How sad

[Keith Montgomery]

I received an email from Coop today that was to inform people of the passing of Paul C. Basch at 12:10 AM this morning. The industry has lost one it's most knowledgeable people.

 

[Les Robertson]

Perhaps the saddest part of this is that there are people on this forum (and elsewhere in the custom knife community) who have no idea who Paul was.

His knowledge of custom knives and knife makers from the 50's through the 90's is irreplaceable.

 

[A T Barr]

What a sad day for all the knifemaking community. Very few people have the knife knowledge that Paul had. May he Rest in Peace.

 

[RogerP]

Very sad news indeed.

Roger

 

[Kevin Jones]

From all I have heard, Paul Basch was a custom knife icon.
Sad news, he will be missed.

 

[Durwood]

I'm sorry to hear about this great loss. By the time I came into the field of customs Paul had already slowed down a lot. I count myself fortunate to have met him one time a few years back in Springfield, MO. He had a Scagel Folder among other things on his table. I'm Glad I got to see it and speak briefly with him. He was asking $27, 500 for the knife or "not for sale".

 

[Don Hanson III]

Very sad news. Paul was one of the good guys and a friend.
He will be missed.

 

[cockroachfarm]

Sad news indeed. Our condolences to his family and friends.

 

[thombrogan]

Prayers sent for his family.

 

[xaman]

This is sad news, thank you for letting us know.

Prayers sent for his family and friends...

 

[Neil Ostroff]

Rest in Peace, Paul.

Neil

 

[Chuck Gedraitis Knives]

I had dinner with Paul and a few others after a Janesville show a few years ago. What a great guy, and he carried a 2 bladed Scagel folder as his EDC. It was worth about $20,000
I don't know of anyone else that does that.

 

[VCM3]

Perhaps the saddest part of this is that there are people on this forum (and elsewhere in the custom knife community) who have no idea who Paul was.

His knowledge of custom knives and knife makers from the 50's through the 90's is irreplaceable.

Les,
I met Paul at my first custom show (NY)& bought the first custom folder I ever had,from him,an aluminum handled Bob Dozier.
He was a very nice man,I do know a little about him,can't speak for others,but I was glad to have met him in person.
RIP Paul & condolences to his family,
-Vince

 

[Ed Fowler]

Paul was a true friend to many new makers, his encouragement, and support made many makers who would have never made it without him. He will definitely will be missed, but his contributions will continue to grow through the makers he helped, kids he made friends with and the good times shared. His knowledge was and is still unequaled.

 

[Ren the devils trailboss]

I am sorry to hear this. HIs passion for the custom knife industry and his knowledge was second to none. He was a true gentleman and will be missed.

 

[Bladeandbarrel]

Whenever Paul was at a show I attended I always sought him out. From him I bought some early gems of my collection-Fisks, Crowells, Smiths,he always seemingly had the "goods". When he moved to AG Russells the Cutting Edge was better than ever. He always taught as he sold. He was always a gentleman.

I will really miss Paul. Even when debilitated his enthusiasm for knives and knife people never flickered. He was one of a kind.

 

[RWS]

Wow, this is sad. What an icon he was for this great knife industry we all enjoy.

May he rest in peace.

 

[nikoknife48]

My Condolences to his Family. I wish I could have met him. Rest in peace.

 

[BRTATCK]

Diane and I send our condolences to his family, Paul will be missed. I met him at one of my first Little Rock shows and have not forgotten his advice and what a nice person he was to someone he had never met before. Also what a great table full of knives he had. He will be missed, rest in peace.

Brion

 

[Michael Lovett]

Paul has been in bad shape for a while now. And getting worse. Last time we saw him he could still put a dent in the bacon.

Man! The old Guard is going fast.

Mike and Manuela