Hugh Bartrug MS Knives

jjtjr

jjtjr

Joined
Dec 28, 2001
Messages
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I have a few knives made by retired Mastersmith Hugh Bartrug (Ashley Forge). He made some really fancy knives as any one who has read the "Knives Points of Interest Series" by Weyer can verify. He retired in the nineties with health problems. I just thought that I would post them.

Does anyone else have any of his knives?
Jim Treacy

Pearl Bowie:

BartrugPearlBowiecopy.jpg


Pearl Folder:

BartrugPearlFoldwecopy.jpg


Mastadon Folder:

Bartrug2.jpg
 
jjtjr said:
He retired in the nineties with health problems. I just thought that I would post them.
Click to expand...

Fine looking knives, Jim!!

Hugh, when he was healthy, could roll with the best. His forge was named after his grand daughter, first met him in 1985....was/is a superb human being.....and don't have any of this work, sadly.:(


Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
As I mentioned in a post in an other thread I think Hugh Bartrug is one of the "forgotten" heroes of knifemaking. When I started collecting knives a couple of years back one of the first things I did was buying the Point of Interest books.
Hugh was one of the makers in those books that stood out to me from the start. His Viking sword on page 21 in Book IV is "to die for". A few years back I looked up his home address and wrote him and his wife a letter to tell them how much I admire his work.
Sadly enough he can't make knives anymore but I truly hope to own one of his fixed blade knives one day.

Jim, you're a fortunate man to own these knives:thumbup:

Marcel
 
Haven't seen any of his work in the longest time - this was a real treat. Thanks Jim!

Roger
 
I remember seeing his knives when I first started gawking at customs back in the early 90's. He lives a couple of miles from em. Someone told me that he had a stroke a number of years back and that is what caused him to quit forging.
 
Here's a shot of His "Michael's Sword", that I got off the internet along time ago. I have no idea who owns it.

Bartrug.jpg
 
I have a couple of his damascus/pearl fixed blades, hope someday to stumble on some more.

Just think a lot of the man and felt it would be good to have a few of his knives in my collection. He has helped out a lot of makers.

The link that Joss posted has been there for a while and it has been tempting (just not sure I can do mokume and turquoise on the same knife :D).
 
Doc Mo is deceased as I remember right.
Hugh was a real nice guy and was helpful to struggling young smiths.
 
jjtjr said:
Here's a shot of His "Michael's Sword", that I got off the internet along time ago. I have no idea who owns it.

Bartrug.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing Jim. I have never followed Mr. Bartrug's work. Quite an artist and knifemaker. Any idea as to what his yearly production was before he retired?
 
Kevin,
I don't know what his production was. I do know that he has alot of knives in Wyers " Knives Points of Interest" especially Vol. III. The series is a great history of alot of really skilled knifemakers.
Jim
 
It sure is great to see Hugh's name hereon the forum and see pics of his knives! Hugh, was a very patiant and willing teacher to me. He taught me how to make damascus,mokume, and in general the whole custom knife business...
His knives are in a leage completly by themselves, you can tell a Hugh Bartrug piece from clear across the room...I remember many evenings sitting in his house looking at all the masterpieces he did and I was just awstruck the whole time....I agree in that he should be featured more as I believe he is a icon in the knife industry!

And yes, I do own a really nice little fixed blade from him!

Rick Hinderer
 
Hugh is a very giving individual, I was fortunate enough to get to meet him as
well as a very young and spry Rick Hinderer at the same time at the Ashokan Seminar :)
Hugh brought some very very very impressive pieces with him to show, one that
I recall was a boarding cutlass, amazing sword!
G2
 
hugh was local to my area , i grew up just a few miles from his shop though i never got to meet him personally a local gun shop has several of his knives of his for sale. ive heard lots of stories about the man (legend) hugh bartrug, he and my mentor and teacher tim nolfi were in their day pretty good freinds and collegues.

www.takachforge.com
 
hugh was local to my area , i grew up just a few miles from his shop though i never got to meet him personally a local gun shop has several of his knives of his for sale.
Click to expand...

Can you give me some info on this shop so I can contact them and find out what they've got.

Thanks,

Marcel
 
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