EXHIBIT 10(y)
                EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


        THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of this 28th day
of April, 1998, by and between BLOUNT, INC., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), and Gerald W. Bersett ("Executive").
                W I T N E S S E T H:
        WHEREAS, the Company and Executive desire to enter 
into an agreement providing for Executive's employment by 
Company and specifying the terms and conditions of such 
employment; and
        WHEREAS, Executive desires to continue his 
employment with the Company on the terms and conditions 
provided herein; and
        WHEREAS, Executive's services for the Company will 
benefit Blount International, Inc. ("BII"), which is the 
parent corporation of the Company;
        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises 
and the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, 
the parties hereby agree as follows:

        1.  Purpose.  The purpose of this Agreement is to
create an understanding which shall provide the basis for 
Executive's continued employment by the Company.

        2.  Employment and Term.  (a) Subject to the terms 
and conditions of this Agreement, the Company hereby employs 
Executive, and Executive hereby accepts employment, as Group 
President Outdoor Sports of the Company or other positions 
to which he may be assigned and shall have such 
responsibilities, duties and authority that are consistent 
with such positions as may from time to time be assigned to 
Executive.  Executive hereby agrees that during the Term of 
this Agreement he will devote substantially all his working 
time, attention and energies to the diligent performance of 
his duties, provided that the Executive may also serve on 
boards of directors or trustees of other companies and 
organizations, as long as such service does not materially 
interfere with the performance of his duties hereunder and 
is with the prior approval of the President and Chief 
Executive Officer of Blount, Inc.
        (b)     Unless earlier terminated as provided herein,
Executive's employment under this Agreement shall be for a 
rolling, eighteen month term (the "Term") commencing on May 
18, 1998, and shall be deemed to automatically, without 
further action by either the Company or Executive, extend 
each day for an additional day, such that the remaining term 
of the Agreement shall continue to be eighteen months; 
provided, however, that (i) either party may, by written 
notice to the other, cause this Agreement to cease to extend 
automatically and, upon such notice, the "Term" of this 
Agreement shall be the eighteen months following the date of 
such notice and this Agreement shall terminate upon the 
expiration of such Term, and (ii) the Term of this Agreement 
shall not extend beyond the date Executive attains age 65, 
unless the parties otherwise agree in writing.  If no such 
notice to cease to extend has been given and this Agreement 
is terminated pursuant to Section 5.1 or Section 5.2 hereof, 
for the purposes of calculating and assessing the damages to 
Executive as a result of such termination, the remaining 
Term of this Agreement shall be deemed to be eighteen months 
from the date of such termination (or, if earlier, the date 
Executive attains age 65).

        3.  Compensation and Benefits.  As compensation
for his services during the Term of this Agreement, 
Executive shall be paid and receive the amounts and benefits 
set forth in subsections (a) through (d) below:
        (a)     An annual base salary ("Base Salary") of
Three Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($325,000.00), 
prorated for any partial year of employment.  Executive's 
Base Salary shall be subject to annual review for increases 
at such time as the Company conducts salary reviews for its 
executive officers generally.  Executive's salary shall be 
payable bi-monthly, or in accordance with the Company's 
regular payroll practices in effect from time to time for 
executive officers of the Company.
        (b)     Executive shall be eligible to participate in
the Target Incentive Plan and, to the extent designated by 
the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, 
such other annual incentive plans as may be established by 
the Company from time to time for its executive officers.  
The President and Chief Executive Officer will establish 
individual performance goals each year under the incentive 
plans, and Executive's annual Target Bonus shall be 50% of 
Base Salary; as provided in the Target Incentive Plan, 
bonuses may be adjusted up or down based on attainment of 
individual and corporate performance objectives.  Maximum 
bonus attainable is 200% of target (100% of base salary).  
The annual incentive bonus payable under this subsection (b) 
shall generally be payable as a lump sum no later than 
fifteen (15) business days after approval of the bonus by 
the Compensation Committee of the Board, unless Executive 
elects to defer all or a portion of such amount to any 
deferral plan established by the Company for such purpose.
        (c)     Executive shall be entitled to participate
in, or receive benefits under, any "employee benefit plan" 
(as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) or employee benefit 
arrangement made available generally by the Company to its 
executive officers (whether such plan or arrangement is 
established by the Company or BII), including plans 
providing retirement, 401(k) benefits, deferred 
compensation, health care, life insurance, disability and 
similar benefits.  Blount's ExecUcare program will also be 
provided to Executive and his dependents.
        (d)     The Company will provide membership 
initiation fees and dues at a Country Club to be determined 
by mutual agreement between the Executive and the President 
and Chief Executive Officer.  Executive is eligible for 
three weeks vacation his first year of employment and four 
weeks each year thereafter.  Executive will be provided an 
annual physical examination and Executive will be provided 
an automobile per company policy.  Financial and estate 
planning and income tax preparation will be provided through 
Blount's outside consultant, Coopers & Lybrand.
        Exhibit A, attached and made part of this 
agreement, lists additional considerations for Executive, 
guaranteed by the Company.

