Story by Joshua Swanagon
With September marking the 1 year anniversary of Knife & Gear Society I can honestly say that this year has been a bit of an enigma, in that it is hard to believe that it has already been a year since Knife & Gear Society began, yet it feels like it has been the longest, weirdest year ever.
The decision to leave my position last year, as Editor of Knives Illustrated Magazine, was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make but it was the right decision, nonetheless.
After resigning I immediately went to work on an idea that had been brewing in my mind for some time, a place people could go to learn more about new knives, gear, skills, up and coming makers, reference materials, aggregated industry news, product launches and resources all in one location that could be referenced for years to come.
And so began Knife & Gear Society.
Over this past year we have built an incredible team of writers that really are the best the industry has to offer. Some I have had the pleasure of working with in the past, and some I am very happy to have started working with at Knife & Gear Society, but all are accredited in their fields and many you most likely recognize from some of the top trade magazines on newsstands – past and present.
Of course, I had no idea at the time that while I was busy working away to start Knife & Gear Society someone else was busy starting a game of Jumanji. I truly believe that this year will go down in history books as the most bizarre year on record.
However, I am very glad that all of us here at Knife & Gear Society have been able to be here with you through it all, providing a distraction from the constant barrage of negativity and insanity going on in the world at large – a place of repose through tumultuous times.
It’s been a weird year, but we are getting through it together.
Coming into our second year we are going to be working hard to build the community I had envisioned when I first conceived of this idea. My plan is for this to be a society – a place where everyone has a voice and the sharing of ideas is welcome.
As we come into the second year, I encourage you to join us on Instagram and Facebook and be a part of the conversation (info below). I look forward to an exchange of ideas, photography and just general conversation. Without you there wouldn’t be a Knife & Gear Society and your active participation helps make K&GS a success.
I also encourage you to use the Knife & Gear Society Group on Facebook to post questions about knives or gear, share photos of your knives/gear, let us know things you would like to see, inform us of any mistakes we may have made in a story, seek advice, give advice, etc.
I am excited for this coming year and where it can take us all as a community of like-minded knife and gear lovers, from all walks of life. I truly believe in what we are doing and the potential for great things. Let’s continue to grow together.
Stay sharp and keep it real. K&G
Join the Conversation, comment on this story below. >>
Knife & Gear Society on Instagram – The place for cool photography, article notifications, promotions, etc.
Knife & Gear Society on Facebook – All the same great content as the Instagram account but for those who prefer Facebook
Knife & Gear Society Facebook Group – The place to be to discuss ideas, seek advice, give advice, ask questions, discuss our articles, inform us of mistakes in a story, ask the Editor, etc.
We have had some great articles over the past year, what were some of your favorites? Remember, you can always go back and read past stories anytime.
Joshua Swanagon has studied survival in both urban and wilderness environments in Colorado and Michigan for most of his life, while also adding experience in harsher terrains abroad. He utilizes his experience and years of diverse martial arts and combatives training and real world application as a self-defense/combatives instructor, published freelance writer and Field Editor for various magazines in the fields of knives, survival, self-defense and tactical subject matters. Joshua also brings with him his years of experience as Editor of, and Subject Matter Expert for, Knives Illustrated Magazine.
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