John White's Gentleman Bowie-Paper to Steel

NickWheeler said:
Fantastic!

I love the photos, because I don't think too many people understand/appreciate what goes into a knife like that. It'd be even better with some shop photos! :D
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I agree Nick. Thirty individual pieces to this knife. Many don't realize what's involved in the making of a frame/case handle by only seeing it assembled.
 
I forgot to point out that I'm very happy to see John posting here.

I met John about 4 years ago at Blade show and he was fresh out of the school and already making great knives.

He has become one of my favorite makers for many reasons. His work has his own flair and style, and it's ALL VERY VERY clean and well executed.

Even more so though, is what a great guy John is. He is one of the easiest guys you'll find at a show to talk to, and his lovely wife is always there with a warm and friendly smile to help welcome makers and buyers alike, into a conversation. John is also one of the most humble makers I've met. One thing he said to me in Atlanta that first time we met has always stuck with me.

"Well Nick, when you're putting in fine custom cabinets in the cabin of a boat, you don't have to crawl underneath them and inspect the finish, look at them in 10 different kinds of light to see any scratches, and keep sanding on them for 5 days before you can call them done. Making knives has made me think fine detail work in boats might not be that fine."

All with that big smile of his. :D

Good to see you here John!!!
 
John, or anyone who knows,

I'm curious...what are the shallow holes drilled on the inside of the slabs for?

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Grapevine,
On non-stabilized natural handle materials (ivory,wood, stag) the thin scales on case handles will want to bow or warp over time. The shallow holes in the backs of the scales allow me to "key" the scales to the spacers and tang with a filled structural epoxy. Note the large hole in the lower N/S spacer for the same purpose. Although this is a "takedown" construction, we pinned the scales and fully filled them with epoxy. Hope this helps rather than confuses.
John
 
When I see that it's one of John's knives, I know it's a going to get interesting. :) I just HAVE to say something.

This is a good example of why makers should draw and "make" the knife on paper, first. Get the parts to look like the drawing and the whole knife will look like it. I not, then it's just going to be a wild ride with no real idea of the outcome.

The manner and control it takes to carry out and execute it from beginning to end, the finished product being predetermined, is what shows his mastery over the craft.

Seeing that finished knife makes me want to aspire to bigger and better things in my knifemaking. Good job John.


Lin
 
John, as I didn't earlier, I would like to welcome your participation here. And hope you continue to be among the excellent makers that regularly hang out on this forum.
 
I agree with Nick completely. I've had the pleasure of talking with John at length and a nicer gentleman would be hard to find. I look at his knives and want to throw my forge out the window and then after talking to him, I've got 50 new ideas and truly believe I can do this. All the time he acts as though he's not doing anything that great. Humble, generous and talented... you can not go wrong spending time with John and/or owning his fine work.

His wife is also one of the sweetest people in the world. Just great folks.

Glad to see you posting here John! Beautiful work and I love the natural aspect of that ivory, trophy scar and all.
 
Welcome John.

Between John and J these two are going to keep me knife rich but $$$ poor.

I have a couple of Johns knives (one of them was the Arkansas winner) with one on order.

I also have several of J's one of them his JS test fighter.

Two nicer fellows you'd never meet. How their respective wives out up with them... :D


Can't wait to see both of you at BLADE.
 
John that is really a nice piece, very classy. I have to second or third what has been said. It would be hard to find a nicer person. Diane and I always enjoy seeing him and his wife at the shows, and his work is superlative. John it is good to see you here on the forums. We will see you in LR.

Best regards
Brion
 
Mr. John White,

Welcome aboard!
Seeing your knives at the Blade Show, meeting you, i have been immediately impressed. Remarkable talent, what you can do... amazing to me your precision. Knives are perfect.
David
 
So many folks I know personally, and others I've met on this forum have said hello on this thread, that I have to say thanks one more time.
Also, in reference to Kevin's thread on custom knifemaking, let me say that this knife owes much more to Paul's (bgspecialk) input than he modestly claims. The knife evolved through phone calls, e-mails, and drawings. Custom work with a collector is valuable to me as a maker, and gets me thinking in ways I might not go on my own.
Thanks again, lemme get back to the shop.
John
 
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