Blade (magazine)

Last updated
Blade
EditorSteve Shackleford
Categories knives, knife collecting
FrequencyMonthly
Circulation 40,000
PublisherGun Digest Media LLC
Founded1973
CountryUSA
Based in Appleton, Wisconsin
Language English
Website https://blademag.com/
ISSN 0744-6179

Blade is a consumer magazine about knife collecting. The magazine is based in Appleton, Wisconsin. [1]

Contents

History and profile

First published in 1973 under the title American Blade by Southern House Publishing Co. with Blackie Collins as the editor. The headquarters was in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The magazine's title was changed to Blade in 1982 after its purchase by Jim Parker and Bruce Voyles. In the 1980s, the magazine served as the launching point for an annual convention for knife collectors, the Blade Show; established a Cutlery Hall of Fame; and spun off a trade magazine, Blade Trade . In 1994, Voyles, then the sole owner, sold the publication and its properties to Krause Publications, [2] which increased its frequency to monthly. F+W Publications Inc. purchased Krause Publications and Blade in 2002 [3] and published it under its brand beginning in October 2004. In 2018, Gun Digest Media LLC acquired Blade, Blade Show and all related properties.

Coverage in the magazine ranges across the knife hobby, including military knives, kitchen cutlery, and manufacturing and legislation issues. The magazine publishes several identification columns and values for collectible knives. [4]

Blade sponsors two annual knife shows every year. The Blade Show, held in Atlanta, Georgia every Spring and the Usual Suspect Gathering held in Las Vegas, Nevada in September. [5] [6]

Cutlery Hall of Fame

Every year, Blade enters a new person into the "Cutlery Hall of Fame". The Cutlery Hall of Fame is composed of knifemakers, authors and persons who promote knife making, Bladesmithing, and Knife collecting. Each year, the living members of the Cutlery Hall Of Fame nominate and vote on the latest inductee to join their ranks. [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pocketknife</span> Knife that can be carried in a pocket

A pocketknife is a knife with one or more blades that fold into the handle. They are also known as jackknives (jack-knife), folding knives, EDC knife, or may be referred to as a penknife, though a penknife may also be a specific kind of pocketknife. A typical blade length is 5 to 15 centimetres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camillus Cutlery Company</span>

The Camillus Cutlery Company is one of the oldest knife manufacturers in the United States. The Company was founded in 1876 and produced millions of knives until it filed for bankruptcy in 2007. Its brand name and intellectual property rights were purchased by Acme United Corporation, which re-launched the Camillus brand in May 2009 using modern materials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ernest Emerson</span> American knifemaker and martial artist

Ernest R. Emerson is an American custom knifemaker, martial artist, and edged-weapons expert. Originally an engineer and machinist in the aerospace industry, Emerson became a knifemaker by producing knives for a martial arts class and making art knives early in his knifemaking career. In the 1980s he became better known for his combat knives and popularizing a style of knife known as the Tactical-folder.

Robert Waldorf Loveless, a.k.a. Bob Loveless or RW Loveless, was an American knife maker who designed and popularized the hollowground drop point blade and the use of full tapered tangs and screw-type handle scale fasteners within the art of knifemaking. He is cited by other knifemakers and collectors as one of the most innovative custom knife makers in the world.

Kershaw Knives designs, sources and manufactures a wide range of knives, including pocketknives, sporting knives, and kitchen cutlery. Kershaw is a brand of Kai USA Ltd., a member of the KAI Group, headquartered in Tualatin, Oregon, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liner lock</span> Locking mechanism for folding pocket knives

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randall Made Knives</span> American manufacturer of knives

Randall Made Knives, usually referred to as Randall, is an American custom handcrafted knife manufacturer founded by Walter Doane "Bo" Randall, Jr. in the U.S. The knife making shop and showroom is located in Orlando, Florida. Randall began making knives as a hobby in 1937. His son and grandson continue the family trade along with 20 craftsmen producing about 8,000 knives per year out of a shop on South Orange Blossom Trail.

