Walter Wells "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.
11 Facts About Blackie Collins
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Blackie Collins 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.
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Blackie Collins made his first knife when he was in the second grade.
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In 1981, Blackie Collins' designed a knife for Gerber Legendary Blades named the LST.
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Blackie Collins's next design was an assisted opening knife called the Strut and Cut; the design for which came from motorcycling.
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Blackie Collins founded the magazine known as American Blade in 1973, which he sold in 1982 and the renamed title was simply Blade.
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Blackie Collins was later an inductee into the Blade Magazine Hall of Fame.
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Blackie Collins had other innovations beyond knifemaking and was an avid motorcyclist and a member of the National Rifle Association of America.
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Blackie Collins designed holsters and concealment clothing for carrying firearms.
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Blackie Collins designed a trigger lock, called the "Cease Fire" for rifles and a shooter's screwdriver.
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Blackie Collins authored books on knifemaking, scrimshaw, knife throwing, and personal defense.