Ed Fowler fixed blade

No problem Keith, I was not sure if you were messing with me or not.

I also own and have read Ed's newest edition of his book. Yes, Keith the protege's knife was new, I corresponded directly with the maker. I was just really unimpressed when compared to other makers work for less money. I have seen Mr. Fowlers knives at the Bladeshow, while I liked them, I did not feel they were worth the price.

Just my opinion. I hope I have not made any enemies here, that is not my intention.
 
Westflorida said:
Just my opinion. I hope I have not made any enemies here, that is not my intention.
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You sure haven't made an enemy here. I welcome everyones opinions and realize that there are going to be lots of people that don't feel the same way that I do. Differing opinions is what leads to good discussions and debates. It is not when people have differing views, but when people don't respect the opinions of others that problems arise.
 
Keith, I appreciate the response and I definately respect your opinion and all other opinions by members here on the forum.
 
Brass has no class and sheephorn reminds me of toenail fungus.

Once people pay this kind of money for a "user grade" knife, they have so much emotion tied up in the affair there is no sense trying to dissuade or discuss the pros or the "gulp" cons.
 
Well this thread seems to have gone sideways more often than a drunk driver on an icy road. :rolleyes: Far be it for me to fight the trend. I don't think Anthony is mocking anybody's taste - just expressing his (apparently strong) dislike for sheep horn.

Somewhere back there Steve made a point that I agree with in terms of lack of options - you get sheep and brass, like it or not. Now I don't pretend to know more than the top bladesmiths such as Ed about knife design, but I do know that if I'm plunking down a thousand (or in this case, gulp, several thousand) dollars, I'd like to have a wee bit of input as to the materials selected for what will become my knife.

Cheers,

Roger
 
Ed is one of those rare knifemakers whose work has escalated for two reasons:

1. He makes a really good product for what it is designed for.
2. His contributions into the world of custom knives is legendary--entirely on the basis of his words. Here on the forums and more importantly in the books he has written.

What you are *mostly* paying for is not the technology or the materials or the styling. What you are paying for is the prestige and personal character that is embedded in this piece. Much the same as why you will pay astronomical prices for a Moran, a Walker, or a Loveless.

Unless you understand this fully and are willing to make this step then don't go near his knives. Those that appreciate the inner emotional qualities will get the value back in spades. It's not a knife for a new collector, by any means. I suspect it's an acquired taste.

I don't own one, but after I read his first book, I sure wanted one. It makes the difference.

Coop
 
Fowler's knives don't float my boat for all of the above reasons. I believe he commands his prices due to his marketing of his persona. In a recent Blade ad for his knifemaking school fowler claims to be the Michealangelo of the knife world.
 
I think the pronghorn is a classic design, and sheephorn is a beautiful material. One day I'll own a pronghorn, I already regret passing on one.
 
I would be careful not to mock your taste. Out of respect, you should do the same.
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Lighten up, Francis, this is a discussion forum, its not really worth getting your feelings hurt over it.

BTW, I have a Fowler knife.
 
Well, I am a big fan of Ed's column, I know quite a bit more than the average person about knives, but I have found I know far less than a lot of posters on these boards. That said, most of Ed's popularity is based on what he has written, he is a very good storyteller, and for someone who doesn't know as much as he should, I take his words as gospel. Once again, that said, from what I have read, he is a very sociable man, and will not turn down anyone that just wants to jaw. As for the price of his knives, those who pay full price are adding to the economy. I don't know if his prices are accurate. I don't know if his knives are worth that amount. Like all other industries, it is usually whatever the market will bear. I wrote to Blade magazine about different steel types, and for them to please write an article that clarifies the main types for us newbies and collectors who really don't know as much as we should, and the editor sent me a reply back that they would definitely do an article on that, and that Fowler or Szilaski would have a field day with it! I am waiting on pins and needles to read that article. So, as an artisan and a writer, I very much respect Fowler, and would like to meet him, but I fervently believe that he is a good business man, he has provided his own free pub in Blade, and has really done a good job of creating a clientele for his business. If it's all BS, which I dont' think it is, then he is a superb businessman.
 
or Bill Burke, or Audra Draper and have fun with it. Enjoy it, maybe you can post us all about how nice it is, and show us some pictures.

