Training knives

Fellow Martial Artists, I would like to invite you to come look at my new web site at keenedgeknives.bizland.com I am trying to make good affordable training blades for folks in the arts. Please give me your opinion.

Steve Rollert

Hi Steve, The product line looks really good (on par with other aluminum training material I've used) and the website is set up well (easy to navigate, few inconsistancies).

One thing, and it's a biggie,... You're prices aren't exactly competetive with other aluminum training knives of like kind. In fact the prices are sometimes twice that of similar products.

I won't mention the other websites I researched but I'm sure you know your competition out there.

What really sets your training knives a part from the other guys? If its just the endorsement from GM Pellegrini, I'd reconsider the pricing scheme.

I have some of Steve's practice knives, as well as some of his custom blade work. His knives are of stouter material than the competition; they're cut to exact pattern, so the pairs are actually matched; all the edges are broken so they hold very nicely- for my money, they're just the step up from more common submissions. Another thing I like is that he has some patterns of knives that are slanted towards SEAsian style. Steve has been a martial artist for over twenty years; bladesmith, EMT, firefighter, hardhat diver- he understands knives and their 'feel'. GM Pelligrini has been taking kuntao silat from what I understand, so his endorsement might have come with that association. We do a fair amount with two knives, so there is a need for 'pairs' that might not be reflected in other arts. I'm not sure I ever saw any Hapkido with knives except as uke.

Chas 'It's Fighting, not Folkdancing!' http://members.xoom.com/kilap/Keepsafe.htm http://members.xoom.com/kilap/cane.html http://members.xoom.com/kilap/monkey.html http://www.kuntaosilat.com/ www.kilap.homepage.com/chas.mpg http://www.paladin-press.com/

I was just starting to write you an email on this one, Chas.

Alright, I understand estetics of the tool, but the material appears to be the same as a handful of other manufacturers (i.e. 1/4' brushed aluminum for the low end line, with paracord on the grip).

Really? All I saw in the training knive section were the tactical folder, the big belly bowie (sort of SEA) and the serpentine fighter which has more 'generic fighting knife' qualities then the others.

They all look good, but the price?

I'm looking for paired blades myself. The folders especially.

In the interests of full disclosure, Steve has been in my practice group for 15 years or so. My own knives are 'prototypes', one-offs, so I don't know what he pictured.

Of the couple of types of aluminum, this is the better of them. It's not the foamy stuff, it's the more substantial. It's also the better paracord; denser, more finesse in the wrapping, more and better knots- that sort of thing. His partner is a Japanese guy that started with sword fittings as I understand.

The last time we spoke, he was going to do some silat knives; I don't know whether that came to fruition in terms of the website. My server's acting up, so I didn't see his posting at all.

Nothing's engraved in stone; he's a horse trader- negotiate with him a bit.

Yeah, I have a pair he made for me that model 'Endura' or something similar. He did a 'box-cutter/utility knife', a pair of large bolos, a Barteux bush machete, a Randall #1, a small and a large dagger and another sort of generic bivouac knife for me over the years- some in pecan wood and others in the aluminum. His custom knives are absolutely superb. He's taken a number of awards for his craftsmanship and design- I've used his stuff in various capacities for years and never done anything to them but get them rusty. He does patternwelding and close forging; studied with Kuzan Oda and has worked with all the biggies, does college instruction in metalsmithing and the State of Colorado endows an apprentice to him. Very slick stuff.

Chas 'It's Fighting, not Folkdancing!' http://members.xoom.com/kilap/Keepsafe.htm http://members.xoom.com/kilap/cane.html http://members.xoom.com/kilap/monkey.html http://www.kuntaosilat.com/ www.kilap.homepage.com/chas.mpg http://www.paladin-press.com/

That answers my next question. From the pictures it appears as though someone used hilt and saya ribbon patterns with the paracord.

'Chas says I deserve a family discount.'?

Thanks for the inside info, Chas.

Speaking of which I'm looking for Wing Chun Bat Jaam Do. Not 'butterfly knives' either. I'll ask my teachers for the proper dimensions.

Something that is the real thing, but without a live blade. Any thoughts?

David Williams

I don't know what it takes to come up with patterns for that high speed water cutting, but if you can describe it sufficiently, you can't beat Steve's work- he can surely do them well.

Chas 'It's Fighting, not Folkdancing!' http://members.xoom.com/kilap/Keepsafe.htm http://members.xoom.com/kilap/cane.html http://members.xoom.com/kilap/monkey.html http://www.kuntaosilat.com/ www.kilap.homepage.com/chas.mpg http://www.paladin-press.com/