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Classics from our Collections - Show them!
- Thread starter SharpByCoop
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2001
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- 12,347
Wow, wow... WOW !!!
Superb stuff. Many I've seen over the years, some I've never. All good.
Do me a favor: Post no more than one or two knives at a time. Tell the story of the knife, the interaction, where/who/why you bought it.
Savor each piece like a good meal: Don't gobble it down. I want to know about each knife, not just see them. I hope I speak for us all.
Keep it up. I have PLENTY more to show and tell.
Coop
Superb stuff. Many I've seen over the years, some I've never. All good.
Do me a favor: Post no more than one or two knives at a time. Tell the story of the knife, the interaction, where/who/why you bought it.
Savor each piece like a good meal: Don't gobble it down. I want to know about each knife, not just see them. I hope I speak for us all.
Keep it up. I have PLENTY more to show and tell.
Coop
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2001
- Messages
- 12,347
Back in 2003 I met Louis VanDerwalt (S. Africa) at one of the NYC shows. A very likeable guy. Young and talented.
Among the prizes was this wonderful ironwood folder, with a pleasing shape, nicely fluted bolster, and really good 'S' filework. That's especially hard to do.
Afterwards, I liked it so much, I asked another new friend: Jim Small, from Georgia, to engrave the bolsters for me. I asked Jim to not place a border on the bolster. I wanted it free form. He executed exactly what I wished for.
I still own this piece. Sadly, Louis V. was killed in an auto accident about five years ago. AAArgggghh. It is bittersweet, indeed.
Jim Small is alive and well, and is STILL one of my very favorite knife people.
A tribute to both men!
Coop
Among the prizes was this wonderful ironwood folder, with a pleasing shape, nicely fluted bolster, and really good 'S' filework. That's especially hard to do.
Afterwards, I liked it so much, I asked another new friend: Jim Small, from Georgia, to engrave the bolsters for me. I asked Jim to not place a border on the bolster. I wanted it free form. He executed exactly what I wished for.
I still own this piece. Sadly, Louis V. was killed in an auto accident about five years ago. AAArgggghh. It is bittersweet, indeed.
Jim Small is alive and well, and is STILL one of my very favorite knife people.
A tribute to both men!
Coop
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2006
- Messages
- 1,327
Fantastic thread! I always get excited to see people's collections, and these are at the top notch examples! Thank you for starting this thread Coop!
kamagong
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2001
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- 10,966
I thought you might appreciate that, given the amount of effort you put into your own sheaths. The sheath is an integral part of the puukko package. According to Sakari Pälsi -
Joonas made the sheath himself. The wooden core (lesta) is made of birch, I think. I like how its plain appearance complements the knife.
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2003
- Messages
- 2,369
Two Classics by Jerry Fisk, MS.
These have been a part of my collection almost since its start. I won a drawing on Jerry's site, for the Rojo II and acquired the Gamemaster from Les Robertson. Both were made just before Jerry started engraving his knives and have become a bit rare, because they are not engraved. I absolutely love their simple and practical designs. If you were headed into the field, can you imagine two better companions?
Both pieces are part of my permanent collection.
These have been a part of my collection almost since its start. I won a drawing on Jerry's site, for the Rojo II and acquired the Gamemaster from Les Robertson. Both were made just before Jerry started engraving his knives and have become a bit rare, because they are not engraved. I absolutely love their simple and practical designs. If you were headed into the field, can you imagine two better companions?
Both pieces are part of my permanent collection.
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2011
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- 3,685
Here are few crappy pics of my beautiful Bob Crowder that I recieved from Bob at last years MKA show. It has expertly done deep hollow grinds and Seymchan meteorite bolsters with mammoth tooth handle, dovetailed and taperd tang, SS pins and a flawless polish job on the ATS 34. Bob is a joy to talk to.
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- Mar 19, 2012
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- 373
Angus Arbuckle fighters (made in South Africa).
Sorry for the poor picture quality.
Sorry for the poor picture quality.
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2001
- Messages
- 1,394
These are knives that I have had for a long time. I have posted photos of these knives in the past, but here we go again.
This is my first custom made knife, a folder by JD Smith, MS. It is a5” Damascus linerlock in Mastadon with mokume bolsters & filework. I went to JD's shop in Boston 3 times to see the progress as he was making this knife.:
Next is a 15 ½” Damascus Short Sword by JD with Ivory and filework 22” OA. JD posted photos of the blade on Don Fogg's Forum and I immediately called him and asked if it was available. It then took a few months for JD to decide how he wanted to finish it. I think he did a great job.
