"500 Knives" Release

betzner

betzner

Joined
Jan 23, 2007
Messages
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I just received a notice from Barnes & Noble that the new book, "500 Knives", will ship out tomorrow. So maybe we will all be busy looking at really nice eye candy for awhile!
 
It's a book by Lark Publications, from it's "500" series, which features 500 knives/500 pics. Really a nice coffee table book. Most of the makers whose work appears in the book already have received their pre-release copies, I believe.

A maker I collect had already sent me one of his copies and it's really a great book.
 
I will give a detailed review here very soon. I am going through my copy now.

It represents just about every genre of handmade knives, and has submissions from every top photographer in the field. It's minimalist on the words, yet maximizes the visual presentations.

Coop
 
I have been through my copy a few times. It's really a fine book.

The publisher has kept the size smaller than a US letter-page book, which is inline with the other HUGELY successful 500-series books they have released.

From the Lark Books 500 website:
500 Knives
Celebrating Traditional & Innovative Designs

Contemporary knifemakers are far more daring than their counterparts from as recently as a generation ago: they’ve become masters of new techniques and technologies, experts in reinterpreting form and function to create sculptural works of art.

Flip through this amazing on-the-page gallery, and you’ll discover a dizzying array of styles, from ones that demonstrate simple elegance to others that feature over-the-top embellishment. The collection includes daggers, kitchen knives, hunting knives, combat and folding knives, switchblades, multi-blades, swords, axes, tomahawks, and even a pistol-knife—all honed with fine creative vision.
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Let's take a look:
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I mentioned there is NOT a lot of text. It's just a few lines of info. Marthe LeVan (the Editor) told me this benefits in a number of ways:

"It's a visual presentation, and we don't want the reader to be obligated by reading. We also sell a LOT of copies (+30%!) to non-English countries, and for this it serves perfectly."

Here are some of the pages I am allowed to show you:

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At less than $20 from Amazon.com it's an incredible value to be able to 'own' a couple of million dollars worth of Custom Knives.

I am very well represented with the images (180+!!), and to this I am entirely pleased for my clients. The quality of the images and the submitting photographers are a list of who's who in the current industry.

I suggest you grab a copy.

Coop
 
Thanks for the review Coop.
I will received my copy tomorrow.
Sure lots of maker's and collector's knives from this forum are represented.
 
I didn't think Knives 2010 was going to be available for a couple more months?
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Me neither. I just checked my order with Amazon and it still mentions early October as release date.:confused:

Marcel
 
Marthe LeVan told me they print in batches. This printing is the 'first run'.

If there are any edits needed from shots, she asks to send her the corrections, and she will see that the next (and next, and next...) runs will reflect this.

marthe AT larkbooks DOT com

I have marked a couple of incorrect photo credits, and I am told of maker's who's spec is wrong for the photo posted. Not unusual for a project of this caliber. It's all good.

Coop
 
Sorry about that fellows. I did not know I could PRE order on Amazon. Knives 2010 is is available October 6th. :o:o
 
First, I received my copy of "500 Knives" which I found very impressive. I was initially a little concerned as to the book being so small (just 8"X8") and how that would effect the photo presentations. However, the photo presentation and book are very well done. It graciously highlights a VERY diverse group of beautiful custom knives that most of us would never get a glance at otherwise.
I hear many collect Lark's "500" series of books. This could represent an outstanding opportunity for the exposure of custom knives outside our existing community.

Secondly, I found a copy of Jim Weyer's book "Points of Interest, Book III" which completes my set. I have been looking quite diligently for this book for over two years. It's even in good shape, signed and numbered. :thumbup:

p.s.

Don Hanson III said:
I just got my copy today. Very Nice Book!

I'm also honored to have a few of my knives featured.
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A few? You're being much too modest my friend. ;)
 
I felt a bit compelled considering my praise for 500 Knives above to point out that in my opinion though this is a fine book and will no doubt benefit custom knives worldwide, it cost under $20. So please don't expect to be as dazzled by the images as some other fine custom knife books we are exposed to. And as Coop mentioned, the photo captions do leave a bit to be desired but perhaps expected as Lark are not "knife people". But the book would have been improved by their hiring someone to edit and assemble the very basic information in a clear and uniformed format.
 
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Kevin-
Good for you! I found a Weyer's Book III only just in the last six weeks. That sucker is absolutely hard to find!
Bob

But what can I say - I am not a fanatic about any my knives ever being in print, but when it is the first knife in "500 Knives", immediately following the table of contents, the gods must have been with me and the artist.
 
betzner said:
Kevin-
Good for you! I found a Weyer's Book III only just in the last six weeks. That sucker is absolutely hard to find!
Bob

But what can I say - I am not a fanatic about any my knives ever being in print, but when it is the first knife in "500 Knives", immediately following the table of contents, the gods must have been with me and the artist.
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1. The POI III was printed in Japan, whereas the others where printed in Ohio. Not sure why they won't re-do it in Ohio, but they won't, no re-prints..that is why it is so scarce and costly. My volumes I&II are reprints, signed, but not numbered.

2. I think for 20 bucks, the book is fine. There are many editorial errors, many knives that I hate and the fact that John Lewis Jensen is the "juror" for this is laughable to me, but it is still only 20 bucks, and can only positively increase exposure of knives and knifemaking.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
...but it is still only 20 bucks, and can only positively increase exposure of knives and knifemaking.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
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Considering a similar cost to Kertzman's annual 'Knives XXXX' publication, and the history of Lark's '500' series of books, this should reach out to many of those who don't stop when they see 'Knives' appear in a title either on-line or in-store. The increased exposure can only be good.

- Joe
 
The book is supposed to be "in stock" at amazon... but actually it is'nt (unless it is only in stock for US customers ?)... Or did you buy the whole available stock ?? We European people have to wait...

Marcel, did you get yours ?
 
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