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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
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 Scagel Folder Reproductions & Original Scagels
- Thread starter Blues
- Start date
Scagel made knives from about 1910 to 1962, though he tapered off quite a bit in the last few years due to arthritis in his hands and shoulders. He was born February 1873 and died March 1963.
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- Jan 24, 2010
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Spent several minutes and read through this whole thread. I really love to see these knives and makers that are "before my time". When Mr. Scagel passed away, I was still in high school and didn't have any money. About that time I was gifted a "tree brand" stockman, but that was my whole "collection" in 1963. I really appreciate all the time and effort you folks have gone to so that folks like myself can view and appreciate the work of this obviously talented designer and maker.
Ed
Ed
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Not sure where this picture came from. Pretty good looking drawer though.
Not sure if any or all of them are genuine.
I think all of them are genuine -- this appears to be some of the Dr James Lucie Collection. The knife that is fifth from the bottom left is a particular favorite of Ed Fowler's (a guy who can certainly claim part of Scagel's legacy as one of the best knifesmiths on the planet) -- he wrote a bit of a critical treatise on its design and aesthetics IIRC. That particular knife has even been given a name, though I cannot remember it at the moment.
I should have some scans up tonight of the folder portion of that particular fixed/folder knife that is sixth from the bottom right.
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- Joined
- Aug 10, 2006
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- 7,250
Good heavens! Those are all real?
That's about a half-million dollars worth of knives, right there. Absolutely glorious. I don't think I've ever seen a Scagel in that good a condition, much less a whole drawer full of them. That is amazing!This is true. He was a great believer in making great use of "found" materials and got many of the bits and pieces of his designs from surprising sources -- using sliced up old bowling balls to make some of his spacers for one. I think he considered this sort of thing a part of the artistry. However, this did NOT include his knife blade steel. He was extremely picky about getting the finest and cleanest steel he could acquire (IIRC he preferred Swedish tool steels when he could get them, followed by English tool steels). Bo Randall related that Scagel would sometimes use steel that someone brought him to make them a knife, but he would never put his trademark stamps on such a knife.
Just where the heck he got all his fine antlers for his knives was never known. Every couple of years he'd disappear into the woods for a while and come back with some huge sacks full of antlers and parts that would supply him for a couple more years of making.
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- Jul 21, 2001
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- 2,869
All of those knives are real honest Scagels! They are in Dr. Lucie's collection, they have been on display at Blade Show almost every year. The 5th one from the left is or has been named The Mermaid of the Great Lakes. Dr Lucie bought her from a man who ordered a fish knife. Bill Scagel made him a knife that was designed to resemble a fish, from the tip (nose) to the tail. He drew a fish on the knife. It was a fish knife that was a fish!
She fits your hand like a glove and from the first time I saw her she captivated me. Dr Lucie came to the Willow Bow for a week or so and let me play with her at my discretion. Finally one night in a dream I saw her swimming through the water and understood the thoughts of Bill Scagel when he made her. At least I think I understand her. Dr Lucie let me cut with her and enjoy her caress. Over 10 years later I still think about her and visit her at Blade Show every Year. She still has a special place in my heart. Dr Lucie knows this and each year brings her to my table for us to visit.
The knife was made in the late 30's and is one of the first custom double ground blades I had seen that was done with style. She absolutely stands alone as an example of the creativity, independence of thought and art of Bill Scagel.
She is in his book which is being printed now and should be available in the very near future.
She fits your hand like a glove and from the first time I saw her she captivated me. Dr Lucie came to the Willow Bow for a week or so and let me play with her at my discretion. Finally one night in a dream I saw her swimming through the water and understood the thoughts of Bill Scagel when he made her. At least I think I understand her. Dr Lucie let me cut with her and enjoy her caress. Over 10 years later I still think about her and visit her at Blade Show every Year. She still has a special place in my heart. Dr Lucie knows this and each year brings her to my table for us to visit.
The knife was made in the late 30's and is one of the first custom double ground blades I had seen that was done with style. She absolutely stands alone as an example of the creativity, independence of thought and art of Bill Scagel.
She is in his book which is being printed now and should be available in the very near future.
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2010
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- 455
I grew up 25 miles from Fruitport, MI and wish I would have had the insight to seek out original Scagles at the estate & garage sales. Probably far and few between in this day and age.
Dornblaser
BANNED
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- Sep 5, 2010
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- 456
This has been a very informative thread, thank you to everyone who contributed.
