Joe Drouin has passed

M

mikespens

Joined
Nov 6, 2000
Messages
224
Hello knifeknutts,
I have some sad news, Blade Magazine Hall of Fame collector Joe Drouin has passed away.
I knew Joe through the Northwest Knife Collectors where he always showed a part of his great custom knife collection. About a year or so ago he moved from Washington back east to be closer to his family. His health was failing but he was still quite active. I don't know the details or date of his death. A family member called the club to let us know. He will be missed.
 
Joe set the bar high for knife collectors supportive of makers and the hobby.

A very humble and generous man will be missed.
 
What Gus said. Joe was a very nice guy, who had a real passion for knives(I like that in a human being). Somewhere in his collection, is an old Frank Vought knife that I sold him cheap, so that he could use it in his deceased knifemaker display. That was a pretty sweet little knife, but Joe had a much better purpose for it than I did. RIP, Joe.
 
Joe was a wonderful individual who did more for custom knives and makers than almost anyone I can think of.

I always enjoyed talking with him at Blade..........he was THE ONLY ONE I knew of that would let damn near anyone fondle his fantastic knife collection, some of the nicest ones extant I might add, and absolutely loved to have it happen!

God Speed Joe and keep an eye on all of us 'down here'....... :(
 
Joe was an insitution of knife collecting. Many speak of the quality of people in this business, and Joe was at the top of the heap. All knife enthusiasts have lost a friend.
 
Joe was one of the first people that I met at my first Blade Show in Knoxville in 1985. I had only read about the knives that he had on display. He encouraged me to hold them and to feel them in my hands. It was during our long conversation that I mentioned that I had started a small collection of knives. Joe was the one who encouraged me to put together and display my first collection of about R.H. Ruana knives. I won the judges award that year and dispalyed my collection for many years until it got to the point that I could not manage the collection and sales table. I would look forward to seeing Joe at every show and to look at those beautiful knives. I feel sure that Joe and his collection had a lot to do with many of the collections that you see displayed at the various shows. he will be missed.

Bobby
 
I agree with what all everyone else said. Joe was a good man and so good to introduce new people to our business. I enjoyed his deceased makers collection because he let them live even longer.
 
Mike,
Thanks for letting us know... I, too, met Joe at the Northwest Knife Collectors Shows and the Eugene shows... Basically, he was the unintentional model for my collection...Up until I first saw his collection, and met him and realized who collectors and makers are, I hadn't really begun to explore the art of Knifemaking and the pursuit of a knife collection...
I missed his displays when he moved back east...Now we'll all miss his presence...
Thanks for the inspiration, Joe... RIP
 
Joe's Museum of knives provided the opprotunity to explore the thoughts of many knife makers to those who could see what was there. Joe did not interupt my thoughts while I was sharing time with the past, but was always ready and willing to answer any questions and share thoughts when asked.

Another great contribution from Joe was a complete index of articles about knife makers and knives that appeared in all publications.

Thanks Joe!
 
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