A few first for me (Loveless stuff of course)

David Sharp

David Sharp

Joined
May 23, 2008
Messages
954
Did a show last weekend; these pics where taken on the run between sharpening, final clean-up, etc.

Integrals a'la Mike Lovett but a bit different (my version has a ricasso these are the newer and older City Knife variations):



Mortise/hidden tang fighter ,AKA Big Bear gone bad:







Big Bears #1,2:





Done a few already; Hide Out:



Thanks for looking!
 
- lovely work, David...........hey, you've been busy, eh! Real nice...
 
Nice stuff. The Loveless style is becoming a bit ubiquitous for me though.
 
i4Marc said:
Nice stuff. The Loveless style is becoming a bit ubiquitous for me though.
Click to expand...

Two reasons for that....1) The designs themselves are about as close to flawless as humanly possible.
and 2) people really like them.

The "scale material on one side, titanium on the other frame lock like Strider or Hinderer" is what I find ubiquitous.

It is very hard to make a proper Loveless style knife...hard to make it flow right, feel right and cut right.

David makes them right.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
David, I think they are great. Love the way you are adding to the Loveless without taking anything from it.
 
STeven,

I hope you understand, I wasn't knocking them. I realize a lot of people like them so they remain popular for makers and buyers. Mr. Sharp's work is outstanding of course. To me it just seems like walking into a room where every other guy is wearing a Breitling watch. Superb instrument to be sure but, to MY OWN eye, appreciated more when encountered less. I am trying very hard to learn this craft and my appreciation for the skill it takes to do the kind of work Mr. Sharp and MANY others here do is stratospheric.


Marc
 
The Loveless style can be likened to the 'blues' in music.

Traditional, simple chord pattern, and yet done a million times differently.

People will always love the blues. People will always love Loveless designs.

David: Nicely accomplished!

Coop
 
i4Marc, I hear what you're saying and I agree. Coop's post is an excellent expression of a point of view that nails it for me.

it looks to me like David is diverging from the middle world of Loveless interpreted designs into something new and his. He's been at this for a short time and already can do a pretty accurate rendition, plus he has some sweet designs from before. I see some interesting divergences here that will have killer results as they evolve. It will be exciting to see where this Loveless inspiration brings him in the fullness of time.
 
Lorien,

Your remarks touch on my perspective a bit. David has the skills to do an accurate rendition but it will be his divergences and original designs which will ultimately intrigue me more. Like the painter who copies masterworks as an exercise it is a means to an end, not an end in and of itself. It is when the painter has incorporated those lessons then creates his own original works that a sort of magic happens. You may see the influences in the work but the piece is a product of inspiration, not imitation. I agree with you that it will be exciting to see where his inspiration brings him in the fullness of time.



Regards, Marc
 
Thanks all for the kind words and discussion!

My first and foremost goal is to faithfully reproduce the Loveless patterns (as close to possible to the real thing). That does not mean I won't have some fun with them from time to time. The Loveless shop has a tradition of modifying designs to customer's requests. There are a lot of one-offs floating around.

I want to be very careful about adding my spin; I worry about diluting the history or perception of what is Loveless. You can see many pictures of knives with the "Loveless" description thrown in as a marketing ploy. I know knives don't make the world go 'round but I want to do my part in preserving this part of knife culture as close as possible to Bob's intent.
 
Yep, indeed, David - you are correct.

Kohai999 said it right earlier too.

Knifemakers want to sell knives..........collectors want to buy knives..........users want the right knife - and dear Bob Loveless came up with his creations that allowed all that in one go.
 
David,

You know I love your wonderful work and in particular your desire to preserve the "bloodline" of Loveless, to my mind the greatest knife influence of this century.
Your attention to detail is a testament to these previously stated goals, that being said I applaud the end results.

I have one comment and it is not a criticism, on the Integrals with your alternative finish, I would like to see a bright finish in the flute.

Great work from a great guy,
Jeff
 
David,

Here, I am just an alias on a web forum. I the real world, the folks who know me will tell you I really have a soft spot in my heart for tradition. I agree with and applaud your reverence and rightful respect of Loveless. Unfortunately even a good long life is way too short. Our heritages and traditions and shining moments in history can be lost in only a generation or two. If not for people like you who preserve those shining moments and expose them to new generations those achievements would be lost to time. I respect that.
 
I really like the two little integrals David... nicely done. :thumbup:
Erin
 
nice stuff Dave, keep up the great work.
I was at the Loveless Shop yesterday, you do them proud my friend!

Dave
 
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