John Fitch

[rickmenefee]

Whatever happened to him?

 

[Don Hanson III]

Best I can remember he got in over his head with orders and stuff, then just quit making knives.

 

[rickmenefee]

Will I remember him years ago at the cutting contest. He really got into it. I use to think knife makers that didn't take orders were nuts. I was looking thru some pictures today and noticed him

 

[JParanee]

Very sad

Big John made a hell of a knife

 

[ptgdvc]

Big John made a heck of knife and just became too popular.

 

[Murray White]

Peter -- can you please email me? you BF box is full and the addy I have is not correct. TIA

 

[Doug C]

Big John made a heck of knife and just became too popular.

What Peter said !
Before Big John got his MS stamp, he was cranking out some awesome blades as a JS.
Fit/finish and materials were near the top and they were very reasonably priced.

Doug

 

[Don Hanson III]

Will I remember him years ago at the cutting contest. He really got into it. I use to think knife makers that didn't take orders were nuts. I was looking thru some pictures today and noticed him

Big John was on top of the forged blade world. Guess he just couldn't handle the pressure.

Too many orders can drive a maker "nuts"!

 

[Bigfattyt]

I hate to see any artist get in over their heads. If I was making knives, I might go the route of making them and listing, rather than orders.

I think that might remove some stress from the process!

 

[HTMD]

Here's one by John from my collection. I'm still quite fond of this knife/sheath (by Sandy Morrisey) combo. And I have to say, John Fitch was (and I'm sure still is) one of the funniest guys on the planet. He can really spin a story - like the one about that crazy meth cook and his insane wife who lived next door. Endless belly laughs. Pretty rare in my experience.

 

[Doug C]

Perfect Skinner/Hunter, imo.
Congrats, Buddy, great get and wonderful sheath to complete the package.

Doug

 

[Don Hanson III]

Buddy, you are right. John is funny as hell. Miss visiting with him at the shows. Very nice hunter!

 

[canineforge]

He was a hell of a maker and a great story teller. I still have a vision of him in Little Rock telling an Arkansas deer hunting story with a half dozen of us closely listening. He had one of his 10-inch bladed bowies sheathed and stuck in his back jeans pocket. And all listening were spell bound.

I understand he no longer makes knives. I hope he still enjoys telling his tales.

- Joe

 

[RWS]

I remember commissioning the Fitchmeister for a Bowie a few years back.

I've told the story here before. Here's the link.

[url]http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2252579&postcount=8[/URL]

I came to find out from others, including one of his close friends who is also a very reputable knifemaker, that Fitch didn't know how to tell the truth...about anything.