        4.  Confidentiality and Noncompetition.
        (a)  Executive acknowledges that, prior to and
during the Term of this Agreement, the Company (and BII) has 
furnished and will furnish to Executive Confidential 
Information which could be used by Executive on behalf of a 
competitor of the Company (or BII) to the Company's (or 
BII's) substantial detriment.  Moreover, the parties 
recognize that Executive during the course of his employment 
with the Company may develop important relationships with 
customers and others having valuable business relationships 
with the Company (and BII).  In view of the foregoing, 
Executive acknowledges and agrees that the restrictive 
covenants contained in this Section are reasonably necessary 
to protect the Company's (and BII's) legitimate business 
interests and good will.
        (b)  Executive agrees that he shall protect the 
Company's (and BII's) Confidential Information and shall not 
disclose to any Person, or otherwise use, except in 
connection with his duties performed in accordance with this 
Agreement, any Confidential Information; provided, however, 
that Executive may make disclosures required by a valid 
order or subpoena issued by a court or administrative agency 
of competent jurisdiction, in which event Executive will 
promptly notify the Company of such order or subpoena to 
provide the Company an opportunity to protect its interests. 
 Executive's obligations under this Section 4(b) shall 
survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement, 
provided that Executive may after such expiration or 
termination disclose Confidential Information with the prior 
written consent of the President and Chief Executive Officer 
of the Company.
        (c)  Upon the termination or expiration of his
employment hereunder, Executive agrees to deliver promptly 
to the Company all Company (and BII) files, customer lists, 
management reports, memoranda, research, Company forms, 
financial data and reports and other documents supplied to 
or created by him in connection with his employment 
hereunder (including all copies of the foregoing) in his 
possession or control, and all of the Company's (and BII's) 
equipment and other materials in his possession or control. 
Executive's obligations under this Section 4(c) shall 
survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement.
        (d)  Upon the termination or expiration of his 
employment under this Agreement for whatever reason, 
Executive agrees that he shall not enter into or engage in 
the design, manufacture, marketing or sale of any products 
similar to those produced or offered by the Company or its 
affiliates in the area of North America, either as an 
individual, partner or joint venturer, or as an employee, 
agent or salesman, or as an officer, director, or 
shareholder of a corporation for a period of eighteen months 
from the date of his termination of employment.  
        (e)  Executive acknowledges that if he breaches or
threatens to breach this Section 4, his actions may cause 
irreparable harm and damage to the Company (and BII) which 
could not be compensated in damages.  Accordingly, if 
Executive breaches or threatens to breach this Section 4, 
the Company (and BII) shall be entitled to seek injunctive 
relief, in addition to any other rights or remedies of the 
Company (or BII).The existence of any claim or cause of 
action by Executive against the Company (or BII), whether 
predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not 
constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company (and 
BII) of Executive's agreement under this Section 4 (e).

