Ed Fowler's knives, design & techniques

[MVF]

I've only been around here a few years now and have been learning as much and as fast as I can. Having seen Ed Fowler's DVDs, talking to him and handling one of his knives, I have the following questions I hope some of you can help me with:

Why aren't more people using his techniques and design elements? They seem to make good sense and he shares them freely. They certainly don't seem to be beyond the abilities of any decent smith and Ed seems to have pretty good luck even teaching beginners. His prices and waiting list argue well for their popularity, and if his performance claims hold up (and he certainly has many customers who say they do) it would seem an easy knife to sell.

If I'm mistaken about this, who besides Bill Burke makes this type of knife?

Why do you hear so little about his knives here? Is it just because they're so hard to get?

I know aesthetically they are kind of an acquired taste, but they seem outstanding functionally- at least the one I handled. I know there are plenty of fans of functionality here, as well as plenty of hunters (a seemingly likely customer base for Ed's knives), so how many of you have one of Ed's "ladies"? And what do you think of them?

The reason for so many questions is that I really want one, but they are so far beyond my means (and needs) that I would really like to understand some of these issues before spending that much. It really seems like "the knife"- or did I just drink the Kool-aid?

TIA for your help, Mike

PS- I have seen the Cliff Stamp thread.

 

[Kohai999]

If I'm mistaken about this, who besides Bill Burke makes this type of knife?

Why do you hear so little about his knives here? Is it just because they're so hard to get?

I know aesthetically they are kind of an acquired taste, but they seem outstanding functionally-

Audra Draper used to, I have seen Henry Torres make some similar, Shane Justice did, Butch Deveraux does a bunch.

In the past, many of his fans have posted of lady knife and her siren song, David(2knife) and PhilL being two of the more prolific.

The truth is, IMO, the relative rarity, high price and the fact that there are MANY excellent high-performance knives out there to be had contribute to a lowering of Ed Fowler related posts on BladeForums.

Ed also has his own forum, one that you, MVF, participate in, which may contribute as well.

I can tell you this.....if you like Ed's aesthetic, and can find one for a price you are comfortable with, you will have a knife that you will love for the rest of your life, and one that will most certainly serve you well.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Jon Brand]

I have this little guy which I baught from Ed about 5 years ago at Blade. I haven't really used it but if I lived in an environment to carry a knife, I would LOVE to. It feels great and I think he really makes sheep horn look great. This one is very comfortable for my hand and pretty small. I've heard alot of mixed things here and there about the preformance. I don't know from experience but my instincts tell me they would be amazing as long as you keep a good edge.

 

[Karl B. Andersen]

..........
I can tell you this.....if you like Ed's aesthetic, and can find one for a price you are comfortable with, you will have a knife that you will love for the rest of your life, and one that will most certainly serve you well.


STeven Garsson

That was very well put.
ABS JS Eldon Perkins works mostly exclusively in this vein as well and his knives are spectacular.
I took my '84 higher-than-normal in Carbon 5160 out to Ed's for his Seminar of the High Performance Blade to get educated in his methods. Shortly after returning, I forged up a blade for a program on the Outdoor Channel and they dressed 8 does and 6 bucks - 14 deer - before the knife needed any attention.
I never miss the opportunity to say a good word about Ed.
I talk to him frequently and I consider him one of my true friend's in the knife world.
He's a true "friend" to the knife world - period.

 

[MVF]

Thank you all.

Hi STeven, saw you for a minute at Pasadena, looked up and you were gone! Kept an eye out for you, but never saw you again. If all goes well, I hope to say hello in Atlanta. Thank you for your comments, which I value. Which others beside Bussekin and FF knives do you consider high performance?

Jonathan, Great picture- it's amazing how much better they look after you've held one and know something about them! I used to find them quite odd looking- now just a liitle strange- but in a good way

Hi Karl, thanks for weighing in. Meeting Ed has been one of the highlights of this hobby for me. I also enjoy your posts on his forum.

Any other users out there?

 

[Keith Montgomery]

I have always like Ed and his knives. Owned a Pronghorn a few years ago.

Quite a few makers have been influenced by Ed, and though many of them don't work in his style, I'm sure they still use much of what he taught them.

 

[WalterDavis]

Quite a few makers have been influenced by Ed, and though many of them don't work in his style, I'm sure they still use much of what he taught them.

I think this sums it up perfectly! I know that his style may not be for everyone, but I think for lot of makers (and users) Ed's ability to question his own and others work, find those answers, and share what he's learned has influenced their thought process when it comes to designing and producing their knives. Though I've never met him, and most of what I make is in a pretty different style, I can assure you I've learned a lot from Mr. Fowler, and someday I hope to make it up to the Willow Bow to learn more:thumbup:

 

[Kohai999]

Thank you all.

Hi STeven, saw you for a minute at Pasadena, looked up and you were gone! Kept an eye out for you, but never saw you again. If all goes well, I hope to say hello in Atlanta. Thank you for your comments, which I value. Which others beside Bussekin and FF knives do you consider high performance?

Howard Clark 1086M and L6 are both high performance, especially his swords and tanto, which have a proven track record in Japanese sword art cutting competitions.

Kevin Cashen damascus L6/01 have proven themselves over the years, up to and including Kevin severely thrashing a competition knife publicly at Ashokan.

Dan Maragni has a proven track record of high performance cutlery, it is just virtually impossible to get.

I believe that Burt Foster has a number of customers that have done a fair job of testing his work independently(they purchased the knives, and beat the hell out of them) as well as Burt doing some pretty serious tree chopping with his own work.

Jason Knight is like the Ted Nugent of the knifemaking community. I imagine he does a pretty fine job of testing his work, his crony Adam DesRosiers as well.

These are just a few off the top of my head. Of the grouping above, I like Cashen and Foster for the best combination of availability, performance, and value, AS well as aesthetics.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[jdm61]

Howard Clark 1086M and L6 are both high performance, especially his swords and tanto, which have a proven track record in Japanese sword art cutting competitions.

Kevin Cashen damascus L6 and 01 have proven themselves over the years, up to and including Kevin severely thrashing a competition knife publicly at Ashokan.

Dan Maragni has a proven track record of high performance cutlery, it is just virtually impossible to get.

I believe that Burt Foster has a number of customers that have done a fair job of testing his work independently(they purchased the knives, and beat the hell out of them) as well as Burt doing some pretty serious tree chopping with his own work.

Jason Knight is like the Ted Nugent of the knifemaking community. I imagine he does a pretty fine job of testing his work, his crony Adam DesRosiers as well.

These are just a few off the top of my head. Of the grouping above, I like Cashen and Foster for the best combination of availability, performance, and value, AS well as aesthetics.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

LOL........Ted Nugent of knifemaking.:thumbup: Actually, "Crony" Adam DesRosier does some uniquely Alskan types of testing. Like whacking big chunks of moose antler!

 

[beluga]

I own 1 large pronghorn, 1 small prong horn and 1 fawn by Ed Fowler. I believe they are the best at what they were designed for. I used my fawn for skinning games and other field works, but none of my custom handmades compared to her in terms of sharpness, ease of maintain, and the most important thing; ergonomics. Ed's knives are very comfortable to use. They are expensive, but IMHO they are worth every penny.

I agree with kohai, performing tameshigiri with Howard Clark's L6 katana is like cutting with a light sabre.