- Joined
- Aug 2, 1999
- Messages
- 25
I recently read a couple of negative comments about a Gordon Chard (Iola, KS, Guild member) knife entered by a ryan9977. Ryan9977 questions the quality of Chard's work from the one example that he has examined, and that is every bit his right. But I would offer an opposing view of Chard's work. Now, I may not know much, only having been a knife maker myself since 1987, and having been a dental surgeon with years and years of experience with dental laboratory equipment and manufacturing--free-hand--items accurate to as little as 0.0001 inch, and having been in law enforcement and personal protection and using--really using--knives of both hand-made and factory-made persuasions; but I do know one thing: Gordon Chard makes some outstanding pieces! I have three of his knives: one miniature with a pre-ban ivory handle and wooden sheath, one small kitchen knife made from Vascowear and with a straight-edged blade, and one beautiful dagger co-authored (engraved and gold-inlaid) by Dr. Fred Carter that is the centerpiece of my entire, 300-knife collection. All three pieces are totally flawless, even under a loupe. The biggie, most importantly, is absolutely flawless and totally symmetrical, the blade is hand-rubbed with perfectly straight lines, the handle is pre-ban fluted ivory with twisted silver wire in the flutes and a completely smoothe and even polish, the guard is deeply blued, etc. In other words, it's a beauty, it's got absolutely no imperfections, I bought it at one of the last Guild shows that was held in Dallas in the mid-'80s, and I went back and forth between two other makers' tables and Chard's for three days before finally deciding that Chard's was the most perfectly executed piece in the price range in which I was searching ($1,000-$2,000 in 1987 dollars). To help date the show, Buster Warenski's King Tut dagger made its first public appearance at that show. Hope this helps to dispell ryan9977's doubts about Mr. Chard's quality. Sincerely, Patrol Officer Dr. Craig Merrell.
