FINE TURNAGE PRODUCTIONS
Mi
"" ~" ulti-colored fossil brain coral
is a hot new ítem we sell by
.the square inch," says Charles
Turnage of Fine Turnage Productions.
"Our coral is easier to work than mam-
moth tooth, and harder than bone. We of-
fer a video on working it on our Website."
Because of the variety of patterns, colors
and the company's large quantity of stock,
Turnage says fossil brain coral is becoming
many makers' handle material of choice,
and is colored and stabilized in house to
control quaüty. A set of two l-by-3-inch
scales is $20, or about $3.50 a square inch,
GIRAFFE BONE KNIFE SUPPLY
S
andy McClure of Giraffe Bone Knife
Supply reasons that, as long as the
company is offering new steel pat-
terns, knifemakers should be able to try
them at a discount.
The company debuts "Mumin" and "Big
Rose" Damasteel damascus patterns in 1 /8-
inch and 5/32-inch thicknesses. Each da-
mascus billet is comprised of UWI.-34 and
PMC-27 powder steels. Normally $16 per
inch in 1/8-inch thicknesses, and $18 per
inch for 5/32-inch-thick hars, customers
HALPERN TITANIUM
A
source of knifemaking supplies
since 1997, Halpern Titanium, in
addition to ofFering American-
made knifemaking supplies, continúes its
partnership with Spyderco and its "Mulé
Team Project," according to Halpern's Mel-
anie Sartori.
Spyderco describes the Mulé Team Proj-
ect as a "simple, inexpensive venue for
'steel junkies' to have an opportunity to
test different blade steels themselves. Each
run [of knives] is madc with a diíferent, in-
teresting steel. They all have the same pat-
tern, a full-tang fixcd blade. They all have
the same thickness, grind and edge, and
are hcat treated to the optimal hardness for
ihat steel."
and scales are availablc as large as 2-by-7
inches each.
"We were getting ready for the 2011
•*• ? J^H
BI.ADE Show, and what we had done is l ?"¿ fc >-
dye the coral for one day, take it out, dry
it, and then pul it in resin for another day
to stabilize it," Turnage explains. "My son
mistakenly pul it in resin that had hlack
dye in it, and it carne out black and red,
basically a douhle dye of rich colors. When
Goldie Russell saw it, she thought it was
unbelievable, so now we offer it in differ-
ent color combinations as a result of the
mistake."
can now get
10 percent
orf by men-
tioning they
read about the new pallfrn-- in lii.ADE .
"This is a great deal because it saves
money on a high-quality product," Mc-
Clure reasons. "It is different from other
producís because it is stainless, and bolh
steels harden. The steel is the same every
time, and easy to grind, heat treat, sharpen
and take to a high rinish. The two newest
Upon Spyderco president
Sal Glesser's suggestion
two ycars ago, Halpern
Titanium bogan machining
a limiled run of precisión G-10 handle
scales for the Mulé Team blades. "What
started out as a tríal run has turned into
a Mulé Team frenzy," Sartori quips. "To
keep things interesling, Halpern Titanium
has developed different styles of grips and
now offers fivc handle options in varying
textures and colors."
Complete with hardware, handle scales
range in list prices from $20-to-$40 per sel
of two, depending on style.
Halpern Titanium also has expanded
its inventory of titanium stock to indudc
F E B R U A R Y 2012
, . _•
"*li .
•
Fine Turnage Produc-
tions offers fossil
brain coral in a variety
of colors and patterns
for knife handles.
An example of "Big Rose" pattern Dam-
asteel damascus, available from Giraffe
Bone Knife Supply, comprises the blade
ofJerry McCIure's "Beaver Cleaver"
model in a rounded tip, mosaic-damascus
bolsters, a mammoth-ivory handle and
gold pins.
patterns fit nicely into our overall product
offe rings."
One of several G-l O scale
styles Halpern Titanium offers
for the Spyderco Mulé Team Project is
an orange diamond-textured pattern.
hard-to-find píate si/es, including a pre-
cut inventory of,180-to-.210-¡nch6AL-4V
titanium available in 1/2-square-foot-by-
1-square-foot sheets. Additionally, a .050-
inch-thíck, 10.5-¡nch-by-ll-inch titanium
sheet is available for $32, while supplies
last. Finally, in celebration of its upcoming
I5th anniversary, Halpern Titanium offers
Torx" screws at the reported 1997 price of
$12 per pack of 100. Socket-head screws
are$20-to-S25 for a pack of 100.
bladernag.com 71
STOCK SPECIALS

CENTER CROSS INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS The Hollow Ground

Hunter

G
ene Osborn has been making
knives for 30 years, offering hand-
forged damascus to other knife-
makers and accumulating a video library
of instructional knifemaking DVDs that he
oífers on his company's Website. 'Ihe vid-
eos are available on any number of knile-
making how-to's featuring such maker/in-
structors as Ed Cafí'rey, David Broadwell,
Duane Dushane, Harvey Dean, Steve John-
son, Don Polzten, Raymond Rybar, Johnny
Stout and Chuck Burrows, to ñame a few.
Done by Gene himself, oneof Osborn's
videos—The Hollow Ground Hunter—lakes
viewers through the process of fashioning
hollow-ground hunting knives using the
stock-removal method, simple jigs and ba-
•i
wiin Gene Osborn
sic edge geometry. 'Ihc "bcginner" DVD,
as Osborn describes it, carríes a lisl price
of $40, and includes instruclion on hollow
grinding, fileworking, and tasks like setting
screw depths and making sheaths. "Center
Cross Instructional Videos have set the
standards in knifcmaking videos since
2004," Osborn states.
In The Hollow Ground Hunter DVD, Gene
Osborn takes viewers through the process of
fashioning hollow-ground hunting knives.

T he maniifacturing división
Jantz Supply has created an ex-
clusive line of Crucible Steel full-
tang knife blades. Steels available are D2,
440C, 154CM, CPM-S30V and US.-made
damascus, all of which [antz reports are
Two full-tang knife blades offered for sale by Jantz Supply are shown as they come from
priced "to compete with imported prod- the supplier, as well as after the handle materials have been added.
ucts, which are often of lesser, unknown
materials and qualíty."
"It's a line of blades utilizing only USA Venice Jantz said Jantz Supply is the ex-
clusive U.S. distributor of GTC 440C thrust
materials, supplies and labor," claims Ven-
bearings designed by Brazílian knifemaker
ice (antz. "Qualily control inspections are Gustavo Cecchini for his handmade folders.
performed throughout the manufacturing
process to assurc the highest-quality blade.
Each Jantz full-tang blade pattern is preci-
sión ground before and after bevel grind-
ing, then cryogenically heat treated to en-
sure wear resistance, toughness and correct
Rockwell hardness for each type of steel.
"They are hard enough to retain a ra-
zor-sharp edge and flexible enough for a
perfectly crafted blade," Jantz adds. "Each
is finished with a choice of satin or 'ceramic and stcels for knifemaking," she claims. working with individual bearings that are
peen,' and each blade is hand sharpened to "Kach blade is etched with the type of difficult to take apart and reassemble," she
a ra?,or-sharp edge by a skilled craftsman." steel and 'Made in the U.S.A.' on the tang," notes. "Simply mili pockets in the blade
fantz says the company introduced the she adds, "allowing the knifemaker to etch and frame, place one bearing in the blade
blades lo promote knifemaking as a hob- his logo on the blade if desired." pocket, another in the framc, and yon have
by, as well as to offcr a quality product to [antz supply is also the exclusive U.S. an awesome, smooth, fast-opening sys-
novice and cxperienced knífemakers. Jantz distributor for GTC 440C thrusl bearings tem."
also offcrs Icather and Kydex* sheaths, bol- developed by Gustavo Cecchini for his fantz oflers the GTC thrust bearings
sters, guarda and handle material. "We are custom Iblding knives, according to Ven- for $2.95 each. List pnces for the full-tang
the only knifemaking supplier producing ice. "The GTC thrust bearing system is one knife blades vary from $17.95 to $39.95
and sclling its own line of custom blades piece, thus eliminating the frustration of apiece, depending on steel and frnish.
CULPEPPER & CO.
W
hen knifemakers purchase
amber-dycd stag from Culpep-
per & Co., it is the same price
as natural stag with no additional cost for
thc dye, according to Kristi Culpepper. As
she notes, "Probably thc greatest deal is the
stag or bone dying service because it allows
the maker or manufacturer to use those
pieces of stag or bone that are ugly or non-
matching in their natural statc, and trans-
forní them into a beautiful, salable pair cif
handle scales.
"We also offer a bone-jigging service,
which is particularly helpful in this econ-
omy, gíving makers and manufacturers
the ability to créate new product from oíd
stock. Though not necessarily new to the
market, carved 'stag hone [bone carved to
resemble stag| has become an economical
and accepted subsütute for stag in custom
and tactory knives."
Culpepper & Co. currently olfers a 25
percent discount on carved stag bone slabs
in specific si/es, like 3 3/4-by-l 1/8 inches,
until the end of 2011. Natural and dyed
carved stag bone handle scales are $8 and
$10 a pair, respectively, and availablc in
eight colors—"natural," amber, "fire oak"
(red), "mossy oak" (green), "lapis bine,"
dark brown, "sunset" (orange-brown) and
"moss green."
"The dye process penetrales the piece,
and in a way, stabilizes the voids witliin
thcm by filling ihem with substance," Cul-
pepper remarks. "The process can be used Culpepper & Co. offers carved "stag bone"
on all types of antier, including sambar, (bone carved to resemble stag) in eight
distinct colors.
elk, whitetail and axis, as well as bone, like
camel and cattle. We have even dyed ex- jigging services," Culpepper insists. "We of-
otic bone for a customer, and ¡I turned out fer around 40 dye colors, and 15 or so reg-
well. The supply of stag has not improved ular-stock jig patterns, and thus limilless
the last few years, and is becoming increas- combinations. We also offer a 100 percent
ingly difficult to obtain. return policy on these and other Ítems."
"We are thc only company in the world,
not only in the U.S., ottcring the dying and BLADE
F E B R U A R Y 2012 blademae.com
 [FE H E!R S DWCASE
"Knifemaker Showcase" spothghts the photographs of knives sent by any and all custom knifemakers to BiAÜE® for ftlmg ¡n the Knifemakers' Archive.
The Knifernakers' Archive is the most complete collection of photographs of knifemakers' knives and information ¡n the world. If you are a custom knife-
maker and have not sent us a photo (the better quality the photo, the better chance it has of getting ¡n the magazine), write to: BLADE, c/o Krause/F+W
Media, 700 E. State St., lola, Wl 54990, or e-mail Joe.Kertzman@fwmedia.com. Please include a mug shot of yourself with your knife picture.

