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Where did Jim Lucie come into the picture? I have heard many stories that Dr. Lucie was Scagel's personal physician. Is this a myth or am I just "corn-fused" and thinking of someone else?
Robert
-
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Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Custom Knife History
- Thread starter Clem Kadiddlehopper
- Start date
- Status
Where did Jim Lucie come into the picture? I have heard many stories that Dr. Lucie was Scagel's personal physician. Is this a myth or am I just "corn-fused" and thinking of someone else?
Robert
Clem Kadiddlehopper
knife guy
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2012
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- 7,114
James R. Lucie was a close friend of Scagel and possibly you could say he was Scagels doctor? But if you read how Scagel was as a person...... he was probably more of the friend then he was the doctor?
Something I have found out - don't believe everything you see and read. You have to take it with a grain of salt?
Even in some photos - you will notice that dates are wrong?
EDIT to add.....I for sure do NOT know everything - by far..... and if something posted is WRONG?
Let us know and it can be changed to the truth...... THANKS!
Last edited:
Clem Kadiddlehopper
knife guy
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2012
- Messages
- 7,114
.
This is a little history of Bladeforums.com
From the HPIC him self...... SPARK
It's a long story.
In the beginning there was USENET, which had a knife discussion group called rec.knives that flourished for a number of years. Then the WWW revolution started, and Josh Burbank of PVK started a site called recdotknives.com which used one of the earliest forms of bulletin board software out there - wwwthreads.
Josh used RDK to troll people. At the time I was doing freelance webdev work and one of my customers was Earl Stewart of Central Florida Knife & Tool. He asked me to step up and help him defend Kevin "MadDog" McClung against various attackers both on rec.knives and recdotknives.com. I quickly realized that it'd be easier to control the territory the battle was being fought on than letting others dictate the terms, and knifeforums was born. Knifeforums quickly expanded beyond the capabilities of wwwthreads and was transitioned to Ultimate Bulletin Board software (UBB), which was much better (at the time). Mike Turber, owner of World of Weapons (WOW) was a moderator for the General discussion area of KFC and all of us were fighting the battles against the haters all over USENET & the web. Eventually Josh outed himself as using multiple profiles to fight back (IIRC he posted under the ID of Staples5 on USENET and like a dumbass signed his actual name to a post) and that pretty much sunk recdotknives.com - he got caught red handed doing the things he claimed not to do. After that, KnifeForums started to flourish.
Earl Stewart and I had a falling out because, quite frankly, he didn't want to pay me for my work. Rather than actually pay me, he decided to try to destroy my reputation, hoping I'd go quietly. McClung decided this was an opportune time for him to repay my efforts defending his sorry ass by stabbing me in the back repeatedly. Unfortunately, for them, I had friends who were also pretty pissed at both of these guys over other misc things, and they helped me out. Phone calls were made, and a battle plan was drawn... and, using the lessons learned from the RDK -> KFC battle, BladeForums.com was born. vB had just come out, so we purchased a lisc, set up BladeForums.com, and away we went. The original silent partner didn't like the way the KFC vs BFC fight was going and backed out of supporting, so Mike Turber stepped up and took over the financial ownership of BFC. I don't remember the exact details of the first battles, but the end game was that BFC won and grew, and KFC was left behind and stagnated.
I went to work for Turber and moved down to Jacksonville, Florida, doing web stuff for him and running BFC. Sometime after that, Stewart sold KFC to Nowka, yadda yadda yadda.
For whatever reason, WOW didn't do so hot for a bit, and Turber started 1SKS. Things continued not going so well and my paychecks started to bounce, so I grabbed my nuts and made Turber an offer he couldn't refuse - sell me 1SKS and BFC, or I'd quit, start my own sites, and he wouldn't be left with a business to sell. He took the paycheck. There were some other behind the scenes things, but they weren't important. Around 2002-3 I cleared out the last of my hurdles, had 1SKS / BFC owned outright, and moved shop back up here to Kentucky.
Anyhow, as soon as I had control over this site and didn't have to answer to anyone, I changed how it operated. I don't like using BFC as a sales tool for 1SKS - I believe that it should be a resource for the knife community, and if the community is happy with it, the community as a whole will support it. I think it does ok, you guys are the ultimate judge in that regard.
We now return you to your regular scheduled program.......
This is a little history of Bladeforums.com
From the HPIC him self...... SPARK
It's a long story.
In the beginning there was USENET, which had a knife discussion group called rec.knives that flourished for a number of years. Then the WWW revolution started, and Josh Burbank of PVK started a site called recdotknives.com which used one of the earliest forms of bulletin board software out there - wwwthreads.
Josh used RDK to troll people. At the time I was doing freelance webdev work and one of my customers was Earl Stewart of Central Florida Knife & Tool. He asked me to step up and help him defend Kevin "MadDog" McClung against various attackers both on rec.knives and recdotknives.com. I quickly realized that it'd be easier to control the territory the battle was being fought on than letting others dictate the terms, and knifeforums was born. Knifeforums quickly expanded beyond the capabilities of wwwthreads and was transitioned to Ultimate Bulletin Board software (UBB), which was much better (at the time). Mike Turber, owner of World of Weapons (WOW) was a moderator for the General discussion area of KFC and all of us were fighting the battles against the haters all over USENET & the web. Eventually Josh outed himself as using multiple profiles to fight back (IIRC he posted under the ID of Staples5 on USENET and like a dumbass signed his actual name to a post) and that pretty much sunk recdotknives.com - he got caught red handed doing the things he claimed not to do. After that, KnifeForums started to flourish.
Earl Stewart and I had a falling out because, quite frankly, he didn't want to pay me for my work. Rather than actually pay me, he decided to try to destroy my reputation, hoping I'd go quietly. McClung decided this was an opportune time for him to repay my efforts defending his sorry ass by stabbing me in the back repeatedly. Unfortunately, for them, I had friends who were also pretty pissed at both of these guys over other misc things, and they helped me out. Phone calls were made, and a battle plan was drawn... and, using the lessons learned from the RDK -> KFC battle, BladeForums.com was born. vB had just come out, so we purchased a lisc, set up BladeForums.com, and away we went. The original silent partner didn't like the way the KFC vs BFC fight was going and backed out of supporting, so Mike Turber stepped up and took over the financial ownership of BFC. I don't remember the exact details of the first battles, but the end game was that BFC won and grew, and KFC was left behind and stagnated.
I went to work for Turber and moved down to Jacksonville, Florida, doing web stuff for him and running BFC. Sometime after that, Stewart sold KFC to Nowka, yadda yadda yadda.
For whatever reason, WOW didn't do so hot for a bit, and Turber started 1SKS. Things continued not going so well and my paychecks started to bounce, so I grabbed my nuts and made Turber an offer he couldn't refuse - sell me 1SKS and BFC, or I'd quit, start my own sites, and he wouldn't be left with a business to sell. He took the paycheck. There were some other behind the scenes things, but they weren't important. Around 2002-3 I cleared out the last of my hurdles, had 1SKS / BFC owned outright, and moved shop back up here to Kentucky.
Anyhow, as soon as I had control over this site and didn't have to answer to anyone, I changed how it operated. I don't like using BFC as a sales tool for 1SKS - I believe that it should be a resource for the knife community, and if the community is happy with it, the community as a whole will support it. I think it does ok, you guys are the ultimate judge in that regard.
We now return you to your regular scheduled program.......
Last edited:
Clem Kadiddlehopper
knife guy
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2012
- Messages
- 7,114
John Nelson Cooper (19061987)
Was a custom knife maker who was a founding member of the Knife makers' Guild. He was a mentor to Jody Samson and made knives for over 60 years.
Cooper began making utility knives and butcher knives in Tremont, Pennsylvania in 1924 while working as a welder. Eventually he moved on to welding in the Virginia shipyards and began making hunting knives, fishing knives and combat knives as a second business. Cooper's knives were made by the stock removal method and he attached his handles using traditional methods such as rivets and pins until 1965 when he retired from welding and relocated to Burbank, California as a full-time knifemaker with his nephew, Greorge Cooper as Cooper Knives.
Cooper noticed that his traditional methods of knife making could leave gaps between blade, guard, and handle material where water or blood could collect and eventually corrode the knife. He developed a new method of construction which made the knife and handle into a solid, bonded unit by welding, brazing, and using epoxy. He patented these ideas in 1967 (3481038) and 1971 (3595104).
Cooper was a prolific maker who made over 100 knives in a month. He taught his trade to knife makers, Jody Samson and Vic Anselmo in 1969. He was a charter member of the Knife makers' Guild. Cooper made push daggers for police officers and FBI agents.
Cooper made knives used in film and television such as the Arkansas toothpick in The Sacketts and a Bowie knife for Jeremiah Johnson. His knives were collected by celebrities such as John Wayne, Sammy Davis Jr. and Lee Marvin.
In 1978, Cooper opened a new knife shop in Lufkin, Texas where he made 1,000 knives per year until his retirement from knifemaking in 1981. In retirement he made a few knives every year until his death in 1987.
History of the Cooper Knife
The Cooper Knife is one of the oldest continually manufactured custom knives known. Beginning in 1924 when John Nelson Cooper, as a hobby, began making knives for the local townspeople of Tremont, Pennsylvania. Since that first knife, the Cooper Knife has evolved into a totally new patented process of manufacturing the sporting blade.
The first knives were for the working farmer and housewives but as the popularity of a good serviceable knife grew so did his designs. Soon He was making a complete line of knives for hunters, police, military, fisherman, campers and the all around sportsman. Primarily using conventional methods of attaching the handle, it was noted that the acids and dirt would be built up around the tang and hilt area causing the knife to loosen and literally fall apart. Studying the problem, He developed a totally new method of assemblying the knife into a solid, bonded unit. This involved welding, brazing and epoxy that left no joint open or that could be opened, in a lifetime or more of use. The process was so unique that it was granted two United States patents #3,481,038 and #3,595,104.
Upon retiring from the Virginia shipyards in the mid 1960s John N. Cooper moved to Burbank, California, where he set up shop full time with his nephew George Cooper. Here he made more knives than ever and developed his patented process into the knives we see today in various books, magazines and catalogs.
The Cooper knife is a strong interpretation of what John Nelson Cooper envisioned a sporting knife should be. It is made from the finest steels, high carbon tool steel is used exclusively. It has proven to be the best all-around metal that will hold a good edge and temper. All handle material is Micarta*, its hardness and long wearing qualities make it withstand the pressures applied in the patented bonding process. Using the stock removal method, the Cooper knife is handcrafted into a bonded unit of steel, brass and Micarta* that is guaranteed for life.
