EDC KNIFE SPECIAL ISSU
GASKILL’S KNIFE
KNUCKLES UP P. 82
FEBRUARY 2020
www.blademag.com
KNIFE CHARITIES:
GIVE TILL IT CUTS P. 36
TEXAS TRENCH
KNIFE ROCKS P. 82
WILLEY KNIVES
GOES GOLDEN P. 74
ED FOWLER
JAVIER VVOGT ART
IS BACK! P. 22
AUTOMAT TIC IS A “10” P. 12
HOTTEST CUSTOM
COLLECTIBL LES P.12
O
BATTLE OF THE
BLADE SHA APES P.71
WOODCARVERS: CHIPS
A
OFF THE OL’ BLADE P. 44
PROFESSOR INTEGRAL:
S
T.M. “TED” D DOWELL P. 30
US $5.95
CAN $6.95 EDGE EXAMS
02
4 CARABINER KNIVES P. 78
4 LATEST LOCKBACKS P. 58
0 74470 50251 7 3 BLUE-COLLAR NECKERS P. 50
Display until February 24, 2020
FEBRUARY 0 0
®
e
v
v
Alex Gev’s auto dagger.
v
f
a
( ife Treasures image)
i i
a
Gerald Willey of Willey Knives. Benchmade’s Altitude.
74 (image courtesy of Geri Elliott) 36 (Benchmade image)
10 ARE CUSTOMS REALLY WORTH THAT MUCH? 50 BLUE-COLLAR BLADES
Or should the question be are the knives underpriced? Production neckers labor time-and-a-half on the job.
By Steve Shackleford By James Morgan Ayres
12 14 CUTS ABOVE 58 CUT WITH CONFIDENCE
Warm your hands with some of the hottest collectibles. For knives to rely on, carry one of the latest lockbacks.
By Steve Shackleford By Dexter Ewing
22 WHERE DO KNIFEMAKERS COME FROM? 71 BATTLE OF THE BLADE SHAPES
The author returns to share more of his homespun knife wisdom. Two new knives take the sidewinder skinning test and more.
By Ed Fowler By MSG Kim Breed
30 PROFESSOR INTEGRAL 74 A WILLEY GREAT 50 YEARS!
Ted Dowell schooled an industry on fi ne knife craftsmanship. Willey Knives cutlery store celebrates its 50th anniversary.
By Mike Haskew By Mike Haskew
36 THEY GIVE SO OTHERS GET 78 HANGING OUT!
Caring knifemakers lead the way supporting worthy causes. Carabiner knives offer a refreshing change to everyday carry.
By Daniel Jackson By Pat Covert
44 CHIPS OFF THE OL’ BLADE 82 TEXAS TRENCH KNIFE
An experienced carver outlines factory edged tools for the job. Common-sense knife law paves the way for WWI custom repro.
®
By Abe Elias By BLADE staff
4 BLADE FEBRUARY 2020
6 READERS RESPOND
|
7 COVER STORY
|
20 THE KNIFE I CARRY
|
46 THE SLOYD KNIFE
|
53 5,000-YEAR-OLD EDC
|
56 SHOW CALENDAR
|
64 NEXT IN BLADE ®
|
64 WHERE TO GET ’EM
|
65 BLADE SHOPPE
|
66 WHERE TO NET ’EM
|
67 AD INDEX
|
68 WHAT’S NEW
|
58
58
The V Nives
The V Nives
Rocky
lockback.
Rocky lockback.
(Marty Stanfi eld image)
(Marty Stanfield image)
78
78
The
Kershaw
The Kershaw
Reverb
XL.
Reverb XL.
(Pat Covert image)
(Pat Covert image)
BLADE ® (ISSN 1064-5853) is published monthly (Vol. XLVI,
No. 5), with an additional issue in November, by Caribou
Media dba Gun Digest Media LLC. Corporate headquarters
is 224 Kingsbury Grade, Stateline, NV 89448. Periodicals
postage paid at Appleton, WI 54913, and at additional mailing
offices. Canadian Agreement No. 40665675. POSTMASTER:
Send address changes to BLADE Magazine, Box 420235,
Palm Coast, FL 32142.
FEBRUARY 2020 blademag.com 5
READERS RESPOND |
Standard Sharpness Rating observers feared CATRA’s equipment when I first started trying my hand
might be used by some to rate the entire
live in Ferring, a village on the English knife, which would not take into account at making a folder. For some reason I
Channel coast, 50 miles south of Lon- other elements that also are important picked him to pester. After several calls,
I don. I am a member of our University to performance, such as balance, he finally made me understand what I
of the Third Age, an academic organiza- ergonomics, materials, blade and handle needed to know.
tion for the “retired-but-still-curious” shapes and geometries, and other critical The main thing I am thankful to him
community. We have a science group that factors. That’s to say nothing of the for is when, for medical and financial
meets regularly to discuss scientifi c mat- operator’s personal preferences. reasons, I had to leave the Guild. He
ters in the news and of general interest. The hardness of blade steel as was Guild president at the time and I
A question was posed recently determined on the Rockwell hardness called to tell him. He strongly suggested
asking how to rate the sharpness of scale, on the other hand, is indeed that I write a letter explaining why I was
a blade. I have been in touch with an an industry standard. For one thing, leaving to be put in my fi le. So, instead
organization here that tests blades to because there are benefits to using steels of being dropped for cause, I left as a
internationally recognized standards. heat treated to lower or higher Rockwell member in good standing.
A spokesperson for the organization hardnesses depending on use, having
explained to me that there is no word a standardized system for gauging Tim (R.V.) Alverson, knifemaker, a
or words to rate sharpness, as every hardness helps identify steels best letter via e-mail
blade differs in matters such as type and suited for certain jobs. However, while
quality of material, purpose, weight, a steel’s hardness is related somewhat What Happened to Spec Sheet?
angle of grind, etc., which makes to sharpness, there are other factors just ey, I missed BLADE® fi eld editor
absolute sense. However, I suspect it is as important if not more so to consider, Kim Breed’s “Spec Sheet” last is-
possible that different cultures may in including wear resistance, the grade of Hsue. What happened?
fact have a term to rate diff ering degrees steel and its chemistry, blade geometry,
of sharpness. Are you aware of any? the quality of the sharpener used to Emory Blanchard, a letter via-email
sharpen the edge and the level of skill
John Manning, a letter via e-mail applied in sharpening it, etc. As a result, Editor’s note: Thanks for noticing. It’s not
the Rockwell hardness scale is not suited that Kim didn’t write one—we simply
Editor’s note: It may come as a surprise, as a standardized sharpness measure. didn’t have room for it. It appears this
but the cutlery industry has no Meanwhile, we’ll wait for the letters to time on page 71. We hope you enjoy it.
standardized measurement system to roll in to opine on the subject.
rate sharpness—or at least none of which For the latest knives, knife news,
we are aware. Members of the knife trends and more visit blademag.com,
industry rely on various cutting tests to Godfather of The Guild BLADE®’s popular Instagram page @
get a sense of performance, but, to our enjoyed the article about BLADE blade_magazine, and on Facebook
knowledge, there isn’t a standardized Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® and Twitter.
scoring system for rating an edge. I member Frank Centofante (July
Many knifemakers will tell you, “It’s BLADE®, page 71). It brought to mind
sharp when it’s sharp.” Others might call
a keen edge “scary sharp,” “crazy sharp,”
etc. Across cultures and history there
have been different words for that same How to Reach Us!
idea, but it’s been that way for as long as Visit us online at www.blademag.com to: BACK ISSUES FOR SALE: Subject to Availability.
anyone at BLADE® can recall. • Sign up for our free newsletter. Call 920-471-4522.
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Trades Research Association (CATRA). request a media kit by writing to: BLADE, 5600
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It has equipment that tests knives for W. Grande Market Dr., Appleton, WI 54913.
LOOK FOR BLADE MAGAZINE ON:
sharpness and other factors aff ecting
LETTERS OR ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS:
performance, and offers testing services Steve Shackleford, Editor
and other related products as well.
SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES: Visit us on the Web BLADE Magazine
Buck Knives used CATRA (catra.org) at www.blademag.com or call 877-485-6426. 5600 W. Grande Market Dr.
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BOOK SALES: Visit us at www.gundigeststore.com or email [email protected].
to catch on as an industry standard.
or call 920-471-4522.
Why? One school of thought is that some
6 BLADE FEBRUARY 2020
NEED A KNIFE?
COVER STORY |
Our online store is better,
faster, & easier to use.
IF IT CUTS,
WE CARRY IT.
SMKW.COM
• TOP BRAND CLOSEOUTS
he cover piece is the latest in a se-
ries of stunning folders by Javier • ANTIQUE & CUSTOM KNIVES
TVogt. Winner of the award for
Best Folder at both BLADE Show 2019 • LIMITED EDITION KNIVES
and the 2019 BLADE Show West, Vogt • DAILY FLASH SALES
specializes in automatics with clever re-
leases, among others, and the cover piece
is a classic example.
Deploying via a guard release, the CELEBRATING
4.75-inch blade is a ladder-pattern OUR 40TH
damascus forged by Marcial Dos
Santos. The antique tortoise handle ANNIVERSARY
houses a lockback mechanism. Closed
length: 5.5 inches. The knife carries in
an elegant leather zippered case and
stores in an expertly crafted wooden box
custom made by Vogt. Knife Treasures’
price: $8,500.
For more information contact Javier
Vogt, Dept. BL2, 409 N 2915, Villa Elisa,
Buenos Aires 1894 Argentina javi_lp@
hotmail.com; Carlos Lopez, c/o Knife
Treasures, Dept. BL2, 10097 Cleary Blvd.
