Anyone know makers no longer in the business ?

Mike Manabe-Works for UPS, bladesmithing was never a full time gig for him-Golf junkie, all his free time on the links.
J.W. Townsend-Serious kidney problems, great guy
Keith "Twig" Davis-Also health problems, but liked racing cars more than knifemaking.
Phillip Baldwin-Tired of trying to sell his knives for what they were worth, so he makes mokume gane full time as Shining Wave Metals, largest supplier for the jewelry industry.
William "Gordon" Defreest-Student of George Herron-Owns a barbershop that is significantly more profitable than knifemaking.
Tommy Lee-simply got old, and retired.

Happy New Year,

STeven Garsson
 
gator68 said:
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! :)
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I know BladeGallery has a couple of his knives that will be for sale.
 
Umm...this is a 20 year old thread....
 
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I'm actually really, really happy I got to read this. It was a couple years after I got sidelined by my health and left the world. Reading posts by guys I knew well back in the day that are no longer on this Earth brought a bit of a tear to my eye. So, thank you, necroposter, at least from me! :D
 
weo said:
OK, sorry fitzo fitzo ...edited
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For what, weo weo BillyO? No need for that. We can view this thread with differing viewpoints, I feel. This was like a slice of the familiar past for me, but it's still a 20 year necropost. I can readily understand someone elses annoyance, especially if they read both pages then realized it's 20 years old.
If you felt that I came behind you to criticize, that was not my intention, and ask that you please accept my apology. I just happened to click on your post right after you made it and then I read the thread and saw Mike Hull & Indian George and it made me both happy and sad because I loved both of those guys.
We good?
 
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fitzo said:
For what, weo weo BillyO? No need for that. We can view this thread with differing viewpoints, I feel. This was like a slice of the familiar past for me, but it's still a 20 year necropost. I can readily understand someone elses annoyance, especially if they read both pages then realized it's 20 years old.
If you felt that I came behind you to criticize, that was not my intention, and ask that you please accept my apology. I just happened to click on your post right after you made it and then I read the thread and saw Mike Hull & Indian George and it made me both happy and sad because I loved both of those guys.
We good?
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Of course we are! I was actually thanking you for calling me out on my short temper-ness today.
 
weo said:
Of course we are! I was actually thanking you for calling me out on my short temper-ness today.
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I realize I could use a slap upside the head every once in a while
and being single for the past 54 years, I could probably use one more often than I realize.
 
weo said:
Of course we are! I was actually thanking you for calling me out on my short temper-ness today.
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Glad we're okay! Ya know, I honestly read your post and said, "BillyO's having himself a day at the maker space!" :(
Being an extraordinarily ornery old fart, I commiserate. In my case, it's mostly doctors. I come away from almost every appointment pissed off, and I average 2-3 appointments per week. I'm pissed off a lot these days. :D
It was a 20 year old thread. Someone was gonna say somethin'!
It's okay it was you, short-tempered or not. Hope your day improved! Do you even get a weekend any more?
 
fitzo said:
"BillyO's having himself a day at the maker space!" :(
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Geeze, you know me too well 😁
TLDR version - I got back to the shop on Tuesday after 2 weeks off, and can honestly say this has been the worst/hardest week in Portland.
part of that could be relative to the great 2 weeks I had back in the Midwest visiting family.🤔 . . . but let's not derail this thread.
 
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