Anyone know makers no longer in the business ?

J

Jason Cutter

Joined
Oct 9, 2002
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I'm quite curious about this...

Does anyone know former knifemakers - those who used to do good work in this game but not any more ? And reasons why ? (Health is probably going to be a major factor.)

Of course, I'm talking about knifemakers who are still alive, so please don't get smart ... ;) :D :p Thanks ahead of time. Jason.
 
There is a local maker here that used to make some really nice knives, imo. I have a sweet skinner besides this one put up that I am not going to dig out tonight. But anyway, me and my dad heard he had been dead for years but I talked to a guy the other day that knows him well and he is still alive but is in poor health and moved to a small town close to here. I am going to get in touch with him and see if he wants to sell any of his equipment. The guy that told me he was still alive said he probably wanted to sell it or I wouldn't bug him about it.
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Mark Williams said:
Say it aint so Danbo :confused:
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I just saw a blade that he made (hadnt heard of him till this thread)......I think your right Mark.... say it aint so. Can I say Tallent! Does he have a website?
 
I am friends with, and live about four houses down the road from Paul Blanchette. He was a maker in the early 80's. His specialty was large bowies with elaborate engraving, elephant ivory, and huge gold inlays sculpted of different Native American scenes. One knife made the cover of Knives Illustrated once. He has it (the cover) framed on his shop wall. He pretty much made a few knives for himself, friends, and family and then stopped making knives altogether. Now he only collects knives. Last week when I went to visit, he pulled out a fine old Randall he bought at auction.

Not sure any of you have heard of Paul Blanchette, but his knives are as fine as any I have ever seen. A true master, but like many artists: Once the thrill is gone its time to move on to something else. Right now he is engraving an old Fox shotgun.
 
blgoode said:
I just saw a blade that he made (hadnt heard of him till this thread)......I think your right Mark.... say it aint so. Can I say Tallent! Does he have a website?
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Let me clarify my earlier statement/question. I threw Steve Fillicietti's name out there, because he has seemingly vanished off the face of the Earth. I know somebody who sent him a knife for refinishing a few years ago, and hasn't seen or heard from him since. I have an email saved on my computer from April 2003, where he asked me if I wanted a bowie he was just finishing up. I replied that I was definitely interested, but wanted to know how much. Never heard from him again. ??? The man makes some of THE best knives out there, but ??? Where is he?
 
I think Ron Leuschen from Little Hen Knives has sort of stopped.

Such a shame, I loved his integral pieces.
 
Wild Bill Caldwell, although he has told me that he is going to start making knives again.

I think he stopped because he became more interested in customizing guns.
 
skinny_dan said:
I think Ron Leuschen from Little Hen Knives has sort of stopped.

Such a shame, I loved his integral pieces.
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Ron is building a workshop and will be making knives again. He has started a new job and it takes most of his time. That's the problem with having to feed your family and pay the bills.
 
In my short time into knives, I know Todd Begg was a definite up-and-comer doing truly superior work who was struck down by poor health.

I need to chase up what Steve Fillicieti is up to ... :confused:

I'm also curious about the young-guns who were blazing trails and then suddenly fell off the face of the knifemaking world. Jason.
 
Michael Manabe was a student of Dave Ellis, an ABS mastersmith in San Diego. I saw his knives at a show in San Jose in 1992? He had just taken and passed his journeyman test. I thought $300 was too much for a knife (well, I was a student.) So I thought I'd start making knives myself. He kept making knives, was a regular at the Las Vegas show for awhile. Eventually I decided I'd like to get one of his knives since he inspired me and discovered he'd just stopped making knives. Apparently decided it was too hard to make a living or wanted more time for golf. Not sure exactly.

If anyone has one of his knives they want to sell, I'd be interested! :)
 
Yes, I remember Mike Mannabe. That boy was good! Shame he decided to stop making knives.
 
Jason Cutter said:
In my short time into knives, I know Todd Begg was a definite up-and-comer doing truly superior work who was struck down by poor health.

.
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Todd is still cranking em out bro.
 
Tom Maringer stopped making his knives and beautifull swords in 1994 after somebody was killed with one of his creations.

He sold the rights and tooling for his Vorpal line of knives to Bobby Branton.



Jan
 
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