Blackie Collins
Encyclopedia
Walter Wells Collins or Blackie Collins was an American knife maker who designed and popularized the assisted opening mechanism
and various automatic knife designs within the art of knifemaking. He is cited by other knifemakers and collectors as one of the most innovative knife designers in the world and was an author and the founder of what became Blade Magazine. Collins died July 20, 2011 in a motorcycle accident near North, South Carolina
.
. He made his first knife when he was in the second grade.
and was named the L.S.T. (Light, Strong, Tough). The LST was the first knife to feature injection molded Zytel
handles and featured a total of 6 parts. His next design was an assisted opening knife called the Strut and Cut; the design for which came from motorcycling. The Strut’N'Cut's opening mechanism was based on his Ducati’s single strut which enables the knife to open and close with ease.
Collins was a founding member, with ten other knife designers/makers, of the Knifemakers' Guild
. He founded the magazine known as American Blade in 1973, which he sold in 1982 and the renamed title was simply Blade
. Collins was later an inductee into the Blade Magazine Hall of Fame.
Collins had other innovations beyond knifemaking and was an avid motorcyclist and a member of the National Rifle Association
. He designed holsters and concealment clothing for carrying firearms. Collins designed a trigger lock
, called a "Cease Fire" for rifles and a shooter’s screwdriver.
, knife throwing
, and personal defense.
Assisted-opening knife
An assisted-opening knife is a type of folding knife which uses an internal mechanism to finish the opening of the blade once the user has partially opened it using a flipper or thumbstud attached to the blade....
and various automatic knife designs within the art of knifemaking. He is cited by other knifemakers and collectors as one of the most innovative knife designers in the world and was an author and the founder of what became Blade Magazine. Collins died July 20, 2011 in a motorcycle accident near North, South Carolina
North, South Carolina
North is a town in Orangeburg County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 813 at the 2000 census.-Geography:North is located at ....
.
Early life
Collins was born in Florence, South CarolinaFlorence, South Carolina
-Municipal government and politics:The City of Florence has a council-manager form of government. The mayor and city council are elected every four years, with no term limits...
. He made his first knife when he was in the second grade.
Knifemaking
Collins' first design for a major factory was in 1981 for Gerber Legendary BladesGerber Legendary Blades
Gerber Legendary Blades is a maker of consumer knives and multitools headquartered in Tigard, Oregon, United States, within the Portland metropolitan area. Currently Gerber is a sub-division of Fiskars Brands Inc, owned by the Fiskars company of Finland...
and was named the L.S.T. (Light, Strong, Tough). The LST was the first knife to feature injection molded Zytel
Zytel
Zytel is a trademark owned by DuPont and used for a number of different high strength, abrasion and impact resistant thermoplastic polyamide formulations of the family more commonly known as nylon, often with varying degrees of fiberglass, from 13% to 60%, added in for additional stiffness.Some of...
handles and featured a total of 6 parts. His next design was an assisted opening knife called the Strut and Cut; the design for which came from motorcycling. The Strut’N'Cut's opening mechanism was based on his Ducati’s single strut which enables the knife to open and close with ease.
Collins was a founding member, with ten other knife designers/makers, of the Knifemakers' Guild
Knifemakers' Guild
The Knifemakers' Guild is an organization made up of knifemakers to promote custom knives, encourage ethical business practices, assist with technical aspects of knife making, and to sponsor knife shows...
. He founded the magazine known as American Blade in 1973, which he sold in 1982 and the renamed title was simply Blade
Blade (magazine)
Blade is a long-running consumer magazine about knife collecting.First published in 1973 under the title American Blade by Southern House Publishing Co. with Blackie Collins as the editor, the magazine's title was changed to Blade in 1982 after its purchase by Jim Parker and Bruce Voyles...
. Collins was later an inductee into the Blade Magazine Hall of Fame.
Collins had other innovations beyond knifemaking and was an avid motorcyclist and a member of the National Rifle Association
National Rifle Association
The National Rifle Association of America is an American non-profit 501 civil rights organization which advocates for the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights and the promotion of firearm ownership rights as well as marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection...
. He designed holsters and concealment clothing for carrying firearms. Collins designed a trigger lock
Trigger lock
A trigger lock is a device designed to prevent a firearm from being discharged while the device is in place. Generally, two pieces come together from either side behind the trigger and are locked in place, which can be unlocked with a key or combination. This physically prevents the trigger from...
, called a "Cease Fire" for rifles and a shooter’s screwdriver.
Written works
Collins authored books on knifemaking, scrimshawScrimshaw
Scrimshaw is the name given to handiwork created by whalers made from the byproducts of harvesting marine mammals. It is most commonly made out of the bones and teeth of sperm whales, the baleen of other whales, and the tusks of walruses...
, knife throwing
Knife throwing
Knife throwing is an art, sport, combat skill, or variously an entertainment technique, involving an artist skilled in the art of throwing knives, the weapons thrown, and a target.-A throwing knife:...
, and personal defense.