Ed Fowler fixed blade

Kohai999 said:
See, the thing is, Ed makes his knives for himself. That is a fairly unique position for someone making a living off their craft. If you like an Ed Fowler knife, he will be happy to make one for you, as long as the handles are sheep horn, and the guard is of brass. If that works for you, you will be happy. That does not work for me.
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Hercules and Steve, there are other options. Although Ed is pretty set in what materials he chooses to work with, he is not opposed to doing collaborations with other makers that offer different materials.

The one that comes to mind first is this set that Ed & Joe Szilaski collaborated on. My first chiovce for handle material is stag, I about had a heart attack when I saw this set.

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I wished I still had the picture of the folder that Joe made for this set, but I don't. I handled the folder at one of the NY shows and it a dream of mine to have Joe & Ed make a similar one for me.

Another collaboration with different materials is of course the "Chubb" the Appleton/ Fowler collabiration. The full story can be read on this previous thread.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=154129&highlight=appleton

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Hercules, I wish you much joy of ownership with your Fowler knife. You must however understand that not everyone shares your view, but that's okay. There are folks that don't believe the Bob Loveless makes the best Loveless designed knives or that Bill Moran makes the best Moran's and can't understand why someone would pay the price for a knife made by these masters.

At Blade show 2001 I bought a a Stag & Stellite Carson and a Fowler Pronghorn. For the record Kit and Ed are dear friends of mine. I showed everyone my new knives and it wasn't long before other makers who are also friends started pointing out to me what was wrong with both of these knives. Were they trying to rain on my parade? Would they prefer I had spent money on their knives instead? Or were they just highlighting the fact that there are no perfect knives?

There are no perfect knives. There is no one maker that everyone agrees is the best. Some vote with their mouth and some with their hard earned money. Opinions are worth whatever value we give them. Nothing will shake my opinion of Ed Fowler or Kit Carson.
 
I dunno Steven, when you referred to Ed as "...the finest knifemaker/writer on the planet." that was clearly being disparaging. :rolleyes:

Roger
 
Hercules said:
Ed's knives reflect the history of the wild west! QUOTE]

Ed's contribution is the stuff of legend. Living on the East Coast, I've never felt the ground in Wyoming or seen the sights of what it's like. But, I have to believe Ed has carried the cowboy tradition proudly, into this generation and leaves it a better place for the next. He is the genuine article, a true gift in a world of big cities and Superstores.

And, he has captured the grit and beauty of his world in the knives he makes. Often people criticise when they don't understand the context, whether the knife is not glamorous enough or materials do not suit their taste. I try not to hold it against anyone, only try to protect his well-deserved reputation amongst critics. In these forums, it is my hope also to make more friends than enemies. Eventhough, I'm often guilty of speaking hastily or judging others' intent. I think we all have a common bond, in our differences we can respect each other. At least, there is that hope...

Phil,
Thanks for the pictures. I'm still working on the Fowler scrapbook. Ed has given me some good pictures for it. I hope you'll be at Blade... any chance? (Remember that high-priced cutie who walked in front of you in line last year...maybe she'll be back :eek: )

One of Ed's big camp knives just sold on Bladegallery for a princely sum. There seems to be no shortage of interest in his knives when they become available.
David
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Keith Montgomery said:
Ed has a new website.

www.edfowler.com
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It's another Szilaski collaboration on the website, Lori Szilaski & Evan Napen gave Ed his website. Thanks to both of them. Ed is proud that he now owns his own name in computerland, ;)
 
Nice pics. I kinda like the bowies, although I think they would look better w/ a drop edge.
 
Kohai999
Steve,
Despite my lack of postings I'm not a newbie knife enthusiast. I observe without commenting for the most part. Maybe I was harsh with you. I've devoted over 21 years of my life to defending your right to freely speak your mind. My biggest complaint was your postings repeating the same thing over and over again. I thought it was redundant and unnecessary. The new Blade magazine has another great article by Ed where he discusses what you and I are talking about.
 
PhilL
You are a wise man who chooses his words carefully. Thanks for your thoughts, it gives me words to reflect on. You're right on. I bought the Fowler for myself and no one else. I'm passionate in my beliefs and confident in my decisions. I waited a long, long time to own one of Ed's knives and didn't anticipate the posting from Steve. I learned a long time ago if I didn't have something good to say I probably won't say it unless I want to antagonize someone. Thanks for sharing your outstanding pictures! Next time I want to lash out at someone I'll consider the thoughtful responses of yourself and 2knife, hesitate a little bit, then attack!
 
