I'm not going to ruin this for you...

PhilL

PhilL

Joined
Oct 1, 1999
Messages
6,490
But here’s the story. Ed Fowler is my favorite maker, (Ray Appleton is #2 and everyone else is tied for 3rd)
I get my new issue of Blade magazine yesterday and the first article I read is Ed’s Knife Talk article. Now all of Ed’s articles are great, but this one is real special titled, “Found: Lewis & Clark Knife!” WOW! Seems Ed buys an old knife for $20 from this old Shoshoni, it’s in pretty bad shape so Ed cleans it up. He discovers this inscription on the blade that leads him to believe this knife belonged to Sacajawea’s son (guide from L & C expedition) dated 1805. I think, Wow nice score Ed!
The next page shows Ed bending the blade in a vice. What the ____? Then I relax and tell myself, this Ed Fowler he’s knows what he’s doing. After 7 tries he succeeds in breaking it in half!
eek.gif

Now I’m wondering how is he going to fix this? That’s not what Ed’s looking to do, he’s trying to prove his hard edge soft spine theory. I’m thinking Hard Nosed, Soft Skull!
After carbon dating, Ed is pretty sure the piece is genuine from the period. Is he concerned that he just ruined a historical relic? Nope not Ed, he thinks knives are to be used and abused, and Ed, YOU NEED TO BE CONFINED!

------------------
"Will work 4 Knives!"
Homepage: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=254126
 
The actions of a man of convictions are certain to seem odd, strange, mystifying, and down-right Stupid to some folks. So what? It's Ed's Life (oops, I meant knife).

There was a similar story recently by Jim March about donating an authentic Japanese Katana to the HI Kami is order to make a copy it. They apparently took it apart as well, destroying any monetary value it had.

I think such acts are interesting. These guys are looking for Knowledge. And they think That is more valuable than any Thing.


Paracelsus
 
For the record, they wanted to see how a long stick-type tang would work so they beat on the original tang and obliterated the maker's marks.

Sigh.

I didn't think they'd do that, neither did Bill. Oh well. It was a late Edo piece probably vintage 1850ish but not a "masterpiece", the hamon was nothing special just for starters. It would have been a typical low-ranker's piece, and there were a WHOLE lot like that made. It wasn't anywhere near the significance of the L&C piece.

I have to agree that Ed Fowler's thing here is in a whole 'nuther category
redface.gif
.

Jim
 
PhilL - you meant to say CellMate...
smile.gif


You guys never seize to amaze me –

"Hey look - we found the lost ark - now let’s try and break off the seal - see if it is REALLY that tuff.

Oops, shi....

 
As the guy who did the chemical and microscopic testing on Ed's blade,I feel like I can shed some light on this.
Ed is a very serious student of the history and development of the ultimate using knife. He was seeking to learn all he could.
Don't be "fooled" by what some may regard as an act of senseless vandalism.
 
Ahhh! An admitted ACCOMPLICE! I bet you call yourself a scientist......You VANDAL!!!!
 
I'm sure with a little looking around a period piece, with less historial significance, could have been located. This was unnecessary desecration of a knife rich in American history.

Jake
 
I'm don't know a lot about japanese swords but have a friend that collects them. I've gone to the sword shows with him and from what i saw taking them apart is a way of life
with those guys. Short of tearing apart the handle and ripping off the rayskin what could have been done to destroy the value of the sword?
 
I don't know, Jake--it is arguable that the destruction of this knife ENRICHES our knowledge of American (metallurgical) history!
 
Oh really? What if you're a History Buff that doesn't give a rodents rear about METALLURGY?
How are we ENRICHED?
mad.gif
 
Chiro, nobody should bust your chops after this!

Tom, why are we talking about Japanese swords, you and I are Americans aren't we? We just lost a part of OUR History, I know you have a Hi-boiling point
rolleyes.gif
doesn't this bother you at all?
 
Hmm. This is painful to hear. One must hope he doesn't get his hands on any more unique historical items.
 
ok Phil, hows that?
BTW-know who lived at 327 Chauncey St and drove for the Gotham Bus Co.?
------------------
Dave
Wharton,NJ

Many who plan to seek God at 11:00, die at 10:30.
Phil. 4:13

[This message has been edited by lifter4Him@aol.com (edited 03-29-2000).]
 
I have never met or talked to Mr. Fowler, but I am sure he is a fine fellow in every respect. He DOES have a knack for finding stuff that makes for a good magazine article though. I think Ed is a bit of a "showman" and knows how to divide the sizzle from the steak. His writing style has improved greatly from his earlier "purple pen" period.
 
History,Shmistory I know the story of the knife I want to hear how the sword got destroyed.
 
After seeing Mr. Fowler at the Blade Show West this past October and seeing the prices he was asking for his knives, I'm not the least bit surprised he would obliterate a historically significant artifact. The man is obviously dillusional.

I mean no disrespect to fans of his work, lord knows there are makers out there who's work I like as well but their prices are just simply outrageous. Fowler charges $1600 for a 6 inch piece of ball bearing steel with a sheep horn handle, which he calls the "Iron Mistress", I mean, c'mon. This guy is apparently capable of anything and I think it's a shame what he did to the L & C knife.

 
Did I misunderstand something , or did you really say that ed was only trying to prove his hard edge soft spine theory?
If that was the whole intent, why did he need to destroy the knife, or even use that knife? I'm not sure what his theory is, but if he's trying to prove that hard edge soft spne is an old idea, he could have Rc tested the knife , and only left a mark or 2 on it. And if he was trying to prove that hard edge and soft spine makes a good knife, why didn't he just destroy a different knife?
Peices of history like that are few and far between. I have no idea why he felt the need to destroy it. he may have only payed $20 for it, but it was worth alot more than that, and had more value than just monetary value.

------------------
Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top