Ed's table: Blade 2009

[2knife]

......

 

[severedthumbs]

You have to learn to qualify comments like this with...In my opinion. To you Ed's knives are not visually appealing. There are plenty of people that would disagree.

Keith I just thought that everyone reading would know it was my opinion I was posting. I'll try to remember to qualify from now on.

 

[JParanee]

David I admire your loyalty to Mr. Fowlers work and I admire Mr. Fowler's dedication to the performance forged blade. His work is really not my style but I sure would not mind as Kevin said one of his big fighters. I believe there are a few makers out there that have not garnered the respect and status they deserve from the ABS and only time will tell if they will ever get it. In the end I believe Ed will be remembered for his contributions along with some other smiths that do not mesh with the ABS

 

[Keith Montgomery]

I would hope to see him SOMEDAY recognized in a way that brings honor to him, by such organization as the ABS.
YET because of politics, it may never happen. Sad to say..

You are probably right about that, but you never know. There are a lot of members of the ABS that like and respect Ed.

 

[Lorien]

Ed Fowler is unique in that he has a consistent and methodical approach to knife making and the promotion of his brand. It's usually guys like him which are appreciated after the fact. Fluff and gimmickry don't usually equate to much when it comes to legacy, imo.

Guys who are always out to do something new all the time I think often burn out, whereas those who keep their nose to the grindstone to perfect whatever it is that they want to leave as material evidence of their being here, find a richness and depth that only familiarity with one's own personal ideology can bring. And with it a lasting impression of their work.

I don't know Ed Fowler, and I've never handled any of his knives. But as someone who isn't familiar with the politics and hootenany of whatever it is that goes on behind the scenes, Ed Fowler has had a significant impact on how I perceive knives.

I know lots of 'materials snobs' in the bike business. But I still feel that there is a place for brass brazed, lugged chromoly bicycle frames. It's ALL material, so in my opinion it's ALL good. As long as it lasts a long time and serves its purpose.

 

[brownshoe]

I understood ya severed thumbs, a man of short sentences has no need to qualify.

I also agree...don't carry no ugly knife...except to frighten

 

[shaldag]

I understood ya severed thumbs, a man of short sentences has no need to qualify.

I also agree...don't carry no ugly knife...except to frighten

Another customer lost to Mr. Fowler. Whatever will he do?

Of course, not having Brownshoe as a customer is grounds for a knifemaker to give sincere thanks to whichever Deity that he or she prays to.

Ugliness is in the eye of the beholder.

Sometimes form, i.e. beauty, follows function.

Have you ever held a Fowler knife in your hand? Ergonomics are nothing to sneeze at.

It seems to me that they are designed for a range of tasks, with a specific set of materials, and they perform that range of tasks with those materials quite admirably. I have not heard that Mr. Fowler is having trouble selling his knives. Perhaps his customers lack the exalted aesthetic sense that you do, or maybe they are just a bunch of mindless groupies?

Or maybe they actually know what they want, and have just a good a sense of value received for their dollars as anyone else?*




*Disclaimer: I do not own a knife made by Ed Fowler.

 

[PhilL]

Ed Fowler is my friend. I'm an Administrator on his KTO forum. I was impressed by the looks of his Pronghorn from the first photo I saw of one, and it's been my favorite knife since the first time I handled one. It took me three years to save the money to buy my first Fowler. I have never for a second thought his knives were expensive, because I know what goes into making one. It may or may not be the best knife ever made, I don't know. What I do know is that it's probably the best knife I'll ever own. It's a knife I would stake my life on.

If it's not your style, that's okay. If your vision of a knife is different than Ed's, that's not going to surprise him. To not understand and respect what Ed puts into his work would be a mistake. I'm just glad that he's feeling well and not only making knives, but excited about the knives he's making. That's all I ask for my friend.

 

[Karl B. Andersen]

Guys who are always out to do something new all the time I think often burn out, whereas those who keep their nose to the grindstone to perfect whatever it is that they want to leave as material evidence of their being here, find a richness and depth that only familiarity with one's own personal ideology can bring.

Now THAT is a sentance and a half!!
There is a whoooooooooooooooole lot of concept in those few words.
Words worth reading twice - or maybe three times.

 

[Kevin Jones]

Guys who are always out to do something new all the time I think often burn out, whereas those who keep their nose to the grindstone to perfect whatever it is that they want to leave as material evidence of their being here, find a richness and depth that only familiarity with one's own personal ideology can bring. And with it a lasting impression of their work.

Perhaps as with many things, moderation and variation is best as in a maker developing his/her own style however venturing out at times.

I like and appreciate Ed's knives, however if most makers were content in creating basically the same style knife over and over the custom knife world could lose much of it's excitement and appeal. It would for me anyway.

 

[brownshoe]

Per your question Shaldag, I have seen about 5 Fowlers and held 3. As you can guess, they aren't my cup of tea. However, being relatively unadorned with clean blades, at least they aren't masses of eye-hurting, conflicting patterns of damascus and mastodon ivory like some others

Per the rest of your post Shaldag...it's rude and insulting. Take a little time to read the rules of the forum and you will find that insulting members can get you an infraction.

 

[MVF]

these knives are not visually appealing at all.

That's what I thought at first too. When I got to handle one, I understood why it was ugly (actually, I had already guessed it would feel pretty good). After talking to Ed, I started investigating, and the more I learned, the more I started liking them. It's like a lot of good engineering- the better you understand it, the more you like it. Ed can tell you why every aspect of one of his knives was made the way it was- and to me, his reasons make very good sense.

