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Unveiling My First Knife Design at Blade Show West
It's a busy week in the knife world. See you at Blade Show West!
Taylor Martin
October 04, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 18 minutes
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Hey all,
This week has been a whirlwind of emotions in the knife community. On one hand, there's a collective heaviness in the air as we witness the devastation brought by Hurricane Helene, which has left a lasting impact on so many lives. Our thoughts are with those affected, and it’s a reminder of how quickly things can change. Read on to see how you can help those impacted by Helene.
On the other hand, there’s also a palpable buzz of excitement with Blade Show West in full swing. We’ll be on the ground in Salt Lake covering the show and unveiling my upcoming knife.
Table of Contents
Devastation in Appalachia
The destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Helene in parts of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina is heartbreaking. Growing up in the foothills, I’ve always considered Appalachia home, but it is home to many knife makers that we all know and love, and many of them were directly affected by the storm, so I’ve compiled a list of ways we can come together and help people from the knife community.
Old Hickory Forge: This one is truly gut-wrenching. John Norwood (of Forged in Fire fame) of Old Hickory Forge was taking shelter in his neighbor’s house when a mudslide washed away the house. Crushed by ceiling rafters and washed down the river, John was later found and rescued but his fiance, Julie Le Roux has not been heard from since. A GoFundMe was created by his uncle to help cover medical expenses, housing expenses, and to replace equipment lost to the storm. John is currently in the hospital fighting sepsis and is showing signs of improvement.
Primitive Woodsman: Josh Morgan of Primitive Woodsman lost half of his shop to a landslide. He lost all of his grinders and many other tools, so Jason at Ridgerunner Blades created a fundraiser on GoFundMe to help rebuild his shop, replace tools, and get him back up and running as quickly as possible. You might be thinking, “Shouldn’t insurance cover this?” Unfortunately, flooding and landslides like this are extremely rare in this part of the country, and, as such, many insurance policies do not cover damage caused by these events.
River’s Edge Cutlery is hosting a fundraiser raffle and 100 percent of the proceeds will go towards North Carolina knife makers who have been impacted by Helene. The raffle is for a REC Exclusive Spyderco Lil’ Native, a REC coin, REC Traveler Strop, and a REC Leather Work Mat. Each raffle ticket is $5.
Hoffman Blacksmithing: Liam Hoffman has organized a GoFundMe for an employee relief fund. Roan Mountain, where Hoffman Blacksmithing is located, flooded and two team members have been displaced. 100% of the funds will be dispersed amongst employees of Hoffman Blacksmithing who are displaced from their homes and unable to work.
Of course, the impact on the knife world is just a small part of the widespread damage done in western North Carolina and surrounding areas. The recovery and rebuilding processes are going to take months. If you are looking for general ways to help, here is a thorough resource on various ways to donate compiled by Blue Ridge Public Radio.
Channel Sponsors
We want to take a moment to thank the brands who make everything we do possible:
 Big Idea Design |  Work Sharp |  Whatnot |
Upcoming Drops and Events:
10/2/2024: The James Brand is at it again, releasing an all-new design to their utility knife, The Palmer. It’s clear to me that they are taking things to the next level. This new variant was released earlier this week, on 10/1, and sports a clear PTGC body that is 100% recycled. These come in five colors: charcoal, coral, purple, turquoise, and electric green. |
10/3/2024: Unfortunately, Notorious EDC won’t be at Blade West as planned, but they dropped some special Kingpin Bolster Locks yesterday. The Kingpin sports a hollow ground, drop point, harpoon-style Magnacut blade, measuring just under 3” long, and runs on caged ceramic bearings with one of the snappiest front flipper mechanisms we’ve held. |
10/3/2024-10/6/2024: If you’re not headed to Blade Show West but are in the Ohio area, the Central Ohio Outdoors Fall Gathering is taking place this weekend. This show is put on by our friends at Tuff Possum Gear and River’s Edge Cutlery and there will be survival skills classes and vendors. Also, for those who can’t make it, code BESTDAMNEDC will get you 10% off at Tuff Possum Gear. |
10/4/2024: Hound Valley Goods released the Stitchless Buck today. It’s exactly what it sounds like––a stitchless version of Hound Valley’s most popular minimalist leather wallet, the Buck. These wallets will be made to order in Minerva leather with six different color options, but custom requests can be accommodated. Code DAMN at checkout will give 10% off all orders. |
10/9/2024: Urban EDC Supply in collaboration with Jared Oeser is releasing the Urban EDC Straighthawk, based on Jared’s Str8hawk design, only with a smaller footprint (2.35” blade and 5.94” overall lengths), blackwashed titanium handles, and a stealthy black shield featuring the compass logo. These drop Oct. 9 at 12pm PDT. |
At Blade Show West
Blade Show West is taking place this weekend, October 4-5 in Salt Lake City, Utah at the Salt Palace. You can find the full exhibitor list here, but below are some of the coolest things coming to the show.
If you’re at the show, make sure to stop by and see us at the Whatnot booth (#502) at 2PM MT on Friday. We’ll be live-streaming and doing giveaways at the booth.