This is a 3 1/8” Damascus lockback, Fossil Walrus tusk & Mokume by the late Hugh Bartrug, MS, he had many knives featured in Wyer's "Knives Points of Interest" series. He was way ahead of his time. I was lucky to get this knife and the one below in the mid- nineties.:
Here is a 6 ¾” Damascus Bowie, with Pearl and Mokume by Hugh:
Jerry Fisk is one of the most talented and friendly knifemakers around. I admired his work for a long time and met him about 12 years ago. I attended the first ABS Bill Moran Hammer-in in Maryland. Jerry had this knife for sale there, My first Jerry Fisk, MS “NLT”, 8 ½” Damascus “Tuxedo Fighter” Fossil Walrus with ss trim
Engraved Best Fixed Blade SOS Show 2003:
Right after Jerry came out with his Roho style knife I asked him about getting a fancy version. This is my favorite Fisk knife an 11 ¼” Damascus NLT Roho Grande Walrus with Fisk Engraving. It feels like it is part of my hand. It is very quick and would make a wonderful user, but I don't think that I use this one.
When I started collecting custom knives, I was only going to collect folding knives. Back then before the Internet Bernard Levine's "Guide to Knives and their Values" was one of the best reference books out. When I looked at straight knives I always loved Bill Moran's work, when I first bought a non folder it was a Moran M3 Bowie. I now own 9 Moran knives. He was one of the nicest people in the knife world. Here are the 2 Classic Bill Moran fighters, first an 8” W2 ST-23 Rosewood with brass “W. F. Moran”:
This is my favorite knife. Bill Moran's knives evolved and got better over time. In my opinion the ST 24 is the best fighter ever made. If you ever held it in your hand you would know what I mean. It is a Moran 9 7/8” 5160 ST-24 Curley Maple checkered with Silver wire inlay
Wood lined leather sheath w/ half moon “W.F. Moran M/S.”
The first knifemaker that I ever talked to was Wayne Valachovic, MS. He was very friendly and was known for his forged tail locks. He was the 5th ABS Mastersmith. I love the style of his knives and can recognize them from a distance. He retired from making knives in the mid nineties, but made some great knives. First a 3 7/8” Hi-density ladder pattern Damascus tail lock in Mastadon with filework:
Last is another Valachovic, a 3 ½” Damascus tail lock in Mastadon with filework filework
Jim Treacy
This is my first custom made knife, a folder by JD Smith, MS. It is a5” Damascus linerlock in Mastadon with mokume bolsters & filework. I went to JD's shop in Boston 3 times to see the progress as he was making this knife.:
Next is a 15 ½” Damascus Short Sword by JD with Ivory and filework 22” OA. JD posted photos of the blade on Don Fogg's Forum and I immediately called him and asked if it was available. It then took a few months for JD to decide how he wanted to finish it. I think he did a great job.
This is a 3 1/8” Damascus lockback, Fossil Walrus tusk & Mokume by the late Hugh Bartrug, MS, he had many knives featured in Wyer's "Knives Points of Interest" series. He was way ahead of his time. I was lucky to get this knife and the one below in the mid- nineties.:
Here is a 6 ¾” Damascus Bowie, with Pearl and Mokume by Hugh:
Jerry Fisk is one of the most talented and friendly knifemakers around. I admired his work for a long time and met him about 12 years ago. I attended the first ABS Bill Moran Hammer-in in Maryland. Jerry had this knife for sale there, My first Jerry Fisk, MS “NLT”, 8 ½” Damascus “Tuxedo Fighter” Fossil Walrus with ss trim
Engraved Best Fixed Blade SOS Show 2003:
Right after Jerry came out with his Roho style knife I asked him about getting a fancy version. This is my favorite Fisk knife an 11 ¼” Damascus NLT Roho Grande Walrus with Fisk Engraving. It feels like it is part of my hand. It is very quick and would make a wonderful user, but I don't think that I use this one.
