Best Knifemakers that nobody remembers

Triton

Triton

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So based on a post in the "can you make money reselling knives" thread, I was wondering. Who were the in demand makers from years ago that it seems like nobody remembers today?
Who was that maker that you really wanted to get a knife by and everyone else says "Who?" I'm not sure if he falls into that category or not but for me one of them is Bob Engnath. At one time I really wanted a sword by that gentleman. I never got it and he passed away over 20 years ago now. I probably will never get that sword. So how about you?
 
I guess it depends on the company you keep.

For example, say the name Jack Crain to some people, and they might not know who you're talking about. But those who know Jack Crain's knives know who Jack Crain is.
 
Oh that's a good one! I've worked on a number of his swords over the years. They were all top notch!
 
Triton said:
Who was that maker that you really wanted to get a knife by and everyone else says "Who?" I'm not sure if he falls into that category or not but for me one of them is Bob Engnath. At one time I really wanted a sword by that gentleman. I never got it and he passed away over 20 years ago now. I probably will never get that sword. So how about you?
Click to expand...

Bob was a loverly man. I had the pleasure of visiting his shop several times. I have one knife of his, a small Loveless design hideaway that he ground. I too wanted one of his big Tanto's but I never was able to get one.......

The maker I really like and is not remembered anymore is Bill "Gordon" Defreest. He was a protege of George Herron and he did beautiful work. Here are a two of mine........


 
Jeff Hall used to make real nice custom folders havent heard from him in a long time.
 
Keith Coleman comes to mind. I have a folder that I ordered from him. A very nice guy but not long after delivering my knife to me he just disappeared. He doesn’t make knives any longer that I can tell.
He was a real nice guy.
 
I have a nice custom knife that Joel Bolden made up for me (haven't seen him around in a while). I think he mentioned Mr. Engnath was helpful or influential... I can't remember for sure, but I know the name came up.

Here's the JCB knife, by the way:

The photo makes it look black, but the blade (154CM) is an absolute flat and true mirror with the finish he put on that steel. And I've used it as such when camping, to remove/insert daily-wear contact lenses, etc.
 
D.E. Henry. Big bowie knives. He once skinned a mouse with one to prove you could do fine work with a big knife.
 
George Lainhart, Roger Green, Robert "Bob" Hayes, Robert Rippy.

Lainhart made a splash with a really nice tactical knife that was in the film "The Abyss", had popularity with one of the SEAL teams, and had a factory collab with United, and interest from others. But he also had a small output.

Roger Green was a D E Henry protege, but his output was small.

Bob Hayes was a known maker of high end folders and fixed blades back in the 70's. His folders were very high tech and the knives were more or less "sole authorship", but again, very small output.

Rippy made really nice tactical knives, but his fame came late in his career, and he'd disappered here and there during it.

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Best thing for a maker to be remembered is get a few good factory collaborations, have a mark that lets people know exactly who you are, get as much press as you can, and pray. Fame is fickle in this business.
 
Phil Hartsfield. Gone, but probably not forgotten. Shop still producing, I believe.

Bob White
 
killgar said:
I guess it depends on the company you keep.

For example, say the name Jack Crain to some people, and they might not know who you're talking about. But those who know Jack Crain's knives know who Jack Crain is.
Click to expand...


So I finally did some looking. Very cool! The guy that did the knives for the movie Commando! That's one of my all time favorites, anything good enough for Arnold... Anyway in looking I ran across this little snippet which I thought spoke very well of Mr. Crain:

In designing the LS-1, Crain recognized that a critical area was the junction of the blade to the handle. On many survival knives, the tang is a short, thin rattail which is merely epoxied or bolted into the handle. Thus, these knives are liable to break at the guard. Crain attempted to correct this problem by strengthening the tang and then welding it into the handle.

Quality Control
However, during strenuous testing he discovered that his blades were still vulnerable at the junction. Through his research, he learned that the airhardened 440 steel had actually been weakened by welding the blade after it had been heat-treated. He successfully resolved the problem by welding the blade into the handle first and then heat-treating the steel.

When Crain discovered the internal flaw, he had already sold a number of his Life Support knives. None of them had been broken and returned. However, he assumed the responsibility of recalling and replacing every knife he could locate. Some knives had changed hands and were lost; a few collectors had prototype knives and refused to return them.
 
Steven65 said:
Bob was a loverly man. I had the pleasure of visiting his shop several times. I have one knife of his, a small Loveless design hideaway that he ground. I too wanted one of his big Tanto's but I never was able to get one.......

The maker I really like and is not remembered anymore is Bill "Gordon" Defreest. He was a protege of George Herron and he did beautiful work. Here are a two of mine........


Click to expand...


Really really nice, I had never heard of him, thanks for sharing.
 
kvaughn said:
D.E. Henry. Big bowie knives. He once skinned a mouse with one to prove you could do fine work with a big knife.
Click to expand...

That one I have heard of. He's had several articles about him in Blade magazine over the years. Sounds like quite the character and quite the maker.
 
tltt said:
George Lainhart, Roger Green, Robert "Bob" Hayes, Robert Rippy.

Lainhart made a splash with a really nice tactical knife that was in the film "The Abyss", had popularity with one of the SEAL teams, and had a factory collab with United, and interest from others. But he also had a small output.

Roger Green was a D E Henry protege, but his output was small.

Bob Hayes was a known maker of high end folders and fixed blades back in the 70's. His folders were very high tech and the knives were more or less "sole authorship", but again, very small output.

Rippy made really nice tactical knives, but his fame came late in his career, and he'd disappered here and there during it.

------------------------------

Best thing for a maker to be remembered is get a few good factory collaborations, have a mark that lets people know exactly who you are, get as much press as you can, and pray. Fame is fickle in this business.
Click to expand...

Some more names I'm going to have to look up!
 
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