The patented process used by Cooper makes the finest and strongest sporting knife, it's virtually indestructible under normal use that it was designed to do. Each blade is individual and has its own characteristics, this is due to the continuous research, developement and the handcrafted processes used.
Cooper Knives have specialized in making knives for collectors and special knives for motion pictures and TV stars such as Clint Walker, Buddy Hackett, Robert Stack, Lee Marvin, Audie Murphy, James Drury, John Wayne, Sammie Davis, Jr., Chill Wills, Brian Keith, Paul Harper, Sammy Kahn, and sports writers and collectors like William Williamson, Robert Ables, Col. H.O. Beavers, and Tommy Bish.
In 1976 Clifton E. (Clif) Lenderman, Sr., bought Cooper Knives from John Nelson Cooper. Mr Lenderman purchased the Cooper name, Cooper patents, all tools, equipment, all rights to manufacture Cooper Knives, and accessories using the Cooper process. Mr. Lenderman started training under the expertise and supervision of John N. Cooper in 1976(see letter).
Mr. Lenderman was born in Kennard, Texas, and lived 18 years in Burbank and Glendale, California. In early 1978 Mr. Lenderman asked Mr. Cooper if he would like to move to Texas and make knives. He agreed and was eager to move. He reported he, "would like to leave California for a different lifestyle." In October 1978 Mr. Lenderman moved his own family and Mr. Cooper to Texas, arriving on October 18th, 1978.
On October 28th, 1978, Mr. Cooper opened his new knife shop in Lufkin, Texas. The shop was located one mile west of Lufkin on Highway 103 West at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Clifton E. (Jake) Lenderman.
Mr. Cooper made approximately 3000 (three thousand) knives from October 28th, 1978 until November 4, 1981. Contrary to some published reports, Mr. Cooper made 99.9% of these knives himself without anyone helping him grind the blade or handle. At times Mr. Lenderman would cut out a blade and file some part of the knife Mr. Cooper was working on, never grinding of blade, handle or finishing. Mr. Cooper did all the grinding of the blade, handle and the finishing himself.
-------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
Mr. Cooper made Mr. Lenderman a large bowie knife weighing 19 (nineteen) pounds and over 39 (thirty-nine) inches long. Mr.Cooper made this large knife all by himself, grinding and holding up the heavy knife for 29 days straight not taking off any days for rest or relaxation. Everyday he worked from approximately 7:00am til 8:00pm, 13 (thirteen) hours per day some days longer. At this time of his life he was 74 years old. That's as tough as a Cooper Knife.
Mr. Cooper was one tough gentlemen and you could depend on him. His word meant everything to him, it was good. The best. He loved to make knives, he loved good food and he enjoyed people. He liked to talk about knives to people that appreciated a beautifully designed and crafted quality knife. He made some of the best, no one made a stronger or tougher knife than his. All his knives have a life time guarantee...STILL DO.
After retiring in 1981, Mr. Cooper would go to the shop and make a few knives for his own use or to trade for something he needed. Sometimes he just wanted to be busy crafting a knife to give away to a friend or Mr. Lenderman. He made Mr. Lenderman knives until he couldn't walk or stand up for long periods. He made Mr. Lenderman's Daddy, (Jake) over a dozen knives after he retired in 1981. These knives were not logged in his book. He just considered these knives as recreation and relaxation tools.
Mr. Cooper passed away in 1987 at the age of 81. He is missed very much by all who knew him. Cooper Knives still gets calls daily wanting to know about Mr. Cooper and his knives. There probably never will be another knife maker, make as many handmade knives as Mr. Cooper made in his lifetime. He is surely missed and revered.
In 1995 Mr. Lenderman introduced a new line of full tang stainless steel knives. These knives feature a new logo. The logo is made up using the word Texas with a star taking the place of the "X" in Texas and an Eagle in the middle of the star.
An Artisit was commissioned in 1992 to make a bust of Mr. John Nelson Cooper in bronze. The artist Lee Holmes of the Dallas/Ft. Worth area never met Mr. Cooper in person, he had to work from still pictures videos and the directions of Mr. Lenderman to attain a most awesome likeness of Mr. Cooper. Holmes completed the first bust in 1993, only five have been made to date, each is numbered, with Mr. Coopers signature, year of birth, year of death and the Cooper logo.
The sculpture was created as a commemorative set, featuring an Iron Mistress knife that is larger than the original Iron Mistress. The logo on the commemorative knife features Mr. Cooper grinding a knife, with the year of his birth and death. His signature and the Cooper logo. this logo is etched on the right side of the Mistress. The knife is enclosed in a coffin shaped case made by Jerry Bennett of Lufkin, Texas. The case is made of walnut, with a velvet liner, featuring a glass top so you can view the Iron Mistress and logo without opening the lid. This set sells for $5,000.00
Cooper knives are all made of 3 materials - Carbon Steel, Brass and Micarta. He was probabally one of the first professional knifemakers to use Micarta.
Was a custom knife maker who was a founding member of the Knife makers' Guild. He was a mentor to Jody Samson and made knives for over 60 years.
Cooper began making utility knives and butcher knives in Tremont, Pennsylvania in 1924 while working as a welder. Eventually he moved on to welding in the Virginia shipyards and began making hunting knives, fishing knives and combat knives as a second business. Cooper's knives were made by the stock removal method and he attached his handles using traditional methods such as rivets and pins until 1965 when he retired from welding and relocated to Burbank, California as a full-time knifemaker with his nephew, Greorge Cooper as Cooper Knives.
Cooper noticed that his traditional methods of knife making could leave gaps between blade, guard, and handle material where water or blood could collect and eventually corrode the knife. He developed a new method of construction which made the knife and handle into a solid, bonded unit by welding, brazing, and using epoxy. He patented these ideas in 1967 (3481038) and 1971 (3595104).
Cooper was a prolific maker who made over 100 knives in a month. He taught his trade to knife makers, Jody Samson and Vic Anselmo in 1969. He was a charter member of the Knife makers' Guild. Cooper made push daggers for police officers and FBI agents.
Cooper made knives used in film and television such as the Arkansas toothpick in The Sacketts and a Bowie knife for Jeremiah Johnson. His knives were collected by celebrities such as John Wayne, Sammy Davis Jr. and Lee Marvin.
In 1978, Cooper opened a new knife shop in Lufkin, Texas where he made 1,000 knives per year until his retirement from knifemaking in 1981. In retirement he made a few knives every year until his death in 1987.
History of the Cooper Knife
The Cooper Knife is one of the oldest continually manufactured custom knives known. Beginning in 1924 when John Nelson Cooper, as a hobby, began making knives for the local townspeople of Tremont, Pennsylvania. Since that first knife, the Cooper Knife has evolved into a totally new patented process of manufacturing the sporting blade.
The first knives were for the working farmer and housewives but as the popularity of a good serviceable knife grew so did his designs. Soon He was making a complete line of knives for hunters, police, military, fisherman, campers and the all around sportsman. Primarily using conventional methods of attaching the handle, it was noted that the acids and dirt would be built up around the tang and hilt area causing the knife to loosen and literally fall apart. Studying the problem, He developed a totally new method of assemblying the knife into a solid, bonded unit. This involved welding, brazing and epoxy that left no joint open or that could be opened, in a lifetime or more of use. The process was so unique that it was granted two United States patents #3,481,038 and #3,595,104.
Upon retiring from the Virginia shipyards in the mid 1960s John N. Cooper moved to Burbank, California, where he set up shop full time with his nephew George Cooper. Here he made more knives than ever and developed his patented process into the knives we see today in various books, magazines and catalogs.
The Cooper knife is a strong interpretation of what John Nelson Cooper envisioned a sporting knife should be. It is made from the finest steels, high carbon tool steel is used exclusively. It has proven to be the best all-around metal that will hold a good edge and temper. All handle material is Micarta*, its hardness and long wearing qualities make it withstand the pressures applied in the patented bonding process. Using the stock removal method, the Cooper knife is handcrafted into a bonded unit of steel, brass and Micarta* that is guaranteed for life.
The patented process used by Cooper makes the finest and strongest sporting knife, it's virtually indestructible under normal use that it was designed to do. Each blade is individual and has its own characteristics, this is due to the continuous research, developement and the handcrafted processes used.
Cooper Knives have specialized in making knives for collectors and special knives for motion pictures and TV stars such as Clint Walker, Buddy Hackett, Robert Stack, Lee Marvin, Audie Murphy, James Drury, John Wayne, Sammie Davis, Jr., Chill Wills, Brian Keith, Paul Harper, Sammy Kahn, and sports writers and collectors like William Williamson, Robert Ables, Col. H.O. Beavers, and Tommy Bish.
In 1976 Clifton E. (Clif) Lenderman, Sr., bought Cooper Knives from John Nelson Cooper. Mr Lenderman purchased the Cooper name, Cooper patents, all tools, equipment, all rights to manufacture Cooper Knives, and accessories using the Cooper process. Mr. Lenderman started training under the expertise and supervision of John N. Cooper in 1976(see letter).
Mr. Lenderman was born in Kennard, Texas, and lived 18 years in Burbank and Glendale, California. In early 1978 Mr. Lenderman asked Mr. Cooper if he would like to move to Texas and make knives. He agreed and was eager to move. He reported he, "would like to leave California for a different lifestyle." In October 1978 Mr. Lenderman moved his own family and Mr. Cooper to Texas, arriving on October 18th, 1978.
On October 28th, 1978, Mr. Cooper opened his new knife shop in Lufkin, Texas. The shop was located one mile west of Lufkin on Highway 103 West at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Clifton E. (Jake) Lenderman.
Mr. Cooper made approximately 3000 (three thousand) knives from October 28th, 1978 until November 4, 1981. Contrary to some published reports, Mr. Cooper made 99.9% of these knives himself without anyone helping him grind the blade or handle. At times Mr. Lenderman would cut out a blade and file some part of the knife Mr. Cooper was working on, never grinding of blade, handle or finishing. Mr. Cooper did all the grinding of the blade, handle and the finishing himself.
-------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
Mr. Cooper made Mr. Lenderman a large bowie knife weighing 19 (nineteen) pounds and over 39 (thirty-nine) inches long. Mr.Cooper made this large knife all by himself, grinding and holding up the heavy knife for 29 days straight not taking off any days for rest or relaxation. Everyday he worked from approximately 7:00am til 8:00pm, 13 (thirteen) hours per day some days longer. At this time of his life he was 74 years old. That's as tough as a Cooper Knife.