Weslev Davis
A Texas ranchcr and part-time knifemaker, Wcslcy Davis was
intcrested in making knives long before he practiced the craft.
In the 1980s, he contacted now-deceased k n i f e m a k e r í í l e n n
Marshall. "He told me what I needed to get startcd and how
much it would cost," Davis relates. "1 hung up the phone and
looked in the l i v i n g room wherc my three kids were playing.
and I knew ¡t would be <t while heforc I could pursue ¡t." Once
Davis' kids werc grown, he became a membcr of the "Kour States
Iron Munchers," and a few uf the other nicmbcrs made knives. "The spark was back on,"
he says. "This was in 2004, and I had the money and lime to go to the Bill Moran Sehool
of Bladesmithing." Davis, who makes (blders and fixed blades. ñames liill Ruple and
Harvey Dean as inspirational and influcnrial knifemakers. "Making something with your
own hands and doing it well is satisfying," Davis remarks. "Most of the world relies on
someone clse to make things." The slccveboard whittler ( r i g h t ) sports ladder-pattern-
damascus blades, stainless steel bolsters, liners and sliield, and stag handle slabs. Davis'
list pnce: $ 1,000. Contaet Wesley Davis, Dept. BL2, POB 33, Cunningham, TX 75434 903-
652-2784 wwdavis(oístarband.net. www.wesdavisknivcs.com. (Point Seven photo)

Shawn Shrooshire
"The outdoors is where I gct recharged," says Shawn
Shropshire, who ñames hunting, fishing, hiking. camp-
ing and canocing as favorite pursuits. "I love to be able to
take one of my knives into the field and use it on game
or in bushcraft activities. I test designs and malcriáis on
game that I harvest, and am more comfortable walking
on grass and din than on concrete and asphalt." A full-
time pólice officer, Shropshire plans lo spend inore time
b u i l d i n g military, tactical, h u n t i n g and frontier-style
knives when he retires. An Eagle Scout and assistant Cub Scout pack leader.
Shropshire says, 'Tin passing on my passion for knives to the Scouts in my pack.
I gct to take them out and teach ihem the things I learned." The bowie/fighter
(lel't) dons a D2 bladc, stag handle, Alabama Damascus guard and pommel,
and a frontier-style rawhide sliealh with beaver-tail wrap. Shropshire's list price:
$400. Contad Shawn Shropshire, Dept. BL2, POB 453, Picdmont, OK 73078 405-
833-5239 shawn@sdsknifcworks.com, www.sdsknileworks.com. (Ward photo)

Paul Jarvis
"I have been gifted with a good imagination. and I
wish to use it to its fullest," says Paul Jarvis, adding
that a machine shop teacher encouraged him to gct
into knifemaking. "lúich knifc 1 made was getling
better, and he told me so, which led me to make
more knives," he recalls. "I have always liked knives.
and I also collcet Europcan automatics and aunque
Japanese swords. The thing 1 likc about knifcmaking
is that it s only limited by your imagination." A part-time maker and full-time
machinist, Jarvis says he ollen spends six months on a knife, and enjoys work-
ing with silver, bronze and gold. His "Fixed Fighter" (right) paradcs a 12-inch
Dcvin Thomas damascus blade, a tcxturcd and blackened nickel silver guard
blade collar and butt. a mammoth-tooth handle, bronzc fittings and spacers,
and a Chris Kravitt leather sheath. Jarvis' list price: $7,500. Contaet: Paul
Jarvis, Dept. BL2, 30 Chalk Si., Cambridge, MA 02139 617-913-2008 or
617-661-301? pauljarvisknives(í/'gmail.com. (SharpByCoop.com photo)
 Jim Dunla
"It's not about making a dollar, it's about making
Btnnething someone is proud lo own," surmiscs
knifeinakcr Jim Dunlap. "It's the pride and
craftsmanship thal goes inlo making the knives.
I have always liad a knifc in my pocket, and I
don't know how anyone coukl makc it wilhoul
one" Dunlap builds slip-joint and locking-lincr
folders, and says he cnjoys being around othcr
knifemakcrs to sce what thcy make and to learn from them. A part-time
maker. he builds approximately 40 knives a year and prefcrs ATS-34
blade stecl. "I like sccing the km te dcvclop through the whole process,
from what it was to what it turns out to be," he says. "1 am a hunter and
fisherman. I don't know who gave me my first knifc. Tve liad one as
longas I can rcmcmber."The slipjoint (right) is 3 5/8 inehes closed with
a clip-point ATS-34 blade, 410 stainless stecl bolstcrs, lincrs and springs,
and stag handlc slabs. Dunlap's list price: S300. Contad: Jim Dunlap,
Dept. BL2, 800 E. Badger Lee Rd., Sallisaw, OK. 74955 918-774-2700
dunlapknive8@gmail.com, (Kayla Minchew photo)

Ernie Swanson
A tull-iimc truck driver, Ernie Swanson uses his time
wisely on vvcekends, fashioning fixed-blade hunters
from high-carbon and stainless steels. stabili/.ed wood,
M ¡carta", nickel silver and brass. "I got into knifemaking
bccausc 1 always wanted a well-built knife bul could not
a fiord one. A member on BladeForums offcrcd to scnd
me somc supplies," Swanson relates. "The craftsmanship
is what it's all about for me, not so mueh the arl, but good. "
flowing lines. The strength and overall fccl of a good knife is hard to beat." An
avid hunter and fisherman, Swanson reasons that nol only is a knífe somcthing he
cannot live without. it has more uses than any othcr tool. Me ñames Bruce Bump,
EdCaffrey, Liob Loveless, Bill Moran, Ken Erickson andTodd Davidson as influ-
enees. "These are makers who, without ever talking to thcm, blew me away with
their work," he says. The drop-point hunter ( l e l t ) fcatures a 4.25-inch 1084 blade.
a spaltcd-birch handle and nickel-silver pins. Swanson's list price: $ 125. Contad:
Ernie Swanson, Dept. BL2, 23642 State Rd. 35, Lot 42, Siren, WI 54872 715-
349-5766 bigcrn26@gmail.com. (Kayla Minchew photo)

Chad Nell
Growing up in Manti. Utah, gave Chad Nell the opportunity
to spend valuablc time with knifcmakers Steve Johnson and
John Young. "They have been willing to sharc their tcchniqucs
and seercts about making a high-quality, precisión knife," Nell
cxplains. "Everything I have Icarned about knifemaking has becn
from those two talentcd artists." Having becn in the business
only since June 2010, Nell says knifemaking has becoine one
of the passions and great joys in his life. "My dad was a mastcr
meehanic who enjoyed making beautifully craftcd arrowhcads from tlint gathcred in the
hills surrounding Manti. He gave me my first Schrade Oíd Timer pocketknife when I was
6 ycars oíd, and 1 have been hookcd on knives ever since," Nell relates. He employs CPM-
154 and ATS-34 blade steels, 416 stainless for guards and fittings, and stag, sheep horn,
ivory, giraffe bone, exotic woods and synthctic handlc malcriáis. Every knife he builds,
from small hunters to sub-hilt fighters, has a tapered tang. and his list prices range from
$350-51,200. Hís versión of a Bob Loveless-stylc chute knifc (right) showcases a 4.5-inch
CPM-154 blade. a 416 stainless steel guard and fittings, a desert-ironwood liandle and a
brick-rcd spacer. The basket-weave-style lealher belt sheath is by Coot Pollock. Ncll's list
price: $625. Contact: Chad Nell, Dept. BL2, 75-6201 Hookuku Moho Pl.. Kailua Kona, HI
96740 435-229-6442 ncllknivcs(<í gmail.com. www.nellknives.com.

