Appleton Knife

[MSU2000]

I've heard that he makes awesome knifes.

Anyone has experience and willing to share? I don't think I can afford one but certaintly appriciated the insight and how the mechanism works and all that.

Thanks

[flatface77]

Ray Appleton?

[VelocityMfg]

Ray Appleton?

Hey Folks,

Ray Appelton was a Machinest Genius,,,,, but He Passed Away a few years back. His Knives are in the outer limits for affordability for the average JOE unless you dont mind selling off a few Kids,,,,,lol

Regards,

Velocity knives

[flatface77]

I'm sorry to hear that. I happened to live across the street from him for a bit in tiny Bluff Dale, TX. back in 2000 or so. My roommate told me the guy outside across the street was some kind of knifemaker named Appleton. I looked out the window & the guy working in his yard looked just like the man in a recent issue of Blade I had just read. Tall older man with long hair. I thought "no way" but grabbed up the article & noticed that it said hat he lived near Glen Rose.

I went out & introduced myself & made small talk. He didn't like thumbstuds & kept telling me my folder had a "wart" on the blade. He brought out a few folders like the ones in the article, with the button on the pivot. My buddy Darrel kept shaking his head & saying "like a freaking Swiss watch". I just kept operating the button-pivot & shaking my head, half-stunned, thinking "....how?". I understand why those knives cost what they do. It was unfinished but the tolerances were just incredible. He was such a cool, laid-back, down-to-Earth guy. You'd never have guessed what a phenomenal craftsman & engineer he was.

[MSU2000]

I've been reading about his kinfes and have never seen stuff like that before. He did that mechanism using wire EDM which is not cheap and usually is used to built tools and dies.

Like I said, his knife cost more than my car so defenetly can't afford it but i want to see up close and personal.

Bump

[Bastid]

I was very fortunate to get to know Ray. Knives aside a very incredible individual. Ray was the type of person who was very well rounded and although one of the most brilliant men I have met, had the ability to communicate well at any level with all ages. Just a brilliant and kind man.

Like many of us here his knives go for much more than I could ever spend, but if you ever get the chance to handle one, do not hesitate. I have been fortunate to handle quite a few and each was memorable.

[Fred S2]

I think his son Ron has or had kept making knives until at least ~2009

http://www.artknifeinvitational.com/...etonK2009.html