harvey draper dagger

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SLEEPER 86

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Nov 16, 2006
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i have been trying to locate or find information on a dagger made by MS Harvey Draper in the late '70s or very early '80s. it was featured on the cover of a custom knife maker's book from the early '80s (i think it was "knives").
it has the classic draper brass guard with the light sweep towards the butt, full double edge blade, leather washer grip, and an unusual pommel that was sort of undercut on the bottom.
this appeared to be a fairly large knife, and from the comparison with other knives around it i would estimate blade length at 10-12".
my description is completely from memory and it's been 20+ years! of all the custom knives i've seen, this one still stands out in my memory.
since mr. Draper is no longer with us, and neither is his son, i have been considering commisioning a smith to create a "tribute" knife to honor a man i consider to be one of the true pioneers of custom knife making.
any info, pictures, or specifications would be greatly appreciated!
Eric B
 
Hi Eric,

I just scoured the indexes and covers of ALL the Knives Annual's from 1981 to present. Oddly enough, there doesn't seem to be one knife or image credited to him.

He needed to submit more.... ;)

Sorry.

Coop
 
thank's for the quick reply Jim!
wondering if it may have been an earlier issue?
i do remember this being a thick "bible" type publication.
Eric B
 
Harvey Draper was one of the all time greats, I remember the knife you reffer to, but can't find the book. Will keep looking.
 
Harvy, as Ed Points out was one of the all time greats, and true pioners. His work greatly influenced Zack, Hippen, Chappel, Luckett, Lovestrand. I have no way to post the pics here as I have none on a host anywhere. But I do have several picts of Harvys work here. I always assumed that Audra Draper (Maker)was a relative. Help out here guy's. Mike
 
Audra and Mike are not related to Harvey as far as I know. Hibben did teach Harvey, Harvey taught many, his sons were great makers also, at least the knives of theirs I have seen.
Paul Basch had several of Harvey's knives at one time, they were great to share time with. You can see them in the old Russel Custom Knives catalogues.
 
Ed, i appreciate your continued search!not sure of harvey's continued bloodline, but i certainly hope the trade was passed on.
Earl, i saw that bowie at AZCK but it's not the one, it does have harvey's signature swept guard though! and a similar pommel although the dagger's was symmetrical.
MLOVETT, do you own a scanner? if you do, i could host the pics.
I truly appreciate the effort everyone.
Eric B
 
If you are looking for one of Harvey Drapers sons there is still one alive. He is Bart Draper, Utah. He still makes knives as well. I know for a fact because he is my dad.
 
Welcome to Blade Fourms. Are you taking up knife making? If so you have a good teacher and an opportunity to learn from a good hand.
 
mlovett said:
Harvy, as Ed Points out was one of the all time greats, and true pioners. His work greatly influenced Zack, Hippen, Chappel, Luckett, Lovestrand. I have no way to post the pics here as I have none on a host anywhere. But I do have several picts of Harvys work here. I always assumed that Audra Draper (Maker)was a relative. Help out here guy's. Mike
Click to expand...

Mike, indeed, Harvey was a great knifemaker. He and Zack and Steve Johnson and Rod Chappel all came out of Gil's shop, not the other way around.
 
Update on a Dinosaur post!
Harvey Draper's website http://www.harveydraper.com has a clear picture of the knife I was referring to in the more knives section. The blade is shown in the first picture, the whole dagger is shown in the 22nd picture down along with several other knives. It's been a long search and I am very grateful to the late Mr. Draper's family for updating their site and including pictures of his wonderful work!
I will be contacting them regarding the whereabouts of this knife, and to thank them for their continued research into and documentation of the Draper family legacy. Any additional information forum members can contribute as to dimensions and materials used would be greatly appreciated.
 
bunched.jpg
 
^^^ Those ARE beautiful knives.

Since we've resurrected this tidbit:

lordgraywolf22 said:
Not true, Gil was trained by Harvey.
Click to expand...

A. G. Russell said:
Where did you get that information??
Click to expand...

From the harveydraper.com website bio page:

In 1965, a man named Gil Hibben moved to Manti. This was to cause quite a stir in Harvey because Gil was making knives, full-time, for his living. Harvey went to Gil's shop at the first opportunity. Hibben was most cordial and showed Draper what he was doing at the Manti Knife Shop.
Click to expand...

^^^ AG, as usual, was on the money.

Coop
 
Thanks for turning us on to the website, no doubt one of the true "Greats" of knife making.
 
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