A rare glimpse of an old knife making technique in use

supratentorial

supratentorial

Joined
Dec 19, 2006
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Some of you may have seen Stan Shaw using a parser in Jack Black's photos. It must be a real treat to see him work. But not many of us get to see a parser in use. I saw this interesting video and thought some of you might enjoy it.

[youtube]tAaaLSJ6Ykk[/youtube]
 
That was very interesting. Thank you for posting it here.

What were these used for in knife making, inlaying shields?

Paul
 
Thanks, Jake. Very interesting. I remember Jack's photos of Stan Shaw wearing one. It's still not clear how they control depth.
 
I'm happy you found the post interesting.

They were used for inlaying shields. The templates in the video are from Marbles according to the instructor in the video.

If I understand correctly, the cutters are shaped to cut to a certain depth. Once that depth is reached, the template blocks further movement.

Stan Shaw has a lifetime of experience making knives. I'd love to visit his shop.
 
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Jake- It was such a buzz seeing Stan demonstrate this to both Jack and I when we were there- I think if you look back at the original thread from the trip you may see Stan demonstrating this to us :cool::thumbup:

Thank you - that was very interesting Jake!
 
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Very cool! I often thought the had to be parted one at a time with carving chisels. This is brilliant. So i would think that they need some very fine tipped forks to get into intricate shields. I doubt GEC uses these, probably some sort of router or chisel. I think of the recent oak leaf shield and how beautiful it is and how tough that would have been to achieve.
 
I dug up some photos - My wife sue took these of Jack and I ( sorry for being wrapped up so much in the photo's - I had a bad cold ) visiting Stan.
We were hoping for 10 minutes, I thin we spent about an hour and a half there from memory.......







The man himself with the Parser.....



And Stan demonstrating to Jack and I....



It was an amazing experience - not only going over to Sue's Home land - meeting Jack - which was so great, and then spending that time with Stan.
I have said it before- so forgive me for repeating myself - but Stan is just a fantastic person - he really was such a pleasure to meet.
 
A nice reminder of a very happy day with you and Sue Duncan :) I would certainly echo your comments about Stan, he is an absolutely lovely man. When I visit him, we spend just as much time talking about our families, and about life in general, as we do about knives :) :thumbup:
 
Thanks for sharing these videos and reminding us of your trip Dunc.
I've yet to meet the man himself. I hope I can get chance.
 
Thanks for sharing these videos and reminding us of your trip Dunc.
I've yet to meet the man himself. I hope I can get chance.
 
Here's Ted Osbourne, the man who taught Stan Shaw how to use the two-legged parser, in action himself. The young Stan is in the background :)

 
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