Mr. Cooper was one tough gentlemen and you could depend on him. His word meant everything to him, it was good. The best. He loved to make knives, he loved good food and he enjoyed people. He liked to talk about knives to people that appreciated a beautifully designed and crafted quality knife. He made some of the best, no one made a stronger or tougher knife than his. All his knives have a life time guarantee...STILL DO.
After retiring in 1981, Mr. Cooper would go to the shop and make a few knives for his own use or to trade for something he needed. Sometimes he just wanted to be busy crafting a knife to give away to a friend or Mr. Lenderman. He made Mr. Lenderman knives until he couldn't walk or stand up for long periods. He made Mr. Lenderman's Daddy, (Jake) over a dozen knives after he retired in 1981. These knives were not logged in his book. He just considered these knives as recreation and relaxation tools.
Mr. Cooper passed away in 1987 at the age of 81. He is missed very much by all who knew him. Cooper Knives still gets calls daily wanting to know about Mr. Cooper and his knives. There probably never will be another knife maker, make as many handmade knives as Mr. Cooper made in his lifetime. He is surely missed and revered.
In 1995 Mr. Lenderman introduced a new line of full tang stainless steel knives. These knives feature a new logo. The logo is made up using the word Texas with a star taking the place of the "X" in Texas and an Eagle in the middle of the star.
An Artisit was commissioned in 1992 to make a bust of Mr. John Nelson Cooper in bronze. The artist Lee Holmes of the Dallas/Ft. Worth area never met Mr. Cooper in person, he had to work from still pictures videos and the directions of Mr. Lenderman to attain a most awesome likeness of Mr. Cooper. Holmes completed the first bust in 1993, only five have been made to date, each is numbered, with Mr. Coopers signature, year of birth, year of death and the Cooper logo.
The sculpture was created as a commemorative set, featuring an Iron Mistress knife that is larger than the original Iron Mistress. The logo on the commemorative knife features Mr. Cooper grinding a knife, with the year of his birth and death. His signature and the Cooper logo. this logo is etched on the right side of the Mistress. The knife is enclosed in a coffin shaped case made by Jerry Bennett of Lufkin, Texas. The case is made of walnut, with a velvet liner, featuring a glass top so you can view the Iron Mistress and logo without opening the lid. This set sells for $5,000.00
Cooper knives are all made of 3 materials - Carbon Steel, Brass and Micarta. He was probabally one of the first professional knifemakers to use Micarta.
Last edited:
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- Nov 21, 2005
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- 3,972
This is too good. I think we all have homework. Can't wait to dive into this thread. Thanks, Al!
- Joe
- Joe
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2002
- Messages
- 12,297
Very cool thread! I'll see if I can add anything later...
Clem Kadiddlehopper
knife guy
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2012
- Messages
- 7,114
Don,
You probably have all kinds of good stuff to share? And I bet a lot of other folks do also......:thumbup:
We could probably write two more pages on Bob Loveless alone?
NOTE:
Please when you post photos everyone, try to make sure they are hosted in a secure place that they will not be moved or deleted?
In Photobucket or similar hosting sites if you move a photo from a folder or change the name of the folder - it will break the link to the photos hosted here. So put them in a secure folder and NEVER change them at all. (EVER!)
Just don't copy from someone else's link.(That they could be deleted later?) That way they will be here down the road years from now?
I look at a thread like this as teaching/learning to collectors new and old. It's kind of like a living book - written by many, many people that keeps being updated continuously year to year? A thread like this could even spark the interest in some to start collecting custom knives? I've read that we are losing about 635 people a day average (passing away) every day from the WWII era? These guys that were in that war, collected souvenirs from it - flags, guns, knives and really just about any and everything that they could get their hands on. And they also had their own sentimental items that they carried at that time - knives, guns and so forth? So these items will be passed along from uncles, neighbors, dads and friends of the family as they die. The people receiving them may not know or care about the sentimental value of this stuff and want to sale it or maybe pass it on to someone else? But some will be doing searches to find out about these items. And I think with knowledge like this were they can find it? Will be VERY helpful. It saddens me to hear some times that people got taken by collectors not giving someone the true worth of their stuff. As I see it that's like stealing from them? That money belongs to the family of the guy it came from.... If they want to give it away or not really care about getting paid for what it's worth? Then that's their business - so be it. But at least it will be here for those that do want to know? Thanks!!
.
Clem Kadiddlehopper
knife guy
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2012
- Messages
- 7,114
Time Line of Custom Knives History
1854 - W.L. Marble is born.
1873 - Scagel is born.
1898 - Webster L. Marble makes Ideal knife.
1906 - John Nelson Cooper born.
1909 - Bo Randall is born.
1910 - William Scagel starts making knives.
1923 - Dan Dannehy is born.
1924 - John Nelson Cooper starts making knives.
1925 - William Moran is born.
1929 - Bob Loveless is born.
1930 - W.L.Marble dies.
1932 - George Herron is born.
1933 - A.G. Russell & Jimmy Lile are born.
1936 - Randall gets first Scagel. - Starts making knives.
1937 - William Moran makes first forged knife at age 12. Actually he made his first knife a year or two before this by stock removal method at age 10 or 11?
1939 - Walter Wells "Blackie" Collins, Jr is born
1942 - A.G. Russell makes first knife at age 9. -- Buster Warenski is born.
1954 - Bob Loveless starts making knives by forging them and then goes on to make them by stock removal method.
1962 - Scagel makes last knife.
1963 - William Scagel dies. - George Herron starts making knives.
1970 - Knife Makers Guild is formed. A.G. Russell President.
1972 - William Moran is elected Guild President.
1976 - ABS is formed
1983 - Bo Randall, Uncle Henry D. Baer, Dewey Ferguson are inducted into Blade Hall of Fame.
1984 - James B. Lile, M.H.Cole, A.D. Buck, William R. Willamson are inducted into the Blade Hall of Fame.
1985 - ABS first hammer-in. -- Pete Gerber, Bob Loveless are inducted into the Blade Hall of Fame.
1986 - William Moran, James F. Parker are inducted into Blade Hall of Fame. -- Don Hasting & Rudy Ruana dies.
1987 - John Nelson Cooper dies. -- George Herron, Frank Buster, Dr. Frank Forsyth are inducted into the Blade Hall of Fame.
1988 - AG Russell, Ken Warner are inducted into Blade Hall of Fame.
1989 - Bo Randall dies. -- Jim Bowie, Maury Shavin, Hubert Lawell are inducted into the Blade Hall of Fame.
1990 - William Scagel, Gil Hibben are inducted into Blade Hall of Fame.
1991 - Harry McEvoy is inducted into the Blade Hall of Fame. - Jimmy Lile dies.
1992 - Buster Warenski, Albert M. Baer are inducted into the Blade Hall of Fame. -- USENET (BLADEFORUMS.COM) is started.
1995 - The ABS starts museum and Hall of Fame in Little Rock, Arkansas
1996 - William Scagel,James Black, Jim Bowie, Don Hastings, B. R. Hughes and William Moran are inducted into ABS Hall of Fame.
1997 - Bo Randall & Rudy Ruana are inducted into the ABS Hall of Fame.
2002 - Rudy Ruana inducted into Cutlery Hall of Fame.
2005 - Buster Warenski dies.
2006 - William Moran dies.
2007 - George Herron dies.
2010 - Bob Loveless dies.
2011 - Daniel John Dannehy, Walter Wells "Blackie" Collins, Jr - dies.
2014 - John White & Joe Kious dies.
2016 - Warren Osborne
.
1854 - W.L. Marble is born.
1873 - Scagel is born.
1898 - Webster L. Marble makes Ideal knife.
1906 - John Nelson Cooper born.
1909 - Bo Randall is born.
1910 - William Scagel starts making knives.
1923 - Dan Dannehy is born.
1924 - John Nelson Cooper starts making knives.
1925 - William Moran is born.
1929 - Bob Loveless is born.
1930 - W.L.Marble dies.
1932 - George Herron is born.
1933 - A.G. Russell & Jimmy Lile are born.
1936 - Randall gets first Scagel. - Starts making knives.
1937 - William Moran makes first forged knife at age 12. Actually he made his first knife a year or two before this by stock removal method at age 10 or 11?
1939 - Walter Wells "Blackie" Collins, Jr is born
1942 - A.G. Russell makes first knife at age 9. -- Buster Warenski is born.
1954 - Bob Loveless starts making knives by forging them and then goes on to make them by stock removal method.
1962 - Scagel makes last knife.
1963 - William Scagel dies. - George Herron starts making knives.
1970 - Knife Makers Guild is formed. A.G. Russell President.
1972 - William Moran is elected Guild President.
1976 - ABS is formed
1983 - Bo Randall, Uncle Henry D. Baer, Dewey Ferguson are inducted into Blade Hall of Fame.
1984 - James B. Lile, M.H.Cole, A.D. Buck, William R. Willamson are inducted into the Blade Hall of Fame.
1985 - ABS first hammer-in. -- Pete Gerber, Bob Loveless are inducted into the Blade Hall of Fame.
1986 - William Moran, James F. Parker are inducted into Blade Hall of Fame. -- Don Hasting & Rudy Ruana dies.
1987 - John Nelson Cooper dies. -- George Herron, Frank Buster, Dr. Frank Forsyth are inducted into the Blade Hall of Fame.
1988 - AG Russell, Ken Warner are inducted into Blade Hall of Fame.
1989 - Bo Randall dies. -- Jim Bowie, Maury Shavin, Hubert Lawell are inducted into the Blade Hall of Fame.
1990 - William Scagel, Gil Hibben are inducted into Blade Hall of Fame.
1991 - Harry McEvoy is inducted into the Blade Hall of Fame. - Jimmy Lile dies.
1992 - Buster Warenski, Albert M. Baer are inducted into the Blade Hall of Fame. -- USENET (BLADEFORUMS.COM) is started.
1995 - The ABS starts museum and Hall of Fame in Little Rock, Arkansas
1996 - William Scagel,James Black, Jim Bowie, Don Hastings, B. R. Hughes and William Moran are inducted into ABS Hall of Fame.
1997 - Bo Randall & Rudy Ruana are inducted into the ABS Hall of Fame.
2002 - Rudy Ruana inducted into Cutlery Hall of Fame.
2005 - Buster Warenski dies.
2006 - William Moran dies.
