Knifemaking History Reading

Cypress Creek Knives

Cypress Creek Knives

CCK
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Dec 15, 2010
Messages
643
Hey everyone,
I had a table next to D DevinT at Blade West last fall and he was kind enough to point out that I don't know as much about makers and their history as I should. 😆
Unfortunately, I have to admit that he is right. I think it's time that I brush up on my knife knowledge. Can anyone point me to some books or articles on custom makers and the handmade industry from the last 50 years or so? I know there is valuable information out there, I just don't know where to start and what to look for.

Thanks!
 
Cypress Creek Knives said:
Hey everyone,
I had a table next to D DevinT at Blade West last fall and he was kind enough to point out that I don't know as much about makers and their history as I should. 😆
Unfortunately, I have to admit that he is right. I think it's time that I brush up on my knife knowledge. Can anyone point me to some books or articles on custom makers and the handmade industry from the last 50 years or so? I know there is valuable information out there, I just don't know where to start and what to look for.

Thanks!
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I really enjoyed being neighbors at the show and I’m enjoying following your work.

Larrin is writing a new book called “The Story of Knife Steel “. It should be out this year. It covers lots of innovative knife makers and knife history. Otherwise give me a call, there are a few makers that have been making knives longer than me, but not very many.

Hoss
 
Devin,
I will be keeping an eye out for Larrin's book. That sounds like it will be a wealth of knowledge. It was great being neighbors last fall, I don't think I'll be a le to make it out to West this year unfortunately. I'll have to give you a shout sometime to shoot the breeze.

Stacey, I'll take a look at the magazines and see if I can't find a few older editions as well.
 
Not a book or article but podcast "The Josh Smith show" (Mastersmith youngest I think) a couple really good episodes are Don Fogg and Rick Dunkerley. I listen on Spotify I'm sure you can find it elsewhere.
 
I'll definitely check out the podcast. I spend a lot of time on the road, and in the shop, so that will be great
 

Important Info! - Custom Knife History

Custom Knife History From the beginning of man there have been some type of cutting tools that they made and used. These tools were made with all kinds of material such as bone, wood, stone, flint, brass and eventually steel. All these were very crude looking, and all made by hand to help with...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com

This thread is a sticky at the top of the custom and handmade section … really great info
 
I quickly ordered the paperbound version before reading further that the print quality is slightly lower. Hopefully it will be adequate to appreciate it.
 
I read about 10-15 pages of the PDF yesterday and have to say I like Larrin's writing style such that I ordered the hardcover today, too. :)
Excellent idea and nicely done, Larrin! Congrats on your second book!
 
fitzo said:
I read about 10-15 pages of the PDF yesterday and have to say I like Larrin's writing style such that I ordered the hardcover today, too. :)
Excellent idea and nicely done, Larrin! Congrats on your second book!
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I was only supposed to write one book and here I am with two. Hopefully I don't accidentally write a third one.
 
Hopefully you DO write a third book. Just ordered the new one this morning!
 
Keith Nix said:
Hopefully you DO write a third book. Just ordered the new one this morning!
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It would have to be a compelling subject and a book would have to be the right format for it. I definitely don’t have any ideas right now and given the amount of work I hope I don’t have any. I’m an accidental book author twice over now.
 
Does anyone have suggestions about western kitchen knives, ideally European and pre-19th century?
No offence to the US peeps in the chat, but your obsession with the 'wild west' and bowies is a bit dull
 
Not really, but if you look at "trade knives" in the "wild west" era, you'll get a pretty good idea of what was commonly traded in Europe, as a lot of them were imports.

Edited to add:

Just did a quick Google search for "historic English cutlery book" and came up with this:

Cutlery for the Table
A History of British Table and Pocket Cutlery
By Simon Moore

In Google books.
 
Not exactly on point with the topic, but I have been volunteering at Wawarsing Historical Knife Museum in Ellenville NY. They have a small but interesting collection that traces the history of knife making on the East Coast, specifically the relocation of 19th Century knife makers from Sheffield England to the Hudson Valley of NY which over time spawned several of the best know US blade makers. The collection is heavily influenced by the remnants of the Schrade factory that was located in the town. Schrade (the man and the company) have an interesting place in US knife history. I'm learning all of the time that I am there.
 
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