You joined in February 2005 and already have 140 posts. You obviously have a lot to contribute, so we would all certainly like to hear about your experiences with your Fowler or protege of Fowler knife. Buy one soon?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Anthony Lombardo said:
Once people pay this kind of money for a "user grade" knife, they have so much emotion tied up in the affair there is no sense trying to dissuade or discuss the pros or the "gulp" cons.
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This is a very real phenomenon - plus of course there are some who purposefully try to maintain a market for their knives.
 
If a variety of handle materials is what you like, I've seen Bill Burke's knives featuring elk/ironwood, California buckeye, stag, musk ox, oosic, and black sheep. (also, he has made a few folders using the blackhorn sheep) If you prefer something other than 52100 steel, he makes his own damascus too.

With Ed, I have only seen very rare examples of the departure from his signature sheephorn/52100. One of these knives is for sale on Primoknives.com currently, it is an older model made with ironwood/sheephorn in damascus.
David
 
Ed Fowler has many times went the Extra Mile for me...

I have a ton of emails from Ed helping me, and answering my questions about how to make a blade like his....In fact, I wounder how he managed to even finish a blade one year I so crammed his email with questions.

I even received a traceing of his knife and sheath via snail-mail,,,,,(I have it framed) so I could understand the size of different things.

When I first saw the design of the Fowler knife and knew it was what I was looking for,,,,But I wanted to make one, to make the knife,,and not just get another mans work,( Im like that),,,so I learned , and learned, and in time,,,after about 50 blades,,,I have learned how to make my version of the Pronhorn,,,,and Im happy,,,,it feels good to look down at it on my hip at the work and know,,:"I did that"

Now a real Fowler blade is owned in a wider "context"...
you are getting a bit more with the Ed Fowler knife that just some steel, horn and brass,,,,,there is the fuller context of getting a knife from a maker who represents the best in knife makers....a maker we should all look at as a guide,,,,a benchmark for our willingness to help others ....

He respects the steel in his blades, and dreams of where he can take it,,,,and when you decide to own a Fowler blade, you have become part of this story....

You dont "just own" it,,,,you are lucky enough to own it...
 
Just to be clear, all this talk about the mystique of owning an Ed Fowler piece is true, but is just as true for a much cheaper Jerry Fisk or Don Fogg or Tim Hancock, etc.
 
DaQo'tah,

No one here, yet, has disparaged Ed Fowler, the man. I don't think that it can be done, except by those that know him very well, like his ex or soon-to- be ex-wife/wives.

Can you afford a Fowler Bowie at full price? I might be able to, but it would be a tight squeeze. Then to be told that the hilt must be brass, because the man believes brass is an "honest metal". I hate brass.

The world is full of makers that believe the price of their knives to be a bargain. Coop included Ed in a list of makers that I initially believed to be unfair, but upon reflection, it shows more insight than I would have shown in this list. Add to the list Gay Rocha, Ron Lake, Virgil England, Ron and Ray Appleton.........

Most knifemakers think that they are giving their work away. Many are right. Coop was also right about Fowler knives being an acquired taste. The thing to remember here is that Ed makes his knives for nobody else than Ed. If you want a piece of Ed Fowler, you know where to get it.

It does not work for me, and it does not work for those that have posted here saying such. It does work for others, and they have spoken as well. I encourage Silent Hunter to get a knife that makes him happy. I also encourage him to think about how he is going to sell it if he winds up needing the money.

It is relatively easy to buy a knife, it can be difficult to sell a knife if you do not know what you are doing.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Joss said:
Just to be clear, all this talk about the mystique of owning an Ed Fowler piece is true, but is just as true for a much cheaper Jerry Fisk or Don Fogg or Tim Hancock, etc.
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Yes, in a way, each knife maker,,,even us new guys,,,has a name that goes with the blade we make and sell...

Im just not the type of guy who actually likes haveing "others work" on my hip,,,thats why I started to make knives and swords when ,,,(if you think about it),,,It would have been way, way, way, way cheaper* for me to just order a knife from Ed Fowler...LOL.....

(* Concider, parts,belts, belt grinder, forge, hammers, fuel, time,,,trips into town...all to make one knife?)

But, I like the design....and thats enough reason for me....
 
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