Any custom knife makers in your family?

golok

golok

Joined
Oct 20, 2000
Messages
4,453
I was just wondering what it's like to have a knifemaker for an uncle, or even an aunty.

I don't have one, unfortunately. Those who do must be pretty lucky. Imagine, going over to an uncle's workshop and seeing all the wonderful things he can do to a piece of misshapened steel.

And if you like knives, it will be a bonus. Perhaps you could help sweep the floor of his workshop for an hour of tuition on knifemaking.

Shucks, all my relatives are ordinary people. None of them has an interesting career like knifemaking. :D
 
None in my "blood line" family, but over the years it seems that my "family" has filled up with makers. I have cried when a friend has passed on. Been literally lifted when new family members have been born, celebrated milestones (knife and non-knife related), helped and have been helped out a little in emergencies, have been given sound advice and have been called for my opinion.

I know a lot of folks are tired of reading my mush-headed remarks, but I continue to feel that I would not be involved in this (a hobby to me) if it were not for some of the finest people it has been a privledge to associate with in my life. We may have our little spats, but in the end it is like a family to me.
 
Gus is right. We do seem to grow into an extended family, and whether you want to call a knifemaker uncle or auntie (Mayo is definitely an auntie-type), most are brothers and sisters. I have adopted family members all over, many closer than my own kin.
 
My brother-in-law's cousin is John Etzler... does that count?

As a side note, I've never seen his shop, never met him nor held any of his knives, but I'd like to some day ;)
 
After my first couple of years knifemaking,my aunt told me about a cousin that lived in California that was a pro maker.His name was Harry Mendenhall of Thuderbird Knives.I contacted Harry and it was an instant friendship.He taught me alot even though we never had a chance to meet in person.Great maker, but unfortunately passed on several years ago.Dave:(
 
No custom makers in my family, i'm the first. I have been told tha tmy grandfather's on both of my parents sides used to make knives. On my dad's side he was a machinist and made knifes from old industrial hacksaw blades. The on eon my mother's sides made sugarcane cutters and kitchen knives so I guess that I have it in me from them.
Chuck
 
My Grandfather, O,S. Fowler was a urologist. Way back when he designed a number of surgical instruments. One of them was the first changeable blade surgical scalpel. He teamed up with a German machinest and the Bard Parker scalpel was born.

Other than that, like has been mentioned I figure we are all family in the world of knives.
 
My Step-Dad, Bob Ogg was a knifemaker for over 30 years. He made somewhere in the neighborhood of 3,000 knives in his lifetime. He taught me everything I know and when he passed on left me everything that he had including his name. My personal mark is M.Ogg. He graciously allowed me to use his name in my mark because he approved of my work. It's a great honor for me to use his name. He enriched my life in ways I'll never really be able to put into words. But you can see it in my work. Alot has changed since he passed. But his name is still the center of my knife business. Ogg Custom Knives.

My first custom ever was an Ogg folder. I still have it. Now I collect them. Imagine that. They are a treasure to me now and always will be. I'm glad Bob was the knifemaker in my family. He was like a father to me and I was the only son he ever had.
 
but i have never met him before,and dont even know his name.

max,i wish i had the chance to meet bob before he died...i think i would have liked him the way you always talk about him. must have been a special guy.

-mo.
 
DC KNIVES said:
After my first couple of years knifemaking,my aunt told me about a cousin that lived in California that was a pro maker.His name was Harry Mendenhall of Thuderbird Knives.I contacted Harry and it was an instant friendship.He taught me alot even though we never had a chance to meet in person.Great maker, but unfortunately passed on several years ago.Dave:(
Click to expand...
I once heard of a man living nearby my home in Milpitas CA who made knives. I always wanted to make knives, so I got the address and walked up to his door and knocked. A distinguished (about 60 years old) man answered the door. I introduced myself and asked with great trepidation and pessimism if he would teach me how to make knives. Immediately he replied "sure". The man's name was Harry Mendenhall.

He was a great friend and mentor, and among the greatest knife craftsmen in the world- bar none.

I am terribly saddened to hear that Harry passed away. I lost contact with him several years ago, but regularly thought of him.

He was a wonderful mentor and a pleasure to have known. He is missed and another brilliant light has gone out in my world.

Rest in peace Harry. Your work and your personality were OUTSTANDING!
 
I wish there was. That would be like a kid growing up in a family of ice cream and candy makers.

Actually my family is in the iron and steel business......my mom irons and my dad steals. :D
 
RWS- I about fell off my chair laughing at that last line! :D

Max, great story. I knew he was your step-dad, but had never seen it laid out like that. I'm very glad to hear of your deep appreciation. I'm sure he's smiling down on what you're doing.

As far as knifemakers in my family. Nope. I wish you would all tell them how cool it is that I'm a bladesmith though and how much THEY SHOULD appreciate and enjoy it! LOL ;)

My aunt shudders when she sees my knives...won't even hold them. She says they scare her. Funny how a 10" kitchen knife finds its way into her hands all the time but a custom made 5" boot knife is "scarey and whicked."

I have a ton of hunters in my family, and they have always appreciated my working knives. They are finally coming around to appreciate my bowies and daggers.

My Mom, Dad, Sister, and Grandmother have ALWAYS been huge supporters of me AND my craft. Without them I wouldn't even be making knives. So while they are not knifemakers...there wouldn't be ANY in this family if it weren't for them and their support.

Interesting thread! :D
Nick

as a side note. My good friends and bladesmiths Tom Ferry and Jon Christensen are cousins. They hadn't seen each other in years, and just happened to have tables near each other at the Eugene show 4 years ago. They saw each other and were like, "Hey, what are you doing here?"

How crazy is that?
We have all been fast friends ever since.
 
Jami Chiello lives in Phoenix, AZ. He is a master toolmaker and machinist who worked in a large industrial company for a spell. Made a bunch of decent fixed blades by hand and then got serious. He designed and implemented on a CNC an automatic folder that, in it's time, was about as kickass a design as there was. Some of you may own one from the 'James Brothers' line of autos. He developed and produced the 'Cheyenne' folder with the help of another machinist, James Lozon (who had all the machinery to build them out of the shop). Hence the name 'James Bros.' The two of them have long since parted. :(

This one's mine:

orig.jpg


On a visit out west to visit my sister and him, I had NEVER heard of a knife going for the absurd price of $250.00. I liked them enough that I ordered a few and gave one as a gift to a buddy for his wedding (YEAH!!! Sorry, bride.... ;)),and also sold one to my soon-to-become best man, Malcolm.

Malcolm is a small collector and persuaded me to go with him to a small local show up here in the east. Needless to say, after that afternoon, it was life-changing.

So, going back to the original question, yes. I have been extremly fortunate to have a member of my family introduce me to this great world, and because of that placed me that much closer to my now best man! :)

Coop
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top