        5.  Termination.

        5.1  By Executive.  Executive shall have the right 
to terminate his employment hereunder by Notice of 
Termination (as described in Section 7) if (i) the Company 
materially breaches this Agreement and such breach is not 
cured within thirty (30) days after written notice of such 
breach is given by Executive to the Company; or (ii) 
Executive determines that his termination is for Good Reason 
(as defined in Section 6.7).  If Executive terminates his 
employment hereunder pursuant to clauses (i) or (ii) of this 
Section 5.1, Executive shall be entitled to receive, as 
damages payable as a result of, and arising from, a breach 
of this Agreement, the compensation and benefits set forth 
in subsections (a) through (g) below.  The time periods in 
(a) through (e) below shall be the lesser of the eighteen 
(18) month period stated therein or the time period 
remaining from the date of Executive's termination to the 
end of the Term of this Agreement.  If Executive terminates 
his employment other than pursuant to clauses (i) or (ii) of 
this Section 5.1, the Company's obligations under this 
Agreement shall cease as of the date of such termination.  
Except as provided in Section 5.4(a), the Company agrees 
that if Executive terminates employment and is entitled to 
benefits under this Section 5.1, he shall not be required to 
mitigate damages , nor shall any amount he earns reduce the 
amount payable by the Company hereunder.
                (a)  Base Salary - Executive will 
        continue to receive his Base Salary as then in 
        effect (subject to withholding of all applicable 
        taxes) for a period of eighteen (18) months from 
        his date of termination in the same manner as it 
        was being paid as of the date of termination; 
        provided, however, that the salary payments 
        provided for hereunder shall be paid in a single 
        lump sum payment, to be paid not later than 30 
        days after his termination of employment; 
        provided, further, that the amount of such lump 
        sum payment shall be determined by taking the 
        salary payments to be made and discounting them to 
        their Present Value (as defined in Section 5.4(e)) 
        on the date Executive's employment under this 
        Agreement is terminated.
        (b)  Bonuses and Incentives - Executive shall 
        receive bonus payments from the Company for the 
        eighteen (18) months following the month in which 
        his employment under this Employment Agreement is 
        terminated in an amount for each such month equal 
        to one-twelfth of the average of the bonuses 
        earned by him for the two fiscal years in which 
        bonuses were paid immediately preceding the fiscal 
        year in which such termination occurs.  Any bonus 
        amounts that Executive had previously earned from 
        the Company but which may not yet have been paid 
        as of the date of termination shall not be 
        affected by this provision.  Executive shall also 
        receive a prorated bonus for any uncompleted 
        fiscal year at the date of termination (assuming 
        the Target Award level will be achieved for such 
        year), based upon the number of days that he was 
        employed during such fiscal year divided by 365 
        days.  The bonus amounts determined herein shall 
        be paid in a single lump sum payment, to be paid 
        not later than 30 days after termination of 
        employment; provided, that, with respect to the 12 
        months payments, the lump sum amount  shall be 
        determined by taking the twelve monthly bonus 
        payments to be made and discounting them to their 
        Present Value (as defined in Section 5.4(e)) on 
        the date Executive's employment under this 
        Agreement is terminated. 
        (c)  Health and Life Insurance Coverage - The 
        health and group term life insurance benefits 
        coverage provided to Executive at his date of 
        termination shall be continued at the same level 
        and in the same manner as if his employment under 
        this Agreement had not terminated (subject to the 
        customary changes in such coverages if Executive 
        retires, reaches age 65 or similar events), 
        beginning on the date of such termination and 
        ending on the date eighteen (18) months from the 
        date of such termination.  Any additional 
        coverages Executive had at termination, including 
        dependent coverage, will also be continued for 
        such period on the same terms, to the extent 
        permitted by the applicable policies or contracts. 
        Any costs Executive was paying for such coverages 
        at the time of termination shall be paid by 
        Executive by separate check payable to the Company 
        each month in advance.  If the terms of any 
        benefit plan referred to in this Section, or the 
        laws applicable to such plan, do not permit 
        continued participation by Executive, then the 
        Company will arrange for other coverage at its 
        expense providing substantially similar benefits.
        (d)  Employee Retirement Plans - To the extent 
        permitted by the applicable plan, Executive will 
        be entitled to continue to participate, consistent 
        with past practices, in all employee retirement 
        plans maintained by the Company in effect as of 
        his date of termination to the extent such plans 
        are still maintained by the Company (whether such 
        plans are established by the Company or BII).  
        Executive's participation in such retirement plans 
        shall continue for a period of eighteen (18) 
        months from the date of termination of his 
        employment under this Agreement (at which point he 
        will be considered to have terminated employment 
        within the meaning of the plans) and the 
        compensation payable to Executive under (a) and 
        (b) above shall be treated (unless otherwise 
        excluded) as compensation under the plan.  For 
        purposes of the Blount 401(k) Plan, he will 
        receive an amount equal to the Company's 
        contributions to the plan, assuming Executive had 
        participated in such plan at the maximum 
        permissible contributions level.  If continued 
        participation in any plan is not permitted by the 
        plan or by applicable law, the Company shall pay 
        to Executive and, if applicable, his beneficiary, 
        a supplemental benefit equal to the present value 
        on the date of termination of employment under 
        this Agreement (calculated as provided in the 
        plan) of the excess of (i) the benefit Executive 
        would have been paid under such plan if he had 
        continued to be covered for the 18-month period 
        (less any amounts Executive would have been 
        required to contribute), over (ii) the benefit 
        actually payable under such plan.  The Company 
        shall pay such additional benefits (if any) in a 
        lump sum.
        (e)  Effect of Lump Sum Payment.  The lump sum 
        payments under (a) or (b) above shall not alter 
        the amounts Executive is entitled to receive under 
        the benefit plans described in this section.  
        Benefits under such plans shall be determined as 
        if Executive had remained employed and received 
        such payments over a period of eighteen (18) months.
        (f)  Effect of Death or Retirement.  The benefits
        payable or to be provided under subsections (c) or 
        (d) above shall cease or be modified in the event 
        of the Executive's death or election to commence 
        retirement benefits under the Company's retirement 
        plan, provided that nothing in this subsection (f) 
        shall limit Executive's rights to receive Company 
        benefits as a retiree.
        (g)  Stock Options.  For purposes of the 1992 Plan
        and other stock option programs of the Company in 
        which the Executive may participate, Executive 
        shall be deemed to have completed one eighteen 
        months (18) of service with the Company.

