Best up & coming bladesmith?

Joss

Joss

Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
7,351
Ok, we don't have enough of those.

Who do you think are the top up & coming bladesmiths? (Let's agree on excluding long standing names please, as well as any ABS MS.) Criteria can be bang for bucks or overall quality.

Thanks,

JD
 
Joss, ABS Journeyman Judson Barr is doing fine work. His prices are very reasonable too. His fit and finish is very nice. Fisk told me he is doing mid-level Mastersmith work.

Jason Knight is another who's work is clean. Gus, introduced me to him at this past Blade show. He won "Best New Maker" at last years Blade Show West with his FIRST finished forged Knife!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have not bought from either one yet. Their work is great, but I don't know if "THEY" are a good investment yet. I am watching though...

Oh, yeah! ABS JS Jerome Anders is another to keep an eye on.

Steve Filicietti, from Australia, is going as far as he wants to!!!!!!!! He will be the FIRST from over seas to make it "BIG" in the ABS. I have three on order. http://www.unitedbladeworx.com.au/Steve's%20Knives%203.htm

These are just my opinion... Not worth much...
 
My vote goes to Dan Farr-He was voted "Best New Maker" at this year's Blade Show. He's not only already a talented maker, but, he's a genuinely nice guy. He has the righ attitude and talent to go far in this business!

Check out his website at

www.farrknives.com


RJ Martin
 
I agree with RJ concerning Dan. (See my recent review of the drop point hunter.)

It's hard to say who's "established" or not.

Ray Kirk is an ABS journeyman who I don't think is as well known as he should be, but then again it comes down to what you want in a knife and in a maker.
 
There are a sleu of guys that would readily fit into this thread, but I don't know them all. Just look at the really high number of makers accepted into the ranking of JS at this year's Blade Show.

As far as fellas I know personally and know will go far? That I can answer.

Tom Ferry
Joh Christensen
Terry Primos
Dan Farr
Jason Knight

Like I said, I'm not trying to make a list to end all lists...not at all....those are just guys I know that are fantastic! :)

Nick
 
Of course Nick is to modest to include himself so I'll add him.
Nick Wheeler has a great eye for design. I've seen his work and its outstanding!
Dan Farr
PS Thanks for including me in the list, I'm just a beginner, I've got a lot to learn.
 
Micheal Vagnino is a damn good knifemaker in his own right.Folders and fixed.
James Rodebaugh is pretty good.In fact damn good also.
 
Gotta toss in Lonnie Hansen's name, his work is stunning. I'm still kicking myself for not being able to come up with $650 for one of his traditional tantos. Everyone told him he was underpriced and he was.
www.lchansen.com/
 
Originally posted by sabre
Of course Nick is to modest to include himself so I'll add him.
Nick Wheeler has a great eye for design. I've seen his work and its outstanding!
Click to expand...

I have to agree with that. More than design, he's got all the fit & finish perfect.

JD
 
I know this is going to be too obvious, but I will have to include John Fitch in this group. He has not been making knives for that long, and though he is already one of the best, he is only going to get better.

Steve Filicietti has been forging blades for a long time, but he is starting to get a name for himself all around the world. He is already amongst the best.

Bill Burke is another that makes great knives. I have seen great strides from him in the last year and I can only see him improving in the future.

There are more, but it is time to hit the sack. More tomorrow.
 
Originally posted by rj martin
My vote goes to Dan Farr-He was voted "Best New Maker" at this year's Blade Show. He's not only already a talented maker, but, he's a genuinely nice guy. He has the righ attitude and talent to go far in this business!

Check out his website at

www.farrknives.com


RJ Martin
Click to expand...

Hey RJ (love your knives :) )...thanks for the link to Farr Knives...I was not familiar with his work but I like almost every knife on his site!

RL
 
Wow, thanks guys, you're making me blush :o (smilies are great...lol)

Mike, I KNEW I was forgetting someone close by!!! Lonnie Hansen for sure...his work is not only gorgeous but rugged.

Nifrand...I agree whole-heartedly on Mike V and Jim R...they're friends of mine too. In fact, I took classes from Mike Vagnino. I just didn't include them because they are most likely both going for their MS stamp this year and their names are pretty well known. BOTH, nice as can be too. I can't tell you how many times I've sat up all night with Rodebaugh at shows talking knives and the industry.

Keith, same with Fitch and Burke, excellent makers. Filicietti's work is totally awesome, I hope to see it in hand soon. His lines are soooo graceful.

Thanks again guys, I'm honored :)

Nick
 
The knives I have seen of Terry's, Nick's and Dan's have all been ones that I would love to own. I would love to get to see more of your knives, Nick. Where can I get a good look?

Just recently I was able to see some knives made by Yoichiro Akahori. Wow! What more can I say? Incredible talent with a lot of originality.

Ken Durham is going to be one of the greats. The knives he makes today look to me to be almost flawless and the best is yet to come.

I have only seen a few of the knives of Russ Andrews and not one has been anything but excellent.

Thank you Robert for mentioning Bruce Evans. What a shame it would have been if he had been left out.
 
Kieth, thank you for reminding me of Ken Durham. He is as nice as his work.

I also wanted to add "Flatgrind" Fitch, but thought he was already somewhat established.

As most of you know, I think you you will ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS get more than you pay for with Vince Evans. He is the...established as well. He is more "known" with the museums of the world than the average "collector".
 
I personally haven't handled anything by these two, but they are up and comers with very distinctive styles that I predict will one day be represented in my collection.
Jens Anso and Ron Leuschen (Little Hen Knives)
Many knives and makers "speak" to me, but these two are speaking pretty loudly!
I need to echo Terry Primos' name. I have one Primos, (the platypus!) and a second on order. Dan Farr's work also intrigues me. Guess I gotta keep working!
Have a good weekend all,
Mongo
 
As far as I know, Jens is only doing stock removal.

This has been a great thread. It has given me the opportunity to check out the work of makers that I had not had any experience with in the past. One that I can't seem to find anything about on the net is Judson Barr. Anyone know where I can see examples of his work?
 
I mostly watch the up and coming bladesmiths. The ones that I am watching is the following in no particular order are
Jerry Lairson
Dan Farr
Terry Primos
Ken Durham
Steve Filicietti
Russ Andrews
The three Brazilians, Ricardo, Luciano, and Rodgreo, [you will see some of them and their work next year at the Blade show].

The above people are hungry and diggin to do better. They have good work ethics as well as at this point have good business sense. The work of each of them continues to get better. I hope they all stay on track and do very well. Most of these guys have web sites. Lairson just put his up if you want to check it out you can reach him at lairson-custom-knives.net
jf
 
Thanks Mongo! It pleases me to know that I am considered an up and commer, I`m certainly trying to be.

Thanks again!
 
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