KEN ONION's Mentor MR. FUJISAKA?

OregonEdge

OregonEdge

Joined
Aug 13, 2005
Messages
1,283
Ok, I know this is not a Kershaw, nor is it an ONION. However, it IS a knife by Stan Fujisaka of Hawaii, whom Mr. Onion mentions as the maker who initially taught him to make knives. Thus, I can say that he has given something to all of us Kershaw fanatics. This is an engraved folder I own... Knife by Fujisaka, engraving by Jim Sornberger. To those interested, I hope you like seeing it. Peace!:D
 
Not too big on the eagle deal, but it's an incredibly nice knife regardless... how much did it set you back?

And of course, congrats on owning it!
 
Yes, I did enjoy that.

And, being a retired USAF officer, the eagle theme is just fine with me. :thumbup:
 
OldPhysics said:
Yes, I did enjoy that.

And, being a retired USAF officer, the eagle theme is just fine with me. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

I'm a sucker for the bald eagle as well... It doesn't always "work" for me on a knife however.

I was at the coast this weekend and stopped in a swap shop. These places often have cheaper import knives. I ALWAYS love to stop and look at the over the top stuff ;) Lots of eagles, dragons etc.

My favorite this time was a big bowie with giant eagle literally flying off the handle... talons out, ready to snatch its prey.

Knowing my sense of humor, if I EVER went hunting... I would have bought that sucker to strap to my belt.:D
 
Stan's work is exceptional and thank you for bringing it to the Kershaw forum. Believe it or not, I saw one of his folders recently with "Snow White" engraved and liked it so much I would have bought it in a New York minute if I had a daughter or if my wife was a Snow White fan (or maybe for myself if "Doc" was engraved on it - or is that "Dopey?" :D).
 
Gargs said:
Stan's work is exceptional and thank you for bringing it to the Kershaw forum. Believe it or not, I saw one of his folders recently with "Snow White" engraved and liked it so much I would have bought it in a New York minute if I had a daughter or if my wife was a Snow White fan (or maybe for myself if "Doc" was engraved on it - or is that "Dopey?" :D).
Click to expand...

I was just telling someone about that knife ;)... VERY unique. I would buy it just to sell to a disney collector... who likes sharp stuff
 
Very cool OE!!
Thanks for the pics. I've read what Ken has had to say about
Stan Fujisaka, but I've never seen one of his knives until now. :thumbup:
 
Very nice new blade OE!:thumbup:

I love the feathers on the backspacer, great detail.

Jon
 
Very nice! I'd never seen Fujisaka's work either, thanks!

BYW, what kind of metals are used on it, like for the engraved areas?
 
The bolster areas are titanium for the engraving, Fossil Ivory scales.... I'd love to see a Fujisaka/Onion/Kershaw knife. Is that too confusing? More pix
 
OregonEdge said:
The bolster areas are titanium for the engraving, Fossil Ivory scales.... I'd love to see a Fujisaka/Onion/Kershaw knife. Is that too confusing? More pix
Click to expand...

Not too confusing at all...sounds like a great idea to me! :thumbup:

Knice knife, OE! :D

Ray :)
 
Stan is my sensei! He is one of the kindest most generous and genuine people I have ever met . He has taught several makers and continues to do so. He taught me alot about knives/knife making and is an incredible roll model. He has always given me great advice and encouraged me to excell. When I was starting out and insecure about the knives I was making Stan paid for a table at a local gun show and mailed it to me with a note " Ken you are ready, I'll be disapointed if you don't attend". I worked my ass off for that show and it turned out great. It gave me the confidence I needed to get into the game. I brought I believe 7 knives to that show and sold 5. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. A few years later he did the same thing for the Las Vegas Classic, though I was relatively confident at the local shows I didn't feel I was ready for a big mainland show.Stan had confidence in me when I didn't. I brought approx 34-35 knives to that show and sold 29 of them.I was hooked, Stan introduced me to a ton of makers and everyone was really great! I got lots of encouragement and pointers from many legendary makers . Stan introduced me to Harvey MacBurnette who looked at my knives complimented them,encouraged me to put them on my table. When the show started of course Harvey sold out immediately and between him and Stan they told everyone that visited there tables to go over and check out my stuff and bragged me up a bit. I had never experienced such selflessness and kindness befor and was extreemly humbled by there actions and am forever indebted to them.When I returned home I knew I had to kick up my skills and abilities which were very basic and unrefined. I really wanted to refine my abilities and show marked improvement the following year. I couldn't let them down They stuck out there necks for me and I needed to prove to them that it wasn't in vain. Harvey died a year and a half later but he did get to see my stuff the following year and gave me a big smile and a firm handshake and complimented me on my improvement.Stan was also very complimentry and said he was proud of me. I gotta say I probably wouldn't be where I am if it wasn't for there support, encouragement and faith. I don't think Stan really realizes how much he influences me. I never want to let him down and he will always be that little voice in my head that pushes me to be the best I can be. I can never really say enough good about Stan. I hope this explains things a bit.
 
Ken, That is one great story. Thanks for sharing. I knew from what I've seen
you write before how much Stan meant to you, but not to this extent.
Seems like Stan seen something in you at the time you didn't see in yourself.
You're a brilliant man Ken. Keep on keeping on and thanks for taking time out
to post in the forums as you have been.

Thanks again for sharing this with us. And yes, it does explain things...more then a bit.

SV
 
Ken, speaking of beginnings, do you ever make it back up to WV?

That is a great story about how Mr. Fujisaka has helped you along. It just goes to show that one kindness can make all the difference in the world.
 
Last edited:
Great story, Ken. Thanks for sharing it with us.

I'm constantly amazed that...people responsible for knives I hold in my hand...production knives no less, take the time to communicate with us on these forums!

It is appreciated!

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
Ken, thanks for the excellent story. It's a reminder that we (well, some people anyway) can be what we want to be, with talent, dedication and the proper guidance from an experienced hand.

One thing that's still hard to accept....that Ken Onion was once the "grasshopper"!
 
Thanks Ken...for the story about Stan and Harvey, for your participation here, and for a continuing succession of great knife designs! :thumbup:

Ray :)
 
Thanks guys! Hey I assure you, If I can do it anybody can do it .If you have enough determination and set difficult goals for yourself and make yourself accomplish them.I guess it takes a genuine love of knives and the knife craft.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top