When the Cutlery Hall of Fame began, the selection was done by an informal survey of the shakers and movers of the cutlery industry. The survey was conducted by me, and I tabulated the results. One of the major criteria was to pick people who had not simply been successful in the knife business--or had been around a long time--but had actually done something beyond doing their job.
It was specifically said owning a knife company or having position in a knife company for 50 years was not enough to get you into the cutlery hall of fame--you had to give back beyond that. Which is why many well known factory owners were exempted right out of the gate.
And that is also why collectors were included--because they did things to promote knives that they didn't have to. Pioneers and innovators in certain knife fields also got a preference, and writers and those whose work had an influence also came within the criteria.
An emphasis was to induct people while they were still alive and thus able to enjoy the knowledge of the honor. And with the passing of Bo Randall, W. R. Williamson, M. H. Cole, Buster Warenski, Albert Baer, Henry Baer, George Herron, and several others I think it was a correct choice, as they all were able to see themselves receive the honor.
I thought this system worked very well--but since I was the final word I would have. At the time I felt I was in touch with the game as well as anyone out there, and one of the few who bridged all segments of the industry whether vintage knives, knife shows, magazines, books, antique Bowies, and custom knives. However, in 1993 at the Blade Show that changed.
The reason is that Ken Warner began a movement among all the existing members of the Cutlery Hall of Fame in which they induct someone outside the normal method then in place. Any by acclimation of all the living Hall of Fame members, and to my total surprise they inducted me. It was an unexpected--and deeply appreciated honor.
After I discovered how they had chosen to induct me, it seemed like a better way than had been done earlier. So from 1994 on the Cutlery Hall of Fame members were nominated by existing Hall of Fame members, and in turn voted on by the Hall of Fame members. Each Hall of Fame member is given two votes, one counts 2 points, the other counts one point. Total points wins.
The problem that has arisen since that time is that some Hall of Fame members lobby each other, trade their one point vote to someone else for a pledge of support on a candidate of their choice. etc.
As the cutlery hall of fame members dilute the importance of the honor if they do not maintain achievers and supports of knives--the burden is upon the Hall of Fame members themselves to uphold the importance of that honor.
Whether we are able to do that or not has been the subject over much discussion over many a bar drink at a knife show. If think it will be resolved soon...
just after we get the world peace problem worked out.
Bruce Voyles
(Cutlery Hall of Fame Member)
