Bill Moran for the folder lovers.....

ddd

ddd

Joined
Apr 6, 2003
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For those of you who, like me are "folder people", here are four amazing
Bill Moran folders from the collection of Ed Wormser.
They too are part of a display of highlights from his collection as shown in
my book "The Great Collections".

The knives are (from the top)
"Lock Back Folder", late '80s
Damascus blade, ivory handle. Overall length 9" (229 mm).
"Lock Back Folder", early '90s
Curly maple handle, with silver wire inlay. Overall length 9" (229 mm).
"Slip Joint Folder", late '70s
Ivory handle. Overall length 8 3/4" (222 mm).
"Lock Back Folder", early '80s
Ebony handle. Overall length 8 3/4" (222 mm).

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

picture.JPG
 
Wow! Thanks bro!
Love that fluting...:thumbup:
 
:barf:I just threw up in my mouth, a little.:D

Sometimes rare and expensive does not=good.

I have handled two Moran folders, none owned by Ed, and they were heavy, clunky and not smooth....that said it is good to see rare knives, regardless of how "good" they may or may not be.

You know where I am coming from, good Dr.!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Hello STeven,
Knowing you a little better now, I expected something like that and accept
it with love.......
Hope we get to spend some time at the BLADE Show. Or even better, I hope
to make a trip throughout the show with you with my ears open and just
listen and learn a thing or two......
What do you say? will you have an hour for me?
I am not committed to anyone this time in Atlanta, even though I suppose
that I might spend some time at Edmund Davidson's table (#I-23) as he
will be introducing his new book.....

BTW, what do you think about the three fixed-blade Morans in the other thread?

All the best,
David
 
ddd said:
Hello STeven,
Knowing you a little better now, I expected something like that and accept
it with love.......
Hope we get to spend some time at the BLADE Show. Or even better, I hope
to make a trip throughout the show with you with my ears open and just
listen and learn a thing or two......
What do you say? will you have an hour for me?
BTW, what do you think about the three fixed-blade Morans in the other thread?

All the best,
David
Click to expand...

David,

It would be an honor and pleasure to walk the show with you for a spell. My business partner is threatening to attend...so it will make for an interesting time...he was at the AKI....tends to keep a very low profile when others are around.

Of course the ST-23 knives in the other thread were superb, but to me, the ST-24 is the pinnacle, personified, of Mr. Moran's contribution to the cutlery realm..and as worthy a contribution as any could make.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
:barf:I just threw up in my mouth, a little.:D

Sometimes rare and expensive does not=good.

I have handled two Moran folders, none owned by Ed, and they were heavy, clunky and not smooth....that said it is good to see rare knives, regardless of how "good" they may or may not be.

You know where I am coming from, good Dr.!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...

You make a good point in your usual unique and humorous style. ;) :D
 
Kohai999 said:
:barf:I just threw up in my mouth, a little.:D

Sometimes rare and expensive does not=good.

I have handled two Moran folders, none owned by Ed, and they were heavy, clunky and not smooth....that said it is good to see rare knives, regardless of how "good" they may or may not be.

You know where I am coming from, good Dr.!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...
Hmmm......I have a small Moran style folder made by Mark Sentz and it is very nice.
 
jdm61 said:
Hmmm......I have a small Moran style folder made by Mark Sentz and it is very nice.
Click to expand...

Well post a picture, and we will be able to compare and contrast....

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
Well post a picture, and we will be able to compare and contrast....

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...

Bad pic here, but its all I have right now. I was trying to take some half decent pics today of a sheoak burl handled fighter that I was gluing up and I left my camera at my shop.
 
I appreciate the scarcity, but I gotta go with STeven on this one. With any other name on them what do you thing they would bring a piece?
 
Thanks for sharing the Moran folders image, David. It's a rare treat to see several side by side like that!

IMHO - Judging Bill Moran solely by his knives is like judging Abraham Lincoln solely by his clothes. From what I can gather Moran was privately mystified by his living legend status yet he somehow understood that he shouldn't back away from it. People need leaders and grass roots movements need a human face. The timing was right, the circumstances were right and the man was right. A lot of knifemakers rode that wave with Bill Moran and were influenced by him in one way or another. During the entire 20th century there were only a few men who got promoted to the rank of "Legend." A debatable short list might include William Scagel, Bo Randall, Bob Loveless and Bill Moran. I don't think any of them made that list because their knives were so beautiful and so perfect. They have all been surpassed in that area by those they influenced. It is for other reasons that they are deservedly revered.

jdm61 mentioned Mark Sentz as one who makes folders in the Moran style. His folders are really well made - probably a good bit better than those of his mentor, Bill Moran.

orig.jpg
 
I agree with Buddy's post. Mr Moran is a legend not just for his knives, but for what he contributed to knifemaking. Anyone who likes forged knives owes him a debt. Back in the 70's when he reintroduced damascus to thus country, there were not many knifemakers forging blades. That changed because of him. He was a founder of the ABS which has helped make forged blades better through it's commitment to educating bladesmiths.

Anyone who likes damascus blades owes him a debt.

His knives evovled over time. In the 50's & 60's he was among the top knifemakers most of whom made heavy knives. His folders were heavy but most folders were back then.In the 70's & 80's and beyond his knives became more artistic, but always fully functional.

I agree with STeven that the ST-24 was his best knife design. I own one and believe that it is the best designed fighting knife ever designed. It is only a part of his contribution to custom knives.

Jim Treacy
 
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