I'll get to find out if I'm right about that because I went to Blade this year specifically to get one of Ed's knives. It was far more then I ever spent on a knife before, but at least I knew what I was paying for- Ed's DVDs are his best salesman. Also, if I'm disappointed, I can probably make money on selling it, or just return it to Ed, as he stands by his knives.

I'm one of those who thinks what Ed has done is epic- he has devoted years of his life to "perfecting" the knife. Obviously, there is no one perfect knife, but it is still a goal I can appreciate, as well as appreciating where his research has led. So far, I really like my knife, and the least you can say is that they are like no other (except for those who follow his thoughts on design).

I'm not trying to convince you that it is the ultimate knife, just saying that at one time I would've agreed with you and now I own one and find it a thing of beauty.

 

[swissdagger]

I appreciate what Ed had done for the custom knife world. His long research in the science of bladesmithing is helpful to MANY makers today.
But I wonder if you can call Ed's knives really "custom" knives as he is making his style of knives and sells them. How much input has a customer to the design or features of the knives?
I know, it's just semantics....

 

[WalterDavis]

I appreciate what Ed had done for the custom knife world. His long research in the science of bladesmithing is helpful to MANY makers today.
But I wonder if you can call Ed's knives really "custom" knives as he is making his style of knives and sells them. How much input has a customer to the design or features of the knives?
I know, it's just semantics....

What's that quote? Something like, 'You can have any color you want, as long as you want black'

 

[PhilL]

What's that quote? Something like, 'You can have any color you want, as long as you want black'

Actually it's, "You can have any handle material you want, as long as it comes from a sheeps head".

 

[Kevin Jones]

Actually it's, "You can have any handle material you want, as long as it comes from a sheeps head".

 

[Jose Reyes]

Perhaps as with many things, moderation and variation is best as in a maker developing his/her own style however venturing out at times.

I like and appreciate Ed's knives, however if most makers were content in creating basically the same style knife over and over the custom knife world could lose much of it's excitement and appeal. It would for me anyway.

I can see your point but don't think it would have much of an impact on the knife world in general. Maybe in terms of specific makers, such as waiting to see what design or embelishments Mr. Fisk might come up with next, but he'd still make the same quality knife, IMO.

I think a lot has to do with the lack of appreciation most members of this forum have for brass, for whatever reason. And also wanting to have some input on the design of your "custom" order. Ed's an artist and sticks to his principles when making "his" knives. I too have asked him to change things up a bit to no avail and that's okay. Many of his knives are perfect to my eye anyway and I'm lucky enough to have a few of those in my collection.

Other makers do take custom orders and are willing to give the customer carte blanche when it comes to design. I'll bet though that the very best makers will insist on incorporating some of their own thoughts in the final product. I'd like a sendero without the little divots on the spine, still looking for a nice Winkler with all the design elements I prefer and other examples. Maybe they'd be willing to make something to my taste by special order or maybe not. Not sure how most of the ABS guys would feel about rounding off a spine. I can still appreciate the effort put into making those knives even if they don't put a twinkle in my eye.

Sorry if I drifted off a bit, and no offense meant, Kevin. Your post just got the gears started in my head...

 

[Kevin Jones]

I can see your point but don't think it would have much of an impact on the knife world in general. Maybe in terms of specific makers, such as waiting to see what design or embelishments Mr. Fisk might come up with next, but he'd still make the same quality knife, IMO.

I think a lot has to do with the lack of appreciation most members of this forum have for brass, for whatever reason. And also wanting to have some input on the design of your "custom" order. Ed's an artist and sticks to his principles when making "his" knives. I too have asked him to change things up a bit to no avail and that's okay. Many of his knives are perfect to my eye anyway and I'm lucky enough to have a few of those in my collection.

Other makers do take custom orders and are willing to give the customer carte blanche when it comes to design. I'll bet though that the very best makers will insist on incorporating some of their own thoughts in the final product. I'd like a sendero without the little divots on the spine, still looking for a nice Winkler with all the design elements I prefer and other examples. Maybe they'd be willing to make something to my taste by special order or maybe not. Not sure how most of the ABS guys would feel about rounding off a spine. I can still appreciate the effort put into making those knives even if they don't put a twinkle in my eye.

Sorry if I drifted off a bit, and no offense meant, Kevin. Your post just got the gears started in my head...

No offense taken.
We are very fortunate to have both the Ed's and Jerry's of the custom knife world.

 

[severedthumbs]

Guys who are always out to do something new all the time I think often burn out, whereas those who keep their nose to the grindstone to perfect whatever it is that they want to leave as material evidence of their being here, find a richness and depth that only familiarity with one's own personal ideology can bring. And with it a lasting impression of their work.

Now THAT is a sentance and a half!!
There is a whoooooooooooooooole lot of concept in those few words.
Words worth reading twice - or maybe three times.

Why couldnt someone do both, y cant someone perfect something new and move on, someone like Michael Walker comes to mind here.

IDK KBAnderson it would be a boring world if every maker stuck with one knife design. I for one like seeing new ideas and new concepts tried out. Some crash and burn, some change knife making.

 

[MVF]

I think it matters what you're after. Ed makes no bones about chasing functionality. He also uses his knives and to me, that's going to guarantee you're going to see his knives look pretty much alike excepting only changes in size, purpose, or refinements.

Other makers pursue different visions, many with just as excellent a result in their chosen niche. I'd be the first to agree that it would be a poorer world if all knives looked like Ed's, even though I'm surprised more of his design elements aren't more common, like the aforementioned ricasso treatment.