Bladsmth (Stacy Apelt) in latest issue of Blade!

Status
Not open for further replies.
Drew Riley

Drew Riley

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 17, 2007
Messages
4,233
Received my latest issue of Blade magazine in the mail a couple of days ago, and as I was perusing my way through it, I noticed that I recognized one of the names in the reader's response (or what ever Blade calls it) section. Our very own Stacy Apelt, aka Bladsmth.

I was actually somewhat surprised (although, at the same time, very much encouraged) at the subject of his response, which was in regard to the very well known Ed Fowler.

To put it bluntly, Stacy called Ed out on the foundation (or seeming lack there of) on all these "lab tests" and "metallurgical studies", and other buzz words that get thrown out, among other points like Ed's seeming flawed view of "steel memory".

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not posting this thread to start any kind of flame war on Ed Fowler (or Stacy) and I don't want this to turn into a huge debate on metallurgy, or other blade related sciences.

I basically just wanted to voice some appreciation towards Stacy for calling some questionable content to floor and bringing it to Ed Fowler's attention, as well as the publishers and readers of Blade in general. Blade is a very highly revered publication with such a wealth of information on countless subjects related to blade smithing, metallurgy, and other knife making related issues, written and shared by some of the most repected minds in the industry. I think it often becomes way too easy to get caught up in somebody's status, fame, years of experience as a maker, and any other "laurels", and take everything they say as gospel; especially when written in black in white in well known publications like Blade. Stacy's response was very well written and respectful, and while I think Blade swept some of his major points under the carpet a little bit, I think he made a very important impact.

Stacy reminds us all how important it is to occasionally look below the surface and make sure the data is viable, and not just hype or years of flawed traditoin or misrepresented information.

I hope I'm not speaking out of turn here, and if I misreprented anything you were trying to say Stacy, I apologize.
 
It's only human nature that flamboyant personalities and flowery phrases get more publicity than anything resembling demonstrable facts. I remain to be convinced that any media outlet gives much of a hoot about quality, truth or science; their job is to sell catch-phrase-heavy covers and cash advertisers' checks. At the very least, we can take comfort in the fact that the knife/gun/outdoorsmen press is not as bad about this, as the nightly news is :rolleyes: These folks do play an important role in gathering people together to stick up for their rights to hunt, fish, make/use/carry knives, etc... and that does have a distinctly positive impact.

However, in-depth analyses of metallurgy, Charpy tests, and the like tend to bore the goldang socks off most folks who use and/or collect knives, and even most people who make them. Mystical baloney sausage like "the soul of the knife" "how the blade speaks to me" "my way is top-secret, don't dare question it" "my grampa did it this way, it must be the best" and even "KC or SA or EF said so, it must be true, why should I bother finding out for myself?" is a lot more romantic and appealing, and a heckuva lot easier.

Having said all that, there is almost always one letter, editorial or article in each of the major knife magazines that really does get down to business, and there's no question they often help good makers and good science get recognition.
knife to a gunfight said:
Stacy reminds us all how important it is to occasionally look below the surface and make sure the data is viable, and not just hype or years of flawed traditoin or misrepresented information.
Click to expand...

I could not agree more :thumbup:
 
Last edited:
Congrats Stacy!

More power to ya brotherman.

Welcome to the ranks of the rich and famous! :)

... feels good, don't it?
 
Last edited:
I'd love to read that, but I stopped subscribing years ago & all the book-stores in Canada are controlled by an anti knife monopoly.

Can anyone post or email me the article?
 
Don Hanson III said:
All I'll say is what Ed does sure does work for him. :D
Click to expand...



The only fair way to judge anyone is by their own standards. The proof is always in the pudding, regardless of the logic, reasoning, science or explanation behind it.

I know one thing for sure,... you can't make it in this business or survive on hype (of any kind or of any nature) alone.

If you think you can,... go for it! You'll see.
 
I definitely don't have a dog in the fight either way, and I'd like to read the article myself. I think it's notable to mention that Ed Fowler is one of the few folks who claim to work with and verify findings with a metallurgist over many years. He's also one of the very few folks who'll publish findings in detail. Doesn't mean it's gospel, but it's there for all to see.

Happy New Year, Craig
 
Congrats Stacy.
What's needed is indepentant NON-BIASED peer review. Folks on both sides would probably be surprised by what was found.
 
12345678910 said:
I'd love to read that, but I stopped subscribing years ago & all the book-stores in Canada are controlled by an anti knife monopoly.

Can anyone post or email me the article?
Click to expand...

Not that it is going to help you, but I use to buy Blade at Dominion News in Winnipeg. They actually had a large selection of knife magazines available. Here in this little hick town I am in now all I can get are hunting, ATV/Snowmobile, and women's magazines:( I do make it to Ottawa about once a month so I am going to have to hunt down a good independent news/magazine store there to get my fix.
 
