Bob Loveless passed away today

What a tremendous loss to the knife world and of course his family. God speed Mr. Loveless, thank you for all you contributed to our beloved hobby. Sad, just sad.
 
I wish I had something I could add other than to state my tremendous respect for his accomplishments and to offer my prayers and condolences to his family.
 
Great loss for the community, my prayers go out to his family. Not only did he have a stellar impact on the knife community, from the interviews I've read, he must've been a helluva character.
 
There are a few people in life that inspire you by the quality of their work and the way they lived their lives. Knowing that there was a Bob Loveless out there made me a better person. Deep condolences to his family and friends, and huge respect.

Hank Corwin
 
The last time I visited Bob, it was on behalf of the Knifemakers Guild. They had sent me out there to videotape Bob's opinion on using pre-manufactured parts. This was in the midst of the disagreement that would disrupt the Guild a few months later.

As an early President he had been there when the Guild had been formed and knew specifically of the intent of the founders at the time, and his opinion was sought by the board, and they wanted to play the video (which they did) at the Guild show that year. "Make your knives any way you want," he said, "the marketplace will sort them out soon enough." Unfortunately too many people didn't take the time or listen to what Bob had to say.

My favorite Loveless quote from that meeting, "Knifemaking is a honorable profession--it beats the hell out of being a towel boy in a whorehouse!"

It had been a while since I'd seen him, and on our way over for that interview, we pulled into a liquor store and I picked up a large bottle of Gentleman Jack for Bob. When we arrived I handed Bob the bottle with the words, "Being from Tennessee I brought you a Tennessee gift, which I trust you enjoy both as a gift, and the 'spirit' in which it was given."

Bob, who was never at a loss for words, just smiled, walked into the shop, and his only comment was a near giggle, "he-he-he-he-he-he-he-he!"

Of everything I ever heard Bob Loveless say, that one moment is the one that comes to mind most when I think of him. Rest easy Mr. Bob.
 
I just herd of our loss , I will never forget Bob, He gave a young Heat Treater a chance 30 years ago. From that day I met Bob at the Gelespe airport by my shop, Seeing him fly his vintage air plain down from Riverside to deliever his first batch of blades to me for heat treating, He taxied up to the airport cafe where I was standing, He had his leather flight hat on with the ear flaps folded up and said do they have any coffie in there, he has been my friend. All of us in the Custom Knife business owe Mr loveless alot. Sallie and my prayrs go to Bob his family and Mr. Jim. We love you Bob, Your Friend , Paul Bos.
 
RIP Bob...I truly regret having never met you in person, but your work and amazing legacy will live on and continue to inspire this community forever. My prayers go out to you and your family in this difficult time
 
Met Bob Loveless in 93 ' ( Paris knife show) , that sunday morning was slow and he had all the time , so after a talk with him , I took order for a ' Field & Stream ' .

then Bob said to me ' don't you already have a Loveless knife ? '

- yep I answered , a drop point

- So I can tell you you'll have some problems with your wife soon, if you start buying Loveless knives !

true ...

Elde
 
RIP Bob, your knives are as unique as you were and will only be treasured that much more by those that knew you and know your knives and work.

Another legend passes and so becomes that much more.
 
A true artist that I would of loved to have met. Although I never owned a Loveless, my admiration for his design an absolutely FLAWLESS execution is unbounded.
My sincerest condolences to his family and appreciation for a life well lived.

Godspeed Bob
 
WOW... Sad news indeed. I surely didn't expect to see this.

Our heart goes out to Bob and family.
 
Very sad news indeed. We metal pounders may joke with our stock removal brethren at times, but there is no denying that the custom knife game and a substantial portion of the modern production knife industry would not be what they are today without the work of Mr. Loveless.:(
 
In 1968 I was visiting all of the knifemakers I knew of, I had started with Randall in FL and was returning from Juneau and was in Mountain Ranch CA near Oakland looking at the knife collection of D. E. "Ed" Henry, I had picked up a slim combat knife and I swear to you, the hair on the back of my neck stood up. I asked Ed, who is R. W. Loveless? Henry said, "I will not tell you unless you promise not to give him any publicity" I told him that I did not know where Lawndale was but I bet I could find it, he relented and told me about the maker he had exchanged knives with, the maker was from Southern California. I called the number Ed had given me from the San Francisco Airport and gave the knifemaker my name, I was astounded when it was recognized. The maker and I talked and he insisted on meeting me at the airport in L.A. that afternoon. This was my first meeting with Robert Waldorf Loveless, we spent hours talking knives in his small garage shop. By the time he drove me to my sisters house in Long beach we had become fast friends. Suddenly, without warning there is an enormous hole in my life.
 
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