and yet his folder claimed 'Best Folder' at the Seattle show....
I have seen a great many brilliantly conceived folders from top tier makers, made from top shelf materials, that have as much blade in that handle as possible...commanding very little- sitting unbought on dealer's sites, priced at 1/2, or less, of what you'd think they should be. Makers with decades of history in the craft, and whose names grace 10s of 1000s of production knives. Beautiful knives sitting there, undesired, that once commanded top dollar, and made to a formula for success. At the time.
I'm glad for all our sakes that Andrew listens to his own song.
I strongly disagree that doing so displays anything unforgivable or severely damaging to him, or to collectors of his work.
You strongly disagree because you don't take a total picture into account when you make statements. Your exposure to the big picture is limited. You have been to what, three knife shows in person, maybe 4?
By my second year of collecting in the mid 80's, I had more direct experience with shows and makers in person than you have had up until now.
You are a nice guy and you have a lot of idealism, and that is a really awesome thing for the knife world....we need that! Just don't confuse passion for knowledge.
William James McHenry is a knifemaker from Rhode Island. He really splashed onto the scene in the mid-90's. He came out to the Oregon Knife Collector's show in maybe 1994 or 1995, While there, he struck up a relationship with Benchmade that resulted in the Benchmade 710 Axis Lock, and later, the only solid OTF that has given Microtech a run for their money up until this point, with the Infidel. He is what many knowledgable people call the Father of the New England Bladesmithing School. Bill was also very big on getting as much blade in the handle as possible. It was doctrine for him.
After coming to the OKCA show, there came to be a knife show in Providence, Rhode Island the following year, and Bill played official host to a motley crew of makers and collectors at his home and forge. People stayed for a few days, and on Monday, there was a class that Bill held. In attendance were Bill McHenry and Jason Williams teaching and students Steve Hill, Bill Saindon, J.D. Smith and Ralph Selvedio. I was allowed to hang out on my own and practice hand engraving, which I suck at....but learned it at Bill's.
The importance of blade-to-handle ratio was discussed there and emphasized.
J.D. taught Andrew Meers how to build knives and how to make damascus as far as I know. For Andrew to consciously reject a FUNCTIONAL element that was so emphasized is more than slightly insulting to those that came before him that taught him better. This is willfulness in spades, and not necessarily a virtue.
There are not that many folder makers that attended the Seattle Show last year, not sure about this year....the competition for Best Chef's knife was of a much higher level last year.
I can tell you that it would not have taken Best Folder at Blade.
Andrew is a very likeable person and very talented, Lorien. You feel free to write what you feel from your experiences and I'll write from mine. I would LIKE Andrew to be a top tier maker, but the competition is tough at the top and only he can decide if that is something that matters to him.
All the new MS daggers are more than beautiful, but Meers one IMO has the perfect blade shape for the quillon dagger due to the slim, tapered profile, instead of almost parallel edges and more "broad" profile.
I found the quillons to be too thin and too wide in relation to the blade width. the piece I really enjoy is the utility in damascus with the golden overlay, and is that snakewood? Anyway, that is a very cool piece, and one that I would like to own.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
Thats a nice knife and more up my alley.