        5.2  By Company.  The Company shall have the right 
to terminate Executive's employment under this Agreement at 
any time during the Term by Notice of Termination (as 
described in Section 7), (i) for Cause, as defined herein, 
(ii) if Executive becomes Disabled, or (iii) upon 
Executive's death.  If the Company terminates Executive's 
employment under this Agreement pursuant to clauses (i) 
through (iii) of this Section 5.2, the Company's obligations 
under this Agreement shall cease as of the date of 
termination; provided, however, that if Executive's 
employment terminates as a result of death or Disability, 
the benefits payable under this Agreement and the other 
benefit plans of the Company upon Executive's death or 
Disability shall be provided by the Company.  If the Company 
terminates Executive during the Term of this Agreement other 
than pursuant to clauses (i) through (iii) of this Section 
5.2, Executive shall be entitled to receive, as damages 
payable as a result of, and arising from, a breach of this 
Agreement, the compensation and benefits provided in 
subsections (a) through (g) of Section 5.1 above for the 
time periods, and subject to the provisions (including the 
nonmitigation provision) and limitations therein.

        5.3  Additional Agreements Upon Termination.  In 
the event Executive's employment is terminated by Executive 
under clause (ii) of Section 5.1, or by the Company other 
than under clauses (i) through (iii) of Section 5.2 within 
twenty-four (24) months following the date of a Change in 
Control or the death or incapacity (as defined in the next 
two sentences) of Winton M. Blount, the provisions set forth 
below shall apply, provided that such provisions shall only 
apply in each case to the extent that the damages payable to 
Executive for termination of his employment under Sections 
5.1 or 5.2 do not already provide such benefits under the 
plan or program.  For purposes of this Agreement, Mr. Blount 
shall be considered incapacitated if he is determined to be 
permanently unable to perform his duties as Chairman of the 
Board of Blount International, Inc.  The Board of Blount 
International, Inc. shall have the authority to make the 
determination whether Mr. Blount is incapacitated under this 
Agreement and shall also have the authority to determine 
whether Mr. Blount has ceased to be incapacitated hereunder.
        (a)  Stock Options.  As of his date of
termination, all outstanding stock options granted to 
Executive shall become 100% vested and immediately 
exercisable.  Notwithstanding the other provisions of 
Executive's stock options, Executive shall have a period of 
not less than 3 months from his date of termination to 
exercise such options (to the extent such period does not 
extend beyond the original term of the option).

