2018 BLADE Show West Award Winners

The first annual BLADE Show West — an offshoot of the biggest knife gathering in the world — was a success.

People flocked to the Oregon Convention Center to see some of the top knife makers and manufacturers display their knives.

The West Coast version of BLADE Show was similar to the original (see the other 2018 winners here) in that it offers a few awards to the worthy knives out there. There were different categories, of course.

Here’s a rundown of the custom and factory knife awards winners at the 2018 BLADE Show West. First up are the factory awards followed by the custom awards.

Factory Best in Show & Best Folding Knife: WE Knife 704DS

 

For factory knives, WE Knife took home the awards of Best in Show and Best Folding Knife with its WE Knife 704DS.

This knife from the Chinese company features a 3.6-inch Damasteel blade with a flipper and a carbon fiber/bronze anodized titanium liners. This is just a gorgeous knife through and through.

Best Factory Fixed Blade Knife: Bradford Guardian 4.5

The Bradford Guardian 4.5 won the best fixed blade knife with its 4-inch 3V blade and Micarta scales. It’s a simple design with carefully considered design aspects.

Best Factory EDC Knife: WESN Microblade

The WESN Microblade started as a Kickstarter project and ended with a Best EDC Knife award. It has a small 1.5-inch blade and titanium handle. It’s tiny in the hand but easy to carry.

Best Factory EDC Non-Knife: CRKT Williams Tactical Key

There are tons of key tools out there, including the famous key knives from SOG. But the CRKT Williams Tactical Key has an eye on self-defense purposes. The key is there for last-ditch situations or when you need a Philips screwdriver.

Here’s James Williams with the key:

Best Factory “Weird” Knife: Zombie Tools Hurley

You’re probably wondering what the heck this thing is. Well, Zombie Tools created the Hurley as an insane apocalyptical tool for those zombie-killing needs. Josh Eamon of Zombie Tools was quoted in the Oregonian saying it was made of “50 percent high caliber steel and 50 percent joke.”

Factory – Best “Weird” Knife award #bladeshowwest

Zombie Tools Hurley pic.twitter.com/ORFNIOTPy6

— BLADE Magazine (@BladeMagazine) October 6, 2018

Custom Best in Show & Best Fixed Blade: Wilburn Forge Mosaic Bowie

Now on to the custom knives. Like the factory knife, the Best in Show is a double winner. Aaron Wilburn won the award along with the Best Custom Fixed Blade with the Mosaic Bowie, a 12-inch Damascus Bowie with a mammoth ivory handle and nickel silver accents.

Here are some more shoots of it from their Instagram page:

Best Custom EDC Knife: PH Jacob Custom Knives

Phil Jacob of PH Jacob Custom Knives brought home two awards. One was best Folding Custom Knife. It is a handsome slip joint with an extended nail nick to allow for easier opening.

Best Custom Folding Knife: PH Jacob Custom Knives Trapper

His second is a trapper with some great firework. It’s interesting that slipjoints won these two categories.

Best Custom EDC Non-Knife: Olamic Cutlery Pocket Axe

For the non-knife EDC award, Olamic Cutlery took home the award for its Pocket Axe. This thing is tiny at an overall length of 4.2 inches. It can be worn around the neck in a sheath.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Olamic • Never The Same (@olamic) on Aug 20, 2018 at 5:54pm PDT

Best Custom “Weird” Knife: OOAK Forge Pizza Slayer

Finally, there’s the award for the best weird custom knife and this one is definitely a doozy. Behold the OOAK Forge Pizza Slayer. This epic pizza cutter from Harlan Whitman is truly one of a kind, which is also what OOAK Forge stands for.

Here’s another Pizza Slayer:

Also, I love this weird knife category and am looking forward to future winners.

Full List of 2018 Blade Show West Awards

Factory Knife Awards

• Best in Show & Best Folding Knife – WE Knife 704DS
• Best Fixed Blade – Bradford Guardian 4.5
• Best EDC Knife – WESN Microblade
• Best EDC Non-Knife – CRKT Williams Tactical Key
• Best “Weird” Knife – Zombie Tools Hurley

Custom Knife Awards

• Best in Show & Best Fixed Blade – Wilburn Forge Mosaic Bowie
• Best Folding  Knife – PH Jacob Custom Knives
• Best EDC Knife – PH Jacob Custom Knives
• Best EDC Non-Knife – Olamic Cutlery Pocket Axe
• Best “Weird” Knife – Ooak Forge Pizza Slyer