Blade的January 2026目录

“THOUGH IT PAINS A SERIOUS KNIFE PERSON TO ADMIT IT, MOST HANDMADE MODERN DAGGERS ARE FOR SHOW.” A dagger is not a kitchen knife in disguise. It is a purpose-built instrument of thrust and that purpose demands precision at every stage of construction. Small errors that might pass unnoticed in a hunter or utility knife compound on the exacting canvas of the dagger. A centerline that begins drifting by a fraction at the ricasso becomes an off-center tip, an uncentered bevel a blade that twists, the result a thrust off target. The difference between success and failure is geometry, and nowhere does geometry matter more than in the making of a dagger. The process begins with detailed design and planning. The execution begins with precise layout. The central axis is…

American Bladesmith Society Master Smith/past ABS chairman Steve Dunn was admired by many in the knife community and died way too soon at 68 in 2024. ABS Journeyman Smith Tony Lewis never met Steve but is a fan of his work, including Steve’s damascus pattern known as Thorns and Thistles. Tony was fortunate enough to buy Steve’s Riverside hydraulic press, a purchase that included several of Dunn’s die sets. Among the dies was a saddle die—maybe the very one Steve originally used to make the Thorns and Thistles pattern. “Recreating the Thorns and Thistles pattern was both a challenge and a joy,” Tony wrote. “Forging triangles and combining them into a cohesive mosaic was a new technique for me, but after some trial and error I managed to pull it…

VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.BLADEMAG.COM TO: • Sign up for our free newsletter. • Renew your magazine subscription. There’s a subscription link in the nav bar. • Comment on our site stories written by BLADE® staff members and others. LOOK FOR BLADE MAGAZINE ON: SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES: Visit us on the web at www.blademag.com or call 877-485-6426. BOOK SALES: Visit us at www.gundigeststore.comor call 920-471-4522. BACK ISSUES FOR SALE: Subject to Availability. Call 920-471-4522. ADVERTISING: Contact Lori McDaniel at 715-498-3768 or lori@gundigest.com, or request a media kit by writing to: BLADE, 5583 W. Waterford Ln., Suite D, Appleton, WI 54913. LETTERS OR ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS: Steve Shackleford, Editor BLADE Magazine 5583 W. Waterford Ln., Suite D Appleton, WI 54913 or email steve@blademag.com.…

EDC knives have been influenced by folding designs since the inception of steel, if not before. However, historically speaking, compact fixed blades were daily edged tools long before folders. Cultures worldwide, both known and no doubt unknown, carried short sheath knives for utility, survival and ceremony. Japan’s tanto pierced with precision and Viking seaxes sliced with status. Native Americans relied on trade knives and ulus for skinning and barter. Indonesia’s badik and short kris blended practicality with spiritual meaning. These blades reflected local needs and traditions, proving compact straight knives were essential long before EDC became a modern gear category. The Montana Knife Co. (MKC) Stockyard is made in the USA and hand-finished in Montana. It embodies the rugged traditions of ranch life and strikes a balance between compact carry…

“If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.”—Isaac Newton Although Newton penned these words centuries ago, the spirit of his quote is timeless. Applied to the world of knives, today’s high-performance, state-ofthe-art tactical folders are the direct result of two cutlery industry giants: legendary custom knifemaker Bob Terzuola and Spyderco co-founder Sal Glesser. Both members of the BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame®, independently these men each had a tremendous influence on the knife world. However, when they joined forces their impact was even more profound. One of their more influential collaborations was the Starmate, which combined the best elements of Terzuola’s iconic ATCF (Advanced Technology Combat Folder) and Glesser’s revolutionary CLIPIT platform. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of this pivotal design—and…

The crossbar lock has taken the folding knife industry by storm. Originally designed by knifemakers William McHenry and Jason Williams in the 1990s and released in 2000 by Benchmade Knife Co. as the Axis Lock, the mechanism offers strength and ease of ambidextrous operation. It is also safer to operate because you do not have to place your thumb or finger in the radial path of the closing blade to unlock it as with most other lock types. Benchmade incorporated the Axis Lock in many of its folders that spanned the tactical, hunting, outdoor and EDC knife markets from the turn of the century forward. Finally, two decades after the patent was issued it expired. This opened the door for many production knife companies to bring about their own versions…