Ste. #113, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33324 954-
520-1287 [email protected];
and/or see the story on page 12.
The image of the cover knife is by
SharpByCoop. The inset shot of the
repro of the Matt Gaskill World War I
EST. 1978
trench knife is by Gaskill and is edited ES T 1978
by Caleb Royer.
For the latest knives, knife news, trends
and more visit blademag.com, BLADE®’s
popular Instagram page @blade_
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FEBRUARY 2020 blademag.com 7
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8 BLADE FEBRUARY 2020
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UNSHEATHED | BY STEVE SHACKLEFORD
ARE CU S T O M S REAL Y
L
ARE CUSTOMS REALLY
O
O
M
N
?
Y
E
R
H
WORTH THE MONEY?
W
E
T
T
H
ow much are custom knives really worth?
It is a question we’re asked about as much
Has any, the answer to which we, as well A Bob Loveless Hideout model sports a handle
®
material rare for Loveless—camo Micarta .
as many who frequent the knife scene, seek constantly.
According to John Denton, Loveless used the
Reader James Banevicz wrote a passionate letter to material in 1992 only, and on as few as two
us on the subject. “I am a lifetime BLADE subscriber,” h he knives total. (Bad Bob Knives image)
began. “I enjoy the articles, the new product informat tion,
the ‘Readers Respond’ section, the whole magazine. It is a very
well-made product. Th anks.
“What I don’t like is the way of the so-called custom
knifemakers’ prices. A case in point is in the October iss sue, page
34, and the price of $40,000 for a pocketknife. Really! Like Les
Gold on Hardcore Pawn might say, ‘Where did you come e up with
that price?’ That is an extreme example but I see pock ketknives
and fixed blades going for one, two or even three t thousand
dollars. For years now I have been silent. Not now.
“These knives are not worth that kind of money,” he
maintained. “No knives are worth that kind of mone ey. These
makers are taking advantage. They should be ashamed d. This is
wrong and will ruin part of the knife industry. You are pr romoting
wrong with it for $1,000, $2,000 or even
these people by giving them exposure. Please stop.”
$3,000 and you might get trampled in the
First of all, we thank Mr. Banevicz for his letter. He o obviously
ensuing stampede of eager buyers.
feels very strongly about the subject and states his case w well.
Another example I’ve heard a number of
Some say a knife is worth as much as someone is w willing to
times is where new or relatively unknown custom
times is where new or relatively unknown custom
pay for it. While that statement may seem disingenuous, think
makers ask up to around $250 or less for each of
about it: If, for example, a person is searching for a specific knife
their knives and can’t sell one. Then, when the same makers raise
to “complete” his or her collection, chances are he or she will pay
the price to, say, $350 or higher for the same knife, it sells. The
more—sometimes much more—for the knife than someone who
thinking here seems to be that if the maker doesn’t ask a high
does not collect such knives. Ergo, in such an instance the knife
enough price for the knife he must not think it’s worth much, and
is worth what the person is willing to pay for it.
customers sense this and/or agree and won’t buy it. Meanwhile,
As for the $40,000 “pocketknife” to which Mr. Banevicz refers,
when the maker asks the higher price for the same knife, he must
it is a Credit Card Folder made by German knifemaker Jurgen
think it’s worth it, and customers sense this and/or agree and buy
Steinau. The price is one long-time custom knife purveyor Dave
it. Whether that’s really the reason customers won’t buy the knife
Ellis of Exquisiteknives.com, who well knows high-dollar knives
at the lower price but will at the higher one I don’t know, but I’ve
and what they fetch on the market, was asking.
talked to several makers who say that seems to be the case. Call
Steinau has been making some of the most distinctive, high-
it “perceived value,” if you will, and as the man says, in today’s
quality custom knives for many years, and has built up a collector
world perception often is reality.
base that will buy his knives, usually no matter what the cost.
Beginning next issue, to address the preceding questions and
Is he ashamed people will pay that much for one of his knives?
others we will begin a multi-part series called “How To Buy
I doubt it. If he is, he shouldn’t be. In fact, there is at least one
Custom Knives.” Knife, maker, price, value and more all will be
maker who has sold a knife for more than twice that $40,000
covered in our continuing effort to help you get the most out of
amount—but I digress.
your cutlery experience. See you then.
Perhaps not a better question but one that can be vexing as
well is when are the prices of custom knives not high enough? For the latest knives, knife news, trends and more visit blademag.
Consider the knives of BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® com, BLADE®’s popular Instagram page @blade_magazine, and
member Bob Loveless. According to purveyor John Denton on Facebook and Twitter.
(page 12), you will not find a Loveless for under $4,000 today
unless the handle is damaged or something else is wrong with
the knife. Consequently, try selling a Loveless with nothing
10 BLADE FEBRUARY 2020
WHAT’S HOT | BY STEVE SHACKLEFORD
WARM YOUR HANDS
WITH SOME OF TODAY’S
HOTTEST COLLECTIBLE
CUSTOM KNIVES
Knife: Automatic dagger. Maker and engraver: Alex Gev. Knife type:
Knife: Automatic dagger . Maker and engraver: Alex Gev . Knife type:
Blade
steel:
Damascus.
length:
Blade
knife.
Art
Art knife. Blade length: 4 1/8”. Blade steel: Damascus. Handle: 420
420
Handle:
4
1/8”.
stainless steel. Opening mechanism/lock: W edge Lock opens and
stainless steel. Opening mechanism/lock: Wedge Lock opens and closescloses
via the wedge (inset) at the guard. Closed length: 5 7/8”. Sheath:7/8”. Sheath:
via the wedge (inset) at the guard. Closed length: 5
Zippered pouch. Knife Treasures price: $34,000.
Zippered pouch. Knife T reasures price: $34,000.
12 BLADE FEBRUARY 2020
hat collectors
look for in the Knife: Art Knife Folding Auto. Maker: Javier Vogt. Blade
Whottest custom m length: 4.75”. Blade steel: Ladder-pattern damascus
by Marcial Dos Santos. Opening mechanism: Automatic
knives is embodied in 14 ou ut-
guard release. Handle: Antique tortoise. Lock: Linerlock.
standing examples of fi fixed Closed length: 5.5”. Knife To Know: Vogt knives won the
blades and folders submitt ted to Best Folder Award at both BLADE Show 2019 and the
BLADE® by several top industry pur- 2019 BLADE Show West. Knife Treasures price: $8,500.
(SharpByCoop image)
veyors. The knives are built by some of
the most talented makers extant, makers
with talent levels that seem to be going
nowhere but up.
When it comes to show wcasing the
world’s top custom makers in terms of
knife mechanisms and locks, it’s hard to
beat those who build folders. Argentina’s
Javier Vogt is making some of f the slickest
and best looking autos anywhere,
including his Art Knife Folding Auto,
this issue’s cover knife. Vogt has the vote
of Carlos Lopez of Knife Trea asures.
“He is a young knifemak ker that has functionality of a tactical flipper,”
a very bright future. He is one of the stated Andrew McMichael, director of
hottest makers out there and d his knives consignment sales for Arizona Custom
are very hard to come by,” Lopez noted. Knives. “What is most extraordinary is
“His knives and presentation n are a 10!” that this knife is not just a flipper but a
Another auto in Lopez’s stable is front flipper. Enrique has designed the
the Automatic Dagger by Alex Gev. action in such a way that all ranges of
Sporting spectacular engraving, also by knife enthusiasts will be able to operate
Gev, the folder opens via t the maker’s it with proficiency and enjoyment.”
ingenious Wedge Lock on the knife’s In addition to collectible folders with
integral guard. “It is an amaz zing locking clever contraptions are those of the
mechanism that works incredibly well smaller, dressier variety. An example is
and is easy to operate,” Lopez observed. the Joule by Jonas Iglesias. FIXIN’ to
“The knife’s engraving is just top notch “Jonas’ combination of size, organic Fixed blades, especially those of
and the best.” feel and excellent mechanics have the forged variety, continue to be
A graduate of the Bill Ruple School of definitely caught many collectors’ hot, including those by makers who
Knifemaking, Enrique Pena makes the attention,” wrote Recon 1’s Sako have been in demand for some time
Trapper Front Flipper, a hybrid of a classic Rouchanian. “The design of the Joule in now. According to Les Robertson
slip-joint pattern and a tactical folder. particular has been most desirable, with of Robertson’s Custom Cutlery, the
“This knife has the timeless class collectors today going more towards the popularity of such knives is in part due
of a traditional slip joint and the smaller folder.” to some high-priced custom folders.
Knife: Bowie. Maker: Ben Breda. Blade length: 10”.
Blade steel: Ladder-pattern damascus. Blade fi nish: Acid
etched. Handle: Amber ironwood. Guard: Stainless steel w/
damascus and stainless steel spacers. Overall length: 15”.
Sheath: Leather, custom made by maker. Maker’s price
for a similar knife: $1,550. (Ben Breda image courtesy of
Robertson’s Custom Cutlery)
FEBRUARY 2020 blademag.com 13
WHAT’S HOT |
Knife name: Joule. Maker: Jonas Iglesias. Blade length:
3.3”. Blade steel: Norris Damascus. Handle: Carboquartz/
black Timascus . Closed length: 4.2”. Knife To Know:
™
3.15” | Overall: 7.09” | Model No.: 01BO895
Hidden hardware, custom-milled zirconium pivots and
textured borders. Price the knife sold for in an open-bid
auction: $8,400. (image courtesy of Recon 1)
Blade:
|
G10)
or
fiber Knife: Trapper Front Flipper. Maker:
carbon Enrique Pena. Knife type: Hybrid of a
slip joint and a tactical folder. Blade
length: 2.75”. Blade steel: CPM 154
with stainless. Blade finish: Hand-rubbed
®
satin. Handle: Micarta scales over
available titanium frame. Lock: Linerlock.
