Group Shots

[RogerP]

Like many of you here, I thoroughly enjoyed Coop's outstanding presentation of photos from the 2011 Blade Show. In looking over some of the group shots of JS and MS test knives, however, it suddenly dawned on me that I had never taken a group shot of any of my knives.

It can make for an interesting way to look at one's collection afresh and see which knives kind of come together to make indentifiable subsets - by type (bowies, hunters) by handle materials (stag knives, ivory), blade materials and so on.

Of course, the most obvious subset division is by maker, so taking my first stab at it while visiting with Murray and Phyllis earlier today. I figured I'd give that a shot (if you'll pardon the pun). It proved to be equal parts fun and royal PITA. Shooting the knives, I mean - the visits are always fun. Some combinations and orientations look good to the naked eye, but decidedly less so to the camera lens.

I am definitely going to have to try again, but I was fairly pleased with the way this assembly of Dan Farr blades turned out:

And the bigger pieces together:

If you've got group shots of any of your knives - makers or collectors or anybody - feel free to add them in.

If any of our resident photo experts want to chime in with tips on how to best go about it, by all means chime in.

Roger

 

[ddd]

If you've got group shots of any of your knives - makers or collectors or anybody - feel free to add them in.

If any of our resident photo experts want to chime in with tips on how to best go about it, by all means chime in.

Roger

This is a great idea, Roger, as quite often I was asked to display
more than a few knives on one page in my books - only to allow
the eye to evaluate designs and compare shapes more easily.

The group picture you took of six fairly large knives is beautiful.
It looks like it is actually the original un-photoshop-treated shot
and therefore very well and very cleverly shot! AND is therefore
also a great example for others to follow!!

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

 

[Lorien]

I took photos of my knives just this month, with the intention of having some nice shots of each knife. But once I got them laid out and ready to shoot, I couldn't resist snapping a shot of all of em. Well, almost all, there are a couple which I missed.

 

[SharpByCoop]

I always enjoy groupings. I find two knives similar and in the same photo more compelling than a composite. (Not always possible, though.)

Roger: Welcome to MY world. LOL! The above shot is superb. I love the splayed layout. I find in order for the blade lighting to match best, you need to individually rotate the knives to help. That's where I use some adhesive putty to help hold them in place.

You done great. As David said, it looks honest.

Lorien: WOW! ChopperWorld.com!

Coop

 

[jjtjr]

Awhile back I took some group photos of some of my collections. I have added a few and sold a few but these are about right.

Bill Moran MS knives:

Jerry Fisk MS collection:

Rare Jerry Fisk MS folders:

JD Smith MS knives:

Wayne Valachovis MS (retired) knives:

Jim Treacy

 

[ddd]

Right from the start, this Thread has, developed into an
amazing display of some truly exciting collections!!

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

 

[RogerP]

Great stuff guys - and thanks in particular for the photo comments from David and Coop. There is some putty lifting the tip of the competition cutter at the top of the photo, but I have to admit getting lazy after that. Just getting them positioned so that they looked sort of right is what took the most time.

Lorien - there can't be an overgrown trail within 100 miles of you! Some serious steel there.

Jim - your collection fairly blows me away. I rememberd the Fisks, the Morans and the JD Smiths, but had somehow forgotten about the Valachovics - most excellent.

I have only seen a handful of Fisk hawks over the years - and you have two! And that collection of his folders can't easily be matched. You should really set up at a show sometime.

Roger

 

[RogerP]

Now Murray and I were yakking away solving most of the world's problems when I literally just threw these down. They deserve better - and as David correctly observed, these images aren't "tweeked" at all (and I would if I could, but can't seem to get Windows "Paint" to do anything much...) but the quality of the subject matter shows through anyway:

Roger

 

[2knife]

Fowler: Fawns & mini

 

[Matthew Gregory]

Nice shot, Rog! Both the layout and the overall exposure of the knives looks pro, for sure.

It really makes me wish Dan would make one of those competition choppers in CruForgeV, though... be the best damn chopper ever!

 

[Kevin Jones]

Here's examples of Jerry Fisk's very popular Sendero and Gamemaster Hunter designs. I find the Sendero to be more a good all purpose Hunter/Utility, where the Gamemaster more a Skinner as the handle design offers lots of power to the blade for cutting bone/tendon.
I've been fortunate enough to have owned quite a few of each, however these two are in my permanent collection as they represent the best I've found. The sheath is croc skin and by Kenny Rowe and I made the display.

 

[ddd]

Now Murray and I were yakking away solving most of the world's problems when I literally just threw these down. They deserve better - and as David correctly observed, these images aren't "tweeked" at all (and I would if I could, but can't seem to get Windows "Paint" to do anything much...) but the quality of the subject matter shows through anyway:

Roger

I couldn't resist it Roger, I had to "oil" the leather to show off
the amazing workmanship, the grain and the inlays...

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

 

[RogerP]

Thank you David.

I tweeked my original image of the knives just a bit - I think the colour and texture in the handle materials show a little better now.

Matt - a big Cru-Forge V Chopper from Dan is definitely on my wish list. I've been chatting with Russ about one, too.

Roger

 

[Matthew Gregory]

Here's examples of Jerry Fisk's very popular Sendero and Gamemaster Hunter designs.

The natural lighting on your deck seems to have really done both the blades and the stand justice, Kev... everything looks 'real' and correct. That's a really hard thing for me to capture. You nailed it!

 

[RogerP]

Nice knives David - I believe that's the littlest Fowler I've ever seen.

Roger

 

[cnas122]

I have a couple group shots on my computer

Tony Bose

Ken Erickson

 

[bluejaunte]

This one is horribly out-of-date but such is life. For a time I was working very hard at developing my talent of taking out-of-focus, poorly-lit group shots of my collection.

Your photos came out VERY nice, Roger. :thumbup:

 

[SharpByCoop]

I keep checking this thread. Very captivating!

Aaron... ^^^, you succeeded in your quest!

I can't resist. Here is one focal area of my collection:

Add these two in addition, since that shot was taken:

...and the folding HP selection:

This shows me I need to do a group shot of my 'white knives'. Damn you Roger; now it's work. :grumpy: Work needed.

Coop

 

[RogerP]

^^^ Now there's some talent. 9 medium to large fixed blades, mix of dark and light handles, mix of carbon and damascus blades - all looking clear and crisp, close together but not crowding each other - dayum.

Aaron and cnas - thanks for posting up those cool knives.

Roger

 

[Bruce Bump]

The PKA Show group shot 2010

ABS MS judged knives 2003