Gent’s knife is a fitting name for a pocketknife that’s just downright handy. It’s a refined edged tool good to have for all types of small chores you encounter on a daily basis, from cutting cord to opening packages. The U2vi Virgo is the latest in a long line of Fallkniven’s “U2” models that date back to 2004. I tested Fallkniven’s first U2 and it’s been in my pocket ever since. Back then I was highly impressed with the blade and the then-new Lamellar steel, and Fallkniven has used the U2 as a platform to showcase new steels ever since. The platform has a black Grilon synthetic handle with a cutout for a lockback release. There is no pocket clip—the knife is a pure pocket rider. “IT IS A FEATHERWEIGHT…

Twenty-twenty-five saw radical change in the cutlery industry but somehow the business of blades not only survived, in some ways it thrived. With new steels in the offng and despite a business environment made murky by the specter of tariffs, 2026 has several things going for it that could point to a year of continued resilience for knives. Ironically, one of ’25’s biggest changes—the closing of Crucible Industries—did not turn out to be as debilitating as some thought it would be. While by mid-year there was no more Crucible, most of its coveted cutlery steels remained available, albeit under new manufacturer names (“Knife After Crucible,” August BLADE®). A steel processing company that came out quite well during the transition was Niagara Specialty Metals (NSM). Bob Shabala, NSM president, provided a…

DECEMBER DEC. 6 EUGENE, OR The OKCA Mini December Show, Lane Events Center. Visit oregonknifecollectors.com.* DEC. 6 LEXINGTON, KY Kentucky Custom Knife Show, Embassy Suites Lexington Green. DEC. 13 RUTLEDGE, TN Rocky Top Knife Traders Knife Show, AG Pavillion. Call Anthony 865-765-4365.* DEC. 16-18 DENVER, PA Firearms & Military Auction, Morphy Auctions. Contact Morphy Auctions, Dept. BL1, 2000 N. Reading Rd., Denver, PA 17517 877-968-8880 info@morphyauctions.com, mor-phyauctions.com.** 2026 JANUARY JAN. 23-26 LAS VEGAS, NV The NSSF SHOT Show, Venetian Expo + Caesars Forum. For the trade only. Visit shotshow.org. JAN. 30-FEB. 1 LAKELAND, FL The 48th Annual Gator Knife Show for Modern, Custom, & Antique knives, RP Funding Center (formerly Lakeland Center). Contact Alan 954-609-6485 tlviking@aol.com or John 954-579-5662 and/or visit Gatorknifeshow.com.* FEBRUARY FEB. 6-7 JERSEY CITY, NJ The 46th Annual…

ABS Master Smith James Rode-baugh pulled off the daily double by winning both Best in Show and Best Hunter at BLADE Show West (page 32) for his damascus deer knife (page 60). The judges praised it for its “light weight, lots of bling, filework, utilitarian guard” and “natural feel in the hand.” The MSI Polymer from Microtech (page 46) captures what BLADE® field editor Dexter Ewing describes as the “murdered out,” or all-black, look. Thanks to the monster oval hole there’s no way to miss opening the modified sheepsfoot blade, and the handle is pure texture. Montana Knife Co.’s Stockyard (page 12) is another with a modified sheepsfoot blade—this time in MagnaCut stainless—paired with an ergonomic G-10 handle sporting a “subtle hook profile” for extra control and quick deployment. Among…

Wharncliffe and sheepsfoot blades are similar and different. A wharncliffe features a long, straight cutting edge with a spine that tapers gradually to a fine, precise point. This geometry excels at controlled slicing, detailed scoring and utility work where accuracy at the tip is essential. The design allows steady pressure along the edge, making it ideal for carving, whittling and precision-driven EDC tasks. A sheepsfoot, by contrast, has a straight edge with a spine that curves down sharply to meet the edge in a blunter tip. This greatly reduces the risk of piercing, making it safer for rescue work, controlled cuts and environments where safety matters most. The wharncliffe offers versatility and precision for fine tasks, while the sheepsfoot provides dependable slicing power, rope-cutting effciency and unmatched control under pressure.…

