Atlanta, Georgia (June 8, 2019) – Awards recognizing the highest achievement in the production and custom knife industries were bestowed the evening of Saturday, June 8, 2019, at the BLADE Show in the Cobb Galleria.
2019 BLADE Show Knife of the Year® Award Winners
Representatives from BLADE (www.blademag.com) distributed BLADE Magazine Knife of the Year® awards in 11 categories, plus awards for individuals’ career achievements. All entrants in the Knife of the Year® competition were evaluated by a super panel of undisclosed judges on a number of factors, including utility, design, creativity, materials, aesthetics, feel and other traits. This was different from years past, when booth holders at the show voted by ballot.
Overall Knife of the Year®: FOX Knives Radius
Judges commented on the innovative opening mechanism and quality workmanship. The patent-pending mechanism requires the user to slightly depress and move the button along the U-shaped track for opening and closing.
The Radius also brings home the Imported Knife of the Year® award.
American-Made Knife of the Year®: Microtech Socom Elite
This exemplary automatic is a hallmark of the American knife industry.
Most Innovative American Design: Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight
Spyderco knocked out about a third of the weight (and the price point) of the standard Para 3 for this lightweight version.
Most Innovative Imported Design: WE Knife .037
WE’s takedown construction makes simplicity look easy.
Best Buy of the Year: CRKT CEO
The CEO brings gents’ knives to the masses with its $49.99 price point.
Investor/Collector Knife of the Year®: ProTech Warenski/Brend Masterpiece Custom
ProTech continues to dominate this category with another attractive entry for investors. This one must be seen to be believed, but you’ll need to shell out $12,000.
Manufacturing Quality Award: Chris Reeve Knives
It’s not enough to perform at a high level once or twice. Chris Reeve Knives’s consistency in craftsmanship is key to this win.
Accessory of the Year: Outdoor Edge Para Spark
This survival bracelet is handy and just plain cool. Using the latch as a sheath is a nice touch.
Collaboration of the Year: Casstrom/Lars Falt/CAS Iberia Lars Falt Lockback
Simplicity equals versatility, as this lockback demonstrates, and yet the distinct touches of the collaboration still shine through.
Kitchen Knife of the Year®: Apogee Dragon Storm (set of 4)
This set demonstrates the intersection of art and utility at a high level for a production kitchen knives.
Individual Achievement
Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® Inductees: Mel Pardue and Tony Bose
Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® Inductee (by proclamation): BLADE Editor Steve Shackleford – This came as a surprise to Shackleford, who was emceeing the ceremony. Inductees typically know they will be honored before the event. However, with the blessing of the others in the Hall of Fame, Shackleford was inducted by Bruce Voyles, former publisher of BLADE.
At right is Clint Eastwood and at left is character actor Richard Herd. Adam owns Adam
Unlimited, which specializes in exotic skins for the knife and motorcycle industries, especially
rayskin. (Photos by Images courtesy of Adam Drescher)
Publisher’s Award: Adam Drescher
Industry Achievement Award: Lucas Burnley, for his charitable work with Toys for Tots
Aldo and Edda Lorenzi Award: Bill Ruple (this award comes with a $1,000 cash prize from the Lorenzi family to support the custom knife industry)
2019 BLADE Show Custom Knife Winners
The 2019 BLADE Show Custom Knife Award Winners were also announced on Saturday, June 8, 2019, at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta.
- Best in Show: Harvey Dean
- Best Tactical: Sergei Shirogorov
- Best Art Knife: Veronique Laurent
- Best Folder: Javier Vogt
- Best Kitchen Knife: Doberman Forge
- Best Fixed Blade: Harvey Dean
- Best Damascus: Franco Custom Knives
- Best New Maker: Evan Nicolaides
- Best Collaboration: David Lisch & Andrew Meers
- Best Handle Design: Ben Breda
- Best Fighter: Brian Sellers
- Best of the Rest: Ron Newton
- Most Innovative Design: RJ Martin
- Best Utility Hunter: Ben Breda
- Best Sword: Vince Evans
- Best Mini: Ohbuchi Isao
