Scagel - without Scagel, where would we all be? Perhaps the father of name recognizable custom knife-making, with timelessly functional designs who's beauty lies within that functionality and within that special quality of design that defines "Scagel style".
Bo Randall - without Bo after Scagel, where would we all be? Randall designs still have influence today.
Bill Moran - Bill Moran is to me as a knife-maker what Siddhartha is to Buddhists, the ideal, and again, where would we be without Moran? Form and function come togather in his designs to create true art in a true tool, something that is incredibly rare.
R.W. Loveless - I encounter more people who have gotten into knife making because of the Loveless book than I can count, and his designs are truly classic, from his hunters to the fighter.
John Ek - at least in my world view John Ek's designs and ideas are truly inspiring. A variety of custom fighters for people going into harms way, designed and made with realistic consideration for their environment, and actual thought of how they could and would be used going into the designs. As a maker of fighters/defensive knives I really respect that.
Bob Terzoula - some of the earliest examples of "tactical folders" and kydex use that I have seen come from Bob T. His designs are generally well thought out, good looking and functional, and he seems to have inspired a lot of people.
Ernie Emerson - "classic" tactical designs, perhaps some of the most copied, with knowledge and thought to actually back them up, and an at the very least working knowledge of artistic concepts and design behind them as well. Asthetic and functional.
Fred Perrin - functional, unique, with a style all their own, Fred's designs and knives can be picked out of a heap of knives. Very distinctive, very well thought out - perhaps not the most influential maker, but I think more folks should pay attention to his work.
Bill Bagwell - as other have stated, he's looked at as THE bowie guy, with top notch craftsmanship and more knowledge about large fighting knives forgotten than most of us will ever learn.
Ron Lake - simply for the interframe design, if nothing else.
Michael Walker - top notch art knives, innovation in materials and concepts, and for the modern liner lock.
Blackie Collins - a lot of designs, not all great but most of them are practical and functional, without wasting space/shape. If nothing else he puts a lot of effort into what he likes doing. The Myerco "Strut-n-Cut" was the first assisted opener I ever ran across, and perhaps the first on production knives. His contributions to the industry are also undeniable.
Al Buck etc. - Buck knives has done more for production knives, and inspiring designs, than perhaps any other production company of the last 50 years. I think about everyone has at some point owned a Buck, or looked at a Buck design as inspiration.
Gil Hibben - we associate Hibben with United Cutlery fantasy pieces, but his contributions design wise are vast. Fantasy knives, on the custom level at least, need to be recognized as much as any other type of art knife, and Hibbens are without compare. His more utilitarian designs are also well crafted, well thought out and asthetically pleasing.
Sal Glesser - Spyderco is without a doubt responsible for a great majority of things we take for granted today, pocket clips, thumb-holes, etc. Spyderco also offers a wide variety of knives that appeal to a wide variety of people, an dhave for many years. The Endura and Delica series are the best in-expensive, reliable, hard-use, EDC, all around folding knives a guy could ask for.
William Ewart Fairbairn and E.A. Sykes - the Fairbairn/Sykes fighting knife may not be the best fighter ever, but it is without a doubt one of the most successful. The design has also inspired many others, including Rex Applegate, to make fighting daggers and/or improve upon the F/S design. Because of this, Sykes/Fairbairn make it onto my list.
Mick Strider/Dwayne Dwyer - the duo behind Strider Knives, each top-quality custom makers in their own right. A variety of strong working/combat/fighting designs, with thought and real world experiance behind them. An understanding of both their market with collectors, and the realistic needs of realistic people.
Rob Simonich - excellent quality, and an excellent sense of design. Classic and original at the same time. His Gunner Grips are a wonderful innovation/concept. A variety of designs, small and large, for a variety of users. He too seems to possess a good working knowledge of a variety of blades, and it shows.
Tom Mayo - again a variety of classic, but distinctive, designs. The TNT family of folders is right up there at the top, very in demand, very well made and designed, functional and good looking.
Jerry Hossom - an excellent understanding of metallurgy, balance, edge geometery, and a wonderful sense of design. Capable of a variety of knives and swords, with a working understanding of them all and very original designs, without loosing looks or function.
Bob Kasper - again, not a knife-maker, but a designer of top notch defensive knives. Excellent concepts behind the designs, and good looking, pleasing to the eye and hand, designs that are as reliable and functional as they are good looking.
Allen Elishewitz - very original designs, good looking to the max and functional. An innovator and inspiration to others.
Darrel Ralph - wonderful designs, smooth and pleasing to the hand and eye, as well as perfectly functional. A good understanding of all things knife, and a good artistic eye that shows in his work.
