Best designers in the industry?

KenOnion

KenOnion

Joined
Apr 21, 1999
Messages
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So I am setting here in the shop chatting with some friends and the topic came up.

Who do you think are the best,most original and diverse knife designers in the industry?
Not the best makers,engravers or craftsmen but just the best designers.

Tough question!

My favorites:

Bob Loveless
W W Cronk
David Broadwell
Larry Fuegen
Tim Galyean
Matt Lerch

These are just a few I could think of off the top of my head . I'm sure I missed a few .But it's always exciting to see what these guys have done or are doing . Very original and always impressive!

What are your thoughts?
Who did I miss?
 
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Ken Onion:)
Duh!
 
Wolf Loerchner and Larry Fuegen

Their lines and flow are the best. They are also unique. They created their own look.
 
KenOnion said:
So I am setting here in the shop chatting with some friends and the topic came up.

Who do you think are the best,most original and diverse knife designers in the industry?
Not the best makers,engravers or craftsmen but just the best designers.

Tough question!

My favorites:

Bob Lovelace
W W Cronk
David Broadwell
Larry Fuegen
Tim Galyean
Matt Learch

These are just a few I could think of off the top of my head . I'm sure I missed a few .But it's always exciting to see what these guys have done or are doing . Very original and always impressive!

What are your thoughts?
Who did I miss?
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Ken,

It's Bob Loveless and Matt Lerch, FWIW.

Virgil England
Don Fogg
Paul Fox
H.H. Frank
Jeff Harkins
Robert Hayes
Gil Hibben
Jimmy Lile
Wolfgang Loerchner
Bob Lum
Scott Sawby
Jim Schmidt
J.D. Smith
J.W. Smith
Jurgen Steinau
Howard Viele
Michael Walker

These are some fellas that have a unique a creative approach to bladeware that transcends time.....this is not all of them, but it IS some of them.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
For me to name a few:
Wolfgang Loerchner
Larry Fuegen
Hugh Bartrug
W W Cronk
Jim Schmidt
Jurgen Steinau
Roger Bergh
Rick Eaton
Charles Bennica
Pierre Reverdy
Van Barnett
Scott Slobodian
Wade Colter

Marcel
 
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In no particular order...

Virgil England
Don Fogg
Wolfgang Loerchner
Jim Schmidt
Jurgen Steinau
Harumi Irayama
Charly Bennica
Barry Davis
Tim Hancock

Editing to add:
Bob Loveless
Kit Carson
Ernie Emerson
Jimmy Fikes
Chris Reeves
 
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I think Ed Fowler created a comfortable and classic design. While it might not be my number one, I think its definately worth noting.
 
jonathan brand said:
I think Ed Fowler created a comfortable and classic design. While it might not be my number one, I think its definately worth noting.
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You make a good point Jon as this can be looked at as a two part question.

One, who is the best designer per say or universally the best?

Or two, who has created the best specific designs?

Examples:
Walter Brend - Model 2
Ed Fowler - Pronghorn
Jerry Fisk - Sendero
Harvey Dean - El Diablo, Huckleburry
Bill Moran - ST-23, ST24
D Holder - My Knife

There's many more.
 
I also think DHIII makes incredible designs. Some might argue that they aren't all original (meaning the traditional patterns like a slip joint) but almost every knife he makes has great artistic composition and flows like no other. I also think the way he shapes walrus handles on his fighters is a complete style of his own.
 
jonathan brand said:
I also think DHIII makes incredible designs. Some might argue that they aren't all original (meaning the traditional patterns like a slip joint) but almost every knife he makes has great artistic composition and flows like no other. I also think the way he shapes walrus handles on his fighters is a complete style of his own.
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Another good point Jon, as you can get into maker's that have the best "design elements"?
For example:
Don's artifact and distressed ivory that he uses so well. His hamon patterns.

How Larry Fuegen's incorporates filework, carving and fluting so creatively into his designs.

Sorry if I'm getting off the subject here, but many ways to look at knife design.
 
Kevin Jones said:
Another good point Jon, as you can get into maker's that have the best "design elements"?
For example:
Don's artifact and distressed ivory that he uses so well. His hamon patterns.

How Larry Fuegen's incorporates filework, carving and fluting so creatively into his designs.

Sorry if I'm getting off the subject here, but many ways to look at knife design.
Click to expand...



Aristotle Jones, do we have to break everything down into 1000 different parts? Lets just let the thread be fun and easy.
 
severedthumbs said:
Aristotle Jones, do we have to break everything down into 1000 different parts? Lets just let the thread be fun and easy.
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severed, I will make a deal with you.
If you stop bringing a cloud of negativity over every thread you post to, I will try to stop complicating things. ;)
 
Kevin Jones said:
severed, I will make a deal with you.
If you stop bringing a cloud of negativity over every thread you post to, I will try to stop complicating things. ;)
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deal! :thumbup: the current status of economy has me down. sorry that is coming across in my postings.
 
there is hope yet!

as for designers, I think that Bud Nealy has had a large impact, and lest we forget the other tactical boys;
Dwyer/Strider
Emmerson
Busse
Carson/Crawford
Terzuola

and how about;
Ron Best
Dietmar Kressler
Owen Wood
Koji Hara
 
I will add Al Polkowski. His name doesn't pop up that much anymore, but if you have picked up his work you understand what I mean.
 
The list below is made up of my favorites.

Bob Loveless
Larry Fuegen
Anders Hogstrom
Jose Debraga
Tai Goo
Wolfgang Loerchner
Ken Steigerwalt
Shane Taylor
Brian Tighe
Dellana
Rick Eaton
Jerry Hossom
Scott Slobodian
Wade Colter
Ron Newton
Brian Lyttle
Henri Viallon
Roger Berg
 
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