Forging & Finishing Integral Bolsters by Ken Durham

HTMD

HTMD

Joined
Feb 15, 2002
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Ken Durham (Buzzard Roost Forge - Cherokee, AL) is an ABS Mastersmith who's work is prized by collectors and hard to find because his production is limited. He's known for beautiful antique Bowie knife reproductions, excellent pique work and, as represented here - clean forged integral bolsters.

Ken was a demonstrator at the recent ABS Mid-America Bladesmithing Exposition & Knife Show, held near Troy Ohio at the Miami County Fairgrounds. He taught sessions on forging and finishing integral bolsters. Ken's a big man so steel willingly yields under his hammer!

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Ken's sessions were well-attended at the expo and he patiently answered all questions.

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Here are a couple of 'integrals' in process as well as a couple of finished pieces Ken brought for the knife show on Saturday.

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I was intrigued by the simple and elegant lines of the big one. The image does not show the subtle hamon undulating along the cutting edge. Note the clean tapered full tang, man-sized ebony pinned scales and nice transition through the integral bolster area. The blade is 9 3/4 and the OAL is 14 7/8. Weight is 14.2 OZ.

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Thanks Buddy-

Ken's work is super clean and very elegant. I sure wish I could have made it to the hammer-in to see the demo!!!

Thanks for the peek into it, I sure appreciate it! :D
 
I have met Ken on numerous occasions, and watched him forge. He makes it look so simple. He makes some beautiful pieces, and each is unique.

He is the same every time you meet him and is a super nice guy that will take the time to answer any and all questions you throw at him. This world could use more like him.

Robert
 
I have seen and handled Ken's work at a couple of shows and he is one talented dude. Very soft-spoken and personable as well. I am quite fond of both finished knives shown. The little one would make a just about perfect EDC.

Thanks for the pics and write-up Buddy.

Roger
 
I don't think Ken gets mentioned nearly as much as he should considering the quality of his knives.
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You are probably right, although Ken makes knives of a particular genre (Mediterranean inspired integrals) that can turn some collectors off. His quality is excellent, his detail work divine, but the styles and shapes aren't really "mainstream" as far as forged blades are concerned.

Forged blade people tend to like and collect more American inspired knives and IMO, that is one reason guys as talented as Ken Durham aren't as well known as some others.

I bet he stays plenty busy though.
 
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