F E B R U A R Y 2012 bladetnag.com 75
BLADE
The World's ti Knite Publication
M NET 'EM
7OO East State St.
lola, Wl 54990-0001 A.G. Russell Knives, Inc. Buckeye Engraving Cutlery Specialties
PH. 715-445-4612 www.agrussell.com www.steelhandstamps.com www.restorationproduct.com
Fax: 71 5-445-4087 ag@agrussell.com stamps@steelhandstamps. Renaissance Micro-
www.blademag.com Adiinis International com Crystalline Wax/Polish
Missy Beyer, Manufacturer of Custom Dennis Blaine; dennis13@
Knifeworks
Advertising Sales aol.com
ext. 13642 www.adamsknifeworks.com Hand Stamps
e-mail: adamsintemational@yahoo.com Busse Combat Knife Company Der Knives
missy.beyer@fwpufas.com Automatic & Customized www.bussecombat.com www.derknives.com
Bruce Wolberg Cutlery Specialists busse@bright.net don@derknives.com
Advertising Sales Alaska - Northern Knives C.A.S. Hanwei Discount LED Lights and
ext. 13403
e-mail; www.northernknives.net www.cashanwei.com Knives
bruce. wolberg@fwpubs. A Real Store & Working Knite info@cashanwei.com www.lightsandknives.com
Shop! Canada's Knife Zone info@lightsandknives.com
Ars Cultri EK Online Knife & Sword Store Don Hanson III
www.arscultri.com www.knifezone.ca Sunfish Forge
Mantred.Melzer@arscultri.com sales@knifezone.ca www.sunfishforge.com
Artknives.com Chestnut Ridge Knife Shop www.donhansonknives.com
www.artknives.com www.ridgeknifeshop.com DLT Trading Company
fred@artknives.com orders@ridgeknifeshop.com www.dlttradingcompany.com
Atlanta Cutlery Classic Knife Design customerservice@
www.atlantacutlery.com Robert Nelson Parker dlttradingcompany.com
atlcut@mindspring.com www.ClassicKnifeDesign.com Bob Dozier Knives
Beckwith's Blades RNParkerKnives@wowway.com www.dozierknives.com
www.beckwithsblades.com Cobra Imports info@dozierknives.com
info@beckwithsblades.com Swords, Knives, Armor Ek Commando Knife Co.
Benchmade www.cobraimports.com www.EkKnife.com
www.benchmade.com cobraimports@aol.com HQ@EkKnife.com
info@Benchmade.com Cóndor Tool & Knife, Inc. Brian Forrest
Bill Buxton Knives ww.condortk.com www.tomahawkshop-
1 www.billbuxtonknives.com rtj@embarqmail.com Forrestforge.com
; camper@yhti.net COWBOYKNIVES.COM TacticalTomahawks
Blade Art Inc. www.cowboyknives.com
polygrass@aol.com Grand Prairie Knives
www.bladeart.com
info@bladeart.com www.gpknives.com
Culpepper & Co., Inc. gpk@gpknives.com
Blade HQ, LLC www.knifehandles.com
www.bladehq.com www.stingrayproducts.com Great Eastern Cutlery
cam@bladehq.com info@culpepperco.com www.GreatEasternCutlery.net
Sales@greateasterncutlery.net
BladeGallery.com Custom Knife Gallery of
www.bladegallery.com Colorado Ernie Grospitch
www.bladeconnection.com www.customknifegallery.com Custom Handcrafted Knives
www.epicedge.com bob_glassman@yahoo.com www.erniesknives.com
BladeOps, LLC Custom-Knives.com Guild Knives -Selling
www.BladeOps.com www.custom-knives.com Custom Collection, Don Guild
trevor@bladeops.com Custom Leather Knife www.guildknives.com
L Brian Tighe Sheaths Halpern Titanium
¿r www.tigheknives.com www.customsheaths.com www.halperntitanium.com
tigheknives@xplornet.com rschrap@aol.com info@halperntitanium.com
•— •• ^—- fc _
 Hawkins Knife Making Supplies
www.hawkinsknifemakingsup-
plies.com
sales@nawkinsknifemakingsup-
plies.com
Hollinan Haus Knives
www.hoffmanhausknives.com
hoffmanhaus1@yahoo.com
Order Custom Knives
Hoffman Knives - Setling
Top Quality Collection - Walt
www.hoffmanknives.com
Jays Knives/American Edge
www.jaysknives.com
jay@jaysknives.com
JerzeeDevil
webdevil@jerzeedevil.com
www.jerzeedevil.com
The best damn forum, period
the-knife-connection.com
www.the-knife-connection.com
FREE Shipping-Discount Pricing-
In Stock
dale@the-knife-connection.com
Knife Country USA
www.KnifeCountryUSA.com
Questions@KnifeCountryUSA.com
Knife Center oí the Internet
www.knifecenter.com
info@knifecenter.com
Knife City Outlet
www.knifecityoutlet.com
ofelia@knifecityoutlet.com
Knife Mart
www.knifemart.com
sales@knifemart.com
KnifeKits.com
www.knifekits.com
We Ship Worldwide
Knives Plus
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KnivesPlus@KnivesPlus.com
Lee's Cutlery
www.LeesCutlery.com
beeneJL43@earthlink.net
Lightfoot Knives
www.lightfootknives.com
pitbull@lightfootknives.com
Marzitelli Custom Knives
www.marzknives.com
info@marzknives.com
Mastersmiths
www.beautifulblades.com
bill@beautifulblades.com
DON MORROW
Morrow Custom Knives, Inc.
www.morrowknives.com
don@morrowknives.com
Specializing in Custom Folders
Moore Cutlery
www.moorecutlery.com
gary@moorecutlery.com
MIKE MURPHY
Michigan Custom Knives
www.michigancustomknives.com webmaster@smkw.com
mlds@tm.net
Purveyor of Custom Knives
Neilson's Mountain Hollow
J Neilson
www.mountainhollow.net
mountainhollow@epix.net
New Graham Knives
www.NewGraham.com
mdye@newgraham.com
Northwest School of Knifemaking info@petersteynknives.com
Bronksknifeworks.com
bronks@bronksknifeworks.com
O'Brien Knives
www.obrienknives.net
Handmade Custom Knives
O'Hare Knives
sean@ohareknives.com
www.ohareknives.com
Only Fine Knives
www.onlyfineknives.com
Specializing in William Henry,
Chris Reeve, Strider and Custom www.truenorthknives.com
Handmade
Peter Martin Knives
www.PeterMartinKnives.com
martinknives@hotmail.com
Qumtessential Cutlery
Grazyna Shaw Custom Knife Purveyor
www.quintcut.com
gshaw@quintcut.com
Rich Staebler
www.rmcustomknives.com
Richard@rmcustomknives.com
Darrel Ralph
www.darrelralph.com
darrel@darrelralph.com
Únele Al
www.riversidemachine.nel
UncleAI@riversidemachine.net
Santa Fe Stoneworks
www.SantaFeStoneworks.com
knives@RT66.com
Unique one of a kind gemstone
handled cutlery
Shepherd Hills Cutlery
www.casexx.com
info@shephills.com
Smoky Mountain Knife Works
www.SmokyMountainKnifeworks.com
Sooner State Knives
www.soonerstateknives.com
ssknives@swbell.net
Steel Addiction Custom Knives
www.SteelAddictionKnives.com
davestark@steeladdictionknives.com
Peter Steyn (South África)
www.petersteynknives.com
Swamp Rat Knives
www.swamprat.com
info@swamprat.com
The Cutting Edge®
www.cuttingedge.com
cejnfo@cuttingedge.com
The aftermarket for Knives
Toolshop
www.toolshop.de
info@toolshop.de
True North Knives
info@truenorthknives.com
Twin Blades
www.twinxblades.com
twinblades@bulloch.net
Unique Blade LLC
www.uniqueblade.com
support@uniqueblade.com
Richard S. Wright
www.richardswright.com
rswswitchblades@hotmail.com
 SHOW CALENDAR
Note: Events murked with un asterisk (*) nave knives
setttinars or sympo.sitims, blf/e-thruwíng compttíttons,
qfon'im'ntioned "**" events. líLADE^'a "Show Calendar"t
NOVEMBER
NOV. 5-6 MT. VERNON, IL Mt. Vernon
Knifc Show, Jeffcrson County Custom Knife
Club, Roland I.ewis Community H u i l d i n g
in the Mt. Vernon Veterans Park. Contad
Nancy or Larry Hancock, 12193 E. Turner
Dr, Deptw. BL2, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864 618-
242-4514jcckcl982@yahoo.com.*
NOV. 11-12 CHATTANOOGA, TN Soddy-
Daisy Knife Collectors 1 two-day show,
Alhaiiibra S h r i n e Temple. Contact Ron
Franklin 423-400-4812 or Dewayne Huckner
423-332-5671 www.sdkca.com.*
NOV. 12-13 TULSA, OK Wanenmacher's
Tulsa Arms Show, Expo Square (Tuisa fair-
grounds}. Contad Tuina Gun Show, Inc.,
Dept. BL2, POB 33201, Tulsa, OK 74153 918-
492-0401 tulsaarms.show.com.
NOV. 18-20 JERSEY CITY, NJ The 34th
Animal New York City Custom Knife Show,
The Westin-Jersey City Newport. Visit www.
nyckshow.com tor more Information."
DECEMBER
DEC. 8-10 S E V I E R V I L L E , TN Park
ers' Greatest Knife Show on Earth, Sevier-
ville Events Center. C a l i F.d I le u l e y
423-892-0448."
DEC. 10 EUGENE, OR Oregon Winter
Knife Show, Lañe County Convenlion Center.
Contact POB 2091, Dept. BL2, Eugene, OR
97402 www.oregonknifeclub.org.*
DEC. 11 TIMONIUM, MD Chesapeake
Knife Show, Crowne Plaza. Cali 410-343-
0380 http://knifiMh0WB.com,*
JANUARY 2012
JAN. 6-7 HELSINKI, FINLANI) Helsinki
Knife Show, Hotel Marski. Contad info(¿¡>
helsinkiknifeshow.com (c/o Pekka Tuom-
inen), www.helsinkiknifeshow.com."
JAN. 20-22 LAS VEGAS, NV Trie 50th
Annual Antique Arms Show, International
Sporting Arms Show and Invitational Knife-
makers Show, Riviera Hotel £ Casino.
Contact Beinfeld Productions, attn: W. Bein-
feld, Dept. BL2, POB 2197, Cathedral City,
CA 92235 fax 760-202-4793 e-mail gunshow-
pro@aol.com, www.AntiqueArmsShow.
JAN. 21 LAS VEGAS, NV The 8th Annual
Táctica! Invitational Knife Show at a site to be
7fi BLADF FFRRIIARY
d hiifc accessories as the main/sole focas. Events marketl \vith Aiw asterisks (**) atv knifcmaking
ting comi>elitii>ii\. uuctions or similar events, or knife shows fhat alst> indude orle or more of the
.wcn on /?/,/f/)/:,'v website til WwW.biadeTnag.CQm.
determined. Contact lid Wormscr 847-757-
9926 e-mail edwll@aol.com, http://Tacti-
callnvitational.com.*
JAN. 27-29 SAN ANTONIO, TX The Amer-
ican Bladesmith Society's 9th All-Forged
Blade Expo, Sheraton Gunter. Cali Harvey
Dean 512-446-3111 or Steve Dunn 270-563-
9830 www.absknifeexpo.com.*
JAN. 28-29 ST. LOU1S, MO Gateway Área
Knife Club Cutlery Fair 2012, Carpenters
Hall. Cali Mike 636-566-6632 or e-mail gate-
wayareaknifeclub@gmail.com.*
F E B R U A R Y
FEB. 3-5 I.AKELAND, FL The 34th Annual
Gator Cutlery Club Custom, Modern &
A n l i q u e Knife Show, Lakeland Center.
Contact Dan Piergallini 813-754-3908 or
813-967-1471 gatorcutlery.com.'
FEB. 18-19 LITTLE ROCK, AR The 2012
Arkansas Custom Knife Show, Robinson
Center Rxhihit Hall. Contact David Etchie-
son, Dept. BL2, 60 Wendy Cove, Conway, AR
72032 501-554-2582 aka@alliancecable.nct,
www.arkansasknifcmakers.com.*
M A RCH
MARCH 2-4 JERSEY CITY, NJ The 2012
East Coasl Custom K n i l e Show, The Weslin-
Jersey City Newport. Visit www.nyckshow.
com for more Information.*
MARCH 3 NORMAN, OK Oklahoma KGA
Knife Show, Cleveland County h'airgrounds.
Contact Sandy McClure 405-321-3614
sandymc@hughes.net.*
MARCH 9-11 DALTON, GA The Dalton
Knite Road Show, Northwest Georgia Trade
and Convention Center. NKCA-sanctioned.
Cali 423-238-6753 spiritofsteel@ymail.com,
www.spiritolsteel.com.*
MARCH 10-11 FORT WORTH, TX Lone
Star Knife Expo, Stampede Rooni, Stockyards
Station. Contact Loyd McConnell 830-798-
8087 Thomas Rucker 936-205-4657 www.
lonestarknifeexpo.com.*
MARCH 17 WINDGAP, PA Eastern Penn-
sylvania Knife Collectors Show, Plainfield
Fire Co. Contact Bill Odor 610-982-5773 or
Tomlobst 610-965-8074.*
MARCH 23-25 JANKSVILLE, WI Badger
Knile Show, Holiday Inn Express and Janes-
ville Conference Center. Contad Bob Schrap,
POB 511, Dept. BL2, Elm Grove, WI 53122
414-479-9765 badgcrknifeclub@aol.com.*
MARCH 23-25 PASADENA, CA Knife Expo
2012, Pasadena Convention Center. Contact
the Southern California Blades, c/o Show
Chairperson Helen Nauert KnifeExpo2()12@
att.net.*
MARCH 23-25 SALT LAKE CITY, UT Salt
Lake City Knife Show, South Towne Expo-
sition Center. Contact Rocky Mountain
Productions LLC www.rockymountain-
knifeshow.com. or cali David Jacobson 208-
447-7000.*
MARCH 30-APRII. 1 HARRISONBURG,
VA The 21st Annual Shenandoah Valley
Knife Collectors Show, Rockingham County
Fairgrounds. Contact Ralph Eagle 540-828-
0778 or Wes Shrader 540-862-3877 www.
svkc.org.*
A P RI L
AFRIL 14-15 EUGENE, OR The 37th
Annual Oregon Knife Show, Lañe Events
Center. Contact Oregon Knife Collectors,
POB 2091, Dept. BL2, Eugene, OR 97402
541-484-5564 www.oregonknifeclub.org.*
APRIL 19-21 FT. MITCHELL, KY The
(ircater Cincinnati Knife Show, Drawbridge
Hotel and Convention Center. NKCA-sanc-
tioned. Cali 423-238-6753 spiritofsteel@
yniail.com, www.spirilofsteel.com.*
A P R I L 28 SOLVANG, CA The Solvang
Custom Knife Show. Cali Nordic Knives 805-
688-3612.*
APRIL 28-29 NOVI, MI Wolverine Knife
Collectors Show, Suburban Collection Show-
case. Cali Pat Donovan 586-786-5549 or
FrankMeek 586-264 2031.*
JUNE
JUNE 8-10 ATLANTA, GA The 31st Annual
BLADE Show & International Cutlery Fair
& Tactical Gear Expo, Cobb Gallería Centre,
1-285 8t US 41, one exit off 1-75 across from
the Cumberland Malí, adjacent to the Renais-
sance Waverly Hotel. The world's largest
combined show of handmade, factory and
antique knives. Over 700 tables and almost
175 factory booths. )oin the world's great-
est national and international knifemakers,
cutlery manufacturers, colleclors, collections
and knife lovers. Site of the Illade Magazine
2012 Knife-Of-The-Year* Awards for factory
knives, the Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-
 J. BRIfflE VOYLES
AUCTIONEERS
Fame« induction and much more. Site of the
annual ABS mceting and spccial Knitemak-
ers' Guild section. Seminars include the lOth www.JBruceVoyles.com
Annual BLADK Show World Championship
Cutting Competition, forging demo, how to
collect, how to make, the latest malcriáis, etc. AMERICA'S KNIFE AUCTIONEERS
Contact BLADE', do F-t-W Media/Krause
Publications, attn: Alicia Newton, 513-531- 423-238-6753
2690 ext. 11310, alicia.newton@fwmedia.
com, www.bladcshow.LOin. * ""
J U L Y