Well written, Stacy. Extraordinary claims should be backed with extraordinary proof. I have never doubted the performance of Mr Fowler's knives. Task oriented testing speaks for itself. I do have issues with certain claims that defy metallurgical principle and blur the boundries between fact and fiction. Ed now has the perfect opportunity to defend these perceived assertions with the hard evidence so many of us have been patiently waiting for. In my opinion, there are only two possible paths an honorable man can take at this point.... either would benifit the bladesmithing communtity. It would be disappointing to see one of the "other" routes taken.

I commend Blade for running Stacy's response, in light of the bold criticism contained within (Much of which is directed at the mag, itself). Kudo's to Steve Shackleford, editor of Blade.
 
congrats, Stacy. Intelligent adults can disagree, its a good thing. It is important to remember that disagreeing with an opinion or a claim someone makes has nothing to do with whether you respect them or like them, etc. In my field, good friends argue and disagree all the time, and the one with the best evidence wins the argument and eveyone is better for the fact that it happened. Then, we go to dinner together.

good job, Stacy.
kc
 
Could I possibly get a link to the letter as well?

Count, I find it odd that we cannot get Blade Magazine at our book stores in Canada, yet I received a copy of "Blade's Guide to Making Knives" for Christmas, which was bought at a local chapters :confused:
 
wolffbite said:
Could I possibly get a link to the letter as well?

Count, I find it odd that we cannot get Blade Magazine at our book stores in Canada, yet I received a copy of "Blade's Guide to Making Knives" for Christmas, which was bought at a local chapters :confused:
Click to expand...

Chapters, Coles, Wordsworth, all have the same ownership.
I used to get it there, and suddenly it was gone.
I inquired locally and up the ladder - and was told it was inappropriate and therefore not carried.

I did notice, you can still get 4 different marijuana magazines (possession being a Criminal Offence)
as well as coffee table photo books on the holocaust showing bodies stacked in pits like cord-wood.

Apparently the policy and determination of inappropriate is arbitrary
 
Last edited:
Rick Marchand said:
Well written, Stacy. Extraordinary claims should be backed with extraordinary proof. I have never doubted the performance of Mr Fowler's knives. Task oriented testing speaks for itself. I do have issues with certain claims that defy metallurgical principle and blur the boundries between fact and fiction. Ed now has the perfect opportunity to defend these perceived assertions with the hard evidence so many of us have been patiently waiting for. In my opinion, there are only two possible paths an honorable man can take at this point.... either would benifit the bladesmithing communtity. It would be disappointing to see one of the "other" routes taken.

I commend Blade for running Stacy's response, in light of the bold criticism contained within (Much of which is directed at the mag, itself). Kudo's to Steve Shackleford, editor of Blade.
Click to expand...

Quoted for truth.
 
Rick,
Lets try and keep this thread on subject about the letter and not a calling out for Mr. Fowler to defend himself.

The letter was to Blade magazine's editor about their running of his articles. Ed's methods have been discussed before and this thread isn't about them, it is about the letter.

Also, before anyone gets the wrong impression, I have great respect for Ed Fowler as a well know maker, and have no doubt that his knives are good tools. He has spent a long time getting where he is, and that is an undeniable fact.
The letter was about his self-promotion and theories on metallurgy broadcast through his Blade magazine instructional and advise articles.
 
As with the Count, I can't find Blade anywhere around me, I can get KI and TK but no Blade so unfortunately I miss some of the best articles (I thnk, anyway). That being said, Stacy and Ed have had a number of discussions on these forums about knife and steel making, history and metalurgy and I think due to their diverse backgrounds and education, they both have different views and understandings of how and why things are done the way they are. They are both very respectful of each other and their discussions rarely get heated and never get to the name calling stage (if only we could all be like that). Not having read the article or letter I can't speak to the content, I'm just happy we have both experts available to give advice on all aspects of the trade. Having different opinions and being able to talk about them both coherently and respectfully can only be a good thing.
 
Stacy,
Thank you for your well worded letter. After I heard "Blade" Magazine's editor's response to a well known smith who asked why they publish such balderdash when they know it is misleading and wrong, and they responded "He is popular and it sells magazines" (I wish I still had the exact verbiage at my fingertips, but that email is not on this computer) I let my subscription expire and stopped buying the magazine, so I had to wait until yesterday to read it. I really hope that it provides a wakeup that reins in certain authors in their belief that they can print mystical tripe and claim it as fact, but I do not think that will be the end result. I hope that at least it fosters a beginning of people requiring a fact check of some of the more absurd claims regardless of the "star power" of certain smiths

-Page
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top