Trail Guide

Blackjack Knives

Mike Stewart and Steven Lewis formed Blackjack Knives in 1987. The company started in Los Angeles with the intention of importing and selling Chris Reeve's range of one-piece knives as well as developing their own range of knives. Blackjack's first non-Chris Reeve knife was the Mamba, a knife designed by Mike Stewart and released in 1987. As the company began to grow, Blackjack began to expand its line and moved production to Japan. The Japanese-produced products were praised for their quality, but profit margins for Blackjack were small because of the weakness of the American dollar against the yen at the time. Mike Stewart also began having problems with the Japanese producers. The knives were produced in Japan by The Kencrest Corporation in Seki City. In 1991, because of difficulties with the Japanese producers, Blackjack Knives moved its production to the United States. The company received investment from a group that approached Mike Stewart to invest in the relatively small operation. In October 1991, the business moved to Effingham, Illinois, to set up operations. Blackjack Knives specializes in modern high-tech belt knives, sturdy unobtrusive working companion knives, American Classic styles and advanced-production sheaves. Blackjacks have convex blades which are excellent at holding edges. From the bronze age to about 1900, all blades, swords and axes were convex. However, since 1900, the V-Bevel method was introduced for sharpening blades. It is widely recognized that this technique produces less sharp blades than convex grinding, so Blackjack uses the the older convex method. As of 2010, blackjack knives are famous worldwide. Blackjack Knives in Effingham, Illinois went out of business in 1997. The company had been experiencing financial difficulties, including falling behind on its Community Development Assistance Program loan.The brand is now owned by Blue Ridge Knives.