Sheath: Zippered case. Closed length:
i
er
i il
ffor a similar
k
.
625”
a
M
3 625” M k ’’s price
3
.
(also kknife: $895. (image courtesy of
AArizona Custom Knives)
scales
handle
Cocobolo
|
steel
blade
D2
|
design Matsuno Knife name: Onca (Belgian for “jaguar”).
bokerusa.com Kansei A | TAKARA PLUS Maker: Sam Lurquin. Knife type: Fighter.
Blade length: 10”. Blade material: W2
tool steel w/double hamon. Handle: Dyed
curly maple. Overall length: 15.75”.
Knife To Know: Copper spacer, blued
steel guard and the fullered blade is
double edged. Sheath: Custom leather
by Aaryn Sybrant. Exquisiteknives.com
price: $4,400.
14 BLADE FEBRUARY 2020 BOKER
“With so many folding knives
selling in excess of $5,000, collectors
became accustomed to seeing those NORDIC
numbers. These prices have helped KNIVES
introduce collectors to fixed blades,
both at the introductory level and at See our Gallery
the higher end,” he observed. “San mai on 8th Street,
and damascus fighters and bowies are Boise, Idaho
garnering more attention these days
due to a combination of factors. Th e Featuring the finest in
quality and craft smanship are Custom & Randall
obvious. One person builds the knives, knives since 1971
so there is no outsourcing of parts
or construction. Many of the larger
forged blades are viewed as having a
value price—that is to say the price is We buy, sell & consign
perceived to be fair, thus providing entire collections
value for your money.”
An example is the sheath knives of
Belgium’s Sam Lurquin, including one
of his latest, the 15.75-inch Onca. “Sam’s Buy with confidence,
knives have been not only hard to get but your satisfaction
is guaranteed
sell extremely well,” wrote Dave Ellis of
Exquisiteknives.com “The Onca is a new
model and really fits in with Lurquin’s
stylish knives. It has overall balance and www.nordicknives.com
FEBRUARY 2020 blademag.com 15
WHAT’S HOT |
Knife name: Narwhal. Maker: Kevin Foster. Knife type: Tactical fl ipper/EDC.
Blade length: 3.125”. Blade steel: CPM 154 stainless. Blade fi nish: Hand-
rubbed satin. Handle: Titanium. Lock: Framelock. Closed length: 4.25”.
Knife To Know: Heat-colored hardware and standoffs, milled pattern/texture
™
on handle and black Timascus pocket clip. Recon 1 price: $1,300.
Knife name: Dagger. Maker: Bob Loveless. Blade
Knife name: Fif 20. Maker: Philippe Jourget. length: 4.5”. Blade steel: ATS-34 stainless. Blade
Blade length: 3.5”. Blade steel: RWL-34 grind: Double. Handle: Stag. Engraving: Jeff Parke.
stainless. Blade fi nish: Hand-rubbed satin. Overall length: 9”. Sheath: Leather. Knife To Know:
Handle: Ironwood. Bolsters: Titanium Made in 1995, the blade sports the rare Loveless
anodized bronze. Weight: 6.7 ozs. Maker’s signature logo. According to John Denton, Loveless
possibly
are
daggers
the
most
beautiful
from
knives
price for a similar knife: $1,500. (iimage daggers are possibly the most beautiful knives from
courtesy of Steel Addiction Custom Knives) the Loveless shop. This one is in mint condition.
Bad Bob’s Knives price: $14,000.
looks, as well as a simply vicious blade.”
Also riding the wave of big-forged-
blade popularity are the Sobral brothers,
otherwise known as CAS of Arg gentina.
“CAS knives have been hot for a
while now,” Ellis began. “They are a big
hit at both BLADE Shows, th hey sell
everything that they create,
and know how to market Knife Name: Cardiac Arrest Damascus Bowie. Maker: Steve
Randall. Blade length: 10”. Blade steel: Cardiac Arrest
themselves as well as their pattern damascus in 1080 carbon and 15N20 nickel alloy
great knives. I have been selling steels. Handle: Ancient walrus ivory. Guard, ferrule and
their work for many years and still have buttcap: Damascus. Sheath: Leather, custom made by
a lot of requests for most anything that maker. Maker’s price for a similar knife: $2,500. (Steve
Randall image courtesy of Robertson’s Custom Cutlery)
the boys from Argentina create in their
shop.”
Th e fixed blades of BLADE Magazine
Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® member Bob
Loveless are not forged but they remain
hot, as they have for many decades. John
Denton of Bad Bob’s Knives said this past
October and November were the best sales
wise for Loveless knives in almost 35 years.
“It seems everything with Loveless on
it is selling,” Denton noted. “[Cutlery Knife: Framelock fl ipper. Maker: Jens Anso. Knife type: Dress tactical. Blade
Hall-Of-Famer] A.G. Russell said years length: 3.375”. Blade steel: RWL-34 stainless. Handle: Zirconium and titanium
w/mokume inlay. Lock: Linerlock. Closed length: 4.625”. Knife To Know: Fine
ago, ‘There is no one like Loveless when
milling pattern on the frame. Sheath: Canvas and leather pouch by SoMMER.
it comes to design, balance and resale.’ Arizona Custom Knives price: $3,800.
16 BLADE FEBRUARY 2020
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WHAT’S HOT |
Knife name: Thunderbolt. Maker: CAS/the Sobral So far that has been true. Other knives
brothers. Knife type: Sub-hilt fi ghter. Blade length: 12”. seem to fade in and out of fashion, but
Blade steel: Ladder-pattern damascus. Handle: Sculpted
Lo
and colored stag. Guard: Blued damascus. Knife To Loveless is so pure and the design so
Know: The blade sports EDM fullering. Sheath: Artfully strong, he sets the benchmark for
tooled leather by Marcello Sobral. Overall length: 18”. knife trade.”
Exquisiteknives.com price: $5,500. Just about anything Loveless
sells, sells well and sells for a lot
o
of money.
“L
Loveless knives now all start at
about t $4,500 and go on up,” Denton
wrote
e. “There are no run-of-the-mill
Lovel less knives for $3,800 anymore.
Some
Sometimes if the handle is split or
something is wrong, then you will see
one for under $4,000. It’s a crazy world
and I’m always amazed.”
Editor’s note: Some of the blade and
overall lengths of the pictured knives are
approximate.
For the contact information for the knives
Knife name: Hardline. Maker: Chad Nell. Blade length: 3.5”. Blade steel: CTS in the story, see “Where To Get ’Em” on
XHP stainless. Blade fi nish: Hand-rubbed satin. Handle: Ironwood. Weight: page 64.
5.7 ozs. Closed length: 4.5”. Knife To Know: Polished zirconium bolsters and
textured pivot rings. Maker’s price for a similar knife: $1,550. (image courtesy
of Steel Addiction Custom Knives) For the latest knives, knife news, trends
and more visit blademag.com,
BLADE®’s popular Instagram
BLADE s popular Instagram
page @blade_magazine, and
Chris on Facebook and Twitter
k
Reeve
Knives
Knife:
Semi-Skinner.
Maker: Bob
Loveless. Blade
length: 3.75”.
Blade steel:
ATS-34 stainless.
IMPINDA Handle: Green
®
Micarta w/all stainless
bolts. Overall length:
7.5”. Sheath: Leather
a modern slip joint
pouch. Knife To Know:
“This one has no guard,
just a smart collar,” John
Denton noted, and “the rare
improved handle.” This one
Order at chrisreeve.com also is in mint condition. Bad
Bob’s Knives price: $5,100.
18 BLADE FEBRUARY 2020
THE KNIFE I CARRY |
My everyday knife is
the ABKT Tanto in
the Thin Blue Line Series to
commemorate law enforcement
officers. It’s a great knife and has
thin, blue-line anodized liners.
It’s a beautiful knife.”
Ricky Neely,
Covington, Georgia
I carry a JPT-3S drop-point I pocket an E6 by
BP folder by Ontario. Joe William Henry Knives.
Pardue, Mel’s son, designed it. Like It’s a great EDC. The M390 blade
father like son, eh? I like the recurve steel is borderline brutish.”
blade and the handle fits me a like
Rodney J. Mansfi eld, Jr.,
a glove.”
a letter via e-mail
Sol Smith,
a letter via e-mail
For the latest knives, knife news, trends and more visit blademag.com, BLADE®’s popular
Instagram page @blade_magazine, and on Facebook and Twitter.
Tell us what knife you carry. Add a little history or an anecdote.
Try to include a photograph—if digital, at least 600 KB but no
larger than 2 MB—of you with your knife. We will publish your
comments in an upcoming “The Knife I Carry.” Your name will then
be entered in a drawing to win a free, high-quality, name-brand
®
knife. The drawing will be May 15. Mail to: BLADE , POB 789,
Ooltewah, TN 37363-0789, or e-mail [email protected]. If you
send your entry by e-mail, please include your physical mailing
address in case you win the knife.
20 BLADE FEBRUARY 2020
KNIFE TALK | BY ED FOWLER BLADE FIELD EDITOR
®
IMAGES COURTESY OF THE AUTHOR UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
Where Do
Knifemakers
Come One of the author’ s earliest knife memories
One of the author’s earliest knife memories isis
seeing his grandfather sharpen a pencil.
seeing his grandfather sharpen a pencil.
From?
