A short Tribute to the late Bill Moran

[Ellis]

We have lost a great in Bob Loveless. Not too long ago another Pioneer of knifemaking was taken from us.
I have collected Moran knive's for as long as I have collected Loveless.
In my humble opinion no other maker has approached the collectiblity and originality (are those words?)of these two greats!

Here are some from my personal collection
enjoy

Dave

 

[Ellis]

some more
Dave

 

[fisk]

For both of them, Bill and Bob, it reminds me of the old George Jones song, "Who will fill their shoes?". It can't be done, they was there at the right time, right place and it was the right people to bring along all the other knife makers with them. Because of both of their business sense, their leadership and design skills we as knifemakers can get what we do for our knives now.
My hat is off to them both for their accomplishments and am grateful because of them, I can make a living doing what I want to do.

 

[Ellis]

well spoken Jerry, thanks for adding to this thread buddy
Dave

 

[Russ Andrews]

Gratitude and respect in no small measure to both Bill and Bob....
for the tracks they laid and the doors they opened.

 

[jjtjr]

Dave,

In my humble opinion no other maker has approached the collectiblity and originality (are those words?)of these two greats!

I agree 100% that Bob Loveless and Bill Moran were both Pioneers and unique knife makers. The two of them probably influenced custom knife making more than anyone else. Their knives were beautiful as well as functional.

I only owned 1 Loveless knife which I posted in the other thread. As you know I definitely love Moran knives. Even though some of these knives are over 50 years old, they all feel great in the hand. Here are my Moran knives:

Jim Treacy

 

[Ellis]

Wowza!
Save that leather bookmarker.
Dave

 

[Kevin Jones]

Jim an extraordinary and diverse Moran collection.
That bookmark is so cool.

 

[Ellis]

Bill sent me mine in 2001,his note said-Received your addressed, stamped envelope here is the bookmark. I'm in the mist of packing to go teach forging at the school
Hope you enjoy
Bill

 

[betzner]

Jim, I agree with Mr E, keep that bookmark! Or give it back, hahaha.

Previous parts of this post deleted as I'd rather not post images of a "privatized" collection.

Best,

Bob

 

[Gary Mulkey]

My hat is off to them both for their accomplishments and am grateful because of them, I can make a living doing what I want to do.

Well said. We all owe them a huge thanks for opening the door for the rest of us.

Gary

 

[peterinct]

WOW Those are some extraordinary knives, thanks for postng them Dave and Jim. It was a pleasure viewing them as many patterns I hadn't seen before.

Bob Loveless and Bill Moran are undoubtedly two men that forged the history of custom knives. Hats of to both of them and also to Buster Warenski.

Peter

 

[RogerP]

Jerry nailed it. Gorgeous knives everyone.

Roger

 

[Steve Nuckels]

I'm so happy to see this thread! I met Mr. Moran at his shop in 2004 through my very good friend and mentor. I was there for a few hours and got to listen to Mr. Moran speak and work on a sheath. That help spark my interest in knife making. I met E. Jay Hendrickson and A.G. Barnes and Joined the ABS and The W.F. Moran Foundation. I was lucky enough to attend an open house at Mr. Moran's shop in April and had the privelidge to forge a blade at the shop!

Mr. Moran, Mr. Barnes and Mr. Hendrickson are a huge influence for me.



Steve
---------
Potomac Forge

 

[JParanee]

Great stuff thanks Dave and Jim

 

[Ed Fowler]

When talking about Bill and his accomplishments, you cannot forget to remember his wife Margaret, she was fully half of the Moran Legend.

 

[beluga]

Thanks for the pics guys. Those are some exceptional knives. I love that ST-23 and ST-24. Heck, I love all of them. :thumbup: