Bob Loveless

J

jimbowie7

Joined
Mar 13, 2005
Messages
90
Hey,

Does anyone know if Bob Loveless is still making knives?

I did a search online for his shop and didn't find anything.

I'm fairly new to knifemaking and thought it might be interesting to visit him as Los Angeles is pretty close to Riverside.

Thanks!
 
I don't know if he still makes knives or not. Last I heard he had a 13 yr waiting list. I learned to make knives from reading and re-reading his book HOW TO MAKE KNIVES. I never met the man, but I feel I owe him a debt of gratitude for the book he wrote. If I were you I would try to contact him. I have heard He can be opinionated and gruff, but he has certainly paid his dues knifemaking wise. Several years ago a new knifemaker was having problems with the knifemaking process. He called Bob Loveless and got a invation to visit the shop and ask question. If you do contact Bob Loveless I hope you will give us a update.
 
I agree with Tom. That is a book I have and it's was a great learning tool. He is one of the masters. :) BTW, will he be at Blade this year?
Scott
 
If you can get a hold of his VHS you will be amazed at the simple things he does on a lot of applications to make a knife . His many years of knifemaking have cut it down to how to be repeatable and what works. Just his simple way to fit a guard to a blade makes you realize how dumb you are sometimes by doing it the hard way. I have watched hsi tape a dozen times and each time have picked up on something new. He was the father of a lot of things gruff or not what would the Knifemaker Guild be without a lot of his ideas. Mike
 
I can tell you that's not true because I called him few months ago to order a knife and it takes about 2 years to get it.

I just had to insist but you can get it if you want it, and don't waste your time because he told me he was very close to stop making knives

JP
 
jimbowie7 said:
Hey,

Does anyone know if Bob Loveless is still making knives?

I did a search online for his shop and didn't find anything.

I'm fairly new to knifemaking and thought it might be interesting to visit him as Los Angeles is pretty close to Riverside.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Yep! The Loveless Shop is still going strong. His partner was suffering a very serious illnes for a while but is feeling great now. Bob and his partner, Jim have both been absolutely fantastic me. We talk often. I wouldn't be too worried about his shutting down just yet. A lot of that was form his worry, about Jim. Bob and Jim are grooming me to carry on the tradition as well. these guys are unbelieavable in their knolege and experience. If you need to get in touch with Bob, E-mail me at michaellovett@earth.net. Check out My connection to Loveless by going to http://home.earthlink.net/~michaellovett/ also check out photo.epson.com Thanks Mike Lovett and type in my e-mail address for entry
 
Hey that's good news! A while back I'd heard he was finishing up his orders and retiring. I'm sure glad he's still in the game. He is the original stock removal maker and did more to popularize many of the steels we take for granted than anyone can imagine.

What I want to know is, where are the greats like him and Moran today? Has everything been done already? Surely not. Like Mike said, he took simplicity and made it an art form. There's a lot to learn from that one fact.

I have to say though, I've learned more from this forum than from Loveless' book and video. That's probably because we can tailor our questions perfectly here to what we need. And because there's so much experience and knowledge floating around.

Mike Lovett I can't wait to see what you're producing! You are indeed a fortunate human.

Edit: Mike I went to your site, those are the finest Big Bears I've seen in years!!! :eek: Did my old heart good this morning, the world is a brighter place now. Thank you!
 
Thank's Dave. That's about the finest compliment I've hade in years. Thanks. M. Lovett
 
Mr.Lovett,
You are a lucky man to be so close to the man himself ! I know that a lot of people will say Bob is this ,that and the other thing but I love him,and his work.I am so glad that you are continuing his legacy.Almost every Blade I make is a Drop Point . Guess why , yep , it's the impact Bob has had on my life. Since I was a boy his knives were like Gems to me. I'm glad you're here with us , from the looks of your work we're lucky to have you . WELCOME ! :D
 
trapperwez said:
Mr.Lovett,
You are a lucky man to be so close to the man himself ! I know that a lot of people will say Bob is this ,that and the other thing but I love him,and his work.I am so glad that you are continuing his legacy.Almost every Blade I make is a Drop Point . Guess why , yep , it's the impact Bob has had on my life. Since I was a boy his knives were like Gems to me. I'm glad you're here with us , from the looks of your work we're lucky to have you . WELCOME ! :D
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Thanks Trapper. It is important to me, to all ways follow Bob,s golden rule. Form must always follow funtion. At the show in Austin Tx. yesterday, I had the opportunity to question several makers. both smith and stock removal, as to why they did a paticular thing, or why there was a given feature on a knife. I was dismayed at many of the replies. Most had no I dea why the had certain features on thier knives. Or even what features, used on knives for a century, or more were for. Some had made up explanations, that totally missed the point. or were totally wrong. Form was following "I think it looks good", or worse. "Well, It's just the way it comes out". I think this is a dissreguard for the makers art, and a dis-servece to thier customers. I see a lot of this in tactical knives today. It's running rampant. Look's good from the arm chair I guess. To too many makers, sales are the important point. Not the quality and usefullness of their work. Opp's there I go again. M. Lovett :foot:
 
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