What would you like to see in a knife magazine?

[Michael Janich]

Dear MBC folk:



As a contributor to the late "Fighting Knives" and "Combat Knives" magazines and current contributing editor for "Tactical Knives" I have had more than my share of trials and tribulations as a knife writer. A number of my close associates share my views and would like the opportunity to share information in an open, objective venue (if one existed).



My question to you is, "What would you like to see in a knife magazine?" I'm looking for input on all aspects of the publication, including content, layout, photos, price, frequency, etc. Any comments concerning what you like or don't like about the current mags on the market are valid, but let's try to be civil.



Thanks in advance for your input.



Stay safe,





mike j

[Sword and Shield]

The biggest thing I would like to see in a knife magazine would be extensive coverage of "working" knives. I may speak only for myself, but shelling out $1000 for a custom hunting knife is out of the picture, but I would gladly want suggestions on a $50 one.

I do like the way both Blade and Tactical Knives cover working knives, though I would make this a bit more extensive. Also needed would be one good issue every once in a while on sharpening all this steel. Diamond hones vs. Arkansas, Lansky vs. Sharpmaker and so on.

I also would include a regular feature on knife materials. The average person can get easily confused with all the AUSs, CPMs, 10xxs, and the like, so a regular article featuring and critiquing various blade materials would be greatly appreciated. For example, this month VG-10, next month CPM S60V.

Knife maintenance would also need to be featured regularly, maybe 3 times per year. As logic says, you have purchased your dream knife, sharpened it, now you must care for it.

Those would just be my ideas for a very nice and useful knife magazine.

Keepin' it real...real sharp, that is.

[sam the man..]

Pictures, Blue prints, in-depth interviews and behind the scene pieces with makers and manufacturers and lotsa pictures! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Sam

have spydies will travel

[whosyour]

I would like to see more of just what tactical knives is doing right now.I will never in life carry a $400 and up knife,no matter if it's a folder,fixed etc..
However you're covering what is real in terms of every day carry whether it be on the street or in the line of duty/combative.
I like the photos,they are well taken and printed.How could we get a catalog of tactical knives with a short description of each with a MSRP quote of all the new ones from the year.Possibly test result articles to accompany these pics.
In addition I want to see more of your test results for all of the knives coming out as it seems there are so many every other month.
There should be a steel article for the latest greatest steel and long term test results on the older ones.
Product accesories are of interest to a point,but it's hard to determine their performance in a short amount of time,so it's hard to say how much coverage they need.
I want to see a "hunters field report" on all of the skinning/hunting knives(Steels,handles,brands,some custom makers within reason).Mainly for those of us who don't partake in too many tactical missions,but enjoy reading Tactical Knife a hell of a lot more than Blade magazine could ever hope for.To many"pretty"knives that are of no use other than looks and a hole in your wallet.
I would love to see Tactical Knife every month instead of every two months no matter what the price increase.
Mr.Janich you being a formidable expert in knife combatives I would really like to hear your views on fighting knives as they come out.Testing each model for thrust,slash,strength,and how easily or difficult it is to use them in a filipino or other martial style of fighting is a very big interest to me,as I personally buy them based on what I see guys like Bram Frank,James Keating,Kelly Worden and yourself carrying or recommending.I haven't been disappointed once in any of the suggestions.
Most importantly I would like in depth coverage of the top knife fighters in the world,profiles,interviews,their favorite and least favorite knives.How and where they were trained,how long they've trained,and advice for every type of encounter,basicly their insight to knife combatives,and the styles they use and or teach.I see their advertisements but nothing from them other than that.
And finally if you ever need somebody extra at Tactical Knife to write in-depth reviews and test knives I'm always available to help just let me know!!!

[Bill Burns]

I think Tactical Knives is pretty good, however (and we have discussed this a couple times during MBC) open up the tactics discussion to more than just one guy. I would also like to see a focus on the tactical deployment of the knife as well as intergration of other tools of defense such as empty hands, the Kubaton, expandable baton, pepper spray, stun gun and even firearms. I would limit the review and evalutation of knives that were not really designed for tactical use. I think quarterly to bi monthly would be a good start on publication.

[Carlos]

"Commercial neutrality." By this I mean no advertisments, and therefore no commercial pressure tainting knife tests, reviews, and comparisons.

It'll never happen, but it would be nice.

[Sword and Shield]

Another piece I forgot to mention: EDC knives. While I do not carry a knife for self defense, I am never seen without a knife of some kind on me.

I just finished reading the current article in TK on pocketknives and that is a major draw to me. The old-fashioned knife may not be a knife for self defense, or one for survival, but is a knife for the everyday chores of life.

While I do freely admit that self-defense (tactical) knives do work well for everyday chores, I believe that few people would be able to, without protest from non-knife people, draw a Gunting or a Cold Steel Scimitar from concealed carry to open mail.