ED FOWLER RETURNS TO SHARE
HIS HOMESPUN WISDOM ON
YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT
his
exhibitor
table
The author mans his exhibitor table at a pastat a past
The
mans
author
BLADE Show. (BLADE file image)
BLADE Show . ( BLADE ® ® fi le image)
22 BLADE FEBRUARY 2020
Editor’s note: It’s been a long time since
High Endurance Performance Knife
master smith/BLADE® field editor Ed
Fowler last wrote for BLADE—since th he
September 2017 issue, to be exact. Ill hea alth According to the author, a pocketknife like
forced one of our favorite scribes to att tend this one is what many used to sharpen
pencils back in the day.
to something much more demanding of f his
time than writing: his own well-being. H He’s
better now, though, and back—and you u’ve
got him! Enjoy!
ften I find myself wondering or sharp, thus I was always
r
where my desire to make kni ives in some kind of trouble. Up
Ooriginated. I often come up w with to that time, if I asked for a sharp
many little pieces of my personal hist tory pencil I got a crayon.
that pointed me in the direction I usually I did have a clandestine stash of
find myself. This article covers one t tiny pencils. When they needed sharpening I
piece of many experiences that led me to would wait until my grandfather came to
what I do. visit and let him sharpen them. Today I
can still see his hands working while he
EARLY LESSONS sharpened a pencil. I still do not feel that
One of my early knife recollections I can put as beautiful a point on a pencil
is seeing my grandfather open his as he could. Many times my mind turns selling pencils was 40 miles away from
pocketknife and sharpen his pencil. It was back to his work when I sharpen a pencil. my house and that posed a problem.
World War II. MyfatherwasinFranceand One thing I learned and continue to learn Back home I walked to the dime
my family was living in Denver, Colorado. is that the sharper the knife, the better store. It had unsharpened pencils for
I was just about in kindergarten. While point you can develop on your pencil. a nickel each. I earned a dime from my
my mother preferred I use crayons, I did After the war we all moved to Idaho
have access to a few pencils, but they were Springs, Colorado, where my fath her set up
t
all dulled on purpose. Being a nurse, my his medical practice and I got to b be a
mother was terrified of anything dirty kid. While Idaho Springs was
in the mountains, my mother
kept me pretty close to home,
which was in the geographical
center of town. U.S. Highways
6 and 40 ran right in front of
my house. I would sit on the
sidewalk and signal the universal l
“hello” to truckers, holding my y
closed fist up and pumping it up p
and down suggesting the trucker rs
hit their air horns. Many did. It
was fun until neighbors starte ed
complaining to my mother abo out
the noise and I had to stop (ju ust
one of the “joys” of living in the
city).
BIRTH of a BUSINESSMAN
Sometimes we went shopping g in
Denver. One day I saw a man sitting
on the sidewalk wearing a pa air of
dark glasses holding a tin cup f full of
pencils, and folks would buy them.
I noticed that the pencils wer re not
sharpened and thought, wow, I I could
i
As a youth in the 1940s, the author make some extra money sharpening According to the author, both John
borrowed his grandfather’s pocketknife to pencils if my grandfather would let me Steinbeck and Ernest Hemingway wrote
sharpen pencils and sold them in a can. borrow his knife. Trouble was, the man their great novels with pencils.
FEBRUARY 2020 blademag.com 23
KNIFE TALK |
NC
Knifemaker 21
- 3 Burner
- Firebox
4” x 4 ½”
x 21”
- Solid Door As the author noted, schools banning knives
As the author noted, schools banning knives
- Cast iron have made our children more dependent on
have
more
made
dependent
our
on
children
port on someone else to save them from jammed seat
someone else to save them from jammed seat
one end belts and exigent circumstances that could
belts and exigent circumstances that could
NC Knifemaker easily be relieved with a simple, friendly
relieved
be
with
a
simple,
friendly
easily
pocketknife. The knife is the Spyderco
The
pocketknife.
the
Spyderco
knife
is
- 2 Burner Clipitool Rescue. (Marty Stanfi eld image)
Clipitool Rescue. (Marty Stanfield image)
- Firebox
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- Solid door
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mother and bought two. I borrowed my
grandfather’s pocketknife that he kept in
his shop and sharpened them. I got an
empty can from the garbage to hold the
pencils, put a rag in the bottom to keep
from breaking the points, and wrote a
little sign on a piece of paper: “Sharpened
Pencils 10 Cents!”
I started selling pencils in front of
the post office. I stood just like the
“businessman” in Denver and held my
can with my merchandise. Th ey sold fast!
Folks who bought them were happy. As I
sold them I took the profits to the dime
store, bought more pencils, and soon I
had enough money to fill the can with
them. Folks laughed and bought them,
and I knew I was going to be rich! About
the second can of pencils someone went
to my folks’ medical office and told my
mother I was selling pencils in front of
the post office. It did not take her long to
fi nd me.
Knowing that she usually did not
appreciate my ideas, I rarely asked
permission. I had not discussed my
business with her or my grandfather.
From her tone of voice as she approached
I knew it was best not to say too much. You
would have thought I was selling stolen
www.quinaultvalleygunsandblades.com | 360-288-2652 goods or something. She was furious!
24 BLADE FEBRUARY 2020
KNIFE TALK |
A knife dealer gave this knife to the author. “Guess
what, she was just like one of my fi rst knives, given
to me because she did not have a point that could
hurt me,” the author wrote. “She held a great edge
and was a friend for years.”
While she led me home by
my left ear and a little hair,
she wanted to know where I
got the pencils—and even accused
me of stealing them! She confiscated
my remaining inventory and my profits
for the day. I had more money in my
pocket but did not say anything. She kept
talking about a bum and I wondered what
that was.
“THE VALUE OF A KNIFE
him and took out his knife,
VARIES WITH WHAT YOU startedtocarveonastick
started to carve on a stick,
and, not knowing about the wooden leg,
CAN DO WITH IT.” stabbed the knife into his leg. I helped him
walk home and when his mother wanted
—THE AUTHOR to know what happened, he told her he
stabbed his knife into his own leg. She
shook her head and asked, “What in the
THE WOODEN LEG hell were you thinking?” Her son told her
For me, the value of a knife varies with there was a guy at the park bench who did it
what you can do with it. all the time. I don’t think she believed him.
My grandfather would show me how
to make rabbit traps and whistles, sling CHANCE to be a HERO
th
shots, pointed sticks, play mumblety-peg Later, around the 4 grade, my grandfather
and many more uses for a knife. Another gave me my first, very own, personal
old friend who encouraged my interest in knife. One day we had a great tragedy.
knives was an elderly gentleman who was Th e 4 -grade pencil sharpener broke
th
usually found sitting on the park bench in and education came to a standstill. Many
front of city hall. He was always carving of you will remember how necessary it
wood, making large pointed sticks into was to sharpen a pencil. It was to be my
smaller pointed ones until there were moment of glory. I had a knife and could
only shavings on the ground, soon to sharpen a pencil pretty well. I was a hero!
become mulch. My first client needing a pencil sharpened
He was special. Somehow, if you was Lorelai Silverstine, who was also my
watched his hands, the work he was girlfriend at the time.
doing with the knife seemed to add to the
conversation. He had many great stories KNIVES in PICTURES
and a wooden leg. He never said how he I do not remember seeing any photos
lost his real leg. I mention the wooden of knives that were not in someone’s
leg because of his favorite trick. When a hands being used. I never thought of
new kid was present and the elderly gent a pocketknife as a weapon until I saw
wanted to roll a cigarette, he would stab Catcher in the Rye. I remember being
the knife in his wooden leg so he could amazed. It seemed wrong—that was not
use both hands. New kids would go what pocketknives were for! Th ey were
“Wow!” but no one ever said anything. not weapons in my mind but tools for
One kid who was a little slow watched making constructive stuff, a tool no man
26 BLADE FEBRUARY 2020
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KNIFE TALK |
One of the author’s recent acquisitions, a penknife
by Joseph Rodgers & Sons, “Cutlers To Her Majesty.”
As the author noted, “she’s a real pencil sharpener!”
or kid should ever be without. as examples. Our schools are no longer
Looking back I feel it was not the fact a place for practical learning, making
that I could make money with knives, but tools or being prepared for emergencies.
that I could make things with them. All I People have forgotten that knives save
needed was time, some coaching, practice more lives than they take. However, we
and the knowledge that knives were very still have places in which to teach. Th ere
important tools for a kid to have. I was so are church camps, scouting events, your
proud of that first pocketknife. I was the yard, picnics, family gatherings, maybe
luckiest kid in town. I had a knife, a dog even a city park. Don’t give up! Th ese are
and could ask for no more. just a few places that I remember and
I did a little research for this article, inspired me to write an article again.
looking for the price of a pencil in 1946. To me the knife is a very special
I was unable to find how much one cost implement that has contributed more
back then, but I did read that the fi rst to our quality of life since man became
sharpened pencil was sharpened with a a user of tools. I am proud to be a
knife! Henry David Thoreau worked in knifemaker, proud of what my knives can
his father’s pencil factory and invented a do. Had I never sold a knife, I would still
pencil that was voted best of all pencils. be making them and searching for the
Ernest Hemingway and John Steinbeck legend of Excalibur. I am very thankful
both wrote their great novels with pencils. to the friends I have made down through
the years while talking and teaching about
ENCOURAGE the NEXT and making our champion, the knife.
GENERATION So where do knifemakers come from?
Today the knife gets a bum rap. Folks Memories!
consider it a weapon and are more afraid Thanks for sharing time with me.
of knives than guns. Schools banning
knives have made our children more Yours truly,
dependent on someone else to save them Ed Fowler
from jammed seat belts and exigent [email protected]
circumstances that could easily be relieved edfowler.com
with a simple, friendly pocketknife.