ÍULY 27-29 ROGERS, AR A.G. Russell's

Knife Event 2012, John Q. H a m m o n s
Convention Center. Contact A.G. Russell
Knives, attn; 13. Myers, Dept. BL2, 2900 S.
26th St.. Rogers, AR 72758 479-631-8493
www.kni feevent.com."
CUSTOM KNIFE SHOW
AU G U ST
L TTIn pll
lili
AUG. 11-12 MISSOULA, MT Montana
Knifemakers Association 17th A n n u a l
Custom Knife Show & Sale, Montana
Harley-Davidson. Contact Dan Westlind
T EBnnnmfeDTT"
Robinson Center Exhibition Hall
360-795-0228 westlind@wwestsky.net or
Nancy McLaughlin 406-728-2861 macnan-
424 W. Markham (6y<Dou6fcTree!Hate()
cymclaughlin@yahoo.com.* Opcn to llic Public SAT: 10-5 SUN: 10-3
$5 Admission Dol HirTKFt HOTEL: to 6efjirfn away al (fie sfimr
AUG. 17-19 DENVER, CO Professional 8(10/9,17-2789
501/372-4371
Knifemakers Association 20th Annual SPM ni HOTM. Sium R u i :
Denver Custom Knite Show, Crowne Plaza- SI 12 \IIMi1iVlMII HL.K
$122 iNiri.v $l32QnAi,
D1A. Contact Mike or Denise Alien 903-489-
1026 whiskersknives@aol.com."
E PT E M B E R
SEPT. 13-16 LOUISVILLE, KY The 43rd J)tiraíi.« n.\
Annual Knifemakers' Guild Show, Seel-
hach Hilton Hotel. Contact Blade Magazine gfaipfi J(jchanCs Kríday MulH
Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© member Gil Hibben Kcevptian
502-222-1397gil@hibhenknives.com.* (¡rund Prizt