        6.  Definitions.  For purposes of this Agreement
the following terms shall have the meanings specified below:

        6.1  "Board" or "Board of Directors" - The Board
of Directors of the Company.

        6.2  "Cause" - For the purposes of this Agreement, 
"cause" shall be defined as any of the following acts by 
Executive: (a) any act that constitutes a fraud, felony or 
gross malfeasance of duty on the part of the Executive and 
that results in material injury to the Company (or BII) ; 
(b) Executive's willful and continued failure to devote his 
full business time and efforts to the performance of duties 
for the Company; (c) any action or failure to act that is in 
knowing insubordination to the directives of Executive's 
superiors, if lawful, ethical, and germane to Executive's 
responsibilities; (d) any continuing failure on the part of 
Executive to perform the major responsibilities of his 
position in a professional and competent manner; (e) any 
willful disclosure of trade secrets; (f) any breach or 
threatened breach of this Agreement; or (g) any willful 
refusal to carry out the policies and directives of the 
Chief Executive Officer of the Company or his designee; 
provided, however, that in the case of (b), (d) or (f) 
above, such conduct shall not constitute cause unless a 
notice is delivered to Executive by the Chairman of the 
Board of the Company or his designee pursuant to Section 7 
setting forth with specificity (i) the conduct deemed to 
qualify as cause, (ii) reasonable action that would remedy 
such objection, and (iii) a reasonable time (not less than 
thirty days) within which Executive may take such remedial 
action, and Executive shall not have taken such specified 
remedial action within such specified reasonable time.  Upon 
termination for cause, the Company shall pay to Executive 
only that portion of Executive's Base Salary which has 
accrued to Executive to the date of termination but which 
has not been paid.

        6.3  "Change in Control" - Either

                (a)  the acquisition, directly or 
        indirectly, by any "person" (as such term is used 
        in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities 
        Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) within any 
        twelve (12) month period of securities of BII 
        representing an aggregate of fifty percent (50%) 
        or more of the combined voting power of BII's then 
        outstanding securities (excluding the acquisition 
        by persons who own such amount of securities on 
        the date hereof, or acquisitions by persons who 
        acquire such amount through inheritance);
        (b)  Winton M. Blount (i) ceases to own at least
        50.1% of the combined voting power of the then 
        outstanding securities of the sole general partner 
        of Blount Holding Company, L.P. ("Blount 
        Partnership"), a limited partnership which holds 
        and owns voting securities of BII, or counsel to 
        the Blount Partnership is unable at any time to 
        provide a legal opinion that ownership of at least 
        50.1% of the combined voting power of the then 
        outstanding securities is sufficient to control 
        the sole general partner, or (ii) ceases to direct 
        personally (and not through a representative) by 
        his ownership of the voting power of the sole 
        general partner of the Blount Partnership, the 
        voting and dispositive power of all of the shares 
        of BII's voting securities owned by the Blount 
        Partnership;
        (c)  Winton M. Blount personally and the Blount
        Partnership in the aggregate cease to own at least 
        50.1% of the combined voting power of BII's then 
        outstanding securities; or
        (d)  During any period of two consecutive years, 
        individuals who at the beginning of such period 
        constitute the Board or BII, cease for any reason 
        to constitute at least a majority thereof, unless 
        the election of each new director was approved in 
        advance by a vote of at least a majority of the 
        directors then still in office who were directors 
        at the beginning of the period; or
        (e) consummation of (i) a merger, consolidation or
        other business combination of BII with any other 
        "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) 
        and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 
        as amended) or affiliate thereof, other than a 
        merger, consolidation or business combination 
        which would result in the outstanding common stock 
        of BIII immediately prior thereto continuing to 
        represent (either by remaining outstanding or by 
        being converted into common stock of the surviving 
        entity or a parent or affiliate thereof) at least 
        fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding common 
        stock of BII (or such surviving entity or parent 
        or affiliate thereof) that is outstanding 
        immediately after such merger, consolidation or 
        business combination, or (ii) a plan of complete 
        liquidation of BII or an agreement for the sale or 
        disposition by BII of all or substantially all of 
        BII's assets; or
        (f)  the occurrence of any other event or circumstance
        which is not covered by (a) through (e) above which the
        Board of BII determines affects control of BII and adopts
        a resolution that such event or circumstance constitutes a 
        Change in Control for the purposes of this Agreement.

