Congratulations to Allen Surls of WAS Knives

Fiddleback

Fiddleback

Knifemaker
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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Oct 19, 2005
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I am very proud to announce that Allen Surls of WAS Knives has graduated from my apprentice program this week. Allen has worked his tail off and come a long way in the time he has been here. It is a great source of pride to have helped him with this. My apprentice program is not about someone becoming a Master as I am nowhere near this level. It is about spreading knife enthusiasm and teaching basic knife skills. By graduating from my simple program it means that Allen has learned to design and produce a knife as good as I can do it. Neither him, or myself are masters, or even journeymen level makers and this is no but the goal for myself and for Allen is to make a good looking and hard working knife, cleanly made and well designed. This week he presented me with a knife, and as you can see below, it is a beauty. I requested one of his 'Loveless' style designs, but without the metal guard. The knife is light and comfortable in the hand. The plunge is properly done, the scales are fit without gaps, the edge is centered, the tang is tapered, there is filework on the spine, the scratches on the bevels are consistent and run in the same direction, and the pins are finished properly to the level of the handle material.

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Congrats Allen! It's been fun to watch your work progress in the short time from last summer's Blade Show.

Congrats and thanks to you Andy for the way you actively teach and promote fine craftsmanship.
 
Congrats Allen......time to pop a top and celebrate this awesome milestone......best of luck for continued success !
 
Allen, that is one good-looking knife.

Andy, you may not consider yourself a master knifemaker, but you are a master human being. Keep up the good work! :)
 
That is a fabulous looking knife. I like the Loveless design without the separate guard piece. It has a more organic uninterrupted flow that way. The execution looks flawless. Excellent choice of handle material too. Combining everything to meet Andy's standard of perfection is quite an accomplishment. Congratulations Allen!

Thank you Andy for being a generous mentor to others. That is a character trait that is not as common in this country as it should be. Too many talented and experienced craftsmen still hoard their knowledge out of pride, selfishness, or fear that they will lose part of their turf in the marketplace. I admire your willingness to teach and mentor others. You are a good man for doing that. I don't know your family personally, but I would imagine that your are a great father too for the same reasons.

All the the best to both of you. I wish you guys lots of success.

Phil
 
A very deserving congratulations Allen. I am proud to own so many fine examples of your work, to have been able to have so many honesty discussions with you but mostly to call you a friend.

Andy, kudos, you taught him well, now get him back to work!
 
Allen great Job my friend!

I am proud to be a supporter of your fine work.
 
Thank you to everyone for the warm comments!

A big thank you to Andy for all of the support and direction through the last 8 months. It has been a fun journey and I look forward to seeing how we both continue to grow in our craft and where you take us as Fiddleback Forge!
 
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