2007 - George Herron dies.
2010 - Bob Loveless dies.
2011 - Daniel John Dannehy, Walter Wells "Blackie" Collins, Jr - dies.
2014 - John White & Joe Kious dies.
2016 - Warren Osborne
.
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Clem Kadiddlehopper
knife guy
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2012
- Messages
- 7,114
James Buel Lile, known as Jimmy Lile or The Arkansas Knifesmith
Born - August 22, 1933
Died - May 5, 1991
He was an American knifemaker from Russellville in Pope County, Arkansas, who made the Rambo Knife for the films First Blood and Rambo: First Blood Part II. As a knifemaker Lile served as a President of the Knifemakers' Guild and on the Board of Directors of the American Bladesmith Society.
A Russellville native, Lile was the son of a coal miner. He made his first knife at the age of eleven by grinding an old file into a blade. He spent his young adult life working as a high school teacher, serving in the United States Army, and as a construction contractor.
In 1971, Lile became a full-time knifemaker and was known as "Gentleman Lile" or "The Arkansas Knifemaker". He was particularly known for his Survival knife designs known as "The Mission" series, created by request for Sylvester Stallone to use in his first two Rambo movies. These designs would go on to influence other knife makers in the 1980's. In addition to creating the Rambo knives, Lile designed and made several Bowie knives that he presented to Governor Bill Clinton and U.S. Presidents Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, and Gerald R. Ford, Jr. Other owners of his work included John Wayne, Peter Fonda, Fess Parker, Bo Derek, and Johnny Cash.
When Lile was approached with the specifications for the "Rambo" knife, he was told to design it not as a mere "prop" but as a basic tool to perform a variety of tasks. Lile adapted a basic clip point Bowie knife which could be used to chop wood and slice food while retaining an edge. He employed a waterproof hollow handle design to store matches, needles, thread, and a compass; the hollow-handle allows the knife to be fitted to a pole to make a spear or gig. The handle was wrapped with nylon line that could be used for fishing or making snares. The tips on the guards were made into a standard and Phillips screwdriver and the spine was serrated. Lile chose to forge the blade of 440C high-carbon steel, which he claimed could cut through the fuselage of an aircraft.
Lile was elected president of the Knife makers Guild in 1978 and was an early member of the American Bladesmith Society. He was elected to the Board of Directors of the ABS in 1977 and acted as a liaison between the two groups. His "Lile Lock" folding knife is on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. In 1984 he was inducted into the Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame.
.
Born - August 22, 1933
Died - May 5, 1991
He was an American knifemaker from Russellville in Pope County, Arkansas, who made the Rambo Knife for the films First Blood and Rambo: First Blood Part II. As a knifemaker Lile served as a President of the Knifemakers' Guild and on the Board of Directors of the American Bladesmith Society.
A Russellville native, Lile was the son of a coal miner. He made his first knife at the age of eleven by grinding an old file into a blade. He spent his young adult life working as a high school teacher, serving in the United States Army, and as a construction contractor.
In 1971, Lile became a full-time knifemaker and was known as "Gentleman Lile" or "The Arkansas Knifemaker". He was particularly known for his Survival knife designs known as "The Mission" series, created by request for Sylvester Stallone to use in his first two Rambo movies. These designs would go on to influence other knife makers in the 1980's. In addition to creating the Rambo knives, Lile designed and made several Bowie knives that he presented to Governor Bill Clinton and U.S. Presidents Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, and Gerald R. Ford, Jr. Other owners of his work included John Wayne, Peter Fonda, Fess Parker, Bo Derek, and Johnny Cash.
When Lile was approached with the specifications for the "Rambo" knife, he was told to design it not as a mere "prop" but as a basic tool to perform a variety of tasks. Lile adapted a basic clip point Bowie knife which could be used to chop wood and slice food while retaining an edge. He employed a waterproof hollow handle design to store matches, needles, thread, and a compass; the hollow-handle allows the knife to be fitted to a pole to make a spear or gig. The handle was wrapped with nylon line that could be used for fishing or making snares. The tips on the guards were made into a standard and Phillips screwdriver and the spine was serrated. Lile chose to forge the blade of 440C high-carbon steel, which he claimed could cut through the fuselage of an aircraft.
Lile was elected president of the Knife makers Guild in 1978 and was an early member of the American Bladesmith Society. He was elected to the Board of Directors of the ABS in 1977 and acted as a liaison between the two groups. His "Lile Lock" folding knife is on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. In 1984 he was inducted into the Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame.
.
Last edited:
Clem Kadiddlehopper
knife guy
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2012
- Messages
- 7,114
Buster Warenski
Born - 1942
Died - July 31st, 2005
In 1966, after seeing a brief mention of custom knives in a gun magazine, Buster decided to try his hand at making a knife for himself. Having acquired some metal and wood working skills building fishing lures guns for friends, Buster had enough basic knowledge to begin crafting a knife. It went slowly but finally he did complete the knife, enjoying it much more than any of his many other hobbies. It soon consumed all of his spare time. For the next 6 years it was an obsession taking up every spare moment. Then in 1972, Buster was asked by Harvey Draper to come and work for him making knives. This lasted until December of 1972 when Draper Knives went into bankruptcy. Buster moved back to Richfield and began putting together his own knife shop. By early spring 1973, Buster had completed his first batch of knives and headed off to a small gun show in Carson City, Nevada. There he sold a couple of his knives and received an award for best art knife. The following July, he made the trip to Kansas City, Missouri and joined the Knifemakers Guild. Buster's first guild show was a sell out and his career as a knifemaker was launched.
Buster feels lucky that he started making knives when he did. Born in 1942 in Kimberly Nevada, he was only 30 years old and the Knifemakers Guild had only 47 members, including the 17 makers that joined with him. The time was right and Buster was soon voted onto the board of directors of the Knifemakers Guild. The next 10 years were quite productive in both his knifemaking and his involvement with the Knifemakers Guild. He served 2 terms as vice president and was a director for the remaining time.
In 1984 his personal life began to suffer with the loss of his father to cancer and a marriage was not going well. In 1986 after a rather messy divorce, he met and married Julie. This was a marriage made in heaven. Julie had taken an engraving class Buster taught in the local adult education program. Julie excelled in the art of engraving and Buster had found his soul mate. Julie and Buster have enjoyed a beautiful marriage and have taken numerous awards for their combined skills. Julie and Buster are one of the most successful team in the knifemaking business.
Julie Warenski - Erickson (more on her later)
Buster Warenski passed away on July 31, 2005. He was one of the greatest knife makers of the last century. Among his papers, his wife Julie found this hand written note on what he felt his legacy might be. In his own words:
The Warenski Legacy
This year (1998) we are celebrating our 25th anniversary of knife making. Throughout this time, quality and integrity have been the tempering agents for the hard work it has taken. We know as we complete each knife, that it's the best we can produce. Using only the highest quality materials and workmanship, we know our knives will stand the test of time. However, our desire is to build our legacy in solid gold. Knives that incorporate the techniques and skills those 25 years of learning have made possible.
First of our "Legacy Series" was the "King Tut Dagger." This knife was a faithful reproduction of the solid gold knife that was unearthed with the mummy of the Pharaoh Tutankhamen. This knife required several skills that had been all but lost. Many hours of research and experimentation made reproduction of this knife possible. The skills developed in making the "King Tut" knife and other skills learned later were employed in the construction of the second knife in the "Legacy Series," "The Gem of the Orient." It was designed for a Japanese customer. This knife incorporated emeralds and diamonds to accent the gold filigree overlaid jade handle. Using 28 ounces of 18K gold, 153 emeralds totaling 10 karats and 9 diamonds totaling 5 karats, along with the forest green jade handle, "The Gem of the Orient" was the second step in our legacy.
The third knife in our "Legacy Series" was designed with the use of rubies and diamonds, thus the title" Fire and Ice," a phrase used to describe this combination of rubies and diamonds. To take this one step farther we chose rutilated quartz for the handle. It was believed by early Romans (who used quartz crystals) that quartz was simply ice, frozen so cold that it became permanently frozen into crystals. The knife contains 28 ounces of 18K gold, 22 rubies totaling 4.25 karats and 75 diamonds totaling 7 karats. The knife design incorporates red, guilloche' enamel on the pommel and sheath adding yet another technique to the "Legacy Series."
The fourth knife in the "Legacy Series" has been designed and will be incorporating platinum and gold as well as diamonds.
Each of the Legacy knives is a unique design and will never be duplicated. By combining techniques, materials and workmanship that go beyond the norm for contemporary knife making,
we are truly creating a "Solid Gold Legacy."
Buster Warenski
Thanks betzner for this great post...... much appreciated.
Some of Buster Warenski's Knives........ Enjoy!
Born - 1942
Died - July 31st, 2005
In 1966, after seeing a brief mention of custom knives in a gun magazine, Buster decided to try his hand at making a knife for himself. Having acquired some metal and wood working skills building fishing lures guns for friends, Buster had enough basic knowledge to begin crafting a knife. It went slowly but finally he did complete the knife, enjoying it much more than any of his many other hobbies. It soon consumed all of his spare time. For the next 6 years it was an obsession taking up every spare moment. Then in 1972, Buster was asked by Harvey Draper to come and work for him making knives. This lasted until December of 1972 when Draper Knives went into bankruptcy. Buster moved back to Richfield and began putting together his own knife shop. By early spring 1973, Buster had completed his first batch of knives and headed off to a small gun show in Carson City, Nevada. There he sold a couple of his knives and received an award for best art knife. The following July, he made the trip to Kansas City, Missouri and joined the Knifemakers Guild. Buster's first guild show was a sell out and his career as a knifemaker was launched.
Buster feels lucky that he started making knives when he did. Born in 1942 in Kimberly Nevada, he was only 30 years old and the Knifemakers Guild had only 47 members, including the 17 makers that joined with him. The time was right and Buster was soon voted onto the board of directors of the Knifemakers Guild. The next 10 years were quite productive in both his knifemaking and his involvement with the Knifemakers Guild. He served 2 terms as vice president and was a director for the remaining time.
In 1984 his personal life began to suffer with the loss of his father to cancer and a marriage was not going well. In 1986 after a rather messy divorce, he met and married Julie. This was a marriage made in heaven. Julie had taken an engraving class Buster taught in the local adult education program. Julie excelled in the art of engraving and Buster had found his soul mate. Julie and Buster have enjoyed a beautiful marriage and have taken numerous awards for their combined skills. Julie and Buster are one of the most successful team in the knifemaking business.