If we wish to invest in the future of our For the latest knives, knife news, trends
champion, the using knife, we will be and more visit blademag.com, BLADE®’s
well advised to spend a little time with popular Instagram page @blade_
kids, showing them the value of a knife magazine, and on Facebook and Twitter.
and teaching them to use it for what
they are interested in doing. Th ere are
lots of games and crafts that can be used
28 BLADE FEBRUARY 2020
FORTY YEARS
OF KNIVES!
ear after year, the Knives
Y Annual keeps the knife
industry up to date on design
trends and customer creations.
Whether you’re a maker or a
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PAST MASTERS | BY MIKE HASKEW BLADE FIELD EDITOR
®
Ted Dowell popularized the integral knife
made from one piece of steel. The way
Ted made one-piece knives was known as
integral hilt and cap, with the guard/
hilt and cap/buttcap connected by
a tapered tang, with cutouts for
the pinned handle scales.
(SharpByCoop image)
TED DOWELL SCHOOLED Ted and Betty Dowell
hold Ted’s plaque for
AN INDUSTRY ON FINE winning the Red Watson
Memorial Friendship
Award at the 2005
KNIFE CRAFTSMANSHIP Guild Show in Orlando.
30 BLADE FEBRUARY 2020
“He was extremely intelligent,” observed
Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer B.R. Hughes. “He
was profi cient in terms of intellect, and his
ability to communicate was outstanding—
probably because of his background in
education.”
Ted was first a teacher of mathematics,
progressing to a teacher who made knives
with his fi rst effort in 1967 and fi nally
becoming a full-time knifemaker in 1975.
“When we met in that calculus class, Ted
was a math major and I was struggling,”
Betty laughed. “I thought that if I ‘hitched
my wagon’ in the right place, I might make
it!” The two were married on Oct. 3, 1953,
and the union lasted until Ted’s death in
th
2012 at age 83—two days after their 59
wedding anniversary.
The journey was long, challenging and,
ultimately, quite rewarding. Ted was born
®
Dowell trues up the surfaces of one of his integral-hilt-and-cap designs. (BLADE fi le photo) in Waltham, Massachusetts, a suburb of
Boston, and Betty was originally from
hen T.M. “Ted” Dowell made a said, “Ted was very quiet—until he got to Maine. They found their home in Oregon
knife, the sum of the parts was know you.” after a bit of friendly advice from one of
Walmost always something of ex- A commitment to excellence in Ted’s Navy buddies.
cellence. Known as one of the best custom any endeavor is serious business, and, “When Ted graduated from college in
knifemakers of his era, Dowell understood compared to the rest, Ted had a head start 1951, it was the height of the Korean War,”
the sweep of the curve and the subtleties when it came to getting things right. His Betty remembered. “He got a draft notice in
of the angle. And when he fi nished, every- undergraduate and master’s degrees in January and a deferment until June. When
thing added up. After all, he was a math- mathematics from Boston University were he finished school, Uncle Sam was waiting
ematician, too. Go fi gure! proof enough of that. (Ironically, he met at the bottom of the stairs. He had joined
Many who met Ted during a knifemaking Betty in an integral calculus class.) the Naval Reserve while on deferment
career that spanned more than four decades
recall seeing him at a show dressed in a suit
and tie, a table of fine, handmade knives
laid out before him with his wife, Betty,
at his side. The two of them never missed
a Knifemakers’ Guild Show for 40 years,
proud of an unbroken string of perfect
attendance that stretched until 2010.
Dowell popularized the integral knife,
made from a single piece of steel and
known to many as the integral hilt and
cap. He was best known for his hunting
and skinning knives, and also his art
knives and the precision-built Funny
Folder. He was one of 11 original founding
members of the Guild in 1970, serving as
the organization’s president from 1975 to
1976, and championing the development
of the Guild Show into one of the industry’s
premier annual events.
“Ted was a serious person who was also
courteous and professional,” remembered
Dave Harvey of Nordic Knives, who hosted
the Solvang Custom Show* for many years.
BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame®
The Funny Folder was one of Dowell’s best-known designs. (SharpByCoop image)
member Dan Delavan of Plazacutlery.com
FEBRUARY 2020 blademag.com 31
After Light Comes the PAST MASTERS |
and went to officer’s training in Newport,
Rhode Island. Then, he served as a gunnery
officer aboard the battleship USS Missouri
in Norfolk, Virginia.”
Ted remained an avid hunter and
fisherman his entire life, and while he and
Betty had talked of moving to Alaska, Ted’s
sailor friend extolled the virtues of Oregon,
its natural beauty and abundance of wildlife.
When Ted was discharged, the couple made
a big decision; it was a “calculated” risk.
“We decided that if we were ever going
to make a big break, that was the time to do
it,” Betty recalled. “So, we packed up our ’46
Ford and a trailer and moved to Oregon—
without a job. Sometimes now, I think, ‘Did
we really do that?’”
PROBLEM SOLVER
Right away, Ted got used to solving
problems. He worked briefly as a mechanic
but soon found a job teaching in Salem and
TM
the YOJIMBO 2
then Madras, Oregon, finally spending 10
Now available with black DLC-coated blade and all- years as an instructor at Central Oregon
®
black hardware and Compression Lock mechanism spyderco.com 800 525 7770
Community College in Bend, where
USA MADE the Dowells made their home for years
and raised children Jeff, Lynn and Scott.
Tragically, they lost Scott in a car accident
in 1975.
Ted’s first job in the classroom was an
You’re not just making a knife, adventure with youngsters who had proven
you’re making a statement. somewhat difficult with earlier teachers. th
“On his first day of teaching, he had 7 -
and 8 -graders. He came home for lunch
th
High-quality steel worthy of your artistry. and said, ‘Honey, what do I do?’” Betty
laughed. “I told him to keep them busy. I
added that if he could last two-and-a-half
weeks until Christmas, he had it whipped.
“He came home at the end of the day
and said that when he had gotten back to
Our commitment to service and the classroom, the desks were all in a circle.
value is as strong as our products. You When he asked what the reason was, one
can count on us for the widest selection of of the more-adventurous kids told him
blade stock, internationally renowned quality, and that afternoons were spent square dancing.
accurate on-time delivery of any size order. Bar sizes Evidently, the kids had been so disruptive
and full sheets or plates from 1/32” to 1/2” in stock. Small that the teachers had given up by aft ernoon.
quantities are always welcome. He looked at them with steely eyes and
said, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, your square-
• Stainless • Alloy • Nickel dancing days are over. Get these desks back
• High Carbon • Tool Steels • Titanium
into rows—we’ve got some learning to do!’”
• Low Carbon • Precision Ground • Damascus
Stainless (Incidentally, one of the would-be square
dancers still calls Betty to chat now and
Visit our website and order online at www.admiralsteel.com,, then.)
call 800-323-7055, or email us at [email protected] While teaching, Ted became interested
™
4152 West 123rd Street in handmade knives. He received a math
Alsip, Illinois 60803-1869 teacher’s scholarship from the National
Admiral is a registered trademark of Admiral Steel LLC. Admiralsteel.com Science Foundation to study for a year
Alsip, Illinois. Reg. No. 2430959. All rights reserved. ISO 9001 REGISTERED
at Florida State University. While there,
32 BLADE FEBRUARY 2020
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PAST MASTERS |
that he couldn’t aff ord not to buy because it
was such a bargain.”
Ted’s knife business fl ourished with
Betty doing the bookkeeping. He never
took a deposit and amassed a backlog
of orders that, at one time, stretched to
seven years. When the customer’s order
number came up, a phone call confi rmed
that he still wanted the ordered knife,
and the work began. It didn’t take long
for the rest of the budding custom knife
community to take note.
Three old friends share time at a past ONE-PIECE WONDER
Art Knife Invitational, from left: BLADE In 1973, Hughes wrote that Ted made 11
Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame member Bob models of functional design, using carbon-
®
Loveless and Ted and Betty Dowell. Ted and
Bob spent hours on the phone developing the tungsten tool steel and standard handle Ted Dowell circa the early 1970s.
bylaws of the Knifemakers’ Guild. materials. Today, he stands firm in his
assessment of Dowell’s work. produce a superior cutting tool, not just an
he visited Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer Bo “For one thing, it was far above average attractive knife. He was also quite versatile,
Randall’s knife operation in Orlando. He in terms of slickness and cleanness. He able to produce fancy art knives, folders and
read books and worked at making knives, was one of the first makers I am aware of great hunting knives.”
teaching himself. who used the one-piece blade, tang and However, the integral remains Ted’s
“He taught school and continued that as buttcap, and one of the few who off ered legacy. Delavan confirms that, “more
a sideline,” Betty explained. “At that time, an aluminum guard and buttcap that gave makers started doing integral designs aft er
custom knives were in their infancy. He a knife better balance. Ted’s designs were Ted, and the high-end work pushed others
basically had two jobs—teaching school smooth. He set himself apart with his to do so as well. At the time there was a
and making knives—and then he made the workmanship,” Hughes stated. handful of makers, and Ted was among the
jump to full-time knifemaker.” B.R.’s favorite Dowell creation is the best. The Funny Folder was also really well
For some, that would have been a leap of Model 5 fixed-blade hunter with an made. There were no loose parts and the
faith. For Ted, it was a step ahead. aluminum guard and cap. Hughes once workmanship was the best.”
“He hated the bookkeeping, and I had owned a Model 5—with its sweet little
plenty to do in the house. So, he was in the curvature to the handle that made it such LASTING IMPRESSION
shop, and I was taking care of the business a pleasure to hold—but it was stolen. Betty says her husband’s proudest
end. That’s the way it worked for 40 years,” “Ted’s knives were beautifully shaped, with achievement was the development and
she said. “I had to pay for all the equipment flowing lines,” he added. success of the Guild Show. Ted was fond
he suddenly decided he had to have and Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer Phil Lobred, of saying it was achieved in the face of
organizer of the Art Knife Invitational, was considerable opposition from those
an admirer of Ted’s work and called upon
him to help get the AKI off the ground.
