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striper28 said:
If John Martin is testing for his MS stamp where is the Quillion Dagger?
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I understand from John that it is done, but reserved for someone very special. Here's the pic:

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Roger
 
Boy there sure are some fantastic knives posted here. I sure can't wait to see them up close and personal. :)
Scott
 
I don't think I can ever be as controversial as Steve Garsson ;) and I am not sure exactly how much honesty is expected on open forums. My mother would say, "If you don't have anything nice to say...." But, since the photos have been put up here and made public, I expect that the people putting them up expect, and maybe even want, a bit of feedback.

It is difficult to tell from photos, but certain knives appear to have potential problems, depending, of course, on who is judging.
The difference in width between the handle and ricasso is glaring on a couple of them. Should things like this be discussed? Or should we only ooh and aah at all the great knives posted here, while pretending not to see the others? This is an HONEST question. I would really like to know what all of you think, makers and collectors alike.

As far as the ABS is concerned--and that is the only knifemaking organization of which I am a member--pattern-welded vs. plain carbon steel notwithstanding, I have always been told that these most basic matters of symmetry (as well as fit and finish) should be resolved even before the JS stamp is achieved. From JS to MS, it has been made clear to me by several master smiths that a smith should be working on much more delicate and refined aspects of this craft.

Again, this is not written to be negative or make anyone angry. But when the photos are put up there, I expect that people expect to have them commented on.

John Frankl
 
I don't know that the ABS judges the esthetic choices that were made - only the execution. personally, I think the top two knive needed a ferrule of some sort between the guard and the handle, but that's a personal thing.
 
I can only speak for my test knives, but the decision on what and how to construct them was based on several factors. First the rules. Second the input of ABS Master Smiths. Next was my own desires. I know that you can put alot of extras on the test knives like file work and ferrules etc. You could even make a sword. What you do has to be done well. Every time you add to the piece it is another thing that can go wrong no matter how talented or good you are. To fix it takes more time and money. Just to have my knives critiqued I drove over 1,200 miles and got 12 hours sleep in a 72 hour time period. My sole purpose was to build knives that might earn me my stamp. I do welcome input on my work and I hope this post does nothing to present otherwise. I thought this would just allow others a chance to understand the reasons behind what I made.
 
John, I feel for you. I had drawn up pretty ornate knives for my Js test. Not to try and impress the judges or anyone for that matter... just because I'd had the ideas in my head for what I wanted to make for the 5 knives for about 3 years.

It finally was drilled through my head after going to the Js and Ms testing seminar by Mr. Hughes and Fisk at the Spokane Hammer-in... SIMPLE and CLEAN.

I cut one knife out completely, and the others were scaled back.

Like all the Ms's told me, once you get the stamp you can go hog wild.

I'll be posting pics of my Js test knives in a couple days.

BTW- I love that stag bowie :)

-Nick-
 
Hi everyone,
Here's my MS dagger, after weeks of stressing out and reworking nearly every part until it was just right. 12" blade, 1 1/4" wide at the ricasso. The handle is interior mammoth with 24K wire inlay. The fittings are the same recipe as the blade, which is a high layer radial, 4-wayed and twisted.
I wish I had better pics, but I guess I'll have to wait for the show for that.
JP
 

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John,

Congratulations!! Like Don Hanson going for his JS, I feel that the process of you getting your MS is just a formality. Your work has been at that level for some time.

I got to fondle the little stag handled bowie and it is an incredible piece. The level of fit and finish on it is just wonderful. I am sure the other two are the same.

John is a meticulous maker.........so much so it is almost commical to the rest of us "cave men". We tease John about it, but he is an inspiration in discipline to me.
 
This is my first post on this forum, so I should say "Hello all". Lin Rhea here.

I think Mr Frankle's question is a valid one. However on the subject of symetry, unless a knife is a quillion dagger , symetry can only apply in a limited way. To see a hunter symetrically, you would have to look at it from the top or bottom. From the side, you look at the lines, flow and the appeal to the viewer's eye. This opens the door to individual taste. The maker is an individual , so its likely that his taste might not strike a cord with everyone. I think the judges are allowing for a range in individual taste or they would have all the test knives drawn to scale and dimension and each of our test knives would look identical.

I believe these rule of knifemaking are "rules of thumb" in a lot of ways to keep the parameters from wondering too far out in left field. As a relatively new maker, I dont stray fron the rules, on purpose, very much. But, as I learn more about knife design and the elements of design for a given knife's purpose, I'm sure I will raise a few eyebrows.

By looking at these knives and hearing this discussion, I am developing a picture of what the rules of knifemaking are and what they are not. Thanks for letting me jump in. Good looking knives, John. Lin
 
Good to see you here at Bladeforums Lin.
You are making some valid points.
Randy
 
John Frankl said:
I don't think I can ever be as controversial as Steve Garsson ;) and I am not sure exactly how much honesty is expected on open forums. My mother would say, "If you don't have anything nice to say...." But, since the photos have been put up here and made public, I expect that the people putting them up expect, and maybe even want, a bit of feedback.


