Gemini

Don Cowles

Don Cowles

Joined
Nov 6, 1999
Messages
419
This is the pic of my Gemini knife that will appear in Dr. David Darom's third book (to be released at the '06 Blade show).

Gemini.jpg


Jerry Rados Turkish Twist damascus; Jim small engraving on 416SS bolsters; diamond in ricasso, 14K gold pins in premium MOP scales. Sheath is ostrich lined with goat skin.
 
Don Cowles said:
This is the pic of my Gemini knife that will appear in Dr. David Darom's third book (to be released at the '06 Blade show).
Click to expand...

Mr. Cowles,

Did you have to give him the knife to be in the book, like some of the others?

While your work certainly fills a certain niche, it leaves me flatter than a pancake. I have handled a few pieces at shows around the country, and the craftsmanship is certainly high quality.

Best Regards,

Steven Garsson
 
Steve,

Don's style will not be to everyone's taste. I don't think any knife maker will please everyone. Within the borders of his "niche" Don does amazing work. He can get more looks out of 5 inches of steel and three inches of wood (or ivory, engraving, etc.) than anyone else I know. I hope we can both agree that his work is amazing.

I think you have to judge a maker's work within his own niche. Don's knives are not designed to skin and quarter an elephant or deanimate hostile life forms. That doesn't mean that the wild game knives are better or that Don's are better. You don't judge a figure skater the same way you judge a weight lifter.

I know that Don doesn't have to give his knives to the author of the book to get a picture in the book because I own one of the knives that was in one of the books. I know that Don has had opportunites to increase his production or move out of his niche. He remains faithful to his desire to make the best fixed blade pocket knife possible.

In the interest of full disclosure, I own at least one more of Don's knives than I can afford.
 
I can vouch for this one. Don let me photograph this last weekend and already Dr. Darom has worked his magic! Yup, Don fills a niche market and he does it extremely well. Fortunately for him these knives have his signature 'look' and you can tell them from across the room. That's a priviledge to have that kind of recognition. Also, I know Jim Small personally, and there isn't a finer man on the planet. Great collaboration.

Let me answer one of your questions, Steven: none of the knives in this book were required to be a 'gift'. That deal which David Darom worked with on others for inclusion in his last two books was their (the maker's) perogative. We are fortunate to have such an enthusiastic and visionary collector of fine knives that was willing to figure out how to make a win-win scenario work for both himself and the makers that contributed. In the end there is a series of books that has helped ENERGIZE new life into the custom knife world.

Every maker I had discussed this with was VERY pleased at the exposure and outcome, and felt it was a very fair trade. The amount of makers clamoring to be included in book two about fixed blades solidifies this.

In this next upcoming book there is a modest fee involved. '100 Custom Knives in the Making' chronicles a majority of makers in a two or four page spread with a process series of photos about how they do their work. I know we will find it compelling, and I have seen a few samples. :D

Thanks for showing this, Don!

Coop
 
SharpByCoop said:
Yup, Don fills a niche market and he does it extremely well. Fortunately for him these knives have his signature 'look' and you can tell them from across the room. That's a priviledge to have that kind of recognition.

Let me answer one of your questions, Steven: none of the knives in this book were required to be a 'gift'. That deal which David Darom worked with on others for inclusion in his last two books was their (the maker's) perogative. We are fortunate to have such an enthusiastic and visionary collector of fine knives that was willing to figure out how to make a win-win scenario work for both himself and the makers that contributed. In the end there is a series of books that has helped ENERGIZE new life into the custom knife world.

Every maker I had discussed this with was VERY pleased at the exposure and outcome, and felt it was a very fair trade. The amount of makers clamoring to be included in book two about fixed blades solidifies this.
Click to expand...

And enrich Dr. Darom in the process. It's a damned form of extortion is what it is, Jim, and I don't expect you to agree with me. Weyer charged people money for the pictures that he took, but to be in his books, he just put what he felt was the best work/photographs. That was it, as far as what I know. It ticks me off, and if I happen to see the good Dr. at the AKI next month, I'll let him know about it. It could be an "interesting" exchange! ;)

SharpByCoop said:
In this next upcoming book there is a modest fee involved. '100 Custom Knives in the Making' chronicles a majority of makers in a two or four page spread with a process series of photos about how they do their work. I know we will find it compelling, and I have seen a few samples. :D

Thanks for showing this, Don!

Coop
Click to expand...

Don's workmanship is excellent, as I said above. IMHO, it also solves a problem that does not exist, and creates another one. In Seattle, where I spend a fair amount of time, the carrying of ANY fixed blade knife is a criminal offense.
Food for thought.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
And enrich Dr. Darom in the process. It's a damned form of extortion is what it is, Jim, and I don't expect you to agree with me.
Click to expand...
STeven - how can it be a form of extorsion? Nobody is forced. What is the difference with charging money - and then use this money to buy a knife?

