A couple of makers I've not heard of...

J

joeshredd

Joined
May 8, 2002
Messages
2,254
Hey all,
I just picked up two sweet little pieces by a couple of makers I've never heard of and would love to find out more about them.
Has anybody heard of Ray Kirk or Mark Nevling (of Burr Oak Knives)?
Kirk's piece is a nice little swedged drop point in 52100 that comes very close to a drawing I made years ago: his version is better, so I couldn't resist. But, I'd like to know more about him and where he's from.
Nevling is apparently a JS, and the piece I got is a wonderful twist damascus with Mokume bolsters and MammothBark Ivory.. Does anyone know anything about him?
I appreciate any info any of y'all have.. and if you ever run into these guys' work... they would appear to be absolutely worth the money!
Thanks!
 
Both gentlemen are well known and Ray is a contributor to these forums and a good friend.

Ray is an ABS journeyman smith from Tahlequah, OK.
His website is: Raker Knives

I don't have web info regarding Nevling but I'm sure someone will jump in with info.

Sounds like you done well.
 
I've seen Mark Nevling's work at several shows semi-locally. Each time I see his stuff it looks better and better. He has some nice designs and as far as I know, makes his own sheaths which are pretty nice. The only thing I didn't like about SOME of his knives was that they were of a little thicker stock than I care to use. Not all of them, just some of them. As far as I know, he uses 52100, 5160, W2, and Damascus. I don't have a web site, but his email is: burroakknives@aol.com I think he is a regular at the Badger show in Janesville Wi. in March.
Good Luck
Mongo
 
Mark was at the Edgerton show also, but I just don't recall any of his knives as possibly nothing stood out to me. I do have his card though so ????
 
Mark makes some pretty tough using knives. What suprised me at the Edgerton Show was that he had brought . . . folders! He told me that he wanted to try something new. IMHO, always a pleasure to see someone get creative and branch out!
 
I have met both of them and handled knives from both. Nothing but top notch! I would get a blade from either one and be happy. By the way, Ray took the cutting contest at the Spirit of Steel show in Dallas recently, so I would say he knows his stuff.
 
I've had the good fortune to meet and speak with both of these men and have the highest respect for their knowledge and their work. I have owned a knife of Ray's and still own several of Mark's knives.

Ray is very knowledgable about all aspects of knife making, as well as Kydex Sheath making. He is generous with his knowledge and usually teaches a class at many of the Hammer Ins that he attends. He is a patient and thorough teacher and certainly a very accomplished Knife Maker. As has already been mentioned, Ray has Won or placed highly in the last few ABS Cutting Compitetions.

Mark is a true gentleman. He works extremely hard on perfecting all aspects of his knives. He makes all his own Damascus and does all of the work (Forging, Heat Treating, etc) in his shop. He makes some beautiful and extremely smooth high end Folders but my favorites are his tough Fixed blades. One of my favorite Fixed blades is one that Mark Forged with a thick spine and then keenly flat ground so that it is one of the best cutters that I have.

Both of these gentleman make exceptional knives at very affordable prices!!
 
Thanks Guys,
You've all helped answer what I was looking for. Last week, when I got the AGRussel weekly email about their stuff, I came across knives by both guys and, unfortunatly, had a credit card in my pocket - yeah, I got one from each!
Mark's is a little damascus clip point w/2 5/8" blade, Mokume bolsters and mammoth ivory scales... and a terrific little sheath with a pocket clip - it rides well anywhere and when i pull it out... everyone wants to see it! :D
Ray's is a little 4" drop-point that bears an uncanny resemblence to a knife I drew years ago... I was going thru some old files and came across several sketches I was thinking of having made into a knife... and then I saw Ray's... I don't think my drawings are as good as his knife! :eek: :p

Again, I appreciate the help and I hope to contact each of these guys to let 'em know what I think of their stuff!! Unless, of course, they read it here first? :)

Happy cuttin' y'all!
 
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