Joe Keeslar Hand Made Knife - contact information wtd

[Buck Stix]

WTD - JOE KEESLAR CONTACT INFORMATION

Hello All,

Would someone have an email address or phone number for Joe Kessler?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Wulf]

Keeslar, not Kessler

His current contact info is listed on the ABS website
http://www.americanbladesmith.com/index.php?section=users&subsection=user_detail&user_id=233

Joe is currently recovering from a recent health issue, so please allow him plenty of time for a response.

 

[Buck Stix]

Hello Wulf,

Thank you .... I recently acquired another of his knives and was hoping to find some history for whom it was made.

It is unique enough that I'm hoping he remembers making it.

 

[lukus]

That is pretty cool. I really like the choil.

 

[Kevin Jones]

Did you receive one of Joe's sheaths with it?
He's quite an accomplished sheathmaker as well.

 

[Buck Stix]

Hello Kevin Jones,

Yes, I did get an original Keeslar sheath with the knife. It is an "early" sheath based on the separate hammer / anvil logo stamping on the back. This is the same "early" stamping as is found on the knife blade.

I had a chance to speak with Joe yesterday, and he told me he used this stamping on his very early knives, and dates its use to the early 70's.

He went on to say that he only made maybe 2 or 3 knives of this type, a long, long time ago. I sent him pictures via email in hopes that he may recall more information about the knife and for whom the knife was made. The back of the through-tang has what appears to be the script initials "D S". Hopefully I will be able to find more about this knife some time in the future.

If anyone has ever seen another like it, please chime in.

 

[stabber]

Nice Score!

 

[Buck Stix]

Nice Score!

Yes, I'm very pleased to have found this one.

 

[SharpByCoop]

Back in the day, the early ABS Mastersmiths were keen on showing their blacksmithing talents. Dragons seemed to be a cool outlet.

Here's a version from Robbin Hudson which I owned for a spell.

Yes, you got a good score.

Coop

 

[Buck Stix]

Hello SharpByCoop,

So you think this is perhaps a Dragon and not a Dog?

 

[SharpByCoop]

I don't know. I didn't even consider a dog, but now that you say that.

Only Joe would know. Did you contact him?

Coop

 

[M.K.]

Your approach to the subject is interesting for me.

 

[Buck Stix]

Yes, I called Joe, and described it to him as a "Forged Mad Dog". He didn't really confirm it was a Dog, other than to say he only made 2 or three knifes such as this, back in the 70's. I also sent him pictures, but he has not replied.

Now that you say Dragon ... maybe?

 

[weo]

Sorry to resurrect an older thread, but was wondering if you ever got any info.
I've been working on my animal heads (learned from Daryl Nelson) and have been wondering for a while if it's possible to incorporate them into a knife...now I see it's possible.
I'm guessing you'd do the head first then the blade?

~billyO