Bill Moran custom knife?

C

CPL_KABAR

Basic Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2014
Messages
461
Is this a knife a Bill Moran knife. I picked it up at a yard sale this afternoon and was told it was made by Bill Moran. It has no marking but is of obvious quality. It has good heft, fit and finish. I have research Bill Moran knives and haven't found any reference to him not marking his blades. Is this a common practice? Is there any way to verify the maker of this knife. Thank you for your help BF community!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127932176@N03/15185184580/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127932176@N03/15371574732/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127932176@N03/15185130429/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127932176@N03/15185291828/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127932176@N03/15368722561/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127932176@N03/15368724121/in/photostream/
 
I would wager that it's not.....never saw anything like that from Bill.
 
Well, thank you both for your opinions. Disappointing; however, now i'm curious as to who made this.
 
I would be very surprised if Bill Moran made that knife.

I have seen my share and none of them looked anything like that one.
 
There are many people name Bill Moran.

There is only on famous knifemaker with that name and that is not his work.
 
It appears to be a decent quality knife, but not likely a Bill Moran.

The blade is stock removed, not forged.
I know of no Moran's that used Ironwood burl for handle material.
The handle is rather blocky, and Moran seemed to favor lots of contours and ergonomics.
It would have been very out of character for him to not stamp a blade.
 
I would say no also.

Mr. Moran did not mark his very early knives, and then used separate stamps for each initial before getting a "proper" stamp . That is not of the style of his early work, or later work I would say! I'm not an expert, just my opinion.

Nice knife however.

Steve
----------
Member, W.F. Moran Jr. Foundation
 
Here is a page from an old Moran catalog from the 1950's or early 1960's.

It should give you an idea of what early Moran knives look like. His style evolved over time, but as Adam said "Moran seemed to favor lots of contours and ergonomics."

Most knives from that era would be marked with his Lime Kiln stamp.

 
Wow. I definitely came to the right place with this. Thank you all for your insight. jjtjr, the catalog was pic really shows a difference in style. DesRosiers, thank you for identifying specifics about this knife, I'm googling some of those terms as we speak. I don't quite have the lingo down. I'm always excited to learn.
 
I knew Bill, and own 17 Moran blades. I have seen and held 20-30 others. I would bet this years salary that is not made by Bill.
 
I know this is an old post but stumbled on it. Bill did not stamp his name on a blade he did not like, and went as far as to grind it off. I have one of the few he gave away when he was living it does not have his name. The blade was given to Chester Christie. Chester then took it to Jay who put the handle on it and made the sheath. You can see why Bill rejected it. Bill made all his own blades. During Veitnam when he could not keep up with demand he sold a knife that was mass produced. With or with out a sheath. Bill did make Sheaths for them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top