Fraternal Twins from Thad Buchanan and Joe Mason - NEW PICS ADDED 2 APRIL 2013

The Amazing Virginian

The Amazing Virginian

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These knives have been on my mind for quite some time.

Dixon Fighters: 10 7/8" Overall Length, 5 7/8" Blade.

Ultra thin red liners and antique ivory scales. Bolsters and pins engraved with gold leafing by Joe Mason.

One in Devin Thomas Damascus; one in mirror polished CPM154.

Joe was kind enough to create some nice pictures. The color points appear to be a little different between the second and third pictures, but I think the first picture captures their true similarities (and differences).

Anyway, I hope that you enjoy seeing them.

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Real beauties, Thad Buchanan makes a great Loveless-style knife. And some gorgeous ivory there - time will tell, of course, on the ivory. But it's sure perfect right now with some great color.

As much as I love embellished knives and Loveless knives, I've never seen the logic in having the twains meet, so to speak. There's something about the Loveless design that makes it "perfect", as is, something not to be messed with. But that's just my personal opinion. They are, indeed, really things of beauty.

Bob
 
My personal preference would also be 0 engraving, but they are still beautiful examples of Thad's work!

Thanks for showing them!
 
AWESOME pair. That pattern is one of my favorites, and Thad certainly executed them well.

Joe does great engraving, and I especially like the treatment on the pins.

Peter
 
I look at these beautiful knives and I read the thread an then a question pops into my mind.

David and Bob specifically, how could the lack of engraving make the knife any better? It would then be a really beautifully done ivory handled Loveless style knife...period. I know both of you think Joe did an outstanding job with the gravers, so his talent is not in question. Therefore, I think it adds to the whole.

Just my curiosity at work here, not meant to be a challenge to your opinions.

Paul
 
Paul it is just my preference.

When I bought my diesel it looked like a rolling billboard for Cummins and Dodge; I promptly stripped all the emblems off. I love race cars of all types because they are stripped down to what makes the vehicle work; IMHO opinion the art is in the build/construction.

I have the same opinion about Wheeler's Paranee fighter and Knight's Founder's bowie (two of my favorites of all time). I think damascus or other added things detract from what the knife is and it's construction.
 
Paul, there's no question that Joe Mason's engraving is outstanding. And the knives are terrific pieces. But when it comes to a Loveless design fighter, I personally think the beauty is totally in the design - and that the beauty is not improved by engraving (IMHO) - no matter who did it. That simple.

Bob
 
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I appreciate all of the comments on this pair.

I absolutely understand where Bob and some others are coming from on this.

Loveless knive designs are the ultimate expression of functional design yielding beauty. They speak for themselves. I can appreciate that, as I have some basic Loveless knives and several unembellished (but not plain) Loveless-style knives from a variety of makers. And I have read where Loveless stated that he abhored the term "art knife" (then again, I also read that he frowned on the term "custom knives" to describe his knives). So I can see how it seems incongruous and unnecessary to embellish knives based on his designs.

However, on the other had . . .

in recent years, Steve Johnson and Barry Hand have produced some breathtakingly-beautiful embellished knives patterned on the Loveless designs. And going back further, Edmund Davidson has produced some terrific intregrals inspired by the Loveless designs, which have been wonderfully embellished by Jere Davidson. Those knives certainly have a place. And although this pair may not be at that level, I think they have a place, too.

And indeed, I have seen pictures of an engraved Loveless knive (with carved ivory hande, no less) going back to 1957, and many other engraved Loveless knives throughout the years.

I guess if I was only going to have one Loveless knife or one Loveless-style knife in my collection, I would opt for one that was "unembellished."

Fortunately, I do not have to make that either/or choice. :D
 
Ken, going a step further, I happen to like your two Buchanans here (in their engraved states) very much more than I do most of those by Steve Johnson or Edmund Davidson, engraved or unengraved. And that's as much a subjective and personal opinion as is my taste in a "pure", unengraved Loveless or Loveless clone.

Bob
 
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betzner said:
Ken, going a step further, I happen to like your two Buchanans here (in their engraved states) very much more than I do most of those by Steve Johnson or Edmund Davidson, engraved or unengraved. And that's as much a subjective and personal opinion as is my taste in a "pure", unengraved Loveless or Loveless clone.

Bob
Click to expand...

I agree :)
 
betzner said:
Ken, going a step further, I happen to like your two Buchanans here (in their engraved states) very much more than I do most of those by Steve Johnson or Edmund Davidson, engraved or unengraved. And that's as much a subjective and personal opinion as is my taste in a "pure", unengraved Loveless or Loveless clone.

Bob
Click to expand...

I can mostly agree with that statement as well, although some of S.R. Johnson's knives have absolutely floored me in both execution and in mastery of material....they are the best of the best when that happens.

Glad you were able to use DEVIN Thomas stainless damascus on the knife, best material available, when it is available imo.(shameless plug), and the photography by Mr. Mason is pretty good too!:D

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Great knives, especially the damascus of the duo.
It's simple for me, if the engraving adds to the overall it's a good thing!
IMO, it clearly does here.
 
Very nice knives by Thad & the engraving is excellent . I also have Loveless designs by different makers . Some are engraved & some aren't . None of my Loveless knives are engraved and I'm happy with them as is . Different strokes I guess -
 
I thought I would post some new pictures of this pair that Coop made.

These knives have really struck a chord with me, and I am not sure that I can explain why. I have many much more expensive knives, but this pair has become among my favorites. I think it is the pairing that I like. I am not sure that I would like either one of them nearly so much without the other one. I suppose that sounds strange, but who said that knife collecting had to be rational. :D

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