What it does suggest is that the standard that was used for the books wasn't just quality, and as one of the buyers, I find that a bit disappointing. But extorsion is pushing it. Extorsion is what the mob does. This isn't extorsion.
 
Joss said:
STeven - how can it be a form of extorsion? Nobody is forced. What is the difference with charging money - and then use this money to buy a knife?

What it does suggest is that the standard that was used for the books wasn't just quality, and as one of the buyers, I find that a bit disappointing. But extorsion is pushing it. Extorsion is what the mob does. This isn't extorsion.
Click to expand...

that it is extortion for "pay to play" in clubs like Gazarri's on the Sunset Strip. If you are a relatively unknown band, and you want the exposure of playing in front of a large audience, than you have to pay the club to be allowed on stage. It is just scummy at the heart of it.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Nice knife, Mr. Cowles. I'm a big fan of MOP and also fine engraving.

I'm also a huge fan of Dr. Darom's books. I think his books will launch -- and are launching -- a new interest in fine art knives. These books are no-expense-spared and that costs money. I think he's come up with a clever way to fund such wonderful books. I'm delighted to have the books and delighted that someone figured out a way to fund the creation of such books.
 
first off, apologies to don - the thread seems to have taken off in an unexpected direction. this knife is obviously a first rate piece of craftsmanship, with great attention to detail.

regarding dr. darom's book:

while i don't agree with the term 'extortion' being tossed around, i think steve does have a good point.

if the makers featured in the book are in fact having to pay (cash or goods) for inclusion, it casts the project in a different light. i regard paid-inclusion work as an advertisement, and would hope that dr. darom would note which makers paid a fee to be included, much as magazines notate paid inclusion sections as 'advertisement'.
 
My opinion is that there is a definite emergence of "art knives" in the custom market place. Recently I have also purchased a few pieces.

Don your work is exceptional.

I can only speak for myself but many fine art knives are just that...pieces of art. I display mine. Look at them and hold them. Although I know I could use them and they are built with materials that could withstand use. Why would I use them...Its like wallpapering with the Mona Lisa! Ill use the sebbie in my pocket for that.

I also look forward to the launch of Dr. Daroms book. As with all fine art..you cannot see it all at a show. I cannot get to the Van Gogh museum everyday either. Hopefully this book will have lots of photography of fine knife art for the lover of fine art to enjoy..

Ren
 
A beautiful knife, and the sheath is very eye-catching as well. The goatskin lining is a nice touch. I carry small fixed blades now and then, that would make a fine dress knife.
 
Hello everyone,

First my most sincere apologies to Don.....

At first I thought that Mr. Garsson's biased and un-based attack on
myself and the books I am doing on custom knives is not worth a
reply. Then I decided to put things in order for everyone to see and judge.

He wrote:
" ...And enrich Dr. Darom in the process. It's a damned form of
extortion is what it is...."

I would have liked the dear Mr. Garsson to ask me first before jumping
to these quite nasty conclusions. Check the facts first and only then
blast away...

In my third book, each maker is paying about half the actual cost
(in $$$) for producing the first edition. This will help me out partly with
the ACTUAL costs. The 4000 hours spent creating a book with nearly
2000 original color photographes is gratis, mainly because of the fact
that I may see some profit (maybe) only after the 3rd printing....

I am planning on a long term deal that will bring this art to art lovers
outside the knifemakers/collectors circles all around the world and If
I am lucky, the fruits of my labor will pay off when editions in other
languages will be published some day.

Would Mr. Garsson be willing to give tens of thousands of $$$ and
spend two years of his life (6 years for three books) for the benefit and
high class world-wide exposure of somthing he loves? From the way he
talks, sadly, I doubt it very much....... David Darom (ddd)
 
ddd said:
Hello everyone,

First my most sincere apologies to Don.....

At first I thought that Mr. Garsson's biased and un-based attack on
myself and the books I am doing on custom knives is not worth a
reply. Then I decided to put things in order for everyone to see and judge.

He wrote:
" ...And enrich Dr. Darom in the process. It's a damned form of
extortion is what it is...."

I would have liked the dear Mr. Garsson to ask me first before jumping
to these quite nasty conclusions. Check the facts first and only then
blast away...)
Click to expand...

I spoke to some makers that were in your first two books. They are friends of mine, why would they lie? You, I don't know.

ddd said:
In my third book, each maker is paying about half the actual cost
(in $$$) for producing the first edition. This will help me out partly with
the ACTUAL costs. The 4000 hours spent creating a book with nearly
2000 original color photographes is gratis, mainly because of the fact
that I may see some profit (maybe) only after the 3rd printing....
Click to expand...