Reluctant at first, Ted finally obliged. He
eventually made several art knives, and the
public found that he was equally adept in
multiple genres.
Ted’s son, Jeff, has managed to acquire
some of those rare art knives, now keeping
them in the family. In addition, Betty bought
an integral from a collector friend a couple
of years ago. Family members still use sets
of kitchen knives Ted made, and Betty brags
about their edge-holding quality.
“Ted was one of many makers who
contributed to the early appeal of custom
knives,” Harvey related. “There were certain
makers who set themselves apart from the
others through excellent craft smanship and
Fancy integrals were also part of the Dowell
repertoire, as done here in a double-fullered superior designs. Ted certainly took his Ted was known for such creative designs as
blade. (Weyer International image) knifemaking seriously and always strove to this sword cane. (Weyer International image)
34 BLADE FEBRUARY 2020
who felt it couldn’t be done successfully.
Previously, the Guild Show had been held
in conjunction with a gun show, but, under
Dowell’s leadership, the event came into its
own as an all-custom-knife show.
Mrs. Dowell also remembers Ted’s work
on the Guild bylaws and that he spent
hours on the telephone with Cutlery Hall-
Of-Famer Bob Loveless (page 12) to put the
tenets together. The two knifemaking giants
had a mutual respect for one another, and
Loveless taught Dowell how to make the
wet-form sheath.
After so many years, Betty refl ected on
her husband’s life and work.
“He wanted to be known as a ‘straight
arrow’ who kept up his orders,” she
commented. “That’s a typical New
Englander, I guess, because he was brought
up in that area. He was a rebel. A school
administrator once said that if he asked
Ted a question, he knew he was going to
get a straight answer. He never hesitated to
express his opinion.”
Throughout his life, Ted Dowell managed
to solve those stubborn equations that
confronted him. Anyone who picks up one
of his knives feels that lasting impression.
*Dave Harvey moved his Nordic Knives
retail knife shop to Boise, Idaho, where the
Solvang Show will be reincarnated as the
Nordic Knives Invitational Knife Show May
2 at the Grove Hotel (page 56).
For the latest knives, knife news, trends and
more visit blademag.com, BLADE®’s
popular Instagram page @blade_
magazine, and on Facebook
and Twitter.
Dowell also made
lockback folders,
including this one
with scroll engraving.
(SharpByCoop image)
FEBRUARY 2020 blademag.com 35
KEEN BENEFACTORS | BY DANIEL JACKSON
IMAGES COURTESY OF THE PARTICIPATING KNIFEMAKERS
CARING KNIFEMAKERS
LEAD THE WAY
BY SUPPORTING
WORTHY CAUSES
Lucas Burnley’s Cypop is part bottle opener, part “pocket
sculpture.” He indicated the Cypop fan base seems to have
eclipsed his knives. He raffl ed off 33 Cypops in November,
netting $118,000 for Toys for Tots. The raffl e’s fi rst-place
winner netted this Cypop made of Mokuti and inlaid with three
diamonds. (Lucas Burnley image)
Lucas Burnley (left) and Marine Corps SSgt. Joshua Patterson push a cart
Lucas Burnley (left) and Marine Corps SSgt. Joshua Patterson push a cart
full of toys to be donated to Toys for Tots. (Lucas Burnley image)ots. (Lucas Burnley image)
full of toys to be donated to T oys for T
36 BLADE FEBRUARY 2020
Emerson Knives, Inc., auctions off special models
for charities on the company website. The Battalion
was auctioned to raise money for St. Jude Children’s
Hospital, an effort championed by Ernest Emerson’s
wife, Mary, who handles a good deal of the
company’s charitable efforts.
or some knifemakers, the work they items, especially custom knives that can and conservation of natural resources
do is more than pushing the craft, bring a good dollar value to auctions, raffles is important to the company, Buck
Fartistry and metallurgy to the limits. and more,” she noted. supports foundations well known around
Some have used the following they’ve creat- Buck supports a range of initiatives, from the hunting camp such as the Boone &
ed or the popular designs they’ve developed charities operating on a national scale to Crockett Club, Mule Deer Foundation and
to do good in the world by fundraising for local events. Like many big-name knife the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
charities near and dear to their hearts. companies, it has a page on its website “We also have a missionary program
StephanieYoung,BuckKnivesmarketing addressing how people can request a via which we send refurbished or repaired
and communications manager, said knife donation from Buck. According to Young, knives from warranty replacement claims
companies are uniquely suited to fundraise requests pour in weekly. “We look at the to missionaries in Africa to dole out or
for several causes, one of them being cause, the impact of the event, community trade during their efforts with the local
conservation efforts. Meanwhile, knives outreach, industry relevance [and other communities or tribes,” Young said.
appeal to a wide number of people—from factors],” she explained. However, it’s not just special programs.
avid cooks to veterans. “Knives are popular Becausethepromotionofethicalhunting “Our Blue Line and Red Line 722 SpitFires
have portions of the proceeds that go to
various organizations benefiting police and
the
proceeds
of
its
from
sales
of
Buck
donates
portions
Buck donates portions of the proceeds from sales of its firefighters,” she wrote.
Blue Line (shown here) and Red Line 722 SpitFires to
Blue Line (shown here) and Red Line 722 SpitFires to Moreover, Buck produced the 245 Matt
various organizations benefi
ting police and fi
ghters.
various organizations benefiting police and firefighters.
refi
Would Go knife, designed by U.S. Navy
SEAL Matthew J. Leathers, who was lost at
sea in 2013. Portions of the proceeds went
to MattWouldGo LLC, which raised funds
for the Navy SEAL Foundation.
JUST CAUSES
In a similar vein, Benchmade takes a portion
of proceeds from certain knives and uses
them to support various organizations that
might be of interest to people interested in
buying that particular knife.
For instance, a portion of the sales
from the company’s 15200ORG Altitude
goes toward Backcountry Hunters and
Anglers. Taking inspiration from President
Theodore Roosevelt, BCHA seeks to
preserve wild lands. Similarly, some of the
proceeds of Benchmade’s tactical-minded
Adamas family of knives go to two outfi ts
that help support special operations
veterans: the Th ree Rangers Foundation
and the Navy SEAL Foundation.
FEBRUARY 2020 blademag.com 37
KEEN BENEFACTORS |
Spyderco donates portions of thhe
d
proceeds from its pink-handled
e
Native 5 (right) and Squeak (below)
to The Pink Heals Movement, aan
organization that helps women
battling cancer.
A
i
f
i
l
h
d
“The Altitude is one of the most
“Th
popular Hunt Series knives, so the
folks purchasing it are going to be the A portion of the sales from
A portion of the sales from
enthusiasts who will most appreciate the Benchmade’ s 15200ORG
Benchmade’s 15200ORG AltitudeAltitude
Hunters
toward
support of BCHA and understand that goes toward Backcountry Hunters
Backcountry
goes
and Anglers. BCHA seeks to
part of their purchase is going directly and Anglers. BCHA seeks to
ensure North America’s outdoor
ensure North America’ s outdoor
back to a mission they personally care
of
heritage
hunting
heritage of hunting and fishing
and
fi
shing
about,” explained Matt Glass, Benchmade in a natural setting through
natural
a
in
setting
through
spokesperson. “The same goes for the education and work on behalf of
on
work
education
of
and
behalf
wild public lands and waters.
Adamas, because it is a massively popular wild public lands and waters.
option for folks in the tactical, military
and law enforcement communities.”
Benchmade also targets specifi c needs.
At the beginning of 2019, it announced that
because of the devastating Camp Fire in
2018, it was going to donate a portion of the
proceeds from the knives it sold for a few
weeks in January to the Tracy California
Highway Patrol’s Explorer Post 266.
Benchmade’s donations contributed $5,000
to that eff ort. The Camp Fire ravaged parts
of California and was one of the deadliest
forest fires in U.S. history.
“The Camp Fire support could be one of
the best finite examples of a success from
the company’s response to a specifi c need,”
Glass said.
FROM the HEART
Spyderco spokesperson Joyce Laituri said
that giving back has been at the core of
38 BLADE FEBRUARY 2020
39th annual
june 5-7, 2020
®
CONNECT WITH US AT #BLADESHOW
KEEN BENEFACTORS |
Burnley
partnered
2019,
Lucas
company
Mattel
with
toy
In
In 2019, Lucas Burnley partnered with toy company Mattel
in his T oys for T ots campaign. Not only was he able to buy
in his Toys for Tots campaign. Not only was he able to buy
result,
a
also
was
he
reduced
a
at
toys
as
price
toys at a reduced price as a result, he was also able toable to
purchase and donate some hard-to-access gifts.
purchase and donate some hard-to access gifts.
Emerson Knives, Inc., donates knife auction
Emerson Knives, Inc., donates knife auction
proceeds to several military foundations,
proceeds to several military foundations,
proceeds
CQC-6
this
for
raised
including
including the proceeds raised for this CQC-6 toto A portion of the proceeds from Benchmade’s
the
the family of U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle.
the family of U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle. tactical-minded Adamas family of knives
goes to two outfi ts that help support special
operations veterans: the Three Rangers
Foundation and the Navy SEAL Foundation.
Spyderco donates proceeds from This is the Adamas 375 fi xed blade.
sales of the Sage Series, including
the Sage 5, to the Colorado Chapter what the company has been about ever
of the Alzheimer’s Association. since she started working there in 1995.
Spyderco’s website mentions the three
initiatives the company supports: Portions
of proceeds from the sales of the Mantra 2
and Mantra 3 are donated to the National
Parkinson Foundation; the Sage Series to
the Alzheimer’s Association, Colorado
Chapter; and the pink-handled Native 5
and Squeak to The Pink Heals Movement.
