Design Comes to Life!!!

W

Will Leavitt

Joined
Jul 28, 2006
Messages
3,953
A good customer and friend originally ordered this design from me as a desk knife. When I retired I happily gave him permission to have another maker bring the design to life. I couldn't be happier with his execution of my simple design. The maker is Rob Johnson from Michigan. The design is called "minori".

The name starts with something my mother used to preach to my brother and I growing up. The saying is "etaka minori" meaning bowed branches or something like that. The concept is that the better the fruit or rice on a plant the lower the branches or stalk hang. It's a reminder that the better or more powerful you must become more humble. My mom and her best friend argued for a long time on the exact phrasing (as only two seventy-plus year old Japanese ladies can,) the crux of their argument stems from being in different regions of Japan. I went with my mom's phrasing.

The concept behind the design is for all the lines to come back to the edge of the blade leading to a bowing of the design representing humility.

Enough chatter, here's the pictures, I couldn't be happier from the flawless (better than I would have done) execution. I'd like to hear your comments on the design.

minori.jpg


minoriblade.jpg
 
good design, Will. Glad to see you're still having an effect despite your retirement.
 
Glad you like it Will, it was a neat little knife to make. I had initially planned to use 1095 with a hamon but after consulting with John I went with damascus instead.
 
The final product resulting from the collaberation of these two top shelf knife makers could not have made me more pleased with the "minori".

I appreciate the generosity of Will for sharing his design so that this knife could come to fruition. I appreciate the talent and artistry of Rob in his final execution of this knife.

All in all the final product is all and more that I had asked for several months back when Will and I first started to discuss what I wanted.

I am the proud owner of other knives made by both of these gentlemen so from a satified customer, Will and Rob thank you!


John
 
Thank you for the kind words guys.... I've always strived for elegant in my designs. I'm glad that Rob saw fit to make my simple knife for John.

John, how does it feel?
 
Welcome to Will's daughtern nice to have you aboard here.

Will, I don't know yet how it feels as Rob is still working on the leather slip for it but you rest assured that once it arrives I will l be sure to let you know.
 
Ummmm I don't think she meant she's my daughter..... ummmm I just checked and all my kids are in Alabama with the possible exception of my son who's at University of South Alabama with a double major in physics and geology. He'd better be studying or he'll feel my wrath.

On a knife related note, not sure how Rob feels about these things and with your permission John, I've given him the rights to make more of these if there's interest and his willingness and your permission.
 
Will, he can make all he wants to if so inclined, it can only raise the value of #1.
 
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