Custom Knife History

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I would have replied quoting Buddy's post on Scagel, but it seemed too long to bring back for a few comments, if you get what I mean? Anyway, all I wanted to say is if I could have one knife from one of the old time masters, it would be a Scagel. They just call to me. There's some fancier, some more attractive perhaps, but there's none like his. This is one of the best threads ever posted in BF, thanks, Al.!:thumbup:
 
1970 - February - Sahara Gun Show, Las Vegas - First get together

1970 - June - Tulsa Gun Show - Guild is formed

1971 - First Guild Show - Houston, Texas - gun & knife show

1972 - Second Guild Show - Kansas City, Missouri- with/ Missouri Valley Arms Collectors Association's Gun Show.

1973 - Kansas City - Moran shows Damascus blades

1974 - 1975 - Kansas City - knife show only - no/guns

1976 - Dallas, Texas

1977 - 1985 - Kansas City

1986 - 2014 - Show is held in various cities - Dallas, TX. - Orlando, FL. - New Orleans, - Louisville, KY.

2015 - Kansas City - Guild & ABS join up - International Custom Cutlery Exposition (ICCE)

Thanks for the heads up AG, very much appreciated. Hope I got this right?
 
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Pocketknifesheaths said:
1986 - 2014 - Show is held in various cities - Dallas, TX. - Orlando, FL. - New Orleans, - Louisville, KY.
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Las Vegas for two years, I think 1997/1998....I was there both years....hanging out with Jason Williams and Phil Baldwin....Ron Gaston was in full show mode, still had knives on the second day of the show, all premium stuff too, no bad ones in the mix...good times!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Joe Kious - 2014

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John White - 2014


tvandeventer said:
Jill has allowed me to make the announcement that my dear friend and ABS master smith John White, 71, died peacefully in his sleep, last night Oct 4, 2014.

John was unexpectedly diagnosed with inoperable liver and pancreatic cancer five weeks ago. His condition declined very rapidly and he is now at rest.

This is not only the greatest loss to Jill, his wife of forty years, but to the knife community. Those who knew him saw a vivacious, smart, funny, and highly skilled artisan. There will be no services and his ashes will be spread on the bayou near his home. I have been asked to arrange for the sale of his shop contents, and in a short while will drive to Florida to inventory and price this part of his estate.

Please keep Jill in your prayers. We'll miss you John.

Terry Vandeventer
ABS MS
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white1.jpg~original


John-White-Legacy-Kn.jpg



I met Joe once very briefly at Bladeshow, and got his autograph......:):thumbup:
John, was also at that show and I knew it was him, from the hat........:D

Anyone know some of their history as custom knife makers?


.
 
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As it happens, both Joe and John were very close personal friends of mine.

Joe lived and had his shop in a beautiful acreage subdivision about three miles from my house. I was able to visit him very frequently and he visited me a lot as well. Joe was a school teacher in the RioGrande Valley of Texas and made knives part time for quite a while. This was when his knives were marked "Alamo, Texas". He moved to Kerrville about 15 or so years ago and, of course, he was a full time maker all time he was here. His shop was very well equipped. He had five grinders, two Baldor buffers, surface grinder, a rock saw, Rockwell tester, on one side. In the other room he had His heat treat ovens,, a couple of big drill presses, and a really nice pantagraph, and a mill. In the front room was the work bench with hand tools etc. Joe was strictly a precision stock removal artist.

John Was like a brother to me. Paul Kessler suggested John try my sheaths about five or six years ago, and from that time every knife John made wound up with my leather on it unless it was one of the beautiful leather covered wood and metal embellished sheaths he made for those oh, so special knives. John was, of course, the antithesis of Joe in that everything John made was forged. John's work, as long as I knew him, was always way above average, but somehow he just got better and better every year.

Both Joe and John were fairly well prolific, and turned out quite a few knives each year when you consider the beauty and complexity of their work, and as would be expected each had a long waiting list.

The main thing that is common to both is that they were both gentlemen in truest sense and definition, and I personally miss both of them each day.

With respect,

Paul
 
sheathmaker said:
As it happens, both Joe and John were very close personal friends of mine.

Joe lived and had his shop in a beautiful acreage subdivision about three miles from my house. I was able to visit him very frequently and he visited me a lot as well. Joe was a school teacher in the RioGrande Valley of Texas and made knives part time for quite a while. This was when his knives were marked "Alamo, Texas". He moved to Kerrville about 15 or so years ago and, of course, he was a full time maker all time he was here. His shop was very well equipped. He had five grinders, two Baldor buffers, surface grinder, a rock saw, Rockwell tester, on one side. In the other room he had His heat treat ovens,, a couple of big drill presses, and a really nice pantagraph, and a mill. In the front room was the work bench with hand tools etc. Joe was strictly a precision stock removal artist.

