Ken Erickson Knives: A Retrospective

[jivedaddy]

Ken-great looking knife-I like everything about this whittler....it definitely has a vintage look to it-fantastic....Tony

[wagglebee]

My customer gave me a huge compliment on the bone. I was shooting for a "vintage" look.

"but also because of the color of the bone, the swedging and Federal shield a true "vintage" look reminiscent an old Keen Kutter, Remington or Winchester."

You nailed it! It truly looks as if it could have just been sitting unused for a hundred years.

Everything about this knife is spectacular! Someone is going to be very happy.

[Bastid]

Oh yes. One of my all time favorite Case patterns. Great looking job all around Ken. Congrats to the new owner.

[DOWELLKNIVES]

Thats unbelievable!

[bakerg2g]

Ken, I'm looking at my Case, and Yours looks even better!!
You nailed it!! That had to be a very hard pattern to make
You made it look easy!! Amazing job.
Thanks for sharing!!

Jason

[KnifeHead]

Gorgeous balloon whittler...well done!

[waynorth]

Real nice execution, Ken!! I wanna chicken-eye and coon-finger that baby something fierce!!

[JAlexander]

Beautiful, Ken. Truly beautiful. Your jigged bone is superb.

James

[kai76]

Just plain awesome, the bone is spectacular!

[Blues]

(with apologies to Messrs. Joyce and Lennon...)

At least now I know that professional photography is not in the cards...but here's a look (in one image) at the evolution of some of Ken's folding knives.
My apologies in advance for the lack of contrast on the ivory scales.

[T.A.DAVISON]

Beautiful knives Elliot, Ken sure has come a long ways - congrats. -

Todd


.

[rprocter]

Elliott, you've simply got "too many" there. might be time to put the ivory Dogleg up for sale !
roland

[ken erickson]

Thanks Elliott, Todd and Roland! As always I am very appreciative when you guys take the time to put up pictures and leave comments.

I am in the midst of changing my mark to what I consider a more traditional way of doing things. I have been using the electro-chemical etching process for a while now. I will be phasing this mark in over the next few weeks/months.One of the biggest things I notice is how much thinner the lines are on the fonts compared to the etch. I will be using this stamp on small/medium sized knives first. Here is a sample picture. Please let me know your thoughts not only on stamps versus etch, but this stamp in particular. Thanks in advance!



This might be a good time to outline the time line on my knives. One of the "traditional" ways to date a knife is by the tang stamp.

2002 to early 2006

A simple "K E" stamp using two individual stamps. All on fixed blade knives

2006

A few knives, maybe 3 or 4 marked with a vibrating engraving pencil

"ERICKSON" in script

2006 to 2007?

Electro-chemical etch. Almost all knives are slipjoints, one or two fixed blade

"ERICKSON"

2007? to present

Electro-chemical etch. All slipjoints

KEN
ERICKSON
-usa-

[Blues]

Ken, I hate to say this, but I don't really like it. Maybe I'm just a traditionalist and don't like change. (I hope you won't feel disappointed by my saying so.)

[ken erickson]

Ken, I hate to say this, but I don't really like it. Maybe I'm just a traditionalist and don't like change. (I hope you won't feel disappointed by my saying so.)

As you know, I value your input not only on knives but things in general. What stands out most negative in your mind when looking at the mark? Design, depth of mark, lack of boldness of font?

Ken

By the way, congrats on 11 k

[Blues]

As you know, I value your input not only on knives but things in general. What stands out most negative in your mind when looking at the mark? Design, depth of mark, lack of boldness of font?

Ken

By the way, congrats on 11 k

LOL! Some feat!...(and it only took me 12 years to accomplish! See what sticking with it can do for you? )

Okay, now the stamp. I don't like the presentation of your first name within the arched "Erickson". I like the arched last name. The first name with the hyphens alongside does nothing for me. We've already discussed on the phone why it makes sense for you to have your first name, I just don't think this is the best way to present your mark (imho).

(And thank you for the trust and friendship. They mean a lot more than the knives and that's saying something. )

[waynorth]

The word order is not the usual order seen in traditional knives, so to me it looks backwards, Ken.
KEN ERICKSON arched over KNIVES/MAKER/WAUPACA (choose one) would be more in keeping, IMO. I kinda like WAUPACA.
Then if/when you move, we can talk about the WAUPACA era!!
Kinda like Picasso's BLUE period!

[ken erickson]

Elliott, Charlie,

Thanks for the constructive input. One of the reasons I arched my name was to accommodate very small knives. 3 1/8 etc. I am concerned about getting everything into a stamp that small and still be able to get a good even strike. By adding more letters I think I maybe fighting an uphill battle.

I "get it" concerning my first name, seems out of place, backwards. As Elliott mentioned however I do feel it important to keep my first name.

Charlie,

I also like Waupaca and have considered trying to incorporate it.

I was very impressed with the effort put into the 2010 knife mark, if anyone with good art skills/photoshop wants to submit something here for consideration , lol.

Ken

[Blues]

I was very impressed with the effort put into the 2011 knife mark, if anyone with good art skills/photoshop wants to submit something here for consideration , lol.

Ken

Ken,

I was going to suggest that Gene (ivankerley) would be a good guy to contact for ideas. I've been impressed with his skills in creating images and graphic design. I think that brainstorming a little with him might provide big dividends.

(And I've just taken the liberty of PM'ing him in that regard. )

[Bastid]

I am going to go with Elliott and Charlie on this. I like the idea of the arch and adding a little more to it with you first name might just work out. I also like Charlies idea of Waupaca.