Julie Warenski - Erickson (more on her later)
Buster Warenski passed away on July 31, 2005. He was one of the greatest knife makers of the last century. Among his papers, his wife Julie found this hand written note on what he felt his legacy might be. In his own words:
The Warenski Legacy
This year (1998) we are celebrating our 25th anniversary of knife making. Throughout this time, quality and integrity have been the tempering agents for the hard work it has taken. We know as we complete each knife, that it's the best we can produce. Using only the highest quality materials and workmanship, we know our knives will stand the test of time. However, our desire is to build our legacy in solid gold. Knives that incorporate the techniques and skills those 25 years of learning have made possible.
First of our "Legacy Series" was the "King Tut Dagger." This knife was a faithful reproduction of the solid gold knife that was unearthed with the mummy of the Pharaoh Tutankhamen. This knife required several skills that had been all but lost. Many hours of research and experimentation made reproduction of this knife possible. The skills developed in making the "King Tut" knife and other skills learned later were employed in the construction of the second knife in the "Legacy Series," "The Gem of the Orient." It was designed for a Japanese customer. This knife incorporated emeralds and diamonds to accent the gold filigree overlaid jade handle. Using 28 ounces of 18K gold, 153 emeralds totaling 10 karats and 9 diamonds totaling 5 karats, along with the forest green jade handle, "The Gem of the Orient" was the second step in our legacy.
The third knife in our "Legacy Series" was designed with the use of rubies and diamonds, thus the title" Fire and Ice," a phrase used to describe this combination of rubies and diamonds. To take this one step farther we chose rutilated quartz for the handle. It was believed by early Romans (who used quartz crystals) that quartz was simply ice, frozen so cold that it became permanently frozen into crystals. The knife contains 28 ounces of 18K gold, 22 rubies totaling 4.25 karats and 75 diamonds totaling 7 karats. The knife design incorporates red, guilloche' enamel on the pommel and sheath adding yet another technique to the "Legacy Series."
The fourth knife in the "Legacy Series" has been designed and will be incorporating platinum and gold as well as diamonds.
Each of the Legacy knives is a unique design and will never be duplicated. By combining techniques, materials and workmanship that go beyond the norm for contemporary knife making,
we are truly creating a "Solid Gold Legacy."
Buster Warenski
Thanks betzner for this great post...... much appreciated.
Some of Buster Warenski's Knives........ Enjoy!
Last edited:
Clem Kadiddlehopper
knife guy
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2012
- Messages
- 7,114
Daniel John Dennehy
Born - Jan. 15, 1923 in New York City
Died - Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011, in Del Norte. Colorado. Age 88
The youngest son of Irish immigrants Daniel Francis Dennehy and Nora K. Hally. He attended Catholic schools in New York City. In 1940, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II in several Pacific campaigns, including Saipan, the Philippines and others. He also served in the Korean War and during Vietnam. He retired from active duty in 1970 as a chief petty officer. Dennehy made his first knife during World War II, selling them to Marines before their invasion landings. One of his achievements in the late 1960's was donating, to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the first Bowie knife on display at the Alamo in San Antonio, where it still is located in the gift shop museum.
In 1970, he was one of the 11 founders of the Knife maker's Guild, along with prominent knifemakers and friends, Bob Loveless and A.G. Russell. Dennehy championed the use of Micarta, a prefabricated material that most custom knife makers use today for their handles. He helped to spread the popularity of the material by telling his friend and foremost knife maker of the time, Bo Randall, about it -- and it caught on quickly throughout the industry. For that and other achievements, he was inducted into the Cutlery Hall of Fame in 2007.
Dan & AG Russell
Dennehy also was an expert knife and tomahawk thrower, gaining entry into the Knife throwers Hall of Fame, and demonstrating his skills at knife shows nationwide. He taught hundreds of people how to throw knives, including his sons, John and Kevin, who joined him at many of the demonstrations.
His Dan-D knives were featured in many national publications such as Sports Illustrated, Field & Stream, Gun World, Sports Afield and many others.
Dennehy had many friends in the San Luis Valley, who would spend hours at his home listening to his recitation of long poetry and stories. His friends knew he loved his dogs Sheila and Jody. He was also very fond of his 15-year employee, Deb Lindsay, who worked tirelessly as a caregiver. Lindsay's son, Neil, also worked for Dennehy for many years as an apprentice in his knife shop.
He also was a volunteer deputy sheriff for the Rio Grande County Sheriff's Office in the 1970's. Dennehy was a graduate of several shooting courses, ranging from shotgun to pistol, operated by friend Col. Jeff Cooper, who was an expert on pistol craft and an editor of Guns & Ammo magazine. He frequently was a guest on G. Gordon Liddy's national radio program.
Dan Dennehy & Son (John)
Throwing Knives he made....
Dan Dennehy began making knives while serving in the Navy in WWII.
Dennehy knives are characterized by original, simple, and practical designs tailored for specific functions. He produced a number of models specially for use by members of the armed forces, including the Pilot/Crewman, a 6” rugged modern bowie designed to be capable of chopping an exit through a downed aircraft’s plexiglass canopy or aluminum skin; the 8” Model 11 Green Beret, a large, double-hilted fighting knife; and the remarkable 6 1/2”, 1/4” thick Model 13 Hoss, designed by a Navy SEAL as an indestructible knife-shaped pry bar and hammer made of surgical stainless steel which actually simultaneously manages to have a usable knife edge.
Dan Dennehy’s most popular productions, though, were simple and elegant hunting and fishing knives of slender and light easy-to-carry design, representative of the philosophy of the late 19th century outdoor writer George Washington Sears, better known as “Nessmuk,” who popularized the concept of ultra-light, minimal-sized sporting and camping equipment.
Dennehy forged all his larger knives, and a Dennehy forged knife exhibits a peculiar and unique glassy surface unlike any other knife.
Dan Dennehy was, along with Bob Loveless and Bill Moran, one of the founders of the Knife maker’s Guild, and one of the most respected custom knife makers. Dennehy knives were favored by such celebrities as John Wayne, Lee Marvin, Clint Eastwood, Carlos Hathcock, Barry Goldwater, as well as by the controversial Watergate burglar and talk show host G. Gordon Liddy. Liddy’s own preferred model, a more ornate, stag-handled version of the 4 1/4” Model 4 Pro Scout became a standard cataloged option, known as the “G. Gordon Liddy Special.”
Dan Dennehy stamped “Dan-D” and a shamrock on every knife as his personal trademark. He mentions in his catalog that he was only able to produce roughly 100 knives per year. He was in business for a little more than 60 years, so his total production must have amounted to only something on the order of 6000 examples.
Dan Dennehy and knife-throwing champion Joe "Brokenfeather" Darrah at the Mountain Man Throw in Creede, Colorado. On the table in front of Dan are throwing knives he made.
His shop ...... said he had enough equipment for five guys and they would not bump elbows?
This is a video of his son (I think?) but it shows Dan's old shop.....
[video=youtube;26L34aFkHQM]
And another one showing a bit more of the shop.....
[video=youtube;ddWhJqVFn_A]
.
Born - Jan. 15, 1923 in New York City
Died - Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011, in Del Norte. Colorado. Age 88
The youngest son of Irish immigrants Daniel Francis Dennehy and Nora K. Hally. He attended Catholic schools in New York City. In 1940, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II in several Pacific campaigns, including Saipan, the Philippines and others. He also served in the Korean War and during Vietnam. He retired from active duty in 1970 as a chief petty officer. Dennehy made his first knife during World War II, selling them to Marines before their invasion landings. One of his achievements in the late 1960's was donating, to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the first Bowie knife on display at the Alamo in San Antonio, where it still is located in the gift shop museum.
In 1970, he was one of the 11 founders of the Knife maker's Guild, along with prominent knifemakers and friends, Bob Loveless and A.G. Russell. Dennehy championed the use of Micarta, a prefabricated material that most custom knife makers use today for their handles. He helped to spread the popularity of the material by telling his friend and foremost knife maker of the time, Bo Randall, about it -- and it caught on quickly throughout the industry. For that and other achievements, he was inducted into the Cutlery Hall of Fame in 2007.
Dan & AG Russell
Dennehy also was an expert knife and tomahawk thrower, gaining entry into the Knife throwers Hall of Fame, and demonstrating his skills at knife shows nationwide. He taught hundreds of people how to throw knives, including his sons, John and Kevin, who joined him at many of the demonstrations.
His Dan-D knives were featured in many national publications such as Sports Illustrated, Field & Stream, Gun World, Sports Afield and many others.
Dennehy had many friends in the San Luis Valley, who would spend hours at his home listening to his recitation of long poetry and stories. His friends knew he loved his dogs Sheila and Jody. He was also very fond of his 15-year employee, Deb Lindsay, who worked tirelessly as a caregiver. Lindsay's son, Neil, also worked for Dennehy for many years as an apprentice in his knife shop.
He also was a volunteer deputy sheriff for the Rio Grande County Sheriff's Office in the 1970's. Dennehy was a graduate of several shooting courses, ranging from shotgun to pistol, operated by friend Col. Jeff Cooper, who was an expert on pistol craft and an editor of Guns & Ammo magazine. He frequently was a guest on G. Gordon Liddy's national radio program.
Dan Dennehy & Son (John)
Throwing Knives he made....
Dan Dennehy began making knives while serving in the Navy in WWII.
Dennehy knives are characterized by original, simple, and practical designs tailored for specific functions. He produced a number of models specially for use by members of the armed forces, including the Pilot/Crewman, a 6” rugged modern bowie designed to be capable of chopping an exit through a downed aircraft’s plexiglass canopy or aluminum skin; the 8” Model 11 Green Beret, a large, double-hilted fighting knife; and the remarkable 6 1/2”, 1/4” thick Model 13 Hoss, designed by a Navy SEAL as an indestructible knife-shaped pry bar and hammer made of surgical stainless steel which actually simultaneously manages to have a usable knife edge.
Dan Dennehy’s most popular productions, though, were simple and elegant hunting and fishing knives of slender and light easy-to-carry design, representative of the philosophy of the late 19th century outdoor writer George Washington Sears, better known as “Nessmuk,” who popularized the concept of ultra-light, minimal-sized sporting and camping equipment.
Dennehy forged all his larger knives, and a Dennehy forged knife exhibits a peculiar and unique glassy surface unlike any other knife.