John Was like a brother to me. Paul Kessler suggested John try my sheaths about five or six years ago, and from that time every knife John made wound up with my leather on it unless it was one of the beautiful leather covered wood and metal embellished sheaths he made for those oh, so special knives. John was, of course, the antithesis of Joe in that everything John made was forged. John's work, as long as I knew him, was always way above average, but somehow he just got better and better every year.

Both Joe and John were fairly well prolific, and turned out quite a few knives each year when you consider the beauty and complexity of their work, and as would be expected each had a long waiting list.

The main thing that is common to both is that they were both gentlemen in truest sense and definition, and I personally miss both of them each day.

With respect,

Paul
Click to expand...

Exceptional words from an exceptional man
 
Couldn't agree more, Joe.
Love your historical memories and provocative insights, Paul.

Don't know a lot about Joe except he made great knives.
Didn't know John either but absolutely loved and was always in awe of his truly amazing knives.

What an excellent thread this is !

Doug
 
You always make me proud and humbled to know you, Paul!

Nice way to remember your friends, hope someone can find something nice to say about me when my turn comes.

Much love,

Steven Garsson
 
Well, Al, this is the most amazing Thread I ever came across!!!
All I want to know is when and where is your BOOK going to be published???

And a word of advice, do not use copyrighted
pictures without at least giving due credit...

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)
 
ddd said:
Well, Al, this is the most amazing Thread I ever came across!!!
All I want to know is when and where is your BOOK going to be published???

And a word of advice, do not use copyrighted
pictures without at least giving due credit...

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same thing David. A lot of great and historical info compiled in this thread.
It would truly be a shame to ever lose it.
 
Just finished up this extensive project for knife maker Dr. David Taber (www.drtknives.com) and his collection of Bob Loveless knives. Here's the knife photos:

Knife #1
Model: Battle Knife
Blade Length: 7[SUP]1/2"

(click on the image for hi-res version)
[/SUP]
Knife #2
Model: Sub-Hilt Fighter
Blade Length: 8"[SUP]

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]

Knife #3
Model: Utility
Blade Length: 5"[SUP]

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #4
Model: Sub-Hilt Fighter
Blade Length: 7[SUP]1/4"

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #5
Model: Boot Knife
Blade Length: 4[SUP]1/2"

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #6
Model: Gut-Hook Skinner
Blade Length: 3[SUP]1/2"

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #7
Model: Straight Hunter
Blade Length: 3[SUP]7/8"

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #8
Model: Delaware Hunter
Blade Length: 4"[SUP]

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #9
Model: Drop Point Hunter
Blade Length: 3[SUP]3/4"

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #10
Model: Fighter
Blade Length: 5[SUP]1/2"

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #11
Model: Chute
Blade Length: 4[SUP]1/2"

(click on the image for hi-res version)
[/SUP]
Knife #12
Model: Drop Point Hunter
Blade Length: 3[SUP]3/4"

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #13
Model (Top): Straight Hunter
Model (Bottom): Semi-Skinner
Blade Length: 3[SUP]7/8"

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #14
Model: Straight Hunter
Blade Length: 3[SUP]7/8"[/SUP][SUP]

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #15
Model: Bowie
Blade Length: 6[SUP]1/2"[/SUP][SUP]

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #16
Model: Semi-Skinner
Blade Length: 3[SUP]1/4"[/SUP][SUP]

(click on the image for hi-res version)
[/SUP]

Knife #17
Model: Nessmuk
Blade Length: 4"[SUP]

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #18
Model: Chute
Blade Length: 4[SUP]1/2"[/SUP][SUP]

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #19
Model: Fighter
Blade Length: 5[SUP]1/2"[/SUP][SUP]

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #20
Model: Fighter
Blade Length: 7"[SUP]

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #21
Model: Semi-Skinner
Blade Length: 3[SUP]1/2"

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #22
Model: Semi-Skinner
Blade Length: 3[SUP]1/2"

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #23
Model: Fighter
Blade Length: 6"[SUP]

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #24
Model: Wood / Loveless Folder
Blade Length: 3[SUP]1/4"

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #25
Model: Drop Point Hunter
Blade Length: 3[SUP]3/4"

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #26
Model: Stretched Hunter
Blade Length: 6"[SUP]

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #27
Model: Drop Point Hunter
Blade Length: 3[SUP]1/2"

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #28
Model: Nessmuk
Blade Length: 4"[SUP]

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #29
Model: Semi-Skinner
Blade Length: 3[SUP]1/2"

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #30
Model: Stiffhorn
Blade Length: 3"[SUP]

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #31
Model: Drop Point Hunter
Blade Length: 3[SUP]1/2"

