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Nov. 2   Nov. 18   Nov. 24

Nov. 24, 3:48 p.m.

by Ben Sobieck, online editor

Laws about knives rarely make the folks at BLADE feel warm and fuzzy. It gets worse when those laws are heralded on their own websites (or better if you're the one selling the sausage we use to eat away these feelings).

Knifelawonline.com is not one of those websites (we'll still take the sausage, though). Its mission is to raise awareness about New Hampshire State Representative Jennifer Coffey's bill regarding knife use, outlined Nov. 2 in the Blade Blog.



In a nutshell, Coffey's bill makes criminal activity with a knife illegal (duh). It also explicitly states possession of a knife is not a crime (double duh). It's a tragedy a bill like this even has to be introduced. It'll be an even greater tragedy if lawmakers can't grasp these simple concepts. Such is the world in 2009.

But that may not be the world when this bill is passed, though, which is why BLADE supports Coffey's effort 100%. Many other organizations agree with us, according to the site.

• SAS (Second Amendment Sisters)
• GOA (Gun Owners of America)
• CCRKBA (Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms)
•  Firearms Coalition, The Hard Corps
• JPFO (Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership)
• Cam and Company of NRA News
• Pro-Gun New Hampshire
• NHAC (New Hampshire Arms Collectors Association)
• NHFDA (New Hampshire Firearms Dealers Association)
• Knife Rights, Inc
• AKTI (American Knife and Tool Institute)
• BLADE magazine
• GUNS magazine
• American Handgunner magazine
• Knife World magazine
• Cutlery News Journal
• Benchmade Knives

What about you? Will you join us in supporting Coffey's efforts to help the New Hampshire edgencia? Click here to read more about why you should.



Nov. 18, 3:01 p.m.

Congratulations, Ellen Rockower. Who's Ellen Rockower? Who, indeed. Ellen is a metalsmith working in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a Bachelors Of Fine Art in metalsmithing and jewelry design. There she learned to forge pattern-welded steel. Now we're getting somewhere. She also learned to make mokumé gane. Even better. 





Ellen, it seems, has put her knowledge to good use. She recently forged this stone-cold stainless-damascus fixed blade and entered it into a contest held by the American Craft Council, specifically, the prestigious Niche awards. Ellen was chosen as a finalist in the metal-forging and fabricating field for her pattern-welded knife. Congrats, again, Ellen. You rock, Rockower!

Nov. 2, 9:46 a.m.

by Ben Sobieck, online editor

Knife owners in New Hampshire have more than just the 1958 Switchblade Act amendment to be excited about.

New Hampshire State Representative Jennifer Coffey recently introduced a pro-knife bill that would focus knife restrictions on their USE by criminals. That's a refreshing change of pace from the typical "ban possession of knives" mentality. It's no suprise Rep. Coffey is also national coordinator for the Second Amendment Sisters.



Even better is that both majority and minorites leaders in the New Hampshire House signed on as sponsors. This can only help the chances of the knife law being passed.

Coffey wrote an excellent article about this bill on the SAS website. Click here to read it.

Here's the meat of Coffey's bill. Notice how intent determines criminal activity, not possession.

      ¬1  Pistols and Revolvers; Carrying or Selling Weapons.  Amend RSA 159:16 to read as follows:

      159:16  Carrying or Selling Weapons.  Whoever, except as provided by the laws of this state, sells, has in his possession with intent to sell, or carries on his person any [stiletto, switch knife,] blackjack, [dagger, dirk-knife,] slung shot, or metallic knuckles shall be guilty of a misdemeanor; and such weapon or articles so carried by him shall be confiscated to the use of the state.

      ¬2  Pistols and Revolvers; Criminal Use of Pistol Cane or Sword Cane.  Amend RSA 159:19-a to read as follows:

      159:19-a  Criminal Use of Pistol Cane, Stiletto, Switch Knife, Dagger, Dirk-Knife, or Sword Cane.

            I.  Any person who uses a pistol cane, stiletto, switch knife, dagger, dirk-knife, or sword cane on another person with intent to commit a crime punishable as a misdemeanor shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

            II.  Any person who uses a pistol cane, stiletto, switch knife, dagger, dirk-knife,  or sword cane on another person with intent to commit a crime punishable as a felony shall be guilty of a class B felony.

            III.  Neither the whole nor any part of a sentence of imprisonment imposed for a violation of this section shall be served concurrently with any other term of imprisonment.

      ¬3  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect January 1, 2011.

It wouldn't be a bad idea to let your representative know about Coffey's bill. It would be great if this caught on nationwide.



Nov. 2, 9:28 a.m.

by Ben Sobieck, online editor

Listen up, maggots. R. Lee "The Gunny" Ermy, veteran and screen star, recently signed on as spokesman for SOG Knives. Do you sewer rats understand that? I can't hear you!

Now stand at attention and get the gist from SOG:

As spokesperson for SOG, Ermey will be appearing in brand advertising and on the company’s website, as well as conducting promotional and publicity appearances, including the SHOT show in Las Vegas in January.  He will also actively work with SOG in the development of new products.
 
“My military career gave me a great respect and appreciation for the importance of quality gear, developed by those who understand what it takes to survive in the harshest environments,” says Ermey. “SOG meets and exceeds my extremely high standards. The Company produces exceptional gear for adventurous people and I am proud to be associated with this brand and help advance its recognition -- not just among those who already embrace specialty knives and tools, but among a broader base of consumers as well.”
 
Ermey served 11 years active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps, rising to the rank of staff NCO. He also served two years as a drill instructor and had a tour and a half of duty in Vietnam. Medically retired in 1971, Ermey enrolled at the University of Manila in the Philippines to study drama. There, Francis Ford Coppola, who was filming “Apocalypse Now” in the area, hired Ermey as a Technical Advisor, eventually casting him in a featured role.  He has gone on to star or appear in approximately sixty theatrical films and numerous television programs and films. Because of his numerous contributions on behalf of the Marines, he received an honorary promotion to Gunnery Sergeant (E-7) in 2002.

Word on the street is that Editor Steve Shackleford may have interviewed The Gunny for an upcoming BLADE feature. But that's just speculation at this point.

OK, no it isn't. Look for The Gunny in an issue soon.




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