When I started collecting custom knives, I was only going to collect folding knives. Back then before the Internet Bernard Levine's "Guide to Knives and their Values" was one of the best reference books out. When I looked at straight knives I always loved Bill Moran's work, when I first bought a non folder it was a Moran M3 Bowie. I now own 9 Moran knives. He was one of the nicest people in the knife world. Here are the 2 Classic Bill Moran fighters, first an 8” W2 ST-23 Rosewood with brass “W. F. Moran”:
This is my favorite knife. Bill Moran's knives evolved and got better over time. In my opinion the ST 24 is the best fighter ever made. If you ever held it in your hand you would know what I mean. It is a Moran 9 7/8” 5160 ST-24 Curley Maple checkered with Silver wire inlay
Wood lined leather sheath w/ half moon “W.F. Moran M/S.”
The first knifemaker that I ever talked to was Wayne Valachovic, MS. He was very friendly and was known for his forged tail locks. He was the 5th ABS Mastersmith. I love the style of his knives and can recognize them from a distance. He retired from making knives in the mid nineties, but made some great knives. First a 3 7/8” Hi-density ladder pattern Damascus tail lock in Mastadon with filework:
Last is another Valachovic, a 3 ½” Damascus tail lock in Mastadon with filework filework
Jim Treacy
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Win Heger
Gold Member
- Joined
- Feb 29, 2000
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- 3,424
Like others, I drifted from the theme that Coop was hoping for. Here's the rest of the story on a couple I posted.
The two Stag Loveless knives were purchased from a collector with the help of a great friend. After knowing each other for a short while he called and told me about some Loveless knives that were available, he collected hunters, me fighters. He told me the price and I said "go ahead, I'll mail a check, let me know when you go back". The next day he called and told me he had the knives and would ship them, this before receiving my check! Talk about trust!
These knives were traded by Bob to a gunsmith that had worked on a 1911 for him. Apparently the gunsmith didn't collect knives so he sold them to a collector who we got them from. Interesting that they have consecutive shop numbers, yet one has Stainless and one has Brass bolts!
The two Stag Loveless knives were purchased from a collector with the help of a great friend. After knowing each other for a short while he called and told me about some Loveless knives that were available, he collected hunters, me fighters. He told me the price and I said "go ahead, I'll mail a check, let me know when you go back". The next day he called and told me he had the knives and would ship them, this before receiving my check! Talk about trust!
These knives were traded by Bob to a gunsmith that had worked on a 1911 for him. Apparently the gunsmith didn't collect knives so he sold them to a collector who we got them from. Interesting that they have consecutive shop numbers, yet one has Stainless and one has Brass bolts!
Win Heger
Gold Member
- Joined
- Feb 29, 2000
- Messages
- 3,424
The Bogie I posted has early ties to Blade Forums. Many years ago there was fellow named Wayne that posted under Lucky Dog. He was a great collector and lived in my area of NJ. We arranged to go to dinner, my brother and Ken Fisher, too. Wayne brought along this Cobra to show, we all fell in love. I lost touch with Wayne, turned out he had moved to CA and subsequently passed away. His collection was offered up by his sister and I was the Lucky Dog that got the Cobra.
About the only fellow doing lanyards at the time was a fellow in Las Vegas named Kyle. Wayne had sent the knife to him for the lanyard that is still on the knife. Kyle and I later became friends, he eventually dropped out of the knife world.
About the only fellow doing lanyards at the time was a fellow in Las Vegas named Kyle. Wayne had sent the knife to him for the lanyard that is still on the knife. Kyle and I later became friends, he eventually dropped out of the knife world.
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2002
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- 13,348
I'll add in some more details on the knives I posted as well.
Bradshaw I used to work with Bailey quite a bit, and this piece was our second fancy bowie project - an update to the first which had also featured a grapevine engraving theme and multi-bar twist damascus blade. It's one of two large pieces I still have of Bailey's. I wish he'd get back to making more.
Andrews Russ had orders from both Peter Gill and I for a large stag carbon steel bowie, and delivered both around the same time. I always considered those to be something of a separated matched set, as the dimensions, materials and overall designs are quite similar. It may be that one day I'll pry that old knife from Peter's clutches, but I suspect he's every bit as fond of his version as I am of mine.
Farr Back in the days of the ABS sanctioned cutting competitions, where the makers designed their owned knives within specified dimensions and used them in the actual competitions, I did an article for Blade magazine on the evolution of Dan's knife designs as he progressed through a series of regional contests and made it to the finals at the Blade show. This knife represents the fifth and final version, his best take on the theme.