Dan Dennehy was, along with Bob Loveless and Bill Moran, one of the founders of the Knife maker’s Guild, and one of the most respected custom knife makers. Dennehy knives were favored by such celebrities as John Wayne, Lee Marvin, Clint Eastwood, Carlos Hathcock, Barry Goldwater, as well as by the controversial Watergate burglar and talk show host G. Gordon Liddy. Liddy’s own preferred model, a more ornate, stag-handled version of the 4 1/4” Model 4 Pro Scout became a standard cataloged option, known as the “G. Gordon Liddy Special.”
Dan Dennehy stamped “Dan-D” and a shamrock on every knife as his personal trademark. He mentions in his catalog that he was only able to produce roughly 100 knives per year. He was in business for a little more than 60 years, so his total production must have amounted to only something on the order of 6000 examples.
Dan Dennehy and knife-throwing champion Joe "Brokenfeather" Darrah at the Mountain Man Throw in Creede, Colorado. On the table in front of Dan are throwing knives he made.
His shop ...... said he had enough equipment for five guys and they would not bump elbows?
This is a video of his son (I think?) but it shows Dan's old shop.....
[video=youtube;26L34aFkHQM]
And another one showing a bit more of the shop.....
[video=youtube;ddWhJqVFn_A]
.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Nov 28, 1998
- Messages
- 926
So many good reads in this thread I shudder to respond. Bought my first true custom in 1980 from a guy in south Florida named Chris Miller. That said, for my taste Ruana, Randall and Dozier set the standard for all those that follow.
Clem Kadiddlehopper
knife guy
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2012
- Messages
- 7,114
George Howard Herron
Mr. Knife as he was called by some, of Springfield, South Carolina, USA
Born - Sept. 5th, 1932 - in Franklin County, Georgia, USA -- where his grandfather was a blacksmith.
Parents
Jasper Newton Herron
1904-1995
Lucy CRAWFORD
1907-1988
Died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007, - age of 74, at the Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg.
From a long illness,He's buried at Southlawn Cemetery.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Herron is predeceased by his brother, Billy Herron; and sister, Helen Herron.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Barbara Cothran Herron;
daughters, Deborah (Mike) Fulmer, Dianne (Harry) George, both of Aiken, Donna Hoover of Springfield; sisters, Betty Stonecypher of Covington, Ga., Scarlet Jeffrie of Toccoa, Ga.; brothers, Charles Herron, Jack Herron, both of Toccoa, Ga.
Most knife collectors have a favorite maker that they like, not just for their knives but for who the Maker is/was as a person. George Herron is one of those Makers that is a favorite to many, many collectors around the world. And for good reason - he earned it. He did not follow the path of others. George marched to the beat of his own drum. They say he had a very colorful personality. George always had his trusty pipe with him were ever he went. Some people were a little intimated by him at first until they got to know him and then he was a friend for life. George's shop was located behind his house, he had a grinder set up out side and worked out doors as much as he could, if he was in his shop, the door would always be open. Neighborhood kids & dogs always dropped by to say high. He was just a down to earth genuine human being, He is dearly missed by those who had the pleasure to know him. Always ready to help anyone with their questions and how to learn to make knives. At his funeral guys would say he was like a father to me.... And he was to everyone he met. George was an extraordinary man; he was a great man; he was a great friend, and his gift of friendship was given broadly. He mentored many apprentice and even taught a class at a small community college in North Carolina.
Mr. George Herron was a member and past president of the Knifemaker's Guild, He was the founding member of the South Carolina Association of Knifemaker's and helped start the North Carolina Custom Knifemaker's Guild.
He was also a proud member of the NRA. They said he had many guns all over his house and would tell his wife it was the same gun, that he had just moved it around. Well she didn't buy that at all. A fun favorite thing he liked to do was go and shoot prairie dogs in South Dakota. Favorite rifle was a Model No. 1 Ruger. And they said he was a very good shot, always adjusting his sight until it was just right. And he always like to get together with friends at a South Carolina hunting lodge. When deer hunting his friends may get one deer and George always seemed to get two or three.
For the quality of knife he made his prices were very low, other makers always were telling him - raise your prices. He said that he would have 50 - 60 knives at a show and sell out and that he liked it that way. One guy ordered a knife from him sending him fifty dollars and said if that was not enough to let him know and he would send more. George made his knife, put fifteen dollars in with it and sent it to the guy. That collector went on to by 14 more knives from him. Talk about someone with true and genuine worth.... he was.
Mr. Herron served his country during the Korean War in the Army, were he had been involved and seen the horor of war.
He lived in Aiken before moving to Springfield, S.C. in 1985. He was a self-employed knife maker. He retired after 20 years of service at DuPont (Savannah River Site) as a machinist.
His interest in knives goes all the way back to the old rusty Barlow he had as a boy in the north Georgia mountains.
The esteem in which the World War II servicemen held for fighting knives made by W.D. Randall Jr. and several other makers that preceded the increasing post-war demand for handmade hunting knives. He said "Somewhere about 1962, I read an article about a fellow in Florida who made knives. I figured, if he could make one, so could I, and so I did, and it turned out pretty good."
He made his first knife in 1963, honed from a file, fascinated one of his friends. So he gave it to him, and it just went from there. He went on to give away many, many knives over his life time.
"I never intended for it to become a business," he said "It just turned out that way."
He went onto make knives full time and he really loved what he did.
George made all types of knives, folders and fix blades. He used all types of material to make them. They truly are some of the finest knives ever made in the world.
Herron's tenure as a bladesmith has earned him many honors, including his 1987 induction into the Cutlery Hall of Fame. His knives have been featured in Field & Stream, the Wall Street Journal and dozens of other publications.
He was honored by the University of South Carolina's McKissick Museum as a recipient of the Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award - bestowed to a select group of craftsmen, potters, musicians and others who developed their own style.
Blade show gives away the George Herron Award every year to one knife maker who's work and ethics deserve it.
The legacy of George Herron will remain in the knife world for a very long time to come.....
NOTE: From Bobby Branton - In post 34 regarding Herron Knives, you made a mistake in saying the The Blade Show gave away the Herron Award. That is not correct. The Herron Award was my idea and I was the one who sponsored it. I was also trained by George and bought out most of his shop when Mr's Herron finally decided to sell.
.
Mr. Knife as he was called by some, of Springfield, South Carolina, USA
Born - Sept. 5th, 1932 - in Franklin County, Georgia, USA -- where his grandfather was a blacksmith.
Parents
Jasper Newton Herron
1904-1995
Lucy CRAWFORD
1907-1988
Died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007, - age of 74, at the Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg.
From a long illness,He's buried at Southlawn Cemetery.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Herron is predeceased by his brother, Billy Herron; and sister, Helen Herron.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Barbara Cothran Herron;
daughters, Deborah (Mike) Fulmer, Dianne (Harry) George, both of Aiken, Donna Hoover of Springfield; sisters, Betty Stonecypher of Covington, Ga., Scarlet Jeffrie of Toccoa, Ga.; brothers, Charles Herron, Jack Herron, both of Toccoa, Ga.
Most knife collectors have a favorite maker that they like, not just for their knives but for who the Maker is/was as a person. George Herron is one of those Makers that is a favorite to many, many collectors around the world. And for good reason - he earned it. He did not follow the path of others. George marched to the beat of his own drum. They say he had a very colorful personality. George always had his trusty pipe with him were ever he went. Some people were a little intimated by him at first until they got to know him and then he was a friend for life. George's shop was located behind his house, he had a grinder set up out side and worked out doors as much as he could, if he was in his shop, the door would always be open. Neighborhood kids & dogs always dropped by to say high. He was just a down to earth genuine human being, He is dearly missed by those who had the pleasure to know him. Always ready to help anyone with their questions and how to learn to make knives. At his funeral guys would say he was like a father to me.... And he was to everyone he met. George was an extraordinary man; he was a great man; he was a great friend, and his gift of friendship was given broadly. He mentored many apprentice and even taught a class at a small community college in North Carolina.
Mr. George Herron was a member and past president of the Knifemaker's Guild, He was the founding member of the South Carolina Association of Knifemaker's and helped start the North Carolina Custom Knifemaker's Guild.
He was also a proud member of the NRA. They said he had many guns all over his house and would tell his wife it was the same gun, that he had just moved it around. Well she didn't buy that at all. A fun favorite thing he liked to do was go and shoot prairie dogs in South Dakota. Favorite rifle was a Model No. 1 Ruger. And they said he was a very good shot, always adjusting his sight until it was just right. And he always like to get together with friends at a South Carolina hunting lodge. When deer hunting his friends may get one deer and George always seemed to get two or three.
For the quality of knife he made his prices were very low, other makers always were telling him - raise your prices. He said that he would have 50 - 60 knives at a show and sell out and that he liked it that way. One guy ordered a knife from him sending him fifty dollars and said if that was not enough to let him know and he would send more. George made his knife, put fifteen dollars in with it and sent it to the guy. That collector went on to by 14 more knives from him. Talk about someone with true and genuine worth.... he was.
Mr. Herron served his country during the Korean War in the Army, were he had been involved and seen the horor of war.
He lived in Aiken before moving to Springfield, S.C. in 1985. He was a self-employed knife maker. He retired after 20 years of service at DuPont (Savannah River Site) as a machinist.
His interest in knives goes all the way back to the old rusty Barlow he had as a boy in the north Georgia mountains.
The esteem in which the World War II servicemen held for fighting knives made by W.D. Randall Jr. and several other makers that preceded the increasing post-war demand for handmade hunting knives. He said "Somewhere about 1962, I read an article about a fellow in Florida who made knives. I figured, if he could make one, so could I, and so I did, and it turned out pretty good."
He made his first knife in 1963, honed from a file, fascinated one of his friends. So he gave it to him, and it just went from there. He went on to give away many, many knives over his life time.
"I never intended for it to become a business," he said "It just turned out that way."
He went onto make knives full time and he really loved what he did.
George made all types of knives, folders and fix blades. He used all types of material to make them. They truly are some of the finest knives ever made in the world.
Herron's tenure as a bladesmith has earned him many honors, including his 1987 induction into the Cutlery Hall of Fame. His knives have been featured in Field & Stream, the Wall Street Journal and dozens of other publications.
He was honored by the University of South Carolina's McKissick Museum as a recipient of the Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award - bestowed to a select group of craftsmen, potters, musicians and others who developed their own style.
Blade show gives away the George Herron Award every year to one knife maker who's work and ethics deserve it.
The legacy of George Herron will remain in the knife world for a very long time to come.....