However, your basic Stockman, Trapper, Whittler, SAK, etc, will do the job well and unobtrusively. A periodic article on this type of knife would, besides be highly informative, broaden your readership to include more than those who carry tactical knives.

I believe that there is such a thing as "covering too much tactical", and the periodic inclusion of what I call "Grandpa knives" would greatly reduce the appearance that the magazine only covers knives for self-defense or fighting purposes. Include a few old-fashioned knives and the image changes from that of a knife magazine outfitting people with fighting knives, to a magazine outfitting ordinary people with tools.

Keepin' it real...real sharp, that is.

[Paul Rouleau]

Tactical Knives is fine but more tactical is needed.Much of the content has become as boring as the gun magazines that are out there.More content to the articles and less technical fluff so I don't fall asleep reading it would be appreciated.Fighting Knives magazine was fantastic but needed more content and less photo layouts to be perfect.Combat Knives was almost right on target but unfortunately did not last.Perhaps a blend of FK and CK would work.The look,style and focus that FK had together with the larger content of CK.It is clear that the knife fighting/knife defense market needs something more than what is currently available in print.Of course there is always the internet but I don't consider it a substitute for books and magazines.If you want antique pocketknife or collector info there is always Blade and Knives Illustrated.Personally I don't think they are even useful for lining the bottom of a bird cage because their content is of no interest to me at all.

[ElectricZombie]

More focus on user knives as so many have previously stated. I really don't like the articles about $1000 blades and custom knife makers. I just want a knife mag that focuses on production knives, nothing over $300. More reviews per issue would be nice too.

[Scorpius711]

Comercial neutrality would be high on my list.

As would group comparisons of similar type knives, in the context of finding the best in a paticular catogory,tactical, utility, survival, hunting, etc... With price ranging from Endura to Microtech production, and a few semi-production such as a Sebenza.

Interview's with the top knife fighting experts currently out there. With emphasis on the similarties VS the difference's of other styles.

Pic's of cutting, and thrusting ability of various knives in a self-defense context. Such as using something to simulate cutting an attacking limb. But have it made tough enough to show the difference between a "good" slashing knive VS an "extraordinary" slashing knife.

Troy





Edited by - Scorpius711 on 8/11/2001 12:32:20 PM

[sal]

Hi Mike. I would like to see more on the thoughts and reasons (function) behind various designs. This could be done on a historical level (studying old designs) or sharing ideas with designers. It does have it's difficulties on not sharing some design secrets, but I think the understanding of the purpose of the design would be a greater value to the reader.

sal

[Chinookaholic]

Hi Mike:-

Seconding the suggestion of a previous poster, I'd like to see more group comparisons of knives. 'Guns & Ammo' used to do a mass test of four or five handguns by a kind of 'jury' to find which was better value, better finished, more user-friendly etc. I feel this sort of feature is of great use because it shows up the shortfalls of products by means of highlighting the advantages of others (for example, Taurus handguns always got thumbs up for value, but compared badly in just about every other category to Sigs, Glocks etc.).

Just an idea.

Edited by - Chinookaholic on 8/13/2001 4:00:22 PM

[clipiteer]

Reviews, pics, opinions and tactics.

...and i'm fresh out of bubblegum.

[sks]

If American Handgunner was a knife magazine, I think it would meet all the requirements I like in a periodical. I also like the 6 issues a year (seems like the articles are more in depth).

I definitely like the tactical/user knives side of things, but appreciate the skill that goes into creating some of the works of art that I saw at Blade.

Training, Law enforcement, Legal decisions, Self defense (not just knives), Maker profiles, History, Instructor profiles/features, Factory/shop tours, Outdoor/camp usage.

Steve

[Mr.Skin]

Commercailly Neutral.
A full range(not just knife)of realistic self defence.
Infomation on legal issues.
Frank coverage of topics.

Gavin

...from whose bourn, no traveler returns.

[Sochin]

Commercial neutrality - I like that.

I don't like a mag that is just one big advert for a man or group... <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

A full range of opinions, lots of human interest, how to's and good pics would get me to subscribe!

And, don't forget Canadian content!!!

Ted T.

<a href=" http://raisingcanes.net">The Fighting Old Man</a>

[argyll]

Calendar of up coming events and seminars like MBC. Info on web sites of interest.

Wha's like us? **** few and they're a' deid!

[Leo Daher]

I agree with Paul Rouleau. What I want from TACTICAL Knives magazine is more tactical stuff, not less! If TK becomes another Blade, I'll just have to stop buying it.

Leo Daher

[satori]

Articles on techniques and styles of martial blade craft (I like the term rather than knife fighting -better connotation). More like an Martial Arts magazine that would specialize in Martial Blade Craft. With in depth analysis of styles and evaluation of fighting knives.

[Leo Daher]

What Satori said.