Best Blades-What’s Next?

Kevin Jones

Kevin Jones

Joined
Oct 28, 2006
Messages
13,363
As others, I consider the blade to be the soul of the knife. Whether it be a chute knife ground from the finest stainless with crisp lines, sharp grinds and flawless mirror polish or a beautifully forged bowie blade of masterfully executed Damascus or carbon steel with a wicked Hamon.
And of course, there’s the metallurgy of the blade where it seems we are getting close to custom blades that remain razor sharp and virtually indestructible no matter the severity of use.

Just when we think we have seen the most beautiful Damascus pattern or Hamon, there’s always another such as Roger’s Foster laminate blade that makes our jaws drop.

So what I would like to ask from makers and collectors that follow the transgression of the Blade is what’s next from both artistic and metallurgical standpoints?
Please post photos of what you consider to be the best blades and why?

I will start and thank you in advance for your participation.

Don has created a work of art here IMO with his integration of active hamon and subtle damascus pattern into this blade. In addition, this is one of the sharpest blades I have ever handled and expect I would have to work it very hard to change that.
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What else except magnificent can describe the grinds on this John Young?
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Well don't think this particular blade need explanation as to why I consider it one of the best.
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True "Art in Steel" in this blade by JW Randall.
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I like when Damascus blades shimmer. I also like this DH blade. It has the slight recurve pattern that I love and a consistent accordion pattern.
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This Camerer blade also has that recurve I am attracted to..
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I think multibar composites and laminated blades offer the ability to display great artisitic expression.

Though the photos taken from Rick Dunkerley's site aren't very good, they give you a idea of the possibilities.

Edited to say, drat, that didn't work.
 
I think that what Burt Foster is doing with laminated blades will represent the next wave of forged blade concentration....I mean, here you have a forged blade, with stainless skin, giving up none of the great qualities that we love in a blade, but the entire width save for the edge and spine will not get those "lovely pits" we all experience.

I also think that custom knives are going to keep moving into the "super clean" finishes and grinds that companies like G. Sakai in Japan have been producing for years, which is a good thing for those that like it.

For examples, look at the knife that Roger P just posted of Burt's, and the photos that Mike Snody has been posting of his "Thorn" knife.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Super crisp grind lines that flow naturally with the lines of the entire knife:

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You're not kidding Charles, that Brend does have some crisp grinds. :thumbup:

Just in case anyone is not familiar with the Knife Steven is referring to in his post, here it is:

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I think Murray needs to step in with a pic of his Pendray wootz bowie. :)

I second STeven and Kevin's comments about Burt's laminates - though given the volume of e-mails and PMs I received on that knife (just about unprecendented) - I suspect Burt may not be talking to me. :o Those blades are a royal pain to make and it seems a few people are wanting them. ;)

Here's my contribution to the great blade list:

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This is the presentation version of Dan Farr's competition cutter. What makes it great is all all of the subtle elements of design that went into making it his best-performing competition blade. The progression of design elements that led to this design (the final of 5 generations) was the subject of a two-part article in Blade Magazine.

Having put its twin though its paces against most of the previous models as well as a couple other customs, I was completely blown away by how well it performs. And I think the forged-in fuller just looks way cool. I hope Dan will make me a damascus version one day.

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Roger
 
RogerP said:
I think Murray needs to step in with a pic of his Pendray wootz bowie. :)

I second STeven and Kevin's comments about Burt's laminates - though given the volume of e-mails and PMs I received on that knife (just about unprecendented) - I suspect Burt may not be talking to me. :o Those blades are a royal pain to make and it seems a few people are wanting them. ;)
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I have a Pendray wootz fighter, in the Southwest style.:D

I already have one of Burt's laminate blades...a smaller utility/fighter...but that one used Burt's nickel laminating method, and your new one does not. I ordered one myself.:)

FWIW, Burt is the only maker that I collect multiple, multiple knives from. So far, I have 5. He is in my top 5 of all time, that I have owned.

Best Regards,
 
I have multiple knives from a few different makers including half a dozen by Harald Moeller, a dozen by Brian Lyttle and so far 2 by Rodrigo Sfreedo with one in the mail and another 4 or so on order.

RS is doing some wonderful knives and these both have been up on different occasion but are so fine that they deserve another look.

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and now because of a major players request and I know how much he love to handle this knife when he visits (I do enjoy those immensely) here is the Pendray Bowie

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There a many other great knives and I love the works of Brian Lyttle also and could post a variety of knives from him but these will suffice for this thread at the moment.
 
Thanks Murray.

Those are all terrific, but the Pendray is in my personal top 5 of your knives. Probably top 3.

I'll be over to see the new Sfreddo when it comes in.

Roger
 
IMO, this is a very creative and well executed blade form Daniel Winkler. Sorry I can't say that about my photo. :o :D
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RogerP said:
Very nice Kevin - is that copper running down the blade?

Roger
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Yes copper. Adds a nice effect I think. Here's a knife/hawk set using the same process. Dan and Karen are among the most creative in the industry IMO.
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Kevin -- hope you don't mind but I just loved the image of the large hunter by DW. I have never seen his knives in person and while the genre isn't my first choice, this particular knife is spectacular and so I thought I'd do a little bit with the image. Hope you like it.

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Murray White said:
Kevin -- hope you don't mind but I just loved the image of the large hunter by DW. I have never seen his knives in person and while the genre isn't my first choice, this particular knife is spectacular and so I thought I'd do a little bit with the image. Hope you like it.
Click to expand...

Thank you Murray. I will save it to my photo stash. :thumbup:
That's one of my first and favorite customs.

Here's another beautiful and interesting blade. A Bill Burke San Mia forged ladder pattern damascus. Forged from 1084/15n20 surrounding a 52100 carbon steel core. From a Blade Gallery Photo:
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I think you are going to see a lot more laminated blades in the future. I really like what I am seeing in that type of blade from quite a few makers.
 
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