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The 2019 Free to Carry event included a special tribute to A.G. Russsell. Tommy Clark from Blue Ridge Knives auctioneered. We appreciate Tommy’s time and support.
Unique one-of-a-kind knives were donated this year by: Ed Fowler, Lucas Burnley, Tony Bose, Philip Booth, Mathew Lerch, Richard Rogers, Brian Tighe, Tom Mayo, Ken Onion, Joe Caswell and others. Custom makers are given the option of 50% of the proceeds going to a charity of their choice.
Benchmade Knife Company, Buck Knives, Sport Hansa, Willey Knives, Spyderco, Gerber, Utica Cutlery Company, Scheel’s, Chris Reeve Knives, Browning, Camillus Knives, Leatherman, Stone River Gear, Swiss Army Knives, plus Boker USA, CRKT, Fox Knives, SOG Knives & Tools, The Evans Group and WE Knife all donated knives or items for the silent auction.
Thank You to Our Sponsors… Platinum: CRKT & W. R. Case – Diamond: Böker & Benchmade® – Gold: Fox Knives, The Evans Group, SOG®, WE Knife & Schrade®
Donations to Support AKTI and our efforts to ensure you are FREE TO CARRY the knife of your choice.
Live Auction Items
Lucas Burnley
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Lucas Burnley Knife and Cypop Set: Tuna – CTS-XHP, Double Ground, Hand Rubbed; Titanium Rose Pattern Frame, FloraCam Anodized; Zirconium Backspacer and Pivot Rings; Zirblast Hardware. Toothy Cypop – .375 Zirconium, Rose Stamped.
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About Lucas: Lucas Burnley is founder and principal of Burnley Knives. For him, knives are a personal expression of independence, self-reliance and fun – ideas and philosophies he began formulating as a knife-toting 7-year old. He designs primarily in a style that he considers to be “contemporary tactical,” blending clean modern lines with tactical origins. Above all, he believes that utility shouldn’t come at the cost of beauty. He loves many aspects of the craft, but is happiest conceptualizing and prototyping new ideas. Along with his custom line, Lucas works closely with production companies Böker and CRKT, making his designs available to a wider audience.
Donation: 100% to AKTI
Tom Mayo
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Flat Scale Medium TNT: Tom Mayo’s custom Flat Scale Medium TNT features a Reptillian Damascus blade by Rob Thomas and a pouch that was hand made by Tom’s daughter.
About Tom: Tom makes all of his knives via the stock removal method, using either CTS-XHP or CPM 154CM (Particle Metallurgy Steels) or the super alloy Stellite 6K. He favors XHP for knives that are going to be used very hard, as it remains very tough at high hardness. All fixed blade knives come with a hand fitted custom leather sheath. Tom’s goal in knifemaking is to make a tool out of the most advanced materials available, with a fit and finish on par with the best knifemakers in the country. Tom is no longer taking orders.
Donation: 100% to AKTI
Ed Fowler
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Pronghorn: The Pronghorn by Ed Fowler features a hand forged drop point blade with visible temper line and hidden tang construction. The handle has an engraved brass guard and sheep horn handle. Includes a brown leather belt sheath.
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About Ed:
I have been making knives most of my life, seriously from late 70’s. Studied under Bill Moran, then been learning on my own along with other makers from times past until now. Many have contributed to my knowledge. Ultimate performance from 52100 steel has been my quest. Three metallurgists assisted me in our quest that still continues. The aspects of my knife I seek to achieve are Safety by design to the user, scabbards that protect the knife from loss and owner from harm. Performance is our quest and in that search we have achieved a #17 and smaller grain size in a steel that is forged and multiply heat treated and quenched to be strong, tough, and easy to sharpen. Quality control is sought by testing every blade edge for its ability to flex without chipping and construction of a blade that is very strong and tough. Cutting ability is tested on every knife we make by cutting hemp rope. No blade that fails will be rejected. All knives are absolutely guaranteed to the client’s satisfaction for my life time. I use the terms I and we interchangeably because many makers from Stone Age to today have and continue to help those of us who have joined the HEPK (Organization of the High Endurance Performance Knife). No one man can discover what many past makers have learned but together we can bring many of her best qualities to life again.
Donation: 100% to AKTI
Richard Rogers
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Symmetry: Custom Symmetry knife made by Richard Rogers. The newest design to come from Richard’s fertile mind, the Symmetry is basically designed for locales with knife restrictions. The CTS-XHP blade is under 3 inches long and uses ball detents to hold the blade open and closed, so that it doesn’t lock open. The handle is Titanium with a Chevron Zirconium inlay.(pictured 2018 donation)
About Richard: Richard’s aesthetic is form follows function in simple elegant form. He has been making knives since 1996. Each knife he makes is a reflection of his work ethic, dedication to detail, and his insistence on quality. Richard’s goal with each knife is to make it the best example of what that knife should be.
