AKTI 2016 Giving Back Event
These custom makers donated the proceeds from their custom knives 50% to a charity of their choice and 50% to AKTI. Be sure to check out the makers’ websites for information about their creations. Our sincere thanks to each and everyone for helping make AKTI’s first Giving Back Event a tremendous success and fun evening. See Silent Auction Knife Donations of limited editions and specialty knives donated by member companies.
Tony Bose
Wilford Lockback Hunter
4-1/2 inches closed. The locking clip blade is made from 154CM and features a glazed finish with cut swedge. The back of the blade is rounded for a better feel and includes Gimping for a sure grip. The locking mechanism incorporates an internal spring and lockbar with fiber spacer.
As Tony notes, “I don’t design knives – I bring old knives back from the grave.” His inspiration for the Wilfred Lockback Hunter was an old Remington pattern. “This is one of my favorite knife patterns – I even carry an original in my back pockets,” explains Tony Bose.
Donation: 100% to AKTI
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 fivebladed 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.
Lucas Burnley
Burnley M69: “Early last year I started a 365 sketch project. The goal was to create a knife sketch 
every day, and I’ve shared the process with my followers on Instagram. The M69 is based on my sketch from the 69th day, and the first one of my sketches to be translated into reality. This is the first serialized M69 that I’ve released (#001).” This is a framelock folder, 3″ blade, 6.5 OAL, caged bearings. The blade is CPM154, stonewashed, 59HRC. The handle is contoured titanium stonewashed with satin hardware. Includes Burnley Knife pouch.
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. As a resident of Albuquerque New Mexico, Lucas is a connoisseur of both green and red chile.
Donation: 100% to AKTI
Alan Folts
3-1/2″ Recurve blade, Titanium liners and backspacer, Carbon fiber handles with Zircu-ti bolter, Finger flipper.
About Alan: When it comes to knives, Alan knows all about giving back to the people. He climbed the ranks in college by entering knives in art shows. Since then he’s been adamant about teaching and passing on the skills of custom knife making to others. He specializes in one-of-a-kind fixed blades that have great ergonomics and sleek futuristic designs.
Donation: 100% to AKTI
Jim Hammond
9.2″ Blade, BG42,HRc 58, mirror bevels, hand-rubbed satin Ricasso, Presentation grade Wooly Mammoth ivory, Front/rear bolsters of 416 stainless steel with hand-rubbed satin finish, Frame lock.
About Jim: Jim was the first knifemaker to work with CRKT® in 1994, but he had more than 17 years experience under his blade-decorated belt prior to that. After graduating from Clemson in 1977, he quickly climbed the ranks, specializing in military and collector grade tactical fighters.
A Knifemakers’ Guild member since 1978, his designs—and golf shots—are all about excellence, flair, and function.
Donation: Navy & Marine Fisher House
Rick Hinderer
Rick Hinderer’s XM-18 3-1/2 inch folding skinner. Blade of 535VN with gray 910 handle. Working finish, purple titanium hardware with a deep engraved Hinderer Horse!
Donation: 100% to AKTI
About Rick: in the mid 1980’s Rick Hinderer began his knife making journey making art knives in a small 14′ x 18′ turkey coop with none of the modern amenities, like heat or running water! Art knives are a far cry from the tactical scene which Rick is so deeply entrenched in now. Over the years his meticulous attention to knife design and knife making, coupled with his real world experience as a Fire Fighter / EMT sets him apart from the rest. Rick’s design philosophy is deeply rooted in his experience with using his knives as part of his first responder tools. That catalyst of change from art knives to hard use tactical was after Rick joined the rescue dive team. He really began to look at knives and designs more as hard use tactical tools than works of art. Rick began changing over from old world knife making techniques to modern CNC precision manufacturing. With the combination of designing art knives, and his real world experience as a first responder, this unusual perspective allows him to design hard use tactical folders that are not only aesthetically pleasing to the eye, but extremely comfortable in the hand. All of Rick’s products are engineered to go the distance when it counts the most whether it be when life is on the line, or you just need a good cutting tool!
D’Holder
My Knife XXL
5-1/2 blade, 440C blade, nickle silver, red maple, blood amber African blackwood spacer. “This knife was made to give to AKTI to encourage AKTI to find a way to raise some funds. I was proud to serve as a charter member on the Board of Regents representing the Knifemakers’ Guild.”