The difference in width between the handle and ricasso is glaring on a couple of them. Should things like this be discussed? Or should we only ooh and aah at all the great knives posted here, while pretending not to see the others? This is an HONEST question. I would really like to know what all of you think, makers and collectors alike.

As far as the ABS is concerned--and that is the only knifemaking organization of which I am a member--pattern-welded vs. plain carbon steel notwithstanding, I have always been told that these most basic matters of symmetry (as well as fit and finish) should be resolved even before the JS stamp is achieved. From JS to MS, it has been made clear to me by several master smiths that a smith should be working on much more delicate and refined aspects of this craft.

Again, this is not written to be negative or make anyone angry. But when the photos are put up there, I expect that people expect to have them commented on.

John Frankl
Click to expand...

I don't seek out controversy/slinging mud, I am just very honest, and as Ari said, not very tactful.

The general consensus on being brutally honest, when the question was posted in the past, was if a collector posted the pix, only say nice stuff. If it was the maker posting, then judicious honesty could be implemented.

I think what you called symmetry, would more likely be balance and flow. As was said above, you can only have symmetry with a dagger, but all knives have balance and flow. Knives with handles that are too long/short would be examples of less than ideal balance. We are not talking about point of balance here, we are talking about balanced designs.

Lin, I know that Randy said that he would buy the s-guard bowie, and it is great that you have a buyer for it already, but I would very much recommend that you only submit the hunters and bowies for your stamp, and play it safe.

Best Regards, and see everybody on Thursday.

STeven Garsson
 
Mr Garsson, I appreciate the recommendation. I would like for you to tell me the reason for this recommendation, since it'll help me to make a better knife. You may have to be specific. I'll not be pridefull, so it'll be OK to tell me. Lin
 
Well, after seeing all these beautiful blades, I may take the advice of someone who once tried to help improve my golf game......... "Your best bet is to just lay off for two weeks, then QUIT"

Robert
 
Hi Joss,
If you look in the latest Blade on page 82, you will see my inspiration for this knife. It is my take on this fabulous Jonathon Crookes Bowie, which besides being just really cool, has a great history to go along with it. The Antique Bowie Knife Book is just full of awesome knives from the 19th century, and there are more than a few in there that I want to build.
JP
 
Kohai999 said:
We can talk about it on Thursday night if you are around.

In the meantime, please check out this link.

http://www.burtfoster.com/bowies/bowie_05.htm

S-guard bowies are very, very hard to do, and this is one that works for every reason.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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Just an opinion here Mr Garsson.
First,I like Lin's knife and thats why I commissioned him to do it.Saw one like it in Little Rock,but it was sold already.
I think if only knifemakers made knives that you approved of, we that collect ABS makers would not have much to choose from.
I have a few S guards in my collection and they vary from knife to knife.It is up to the interpretation of the maker.It would be very boring collecting Bowies,"S" guards,hunters,and Fighters if they all looked alike.

Just my.02
Randy
 
There are so many fantastic pieces on this thread. I will fly in 8 hrs to Atlanta and I really can't wait until those doors open :D I look forward to the Pit on Thursday evening also. I guess I will just have to spend a few days shopping and sights seeing :rolleyes: A tough job, but some ones got to do it!

For all those going for their JS and MS stamps, good luck, though you don't need it, IMHO all the pieces show cased here are fantastic in their own right, some will appeal to my personal taste more than others, and those will be different to the thse you may pick.

I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can.

Stephen
 
nifrand said:
Just an opinion here Mr Garsson.
First,I like Lin's knife and thats why I commissioned him to do it.Saw one like it in Little Rock,but it was sold already.
I think if only knifemakers made knives that you approved of, we that collect ABS makers would not have much to choose from.
I have a few S guards in my collection and they vary from knife to knife.It is up to the interpretation of the maker.It would be very boring collecting Bowies,"S" guards,hunters,and Fighters if they all looked alike.

Just my.02
Randy
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Randy, you know me well enough to call me Steven, or ass-face, depending on what yer feelin'. ;)

And I think that Mr. Rhea will enjoy recieving his JS stamp. I have been given some insight into the judging, and have two good friends going for their stamps this year. I just recommended that he make life easier on himself, and submit the hunters and Bowies. All the pieces look to be quality, but I think that the judges might pick the S guard apart for some issues concerning balance and construction. They are programmed to be hard ons in that arena.

I was going to post this a week ago, and decided not to, but then Mr. Frankl had to press my buttons, so here it is. I 'll talk with Lin at Blade, and if he tells me to stuff it, then that is his perogative.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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