Ken Erickson Knives: A Retrospective

Those Michigan pens are very compelling, Ken; if they were to have a pen blade added, would that be what they call an English jack?. Well... anyway... just one more masterpiece out of the Erickson shed. Just lovely.
 
tongueriver said:
Those Michigan pens are very compelling, Ken; if they were to have a pen blade added, would that be what they call an English jack?
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Certainly the pattern could be considered an English Jack, but I think what distinguishes this knife is the blade thickness/profile and grind.


Here are some pictures of a knife that is going to Blade. This knife is not available and in fact is earmarked for one of our members here.

I had plenty of help on this one. I was not familiar with the pattern so I posted a thread looking for suggestions and comments. A big thanks to those that posted in that thread and especially to Dwight(zerogee), Mick(wellington) Mike Robuck and John L. Mike had sent me a George Wostenholm IXL single blade that I used as a "guide" to make this one. This Knife is 4 3/8 with a slipjoint pen blade. The Knife Mike sent is larger and a single blade. Mick had emailed me some great photos and catalog reprints with this pattern. Mick also was very helpful with hints and observations as I built this knife up. Mick's knowledge of these Sheffield vintage patterns is truly impressive. A very big thanks to John L. for supplying me with stag that would work on this knife. The hafting of this knife turned out to be quite the challenge.

One of the design details that I used on this knife is that I hid the lockbar/rocker pin. The reason for this is that the pin can not go through from mark side to pile side because of the slipjoint blade backspring. One option would be to have the pivot pin for the lockbar show on just the pile side, second option would to have the pivot pin show on the pile side and install a false pin on the mark side, third option which I chose was to hide the pin.

Thanks for looking!

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I wanted to chime in and offer thanks to Ken of course as well as Mike, Dwight, Mick and John.

What a great knife and what makes it extra special are the contributions of members here that inspired it.

My thanks to each of you for having a part in this.
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Here are some wip pictures.

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Man that looks great Ken. I just got a single blade IXL that I have taken apart for a patern. This is my first lock back. I really could use any tips you would be willing to share about the lock.
 
Gus, that's great that you are getting this knife! I really, really like it, which Ken already knows. The pen blade is nice and slim just like the old ones, the swedges and grinds are great, it's a cool pattern, killer stag, etc., etc. I also like that Ken stamped both blades like they used to do back in the day.

Congrats to both of you.
 
blades&grace said:
Man that looks great Ken. I just got a single blade IXL that I have taken apart for a patern. This is my first lock back. I really could use any tips you would be willing to share about the lock.
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Brent,

PM sent.

Mike Robuck said:
I also like that Ken stamped both blades like they used to do back in the day.
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Good eye Mike! As a few may know this Is my "first" stamp only used on a few knives to date. I am having some problems moving on to my "second" version of a stamp instead of etching. As I have found out, there is even a learning curve with stamps:eek:

This is the first knife I have made with all the blades marked.

Ken
 
Ken , Each knife you post on here just keep getting
more unbelieveable!! Patterns just keep going to the
next level!! the attention to detail is just something else!
Can't wait to see what's next!! Thanks for sharing!!
Looking forward to Blade, to see all the knives you take!!
Congrats!



Jason
 
Congrats, Gus & Ken!!! Awesome knife!
 
Ken, Great knife and how great of you to take on this very old Traditional pattern. I have an old Henckels similar to this, on it's way to me. I don't know how old it might be but certainly this pattern goes back to the mid 1800s.
By "great" i mean how great it is that you continue to expand into Traditional patterns that are new to you. I'm sure your mastery of the cutler's art grows with every 'new' pattern. It is so exciting for those of us that love your work.
Congratulations and Thank You.
roland
 
Damn son...that was quick. Weren't you just asking for pictures last week??? Very nice and congrats to both of you.
 
This is like the Twilight Zone!!:eek:
And Waupaca is a time warp back to 1800s Sheffield!!
Tell me I'm not dreaming - nice knife Ken, dream or not!!:thumbup:
:D
 
Ken, this knife is truly amazing! Again :)
I am very impressed to see you coming up with all these "new" patterns and it's a real joy to watch this thread every time there is a new post.

Best, Peter
 
cnas122 said:
Damn son...that was quick. Weren't you just asking for pictures last week???
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Nawww, It was over a week and half ago. Actually the time goes by so fast when I am making a knife like this. The inspiration, the desire to want to make a knife that the master cutlers back in the day would at least want to cf and ce. (did I get that right?).

Thanks for the kind words guys, it gives me that much more incentive to try and elevate my cutlery skills.

Ken
 
ken erickson said:
Nawww, It was over a week and half ago. Actually the time goes by so fast when I am making a knife like this. The inspiration, the desire to want to make a knife that the master cutlers back in the day would at least want to cf and ce. (did I get that right?).

Thanks for the kind words guys, it gives me that much more incentive to try and elevate my cutlery skills.

Ken
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You got it VERY right!! In all implications!!:D
 
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