BladeSports 2026–2027 Season: Upcoming Competitions and World Champions
Oct 16th 2026
The BladeSports 2026–2027 season is underway, with competitive knife cutting events taking place across the United States. From local competitions to the National and World Championships, each event brings together skilled competitors, knife enthusiasts, and supporters who share a passion for knife performance.
At Niagara Specialty Metals, we're proud to continue supporting BladeSports International as a platinum sponsor, along with sponsored competitors Ben Propst and Sue Ann Propst, who earned the men's and women's World Championship titles in 2025.
With several exciting competitions still ahead, here's a look at the upcoming schedule, recent achievements, and what makes the BladeSports community special.
What Is BladeSports?
BladeSports International is a competitive cutting organization that puts knife performance and competitor skill to the test through structured cutting courses.
Competitors use specialized cutting knives to complete challenges involving different materials and techniques. Each course tests a combination of precision, control, efficiency, and cutting ability.
But BladeSports is about more than competition. Through training schools, certification opportunities, and organized events, the organization helps introduce new participants to the sport while bringing together people from across the knife industry.
Whether you're a knifemaker, collector, steel enthusiast, or simply curious about competitive cutting, attending an event is a great way to experience the sport firsthand.
BladeSports competitors put their cutting skills and knife performance to the test during an organized competition.
Niagara Specialty Metals Supports BladeSports and Its Champions
Niagara Specialty Metals is proud to support BladeSports International and its commitment to competitive cutting, education, and community involvement.
Our sponsorship also extends to Ben and Sue Ann Propst, who claimed the men's and women's titles at the 2025 BladeSports World Championships in Atlanta, Georgia.
Both competitors continued their success throughout the following competition season.
Ben earned top overall men's finishes at several 2025 events, including the Mid-Tennessee Cut, Tarheel Cut, Smoky Mountain Knife Works Cut, and Pop's Knife Supply Cut.
Sue Ann also delivered strong performances, taking the top women's spot at the 2025 Tarheel Cut and Pop's Knife Supply Cut, among other results.
Their accomplishments demonstrate the dedication, preparation, and skill involved in competitive knife cutting.
Ben Propst competes at the 2026 BladeSports Keystone Cut in Meadville, Pennsylvania, where he finished first overall.
Upcoming BladeSports Competitions: 2026–2027
The remaining BladeSports 2026–2027 season features competitions in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Oklahoma before the National and World Championships in 2027.
October 17, 2026 — Tarheel Cut
- Location: Carothers Performance Knives, 168 Warlick Dr., Mooresville, NC 28117
- Host: Jonni Jo Carothers
- Competition Time: 10:00 AM (confirm with event host)
The Tarheel Cut brings competitive cutters to North Carolina for a day of knife performance, competition, and community.
In addition to the BladeSports competition, attendees can enjoy Nathan's Outlaw Cut, a separate, non-BladeSports cutting challenge, along with a semi-custom knife show and evening gathering.
October 24, 2026 — Smoky Mountain Knife Works Cut
- Location: Smoky Mountain Knife Works, 2320 Winfield Dunn Pkwy, Sevierville, TN 37876
- Host: James Clifton
- Competition Time: To Be Determined
The Smoky Mountain Knife Works Cut offers another opportunity to watch competitors test their skills and cutting knives in Tennessee.
November 7, 2026 — Battle of the Blades
- Location: 3490 W. Hwy 7, Sulphur, OK 73086
- Host: Terri Lynn
- Competition Time: 11:00 AM
Battle of the Blades brings competitors to Oklahoma for another fall event before attention turns toward the major championship competitions in 2027.
The Road to the 2027 National and World Championships
Two of the biggest dates on the BladeSports calendar are still ahead.
April 24, 2027 — BladeSports Nationals
- Location: Rock Creek Farm, 475 Dry Fork Creek Rd., Gallatin, TN 37066
- Host: James Clifton
- Competition Time: To Be Determined
The National Championships bring competitors together to compete for national titles. At the 2026 Nationals, James Clifton and Jonni Jo Carothers earned the men's and women's championships.
June 5, 2027 — BladeSports Worlds
- Location: 2 Galleria Pkwy, Atlanta, GA
- Host: James Clifton
- Competition Time: To Be Determined
The World Championships are a major highlight of the BladeSports season, bringing top competitors together for an exciting display of cutting skill and knife performance.
For Niagara Specialty Metals, the event also presents an opportunity to follow sponsored athletes Ben and Sue Ann Propst as the organization returns to Atlanta.
Celebrating the BladeSports Community
Behind every competition is a dedicated group of competitors, instructors, officials, hosts, volunteers, and sponsors who help make these events possible.
BladeSports President Donavon Phillips volunteers his time to lead the organization, working alongside other board members and supporters who help organize competitions and introduce new people to the sport.
Recent seasons have included cutting schools that welcomed and certified new competitors, along with competitions that brought together both experienced cutters and newcomers.
That commitment to growing the sport is one of the reasons Niagara Specialty Metals values its relationship with BladeSports.
The sport also creates an opportunity to see how knife design, material selection, heat treatment, and cutting technique come together in real-world performance.
Join the BladeSports 2026–2027 Season
Whether you're a longtime fan or attending your first event, the BladeSports 2026–2027 season offers several opportunities to see competitive knife cutting in action.
Come out to support the competitors, meet others in the knife community, and experience the excitement firsthand!
For competitors, safety meetings are generally held 30–60 minutes before the scheduled cutting time. Attendees and participants should confirm event details with the organizers before traveling.
Niagara Specialty Metals looks forward to continuing its support of BladeSports, Ben and Sue Ann Propst, and the wider knife community throughout the season.
Looking to learn more about industry relationships or recent events? Check out these related blogs:
BladeSports Competition: Keystone Cut and 2026–2027 Season
Blade Show Atlanta 2026: What We Learned from the Knife Industry
SHOT Show 2026 Recap: Supplier Recognition, Growth, and What’s Ahead
For more information, check out our other blogs.
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