Anyone else with a Geno Denning knife?

sceva

Gold Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2002
Messages
1,750
Geno Denning (Caveman Engineering); South Caroline knifemaker and a student of George Herron.

Unfortunately no longer making these fine knives.

I have a Caribou (Large Hunter) with Desert Ironwood A GM or Georges Model ( standard hunter ) with Desert Ironwood. and a MiniGM with Stag.

The MiniGM is the first one made and came out of a conversation I had with Geno on my thought os a perfecy small hunter.

Denning Caribou 2.jpgDenning GM 1.jpgMini GM 5.jpgMini GM-GM-Caribou.jpgCaribou- GM- Mini GM.jpg
 
I bought a collection of Geno Denning knives from the sons of a collector in Alaska. I bought a total of 12 of his knives, and they are so reminiscent of George Herron knives, who I believe he studied under. I am new to this site and would love to post the pictures of the knives I own that were made by Geno.
 
Two ways to attach; Either upload the photos to a photo sharing sight like IMGUR, Postimage etc; then copy and paste.

OR: easier but you may need to be a paying member. Just click on the Attach Files block at the bottom of the area when posting or editing. Choose the file from your computer and voila. About the same as attaching a photo to an e-mail and just as easy.
 
Denningstaghunter-3736_zpsdae9130e.jpg


A GM model from 99 or so.
Always wanted one of his stag chute knives.
 
Denningstaghunter-3736_zpsdae9130e.jpg


A GM model from 99 or so.
Always wanted one of his stag chute knives.

I had one ordered but was way back in the line for one and never received it before he had to stop knife making. OK though because due to a set back at the time I would have had to let it go to the next in line.

That is a beautiful GM, I had one in stag and it is the only Denning knife I sold.
 
I guess this is what happens when a knifemaker is no longer active and name recognition fades. Only the aficionado's and older knife guys know them. A shame but it happens more often than not based on the "Does anyone recognize the maker" posts. There are exceptions of course, Loveless, Moran, Scagal and a few others come to mind. I liked Geno's work and he made a great knife at a fair price. I think part of it is that being trained by George Herron his knives looked like Herron knives and not something unique that jumps our and says Denning.
 
I guess this is what happens when a knifemaker is no longer active and name recognition fades. Only the aficionado's and older knife guys know them. A shame but it happens more often than not based on the "Does anyone recognize the maker" posts. There are exceptions of course, Loveless, Moran, Scagal and a few others come to mind. I liked Geno's work and he made a great knife at a fair price. I think part of it is that being trained by George Herron his knives looked like Herron knives and not something unique that jumps our and says Denning.
Another “older guy” new to the forum. I was fortunate/blessed to have received part of my uncles 175+ collection. I received 20-22 total, all custom: RMK, Denning’s few Herrons, & Hendrix’s - Good ole SC Folk my neck of woods! Liking this Geno best recently
That beautiful tapered tang makes it for me, as someone mentioned very reminiscent of the Herron's & an obvious apprentice/JS under Herron the Goat!
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    683.8 KB · Views: 14
  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    455.3 KB · Views: 15
  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    382.3 KB · Views: 15
Sorry to change maker in this thread, mods my apologies if it needs to be moved.. noob to forum

Was just curious if anyone else in thread has any Russ Easler’s…? I have two & Love them,
That is a nice one. It is a GM or George's Model; named for George Herron.
appreciate that sceva sceva !
 
I have had an Easler in the past but not now. I got it in a trade with the Treeman and it had green dyed giraffe bone scales that were beautiful.

Russel Easler made nice knives but on mine the guard edges had an almost sharp 90° corner and the blade edge was an actual small flat instead id being finish sharpened. I contacted Mr. Easler and was told he did it that way to show his skill at square corners and that most collectors didn't want their edge actually sharp for handling reasons. At his request I returned it and he did an absolutely beautiful job of radiusing the corners and finishing the edge so I have no complaints. I did learn to question a maker on finishing and edge condition before ordering.

I really liked the Easler after that but found the Denning's slimmer and more to my liking.
 
I have had an Easler in the past but not now. I got it in a trade with the Treeman and it had green dyed giraffe bone scales that were beautiful.

Russel Easler made nice knives but on mine the guard edges had an almost sharp 90° corner and the blade edge was an actual small flat instead id being finish sharpened. I contacted Mr. Easler and was told he did it that way to show his skill at square corners and that most collectors didn't want their edge actually sharp for handling reasons. At his request I returned it and he did an absolutely beautiful job of radiusing the corners and finishing the edge so I have no complaints. I did learn to question a maker on finishing and edge condition before ordering.

I really liked the Easler after that but found the Denning's slimmer and more to my liking.
That’s awesome Easler re-finished that edge to your request/liking. Outstanding custy service too!
 
I bought a collection of Geno Denning knives from the sons of a collector in Alaska. I bought a total of 12 of his knives, and they are so reminiscent of George Herron knives, who I believe he studied under. I am new to this site and would love to post the pictures of the knives I own that were made by Geno.
Do you have any Geno Denning knives for sale?
 
Do you have any Geno Denning knives for sale?
That’s awesome you have a collection of 12, he sure makes a good blade imo. And you’re correct that he apprenticed under Mr Herron, the GOAT imo, having lived just couple hours away makes me bit biased. I have one of Herron’s listed for sale here, not much interest though.
I do have a couple of Denning’s, and would consider selling if you’re interested still.
I’ll PM you pics shortly if that’s ok
 
That’s awesome you have a collection of 12, he sure makes a good blade imo. And you’re correct that he apprenticed under Mr Herron, the GOAT imo, having lived just couple hours away makes me bit biased. I have one of Herron’s listed for sale here, not much interest though.
I do have a couple of Denning’s, and would consider selling if you’re interested still.
I’ll PM you pics shortly if that’s ok
Another apostle of Herrons was Wayne Hendrix, similar styles to both Denning & Herron naturally. I have a Damascus blade made by Herron/Hendrix for “Sporting Classics” + 2-3 Hendrix’s earlier pieces circa 2001-2002
 
That’s awesome you have a collection of 12, he sure makes a good blade imo. And you’re correct that he apprenticed under Mr Herron, the GOAT imo, having lived just couple hours away makes me bit biased. I have one of Herron’s listed for sale here, not much interest though.
I do have a couple of Denning’s, and would consider selling if you’re interested still.
I’ll PM you pics shortly if that’s ok
Thanks, looking forward to seeing the pictures.

John Henry Taylor
 
To add to SC native makers, Easter has a similar style to Herron/Denning/Hendrix, have 3 of his… notice similarities in 3 makers (Easler not pictured yet)
L to R: Denning x2 Herron x2, Hendrix x2 plus Damascus collaboration with Herron/Hendrix
IMG_9112.jpeg
IMG_9100.jpeg
IMG_9098.jpeg
 
Back
Top