Donation: 100% to AKTI
About D’: “For many years, I had done custom gun work as a hobby, and was asked to make a knife for a gentleman for whom I had built a custom rifle. The rest is history, I guess, since I haven’t built a gun since I sold that first knife. The price was $8. That first knife was built in 1966 in Denver, CO…My specialty is fancy using knives with an occasional bowie thrown in for balance. I believe that the important aspects of knifemaking are craftsmanship, top drawer materials, and a steadfast work ethic…Over the years, my shop has been open to almost anyone who wanted to take the time to come by. Currently, over 75 makers of custom knives give me credit for strong influence on their work. It is my opinion that I got far more from them, than they ever got from me.”
Matthew Lerch
Mako: 154 CPM, triple grind fighter blade. Titanium handle, textured bronze inlays. Flipper blade running on bearings, hardened lockbar with over-travel protection and stabilizer bar. Anodized titanium back spacer. Tip-up anodized titanium pocket clip. Custom velcro pouch.
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 Bu
ster Warenski award. Matt views knives as functional art, as evidenced in his Moxie™ and Blade Show award-winning Endorser™ design.
Donation: Matthew’s charity is the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.
Tony Marfione
Navy Scarab: Double action, O.T.F., Elmax steel with P.V.D. D.L.C., Double-edged, Aluminum handle with textured inserts, Tritium insert in activating button, Signed by Tony.
About Tony: “Making knives since 1994. I’m proud this knife is 100% made in the U.S.A.
Donation: 100% to AKTI
Kiku Matsuda
About Kiku: Kiku Matsuda is a world class blade grinder from Japan who produces unique knives with 
multi-ground blades.
KM-895 Hurricane Donated by Kiku Matsuda
The Hurricane features a multi-grind blade with new grip. 6-1/4″ OU-31 recurved hollow ground + Hamaguri-ba ground toward reinforced blade tip with false edge and thumb notches on the back. 5-1/4″ hand contoured Black Canvas Micarta handle with lanyard hole on end. Comes with hand fitted Kydex sheath with Tek-Lok Belt device. OU-31 Blade in 6.0mm thick, 160mm blade, 290mm overall, weight 390g.
Donation: 100% to AKTI
Ken Onion
JAKE: CPM-154, Full flat grind with convex, Titanium frame with G-10 inlays, IKBS, Finger flipper, Frame lock. “Stylized urban-tactical, utilizing multiple facets of textured G-10 on pocket clip, inside the blade channel and inlay. Inspired for an old friend Jake, a police officer.”
About Ken: Ken is the real deal. The youngest ever inductee into the Blade Magazine Hall of Fame in 2008, he is recognized as one of the most innovative and successful knife designers of all time. In 1996 he created the first commercially successful assisted opening mechanism, which many knives continue to use today. Designer of the successful Eros™ folder series, as well as the award winning Hi-Jinx™, and new Outrage™ knife, Ken never seems to be at a loss for ideas.
Donation: 100% to AKTI
Bob Terzuola
“This is a special knife as it was the prototype given to CRKT.” 3-1/2 blade length, 154 CM stone wash blade,G-10 handles, thumb ramp, liner loc.
About Bob: Look up “tactical folding knife” in the dictionary and you’re likely to see Bob’s picture next to it. After all, he virtually invented the category and continues to specialize in knives for professional use, like the BT-70™. Born in New York, he had many adventures before settling into design in the early ‘80s. In 1981 he joined the Knifemakers’ Guild.
Donation: Fisher House
Brian Tighe
Drip Tighe: Damasteel Blade 60 RC/. Titanium scales and back space with different tones and textures. Heat colored.
About Brian: Brian Tighe is a Canadian “Renaissance man”: tool and die maker, photographer and extraordinary custom knifemaker and CRKT knife designer. He says, “I started making knives because I always carried one and had a passion for them. When I was first introduced to custom knives, I knew I could make them as well, got hooked and never looked back. I knew from my experience how to cut metal, what tools were needed and how to achieve the top fit and finish. I test my knives by carrying one every day, and I use it for everything I need to do around the house and work. I also get a lot of feedback from customers who use my knives to make their living.” Pat Covert of American Handgunner has said, “Brian Tighe has risen from the rank and file of edged weapons artisans to the rarefied air of the top 10 elite. His sense of design is extraordinary, his pride of workmanship exemplary. These are qualities that have propelled Tighe to the top.” His custom workshop is in Ridgeville, Ontario.
Donation: 100% to AKTI
Mickey Yurco – Fixed Blade
Backpacker: 440C stainless steel, hand-sanded G-10, 7 oz. tooled leather sheath.
About Mickey: Mickey’s designs have been used on several Boker items. “I’ve been making knives since 1983, instructed by R.W. Wilson and a retired Sheriff after 33 years.
Donation: 100% to AKTI