What a difference a year makes—and most involved with BLADE Show West October 10-11 in the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City probably would be the first to agree. While BLADE Show West ’24 didn’t exactly bomb, neither was it one of the best. Among the reasons for what some fairly or unfairly portrayed as an average event was the uncertainty surrounding the presidential election and how it would affect consumer spending, and the proximity of the show dates to the beginning of hunting season, among others. Whatever the excuses last year, no excuses were needed for the ’25 show as it met with approval from a large segment of exhibitors. One of those exhibitors was BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hallof-Fame® member Bill Ruple. He was very pleased—and not…

STEEL BY YOUR SIDE P. 12 Bear Forest Knives, attn: Garrett Tremblay, chiefbearofficer@bearforestknives.com; Big Idea Design, Dept. BL1, 3712 Ringgold Rd. #136, Chattanooga, TN 37412 bigidesign.com; Bradford USA, attn.: Brad and/or Nicole Larkin, Dept. BL1, 5810 S 194th Street, Kent, WA 98032 206-819-1516 brad@bradfordknives.com; Montana Knife Co., https://www.montanaknifecompany.com STRONG, TIGHT AND HOT P. 46 CobraTec, attn: E. Johnson, Dept. BL1, 411 W. Morgan, Meridian, TX 76665 254-435-3040 eddie@cobratecknives.com, cobratechknives.com; CRKT, Dept. BL1, 18348 SW 126th Place, Tualatin, OR 97062 800-891-3100 info@crkt.com, www.crkt.com; Microtech, Dept. BL1, 321 Fanning Fields Rd., Mills River, NC 28759 828-684-4355 fax 828-684-4354 microtechknives.com, marketing@microtechknives.com; SRM, https://srmknives.com GQ EDC P. 54 Fallkniven, attn: E. Hjortberger, Dept. BL1, Granatvagen 8, S-961 23 Boden, Sweden VAT # SE556494-8684-01, P +46 (0) 921 544 22 info@fallkniven.se, www.fallkniven.com; GiantMouse, Dept. BL1,…

The custom and factory knife judging competitions at BLADE Show West ’25 featured some of the event’s most outstanding specimens of sharpened steel. Celebrated on this and the following pages, the winners in the custom categories were: Best In Show and Best Hunter: James Rodebaugh; Best Fixed Blade: Christopher Moss; Best Folder: Javi Garcia; Best Kitchen Knife: Kelly Frasier; Best of the Rest: Kelly Frasier; Best Damascus: Trevor Morgan; Best Slipjoint: BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member Bill Ruple; and Best M.A.C.K.: Tom Krein. The winners in the factory categories were: Best In Show/Best Folder: Mr. Mr. Designs Titan; Best Fixed Blade: Zero Tolerance ZT 0004; Best Imported: The Zero from Mr. Mr. Designs; Best EDC: Kershaw Knives Launch 22; and Best American Made: Tactile Knife Co. Skeletonized Rockwall. 1. CUSTOM…

BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member Buster Warenski was the subject of an extensive six-page profile a half century ago in the January/February 1976 issue of The American Blade. He was larger than life then and would get even larger in the years to come. Unmistakable in the low-crowned Stetson and mutton-chop sideburns he wore back then, Buster was interviewed in his new Richfield, Utah, knife shop by then editor L.V. Baker. Richard Barney, co-author with Cutlery Hall-of-Famer Bob Loveless of the landmark How To Make Knives book, was along to take photos. The lead image of Buster holding one of his latest knives at the time is about as iconic as it gets. “THE STORY AND SPREAD REFLECT HOW CONSEQUENTIAL BUSTER WAS TO HANDMADE KNIVES.” Done about half a decade…

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