Pro-Tech Knives and Chaves Knives collaborated on an automatic version of the Rendencion. Available first at Blade Show West, these hard-use workhorses boast hardened solid steel handles, compound ground mirror polished tanto blades, and gorgeous black pearl inlaid push buttons - a hallmark of Pro-Tech. You can get yours at booth #100. |  via @protechknives |
Pro-Tech Knives is no stranger to show specials and is absolutely bringing the heat to Blade Show West. There is too much to condense here, so check their Instagram for a full list of show exclusives which are not limited to a manual TR-3, a blacked out Mordax, a green Magnacut TR-4, a tuxedo Oligarch, and a host of custom titanium Newports. Pro-Tech is at booth #100. |
Civivi always comes to Blade Show with a few new models and prototypes in tow and I’m pleased to announce that my upcoming knife, the Clingman, will be debuted at the show. Come by booth #200 to check out a prototype in person, as well as several other knives like the Twisp neck knife. |  |
Big Idea Design is attending with several show special deals in tow. Six hand-ground Signals, a new larger fixed blade, will be up for grabs at their booth, as well as eight black walnut and black-washed USA-made Lookouts. That’s not all, either. If you want to be among the first to get your hands on their new folder, the Folding Knife II, they’ll have a few at the show, as well. Big Idea Design is at booth #222. |
McNees Knives, masterminds behind the PM Mac 2, have cooked up several show specials for Blade Show West––Beskar-inspired knives, frag pattern Ti handles with G-10 frag inlays, and timascus inlays. Per usual, that’s probably only a taste of the show specials. McNees always brings some special exclusives and will be at booth #226. |
Hogue Knives and Glow Rhino have come together to cook up a brand new Collector Series Mysto, specifically for release at Blade Show West. Featuring a blue ABLE lock with a tritium core, milled carbon fiber scales, and a Magnacut blade, only 40 of these will be available at the show. Each one comes with a Spark Glow Fob - Check them out at booth #300. |
Ketuo Knives and Ken Onion brought home the Blade Show Atlanta 2024 Collaboration of the Year award with the Buckhorn. There’s a new version for Blade Show West, sporting the same micro-milling and incredible craftsmanship of the original, but this one has a black aluminum frame, gold accents, and a 14c28n blade. Grab one at booth #115. |
Vero Engineering is releasing the Isotope Mini at the show in several configurations (you can see some of them here), as well as a special edition Zirc Blast Vortex Ti. Limited to only 50 serialized sets, these come with a driver, a 3-D printed bit case, and a custom pouch by ARC company. Get yours at booth #215. |
Chaves Knives will be bringing several variations of popular models, including both integral production and Radiation variations of their T.A.K. (tiny ass knife). They also worked with one-man show MJL Blade Worx to develop both half and full rocked versions of the RCK9. Check them out today at booth #219. |
If you’re into pocket art, stop by the JRW Gear booth (#408). They have a selection of gear featuring the new limited edition Downpour pattern, including Curators, Accomplices, Traitors, horicorgi Corgis, and the new G-Flex. There will also be a limited quantity of mokume Lanyard Curators available. Pieces will be divided into FCFS and lotto. |
CRKT has teamed up with renowned designer, Richard Rogers, to bring three limited edition show pieces to Blade Show West, the Persian, the Q, and the Pup. Each knife features a MagnaCut blade, titanium handles with carbon fiber inlays, and are limited to only 500 pieces each. Pick up one or all three at booth #313. |
Monterey Bay Knives will have an assortment of highly sought-after knives, including Sea Otters which have been hand-engraved by Bruce Shaw. These absolute works of art come with MagnaCut blades and are limited to only three pieces. If you want one you’d better run over to table #9C as soon as the doors open. |
Knafs always does something fun every Blade Show. Ben and the guys are doing a scale swap and trivia party on Friday at 2pm. On Saturday at 10am, they’re running it back and doing the $2 bill Lander 2 deal. Only 22 $2 Lander 2s are available, and you must pay with a $2 bill, so get your running shoes on and get in line early! Head to booth #119 to join in all the Knafs shenanigans. |
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Carry of the Week
As you can tell, I’m a big fan of green and Big Idea Design. When you find a brand that you can trust, you stick with them. While I may not use everything in this carry every day, more often than not, this is what I have. Everything here serves its purpose well and is definitely worth the money.
Email Giveaway
There’s only one more week before we draw a winner for the Knives by Nufe Wicket XL. If you’re not signed up for the email list, all you have to do to enter is subscribe (and be over 18).
I did record a reel on Instagram showing everything that will come in the box.
Also, there are a few more giveaways lined up that I’m excited to share once this one is over. 🤘🏻
From the Community
Cleetus McFarland Helping Appalachia
No, Cleetus McFarland is not part of the knife community, but It’s truly commendable what he and Garrett Mitchell have been doing to help the people of Appalachia. He’s been using is helicopter, Conseula, to deliver water and other resources to the area, as well as flying to help find and rescue people who are trapped by the destruction, including parents who were trapped with a 4-month-old baby.
OUTDOORS55
OUTDOORS55 is a great resource when it comes to knives and especially sharpening. Unfortunately, Wasabi Knives has been stealing his content and uploading it to their Instagram and using it for Meta ads.
NotoriousEDC
This isn’t exactly brand new this week, but you may have missed it. Our good friend Tom of NotoriousEDC has a YouTube channel and he’s not just promoting his own gear––he’s covering all sorts of topics, including this budget video above, which is a great breakdown of some seriously cheap (and great) gear. Give Tom a subscribe if you haven’t already.
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