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Here's what you can find in the current Knives Illustrated Magazine at your newsstand now.

The lunacy of anti-knife forces reached a new height recently when the New York City District Attorney conducted an undercover investigation of Home Depot, Orvis, and others, striking a deal not to prosecute them if they would hand over some cash, some knives, and promise to go forth and sin no more.

 

The lunacy comes when some of the knives in question had been ruled by a U.S. District Court in 2007 to specifically not be a gravity knife or a switchblade. The ins and outs of this story are contained in the current issue-at least to the point we knew it at press time. We strongly recommend you continue following this story on our website, www.knivesillustrated.com, www.akti.org, and www.kniferights.org. In a time when New Hampshire is doing away with its switchblade laws, when the Supreme Court has confirmed our right to keep and bear knives under the U. S. Constitution (remember is says "arms," not just "firearms"), this assault by NewYork City bureaucrats and politicians reminds us we can never let down our guard. This is a fight that is just beginning. On a happier note, this issue is our annual website directory issue, and while we make no claim to list all the knife websites available for your surfing, we do feel that we cover most of the interesting ones - and will continue to add them as they come online and we learn of them. Take a look at the list and go to some of the sites you may not have visited - we think you will find it worth your while. And If you know of an interesting knife related web site we may have missed, please let us know.

 

As for knives themselves, our writers take a close look at some of the newer, more fascinating models, including the Besh Swedge, made by SOG Specialty Knives and Tools; the Columbia River Knife & Tool Flux System, the Buck Paradigm folders, the Wilson Tactical neck knife, and a few more.

 

On the handmade side of things, Les Robertson introduces us to two of the next hot knifemakers you can expect to be hearing big things from.

 

Justin Forrester reports from Alaska on his choice of three of the toughest hard-use knives.

 

Last issue, Abe Elias took a close look at bug-out bags, and this issue he continues with that thought, recommending his choices for three of the best folders for your emergency kit. Abe has tested hundreds of knives in order to get to this recommendation.

 

Jerry Ahern delves into a choice for swords: a cutting sword or a concealment sword, and fills us in on the pros and cons of each.

 

Michael Black is fascinated with how a knife cuts, and the steel's relationship to that effort, and this issue he has taken six different steels on the same blade pattern made by the same knifemaker, and held his own cutting test. The results may surprise you - and you will find themin this issue.

 

Knifemaker James Scroggs has been experimenting with a new style of blade decoration called polka-dot pattern welding, and he takes us along on his experiment - and the results.

 

And a new feature begins with this issue. One thing we have noticed is that there are a plethora of T-shirts available from nearly every knife company (and not just a few knifemakers).

 

We were wondering how to bring them to our readers in an interesting way, and then we remembered that UltimateMMA, our sister publication, features ring girls from time to time (don't get ahead of me here!).You will find the result of the latest in SOG hats and T-shirts presented in a manner we hope you enjoy.

 

If you like this issue, we always appreciate your letting us know. But most important, we also appreciate your letting us know where you think we're missing the mark. The email for both is knivesillustrated@yahoo.com.

 

BY J. BRUCE VOYLES

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