NOTE: From Bobby Branton - In post 34 regarding Herron Knives, you made a mistake in saying the The Blade Show gave away the Herron Award. That is not correct. The Herron Award was my idea and I was the one who sponsored it. I was also trained by George and bought out most of his shop when Mr's Herron finally decided to sell.
.
Last edited:
Clem Kadiddlehopper
knife guy
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2012
- Messages
- 7,114
So George Herron pretty much hints that - Randall was the influence for him starting.....
John Cooper - Maybe influenced by Marble's? - or a Scagel?
Buster Warenski reads about custom knives - and it was Gil Hibben and the price of Gil's knives that sparked his interest.... thanks! Gil. - :thumbup:
And Dan Dennehy starts making knives in WWII - So it could of been Marble's? Cooper's? or Randall's knives that maybe influenced him?
What do you think?
This knife below could of been made in the late 1800's or after? - By who?
John Cooper - Maybe influenced by Marble's? - or a Scagel?
Buster Warenski reads about custom knives - and it was Gil Hibben and the price of Gil's knives that sparked his interest.... thanks! Gil. - :thumbup:
And Dan Dennehy starts making knives in WWII - So it could of been Marble's? Cooper's? or Randall's knives that maybe influenced him?
What do you think?
This knife below could of been made in the late 1800's or after? - By who?
Last edited:
Clem Kadiddlehopper
knife guy
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2012
- Messages
- 7,114
Jess Horn
I have talked to Jess him self and he is very busy right now dealing with health issues.
He will call me back in a week or so when he has a little time to talk.....
Thanks!
I have talked to Jess him self and he is very busy right now dealing with health issues.
He will call me back in a week or so when he has a little time to talk.....
Thanks!
Last edited:
Clem Kadiddlehopper
knife guy
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2012
- Messages
- 7,114
.
Walter Wells "Blackie" Collins, Jr
Born: - 1939 - Florence
Florence County
South Carolina, USA
Died:- July. 20, 2011
Batesburg
Lexington County
South Carolina, USA
He was the son of the late Walter Wells Collins and Ruby Caston Collins Fanning.
Survivors include his wife, Jane Valentine Collins of the home; two daughters, Laurie O'Berry of Folkston, GA, and Cassie (Roddey) Walker of Rock Hill; six grandchildren, Caroline Pierce, Cayla Pierce, Scott Kennedy, Adam O'Berry, Ashlee O'Berry and Delainee Walker; three great-grandchildren, Jacob Pierce, Camryn Hayes and Italy Pierce; two brothers, Michael (Tonda) Collins of Blanchard, OK, and Anthony Fanning of Rock Hill.
Walter Wells Collins, who was known as "Blackie," died Wednsday afternoon, July 20, 2011 in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash about eight miles outside Batesburg. The 71-year-old was traveling west on U.S. 178 when his Triumph went off the right side of the road and struck a guardrail, according to the Highway Patrol. He was wearing a helmet.
He was a graduate of Rock Hill High School.
The Florence native moved to Woodford in 1981. He was a well-known knife and cutlery design engineer, mostly for the sporting goods industry. He had also served on Woodford Town Council.
Collins had other innovations beyond knifemaking and was a life member of the NRA, S. C. Arms Collectors Association, S. C. Sons of Confederate Veterans, and the Harley Owners Group. He enjoyed kayaking and motorcycle riding and was an avid reader.
He designed holsters and concealment clothing for carrying firearms. Collins designed a trigger lock, called a "Cease Fire" for rifles and a shooter’s screwdriver.
He made his first knife when he was in the second grade.
Blackie Collins started making custom (handmade) knives in the mid 60’s.
Collins was a founding member, with ten other knife designers/makers, of the Knifemakers' Guild in 1970. He founded the magazine known as American Blade in 1973, which he sold in 1982 and the renamed title was simply Blade. Collins was later an inductee into the Blade Magazine Hall of Fame.(What YEAR? help?)
Blade is a long-running consumer magazine about knife collecting.
First published in 1973 under the title American Blade by Southern House Publishing Co. with Blackie Collins as the editor, the magazine's title was changed to Blade in 1982 after its purchase by Jim Parker and Bruce Voyles. In the 1980s, the magazine served as the launching point for an annual convention for knife collectors, the Blade Show; established a Cutlery Hall of Fame; and spun off a trade magazine, Blade Trade.
He is cited by other knifemakers and collectors as one of the most innovative knife designers in the world.
Collins designed the bowie/survival knives series for Smith and Wesson in 1971 and was involved in designing their commemorative knives from 1971-1978. In 1981, Collins' designed a knife for Gerber Legendary Blades named the L.S.T. (Light, Strong, Tough). The LST was the first knife to feature injection molded Zytel handles and featured a total of 6 parts. His next design was an assisted opening knife called the Strut and Cut; the design for which came from motorcycling. The Strut’N'Cut's opening mechanism was based on his Ducati’s single strut which enables the knife to open and close with ease.
He designed and manufactured Smith & Wesson's first cutlery products and patented the first positive lock and release knife for SCUBA diving in 1980.
Designed and patented the first folding knife with injected molded handle of glass filled Nylon (checkered LST) in 1983 for Gerber Legendary Blades. This quickly became Gerber's all time best seller and literally changed the way pocket knives were made. It is still one of Gerber's biggest selling models after more than 20 years.
Checkered fiberglass-filled nylon handles ensure strength, durability and a non-slip grip.
A Blackie Collins original design.
Blackie designed and patented for Meyerco, the cutlery industry's first assisted opening folding knife in 1995. Over twenty cutlery companies have manufactured knives and multipurpose tools designed by Blackie and his first of over 75 patented designs has been in continuous production since 1968. In his later years of knife making Blackie designed exclusively for Meyerco and continued to defy the odds and create groundbreaking designs.
One of Blackie’s Last Designs Becomes a Reality
Cutlery Hall-of Famer Walter “Blackie” Collins left his mark on the cutlery world long before he left us in July of 2011, but his ideas are still reaching fruition almost two years after his death.
Colonial Knife Co. first introduced a new automatic knife for U.S. military issue in 2006, a solid, simple design that took full advantage of modern materials in its construction. The military loved it, but Colonial’s Steven Paolantonio always felt that the knife had more potential in the commercial marketplace. What it needed, he felt, was the keen eye of an expert designer.
“It became apparent during the mid-1990s that having a first-rate designer on your team is probably necessary to provide innovative designs that change the way people look at knives”, Paolantonio related. At the 2011 Blade Show, fate intervened. “It was day two of the show, when Blackie Collins unexpectedly stopped by to say hello”. “Hi, I’m Blackie,” he said with a smile. Due to busy booth traffic and the need to return to his booth, our meeting was short with the consensus that we should work on a collaborative. The next morning, Steven, Blackie and Blackie’s wife Jane met and used the time before the show opened to get to know each other and begin putting a collaborative in place.
The area that I felt needed to be addressed was the blade being used on Colonial’s American made line of knives such as the automatics-the existing designs worked well for their intended purpose, but lacked spiff and cool factor-hence the need for Blackie Collins-designed blades. Blackie took home with him several automatics of the Ribbed™ and Ameba™ series to see what he could come up with, and several weeks later I received Blackie’s call. He had designed tanto and clip point blades for the knives.
With a licensing agreement in place, signed by both parties and blade patterns decided on, they were now ready to prototype the blades. But then came the phone call. The conversation was one of sadness in finding out my new friend had passed on. Over the next six months Jane and I would speak, nothing about business or knives but rather, how she was doing. As can be expected, it wasn’t easy and things got put on the back burner. The next spring, I approached Jane and asked if she was still interested in moving forward on the plans Blackie and I had laid out, and with her blessings, we’re now ready to present the Ribbed tanto and Ameba key chain knives.
The Ribbed ™auto features a tanto design both in silver and non-reflective finishes, both in half serrated and straight edge. The Ameba™ key Chain knife’s blade is serrated, the reason being that such a compact and convenient blade tends to get a lot of abuse and neglect.
He published and edited America's first magazine devoted to cutlery, "Blade Magazine" in 1973. Collins wrote and published "How Knives are Made" in 1975, America's first How-to book on making cutlery. That led Blackie to write and published "How to Scrimshaw and Carve Ivory", "The Pocketknife Manual", and "Throwing Knives for Survival and Defense".
Collins, Blackie (1975). How knives are made (The Encyclopedia of American knives). Custom Knifemakers' Supply.
Collins, Blackie; Felix Mirando (1976). The Pocketknife Manual - Building, Repairing and Refinishing Pocketknives. Knife World Publications.
Collins, Blackie; McLoughlin, Chris (1977). Personal Defense. Knife World Publications.
Collins, Blackie (1978). Knife Throwing: Sport Survival Defense. Knife World Publications.
Knife Throwing. Written by an industry legend, Blackie Collins, this has to be the most popular book ever written on knife throwing. This comprehensive book by famous knife author & designer, Blackie Collins covers all areas like how to select a knife, how to make targets, how to determine range, and how to survive with a knife. A must have for anyone who throws or wants to know how to throw knives! 31 pages.
Collins, Blackie; Michael Collins (1978). How to Scrimshaw and Carve Ivory. Knife World Publications.
This slim volume, was written and copyrighted 11 years before the CITES trade agreement treaty of June 9, 1989. So the info on purchasing ivory and or owning it are outdated. The other info on preparing the ivory and the tools used are good for comparison, of the way things are done today and the tools used. I would say this book would be good for the reference shelf, or some one with only a passing interest in ivory work. Knife World Pubns (Jun 1978)
Time line....
1970-Started Smith&Wesson line of knives.
1970-Started Collins Brothers semi-production knives (later Bowen knives)
1973-Started "American Blade" magazine-later known as BLADE-the first knife magazine.
1978-Started BENCHMARK knives. Created favorites like the NINJA, ROLOX, and Carolina Hunter and the TACII.
1983-Designed the LST for Gerber. The FIRST factory folder to utilize a one piece molded plastic handle frame. This revolutionized the knife industry.
1983-designed the Gerber bolt-action. The FIRST tactical folder.
Since then Blackie has become the most prolific "diving knife" designer and manufacturer in the world.
Blackie has collaborated with many companies including CASE, Gerber, Paragon, SOG, Meyerco
to create new and unusual knives for the buying public.
Blackie's knives may not be everyone's cup of tea, but they are always unique with a fresh approach to knife design.
Blackie was a true southern gentleman, and he will be surely missed by many who new him personally.
And the huge number of knife enthusiast from around the world who enjoyed his knives and designs he made.
