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HELP! Fellow iKC members. I need your help.

My fellow edged devices lovers. I need the iKC's help. I am doing a little research for Knives Illustrated which is a bimonthly magazine about knives of all kinds, tomahawks, swords etc. As a potential reader about firearms, knives, camping and other outdoor related subjects, what would a magazine cover have to have in order to attract you attention to pick it up. Once the magazine is in your hands, what articles listed on the cover would cause you to open it up and look inside. What subject matter would cause you to buy this magazine.

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated. All impute will be reviewed. My thanks goes out to you all.

Clint

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Barry Greene on February 2, 2012 at 21:55

I would really enjoy a knife education section. Maybe a knife 101 really covering the basics and variants of knives. I would like this section to include details on blade shapes, grinds/bevels, handle materials, steel types etc.

I hope this helps.

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Permalink Reply by steve kramer on February 3, 2012 at 1:14

I like vintage traditional knives, their history, also will read about customs, especially "how to" articles. Can't turn the page fast enough when I see stuff about cheap looking tactical crap. At present I read Knife World and Bernard Levine's forum in Blade Forums. I have never heard of Knives Illustrated, sorry.

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Permalink Reply by Clint Thompson on February 3, 2012 at 8:54

Steve.....

It is ok as I have heard of Knife World but never seen the magazine around this area. I found this to be true as it depends on magazine/book stores in your area. Places like Wal Mart, Target and the like just present a small magazine section compared to what is out there to read. Boarders carried Knives Illustrated but when they went out of business our numbers dropped. Right now, Barns and Noble and Kroger Stores carry KI. Steve thanks for your input. I will pass this on to Bruce.

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Permalink Reply by KENT GABLE on February 3, 2012 at 11:27

Hi Clint- with regard to Randall Knives, I was wondering what knife US Servicemen are carrying today? Are they typically relying on their std. issue knife or is there any one knife that is currently more sought after than others? I still have my dad's W-30 Camillus (7" blade) which he brought back after serving in the Philipines and New Guinea during WWII. It's the only tactical knife I own and the only one he ever used.

According to W.D. "Bo" Randall's (now deceased), current brochure, he states: "The first seven astronauts carried specially designed (Model 17) RANDALL MADE knives...General William Westmoreland wore his Randall while commanding forces in Vietnam...etc. And during World War II, one Army Air Force Captain was so enthusiastic about his first Randall that he ordered two more, saying, "I have become your personal representative..." His name is Ronald Reagan." Also in this brochure, regarding the Model 8 Trout and Bird Knife" (which is similar to my own) there is a Historical note: Francis G. Powers,U-2 pilot, was carrying a Model 8 when he was shot down over Russia in May, 1960.

I also recall reading that Al Buck (now deceased founder of Buck Knives) produced a large no. of his #119 Special Knife for our troops use during WWII. He attributes this to helping him get his start making Buck Knives. I do not mean to refute your comments regarding Randall knives. I am sure what you say is true. My nephew presently serving in Afganistan greatly admires Randall knives but cannot afford one and I've heard many positive comments regarding them over the years.

I am sending along a photo of my dad's old "jungle knife" (as he called it) as I just thought it may be of interest to you. Thank you for your service to our country.

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Permalink Reply by Clint Thompson on February 3, 2012 at 12:00

Kent..

Randall knives are top quality knives but have priced them selves out of the main stream military personnel's price range. Yes I am sure many generals and ranking officers have carried a Randall in the service of their country. Yes the astronauts carried Randalls too. But Generals, ranking officer, astronauts and even Gary Powers do not stomp around in the jungles, like your dad did, deserts and mountains in combat.

Even if a soldier's parents bought him or her a Randall to carry in harms way, he or she will not be carrying it on an every day patrol. The reason why? I found the same reason they leave their wedding rings, good watches and other valued property...they don't want some dirtbag taking it if they are captured or killed. Gary Powers is one example. His Randall is in some museum or in some collection of some retired Soviet General.

The military rarely...rarely issues any combat knives or even a pocket knife....even to the SF and Seals. Why" I have not a clue. I saw some Benchmade autos in Iraq but very few. I found one in the black market in As Sulaymaniyah in northern Iraq with a broken blade. I bought it and sent it back to Benchmade with the story and they fixed it and sent it back to me. Good People.