Roger
Bradshaw I used to work with Bailey quite a bit, and this piece was our second fancy bowie project - an update to the first which had also featured a grapevine engraving theme and multi-bar twist damascus blade. It's one of two large pieces I still have of Bailey's. I wish he'd get back to making more.
Andrews Russ had orders from both Peter Gill and I for a large stag carbon steel bowie, and delivered both around the same time. I always considered those to be something of a separated matched set, as the dimensions, materials and overall designs are quite similar. It may be that one day I'll pry that old knife from Peter's clutches, but I suspect he's every bit as fond of his version as I am of mine.
Farr Back in the days of the ABS sanctioned cutting competitions, where the makers designed their owned knives within specified dimensions and used them in the actual competitions, I did an article for Blade magazine on the evolution of Dan's knife designs as he progressed through a series of regional contests and made it to the finals at the Blade show. This knife represents the fifth and final version, his best take on the theme.
Roger
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- Joined
- May 28, 2007
- Messages
- 4,419
This thread is awesome but makes me realize that I sold every single classic I owned. =(
I'll just post one of my favorites that I have had for 5 years. I consider it a classic because everyone remembers it and I will never sell it in my life, ever.. most likely. It was one of Dons test knives so it will always have a spot in Knife history. I bet you guys are sick of me showing this folder.
Now these two folders are long gone but they are important to me. First is this Pat Crawford combat folder. This knife ALONE got me hooked onto custom knives. And with a little help from Hank Rummell I owned it and got the custom knife bug.
The first custom ordered knife was this Mel Pardue tanto. It was also the first sole authorship knife with damascus that I ever owned. I miss it to this day..
I'll just post one of my favorites that I have had for 5 years. I consider it a classic because everyone remembers it and I will never sell it in my life, ever.. most likely. It was one of Dons test knives so it will always have a spot in Knife history. I bet you guys are sick of me showing this folder.
Now these two folders are long gone but they are important to me. First is this Pat Crawford combat folder. This knife ALONE got me hooked onto custom knives. And with a little help from Hank Rummell I owned it and got the custom knife bug.
The first custom ordered knife was this Mel Pardue tanto. It was also the first sole authorship knife with damascus that I ever owned. I miss it to this day..
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- Oct 8, 2001
- Messages
- 12,347
I'm really, REALLY, enjoying the stories and viewing the knives. In that order. Thank you for adding in the details to fill us in. :thumbup:
This is like sitting around a coffee table and drawing out each piece slowly to explain the history.
It's WHY we got into this craft. I'll have another beer, please. Who's next?
Coop
This is like sitting around a coffee table and drawing out each piece slowly to explain the history.
It's WHY we got into this craft. I'll have another beer, please. Who's next?
Coop
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2005
- Messages
- 3,972
I call this my Atlanta Hanson Bowie. Don had already exceded his ivory budget at the show, when I brought this piece by his table. There was enough for two handles, so we split the cost and bought the 9-plus inch piece together 
).
This was 2007, when Don obtained his MS. Using 1086M (Howard Clark steel), a hair pin idea I had for a guard, and the ivory from Blade Show, this is my first MS bowie of his.
Paul Long helped keep the ivory theme alive with his outstnding sheath work.
- Joe
). This was 2007, when Don obtained his MS. Using 1086M (Howard Clark steel), a hair pin idea I had for a guard, and the ivory from Blade Show, this is my first MS bowie of his.
Paul Long helped keep the ivory theme alive with his outstnding sheath work.
- Joe
The Amazing Virginian
Gold Member
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- Feb 24, 2010
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- 9,911
Here are a few of my older knives . . .
First Up: William F. Moran
Next Up: E. Jay Hendrickson
Last but not least: Robert W. Loveless
First Up: William F. Moran
Next Up: E. Jay Hendrickson
Last but not least: Robert W. Loveless
eisman
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Sep 9, 2009
- Messages
- 6,991
Most of my knives are packed away in anticipation of another move, but I've got photos os a couple I don't think have been seen in a long time. Here's a neat piece, one of the larger blade in my collection, by a really nice guy named Matt Zeeb who doesn't make a lot of knives. Still, the machete with a hamon in a Japanese style case works for me.
I picked this Tim Zowada Bowie up years ago. I really like the way his damascus looks.
I picked this Tim Zowada Bowie up years ago. I really like the way his damascus looks.