Best ‘cutters’ vie in Blade Olympics

MANILA, Philippines - Knife enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers and hobbyists take center stage this month when the first XO Blade Olympics, a competition that showcases the versatility and durability of the knife and its owner, is held April 26 at the Melchor Foundation Conference Hall and Library in Pansol, Calamba, Laguna.

Started by exotic Custom Knives & Tools (XO Knives), the country’s only custom knife shop, in partnership with the Alejandro Melchor Jr. Foundation, the event serves as a search for the best master “cutter” in the Philippines.

The XO Blade Olympics will be composed of multiple stages where each participant is faced with a multitude of cutting challenges in a time trial event. The challenges are usually composed of chopping through 2x4s and cutting free hanging manila ropes of various thickness from 1-2 inches.

Other challenges include cutting through wood dowels, cutting rolling tennis or golf balls in half, slicing through water bottles and finesse cuts that take great skill such as cutting rings off of a paper tube or plastic raw.

While this event has been held in the US for many years now, this will mark the first time that it will be staged here.

Aside from the tournament, XO Knives will also showcase some of its prized custom knives to those who want to become master bladesmith. Also on tap are never-before-seen demos to be handled by some of the country’s top bladesmiths and knife practitioners.

For details, contact Nino Lopez at 0917-7329888 or visit Facebook page (X.O. Knives) or visit the XO Knives Shop at 119 Sct. Dr. Lozano St., Brgy. Sacred Heart, QC.

Other backers of the event are Hahn, Budz Worx, Top Gun FA Technologies/Glockwork Phils. and Overboard Phils. with A255, Dukes Project Trading, Solar Force Phils., Steveston Pizza and Glock Personal Defense and Protection Phils. as minor sponsors.