I do hope that is your real name. ;)

We both read each other wrong, I think. I was redundant because many people who post on the forums do not take the time to start at one end of a thread, and follow it through to the end. What seems like me pounding a dead horse into shoe leather, is just me trying to make sure that the information is current, and understood.

I should not have assumed that you were a newbie to knives. That was wrong of me, and I apologize. Most of the time, when someone is new to a specific forum, they kind of introduce themselves, if they are not known. I have put some thought into the knives that I collect, and have spent years trying to get a specific knife style, but not from any one specific maker, unless it took them a spell to make the knife I was waiting for, if that makes any sense.

I served for 4 years in the U.S. Navy, mostly onboard the USS Sacramento, spending an average of 7 months per year away from home port, so I was sincere when I said I salute your Service. If you have read my past postings, then you already know that I speak my mind, irrespective of its' "niceness" or not. There is very little that is "nice" about me, but I do try for civil, and might have failed in this instance.

Ed Fowler sent me a link today for his website. I took a look, and it looks good, I e-mailed him as much. I am looking forward to seeing him in Atlanta.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Steve
I've already lost two good friends in the knife world, Bill and Daniel, due to a misunderstanding and my shortfalls as a human being. I don't wish to lose another knife brother. Thanks for your words. We're both Ed Fowler the man's friend like thousands of others that are proud to make that claim. You and I have had the privilege to talk to Ed. Every month thousands of others "talk" to Ed thru his outstanding articles in Blade magazine. Thanks for expanding my horizons in the knife world! And, sir, I salute you for serving and sacrificing for this great nation with your years of service in the Navy!
 
All are welcome here!(As long as they know what in the hell they are talking about) ;)

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Phil,
For fun, (when you have time) could you do some of your computer magic to make a Pronghorn style knife with a Wharncliff blade? Could name it a "Bird of Prey", since it's shape would resemble a bird talon. (..is that totally impractical? )

Glad to see everyone's getting along better. Sharing our ideas is a good thing. I have made some new friends, including Hercules. I know you will enjoy your new knife, and newfound passion. It's a priveledge we have to travel this road and find those who we connect with. You are an honorable man, and one of integrity. I look forward to meeting you one day. Keep the course, brother. I'll ask you what somebody should have asked me, when I bought my first Fowler knife.. "How does it feel to have an empty wallet?" :rolleyes:

I just read Ed's new Blade article on Brass. He really has a spiritual side to his devotion that comes through in his writing. Food for thought and an inspiration to us all. Well, that's all for me right now..
David
 
2knife said:
Phil,
For fun, (when you have time) could you do some of your computer magic to make a Pronghorn style knife with a Wharncliff blade?
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David I'll give it a try when I get back to Houston.
Here's pne you might find interesting until then. Sal Glesser approached Ed FFowler about making him a Pronghorn with a serrated blade. Ed refused. Sal offered additional money to reconsider. Ed again had to pass. When I heard about this I had suggestion I would make Sal's knife in Photoshop, and here it is.

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;)
 
Phil,
I remember the shock and horror when I first saw that! Blasphemy!
I'll look forward to your "Raptor version".
David
 
I have great respect for Sal. I meant no disrespect to Sal when I declined to make him a serrated blade. It was just something I do not believe in for a lot of reasons. It was a personal decision on my part, just something I could not do without regretting I had done it later. Plil did provide one through his talent and when I first saw it I was taken back. Same feelings I had seeing it gain this time.
 
Hey all,

I haven't read through this whole thread but would like to say that in my opinion Ed is an artisan and when you buy one of his knives you are getting more than a tool. You can compare his prices and the performance of his blades and determine that you can obtain a better value from another maker whose knives have a better price to performance ratio. You have to spend millions for one of Picasso's masterpieces, so could you find a better value buying a less expensive painting from some other respected artist?

The textures, colors and contours that the handles on Ed's knives exhibit are a great attraction to me as a collector. That he can use and display the form and beauty of this natural material is a great part of the art in his craft. Not all may agree, some may see fungus infected toenails, just like some people may not care for Picasso's abstract<?> works.

Everyone has their own goals when they buy a custom knife, from getting a superior using blade to making an investment. When you make a purchase of an object that touches your spirit and will bring you great joy then there is less emphasis on the price that is being asked for it. When you encounter one of these knives you just must have it if it's at all possible. I own the Bowie knife Joss mentioned and it has brought me great pleasure and is a treasured possesion.

Thanks Ed for your friendship and your talent!

-Jose
 
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