        6.4  "Code" - The Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as it may be amended from time to time.

        6.5  "Confidential Information" - All technical,
business, and other information relating to the business of 
the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates, including, 
without limitation, technical or nontechnical data, 
formulae, compilations, programs, devices, methods, 
techniques, processes, financial data, financial plans, 
product plans, and lists of actual or potential customers or 
suppliers, which (i) derives economic value, actual or 
potential, from not being generally known to, and not being 
readily ascertainable by proper means by, other Persons, and 
(ii) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the 
circumstances to maintain its secrecy or confidentiality.  
Such information and compilations of information shall be 
contractually subject to protection under this Agreement 
whether or not such information constitutes a trade secret 
and is separately protectable at law or in equity as a trade 
secret.  Confidential Information does not include 
confidential business information which does not constitute 
a trade secret under applicable law two years after any 
expiration or termination of this Agreement.

        6.6  "Disability" or "Disabled".  Executive's 
inability as a result of physical or mental incapacity to 
substantially perform his duties for the Company on a full-
time basis for a period of six (6) consecutive months.

        6.7  "Good Reason"  A "Good Reason" for
termination by Executive of Executive's employment shall 
mean the occurrence (without the Executive's express written 
consent) within the twenty-four (24) month period following 
the date of (a) a Change in Control, or (b) the death or 
incapacity (as defined in Section 5.3) of Winton M. Blount, 
of any one of the following acts by the Company, or failures 
by the Company to act, unless, in the case of any act or 
failure to act described in paragraphs (i), (v), (vi) or 
(vii) below, such act or failure to act is corrected prior 
to the Date of Termination specified in the Notice of 
Termination given in respect thereof:
        (i)  the assignment to Executive without his 
consent of any duties inconsistent with Executive's status 
as the Group President Outdoor Sports of the Company, or a 
substantial adverse alteration in the nature or status of 
the Executive's responsibilities from those in effect 
immediately prior to the Change in Control or death or 
incapacity of Mr. Blount (other than any such alteration 
primarily attributable to the fact that the Company may no 
longer be a public company);
        (ii)  a reduction by the Company in Executive's 
Base Salary as in effect on the date hereof or as the same 
may be increased from time to time;
        (iii)  the relocation of Executive without his 
consent to a location more than fifty (50) miles from the 
work location immediately prior to the Change in Control or 
death or incapacity of Mr. Blount, or the Company's 
requiring Executive without his consent to be based anywhere 
other than the Executive's principal office, except for 
required travel on the Company's business to an extent 
substantially consistent with Executive's present business 
travel obligations;
        (iv)  the failure by the Company, without
Executive's consent, to pay to Executive any portion of
Executive's current compensation (including Base Salary and 
bonus), or to pay to the Executive any portion of an 
installment of deferred compensation under any deferred 
compensation program of the Company, within seven (7) days 
of the date such compensation is due;
        (v)  the failure by the Company to continue in 
effect any compensation plan in which Executive participates 
immediately prior to the Change in Control or death or 
incapacity of Mr. Blount, which is material to Executive's 
total compensation or any substitute plans adopted prior to 
the Change in Control or death or incapacity of Mr. Blount, 
unless an equitable arrangement (embodied in an ongoing 
substitute or alternative plan) has been made with respect 
to such plan, or the failure by the Company to continue the 
Executive's participation in such plan (or in such 
substitute or alternative plan) on a basis not materially 
less favorable, both in terms of the amount of benefits 
provided and the level of Executive's participation relative 
to other participants, as existed at the time of the Change 
in Control or death or incapacity of Mr. Blount;
        (vi)  the failure by the Company to continue to 
provide Executive with benefits substantially similar to 
those enjoyed by Executive under any of the Company's 
pension, life insurance, medical, health and accident or 
disability plans in which Executive was participating at the 
time of the Change in Control or death or incapacity of Mr. 
Blount, the taking of any action by the Company which would 
directly or indirectly materially reduce any of such 
benefits or deprive Executive of any material fringe benefit 
enjoyed by Executive at the time of the Change in Control or 
death or incapacity of Mr. Blount, or the failure by the 
Company to provide Executive with the number of paid 
vacation days to which the Executive is entitled under this 
Agreement; or
        (vii)  any purported termination of Executive's 
employment which is not effected pursuant to a Notice of 
Termination satisfying the requirements of Section 7.1; for 
purposes of this Agreement, no such purported termination 
shall be effective.
        The Executive's right to terminate the Executive's 
employment for Good Reason shall not be affected by the 
Executive's incapacity due to physical or mental illness.  
The Executive's continued employment shall not constitute 
consent to, or a waiver of rights with respect to, any act 
or failure to act constituting Good Reason hereunder.

