For all you Ek 5 fans..

MelancholyMutt said:
Tom, were they marked "made in Japan"? I have yet to run into one marked as such.
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None of the pre-BJ blades I handled, or the two I owned at one time (:( ) were marked as to country of origin.

Per government records:

Ek Knives, LLC gave up the "Ek" mark in 1983 to American Historical Foundation, 1141 W. Grace Street, Richmond, VA. They were formed in 1979 by Bob Buerlein (remember that name) as an "importer and dealer." They held unchallenged rights to the mark until 1993.

AHF also registered the marks "EK Desert Warrior" and "EK Desert Patrol" on August 20, 1990 (cancelled 02/08/99), and the mark "EK Warrior" on March 29, 1990 (cancelled 03/09/98).

Blackjack Knives bought the "EK" mark in 1993 -- or at least some rights to that mark.

Blackjack ceased operations in 1997 and it's assets, including intellectual property, passed into the bankruptcy.

The assets of Blackjack, less the mark Blackjack itself and some physical assets, were purchased by George Dinges of Illinois. (1st Illinois Development Credit Corp., 403 Adams Street, Springfield, IL.)

Ken Warner bought the Blackjack mark in September, 1997, and registered it.

The EK mark was abandoned on April 25, 2000.

The mark "EK Knives" was registered on December 7, 2001, by Royal Wyndyne, Ltd., 1141 W. Grace, Richmond, VA.

Royal Wyndyne was, at least at one time, a partnership of Bob Buerlein and George Dinges, or companies they controlled. This was after trademark litigation between them over the EK mark.

The same lawyer who represented Dinges, Mary Ryder, incorporated Expedition Knives, 1827 W. Main St., Carbondale, IL.

The players have their own stories. Ek's son asserts that he was robbed and should have the right to the EK name. Mike Stewart asserts that he thought Dinges had exclusive rights to the EK mark as a result of the bankruptcy of Blackjack. Buerlein asserts that the EK amrk was only partially sold to Blackjack in 1993. Sounds complicated.



The quality of the EK knives tell their story. Does it matter where they were and will be made if the quality is high?
 
It is very complicated... I do know one thing though... Under Mike Stewart, the quality was at it's worst, and for that, I could never forgive him.

I agree with you as to quality over origin. I believe that Japanese production knives far surpass American production knives. I recently paid about $500 for three Benchmade AFO's which were so badly made (compared to pre-safety button models) that I just gave them away. The knives marketed by Richmond is some of the best made Ek's I have seen and I have seen no change in the quality. The sheath's, however, have never been any good. I usually use a Marine Fighting/Utility knife sheath if I have to carry one for outdoor use.

However, a good friend purchased an Ek#3 from the Richmond shop two years ago and I can't tell the difference between it and any other Richmond production knife past or present.
 
Well, Gary Ek would not agree with us. He thinks everything is junk since Buerlien took over in the 80's.

John Ek was making simple knives out of carbon steel and plain wooden handles. Those simple knives are the ones with the real $$$ value, even if they are not as purdy.
 
Well,
As John Ek's knives have a revered place in history, I think one of the reasons they fell out of favor with modern users is that they failed to evolve. I think Buerlin did the name a favor by creating the new generation of Ek knives. It is my impression that many modern knives look a lot like the Buerlien's stuff.
 
MelancholyMutt said:
Well,
As John Ek's knives have a revered place in history, I think one of the reasons they fell out of favor with modern users is that they failed to evolve. I think Buerlin did the name a favor by creating the new generation of Ek knives. It is my impression that many modern knives look a lot like the Buerlien's stuff.
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Mutt, they [genuine John Ek knives] fell out of favor with users 'cause a good example is worth mucho $$$$. Different scale to be sure, but Scagels are hardly in favor with users.

As for AHF knives, most don't look anything like the AHF EK's, unless you are hidding some EK's with faux jewels, 18 kt gold wash, or red,white, and blue plastic handles.
 
I sent an email to the address listed on the site, asking if a catalogue was available since there were no pictures online. I was answered promptly and asked to give my address so they could get one out to me. They also offered to describe any model or answer questions over the phone. Time will tell but it seems to me like this outfit isn't off to a bad start.
 
Well, they were already doing work when I first joined this forum, so I think they know what they're doing and even better since they reintroduced the bowie
 
I have a Commando Bowie Model G-5 that I purchased in 1990. It has the walnut handle and a nylon sheath. It was the second larger bladed knife that I purchased and it just caught my eye at a show. Still have it. It is a very nice knife and has a very sharp factory edge. It was pricey at the time, at least to a guy who was used to buying Case pocket knives.
 
22-rimfire said:
I have a Commando Bowie Model G-5 that I purchased in 1990. It has the walnut handle and a nylon sheath. It was the second larger bladed knife that I purchased and it just caught my eye at a show. Still have it. It is a very nice knife and has a very sharp factory edge. It was pricey at the time, at least to a guy who was used to buying Case pocket knives.
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Yup. Those were (are!) nice. Wish I hadn't traded mine away. I got a great deal and thought I could repeat. Wrong. :(

One can only hope that the new product is equal to or superior.
 
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