Bill Moran for the folder lovers.....

[Kohai999]

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.


Jim Treacy

I don't see people fawning all over Darryl Meier in this way, and imo, the guys that created the New England Bladesmith's Guild are owed as much of a debt as those to the ABS.

Now these folders shown are not legendary...they are not very good...and that is pretty elementary.

Buddy, Lincoln's clothes where unique, but he was not a haberdasher or model, he was the POTUS. Bill Moran was a blacksmith/bladesmith, plain and simple...and while we should absolutely NOT overlook the other things he did, and contributions that he made...it is patently insulting and foolish to any collectors out there, especially new ones, to dismiss the shortcomings of his knives at the expense of hero worship.

We can agree to disagree.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[jjtjr]

STeven,

I have lived in New England all of my life. The men that formed the New England Bladesmith's Guild were great makers who contibuted alot to knifemaking.The NE Bladesmith's guild started in 1981 I believe. Mr. Moran started the ABS in 1976.

I agree that Mr. Moran's folders were heavy and do not compare with more recent knives, but most knives mad in the 60's &70's do not.

I agree that Lime Kiln knives from the 50's & 60's were heavy, but most knives made then were.

His style evolved and contiued to get better for most of his career. He contributed more to the education of knifemakers than any other individual.

I don't think that it is "fawning" or "hero worship" to give the man his due for his contributions to knifemaking.

I repeat what I said the ST-24 is the best fighting knife ever designed.

I know that you get your jollies disparaging certain makers. Maybe you should try to make knives yourself.

Jim Treacy

 

[jdm61]

I don't see people fawning all over Darryl Meier in this way, and imo, the guys that created the New England Bladesmith's Guild are owed as much of a debt as those to the ABS.

Now these folders shown are not legendary...they are not very good...and that is pretty elementary.

Buddy, Lincoln's clothes where unique, but he was not a haberdasher or model, he was the POTUS. Bill Moran was a blacksmith/bladesmith, plain and simple...and while we should absolutely NOT overlook the other things he did, and contributions that he made...it is patently insulting and foolish to any collectors out there, especially new ones, to dismiss the shortcomings of his knives at the expense of hero worship.

We can agree to disagree.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

Just like with Mr. Scagel's knives. Bill did some pieces that are mindblowing and some that a re clunky and everything in between, but I look at his contributions this way. He is kind of the Chuck Berry of contemporary bladesmithing. Yeah, Chuck got some ideas from Louis Jordan, Johnny Jonhson,and a bunch of other guys, and there have been a later bunch of axemen who played rock and roll guitar faster and cleaner and some guys who wrote more meaningful lyrics, but when it comes down to it, they are all riffing off of Chuck to some degree and freely admit it.

 

[Kohai999]

STeven,

I don't think that it is "fawning" or "hero worship" to give the man his due for his contributions to knifemaking.

I repeat what I said the ST-24 is the best fighting knife ever designed.

I know that you get your jollies disparaging certain makers. Maybe you should try to make knives yourself.

Jim Treacy

1. People fawn all over Bill...it's ok, but that is what they do. I am not necessarily accusing you of that.

2. Loveless taught as many people about knives and knifemaking as anyone.

3. I don't "get my jollies disparaging certain makers"...except maybe for Tai(and I wouldn't call it disparaging, flinging poo is more like it)...and have made knives, Jim...custom AND production, I was the sole employee of GT knives in 1997...I learned customs from a variety of makers, Rod Chappel, my business partner, P.A. Stephens, and Phil Baldwin. What matters to me as far as things go is to view the individual pieces, and judge them on their merits, and not look far out of that...because these are the things that matter, in the beginning....

Once we are all on that same page, we can look at the bigger picture....and that is where the points that you and Buddy are making that have a lot of merit.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Kohai999]

Just like with Mr. Scagel's knives. Bill did some pieces that are mindblowing and some that a re clunky and everything in between, but I look at his contributions this way. He is kind of the Chuck Berry of contemporary bladesmithing. Yeah, Chuck got some ideas from Louis Jordan, Johnny Jonhson,and a bunch of other guys, and there have been a later bunch of axemen who played rock and roll guitar faster and cleaner and some guys who wrote more meaningful lyrics, but when it comes down to it, they are all riffing off of Chuck to some degree and freely admit it.

You have said that before, Joe...but Chuck rocked then....and he rocks now.

The analogy is entirely incorrect.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson