Classics from our Collections - Show them!

[Calhoon]

Thanks Coop.... great idea!

An absolute grail of mine is this superb Peter Martin 'Tribute to Bill Moran' Persian Jimbaya made for me in 2005. I had a conversation with Peter about knives over the phone and mentioned my love of this particular Moran Persian. Peter, to my amazement, said that he had forged two damascus blades a few years prior that he had been intending to make into a Moran Persian. The blades were sitting in his shop immersed in oil. Peter had met Bill Moran a few year previously, perhaps at a Moran Forging Camp. At any rate my heart quickened at Peter's revelation and I asked him if he would be into making that particular knife for me. He agreed... I think it was just prior to Bill's passing. The knife has an 8.5" damascus blade and is 14 3/8" OAL.
The tiger maple came from the Gibson guitar factory near where Peter lives in Wisconsin. I do believe that it was seeing the Moran jimbaya, likely in an early Blade magazine
that drew me into the world of the custom knife.

 

[Win Heger]

When I turned 50 my wife gave a Bill Pease folder and then had Simon Lytton engrave it. This one has creamy light brown Mammoth Ivory. Being that was 18 years ago makes this a classic.

 

[Calhoon]

I got this Jason Knight Seax via a Bruce Voyle's auction. Jason told me that he had made it as a personal sword for the Ashokan Summit in 2008.
He also told me that in testing it out he had hacked away at the lids of standing oil barrels. I believe it is the largest knife Jason has made. It comes in at 24" OAL with a 17" blade.
The handles are Maple with brass pins.
I had Coop take the superb photograph. Coop sent it on to Jason to make an insert sleeve out of damascus for the lanyard hole. I have included a picture of Jason displaying his Seax at Ashokan and as well
A picture of him forging the blade. Jason couldn't be sure that the pic was him forging the Seax but it sure does look like it!

 

[Shaw Blades]

Okay, I play. A few years back I completely switched from fixed blades to folders. Here are a few examples of the fixed bladess I used to own. Some of them still hurt to look at because they're gone.

Enjoy.

Marcel

Wow. I've never seen any customs like those, amazing.

 

[Kevin Jones]

Beautiful Knives!!!

Anyone notice, looks like the BF has lifted the photo size restrictions?

Great BIG BEAUTIFUL Knife Photos again, Thank you!!!!

 

[canineforge]

I wanted to post one more before heading to the turkey woods. Mark Holson came out to Don Hanson's shop to buy an anvil, I believe the story goes. He expressed an interest in knifemaking. Don spent much time in the shop and on the phone with Mark over several years. Such a talented, quick learner he turned out to be. But, he only produced a knife or two per year. Don has his first bowie. This is his third. He even made a folder or two. But, after his fourth bowie, for his brother-in-law, Mark ran into some situations that have not allowed him back into the trade. I sure wonder how good he could have been.

- Joe

 

[canineforge]

Here is a close up:

- Joe

 

[Marcel54]

Okay Coop asked for stories well here is one about Blade 2008 and the knives it brought me. My first and only visit so far to Blade was in 2008 and prior to that I contacted a few makers among them was Ray Rybar Jr, MS. He is a really outspoken kinda guy with a great ability to make damascus. When we met he had a Bowie on his table the one he called "Mexican Bowie". He uses a lot of symbolism in his work and also in this piece. Horse and eagle, gold coin and so on. Although I can imagine it isn't anyone's taste at the time it spoke to me and I bought it. We brought it to Coop at the show and he made this beautiful image.

It hadn't a sheath at the time and no display stand either and given the fact that I'm used to display my knives I asked Ray to build me a sheath and a stand. He said okay and a few months later he informed me that both were ready. Did I tell you already that Ray is larger than life?? Well so was the sheath and stand.

To give you some perspective on size......the Bowie itself is over 20 inches long!!!

And this is the crate he shipped it in......completely handbuilt with leather straps inside to hold everything in place and Ray even included a manual on how to dismantle the crate in the right order!!!!

Marcel

 

[Marcel54]

An other story on how two knives came to me. The second book David Darom produced was Art and Design in Modern Custom Fixed-Blade Knives and I bought it immediately after it came out. After all these years it is still one of my favourite books from him. One of the makers presented in that book was Roger Bergh a very talented maker from Sweden and a modern day "hippie" On page 75 I saw a knife that I really liked called "Open D-guard" or as Roger called it Big Boy. On a whim I contacted Roger and asked him if that knife was available.....I had no hope what so ever but to my surprise it was still for sale and we struck a deal.

In that same book on page 73 there was a knife that took my breath away called "Norse Gods". At the time it was a part of the collection of Don Guild and I (a newby in collecting at the time, I still am a bit) shyfully contacted him and asked him politely if he wanted to sell the knife to me. Don was very gracefully but declined (as I would've:thumbup. That knife haunted me for years and in 2008 I asked Roger to build me a dagger with a handle that had a similar theme. As you (probably) know his son Isac does his carving (as he does/did for Kaj Embretsen) and the both of them came up with this dagger.

The moral of this story is that if David Darom hadn't started his amazing series of books on custom knives I never would have seen these knives and I never would've had the pleasure of owning two of these amazing knives.

Marcel

 

[Marcel54]

One final story about two firsts. I started collecting in 2003 and in early 2004 I decided it was time for my first custom (commissioned) knife. After some research I decided to contact a new and upcoming maker called Andre Andersson (who now imo is one of the best in what he does). After some deliberating we came up with this design.

He made the knife and kept me really good informed by sending me regular updates (I still have all those pics on file). After some time the knife was ready and this what came out.

I kep the knife for several years but by mid 2006 I was heavily into daggers and I used the knife in a trade with Dave Harvey for a lovely Fred Carter dagger. Fast forward to early 2007 and my March issue of Blade was delivered. As soon as I opened the envelope I was struck by the cover photo......it was my first custom knife on my first (and only) Blade cover!!

Although the knife wasn't mine anymore at the time I still was tickled pink and very pleased for Andre for the exposure.

Marcel

 

[ddd]

An other story on how two knives came to me. The second book David Darom produced was Art and Design in Modern Custom Fixed-Blade Knives and I bought it immediately after it came out. After all these years it is still one of my favourite books from him. One of the makers presented in that book was Roger Bergh a very talented maker from Sweden and a modern day "hippie" On page 75 I saw a knife that I really liked called "Open D-guard" or as Roger called it Big Boy. On a whim I contacted Roger and asked him if that knife was available.....I had no hope what so ever but to my surprise it was still for sale and we struck a deal..........

In that same book on page 73 there was a knife that took my breath away called "Norse Gods". At the time it was a part of the collection of Don Guild and I (a newby in collecting at the time, I still am a bit) shyfully contacted him and asked him politely if he wanted to sell the knife to me. Don was very gracefully but declined (as I would've:thumbup. That knife haunted me for years and in 2008 I asked Roger to build me a dagger with a handle that had a similar theme............

.......The moral of this story is that if David Darom hadn't started his amazing series of books on custom knives I never would have seen these knives and I never would've had the pleasure of owning two of these amazing knives......

Marcel

I am glad, Marcel, to have brought through my books a little excitement into
your world of custom knife collecting!!

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

 

[Karl B. Andersen]

Possibly my favorite knife. It's always been very close to the top of my list and is the inspiration for all the crested spines I've done.
Thanks for the reminder, Roger.

Here's a classic Bailey Bradshaw from my collection - Grapes of Wrath II:

Roger

 

[SharpByCoop]

I am reading ever word and savoring every image.

Cal: I love that Knight piece then, and I love it again. Awesome power!

Joe: That Mark Holson ricasso has so much style going on. Then the radiant walnut handle? Just crazy talent. Props.

Marcel, THANK YOU!. Telling the story of the remarkable 'Mexican' Bowie interaction with Ray Rybar (he IS a remarkable man!) along with the stand, substantiates the vision and the desire far more than my cluttered image would suggest.

Likewise with the carved pieces.

David: Without question you have lifted this world with your books. Yes.

Roger's 'Grapes of Wrath' is probably my favorite of Bailey's work, too. The theme and the execution are dreamy.

I have many single stories I'll add in as time goes on. No rush.

Coop

 

[RogerP]

Great stories and pics, guys.

Marcel - the shipping crate on that Rybar is a work of art.
Cal - love that Persian!
Joe - I remember that Holson piece well - I sure hope he can return to knifemaking one day. Phenomenal the level of quality he attained in his first few pieces.
Karl, Coop - thanks for your comments on the Bradshaw.

Roger

 

[Calhoon]

Thanks Roger for noticing and commenting! You too Coop!

There is as well pride of ownership....

 

[Calhoon]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66564170@N00/6918804216/

 

[Dawkind]

A couple by Jack Levin....

A few Sean McWilliams...

Classic Tom Maringer Vorpal's...

 

[SharpByCoop]

Dudley, do you know the history on that upper Jack Levin? He was going to make hundreds of them for AG Russell, but it never panned out.

Probably because it's so.... ummmm..... ugly different.




Here's one I ordered about four years ago:

I wish now I had ordered it with my growing collection of antique ivory micarta. But I didn't. It's truer to it's origins.

This was the Kasper tactical folder, designed by the late officer Bob Kasper(?). A classic in this genre, I thought.

I wanted it a bit dressy, and I also opted for the Spydie hole instead of the thumbstud. You could order it either way. Polished bevels, anodized liners, filework, red liners, jeweling: All CHECK.

Now, I MUST take credit when it's due... This was the first of MANY of these knives from Pat and Wes which has that skeletonized clip. When I ordered this knife, they were using those generic 3-hole $4 clips from Spyderco or some production maker. You can find them on any supplier's site. Ugghhhh.

Nothing wrong with the operation, but this was one area which I felt (feel) separates a true custom. I asked for them to make me something from scratch. I'd pay extra, but don't bolt on that other clip.

Turns out I was right. Wes made a bending jig and liked it so much he has incorporated it into their subsequent folders. I made him press to get there. You won't find those other clips on his better work, now.

These are guys I like and would unhesitatingly recommend to work with.

Tag: You're it!

Coop

 

[Don Hanson III]

Here is a close up:

- Joe

Joe, you are right, Mark had so much talent for making so few knives. Here's the one I owned (can't find the larger/better Coop image), sold it to Riad at some point.

 

[Grapevine]

I remember those Holsons. Lusted after them and they became one of my grails back then.