Donation: 100% to AKTI
Philip Booth
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Ripsnort-Starscape: Custom Ripsnort made by Philip Booth, featuring a 3.25″ blade of CPM 154 stainless steel, double hollow ground with fuller. The handle is Titanium with 4 finishes – orange peel, file striped, blasted, and drilled to yield its distinctive starscape pattern.
About Philip: Phil is a full time knifemaker who made his first knife in 1995. He is a grinder, not a forger. Phil specializes in making mechanisms, using 18 different mechanism styles. He likes small pocket carry automatics, including double blades.
“Michigan, my home state, recently overturned our switchblade laws, making these knives legal to carry!! Thank you AKTI.”
Donation: 100% to AKTI
Brian Tighe
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Tighe Down: The Tighe Down combines the artistry of modern design with high tech materials. This custom folding knife features a stunning Damasteel blade, with matching Damasteel pocket clip and pivot collars. The integral handle is Carbon Fiber that is machined with a contoured pattern, resulting in an extremely light yet rigid handle.n
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About Brian: There are edged artisans…and then there’s Brian Tighe. Canadian “Renaissance Man,” he is practiced in the art of metallurgy, photography and tool and die making. It’s what helped him make the leap from a creator of high quality folding folding knives into the top 10 elite.
Tony Bose
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Bullnose Trapper: 4 1/2” (11.43 cm) Closed, 6.2 oz (173.9 g), Drop Point (Sticker) – 3.63” Spey Blade 3.71” The Drop Point Blade is 154CM and features a glazed finish and Standard nail mark. The Spey Blade, also 154CM features a glazed finish with Common swedge and Standard nail mark. The backsprings are 154CM. The Jigged Chestnut Bone handle features a pinned Stainless Arrowhead Shield, glazed finish Stainless Pocket Bolster, Lanyard Tube and Stainless Liners milled for improved blade fall. All features that Tony Bose knives are famous for.
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About Tony: Tony Bose fashioned his first knife in 1972 from a power hack saw blade he’d received from a friend. He’d work to perfect his skills for years before pursuing a fulltime custom knife making career in 1990. Tony’s impact was quickly felt across the industry, winning Best Folding Knife Awards from the 1994 East Coast Custom Knife Show and the 1995 Blade Show with his own five-bladed Stockman designs. Today, Tony’s work continues as a member of the coveted Knifemaker’s Guild, blending vintage patterns with modern steel blades, stainless steel bolsters and springs to an unmistakable fit and finish. His work attracts enthusiasts from around the world who often wait years for their knives to be completed to his satisfaction. His knife making talent accentuates his true passion for his craft and his reputation as a trusted businessperson, spirited philanthropist, devoted husband and father. Tony’s son, Reese, is also an accomplished custom maker. The two carry on their knife making tradition from their workshop in Shelburn, Indiana.
Donation: 100% to AKTI
Matthew Lerch
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Scamp: Custom Scamp knife made by Matthew Lerch. Features a 3.6″ black DLC coated CPM 154 blade and zirconium handle.
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About Matthew: What happens when you cross art and mechanics? You get something that looks like Matthew Lerch. Trained initially as a jeweler/watchmaker, he progressed into manufacturing and tool making. Now he has a few patents under his belt for innovations, like the Fire Safe®, and has been honored with some prestigious awards including the Buster Warenski award. Matt views knives as functional art, as evidenced in his Moxie™ and Blade Show award-winning Endorser™ design.
Donation: 50% to Shriners Hospital
Joe Caswell
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MKV2 (rev 4) “Morphing Karambit” Prototype: This is a “working prototype” of Joe’s revolutionary “Morphing Karambit”, meaning it was one a few used in the development of the model for future production. This one was used to proof “rev 5” (final iteration) internal geometry and finishes. It was the first to feature the upgraded “rev 5” Torx hardware. Blade Material: CPM3V (Peter’s HT@61RC) Tungsten DLC by Ion Bond Handle Material: 7075 T-6 Aluminum, Mil-A-8625F Type III Hard Anodize.
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About Joe: Joe Caswell has been pattern welding steel, designing and making knives and tactical equipment full-time since 1995. He has a background in art and in journalism, having worked in the motorcycle industry for 15 years under the byline “Moto-Joe”. For six years, he was periodic co-host on a popular motorcycle-related weekly radio talk show in Los Angeles, California. Joe is active in shooting sports/firearms training and is an Olympic-style competitive fencer, having maintained a USFA rating of “A” in epee for more than 10 years.
Silent Auction Items