Creating on the COVER for Tim Hancock's book...

[ddd]

Here is one option for the cover of the book "Tim Hancock, The Western Bladesmith".
I am sticking to a basic design concept in every book in this new series ("Custom Knifemakers
of the World"), the variations in content and illustrations are dictated by the knifemaker's
knife making discipline, his private life, hobbies, displaying the process of making a knife, etc...

The background color of the cover is not final.
I go to press in about one month.

What do you think?

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

 

[ckerwin]

Not to bad, looks like it will be a winner.:thumbup:

 

[Kevin Jones]

Great knife selection David. You choose pieces that represent Tim's multiple talents as knifemaker, sheathmaker and silversmith while also depicting his trademark filework, bordercut and grooved ferrules, frame handles and spanish notches.

Also like your following the same cover format as with the first book.

I would keep experimenting with the background colors.

 

[Joss]

I am looking forward to being (hopefully) able to purchase this book. With this said, those are not the knives I would have selected for a cover.

 

[John White]

I'll be standing in line at Blade to get the book,... and while we're at it, can I have the knives, too?

John

 

[ddd]

I am looking forward to being (hopefully) able to purchase this book. With this said, those are not the knives I would have selected for a cover.

The back cover will show Tim's amazing Dogbone Dagger made for the book... Finish your thoughts, Joss, I am interested.

All the best,
Davd Darom (ddd)

 

[ddd]

Great knife selection David. You choose pieces that represent Tim's multiple talents as knifemaker, sheathmaker and silversmith while also depicting his trademark filework, bordercut and grooved ferrules, frame handles and spanish notches.

Also like your following the same cover format as with the first book.

I would keep experimenting with the background colors.

Yes, Kevin, this is meant to be part of a series of 4-6 books representing
major custom knifemakers from various disciplines of this modern art.

The basic cover design and fonts will remain throughout the series but
the knives and background colors will change.
The background color for Tim's book will not be as shown.... And by the
time I am finished the knives might be replaced too....

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

 

[Marcel54]

Great design and lovely knives as always David...but I think I'm just a bit like Joss.
I would at least picked one of his dogbone handled knives for the front cover (and maybe one of his SF/California style knives). I think that for me his dogbone handles are one of his trademarks and should be represented on the front cover.

Marcel

 

[ddd]

Hello Marcel,

The BACK COVERS of the books in this series always show the knife made
for the book in all their glory.
In Tim's book I showed him creating an AMAZING Dogbone dagger,
displaying the process on 54 (!!) pages.

Since the back cover displays this beautiful Dogbone dagger which is
indeed front cover worthy, I decided to have two other Bowies for the
front cover one with a sheath typical of Tim's Cowboy Art....

I usually refrain from showing a job half done, but was curious to see
the responses - as these surely contribute to creating a great end product....

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

 

[Marcel54]

David,

Thanks for the explanation. I'm sure that dogbone dagger will be superb. Best of luck (like you need it) to finish this book. I look forward holding this one in my hands.

Marcel

 

[ryan9977]

david...can you tell who the other knifemakers are that you are covering in the series are?....ohh and i like the cover knives.....i am not sure if i like the background color but i'm not good enough to recommend something else.....ryan

 

[Ken Williams]

I'm no expert on Tim Hancock, but the cover sample looks classy except for the color, which is the precise government green the IRS uses on tax code addendums to their 55,000 page book of rue.

ken

 

[Kohai999]

The background color for Tim's book will not be as shown.... And by the
time I am finished the knives might be replaced too....

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

If I might make a color suggestion....

As the title is The Western Bladesmith, why not colors that evoke the West, Deep Dark Reds, Umbers, golden yellow or subdued orange? The Turquoise competes with the first volume, and the colors suggested will go nicely with just about anything except bright purple.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[ddd]

Guys,

Thanks for all your suggestions! I think that the end result will
please everyone..... Wait and see.....

One thing I promise it won't be the precise government green the USA IRS uses...

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

 

[ddd]

david...can you tell who the other knifemakers are that you are covering in the series are?....ohh and i like the cover knives.....i am not sure if i like the background color but i'm not good enough to recommend something else.....ryan

"The Knife Art of Dellana and Van Barnet" will be the next book in this series.
Following them I shall have..... wait and see....

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

 

[Lorien]

I'm stoked about the 'process' you'll be devoting 54 pages to! To me, that is almost more interesting than the finished knife. To see how a master goes from raw materials to his finished vision is really special, and usually unavailable.

The book featuring Dellana's work sounds really cool! I've seen a little bit of her stuff in your 'Colllections' book, but I'd really like to see more of her work.

Best of luck, David!:thumbup:

 

[Joss]

Finish your thoughts, Joss, I am interested.

In his major pieces, those are my fav':

(I believe he's made several on similar patterns.)

In the smaller pieces, I like the small hunter with crackled ivory handle that I believe lies with Kevin's collection.

 

[ddd]

Yes, Joss, you know your knives and you have very good taste.

I tried these options, the 2003 AKI Hancock Bowie is an amazing knife
and still remains an option.

The conflict lies between important knives and design considerations.
I do hope to end up (with Tim's approval) with the best result...

Thanks and all the best,
David Darom (ddd)

 

[ddd]

I'm stoked about the 'process' you'll be devoting 54 pages to! To me, that is almost more interesting than the finished knife. To see how a master goes from raw materials to his finished vision is really special, and usually unavailable.

The book featuring Dellana's work sounds really cool! I've seen a little bit of her stuff in your 'Colllections' book, but I'd really like to see more of her work.

Best of luck, David!:thumbup:

Lorien,

The section displaying the making of Tim's Dogbone dagger took nine long days
to photograph. I put in it all of my nearly 50 years of experience as a
professional photographer and shot the process in his workshop using only
available lighting. I am still amazed with the results...

As for Dellana and Van Barnett, you need to look at my first book,
"Custom Folding Knives" for a display of their best in their individual
8 page sections...

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

 

[Marcel54]

Joss showed his favorite Hancock...well here are two of my favorites. You obviously can see why (and beautifully captured by Coop):thumbup:

Marcel