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #32
Model: Utility
Blade Length: 3[SUP]3/4"

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #33
Model: Drop Point Hunter
Blade Length: 3[SUP]3/4"

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #34
Model: Hunter
Blade Length: 4[SUP]1/4"

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #35
Model: Drop Point Hunter
Blade Length: 3[SUP]1/2"

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #36
Model: Utility
Blade Length: 4[SUP]1/4"

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #37
Model: Utility
Blade Length: 3[SUP]1/2"

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #38
Model: Skinner
Blade Length: 4[SUP]1/2"

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #39
Model: Dagger
Blade Length: 5[SUP]1/2"

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]


Knife #40
Model: Boot Knife with Sheep Horn. SUPER RARE with skull cracker.
Blade Length: 3[SUP]7/8"

(click on the image for hi-res version)[/SUP]

And here's the collage...

(click on the image for the hi-res version...IT'S HUGE SO IT WILL TAKE A WHILE TO DOWNLOAD)



 
Cory... Oh my!!! Want to write a paragraph about all I think of these knives and photos... but all I can muster up is BEAUTIFUL.
 
ddd said:
Well, Al, this is the most amazing Thread I ever came across!!!
All I want to know is when and where is your BOOK going to be published???

And a word of advice, do not use copyrighted
pictures without at least giving due credit...

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)
Click to expand...

I would like to thank David for bringing this to my attention, Thank you David.
A few photos I used here are his and he has copyrights on them. ( He said he did not care, but others may care.)
When putting together this thread and using the photos I had saved from the internet,
I guess I was so caught up in trying to put all of it together in one place, that I was not thinking of the copyrights?

I want to apologize to everyone here, for any negativity or animosity I have brought the forums from this.
And to those folks that I used their work with out permission - I'm sorry and will not do that any more.
From now on I will reach out to folks for the help, as I did with Dr.t and Corey in the post above.

Anyone who see's their work that I have used, and wants credit for it, or have me remove it.
Please do not hesitate to contact me and I will be glad to make it right.

I want to thank everyone who took the photo's I used here, and for all the help, I really appreciate it.
And last I want to thank all the makers - past and present for everything you guys have done and continue to do.

THANK YOU!
 
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Al, your heart is pure and it's in the right place. Sadly the days of a hand shake and thank you may be behind us oldtimers.

Remember the old saying "No good deed goes unpunished";)

Paul
 
sheathmaker said:
Al, your heart is pure and it's in the right place. Sadly the days of a hand shake and thank you may be behind us oldtimers.

Remember the old saying "No good deed goes unpunished";)

Paul
Click to expand...

Paulie, there are plenty of folks who got learned right and a handshake and thank you is right in front of us, not in the rear view mirror.

Can say that for the kids too.

Jon Brand, Kyle Hanson, Mike Ruth Jr.,Ben Seward and the Royers are all examples of youngsters who were brought up well, and are quite polite and conduct their business ethically.

BTW....Kyle Hanson can sharpen a knife, boy, Got an EDC from him at Blade last year, and it is STILL truly hair whittling sharp....ok, back to scheduled programming.

I encouraged Al to create this thread. If it continues going like it has, some simple editing, and the book would be AMAZING....

David Darom has given some good advice....people work hard on creating good photos and editing them with hours of effort invested....crediting their work when able to do so is a)good manners and b)considerate....nothing bad about that.....we all just get lazy sometimes and take it for granted....still, Al...nothing to apologize over imo.

Be good to work on a timeline/flow chart.....Scagel to Randall to Loveless to S.R. Johnson to John Young................Al Buck to Jess Horn to Frank Centofante to Wolfe Loerchner to Ken Steigerwalt.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Be good to work on a timeline/flow chart.....Scagel to Randall to Loveless to S.R. Johnson to John Young
Click to expand...

I've emailed John D. and will see if he can help us out on the guys time line that worked with Bob in his shop.

Update: Thanks John,

Hi Al,
The first helper was Steve Johnson from 1971-1974 then Kuzan Oda in
1977, then Jim Merritt in about 1981ish.
Wood never worked there. and Parke never worked there they were just on
the logo.
Best,
John
Click to expand...

Why were Wood and Parke on the logo if they never worked there?

Barry Wood just made folding knives. So bob made the blade and Barry put them together.
And the Loveless- Parke knives from 1967 were made by Loveless and Parke was just going to sell them. That lasted for about 37 knives.
Best,
John
Click to expand...


Bob Loveless with Jim Merritt 1981 - present

P1010386-1_zpsc3d5a21b.jpg


Steve Johnson making knives in Bob Loveless shop. 1971 - 1974

OM65_zps8471808b.jpg


OM3_zpsda12454e.jpg


OM38_zps81475ad3.jpg
 
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