To ensure tímely publícation ofyour knife show

in the "Show ('.alendar," BLADE1 requcsts that
you scnd all pcrtinent Information coticerning I t n i i Kni" ,'ttt A/"7c
(irinder
youT show in written Jorm—dates, locations,
etc.—at least three months befare the show » símil Tei Skow. MS Burr King
takes place to Krause Publications, a división Mike Alien. TX Bill Dufl, OK Roger Massey, AR Logan Pearce, AR Marvin Solomon, AR Forresl Cases
o/F+VV Media, attn: )oe Kertzman, 700 E. David Andera. AR Fred Durio. LA Jerry McCIure. OK Jotin Perry, AR Craig Sleketee, MO Culpepper & Co
Russ Andrews, MO Lee-ünda Ferguson, AR W. J. McDonald, TN Paul Plccola, TX Ed Slicker, MS Chuc* Ward Photography
State St., lola, WI 54945 715.445.2214 fax Reggie Barker, LA Jerry Fisk. AR Robert Merz, TX Rusty Polk, AR C na ríes Stoul. AR Giraífeoone, Inc.
715.445.4087. BLADE depends on the shows Kim Breed. TN Ronrie Fosler. AR Bill Miller MO Steven Rapp, NC Tim Tabor, FL Green River Lealher
Tim Bmion, NC BobHam.AZ Sidney Moon, LA Venwn Red, AR Brian Thie. IA Knife World
themselves for prompt and accurate informa- BillBuítan.MO Don Hanson III, MO Gary Mulkey, MO Lm Rhea, AR Bnon Tomberlin, OK Kochheiser Ivory
tion. Joel Chambhn. GA Douglas-Gall Hardy. GA Keith Murr. AR Ralph Richards, AR RusselITownsley.AR Jirn's Specially Wood
J R.Cook.AR Larry Inman. AR Mark Nevling. IL Ron Ricdersov KY Pete Truncali, TX Pop Knife Supplies
Larry Cox, AR Lacy Key, AR Alan Newberry, AR Kyte Royer, MO JimWalker.AR Riverside Machine
To read similar stories and all the latest knife JimCrowell.AR Harvey King, KS Corbln Nowcomb, MO Michael Rulh, Jr., TX John While, FL Rowe's Leather
news, forunts, blogs and knifemaker profiles, Jesse W. Dauís, MS Ray Kirk. OK Ron Newlon, AR Mike Ruth, TX Alábanla Damascus TX Knifemakers Supply
WesteyDavis TX Jprry Latrsor. OK ClitfPatker FL Richard Self TX AnKrom Exolics Wood Lab
see http://knifeshowcase.blatlemag.com.
David Etcnleson 501.554.2582 akaia iillianccciiblc.net www.arkansiisknifcniakers.com
BLADE
FEBRUARY 2012 blademag.com 79
 W H E R E T O GET 'EM
R COAT OF ARMS
enemigan Benchmade USA, attn: Alicia Hunt,
Dept. BL2,300 Beavercreek Rd., Oregon
City, OR 97045 503.655.6004 www.
benchmade.com; Boker USA, attn: D.
Weidner, Dept. BL2, 1550 Balsam St.,
Lakewood, CO 80215 303.462.0662 fax
303.462.0668 www.bokerusa.com; Ca-
millus, c/o Rick Constantino, Dept. BL2,
60 Round Hill Rd., Fairfield, CT 06824
203-319-2120 www.camillusknives.
com; Columbia River Knife & Tool, attn:
L Phelps, Dept. BL2, 18348 SW 126th
Place, Tualatin, OR 97062 503.685.5015
www.crkt.com; ESEE Knives, attn: J.
Randall, Dept. BL2, 60 Randall Rd.,
Gallant, AL 35972 865.933.8436 or
256.527.2808 www.ratcutlery.com;
Gerber, attn: Customer Service, Dept.
BL2, 14200 SW 72nd, Portland, OR
97281-3088 503.639.6161 www.ger-
berblades.com; KA-BAR, attn: P. Tsuji-
moto, Dept. BL2, 1125 E. State, Olean,
NY 14760 800.282.0130 www.ka-bar.
com; Spartan Blades, attn: C. lovito,
Dept. BL2, POB 620, Aberdeen, NC
28315 910.757.0035 www.spartan-
bladesusa.com; TOPS, attn: M. Fuller,
Dept. BL2, POB 2544, Idaho Falls, ID
83403 208.542.0113 www.topsknives.
com
WONDER WHACKERS
Cóndor Tool & Knife, attn: R. Jones,
Dept. BL2, 6309 Marina Dr, Orlando,
FL 32819 407.876.0886 rtj@earth-
link.net; Ontario, attn: N. Trbovich,
Dept. BL2, POB 145, Franklinville, NY
14737 716.676.5527 www.ontari-
oknife.com; SOG Specialty Knives &
Tools, attn: C. Cashbaugh, Dept. BL2,
6521 212th St. SW, Lynnwood, WA
98036 425.771.6230 www.sogknives.
com; Timberline, attn: J. Anthon, Dept.
BL2, 7223 Boston State Rd, Bos-
ton, NY 14075 800-548-7427 gateo®
gatcosharpeners.com, www.timber-
lineknives.com
HANDMADE GALLERY
Barbara Baskett, Dept. BL2, 427 Sutzer
Ck Rd, Eastview, KY 42732, Phone: 270-
862-5019, baskettknives@windstream;
Web: www.geocities.com/baskett-
DESIGN knives; Dellana STARLANI INT'L INC,
1135 Terminal Way Ste #209, Reno, NV
www.crkt.com 89502, Phone: 877-88dellana or 304-
on
727-5512, dellana@suddenlink.net;
Web: www.knivesbydellana.com; Audra
Draper, Dept. BL2, #10 Creek Dr, River-
ton, WY 82501, Phone: 307-856- 6807
or 307-851-0426 cell, adraper@wyo-
ming.com; Web: www.draperknives.
com; Elizabeth Loerchner, Dept. BL2,
PO Box 255, Bayfield, Ont., CANADÁ
NOM 1GO, Phone: 519-565-2196, wolf-
gang@wolfeknives.com; Web: www.
wolfeknives.com; Gail Lunn, Dept. BL2,
434 CR 1422, Mountain Home, AR
72653, Phone: 870-424-2662. gail®
lunnknives.com; Web: www.lunnknives.
com; Lora Sue Schwarzer, Dept. BL2,
119-2 Shoreside Trail, Crescent City,
FL 32112, Phone: 386-698-2840, Fax:
386-649-8585, steveschwarzer@gbso.
net; Web: www.steveschwarzer.com;
Kathleen Tomey, Dept. BL2,146 Buford
Pl., Macón, GA 31204 478-746-8454
www.tomeycustomknives.com
IN SHARP SUPPLY
Center Cross Instructional Videos, attn:
G. Osborn, Dept. BL2, 851 House St.,
Ft. Worth, TX 76103 817-496-3414
contactus@centercross.com, www.cen-
tercross.com; Culpepper & Co., attn; K.
Culpepper, Dept. BL2. POB 690, Otto.
NC 28763 828-524-6842 info@cul-
pepperco.com, www.stingrayproducts.
com: Fine Turnage Productions, attn: C.
Turnage, Dept. BL2,1210 Midnight Dr,
San Antonio. TX 78260 210-352-5660
info@fineturnage.com, www.finetur-
nage.com; Giraffe Bone Knife Supply,
attn: S. McCIure, Dept. BL2, 3052 Isim
Rd., Norman, OK 73026 888-804-0683
sandy@giraffebone.com, www.giraffe-
bone.com; Halpern Titanium, attn: M.
Sartori, Dept. BL2, POB 214, Three Riv-
ers, MA 01080 413-283-8627 sales®
halperntitanium.com, www.halperntita-
nium.com; Jantz Supply, attn: V. Jantz,
Dept. BL2, 309 W. Main, Davis, OK
73030 800-351-8900 jantz@jantzusa.
com, www.knifemaking.com; Masecraft
Supply, attn: C. Hartman, Dept. BL2, 254
Amity St., Meriden, CT 06450 800-682-
5489 info@masecraftsupply.com, www.
masecraftsupply.com; Texas Knifemak-
er's Supply, attn: J. Lemcke, Dept. BL2,
10649 Haddington, Ste. 180, Houston,
TX 77043 888-461-8632 sales@texas-
knife.com, www.texasknife.com
BLAOE
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T omahawks and hatchets are an
American tradition. From colo-
nial times, the woodsman's essen-
tial tool kit was the knife and the hawk
or hatchet. The knife handled all cutting
blunt bevel, the Camp Hatchet did poorly
peeling the pineapple and slicing toma-
toes. A few minutes on a slack belt or an
hour or so with hand tools would result
stainless steel head, fiberglass nylon haft,
19 cunees, 12.5 inches overall, nylon
sheath. MSRP: $50.
The Fast Hawk is a lighter versión of
in a thinner, better cutting edgc and you its big brother, SOG's Tactical Toma-
chores and the hawk or halchet served for would have a terrific all-around tool, It hawk. l.ighter but no less useful and no
anything that required chopping. is probably the hatchet Nessmuk would less tough, the Fast Hawk is a formida-
'I hese days, folks do not usually chop choose today. The Cóndor is lightweight ble, modern take on the tomahawk. The
down a half-dozen trees to make camp. and a good choice for the woodsman haft is comfortable in hard use and the
Nonetheless, the one-hand hawk or traveling afoot. grooves prevent even a sweaty hand from
hatchet still has a place in the modern slipping. The edge design is outstand-
woodsman's outfit. No knife will chop as Lively Little Bro' ing—ground fine and sharp, it cuts deep
well as a hawk or hatchet. Modd: Fast Hawk. Company: SOG Spe- with little drag and served as an excellent
My son, Justin, and I reviewed four cialty Knives & Tools. Specifications: 420 all-around chopper and cutter. The fine
models—two hawks and two hatchets.
Each was designed to different speci-
fication.s and with somewhat different
purposes in mind. However, all are well
suited to the primary role of one-hand
whacking. We used all the hatchets and
hawks for basic work, and íbr some things
ihat are a bit beyond the basics.
Many hawks are designed to be thrown,
so we threw them. Any of these models
might be needed in a survival situation
where no other cutting tool is available
and whcre you might need to forage for
food. Consequently, we used them to
cut rope, vínes and cativas, and for food
preparation. We foraged in the neighbor-
hood supermarket rather than our local The test pieces, from left: Cóndor Tool & Knife Scout Hatchet, SOG Specialty Knives & Tools
mountains for chow, and peeled a pineap- Fast Hawk, Ontario/Ranger RD Hawk Pick and Timberline Alaskan Canoe Hatchet. (Justin
Ayres photo)
ple, sliced tomatoes and a beef roast. All
four models were used for all Jobs during
a three-day campout.