Blackie with his brother Michael
.
Walter Wells "Blackie" Collins, Jr
Born: - 1939 - Florence
Florence County
South Carolina, USA
Died:- July. 20, 2011
Batesburg
Lexington County
South Carolina, USA
He was the son of the late Walter Wells Collins and Ruby Caston Collins Fanning.
Survivors include his wife, Jane Valentine Collins of the home; two daughters, Laurie O'Berry of Folkston, GA, and Cassie (Roddey) Walker of Rock Hill; six grandchildren, Caroline Pierce, Cayla Pierce, Scott Kennedy, Adam O'Berry, Ashlee O'Berry and Delainee Walker; three great-grandchildren, Jacob Pierce, Camryn Hayes and Italy Pierce; two brothers, Michael (Tonda) Collins of Blanchard, OK, and Anthony Fanning of Rock Hill.
Walter Wells Collins, who was known as "Blackie," died Wednsday afternoon, July 20, 2011 in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash about eight miles outside Batesburg. The 71-year-old was traveling west on U.S. 178 when his Triumph went off the right side of the road and struck a guardrail, according to the Highway Patrol. He was wearing a helmet.
He was a graduate of Rock Hill High School.
The Florence native moved to Woodford in 1981. He was a well-known knife and cutlery design engineer, mostly for the sporting goods industry. He had also served on Woodford Town Council.
Collins had other innovations beyond knifemaking and was a life member of the NRA, S. C. Arms Collectors Association, S. C. Sons of Confederate Veterans, and the Harley Owners Group. He enjoyed kayaking and motorcycle riding and was an avid reader.
He designed holsters and concealment clothing for carrying firearms. Collins designed a trigger lock, called a "Cease Fire" for rifles and a shooter’s screwdriver.
He made his first knife when he was in the second grade.
Blackie Collins started making custom (handmade) knives in the mid 60’s.
Collins was a founding member, with ten other knife designers/makers, of the Knifemakers' Guild in 1970. He founded the magazine known as American Blade in 1973, which he sold in 1982 and the renamed title was simply Blade. Collins was later an inductee into the Blade Magazine Hall of Fame.(What YEAR? help?)
Blade is a long-running consumer magazine about knife collecting.
First published in 1973 under the title American Blade by Southern House Publishing Co. with Blackie Collins as the editor, the magazine's title was changed to Blade in 1982 after its purchase by Jim Parker and Bruce Voyles. In the 1980s, the magazine served as the launching point for an annual convention for knife collectors, the Blade Show; established a Cutlery Hall of Fame; and spun off a trade magazine, Blade Trade.
He is cited by other knifemakers and collectors as one of the most innovative knife designers in the world.
Collins designed the bowie/survival knives series for Smith and Wesson in 1971 and was involved in designing their commemorative knives from 1971-1978. In 1981, Collins' designed a knife for Gerber Legendary Blades named the L.S.T. (Light, Strong, Tough). The LST was the first knife to feature injection molded Zytel handles and featured a total of 6 parts. His next design was an assisted opening knife called the Strut and Cut; the design for which came from motorcycling. The Strut’N'Cut's opening mechanism was based on his Ducati’s single strut which enables the knife to open and close with ease.
He designed and manufactured Smith & Wesson's first cutlery products and patented the first positive lock and release knife for SCUBA diving in 1980.
Designed and patented the first folding knife with injected molded handle of glass filled Nylon (checkered LST) in 1983 for Gerber Legendary Blades. This quickly became Gerber's all time best seller and literally changed the way pocket knives were made. It is still one of Gerber's biggest selling models after more than 20 years.
Checkered fiberglass-filled nylon handles ensure strength, durability and a non-slip grip.
A Blackie Collins original design.
Blackie designed and patented for Meyerco, the cutlery industry's first assisted opening folding knife in 1995. Over twenty cutlery companies have manufactured knives and multipurpose tools designed by Blackie and his first of over 75 patented designs has been in continuous production since 1968. In his later years of knife making Blackie designed exclusively for Meyerco and continued to defy the odds and create groundbreaking designs.
One of Blackie’s Last Designs Becomes a Reality
Cutlery Hall-of Famer Walter “Blackie” Collins left his mark on the cutlery world long before he left us in July of 2011, but his ideas are still reaching fruition almost two years after his death.
Colonial Knife Co. first introduced a new automatic knife for U.S. military issue in 2006, a solid, simple design that took full advantage of modern materials in its construction. The military loved it, but Colonial’s Steven Paolantonio always felt that the knife had more potential in the commercial marketplace. What it needed, he felt, was the keen eye of an expert designer.
“It became apparent during the mid-1990s that having a first-rate designer on your team is probably necessary to provide innovative designs that change the way people look at knives”, Paolantonio related. At the 2011 Blade Show, fate intervened. “It was day two of the show, when Blackie Collins unexpectedly stopped by to say hello”. “Hi, I’m Blackie,” he said with a smile. Due to busy booth traffic and the need to return to his booth, our meeting was short with the consensus that we should work on a collaborative. The next morning, Steven, Blackie and Blackie’s wife Jane met and used the time before the show opened to get to know each other and begin putting a collaborative in place.
The area that I felt needed to be addressed was the blade being used on Colonial’s American made line of knives such as the automatics-the existing designs worked well for their intended purpose, but lacked spiff and cool factor-hence the need for Blackie Collins-designed blades. Blackie took home with him several automatics of the Ribbed™ and Ameba™ series to see what he could come up with, and several weeks later I received Blackie’s call. He had designed tanto and clip point blades for the knives.
With a licensing agreement in place, signed by both parties and blade patterns decided on, they were now ready to prototype the blades. But then came the phone call. The conversation was one of sadness in finding out my new friend had passed on. Over the next six months Jane and I would speak, nothing about business or knives but rather, how she was doing. As can be expected, it wasn’t easy and things got put on the back burner. The next spring, I approached Jane and asked if she was still interested in moving forward on the plans Blackie and I had laid out, and with her blessings, we’re now ready to present the Ribbed tanto and Ameba key chain knives.
The Ribbed ™auto features a tanto design both in silver and non-reflective finishes, both in half serrated and straight edge. The Ameba™ key Chain knife’s blade is serrated, the reason being that such a compact and convenient blade tends to get a lot of abuse and neglect.
He published and edited America's first magazine devoted to cutlery, "Blade Magazine" in 1973. Collins wrote and published "How Knives are Made" in 1975, America's first How-to book on making cutlery. That led Blackie to write and published "How to Scrimshaw and Carve Ivory", "The Pocketknife Manual", and "Throwing Knives for Survival and Defense".
Collins, Blackie (1975). How knives are made (The Encyclopedia of American knives). Custom Knifemakers' Supply.
Collins, Blackie; Felix Mirando (1976). The Pocketknife Manual - Building, Repairing and Refinishing Pocketknives. Knife World Publications.
Collins, Blackie; McLoughlin, Chris (1977). Personal Defense. Knife World Publications.
Collins, Blackie (1978). Knife Throwing: Sport Survival Defense. Knife World Publications.
Knife Throwing. Written by an industry legend, Blackie Collins, this has to be the most popular book ever written on knife throwing. This comprehensive book by famous knife author & designer, Blackie Collins covers all areas like how to select a knife, how to make targets, how to determine range, and how to survive with a knife. A must have for anyone who throws or wants to know how to throw knives! 31 pages.
Collins, Blackie; Michael Collins (1978). How to Scrimshaw and Carve Ivory. Knife World Publications.
This slim volume, was written and copyrighted 11 years before the CITES trade agreement treaty of June 9, 1989. So the info on purchasing ivory and or owning it are outdated. The other info on preparing the ivory and the tools used are good for comparison, of the way things are done today and the tools used. I would say this book would be good for the reference shelf, or some one with only a passing interest in ivory work. Knife World Pubns (Jun 1978)
Time line....
1970-Started Smith&Wesson line of knives.
1970-Started Collins Brothers semi-production knives (later Bowen knives)
1973-Started "American Blade" magazine-later known as BLADE-the first knife magazine.
1978-Started BENCHMARK knives. Created favorites like the NINJA, ROLOX, and Carolina Hunter and the TACII.
1983-Designed the LST for Gerber. The FIRST factory folder to utilize a one piece molded plastic handle frame. This revolutionized the knife industry.
1983-designed the Gerber bolt-action. The FIRST tactical folder.
Since then Blackie has become the most prolific "diving knife" designer and manufacturer in the world.
Blackie has collaborated with many companies including CASE, Gerber, Paragon, SOG, Meyerco
to create new and unusual knives for the buying public.
Blackie's knives may not be everyone's cup of tea, but they are always unique with a fresh approach to knife design.
Blackie was a true southern gentleman, and he will be surely missed by many who new him personally.
And the huge number of knife enthusiast from around the world who enjoyed his knives and designs he made.
Blackie with his brother Michael
.
Last edited:
Clem Kadiddlehopper
knife guy
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2012
- Messages
- 7,114
Thanks! everyone......
Last edited:
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2001
- Messages
- 2,033
Al,
the first photograph in this post (12) is a visiting knife maker showing off his pocket knife. It is not Bob.
the first photograph in this post (12) is a visiting knife maker showing off his pocket knife. It is not Bob.
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2001
- Messages
- 2,033
So George Herron pretty much hints that - Randall was the influence for him starting.....
John Cooper - Maybe influenced by Marble's? - or a Scagel?
Buster Warenski reads about custom knives - and it was Gil Hibben and the price of Gil's knives that sparked his interest.... thanks! Gil. - :thumbup:
And Dan Dennehy starts making knives in WWII - So it could of been Marble's? Cooper's? or Randall's knives that maybe influenced him?
What do you think?
This knife below could of been made in the late 1800's or after? - By who?
Al,
I am pretty sure that you will find that knife still in the John Russell catalog in the early 30s before they went under.
I doubt that any one influenced Cooper. Bob Loveless went to A&F to buy a Randall and when told how long he would have to wait became a knifemaker. Dan made his own knives without the influence of anyone until late in his career when he began to show Loveless influence, he did however admire Randall and sent him a knife, Randall sent him a knife in return and his standard letter, telling the maker that his knife was the finest knife Randall had ever seen made outside the Randall shop. This letter arrested many makers in place so that they never improved the quality of their work, Red Browne the marked example.
Randall, by the way, has never, to my knowledge left off the forging of their non-stainless blades, I do believe that they use stock removal on the stainless that they use.
A. G.
- Status