An Old Question - from a New Member

OldPhysics

OldPhysics

Joined
Sep 2, 2006
Messages
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I'm sure this question has been seen many times here.

I'm a new member and equally new collector. I have a little time and a fair amount of money on my hands.

I'm very interested in mosaic damascus and would like to choose a good piece, probably a fixed blade (bowie, hunter, etc.). I'm astonished by the sheer number of makers of fine mosaic damascus, though -- and I'm looking for suggestions from the members of this forum.

So! If you were in my shoes...and could afford, say, $2K...what would you do?

OldPhysics
Newbie on the Forum, but Nowhere Else!
 
I didn't even know this sort of thing was possible. Not just intricate, controlled patterning -- but also some sort of exotic coloring. I wonder if he uses hot salt baths or nitrates of some sort?

Whatever...extremely impressive. Many thanks for the tip!

OldPhysics
New to the Forum, but Nowhere Else
 
Welcome to Bladeforums!

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Ed Caffery, Tom Ferry, Jon Christiensen, all make some really stunning mosaics. All have their MS stamps. Check them out

Chuck
 
I would find a maker who would make me a unique pattern-initials, logo, symbol, whatever and have that incorporated into the blade. Lots of makers can do that for you. That is the ultimate custom!
 
Excellent -- just the kind of input I was hoping for. Particularly the advice about seeking out a brand new pattern...have to think hard about that.

I've also been looking this evening at some fine work by smiths like Conny Persson, Michael Andersson, and Dan Winkler (love that historic American style he has!). I just looked up some examples of Ed Caffrey, Tom Ferry, Don Hanson, and John Christiensen -- A. C. Richards and Megalobyte are certainly right about their skills.

And thank you, Cougar Allen, for the warm welcome.

Choices, choices. It's great to be an American.

OldPhysics
New to this Forum, but to Little Else
 
So many marvellous choices.

I'm leaning toward picking up an existing blade by Caffrey, Persson, or Winkler (there are a few available)...and then commissioning one with a unique pattern from one of the smiths listed above. Hopefully, the wife won't be too outraged when I try for two! I can always remind her that the commissioned blade will be a looooong time coming.

Again, many thanks for the sage advice.
 
OP, if I could afford it, I'd get a Winkler much like this one, of course it's multi-bar, not mosaic, but an awesome bowie regardless.

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Know what you mean. I was about to do just that on KnifeArt...when a big 'SOLD' popped up. Talk about bad timing.

It was a great looking 'primitive' Bowie with an outstanding sheath.

Decided on an outstanding example of Scandinavian damascus to soothe my punctured pride.

I'll keep my eyes open. My time will come again.
 
Remember, you are not just buying the damascus, but the knife itself. I would be looking first to find a great knifemaker who happens to turn a fair trick with the fancy patterned steel.

A few names that come immediately to mind and in no particlar order:

Ed Caffrey:

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Check out some of the detail:

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And a folder:

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Ron Newton:

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(the above knife was joint project with John Fitch)

And a fancy folder:

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Bailey Bradshaw:

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and Don Hanson (carbon steel blade, but check out the pattern in the guard):

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Have fun,

Roger
 
Here's another shot of the very cool Hanson mosaic damascus that Roger showed previously in one of his pics of a bowie guard. Lots going on.

DSC07124_copy.jpg
 
Even more fuel for what's already becoming quite an addiction.

Can you believe the shapes worked into the guard on that Hanson bowie?

RogerP makes the essential point, of course -- it's the knife! Many thanks for the detailed pictures of knives and steel. Incredible to see what truly skilled hands can do. And that's what I'm after -- the work of truly skilled hands.

A little more research...some chat with the makers (Caffrey, Winkler, Hanson, a few others suggested in this thread)...and I'll submit my order.
 
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