Nessmuk's Choice?
Modei. Scout Hatchet. Company: Cóndor
Tool & Knife. Specifications: Forged 1045
carbón steel head, American hickory han-
dle, 1 poumi, 10.25 inches ovcrall, Icather
cover. MSRP: $49.98.
New this year, Condors Scout Hatchet
is a classic design. Variations have been
used around campfires for at least a cou-
ple of hundred years. It works as well now
as it always has.
We used the Scout Hatchet for such
basic tasks as pounding tent stakes and
getting up some firewood. The fíat back
works well as a hammer. We did not
throw this one for fear of damaging the
nice wooden haft. The sniooth grip was
comfortable even after considerable
chopping—which was a good thing since
the bevel was too blunt for easy cutting,
and considerable chopping was required The author stated that the Fast Hawk is well balanceó and with its sharp pick was the best
to get through a 5-inch log. Due to the thrower of the bunch. (Justin Ayres photo)

F E B R U A R Y 2012 blademag.com 83
 WEDGE HEADS

Excellence edgc offset the narrow head and made

wood chopping a pleasure. Pineapple
peeling was a cinch, as was slicing toma-
toes and the roast.
In the past we used the Tactical Hawk
to chop through sheet metal and auto
bodies, and I am confident the Fast Hawk
would serve as an entry tool. The Fast
Hawk is well balanced, and with its sharp
pick/spike was the best thrower of the
bunch. The pick also was useful for dig-
ging and prying. The side was used for
pounding, which worked OK, but not as
well as the Cóndor. The Fast Hawk is light
enough for a backpack and a good choice
for the backpacker who prefers niodern
design—or anyone who needs a toma-
hawk.

fications: 1075 carbón steel head, black ny-
The fíat back of Condor's Scout Hatchet per-
formed admirably hammering tent stakes,
(Justin Ayres photo)
Fireman's Hawk?
Model: Ranger RD Hawk Pick. Company:
Ontario. Dcsigner: fustin GingricH. Speci-
lon sheath, Micarta- haft, 12 inches overall,
MSRP:$19I.
This issue's cover piece, the Rl) Hawk
Pick is a heavy-duty, durable model. We
agreed that if you need to chop through
a concrete block wall, it is the tool for
the Job. The haft provides a good non-

LAS VEGAS INVITAT10NAL

I &. 11 2012
JANUARY20, & Casino
at the Rwirr<
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F F R R I I A R Y P01Í?
The RD Hawk Pick's cutting edge had a
good bevel and severed the pineapple as
well as thick wood. (Justin Ayres photo)

slip grip, though the edges of the Micarta

slabs proved a bit sharp for heavy chop-
ping without gloves. The cutting edge had
a good bevel and severed the pineapple,
as well as thick wood. I have no doubt it
would render an auto body into ribbons
and serve as an excellent entry tool.
The edge design and pick/spike make
the RD Hawk Pick suitable for throwing,
though the balance is not óptima! for such
use. With the pick/spike, any pounding
had to be done with the side of the head.
While the hawk served well as a camp
hatchet and general chopper, it appears
to be designed more as a weapon—and a
beastly one at that. My son's reaction: "If I
was a fireman, I'd keep this in my truck."
The author described the Alaskan Canoe
Hatchet as "a terrifíc camp ax." (Justin
Ayres photo)
Canoe, Horse or Jeep Hatchet
Modeí: Alaskan Canoe Hatchet. Company:
Timberline. Designen Russ Kommer. Spec-
ifications: 440 stainless sted head, Zytel-
haft, leather sheath, 2.14 pounds, ¡3.25
inches overall MSRP: $69.
'Ihe Alaskan Canoe Hatchet is a larger
versión of Timberline's Bush Pilot Sur- AMUSTfor
vival Halchet, and would serve efficiently Bladesmlttilng

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Reaches2350
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Many
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The author said Timberline's Alaskan Canoe Hatchet was best in the chopping category. (Jus- 336/674-5654 • Web site: www.nctoolco.com
tin Ayres photo)

FEBRUARY2012 blademag.com 85
 W E D G E HEADS

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The Scout Hatchet's smooth grip was com-

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fortable even after considerable chopping.
(Justin Ayres photo)
as a survival tool as well as an all-around
camp chopper. The linger grooves make
for a comfortable haft, though not as
cüinfortable as the smooth grips of the
Fast Hawk and Scout Hatchet. The edge
is sharp and precise, with a good bevel for
chopping and slicing.
'Ihe hest overall chopper of the group,
it devoured an 8-inch-thick log with litlle
effort. It zipped off outer laycrs of pine-
apple with ease and sliced tiny tomatoes
smoothly. The back of the head served
well for pounding tent stakes and lender-
izing a tough beefsteak for cooking over
the fire. Though a hit too heavy to be a
good thrower, as its ñame suggests, ít is
a terrinc camp ax if you are traveling by
canoe—or horse or jeep. Given the Ca-
noe Hatchet's weight, its littlc brother, the
Bush l'ilot Survival Hatchel, might be a
better choice for a backpacker.

"If I was a fireman, l'd keep this in my

truck," Justin Ayres said of the RD Hawk
Pick. (Justin Ayres photo)

The fine edge oí the SOG Fast Hawk offset
the narrow head, the author noted, and
made wood chopping a pleasure. (Justin
Ayres photo)
Final Thoughts
The Fast Hawk and RD Hawk Pick are ob-
viously designed for military use, as well
as functioning as camp tools. The spike
or pick opposite the head of each appears
íashioned more as an anti-personne! de-
vice than a camp tool. Both the Scout
Hatchet and Alaskan Canoe Hatchet have
a fíat pulí opposite the cutting edge to fa-
cilítate pounding tent stakcs or tenderiz-
ing a tough beefsteak. All the hawks and
halchets performed the jobs they were
designed for and, at need, any could sub-
stitute for the other.
For the contad information for the hawks
and hatchets pictured, see "Where To Get
'Em" on page 80.
To read similar stories and the latest knife
news, forums, blogs and much more, see
hltp-.likn ifesh o wcase. blademag. cotn.
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F E B R U A R Y 2012 blademag.com 87
 S P E C SHEET y MSG Kim Breed 5th Special Forces (retired)

TIM SCHOLL'S CAMP

KNIFETACKLES ABRACE
OFTESTCHALLENGES

Model Ñame: Big Cnopper

Pattern: Gamo knife
Maker: lirn Scnoll
Blade Leneth: 10"
Blade Steel: 5160 carbón
Heat Treat: Selectively hardened
Handle: Brown c.mvas Micarta
Overall Length: U./f>
Sheath: 8-to-9-oz. leatner
Maker's List Price: $750

A hand-sanded, deep-
bellied blade of 5160
carbón steel and a brown
canvas Micarta® handle
with lanyard highlight
Tim Scholl's "Big Chop-
per" camp knife. Overall
length: 14.75 inches.
Maker's list price: $750.

BLADE F E B R U A R Y 2012
 NEMESIS KNIVES
M
I
love playing with big knives, and
nothing is better than having a huge
blade in your hand like Tim Scholl's
"Big Chopper."
I knew the camp knife's thin, wide
blade would chop great in theory, so I
challenged the blade tip first. Grabbing
an oíd phone book, I wrapped the lan- ITANIUM FRAMELOCK
yard around my wrist. (As the knife does nemesis-Knives.com ,£& VC-10 BLADE
CARBÓN FIBER SCALES
not have a guard, the lanyard is the only
feature that kept my hand on the handle.)
562-594-4740 JEFE HALL.DE5ICM
Employing the ice-pick grip, I stabbed the
tip into the book. It penetrated to page
347—roughly halfway through. If the
blade had a tip designed more for such a
ONLY THE BEST CUSTOM KNIVES
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No problems, though, as from there I suc- www.NewYorkCustomKnives.com
cessfully drove the tip into a license píate
several times.

Time To Chop
First up: 1-inch pine. I managed to get
about halfway through the 2-foot-long
board with the first chop when I remem-
bered I had not wrapped the lanyard
around my wrist. With the lanyard secur- Hank & Helen Rummell « (914) 213-5977
ing the knife to me, I was able to split the
pine board with a médium power swing.
The knife went through the board so
quick it bounced orí" my workbench and
made a beeline toward my midsection. I
am glad the lanyard did its job! ADVANTAGE
On the way to the woodpile I found
a new coil of half-inch sisal rope. The
thin blade gives the knife a neutral bal-
ance, which made cutting the rope with
the blade belly awkward. When I moved
the cutting surface closer to the handle,
the knife gave me nice crunching noises
for 40 cuts. I also laid the rope out and
chopped it every half inch. The belly
worked fine.
Next up: chopping into the end of a irind, polish, buff with
seasoncd oak log 4 inches in diameter. I _>ne machine!
averaged 1-inch penetration with each Hollow grind, fíat grind,
chop. I needed some kindling, so I used contour, slack belt, vertí
the knife as a splitting wedge. Employing or horizontal platens
a smaller log as a balón, I beat the blade • Fixed & variable speeds,
through the oak. It did not phase the knife smooth running
in the least, and the edge still felt nice and • Small wheel attachment
sharp. I stopped after four logs and decid- • Serrated confací whee/s
ed to try going across the wood's grain. It for rapid stock removal
took me a couple of times to get the log
into a position where it would not rol] or 800-621-2748 - I'AX: 660-438-8991
bounce after each chop. Once the log was
122O Támara Lañe, WHTSHW MO 65355
secured, the knife did its best work. Big
wood chunks were flying and the knife www.burrking. coi
did not twist in my hand.

FEBRUARY 2012 blademag.com 89

 SPEC S H E E T
FREE KNIFE CATALOG
Since the hand-sanded bladc had big
wood smears all over it, I decided to takc
¡t one step further. I hroke out my handy-
dandy firc door for some more difficult
penetration exercises. I used the ice-pick
grip again, as well as the lanyard and a
glove. I drove the hlade into the steel door
five times with no damage to the tip or
cutting edge.
Changes
I would put a guard on such a hig knife. U
would be more usable on smaller tasks, es-
pecíally whik' choldng up.
Bottom I un-
Tlie Big Chopper performed very well, but
be sure to use the lanyard for safety reasons.
'Ihe handle was very confortable through-
out testing.
For more injbrmatíon contad Tim Scholl
Dcpí. BL2, 1389 Langdon Rd., Angier, NC
27501 910-897-2051 tschollknives@live.com.
To read similar stories and the laíest knife

JARÍAN
J.TI —»^¿
IIGH The author said the knife did its best work chopping the oak cross grain. Big wood chunks
were ftying and the knife did not twist in his hand. (photo courtesy of Kim Breed)

"Nirk
Tighe"

m
WA
4" & 3 1/4'
Blades
$525.00 o;

905.892
www.briantighe.com Cutting with the blade belly, the author moved the cutting surface closer to the handle, result-
tigheknives@x .COfT) ing in nice crunching noises for 40 cuts. He also laid the rope out and chopped it every half
inch. The belly worked fine.

90 BLADE FEBRUARY 2012


news, forums, blogs and much more, see
http://knifeshowcasc.bladcmag.com.
BLADE
Employing a smalter log as a baton, the
author beat the blade through the oak. He
indicated it did not phase the knife in the
least, and the edge sí/// felt nice and sharp
afterward.
The author drove the blade mto the steel
door five times with no damage to the tip or
cutting edge.
With the lanyard securing the knife to him,
the author split the 1-inch pine board with a
médium power swing.
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F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 blademag.com 91
 EDGES | By Richard D. White BLADE® field editor

}1
PlJ. il
• • •

1 1 • . 1 1 n ii

VINTAGE EASY-OPEN JACKKNIVES ARE USEFUL, HISTORICAL AND COLLECTIBLE

D
ifficultics in opening pocket-
knives cxistcd not only for people
with broken, weak or brittle fin-
gernails, but also those whose hands and
fingers were dirty, slick and greasy from
assortcd occupations and/or endeavors.
With a lack of lubrication on knivcs that
sat around for some time, even folks with
strong thumbnails tbund wrestling a blade
open an almosl guaranteed nail breaker.
The cutlery industry understood the
problem and dcveloped an "easy" solu-
tion. A pocketknife with a half-round
notch cut into both sides of the handle al-
lowed the user to grasp the master blade
bctween thumb and índex fingcr and pulí
¡t open. Because the notch was ncar the far
end of the knife, away from the pivot, the
user had leverage to open the blade with
two fingers instead of a single thumbnail.
The knife was commonly known as an
easy-open jackknife. Some collectors refer
to it as an EZ-open knife. Since a notch
had to be manufactured into the side of
the knife, thus cutting away much of a
portion of the side, most appeared on
"swell-end" jackknives where the notched

r r n n i i Anv
end is larger than thc pivot end.
The difficulty of opening a traditional
pocketknife with a thumbnail apparently
was a common problem, as most major
pocketknife companies produced a vari-
ety of easy-openers ¡n different sizes and
handle materials. For example, Schrade
Cutlery Co. made not only a bonc-stag
series of easy-openers, but also several
Boy Scout jackknives with stag or ebony
handles. The Boy Scout models had a bail
for attachment to a chain or belt. Some
carne with a chain that attached to a shirt
button. Schrade and J. Russell & Co. also
made a larger "daddy barlow"-style fish-
ing knife with an easy-open notch.
Another company that produced an as-
sortment of easy-open jackknives was the
original Remington. It made hundreds of
various patterns, including easy-openers.
Remington manufactured at least a dozen
distinctive patterns featuring an easy-open
notch, each available in a wide choice of
handle malcriáis, including Pyremite The U.S. military used bone-handle easy-open knives with two blades during World War II.
(celluloid), redwood, bone stag, encobólo Clockwise from left are knives by Pal, Imperial (two), Pal and Camillus. The chain on the Ca-
millus model is indicative of a Boy Scout easy opener, though military service personnel used
and slick black. Remington also produced such knives, too. (Richard D. White photo)
a Boy Scout-style knife with a chain and
an interesting large sheepfoot blade in-
stead of the traditional spear blade found
Easy Opener Valué Guide
on most easy-openers. The company also
DESCRIPTION VALUÉ*
made a notable all-metal easy-open knife
in brass, a very heavy, unusual model with Miniature EZ-open, two-blade jackknife with various colored $15-$20
brass rivets, liners and sides. solid celluloid handles, made by Colonial and Imperial
Cattaraugus followed suit by producing
several different easy-openers, including World War II, bone-handle EZ-open, two-blade jack $75485
one with an ebony handle, and a number by Pal, Imperial and Camiltus, 3.75" closed, spear
of "balloon-end" jacks with jigged-bone master blade •
handles. The knives were extremely well
made and are very collectible. Brantford Cutlery, jigged-bone EZ-open, two-blade jack, $904110
3.75" closed, rare brand, spear master blade
Robeson manufactured several di-
verse models of large, bone-handle easy Cattaraugus model 24409, jigged bone, EZ-open, two-blade $125-$135
openers, generally in the gorgeous red jack, spear master blade
bone Robeson made famous. One of the
company s easy-open patterns had "Easy- Remington model R24, jigged bone, EZ-open, $165-$185
Open" etched into the master blade—a two-blade jack, 3 5/8" closed, long-pull spear master blade
rare embellishment indicative of an out-
standing cutlery manufacturen Robeson model 622027 {straight line stamp), jigged red bone, $1354150
One of the thrills of collecting easy EZ-open, two-blade jack, 3.75"closed, long-pull spear master blade
openers is to find rare brands. One is a
Robeson Shuredge model 62227, jigged bone, EZ-open, two-blade $1604175
light-colored jigged-bone knife stamped
jack, "Easy Opener" etch on master blade, 3 5/8"closed
"Brantford Cutlery Company," an early
imported brand. Another is a large swell- Commander brand, colored celluloid, two-blade, EZ-open, $85495
end jackknife with a celluloid handle two-blade jack, 3.5" closed, rare brand, spear master blade
stamped "Commander," a brand made by
the obscure Metropolitan Cutlery Co. "Author's valúes for knives in excellent-to-near-mint condition, with no broken bone or
cracked celluloid handles. Blades must be ful! length, with good snap in both the open
Military EZs and closed positions, and no other defects in bolsters or backsphngs.
Probably the most important use for the

F E B R U A R Y 2012 blademag.com 93
 EDGES

easy-opener was by the US. military. The

Navy had a tradition nf not supplying sail-
ors with pointed-blade knives, and those
iised in World War I were no exception.
However, sailors needed knives for cut-
ling rope, sail material, the ends from
powder cartridges, etc. In Pocket Knives of
the United States Military, Michael Silvey
indicates that easy-openers by Camillus,
Schatt & Morgan, Case, Robeson, New
York Knife, Valley Forge, Empire Knife,
Challenge and others had a sheepfoot
blade instead of a poinled spear master
blade. For collectors interested in mili-
tary pocketknives, Silvey's book is a must
have.
The closed lengths of the easy-openers
produced for the military during World
War II were generally 3.5-IO-3.75 inches.
'I he knives also inckided a second shorter
pen blade, which was opened in the tradi-
tional manner. Such pieces are fairlycom-
mon. Conversely, those from World War I
Robeson made several easy-open jackknives. While the manufacturar was famous for its
jigged-red-bone handles (bottom), it also handied knives with outstanding brown jigged bone are very rare.
(top). (Richard D. White photo) Imperial, Camillus, Utica and Pal made
thousands of bone-handle easy-openers
for the Navy during World War II. Unlike
World War 1, the master blade was a spear
pattern, not a sheepfoot. Ihey did have
525,600 MINUTES IN AYEAR, a smaller pen blade like many of their
World War I counterparts.
ITONLYTAKES1 Most Navy easy-openers had jigged-
FOR DISASTER TO STRIKE. bone handles. Most, if not all, had a bail.
Some had sleel bolsters and liners, mainly
due to the shortage of brass during World

10

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Qd Rl ADE F F R R I I A R Y 2012
War II. Many had nickel-silver bolsters
and brass liners.

