Somewhere around the middle of each month we share the Knife News column from the current issue. But the time you read this, it won’t be the freshest news, as much gets covered in our News Feed on the website, and print subscribers could read it almost a month ago.
But sharing it here gives you an idea of what I thought was most important, since we only have 4 slots every month. I try to bring both a variety of topics, as well as highlighting trends in the industry.
Enjoy!
Group of Portland Knife Companies Forge Alliance
Portland is one of the leading hubs of knife manufacture worldwide, and the PKCoE seeks to promote both the knife making history and continuing innovation found in the area.
The five companies leading the effort are Benchmade, CRKT, Gerber Gear, Leatherman, and Steelport Knife Company. In a joint statement from the heads of the five founding companies, “As the founding members, we recognize the significance of our collective craftsmanship and the legacy of our brands. We represent more than 200 years of combined experience in knife design and manufacturing here in Portland, where the competition is fierce. We’ve long admired each other’s dedication to excellence and innovation. Now, we are proud to unite and uphold a spirit of collaboration that will spotlight Portland’s impact on the knife industry,”
By the time of publication, they will have already held their inaugural Portland Knifemaker Showcase, as well as a sweepstakes coinciding with that event and National Knife Day. For more information on the Portland Knife Center of Excellence and its future activities, visit www.pkcoe.org.
GiantMouse Partners with Michigan Distillery for Castle & Key Distiller’s Blade
Their latest knife release is in partnership with Castle and Key Distillery in Kentucky. The GiantMouse team had gotten to know the Castle and Key folks doing promotional pop-up events at Filson retail stores. A friendship developed, and culminated in the GiantMouse Castle & Key Distiller’s Blade.
There are two versions of the knife being made, in extremely limited quantities. The black-anodized titanium handled model is being sold exclusively at the Castle&Key distillery. The blue-handled version is being sold online, 50 through CastleandKey.com, and 50 through the GiantMouse.com website. Both feature a 2.86’ CPM20CV blade, copper backspacer, liner lock, and a deep carry clip. Made in Maniago, Italy, the GiantMouse Castle & Key Distiller’s Blade retails for $325.
There is a great blog post going into more detail on the partnership on the GiantMouse.com website. You can reach out via contact form on the site with questions.
Demko Knives Unveils $89 Budget Shark Cub
Remaining unchanged is Demko’s patented Shark Lock. Fully ambidextrous, the Shark Lock is disengaged by pulling back on the spine-mounted slider, keeping the fingers safely out of the path of the blade when closing. Both of the Shark Cub’s blade shapes can be opened with either hand, via thumb stubs on the clip-point, or elongated thumb hole on the “Slicer Shark” drop point blade. Rounding out the knife’s ambidextrous features is a deep-carry, reversible pocket clip and an elongated thumb hole.
There is no release date available at the time of this publication, so be sure to check www.demkoknives.com for the latest information.
Defiant 7 Debuts New USA-made Folder
When they say that they are dedicated to developing talent, they mean it. They have hired a trio of recent machine-school graduates for them to mentor and to help with the production.
Their newest model is one of Les’s designs, the Auto Valmera. George, a retired Marine Explosives Ordinance Disposal tech, named the model after an Italian “Bouncing Betty” type antipersonnel mine, only his deploys a 3.25” CPM-154 stonewashed blade instead of explosives and shrapnel.
The handles are aluminum, housing a button-lock mechanism. The clip is single position (tip-up, right hand), and the knife is made in the USA.
MSRP for the Defiant 7 Auto Valmera is $285. It joins a growing roster of tomahawks, knives, and other tools in their lineup. Email info@defiant7.com for more information, or visit www.defiant7.com