Imperial Schrade Corp. was an American knife manufacturer of hunting knives, pocketknives, utility knives, and bayonets during the 20th and early 21st centuries. The consolidation of five forerunner companies, including its namesakes, the Imperial Knife Company, founded 1916, and the Schrade Cutlery Company, founded in 1904, Imperial Schrade manufactured its products in the United States and Ireland and sold through hardware stores, department stores, and on military bases. The original company's fortunes declined and in 2004 it entered into bankruptcy where all equipment and intellectual property was sold off to reimburse creditors. The name and intellectual property was bought by Taylor Brands and used for marketing purposes. As of 2016, these brands are owned by Smith & Wesson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sharpfinger</span>

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The American Bladesmith Society, or ABS, is a non-profit organization composed of knifemakers whose primary function is to promote the techniques of forging steel blades. The ABS was founded by knifemaker William F. Moran, who came up with the concept in 1972 when he was Chairman of the Knifemakers' Guild; the following year, he introduced Damascus steel blades at an annual show. In 1976, he incorporated the organization, and it received non-profit status in 1985.

James Buel Lile, known as Jimmy Lile and "The Arkansas Knifesmith", was an American knifemaker from Russellville in Pope County, Arkansas, who made the Rambo Knife for the films First Blood and Rambo: First Blood Part II. As a knifemaker Lile served as a president of the Knifemakers' Guild and on the board of directors of the American Bladesmith Society.

William Francis Moran Jr., also known as Bill Moran, was a pioneering American knifemaker who founded the American Bladesmith Society and reintroduced the process of making pattern welded steel to modern knife making. Moran's knives were sought after by celebrities and heads-of-state. The "William F. Moran School of Bladesmithing" bears his name and in addition to founding the ABS, he was a Blade Magazine Hall of Fame Member and a President of the Knifemakers' Guild.

Gil Hibben is an American custom knifemaker from Wyoming who is based in La Grange, Kentucky. Hibben designed the first line of Browning hunting knives in 1968, the American Kenpo Knife for Ed Parker, and the Rambo Knife for the 1988 film Rambo III 2008 film Rambo. Hibben's "Fantasy Knives" have been used in over 37 films and television shows, particularly science fiction, earning him the title "Klingon Armorer" from the Star Trek franchise. Hibben currently serves as a President of the Knifemakers' Guild, a post he has held for fourteen years.

Bo Randall was an American knifemaker who founded Randall Made Knives in Orlando, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Walker (knifemaker)</span> American knife maker

Michael Leon Walker is an American custom knifemaker and sculptor based in Taos, New Mexico. Walker is the inventor of more than 20 different knife mechanisms including the Walker Linerlock for which he secured a trademark in 1980.

A. G. Russell was an American knife maker.

Walter Wells "Blackie" Collins was an American knife maker who designed and popularized the assisted opening mechanism and various automatic knife designs within the art of knifemaking. He is cited by other knifemakers and collectors as one of the most innovative knife designers in the world and was an author and the founder of what became Blade Magazine. Collins died July 20, 2011, in a motorcycle accident near North, South Carolina.

Jerry Fisk is an American bladesmith based in Nashville, Arkansas. Fisk was named a National Living Treasure in 1998 by the University of North Carolina at Wilmington’s Museum of World Cultures.

The Blade Show is an annual tradeshow for the cutlery industry. It is the largest event of its type in the world. The show is owned by Caribou Media Group and is hosted by Blade Magazine. The event has over 1,000 exhibitors and is the host for inductees into the annual Cutlery Hall of Fame. It also hosts the annual Blade HQ Balisong Competition, BladeSports International Cutting World Championships, Blade University, Knife of the Year Awards, and a variety of knifemaking classes and demos. The event takes place every year over the course of several days and brings in knifemakers and knife companies from all parts of world.

References

  1. "Contact Us". Blade. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
  2. "Krause cuts a trail to blade enthusiast", Folio: The Magazine for Magazine Management, 1994, archived from the original on October 21, 2012
  3. Baker, Don (2002). "F&W Inc. to Acquire Publisher Krause". The Cincinnati Post. Cincinnati, OH. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  4. Kertzman, Joe (2003). Knives 2003, 23rd Edition. Appleton, WI: Krause Publications. pp. 47–48. ISBN   978-0-87349-448-9.
  5. Ewald, Chase (2003). "Getting an Edge". American Cowboy. 10 (4). Active Interest Media, Inc.: 86.
  6. Searson, Mike (April 1, 2011). "The Best Knives of G2". Blade. 37 (5). FW Media Inc.: 80–84.
  7. "Mr. SpeedSafe Joins the Club". Blade Magazine. July 22, 2008. Archived from the original on August 13, 2008. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
  8. Shackleford, Steve (June 3, 2013). "BLADE Show Names Top Knives". Blademag.com. Retrieved June 4, 2013.
  9. Sobieck, Ben (June 6, 2015). "2015 Knife of the Year Awards Recognize Best in Blades". Blade.[ permanent dead link ]