“All these charities have directly touched
the [company CEO Sal] Glesser family or
the Spyderco crew in some way,” Laituri
related. “The Sage Series is called Sage
because it represents a wise and worldly
person. Alzheimer’s sadly takes the ‘sages’
of the world away from us. Pink Heals helps
40 BLADE FEBRUARY 2020
KEEN BENEFACTORS |
using
own
his
Lucas
Lucas Burnley had been using his own vehicle to transport
Burnley
to
transport
had
vehicle
been
oys
purchases
for
T
his purchases for Toys for Tots until the organization surprisedsurprised
his
ots
T
until
the
organization
for
for
U.S.
volunteers—all
arranging
by
for
T
oys
T
him
him by arranging for Toys for Tots volunteers—all U.S.
ots
Marines—to carry the toys in three 26-foot U-Haul trucks.
Marines—to carry the toys in three 26-foot U-Haul trucks.
women battling all types of cancers, and Chokwe model—a new version of the through a stack of papers, trying to
Parkinson’s has taken so many of our great, Chokwe is coming out—helped an explain all the auctions his knife company,
iconic knifemakers. When the knives are organization called Keep a Child Alive, Emerson Knives Inc., has spearheaded over
being designed, a charity often just seems which raises funds for AIDS research. the past few years. “It’s tough, but we just do
to fit the knife, and the thought and timing Spyderco also donates a variation of it,” he said. “It’s never been something we’ve
are there.” its Native 5 to members of the military tracked or made a big deal of.”
Asforknifemakersperhapsconsidering on deployment through a monthly Every year, the company runs two
their own fundraising work, Laituri said lottery—a practice the company started or three auctions on its website—but it
it has to start from the heart—a desire to in the aftermath of 9/11. never pulls a knife off the shelf. Rather,
be compassionate. “I don’t think Spyderco would want to Emerson “dresses it up” by engraving the
Over the years, Spyderco has necessarily share specific figures,” Laituri knife, hand-grinding the blade or turning
supported several different charitable said of the company’s dollar donations out a custom creation. The kind of money
effortswithassortedknives.Oneexample to charity, “but I can tell you it is in the each auction brings in varies. Some raffles
is a Spyderco Delica that helped raise hundreds of thousands.” might fetch $1,200, others 10 times that
funds for the National Law Enforcement amount. However, in order to draw interest
Officer Museum Foundation. Some GIVING BACK in the auction, Emerson typically picks a
proceeds from the now-discontinued Knifemaker Ernest Emerson ruffled popular knife design. Each one has its own
Over the years Emerson Knives, Inc., has donated
proceeds from knife auctions to many worthy causes,
including the proceeds raised from this CQC-6 for the
Twin Towers Survivors Fund.
FEBRUARY 2020 blademag.com 41
KEEN BENEFACTORS |
following. His well-known CQC-6 is one. To help fi ght Parkinson’s disease, Spyderco donates
portions of the proceeds from sales of the Mantra
He is careful to vet each charity to see
2 (shown here) and Mantra 3 to the National
how much of the company’s funds go to Parkinson Foundation.
the causes the nonprofit claims to help. He
warns that not all national organizations
steward funds wisely. Over the years,
Emerson Knives has lent its support to the
CIA Memorial Offi cer Foundation. It also
has raised funds for Fallen Navy SEALs
and Chris Kyle.
One charity Emerson Knives has
returned to again and again over the years
is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,
a charity championed by Emerson’s wife, horrific wounds that would have lled proceeds, he s id, went toward toys he’d buy
Mary, who handles a good deal of the soldiers of earlier years if it were not for and donate to s for Tots.
company’s charitable eff orts. advances in emergency medicine. hat I love a ut Toys for Tots is that
“She champions that particular type its mission n to deli er hope. I think a
fact that even with
of charity because her mom and her CYPOPS for TOTS lot of people miss t the fa
i s
grandfather all donated large parts of their Lucas Burnley leveraged his social media something as simple as , y ou’re actually
income to St. Jude’s,” Emerson observed. following to raise funds for Toys for Tots. supporting a whole family,” Burnley said,
“It’s one of those organizations that spends Burnley, who lives on Cape Cod and has adding that play helps kids learn and takes
almost all the money it receives on research designed knives for companies such as stress off the parents.
and care for children [with] cancer.” Boker, won the BLADE Magazine 2019 When he was looking for something
Because he’s been blessed with so much, Industry Achievement Award (September to display at shows after his knives sold
Emerson feels duty bound to give back. He BLADE®, page 36) for his work with the out, he hit on the Cypop, which is part
naturally supports many military causes. Toys for Tots charity. bottle opener and part “pocket sculpture.”
When citizens sign up, they know they It began in 2013, when he put up one of According to Burnley, over time the fan
might return with debilitating PTSD or his Cypop models for a raffle. All the raffl e base for the Cypops seemingly eclipsed
his knives.
Th e raffle he held in November 2019
netted $118,000 for Toys for Tots. He raffl ed
off 33 Cypops, with the fi rst-place winner
netting one made of Mokuti and sporting
Masecraft Supply Co. offers the world’s largest line-up of three inlaid diamonds. The enthusiasts in
natural and synthetic materials for knife handles, gun grips,
pens, musical instrument inlays, pool cue inlays and endless the Burnley Knives group on Facebook
other creative applications. Several of these materials are egged each other on, encouraging one
exclusive to us.
another to donate to the cause and buy into
Our customers include some of the largest and well known the $10-a-ticket raffl e.
major manufacturers and artisans in the world.
In 2019, Burnley partnered with toy
Our line-up of natural materials includes white Mother of Pearl,
Black Lip Pearl, Gold Lip Pearl, Paua, Green Abalone and company Mattel. Not only was he able to
many types of Laminated Shell Veneers (LVS) plus custom purchase toys at a reduced price, he also
shell inlays, India Stag, Bone, Horn and Exotic Woods.
was able to buy and donate some hard-to-
Our decorative synthetic materials include Alternative Ivory access gifts. For instance, as anyone close to
and many other decorative Polyester and Acrylic materials in
sheet, rod and bar form. We also offer a full line of Reconsti- a young girl knows, American Girl® dolls
tuted Stone slabs and blocks. We are adding new products
every year. We also offer a wide variety of Rigid Composite are pricy and popular. Mattel donated 500
Laminates in Canvas, Linen and Paper Micarta, G-10’s and of them!
Carbon Fiber.
By buying the toys himself, Burnley is
Masecraft supply co. specializes in large manufacture orders able to purchase toys beyond the $29.95
and the individual needs of artisans and hobbyist alike.
spending limit that Toys for Tots sets for
each toy per child. “So, we can do things
like buy bicycles,” he explained.
Toys for Tots, which was started in 1991
at the request of the U.S. Marines, ran a
Visit our new low-level “military” operation for Burnley’s
E-commerce store, Cypops for Tots charity: When he rolled up
www.masecraft supply.com
full product selection with pictures Meriden, CT USA to Mattel in California, he could no longer
use his personal vehicle to cart all the toys
Call us today for a free catalog 1-800-682-5489 away. Instead, Toys for Tots volunteers—all
42 BLADE FEBRUARY 2020
KEEN BENEFACTORS |
Marines—provided three 26-foot U-Haul
trucks to carry away his purchases.
Over the years, Burnley has tried to
keep a spontaneous, non-charity feel to the
raffle. His words of advice for knifemakers
seeking to use their work for charity are to
support a charity you believe in.
“The key for any type of fundraising or
any type of charity is that there are 1,000
reasons not to do it,” he observed. “You only
have to fi nd the one reason that you have an
attachment point.”
Helping those in need is what it’s all
about, and these special knife folks give
their all.
For more on the knife charities in the story,
see “Where To Get ’Em” on page 64.
For the latest knives, knife news, trends
and more visit blademag.com, BLADE®’s
popular Instagram page @blade_magazine,
and on Facebook and Twitter.
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FEBRUARY 2020 blademag.com 43
WOODCARVERS | BYABEELIASBLADE FIELDEDITOR
®
IMAGES COURTESY OF THE AUTHOR
CHIPS OFF
’
THE OL
BLADE
AN EXPERIENCED CARVER OUTLINES
THE LATEST EDGED TOOLS FOR THE JOB
A good technique to remove material
A good technique to remove material
is to stack a bunch of paring cuts.
is to stack a bunch of paring cuts.
knife
Flexcut
Sloyd
short-bladed
The
The Flexcut short-bladed Sloyd knife
preparation
in
a
for
curls
up
piles
piles up curls in preparation for a
paring cut on the base of the stack.
paring cut on the base of the stack.
