Following trends in knives toward, lighter, faster, sleeker folders, and more user-freiendly, mid-sized fixed blades and utilitarian cutters and choppers, KNIVES 2017 will feature such pieces designed for police, firemen and EMTs. Another copiously-illustrated article explains how knife enthusiasts can tweak, adjust and fine-tune their own LinerLocks on folding knives and the frame locks of "flipper folders." Knifemakers will enjoy such stories as "Taking Your Knifemaking Passion to the Next Level," and "Building Your Own Smelter," while historians and general enthusiasts can delve into "Blades in Old Norse/Old English Mythology" and "Kantou: Appreciation of Japanese Swords." Bowies and forged knives will be covered, as will trends toward natural, exotic and space age materials and the state of the art in carving, engraving, scrimshaw, sculpting, jewel and wire inlay and lost-wax casting.
Treasured by knife collectors, enthusiasts, knifemakers and dealers worldwide, the Knives book is presented in a proven formula of sections: *A bank of enthralling feature articles about the latest developments, history and transformation of knives, swords, and edges of all types; *A "Trends" photo/caption section showcasing the latest in blades, steels, styles and materials; *A "State of the Art" photo/caption section parading scrimshawed, engraved, jewel-inlaid, etched, carved, sculpted and forge-welded, damascus and mosaic-damascus knives; *A "Factory Trends" section updating readers on the newest in factory or production knives; *A completely updated directory of custom knifemakers, their contact information, including websites and email addresses, technical information, specialties, materials, price ranges, tools, tang stamps and comments.

Joe Kertzman is the former editor of Blade Magazine, and has also edited the last few editions of Knives annuals for Krause Publications. He resides in Rosholt, Wisconsin, and is an avid knife collector.