Are you saying that you have yet to realize a profit on the printings of Books I and II? If that is the case, than I do truly apologize for my assumptions, and humbly praise you for your selflessness, an act of a true tzadik.

ddd said:
I am planning on a long term deal that will bring this art to art lovers
outside the knifemakers/collectors circles all around the world and If
I am lucky, the fruits of my labor will pay off when editions in other
languages will be published some day.
Click to expand...

See above

ddd said:
Would Mr. Garsson be willing to give tens of thousands of $$$ and
spend two years of his life (6 years for three books) for the benefit and
high class world-wide exposure of somthing he loves? From the way he
talks, sadly, I doubt it very much....... David Darom (ddd)
Click to expand...

Would I bring attention to knives outside of the small realm of knife collecting? Yeah, I would, and have. If you knew anything about me (which you don't), you would know what I am doing, and why. World wide exposure? No, not really. Too much of the red, white and blue in my blood.

Sorry that you had to add to your postings by 25% to address this "attack". If you ARE going to the AKI, prepare yourself for more.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
David Daroms 2 books are exceptional in both their presentation and quality. I have other specialised Bowie books, which incidentally are more expensive, that I treasure, but without exception the two books that my non knife obsessed friends and family look at are the Darom editions.

These books present knife collecting and knife makers in a way that I have not seen any other medium do. They convey an image of respect, credibility and artistry that corrects many misconceptions.

To cast aspersions and attack the motives and individuals behind these books is beyond my comprehension. Are we to demand that knife dealers do not take a margin, knife magazines to ban advertisements, advertisers themselves to waive their fees?

If the people behind these books have made a profit, good for them, if they have not then its a shame as the effort put into them is tremendous. Nobody forced me to buy the books, and to my knowledge no one has forced the makers or collectors featured to participate either.

Stephen

PS: Don - A fantastic piece, sorry for the way this thread has gone.
 
To Mr. Cowles and the Dr., those of us who know Mr. Garsson from these forums are used to his manner, albeit sometimes abrasive and possibly rude. It's taken with a healthy dose of "salt."

I think Mr. Garsson mistakes "niche" for style. Mr. Cowles has developed a signature style, that I like, but unhappily cannot afford. I have watched his knives change over the years and he does things that are new, sometimes similar to others, but always with his signature. His pieces are recognizable on sight, unlike many knifemakers. There is great honor in staying true to a set of artistic concepts, what sometimes appears to be a limitation can lead to a true masterpiece of perfect harmony...you know Zen.

His sheath system I have seen and it is a delight. Mr. Garsson should realized that there are many other more enlightened jurisdictions than Seattle that happily allow fixed blades. With Mr. Cowles sheath, a small part of the knife remains exposed, thus it's not concealed carry.
 
Sorry everyone, but I give up regarding any need to justify
the one-of a-kind projects I created introducing your art and
an art I love to the general public as a true art form.

Nobody can take away the beauty of this art as depicted in
my books and no one can spoil my joy when realizing these
projects from beginning to end. Not even the strange attitude
of the Student of the Blade who contrary to the motto at the
end of his mails, is constantly waving his drawn sword cutting air....

As one of you guys said, we should take Mr. Garsson's rude manners
with a grain of salt, but here he has been trying to bury a lovely project
under a mountain of bitter salt filled with absurd and offensive hints.

Try hard as he may he will not succeed.

I know, I too have been rather rude here, and apologize again,

Thanks
David
 
Dr. Darom,

Your books are beautiful. I own one of each, and will own the next one. I have not asked you to justify the book production, just the methods; I said that you extorted knives out of makers for them to be included in your books. After that, based upon your statements, I simply asked if you had made a profit on books I and II.

That you are now going on the offensive is evidence to me that your interest in these projects was less than entirely altruistic. I am not going to comment on your "air cutting" statement, you are most definitely not a student of Japanese Swordsmanship, so you would not understand my "mottos".

ddd said:
As one of you guys said, we should take Mr. Garsson's rude mannners with a grain of salt, but here he has been trying to bury a lovely project under a mountain of bitter salt filled with absurd and offensive hints.

Try hard as he may he will not succeed.
Click to expand...

You can choose to be offended if you want. I am direct and blunt, and as Brownshoe pointed out, can even be rude, but that part is not intentional. I have no agenda, nor am I bitter or envious.

I have one question for you:

Do you feel that you have the best makers in the world in your books, and do you feel that each maker in the book stands amongst the best?
Chantal Gilbert? :barf:

Best Regards,

Steven Garsson



I know, I too have been rather rude here, and apologize again,

Thanks
David[/QUOTE]
 
"Sorry that you had to add to your postings by 25% to address this "attack". If you ARE going to the AKI, prepare yourself for more."

-

No respect for that tone, absolutely none.


Frank H.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top