It is with great sadness I have to say that the President and Editor of Collector Grade Publications, R. Blake Stevens passed away 22 April 2018. Blake edited and produced the finest firearms books in the world.
I met Blake in 2000 when I made contact with him about my interest in updating his title, The Black Rifle. I was very nervous because I knew I was talking to the guy who wrote the bible on the M16. In fact, his book, The Black Rifle was my bedtime story since I bought my first copy in 1988. My wife was the person who convinced me that I was the man to take on writing the next volume. I thought for sure Blake was going to say "no" because I was a nobody. I was a 27 year old kid, working as a forensic firearms examiner trainee, with only my first two articles in print. I thought he would not take me seriously. But it was the exact opposite. Blake was encouraging, and completely supportive. He said that my passion for the subject was far more important than my writing experience. He said he would help me where he could and not to worry about the wording, he would take care of that. But that I should focus on doing good research.
Through the three years I worked on the book, his encouragement got me through some rather tough times when I thought my project was coming unhinged. He always calmed me down and helped me get back on track. When the project was completed, and the final book was in my hand, I felt like I just gave birth. Through the entire process, I can only recall having one disagreement and it was regarding the title. He wanted, The Black Rifle Redo and I wanted Black Rifle II. But he supported my wish on the title, as he had always offered me support.
Blake was loved by this entire industry. Not just the firearms industry but by law enforcement, museums, as well as military. His information was invaluable. He would always help a writer who was doing an article and wanted to use some of his pictures. He always gracefully said "yes". He always helped no matter who you were. We all lost a great recourse and a friend, and he will never be replaced. I would like to tell him to rest easy, and I will see you again someday, Eh!
I met Blake in 2000 when I made contact with him about my interest in updating his title, The Black Rifle. I was very nervous because I knew I was talking to the guy who wrote the bible on the M16. In fact, his book, The Black Rifle was my bedtime story since I bought my first copy in 1988. My wife was the person who convinced me that I was the man to take on writing the next volume. I thought for sure Blake was going to say "no" because I was a nobody. I was a 27 year old kid, working as a forensic firearms examiner trainee, with only my first two articles in print. I thought he would not take me seriously. But it was the exact opposite. Blake was encouraging, and completely supportive. He said that my passion for the subject was far more important than my writing experience. He said he would help me where he could and not to worry about the wording, he would take care of that. But that I should focus on doing good research.
Through the three years I worked on the book, his encouragement got me through some rather tough times when I thought my project was coming unhinged. He always calmed me down and helped me get back on track. When the project was completed, and the final book was in my hand, I felt like I just gave birth. Through the entire process, I can only recall having one disagreement and it was regarding the title. He wanted, The Black Rifle Redo and I wanted Black Rifle II. But he supported my wish on the title, as he had always offered me support.
Blake was loved by this entire industry. Not just the firearms industry but by law enforcement, museums, as well as military. His information was invaluable. He would always help a writer who was doing an article and wanted to use some of his pictures. He always gracefully said "yes". He always helped no matter who you were. We all lost a great recourse and a friend, and he will never be replaced. I would like to tell him to rest easy, and I will see you again someday, Eh!
RSS Feed