Click here to download the catalog as a PDF file. To view this site you need Adobe Flash Player and your browser must allow javaScripts. Go here to get the latest Flash Player. market and tight economic times. Tim Wegner, founder of Blade-Tech Industries, has diversified the company’s lineup with new variations on older, timeproven models and by introducing a lower-end line. “We just came out with a new line of Magnum Pro-Hunters and they are selling extremely well. They have a thicker blade steel than our standard line and only add a weight gain of a half an ounce,” Wegner said. “We have also introduced a new lower-price line of our Ganyana and Mouse models in AUS-8 steel, and the retail is in the $25 range. We are trying to diversify everything we’re doing so we can cover all the bases.” Lansky Sharpeners has increased sales by introducing more portable sharpeners to their lineup. “We’re selling a lot of our carry-around sharpening tools, our little quick fixes — ceramic and folding sharpeners — for maintaining an edge on the go. These are great field maintenance tools,” said Bob Kufahl, marketing director. Lansky has also launched a new line of affordable multi-tools, pocketknives and the like. The company originally aimed these products at the hardware market, but it’s seen a lot of crossover interest in the cutlery market. The tool segment of the cutlery market continues to be a hot ticket. Multi-tools and purpose-based knives appear to be an ever-expanding category that brings in new customers and sales. “Right now we’re selling a ton of our multi-tools,” said Doug Flagg of CRKT. “The Guppie model has been a huge winner. It appeals not only to men, but women like it, too. It’s a lot broader of a market than your basic knife, and it’s done so well that we’ve come out with a scaled-down version, the Li’l Guppie.” Ryan Wilson, founder of Wilson Tactical, offers similar comments. “Right now we’re selling a lot of our tools — the Cop Tool, Fireman Tool and SRT Special Response Tool. This end of the market has really taken off,” Wilson said. Benchmade Knives has formed a new company named Houdini that has released the first two of what could be many rescue tools. This is a segment of the market retailers really need to watch. Although tactical knives have garnered much of the headlines in recent years, there is still a huge and viable market in sporting knives and traditional pocketknives. One good snapshot of knife sales at the annual Blade Show is watching the traffic at custom knife-maker Bob Dozier’s booth. Dozier sells a broad range of sporting and tactical knives, but some of his most ardent fans are hunters. “We had our biggest year last year (at the show) and beat it this year! Business has been excellent and we’re selling tactical and hunting knives equally as well. We make mostly hard-use, working knives. It seems this is what most people want in our line,” Dozier said. Traditional pocketknives continue to maintain their comfortable corner of the cutlery market. Buck Knives, with its 100 years of experience, continues to build on its family’s tradition of providing knives that are used every day by consumers. Buck has released new offerings in its Hunting, Outdoor, Everyday and Tactical lines, including the Gen-5 Skinner, The Redpoint and X-Tract tool. At Hallmark Cutlery, Jessica Hall, vice president, says, “We still see a whole lot of interest in the traditional patterns. These are just good, useful knives that people like to carry.” Kissing Crane is Hallmark Cutlery’s flagship line. Hall says it’s a traditional German brand, but Hallmark has licensed the name and has made it more affordable. Stag models run in the $50 to $60 retail range. Hallmark also has bone and synthetic handle knives that are much less expensive, which are being produced offshore to make prices more affordable. The 2008 Blade Show made clear the cutlery market is thriving. The broad SEPTEMBER 2008 44 www.shootingindustry.com Traditional Stays Solid Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT) has seen great success with the introduction of new opening mechanisms on several of their knives. Innovation is the word for two of Kershaw Knives’ latest creations, featuring composite blades and 3-D machining. www.shootingindustry.com 44 SEPTEMBER 2008