FEATURE ARTICLE IN BLADE MAGAZINE
In the September issue of
Blade Magazine a feature article written by editor Steve Shackleford exposed slander that was committed against New Jersey custom knife maker
Steven Licata by New York news station WCBS. You can read the beginning of this story on the
SCA web page; however, you won't find the story on the WCBS website as they are complying with requests made by Licata's lawyer and the legalities they now face.
According to Blade Magazine, reporter Cheryl Fiandaca sent a man to Steven Licata's home disguised as a potential customer. Licata gave this man a tour of his knives in his home while the man was taking pictures with a camera hidden in his glasses. Pictures of Licata's two year old son in close proximity to swords were taken. Licata explained that children of knife makers learn and understand the danger of such items and often become early apprentices. Then a few days later the Fiandaca and her news cameras appear at Licata's front door. Fiandaca immediately put Licata on the defense as a monster who makes weapons around children in a quiet neighborhood with a high school behind his house. "What about the high school," she asks. Licata replies that some of his swords sell for $3,500. Not much chance of these weapons falling into the hands of high school students. When the story aired it was further indicated that since Licata made knives that there would also be suspected drug dealing. Many have rallied around Licata to save his reputation as a custom knife maker and expose the slander for what it is.
You should also know that the article in Blade Magazine said this all started because of a neighbor who saw the little boy playing in the front yard with a toy sword and called the authorities; and most of Licata's machine work is performed in another location making his shed in the backyard mainly a hobby shop.
My summary: As a wife of a knife maker I can tell you that most people who pay over $300 for a knife are not going to use it for a weapon especially against another person. In fact, most don't even use these knives for hunting. People who purchase these quality weapons do so for collecting. I have two little boys and we have swords around the house. Have you ever picked up a sword? They are heavy! A two year old can not even lift one off the ground. Custom knife makers do not sell their craft to high school students for weapons. This was an unfair slanderous report and a fascinating feature article. If you have the opportunity to read this article I highly recommend it.
What is your summary?