44 BLADE FEBRUARY 2020
Left row, from bottom: Condor Tool & Knife Curved Knife and Classic Carver and the Flexcut Sloyd Collection of fi ve knives. Right-hand portion of
image: Smoky Mountain Knife Works’ Rough Rider 12-Piece Set and the Casstrom Curly Birch Knife (in the middle with the curly birch handle).
he past two years I have noticed all MSRP) is a hook knife and the Classic carving of a sort. Be advised, however, that
sorts of carving taking off in popu- Carver Model 62702 ($59.98 MSRP) is when you sharpen the Classic Carver for
Tlarity—spoon to folk, chip carving a Sloyd-style knife (page 46). I had to do the first time, you will discover it is a very
and even relief carving. If you carve, you some edge maintenance on the Curved shallow hollow grind. I went to polish up
need something sharp to do it. Knife because it was not nearly as sharp the bevels on my belt grinder, only to fi nd
Most of the edged tools in this article as it needed to be. Once I got it tuned the middle of the bevel was not cleaning
focus on spoon carving. One tool gets up, it worked well. Overall, it is true to up at the same rate as the sides.
into some detail carving. Because of the design—except that I feel the blade runs Both knives’ blades are 1075 carbon
number of edged implements reviewed, on the lightweight side. It still cuts but steel. I would prefer 1095 to get the
I will give you my impressions on each you might miss the mass, depending on Rockwell hardness higher. Th ese two
company’s lines rather than a lot of detail what type of wood you are cutting. make for a good set, and Condor provides
about the specs, which you can research The Classic Carver has a traditional- a sheath for the Curved Knife.
via the Internet. I have been carving for a style blade with a full-tang design. Th e full
number of years now and want to give you tang gives the knife more of a robust build CUTTING PRETTY
a feel for the performance of these tools. while allowing for a trimmer handle cross In the past, I have reviewed a couple of
section. The Sloyd style cuts very well. Casstrom bushcraft knives. Both were
FULL-TANG TANGO The full tang makes it a great little knife excellent performers. Since Casstrom is
The Condor Curved Knife ($49.95 for bushcraft work, which essentially is in Sweden it shouldn’t be diffi cult for the
FEBRUARY 2020 blademag.com 45
WOODCARVERS |
The hook knife design of the Casstrom makes easy work of the bowl section on a
The hook knife design of the Casstrom makes easy work of the bowl section on a THE SLOYD KNIFE
the
of
knife
The
box,
blank.
spoon
out
basswood
basswood spoon blank. The knife came sharp right out of the box, though with a bit ofthough with a bit of
came
right
sharp
edge maintenance by the author it went from sharp to crazy sharp.
edge maintenance by the author it went from sharp to crazy sharp. ccording to Blue Spruce Toolworks
A(bluesprucetoolworks.com), sloyd is
a word derived from the Swedish word
slojd, meaning handiwork or craft s, and
a slojd knife could be considered a knife
made for such endeavors. Th e Teacher’s
Hand-book of Slojd written by Otto
Salomon in 1892 describes the original
sloyd knife as having a tapered blade
about 4 inches long and no more than
three-quarters of an inch wide. Th e edge
was straight and the tip came down at
an angle forming a blunt point—kind of
like a narrow, squared-off sheepsfoot or
wharncliffe blade. The handle was barrel
shaped. Blue Spruce Toolworks stated
that most contemporary sloyd knives are
not patterned after the original design.—
by BLADE® staff
company to nail a Scandinavian design,
and it does so with the Curly Birch Knife
($80 MSRP). The hook knife is spot on,
boasting good cross-section geometry and
mass, and the fit and finish are perfect.
I often hear people remark they don’t
care if their knife is “pretty,” they just want
Condor
a
The Condor Classic Carver has a trim
The
trim
has
Classic
Carver
thin
wisp-like
handle
handle and made nice, thin wisp-like it to work. If the blade is nice and shiny,
and
nice,
made
curls in a feathered piece of walnut. that usually means a smooth surface—
curls in a feathered piece of walnut.
which means a lower coeffi cient of
friction when passing through materials,
thus making it a better cutter. Hence,
“pretty” isn’t so bad!
The curly birch handle also makes the
Casstrom a looker—something anyone
would be happy to own. A nice sheath
completes the outfi t.
INEXPENSIVE HOBBY SET
To be fair, the Smoky Mountain Knife
Works Rough Rider 12-Piece Set is not a
high-quality outfit. Is it useless? No. It is
a good little hobby set—especially for the
price ($9.99 MSRP). I’ve used a similar set
for years on small jobs, such as inlaying a
sling mount on a gunstock.
Just for the heck of it, I actually tested
these knives on pine and ash for a small
relief-carving sample project. I had to
do some major power stropping before
I could get them to do any real cutting
as opposed to tearing. (Believe it or not,
softer woods are more diffi cult to carve
if your tool is not sharp. If your tool is
46 BLADE FEBRUARY 2020
FREE KNIFE CATALOG
A complete catalog of knives, including
Damascus, collectors knives, tactical and
work knives, and much more!
To request a free catalog of
knives, visit our website at
The Rough Rider Set is suited for detail
The Rough Rider Set is suited for detail
T
work.
work. To test the blades, the author carved www.bokerusa.com or call
the
blades,
carved
author
the
o
test
part of a flower shape in a piece of ash.
part of a fl ower shape in a piece of ash. 1-800-835-6433
too dull and because the wood’s fi bers
are soft, the tool will just push and break
rather than cut them.)
After a little work, I was able to get
several clean cuts from some of the profi les.
The set features a variety of skewed chisels,
straight chisels, gouges and a couple of
different-sized paring tools. However, I
can’t recommend the set for more than
simply playing around, or perhaps as a
small travel collection for rough work or
decorating a spoon or small bowl by the
campfire. At such a low MSRP, I will say
it is an inexpensive introductory set. As
a result, approach it as such, because the
inability to get much out of it might be
frustrating if you are expecting more.
TRIED and TRUE
Flexcut isn’t a knife company that happens
to include carving tools in its lineup, it
is a company that makes carving tools.
Flexcut’s line of tools is a favorite among
hobbyists and professional carvers. I am
not going to critique the designs in the www.blacksmithsdepot.com
company’s Sloyd Collection ($61.95 to Kayne and Son
$81.95 MSRP) because it is a presentation 100 Daniel Ridge Rd Candler NC 28715 USA
of tried-and-true Scandinavian carving
tools. Instead, my review is based on how PHONE: 828-667-8868
well the designs are executed. International Shipping available • Inquiries Welcome
All the barrel handles are well shaped
FEBRUARY 2020 blademag.com 47
WOODCARVERS |
The Flexcut double-beveled knife is probably the most
The Flexcut double-beveled knife is probably the most
versatile in the company’s Sloyd Collection. It allows you
versatile in the company’ s Sloyd Collection. It allows you
to work either right- or left-handed cuts, as well as away
to work either right- or left-handed cuts, as well as away
while
or
toward
you,
from or toward you, while bracing and blocking the cutbracing and blocking the cut
from
for control and safety
for control and safety. .
Following a lot of power stropping, the
you
can
of
has
art
an
Casstrom
that
The
to
The Casstrom that you can use to make works of art has an curved chisel from the Rough Rider Set was
works
make
use
“art-worthy” appearance of its own because of its classy curly
“art-worthy” appearance of its own because of its classy curly the author’s favorite profi le. After it was all
birch handle. The traditional barrel design, though simple,barrel design, though simple,
birch handle. The traditional polished up, he was surprised at how well
provides a good deal of control.
provides a good deal of control. it cut.
and there are no hot spots. Steel is 1095
carbon, so you can get the tools razor sharp
and keep them that way for a while. Th e
grinds are high enough to make the tools
thin cutters while still having suffi cient
thickness to prevent rolling and chipping.
The Sloyd Collection provides a
variety of different carving profi les, and
only you can decide which ones you
need. Undeniably, however, the straight
Sloyd knife is the anchor of the group.
Flexcut features a number of profiles on its hook knives. This is the
Flexcut features a number of profi les on its hook knives. This is the Everything else branches out from it. It
author
indicated
The
model.
variable-radius
-point,
s
company’s spear-point, variable-radius model. The author indicated is worth getting a good set of slip water
company’
spear
across
the
the broader radius is a bit easier to use. It works well across and
broader
and
radius
use.
bit
to
easier
It
is
well
works
a
yet
still
allows
grain,
with the grain, yet still allows you to make small cuts. Here the knifeyou to make small cuts. Here the knife stones to help sharpen the hook knife
with
the
tackles tough, varying grain.
tackles tough, varying grain. profiles. Otherwise, you can make strops
using different-sized wooden dowels
covered in leather and impregnated with
polishing compound.
Flexcut went with proven designs
and made them well. Pick a couple of
the profiles or get them all. They will
bring you hours of carving pleasure.
Do be careful, though; the shorter hook
knives come to a point, so invest in a
good carry system.
DEEPEN YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Carving can be loads of fun. There are so
48 BLADE FEBRUARY 2020
enough
is
There
selection
major
the
among
les
of
the
profi
There is enough selection among the major profiles of the RoughRough
Rider set to do several small jobs and enjoy some downtime.
Rider set to do several small jobs and enjoy some downtime.
many different available knife styles, so
you should be able to find just the right
one—even if you are only planning to
make shavings.
Give carving a try. Even a small amount
of time spent carving will deepen your
knowledge of blade geometry and knife
handling. By the way, carving knives and
edged tools are not toys, and can be very
sharp. Consequently, keep some bandages
nearby. Also, make sure you can drive one
handed. You know, just in case.
Editor’s note: In addition to making knives
and writing about them, the author works
part time at a specialty woodworking store.
For the contact information for the knives
in the story, see “Where To Get ’Em” on
page 64.
For the latest knives, knife news, trends
and more visit blademag.com, BLADE®’s
Both the Casstrom (left) and Condor
Both the Casstrom (left) and Condor popular Instagram page @blade_magazine,
(right) hook knives and on Facebook and Twitter.
(right) hook knives come with sheathscome with sheaths
for safe, easy carry
for safe, easy carry. .
FEBRUARY 2020 blademag.com 49
EDC NECKERS | BY JAMES MORGAN AYRES
IMAGES BY ML AYRES
In addition to the neck chain, similar to a dog-tag
In addition to the neck chain, similar to a dog-tag
a
has
the
Camillus
Heater’
s
sheath
chain,
chain, the Camillus Heater’s sheath has a clip, a
clip,
a
for
carry
its
options.
feature the author praised for its carry options.
feature
the
praised
author
THREE FACTORY N
NECK KNIVES WORK
TIME-AND-A-HAL F ON THE JOB SITE
F
50 BLADE FEBRUARY 2020
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