Jerry Hossom knives from the Blade Show 2013

Thanks, all. Coop, you're correct. Eric at Point Seven did these.

As for bolsters and guards, I'd not be inclined to use them on these as I think they'd interrupt the flow of the design without adding meaningful functionality, but that's also matter of choice and taste. Likely that's why there were over 500 knifemakers at the Blade Show, so there's a choice for everyone. Lots of bolsters and guards. :)
 
Jerry Hossom said:
As for bolsters and guards, I'd not be inclined to use them on these as I think they'd interrupt the flow of the design without adding meaningful functionality, but that's also matter of choice and taste. Likely that's why there were over 500 knifemakers at the Blade Show, so there's a choice for everyone. Lots of bolsters and guards. :)
Click to expand...


Bolsters/guards add a level of complexity and challenge, beyond sculpting significantly softer and more workable material. They ADD to the flow in that they make the blade appear longer, which is a significant consideration considering the length of some of your handles.

I owned one of your blades with a bolster/guard, and it contributed significantly to the balance....in the hand and to the eyes.....that's my choice and where my tastes lean....it originates in the lines of Loveless.

Out of curiousity, Jerry, what/who has influenced your choice and taste in lines?

I've always wondered, because I have never really seen another maker do work that remotely looks like yours.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
There really isn't much complexity to bolsters and guards because they aren't sculpted or shaped much, but I find them limiting and really don't care for unnecessary vertical lines in a largely horizontal landscape. It's a matter of choice. That said, I have five blades in the shop right now that will get getting bolsters/guards, but the designs are somewhat less adventuresome than those above. Filipino Martial Arts have heavily influenced my design approach, and continue to do so. I attend one knife show a year, but several martial arts gatherings where I study how blades are used, and I occasionally give seminars to practitioners on the attributes of a knife that might guide their choices in selecting a blade for their style of fighting. We learn from each other. But while Filipino Martial Arts have guided the evolution of my designs, the direction was decided on 9/11. I had one of the Combat Kopis models above at the Blade Show. Three more will be headed to Afghanistan soon. That need helps keep me somewhat grounded and from wandering too far off the path. And then I sometimes just have fun as with Tuhon Ray Dionaldo's Zombie Killer above, as well as Eli's Vengeance Tanto. Not entirely practical, not entirely impractical. In knifemaking, the pay sucks so you might as well have fun. Or as I like to say, behind every successful knifemaker is a wife with a real job. :)
 
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