        6.8  "Person".  Any individual, corporation, bank, 
partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock 
company, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity.

        7.  Termination Procedures.

        7.1  Notice of Termination.  During the Term of
this Agreement, any purported termination of Executive's 
employment (other than by reason of death) shall be 
communicated by written Notice of Termination from one party 
hereto to the other party hereto in accordance with Section 
11.  For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of 
Termination" shall mean a notice which shall indicate the 
specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon 
and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and 
circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of 
Executive's employment under the provision so indicated.  
Further, a Notice of Termination for Cause is required to 
include a copy of the written reasons for such termination 
(after reasonable notice to Executive and an opportunity for 
Executive, together with Executive's counsel, to be heard) 
finding that, in good faith opinion, Executive was guilty of 
conduct set forth in one or more of the clauses of the 
definition of Cause herein, and specifying the particulars 
thereof in detail.

        7.2  Date of Termination.  "Date of Termination," 
with respect to any purported termination of Executive's 
employment during the Term of this Agreement, shall mean (i) 
if Executive's employment is terminated by his death, the 
date of his death, (ii) if Executive's employment is 
terminated for Disability, thirty (30) days after Notice of 
Termination is given (provided that Executive shall not have 
returned to the full-time performance of Executive's duties 
during such thirty (30) day period), and (iii) if 
Executive's employment is terminated for any other reason, 
the date specified in the Notice of Termination (which, in 
the case of a termination by the Company, shall not be less 
than thirty (30) days (except in the case of a termination 
for Cause) and, in the case of a termination by the 
Executive, shall not be less than fifteen (15) days nor more 
than sixty (60) days, respectively, from the date such 
Notice of Termination is given).

        8.  Contract Non-Assignable.  The parties
acknowledge that this Agreement has been entered into due 
to, among other things, the special skills of Executive, and 
agree that this Agreement may not be assigned or transferred 
by Executive, in whole or in part, without the prior written 
consent of the Company.

        9.  Successors; Binding Agreement.

        9.1  In addition to any obligations imposed by law 
upon any successor or transferor to the Company, the Company 
will require any successor or transferor to all or 
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the 
Company (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, 
reoganization, liquidation, consolidation or otherwise) to 
expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement, in the 
same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be 
required to perform it if no such succession had taken 
place.  Failure of the Company to obtain such assumption and 
agreement prior to the effectiveness of any such succession 
shall be a breach of this Agreement and shall entitle the 
Executive to compensation from the Company in the same 
amount and on the same terms as the Executive would be 
entitled to hereunder if the Executive were to terminate the 
Executive's employment for Good Reason after a Change in 
Control, except that, for purposes of implementing the 
foregoing, the date on which any such succession becomes 
effective shall be deemed the Date of Termination.

        9.2  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
and be enforceable by Executive's personal or legal 
representatives, executors, administrators, successors, 
heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.  If Executive 
shall die while any amount would still be payable to 
Executive hereunder (other than amounts which, by their 
terms, terminate upon the death of Executive) if Executive 
had continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise 
provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms 
of this Agreement to the executors, personal representatives 
or administrators of Executive's estate.

        10.  Other Agents.  Nothing in this Agreement is
to be interpreted as limiting the Company from employing 
other personnel on such terms and conditions as may be 
satisfactory to the Company.