The knives carried by our troops are 99.9% bought by them and most likely in their local PX. For this reason Gerber, KA-BAR, CRKT and a couple of others is what they carry. I remember many of the younguns I served with liked the Seal Pup. Me I carried a Cold Steel Recon given to me by Lynn Thompson of Cold Steel. When I left Iraq I passed it on to a hard charger how just arrived.

You know I wonder how those astronauts accessed their Randalls while in their suits and if in the ship...what would they need one for? LOL! thanks Kent.

KENT GABLE said:

Hi Clint- with regard to Randall Knives, I was wondering what knife US Servicemen are carrying today? Are they typically relying on their std. issue knife or is there any one knife that is currently more sought after than others? I still have my dad's W-30 Camillus (7" blade) which he brought back after serving in the Philipines and New Guinea during WWII. It's the only tactical knife I own and the only one he ever used.

According to W.D. "Bo" Randall's (now deceased), current brochure, he states: "The first seven astronauts carried specially designed (Model 17) RANDALL MADE knives...General William Westmoreland wore his Randall while commanding forces in Vietnam...etc. And during World War II, one Army Air Force Captain was so enthusiastic about his first Randall that he ordered two more, saying, "I have become your personal representative..." His name is Ronald Reagan." Also in this brochure, regarding the Model 8 Trout and Bird Knife" (which is similar to my own) there is a Historical note: Francis G. Powers,U-2 pilot, was carrying a Model 8 when he was shot down over Russia in May, 1960.

I also recall reading that Al Buck (now deceased founder of Buck Knives) produced a large no. of his #119 Special Knife for our troops use during WWII. He attributes this to helping him get his start making Buck Knives. I do not mean to refute your comments regarding Randall knives. I am sure what you say is true. My nephew presently serving in Afganistan greatly admires Randall knives but cannot afford one and I've heard many positive comments regarding them over the years.

I am sending along a photo of my dad's old "jungle knife" (as he called it) as I just thought it may be of interest to you. Thank you for your service to our country.

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Permalink Reply by Jeremi Lett on February 3, 2012 at 13:28

I really enjoy this magazine's pictures,and articles it covers.I cannot say what to do to make this a better publication as it covers a wide array of the cutlery people are interested in.Also Clint,like reading your articles,keep em coming!

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Permalink Reply by Clint Thompson on February 3, 2012 at 13:32

Jeremi....

Bruce will be glad to see this. I too appreciate your review Jeremit!

Jeremi Lett said:

I really enjoy this magazine's pictures,and articles it covers.I cannot say what to do to make this a better publication as it covers a wide array of the cutlery people are interested in.Also Clint,like reading your articles,keep em coming!

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Permalink Reply by Clint Thompson on February 3, 2012 at 16:59

Rick....

Well I will be writing about the pro and cons of officers carrying a traditional pocket knife and a tactical. My traditional knife will be a GEC and the traditional not yet decided. I will pass on your suggestion..but the powers to be over Bruce would have to approve this one. Thanks Rick.

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Permalink Reply by Andy Voelkle "AxeMan" on February 3, 2012 at 20:51

Knives Illustrated covers are very good as it is. I like a very old or handmade one side by side with a new equivalent.

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Permalink Reply by perry coleman on February 3, 2012 at 23:04

I would like to see an article showing some of the SFOs being made today and why they have had a new beginning in the market. Or maybe even a story on the history of older patterns of knives that don't get much press or attention. You would definitely get some new readers!

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Permalink Reply by Ben Rawls on February 3, 2012 at 23:17

I'm really full up with "tactical" these days. More articles about the history of knife patterns, cutlery companies and their unique place in history,etc.

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Permalink Reply by Clint Thompson on February 4, 2012 at 15:24

Hey thanks!

Handmade Blades said:

Clint , I don't know if I am much help. I have been reading Knives Illustrated since about 1998 and have enjoyed every issue. No matter what the content. I think its just fine the way it is. Just keep doing articles about knives and the people who make them and use them and I will keep buying them!!!!