Co-Founder and President of the American Knife & Tool Institute Honored for His Contributions to the Knife Community
CJ Buck, CEO and Chairman of Buck Knives, Inc., Post Falls, Idaho, was recently honored for his extraordinary service and contributions to the knife community. He was inducted at the 2016 BLADE Show into the Cutlery Hall of Fame©. Active members of the Cutlery Hall of Fame elect an annual inductee by a vote prior to the show.
Hall of Fame member Goldie Russell, President, A.G. Russell Knives, shared the criteria to be inducted, that a person worthy of this recognition:
- Demonstrate extraordinary service to the knife community;
- Display honesty, character and integrity;
- Advanced the industry by creativity of their works or contributions;
- As an ambassador or outstanding contributor furthered the positive impact of the knife industry on the world at large, and;
- In summary, have demonstrated a worthiness to be a member of this prestigious group.
Jointly Goldie Russell and Jan Billeb, AKTI Executive Director, shared how CJ Buck’s foresight and commitment in the formation and work of the American Knife & Tool Institute insured that a forum for the industry was in place to develop solutions to problems when needed.
“As an ambassador of the knife community and AKTI, CJ Buck has elevated the knife industry’s image to the greater world at large and fostered partnerships with labor unions, congressional caucuses and conservation and outdoor groups,” noted Jan Billeb.
CJ Buck encouraged the organization to be multi-faceted and proactive – protecting our American heritage of knives in daily lives, promote growth in the industry and encourage the next generation of knife users.
“CJ’s grandfather Al and father Chuck, also Hall of Fame members, would be proud of him – the man he is, heritage he successfully continues and his accomplishments to ensure that everyone in the knife community can continue doing what they love – making knives and sharing them with others,” said Goldie Russell.
In addition to co-founding AKTI in 1998 with Les deAsis, CEO, Benchmade, CJ Buck served first as vice president, than president from 2001-2003. Until 2015 he served as the Legislative Committee chair, reluctantly resigning because in 2013 he had agreed to another 4 year commitment, serving as vice president and now as president for the second time. He is the only person that has continuously and personally served as a Board member of AKTI, contributing countless personal hours and expenses to do so.
“The Cutlery Hall of Fame includes individuals who have had such a strong and passionate impact on the industry I love,” said CJ Buck, “and the fact that those same individuals have accorded this recognition to me is almost overwhelming.”
He added, “I continue to enjoy my involvement with the American Knife & Tool Institute and am so pleased with how much progress we have made by working together. From the closed and short-sighted 1958 Federal Switchblade Act to the visionary Knife Owner’s Protection Act, we have brought outdoorsmen and women together with the building trades in a frank dialogue based on logic and reason and not fear. We have partnered with legislators and law enforcement rather than just be adversarial and have brought about change in how knives are regarded. That momentum continues.”
Congratulations to CJ Buck from the Board of Regents of the American Knife & Tool Institute and all of our members and supporters.