        11.  Notices.  All notices, requests, demands and 
other communications required or permitted hereunder shall 
be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if 
delivered or seven days after mailing if mailed, first 
class, certified mail, postage prepaid:
To the Company:         Blount International, Inc.
                        4520 Executive Park Drive
                        Montgomery, Alabama  36116-1602
                        Attention:  D. Joseph McInnes



To the Executive:	Gerald W. Bersett
                        114 Imperial Point Drive
                        Lake Ozark, Missouri 65049

Any party may change the address to which notices, requests, 
demands and other communications shall be delivered or 
mailed by giving notice thereof to the other party in the 
same manner provided herein.

        12.  Provisions Severable.  If any provision or
covenant, or any part thereof, of this Agreement should be 
held by any court to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, 
either in whole or in part, such invalidity, illegality or 
unenforceability shall not affect the validity, legality or 
enforceability of the remaining provisions or covenants, or 
any part thereof, of this Agreement, all of which shall 
remain in full force and effect.

        13.  Waiver.  Failure of either party to insist, 
in one or more instances, on performance by the other in 
strict accordance with the terms and conditions of this 
Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of 
any right granted in this Agreement or the future 
performance of any such term or condition or of any other 
term or condition of this Agreement, unless such waiver is 
contained in a writing signed by the party making the waiver.

        14.  Amendments and Modifications.  This Agreement
may be amended or modified only by a writing signed by both 
parties hereto.

        15.  Governing Law.  The validity and effect of
this Agreement shall be governed by and construed and 
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Alabama.

        16.  Arbitration of Disputes; Expenses.  All 
claims by Executive for compensation and benefits under this 
Agreement shall be in writing.  Any denial of a claim for 
benefits under this Agreement shall be delivered to 
Executive in writing and shall set forth the specific 
reasons for the denial and the specific provisions of this 
Agreement relied upon.  The Company shall afford a 
reasonable opportunity to Executive for a review of a 
decision denying a claim and shall further allow Executive 
to appeal a decision within sixty (60) days after 
notification that Executive's claim has been denied.  To the 
extent permitted by applicable law, any further dispute or 
controversy arising under or in connection with this 
Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in 
Montgomery, Alabama, in accordance with the rules of the 
American Arbitration Association then in effect.  Judgment 
may be entered on the arbitrator's award in any court having 
jurisdiction.  In the event the Executive incurs legal fees 
and other expenses in seeking to obtain or to enforce any 
rights or benefits provided by this Agreement and is 
successful, in whole or in part, in obtaining or enforcing 
any such rights or benefits through settlement, arbitration 
or otherwise, the Company shall promptly pay Executive's 
reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred in enforcing 
this Agreement and the fees of the arbitrator.  Except to 
the extent provided in the preceding sentence, each party 
shall pay its own legal fees and other expenses associated 
with any dispute. 

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this
Agreement as of the day and year first above written.


                        EXECUTIVE:                    




                        ______________________________
                        GERALD W. BERSETT             
                        Group President Outdoor Sports




                        COMPANY:                      

                        BLOUNT, INC.                  




                        By:___________________________
                        JOHN M. PANETTIERE         
                        President                  
                        & Chief Executive Officer  
 

Witness:_____________________


                        Exhibit A
Additional considerations guaranteed to Mr. Gerald W. Bersett
for his joining the Company as Group President Outdoor Sports
by April 28, 1998 are:

1.      Design and provision of a Supplemental Executive Retirement 
        Plan providing, at age 65, nine years which combined with 
        nine years earned via the Blount Pension Plan will provide a 
        total of 18 years retirement benefit at age 65.  Attached is 
        a chart indicating service credit under this arrangement.

2.      A separate commitment (letter) to provide options on 30,000 
        shares of Blount A to vest over a three year period from 
        date of hire will be sent shortly after commencement of 
        employment.  Strike price to be average of high and low on 
        date of employment.

3.      Paid vacation of three weeks first year, four weeks each 
        year thereafter.

4.      Waiver of one year waiting period for disability benefit 
        coverage.  Coverage begins on employment date.

5.      Guaranteed CY `98 bonus of not less than $100,000.  Bonus 
        could be greater than $100,000 if bonus plan calculation 
        generates an amount greater than $100,000 guarantee.

6.      Initial office location of Executive will be in the St. 
        Louis, Missouri area.

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