Miniature Models
'Hiere is yet anothcr completely difler-
ent type of easy-open knife that might be
good for young or novice collectors: the
miniatures from Kent (made by Camil-
lus), Colonial and Imperial during the
1930s. The knives have celluloid handles
in a rainbow of colors. They were not WWW.LIGHTFOOTKNIVES.COM (no pdnted cataiog) 780.846.2812
toys but actual mmialure jackknives with
easy-open cutouts in the sides. They were
made with cutlery steel and were cutting
tools. They measure 2 inches closed, and
the better ones have excellent snap wlien
the blade is opened and closed. Like the
lull-size versions, the miniatures almost
always have a bail. In mint condition,
manygo for less than $15 each.
Whether your tastes incline toward
colorful miniatures, celluloid handles or
bone-handle military models, there are
easy-open jackkníves to fit any interest
and budget. Excellent examples are still
available, and this specialized piece might
just be the "easy" answer to collectors who
have dírtículty opening a standard pock-
etknife blade.

To read similar stories and the latest knife

ncws, forums, blogs and much more, see
BLUE RIDGE KNIVES
http://knifeshowcase.bladetnag.com.
LÚE RIDGE KNIVES • DEPARTMENT BL • 166 ADWOLFE ROAD • MARI
BLADE

Remington and Cattaraugus

manufactured a number of differ-
ent two-blade easy-open jackknives.
From top are models by Cattaraugus,
Remington and the rare Brantford
Cutlery piece mentioned in the story.
(Richard D. White photo)
IEALERSONLY
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F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 blademag.com 95
 w
High Carbón Japanese Black Persimmon
Damascus Spans Adorns An ATS*34 Bowie
Bladc And Bolsters

S ergio Ramondelti's lockback

tblder parades mammolh-ivory
Y asutaka Wada of'ters a 9 7/8-inch
bowie showcasing a blade of ATS-
34 stainlcss stccl, a Japanese black per-
handlc scatcs, and a high-carbon da- simmon handle, and a stainless steel
mascus blade and bolsters forged by guard and buttcap.
Santino Ballcstra. Contact: Yasutaka Wada, Dept. BL2,
Contact: Sergio Ramondetli, 2-6-22 Fujinokidai, Nara City, Nara Pre-
Dept. BL2, Via Marconi N 24, 12013 fect 631-0044, Japan 0742-46-0689.
Chiusa di Pesio (CN>, Italy +39-0171-
734490 info(í£)ramon-knives.eom,
www.ranion-knivcs.com.
Mountaineer Ueli Steck
Designs Knife For Wenger

Three-Stage Knife Sharpener T he Ueli Steck-designed elimbcr's

knifc from Wenger is a locking-
liner folder that sports striated
Now Comes In Black Finish titam'um handle scales witli to-

P reviously available only ¡n

whitc, thc thrcc-stage Chcf's
Choice Model 1520 Diamond
an integral quartcr-inch bit
adaptcr, lliree hex keys milled
through ihe onc-hand-opcning,
^H

^Hone AngleSelect Knife partially serrated blade, a com-

Sharpener now comes in an op-
tional black finish, and f'eatures
diamond-coated discs at preset
angles íbr honing 15- and 20-
degree bevels, as well as flex-
ible stropping/polishing discs.
Contact: Chef's Choice c/o
Edgecraft, attn: V. Gleason, Dept.
BL2,825 Southwood Rd., Avondale, PA
19311 800-342-3255 www.edgecraft.com,
bination metal saw/file, a
locking screwdriver, can
opener and poueh.
Contact: Wenger,
attn: D. Piretra, Dept.
BL2, 15 Corporate Dr.,
Orangcburg, NY 10962 800-
431-2996 marketing(«Jwenger-
na.com, www.wengerna.com.

Snakewood Helps Define Leatherman "Charge TTi"

Full-Tang "Finback" Model Equipped With Hex Bit Kit

S ean O'Hare's "Finback" model

incorporates a 3.5-inch blade of
CPM-154 stainlcss steel with a full,
tapered tang, dovetailed 416 stainless
steel bolsters, stabilized-snakewood
handle scales and a tooled-lcathcr belt
sheath.
Contact: Sean O'Harc. Dept. BL2,
1831 Rte. 776, Grand Manan, New
Brunswick, Canadá E5G 2H9 506-662-
8524 scan(o;oharcknivcs.com,
www.ohareknives.
com.
T he Leatherman "Charge TTi" multi-
tool employs a stainless steel body,
titanium handlc scales, a necdlc-nose
pliers, standard pliers, wire cutters,
cap crimper, CPM-S30V plain bfade.
420HC serraled blade, saw, a wood/
metal file, scissors and a hex bil hold-
er with bit kit.
Contact: Leatherman,
attn: S. Leatherman. Dept.
BL2, 12106 N.E. Ainsworth
Cir., Portland, OR Q7220 800-
S47-H665 i n foto leatherman.com,
www.leatherman.com.
 Walrus Ivory & W2 Blade
Share Billing On Bowie
R uss Andrews II fashions a 15-incli
bowie employing a 10-inch blade of
W2 tool steel, a 416 stainlcss steel guard
and a walrus-ivory handle.
Contact: Russ Andrews II, Dept. BL2,
POB 7732, Sugar Creek, MO 64054 816-
252-3344 russandrcws(o) sbcglobal.net,
www.russandrewscusiomknives.com.
"Contrast" Folder Named
For G-10 And Stainless Grip
T lie combination of a machined G-10-and-staín-
less-stcel handle results ín the ñame "Contrast"
for Cerberos newest clip-point, frame-lock folder,
which also fcatures a 3-Ínch plain or semi-serrated
blade of 7Crl7MoV stairtless steel.
Contact: Gerber, attn: J. Míchelotti, Dept. BL2,
14200 S.W. 72nd Ave., Portland, OR 97223 503-639-
616! sales@gerbergcar.com, www.gerbergear.com.

AUS-8 Blade Showcases

Black Carbonitride Finish

Folding Tanto Locks Closed, C amillus 1 8.25-inch Carbonitride

Titanium Fixed Blade fínife in-
cludes a black-carbonitride-coated
Open And In Partial Positions blade of AUS-8 stainlcss steel, and

S eber's "Ratcheting Tanto Blade Knife" works off the "Rotation-

Loc™," which securcs the blade of 8Crl3MoV Stainless steel in the
open, closed and parlially open positions. The folder also sports G-10
an ergonomic aluminum and glass-
filled-nylun handle.
Contact: Camillus, c/o Rick Con-
handle scales, Stainless stccl bolsters and framc, a seat-belt cutter and stantine, Dept. BL2, 60 Round Hill
a glass brcaker. Rd., Fairfield, CT 06824 800-835-
Contact: Seber Design Group, attn: K. Wilson, Dept. BL2, 2438 2263 info@camillusknives.com,
Cades Way, Vista, CA 92081 kenwilson@seberdesigngroup.com, www.camillusknives.com.
www.seberdcsigngroup.com.

Damascus
Bolsters Enliven 5160 Fixed Blade
CPM-154 Bird & Trout Knife Is Fíat Ground &
"D van Minchew outfits a 6-inch bird & trout
Fully Integral
Jvknifc in a blade of CPM-154 Stainless steel,
random-pattern-damaseus bolslers and snakewood
handle scales.
J ohn Parks scnds his latcst inte-
gral k n i f c lo markct in a 5-ineh,
rlat-ground blade of 5160 carbón steel
Contact: Ryan Minchcw, Dept. BL2, 2510 Mary and a snakewood handle.
Hilen, Pampa, TX 79065 806-669-3933 ryan@ Contact: John Parks, Dept. BL2, 3539
minchewknives.com, www.minchewknives.com. Galilee Church Rd., Jefferson, GA 30549 706-367-
4916 ¡dparks(í'?w¡ndstream.net.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 blademag.com 97
 COOL CUSTOM By BLADEK STAFF

Tbe
Buffalo
by tbe
Horns
ZAC BUCHANAN FOLLOWS
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HIS

Z
ac Buchanan fashions knives Ihat
KNIFEMAKING DAD are obviously a chip off the oíd
block of his father's, award-win-
ning maker Thad Buchanan. Much like
the "oí' man" Zac also likes challenges—
and the handle of his repro of a Loveless-
style boot knife illustrates the point.
Zac opted for the bumpy, rough exte-
rior of cape buftalo horn instead of the
smoother interior of the material for
which most makers opt. "[Knifemaker]
Mitch Jenkins used the [exterior] material
and that inspired me to do the same," the
27-year-old Buchanan said. He added that
Zac Buchanan said he the outer surface oí the horn is hard to
has made knives since
2008~he figures he
finish—so much so the handle bolt on the
has made about 50 so right handle slab is partially raised. "Most
far—and is futí time. don't seem to mind the raised bolt, though
He also does his one or two who saw it at the BLADH Show
own leatherwork.
weren't too crazy about it," he noted.
(Point Seven
photo) In addition to sporting the unusual
handle material, it is also the first dou-
ble-ground knife Zac made, and also the
initial knife he had professionally pho-
tographed. In our humble opinión, such
"Zac firsts" overshadow any raised-bolt
issues.

For more information contad Zac Bu-

chanan at 541-815-6706 zacbuchanan-
knives@gmail.com. At press time, Zac said
his new Website—zacbuchananknives.
com—should be up and running by early
November.

To read similar stories and the latest knife

ncws, forums, blogs and much more, see
http://knifeshowcase.blademag.com.

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