Bill Burke: Outstanding

[DancesWithKnives]

As most of you know, Bill studied knifemaking under Ed Fowler. In addition to his own designs, he makes some knives similar to the Pronghorn developed by his teacher. I bought one a few years ago and like it a lot. However, it had a tiny nick in the blade because I had bought it without the sheath (Bill didn't have time to make sheaths before that particular show).

When Bill heard of the tiny nick, he insisted on polishing it out and making me a sheath, even though I could have done the first project myself. He also refused to accept my offer of payment for the sheath, even though the initial purchase clearly didn't include a sheath. I must say that Bill's generosity and devotion to customers is well above and beyond the call of duty. You won't go wrong dealing with him.

A funny incident occurred when I picked the knife up at Blade West. My Burke Pronghorn has a spacer in the handle that I believe is made out of Osage Orange. As I was looking at some of Ed Fowler's knives, I put it on the edge of his table. Next thing I know, Ed is picking at the handle. It looked like one of his knives with a rubber band or other foreign object around the handle. Shame on me for playing a trick on The Master!

 

[Ed Fowler]

Bill is such an outstanding student, and makes the closest thing to an Ed fowler knife---that you did play a joke on Ed!!! He was thinking, "What the h--- is on that spacer?"!!!!!! LOL
Thanks for sharing,
angie

 

[JERRY SHIPMAN]

I have just recently bought my first knife from Bill( a Pronghorn style ) . We had e-mailed back and forth for a year and I had bought several other knives during that time span ( all great knives from good bladesmiths ) . He sent me an e-mail saying I was back at the top and did I want a knife , being the ever knife wanting fool I am and very skeptical at that , I called Bill on the phone and we proceeded to have an hour long cell phone conversation and he really impressed me by all the information he shared and the uses he would put his blades thru . He shared technical data that no one else had ever shared with me and info. from a metalurgist that had actually looked at his blades under a microscope and tested them . Well , to shorten this post I"ll just say by the end he had me so convinced and excited that I was yelling send it to me , send it to me !!!! I have that knife and have carried it since everyday . I am in love !!

I still have my other forged blades and like them and stand behind the makers 100% , but this knife is what I have been looking for . As the sheath goes , you will see it ain't the fanciest one made but just carry it and the difference shows up instantly . That huge belt loop integral to the sheath is a thing of beauty on a using knife , stays in place and does not move around at all . I'm looking forward to my next one at the Blade Show , a Bowie style Pronghorn of sorts .

He is going to test for his journeyman at the Blade Show , better get'em while we can still afford his work..LOL