Ed Fowler knives

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IMHO, Fowler's knives have to be used to be fully appreciated. I mean, if you skin enough games, then you'll know a little something about blade geometry; what works and what doesn't. Ed's blade geometry is unmatched even compared to other makers in the same caliber. I am a fan of his works, and even though they are not visually appealing for some people, I find them very beautiful. :thumbup:
 
thanks steven, i like the sound of alloy banding better. think i will use it in future since it makes me sound smarter. not being feceisicious i really do like the way you said it. it is a mystery is'nt it.
 
DennisStrickland said:
thanks steven, i like the sound of alloy banding better. think i will use it in future since it makes me sound smarter. not being feceisicious i really do like the way you said it. it is a mystery is'nt it.
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No, not really a mystery.

Wootz is steel made in a crucible, and forged to get the impurities out.

Heat cycling/tempering, done both with clay, and the way that Ed does it(which to me IS something of a mystery, but only because I never spoke with him or Bill Burke about that specifically) can introduce this appearance OR segregated micro-carbides depending upon what the steel is to start with, making it a wootz-LIKE structure, but not Wootz.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Ed Fowler said:
Steven: Please explain to me how forging gets the impurities out.
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Now Ed, I may have "misremembered", so I'll have to go back to Ann Feuerbach and possibly Verhoeven so I don't do it again.

I notice that you didn't pick apart my third sentence which is where the "important" statement was made.

Will post later.:)

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Hoping not to tread on any toes, but there are several makers around making knives that are very, very similar to Ed Fowler knives. Obviously they are allowed to by Ed Fowler but am wondering how this came to be. Do not think that I have seen similar for other makers.

Or it is just because Ed Fowler's knives are so distinctive that even a knife inspired by an Ed Fowlerknife looks like an Ed Fowler?
 
Smaller knife, short stout blade, was purchased from a man who claimed he'd used it for 8 yrs. without resharpening.

Next photo is several Pronghorns. (sorry for poor lighting) Two knives in top of photo are pre- 2000 made, note the different contour of grind, below knives have the Modified Price style grind. Ed started experimenting with more radical edge geometry with advent of using virgin bar stock 52100.
David
 
Six inch Bowie.
Greg

orig.jpg
 
airyq said:
Hoping not to tread on any toes, but there are several makers around making knives that are very, very similar to Ed Fowler knives. Obviously they are allowed to by Ed Fowler but am wondering how this came to be. Do not think that I have seen similar for other makers.

Or it is just because Ed Fowler's knives are so distinctive that even a knife inspired by an Ed Fowlerknife looks like an Ed Fowler?
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Maybe someone else can add a better explanation, there is the old saying "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery". And, Ed has long taught his methods to those wanting to learn.. part of his philosophy of sharing ideas. Learning and sharing, often being a two way street. Some have branched off to develop other styles of their own, or in process of defining a new style.

It would be a good question to ask the makers, such as Bill, Butch, and Eldon, what about the "Fowler method" has advanced the forged blade as you see it today, and is this the reason, so to speak, "carry the flame"? Creating a tradition of sorts.. This is my impression.

Ed, how do you see "tradition" as relating to your knifemaking, style, and the future.. ?
David
 
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2knife said:
Smaller knife, short stout blade, was purchased from a man who claimed he'd used it for 8 yrs. without resharpening.
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David, with all due respect, please clarify what you mean by this statement. How did this person use it and how often did this person use it? He never sharpened it even once and it was still very sharp eight years later? Do tell.
 
Chris,
Maybe not much possibly - just something he told me. It did appear to have the original edge though. Ed has since resharpened it.
David
 
mckgreg said:
Six inch Bowie.
Greg

orig.jpg
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Greg,
Good to see this! Is this the same one listed on bladegallery currently? 6" blade size is not too common in Ed's knives.. not sure why.

Would love to see more... I know you have them! :)
David
 
Ed Fowler said:
Steven: Please explain to me how forging gets the impurities out.
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Ok, Ed.....I got my ducks straight now.

So, you have your ingot of Wootz out of the crucible, and a bunch of crap(glass, more or less) on the top of the ingot, I was referring to as impurities, which technically they are, not IN the steel but ON it. Some 'smiths bang it off cold, some gently knock it off while forging it....whilst compacting the often crumbly cake into a denser cake/billet.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
2knife said:
6" blade size is not too common in Ed's knives.. not sure why.
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My guess is because Ed Fowler doesn't seem like much of a 'Fightin Knife' kinda guy.
 
discussing the wootz like appearance of some areas on fowlers blades brought up some points that you may help me with steven. i've heard al pendry in florida was the 1st to actually reproduce this product several yrs. back. he cut the silk scarf at the blade show.i've read that it was 1st made in india long ago also the 1st was done in persia. i'm surprised the chinese were'nt the earliest.steven do you know the history of wootz? i would appreciate any info youi can pass along. thanks dennis.
 
DennisStrickland said:
i've heard al pendry in florida was the 1st to actually reproduce this product several yrs. back. he cut the silk scarf at the blade show.i've read that it was 1st made in india long ago also the 1st was done in persia. i'm surprised the chinese were'nt the earliest.steven do you know the history of wootz? i would appreciate any info youi can pass along. thanks dennis.
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No one for sure knows the exact history of Wootz, Dennis, but I'll include some hyperlinks that may help a bit from some experts(Ann Feurbach first for the best history/evolution, and then Dr. J.D. Verhoeven for detail about the material itself):

http://home.att.net/~moltenmuse/Pulad.htm

http://www.tms.org/pubs/journals/JOM/9809/Verhoeven-9809.html

If you or anyone else wishes to continue the discussion about Wootz, we should probably start a new thread so as not to seriously derail this most excellent one about Ed Fowler knives.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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Back to the "knife show" ..

What is your version of the "Iron Mistress"?

This was asked of makers, and compiled for a past Blade article more than a decade ago.

This was Ed's version. Note the nature of the convex grind. Infinitely more interesting than a flat grind.
David
 
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