Ed's table: Blade 2009

[2knife]

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[shaldag]

And on aesthetics, it is a very personal choice.. I myself would feel a little embarrassed carrying any knife that drew ANY attention, especially something flashy. Maybe i'm just self conscious, don't know.. I think i'd rather wear something looks like a dog might have chewed on it, than some big fixed blade pearl handled number, that draws attention. I would rather not be called "Mr. Fancy pants".
So, sheephorn and "idaho potato" handles are fine with me.
David

Ha! If you carried any of those knives in a place where you would meet other collectors, you would find it difficult to avoid attention. Just because it ain't flashy does not mean that it won't be recognized --but I understand what you mean.

As far as the aesthetics go, it will be a long time before sheeps horn replaces black-lip pearl. However, there is definitely a school of thought that form follows function, --that something utilitarian has a specific type of beauty all its own. Yeah, a Ferrari designed by Pininfarina is a thing of beauty, but the Porsche 911 design has been around a long time, and the design has a cachet all its own. As does an old-timey Willys. So maybe that "Idaho-potato" look is more than that......

Nobody, as far as I know, has suggested that these designs are for everyone.

Nobody, as far as I know, has argued that these knives are not excellent working knives. I personally love using custom knives for working; I do it all the time, and I like the feeling that my tool of choice has been made by hand by someone who cares as much about their work as I do mine.

And I think that it has been adequately demonstrated in this thread that there is enough attractiveness in these knives to interest some collectors enough to buy several pieces. Thanks for posting those pictures, folks.

 

[MVF]

Originally Posted by Kohai999

How about for HIS aesthetics they ARE perfect?

Nicely said STeven, and a really nice knife!

I think Ed's knives are visually "rich"- everything is so organic and blended that it seems every time I pick it up I see something differently. Another thing that kind of cracks me up (in a good way) is that I can't think of any other knife I would pay close to that much for to actually use- but that could just be me.

 

[Lorien]

First, the idea about "sameness" . Some knifemakers work off of a template- esp. stock removal makers. I'm thinking of Loveless, for instance, the patterns on the wall of his shop for each of his different models. When he wants to make a drop point hunter, or a big bear, or chute, he takes a blank off the wall and uses it as a guide- strictly.

I think Ed's method is quite different, because his knives (blades) are never strict to one shape- it is a "freehand" type idea. Though I've never been in the shop to see, i would be surprised if he uses much to guide him, apart from eyeing it. Which is artistic freedom and license. In general looking at Ed's knives , proportions change constantly. New and old things always in progress, ideas coming into being. This is true evolution.

Compare this to many other knifemakers, i often see the standard shape, repeated over- often changing the artistic qualities..someone mentioned Michael Walker's knives. While innovative and state of the art, his blade shapes (i've seen) stay relatively constant, through constant changing damascus/artistic patterns. why?..

For my taste, If it is only the artistic merits changing, the work lacks progress.

David

you have captured some great thoughts in a most excellently written way, David:thumbup:

 

[Tai Goo]

Ed’s work seems to create a lot of controversy and generate a lot of discussion. I like that!

... We need guys like Ed to help keep this craft alive.

 

[2knife]

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[gmusic]

Great thread……………..I’m glad I ran across it!

Awesome Ed Fowler collection, Phil!

To understand the knives Mr. Fowler makes, one has to know the man. He is a rancher, horseman, cowboy, scholar, knifemaker. His knives are made with one purpose in mind………to be used………..and to be used hard! Few knives (if any) will stand up to the abuse one can dish out to a Fowler knife.
Comfort, control, endurance, and performance are his goals with every blade he makes. You like pretty knives……………….I do too! But the knife I want with me in case of a real emergency………I mean a cut your way out of a bus emergency………would be an Ed Fowler knife.
We in our civilized world have lost touch with the tool. There are many letter openers out there, but a real knife is a tool, and they don't get much better than Ed's.