European knifemakers? Who has their work?

SharpByCoop

SharpByCoop

Enjoying the discussions
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 8, 2001
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Folks,

We see a WHOLE lot of great knives posted and admired here. I like a diverse collection, and we all know how talented the craftsmen are on the east side of the Atlantic. Who's your favorites? What style flips you out? What have YOU got?

I offer a traditional stag hunter from Ferenc Tumpec. He's from the Czech Republic and is a full-time maker. His mark is a Ram's head, with the acronym 'DNC' which stands for the first letter of the first name of his wife and children.

The knife is perfect in every respect. Tapered tang with a fine black liner, and fine serrations on the spine. ATS34 blade, and his own deep-relief engraving. His father makes his sheath's, too.

orig.jpg


Coop
 
Here is what I have, in chronological order:

1. Jens Anso "naked damasheep" in vinland damasteel. Great little knife and my first custom.
http://www.multimania.com/gmk2000/ndamas1.jpg

2. Fred Perrin "La Griffe", unknown steel. Nice leather sheath.
http://www.multimania.com/gmk2000/griffe5.jpg

3. Achim Wirtz "Booh" Neo-Tribal knife forged from 52100. Cool hammer finnish and great edge.
http://membres.lycos.fr/gmk2000/booh_s1.JPG

A few of the other european makers that I like:

Pierre Reverdy, France. Makes great damascus upscale knives but also makes some simpler knives like this one (photo stolen from Couteaux Courty) :
http://www.couteaux-courty.com/././images/F220.jpg

Richardo Ciachera, France. Beautiful friction folders.
http://members.aol.com/piemontais

Francesco Pachi, Italy.
www.pachi-knives.com

Wolfgand Dell, Germany. If you like integrals ... take a look
www.dell-knives.de
 
The only European maker I've dealt with is Jens Anso. Have had two of his fine blades, this one he allowed me to put my own bolsters (ebony) and scales (bloodwood) on the Damasteel blade. Jens is a great guy to deal with, and I felt I had made a new friend as well as received a couple of great knives.
Anso10.jpg
 
Conny Persson, from Sweden, made this beauty with his own mosaic damascus:

persson_side.jpg


Wolfgang Dell made me this D2 integral:

dell_front.jpg


...and I have a small heat-colored mosaic damascus and mammoth ivory belt knife on order from Johan Gustaffson. I'll be sure to post pics when that one comes in.

In the future I hope to add more Swedish makers - particularly Roger Bergh - to my collection as well. I've also seen some Pachi knives I liked - he usually makes it to the NY shows and always has some nice stuff with him. Then there's Dietmar Kresslar and... oh man I hafta stop now before my head explodes :eek:
 
Perrin for tactical blades. Charles Bennica has really elegant stuff. He attends the ECCKS every year and his work has really been evolving (good service too!). I also have stuff from Embertson and Nilsson, who were also at the ECCKS, that is beautiful. :)
 
Maybe not the other side of the "pond", but further south, the Lala brothers, Ricardo and Roberto, from Brazil. They make some very nice folders and won last year's best in show at Brazil's first knife show. Shootist16 deals with some of their stuff.

Yitz--Nice running into to you at the ECCKS..:)
 
Anyone know of any knifemakers in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia? I am deployed there right now. I've asked some of the interpreters around here, like most people, they didn't know handmade knives existed!
 
Got a few knives from France.

You guys need to get your hands on one of the German or French magazines - they have stuff there that will blow your hats off...

Some of the best scrimshaw, engraving and elegant designs…

The scene there is far less “tactical” – far more gentleman-like, elegant and refined.
 
Thanks for the extra eye candy!

Ferenc Tumpek has two websites that are outdated:USA sales website
And his own for European and worldwide sales: Worldwide website
The fellow (Zoltan Czernus) who has his exclusive USA selling rights, offers them primarily on eBay, where he seems to do quite well. This is where I bought this one, and I was very pleased! Zoli is a great seller and a straight-up guy.

I say outdated, because they don't include any of his folders, which are VERY tasteful.

This page on Blades International's website has a number of European and famous maker's knives. Including Charles Bennica and Jurgen Steinau (Who WON 'Best Art Knife' AND 'Best Folder' at the ECCKS this past weekend. Possibly with the knife pictured. It sure looked it).

More knives from Europe

I have to agree with Wulf on the Scandinavian knives. If you want to be ASTOUNDED with this style and great work, check out this maker as well: Roland Stromberg www.spiderknives.nu

Keep it up!

Coop
 
I have to agree with Jens Anso as one of my favorites. It was great to see that he has now become a full time knifemaker.

Another maker that I think does beautiful work is Henri Viallon from France. This man can make anything from a folder to a sword.
 
One of my favorites - Buddy (Bud) Weston, Czech Republic. A Gentleman's Folder.
 

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And one more - Buddy (Bud) Weston, Czech Republic. "Best of Show - Fixed Blade", Wolverine Knife Show.
 

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from many knives in my collection come a few from European makers.

from Norway--Gunnar Momcilovic

7098496.jpg


France's Charles Bennica

7693152.jpg



the uncomprable DF Kressler

7901938.jpg


someday when I really decide to spend money, a nice piece by Arpad Bojtos would be great. Problem with his work is that I would never be able to decide as I have seen little of his work I can not just love to look at. Just wish he had a website.
 
Thanks guys!

Serge: Those Hill Knives are stunning. I see what you mean! (I'd better start saving right now!)

Cockroach: I've seen that Weston logo before, but I didn't realize where he was from. WHAT a knife. No small wonder he won that award!

Murray: WOW! You never disappoint. These knives are each great. My favorite is that *flowing* Bennica. Ahhhhhhhh.....

I had mentioned Mr. Tumpec's folders. I Have one, and it's top-rate in all respects. Mammoth ivory with a fine black spacer and his filework all the way from the tip, and 'round the cape';) Nice fitted ostrich sheath, too.

picture.JPG


(BTW--Ferenc Tumpec is from Hungary, and NOT from the Czech Republic, as I had thought.)
Coop
 
I really like Pierre Reverdy - check those out:

<img src="http://www.reverdy.com/images/jpg/diacollec19.jpg">

<img src="http://www.reverdy.com/images/jpg/diacollec17.jpg">

Check the unicorns in the damascus:
<img src="http://www.reverdy.com/images/jpg/diacollec07.jpg">

<img src="http://www.reverdy.com/images/jpg/diacollec06.jpg">

<img src="http://www.reverdy.com/images/jpg/diachasse09.jpg">

Another one I like, French too, is Michel Blum. Unfortunately, I don't know where I can find pictures of his work online, but he's awesome.

JD
 
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