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Lorien

Lorien

Nose to the Grindstone
Moderator
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Dec 5, 2005
Messages
27,801
Hello there,

By way of introduction, and especially due to my first thread starter, my name is Lorien and I am a bicycle guy who is discovering the complex and exciting new world of handmade, and especially forged, knives. My interest in knives, like many of you I'm sure, goes back to my childhood thanks in part to Conan:)

Bladeforums has been an amazing resource for me as I muddle my way through knife edgeucation.

I have made contact with four makers, and I've arranged to have knives made for me by them. One of these guys is Jason Knight, who I can tell by talking with on the phone is a helluva knice guy.

I've searched around for pictures of his work, but I was wondering if any of you informed knife fanciers could direct me towards more photos of his, (and other forged) knives. Or perhaps post some here.

At any rate, thanks in advance, and thanks already for providing such a great forum that guys like me can learn and grow from:thumbup:
 
Thanks Roger, I'll check it out. Appreciate it!
 
Thanks Murray. I'll take that advice. I also found some on Les Robertson's webstore, which I like very much, (especially the FUG).

Kevin, to answer your question- I only have one other knife on order, and that's with Burt Foster. I'll be seeing it within the year, (yay! Almost have enough $ saved up already).

The other two makers, whose knives I already have in my possession, are Seth Burton, (www.cosmoknives.com) and Peter Marzitelli.

Seth made three knives to my design; a personal carry, a mid sized bush knife and a 13" machete/short sword. From Peter I have a mid sized folder and two bowies made from my design. In both these cases, I had the amazing good fortune to trade bikes for knives.

I like the stock removal knives made to my spec, and that's really what got me going in this interest- designing knives and then having the design reproduced. What I found out about this approach, is that while I'm artistically inclined and highly enjoy designing knives, I really have no place in doing that unless I'm making the knives myself. Which someday soonish I will start to learn how to do. I think you need to be able to feel the knife taking shape in order to allow your original 'plan' to evolve along with the steel and other materials you're using.

But I really am getting into the forged to shape and the finished form coming all together from the brain and hands of one human. Which is a pretty complicated way of saying that I trust a Mastersmith to design and build a knife for me as an outcome of his assessment of my needs. 'Need' being a fairly loose description:)

My growing interest in handmade knives is manifesting itself to me by way of large blades finding homes in my house.

At any rate, sorry about the tangent.
I just can't get enough of looking at Jason Knight's blades. He really is pretty prolific it seems, and has a very eclectic approach in making a lot of 'types' of knives. I appreciate your help in locating places where I can get my fix.:)
 
Lorien-


Let me know if you ever get down this way. I know from my college days I was an hour from Vancouver, BC... and live exactly 3 hours from Bellingham now... so 4 hours isn't so far. :)

Heck-of-a start too.... Burt Foster and Jason Knight... GOLDEN STUFF right off the git-go :thumbup: :cool:
 
Actually Nick, you round out my list. You're the next guy I wanted to talk with. I love reading your posts in here. You seem so stoked.

I also am infatuated with your knives. I can't help trying to peer through their windows at night as they unsheathe themselves in front of their bedroom mirrors. It's unhealthy, and I really should be seeking professional help.

I didn't realize you were so close. I will definitely be looking you up.
Any chance you like riding bikes?;)

I hope you dropped out of college to become a bladesmith.:thumbup:
 
Lorien-

Your post made me crack up. I am probably whacky for it, but that's my kind of humor :D

Actually I finished college... at which point I went from part-time personal trainer to full-time (it's odd, but my mechanical engineering degree really helped out with that! LMAO :foot:).

I did drop out of bladesmithing to become a laborer full-time. Again with the "not using degree thing"... Damn it! lol

I forgot to mention, not only did you get knives on order with two of my favorite bladesmiths... they are two of my favorite people in general. Just all around great guys! I can say with 100% confidence you will be pleased with whatever they make for you!!!
 
Lorien said:
I didn't realize you were so close. I will definitely be looking you up.
Any chance you like riding bikes?;)

I hope you dropped out of college to become a bladesmith.:thumbup:
Click to expand...


Nick is unable to ride a bike, due to his mass breaking any and all frames...but he does wax his legs.:D:D:D

Your chances of ordering a Nick Wheeler knife, and getting it delivered during his lifetime will be greatly increased if you start "helping" him in his shop....right now he has a "shop pixie" "helping" him, and SHE doesn't allow a lot of work to get done...ha, ha, I'll be here all week, ladies and germs, try the veal, it's FABULOUS.

Best REgards,

STeven Garsson
 
Thanks Nick. I really like those guys too. They are keepin it real. That is the biggest reason I'm bucking up and spending more $ than I ever thought I would on a knife. Or two, or three, or...

Well, hell, I dropped out of university, (Visual Arts) in order to become a pro bike mechanic. Spent several weeks learning the trade at United Bicycle Institute in Ashland Oregon. Now I got my very own bike shop. Take that, art school!

So in between this conversation I finally checked out your website. You're 26?!
Shit, man, I thought you must at least be in your thirties to be producing knives like that. Holy crap!:eek:

I got to get to a knife show or two one day.
 
I'm a little nervous about 'helping' a buff guy who waxes his legs, taking the place of a female 'shop pixie', but if that's what it takes to possess a Nick Wheeler knife, than I guess it deserves at least some reflection.:confused::barf::o;)

You know that eating veal is wrong, don't you, STeven? Poor little cows.
Twisted bugger.
 
Lorien said:
I'm a little nervous about 'helping' a buff guy who waxes his legs, taking the place of a female 'shop pixie', but if that's what it takes to possess a Nick Wheeler knife, than I guess it deserves at least some reflection.:confused::barf::o;)

You know that eating veal is wrong, don't you, STeven? Poor little cows.
Twisted bugger.
Click to expand...


Oh, Nick will be gentle on you, Lorien....as long as you can bench at least 200 lbs 15 times....:eek::eek:

No only do I eat veal, but worked at a slaughterhouse when I was 16.....bleeding calves......and they are sooooo tasty.:D

In all seriousness....Burt is very prolific, and workmanlike(treats the craft like a business).....Jason is more of the "artist" type, he is certifiably insane...but pounds out a fair amount of steel....Nick is awfully hard to get a knife out of...for a variety of reasons....there is no favorite of the group, they are all exceptional!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I'm dead meat.:(

I also saw Adam Desrosier's(?sp) MS(?JS) submission pictured in KI a little while back and his work spoke to me too.

It's no mystery, these guys are all buddies and share ideas, and I think that's why their work is so advanced.

The reason I probably like it so much is that we're all about the same age.
When I talked with Jason, he brought up Conan. There are probably a number of cultural mind molding events we all share due to our generational proximity. The aesthetic in general is very different than it was 20 years ago, and these guys are definitely helping drive it at least in the forged knife field.

Their work, if they continue to produce knives, in 20 years should be downright mind blowing. Of course, the 20-30 olds at this time will be killing it too no doubt. At this rate, 12 year olds will be making knives at a level which will be unbelievable!

Oh, and as for hunting down a nice source of photos, I simply used the search function in the Custom Knives for Sale forum. Lots of good photos in there. Interesting watching knives change hands in there. Some knives just don't seem to find a secure home. Poor knives.
 
Lorien said:
Kevin, to answer your question- I only have one other knife on order, and that's with Burt Foster. I'll be seeing it within the year, (yay! Almost have enough $ saved up already).

The other two makers, whose knives I already have in my possession, are Seth Burton, (www.cosmoknives.com) and Peter Marzitelli.
Click to expand...

Yes in deed you are off to a fine start.
 
Lorien-


Looks like I missed you, sorry about that. I had to take on a "real job" since I had my web-site put together and am not home much anymore. Oh... and I turned the big 3-0 since then too :eek: :)

STeven... thanks for the kind words. Any time I can be remotely included with the likes of Foster and Knight I will gladly take it!!! :thumbup: :D
 
No worries dude.

I can imagine, being as I am in business on my own too, how much harder it must be to make a go of it being a full time bladesmith. I don't think you guys get enough credit for simply making a go of it, above and beyond kudus for sweet blades.
Hope your real job gives enough freedom and security to have a real life:)I miss a 'regular' job some days. Be nice to be able afford the time to bring the family on a road trip or whatever. Aw well, I'm learning how to make time, (please don't ask for the recipe).

Happy belated bro!:thumbup:
 
Lorien said:
I'm dead meat.:(

I also saw Adam Desrosier's(?sp) MS(?JS) submission pictured in KI a little while back and his work spoke to me too.

It's no mystery, these guys are all buddies and share ideas, and I think that's why their work is so advanced.

The reason I probably like it so much is that we're all about the same age.
When I talked with Jason, he brought up Conan. There are probably a number of cultural mind molding events we all share due to our generational proximity. The aesthetic in general is very different than it was 20 years ago, and these guys are definitely helping drive it at least in the forged knife field.

Their work, if they continue to produce knives, in 20 years should be downright mind blowing. Of course, the 20-30 olds at this time will be killing it too no doubt. At this rate, 12 year olds will be making knives at a level which will be unbelievable!

Oh, and as for hunting down a nice source of photos, I simply used the search function in the Custom Knives for Sale forum. Lots of good photos in there. Interesting watching knives change hands in there. Some knives just don't seem to find a secure home. Poor knives.
Click to expand...

IMO, that's a very significant consideration regarding the collectibility of these maker's knives.
 
Damn right Kevin! Always is, always has been. Lots of guys out there have made beautiful knives for a short time and then gave it up when the pressures of life forced them on to a more secure financial situation, or illness crops up, or, or...

Who are these guys? Who knows. And what do they care? They have families to feed. Their future may be best served by changing their focus and who are we to question that, even if we've 'invested' in their work?

It's one thing to create a legacy that 'the world' recognizes, and often quite another to create a legacy your progeny recognizes, as often these two things are mutually exclusive.

Fame is fleeting.

This is why I buy handmade knives that I like, which is beyond whether I think it's an investment or not insofar as a certain dollar value simply gets you a quality not available elsewhere.
Some of you guys are art collectors, which I think is cool, but I am not one at this stage in my life.
I buy the highest quality stuff I can afford when it's stuff that I use and count on; bikes, outdoor gear, tools... My choices in knives by certain guys who make them reflect that goal.
 
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