Larry Bailey, A Knife Collecting Icon Passes.

Kevin Jones

Kevin Jones

Joined
Oct 28, 2006
Messages
13,363
This is a sad day for the custom knife community.
I spoke with one of Larry Bailey's sons a little while ago and I'm sorry to report that our great friend passed away last night. Larry went peaceably setting in his favorite easy chair.

Larry, LOVED custom knives and I can't think of a collector who has spent so much effort for so many years moving our community forward. He was a founder and Vice President of the CKCA.

This thread pretty much addresses what custom knives meant to Larry and what Larry meant to custom knives. Larry was an ambassador for custom knives, always preferring to work behind the scenes shying aways from getting credit. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=748326

My heart and condolences go out to the family and Larry's many-many friends. I/we are going to miss this fine man so much.

Larry with Phil Lobred at last year's Blade Show:
orig.jpg
 
Sure sorry to hear that. Larry was frequently an inspiration to me and his advice was always taken to heart. Nice guy.

Terry Vandeventer
 
This is just terrible news. Larry was truly one of the best and I will miss him greatly. My condolences to his family and to his many friends in the custom knife world.

Roger
 
I am VERY sorry to hear the sad news. I corresponded with Larry prior to Blade last year and met him at the CKCA banquet.

He truly was a fine ambassador for the custom knife community and a pleasure to chat knives with.

My condolences to all family and friends.

Peter
 
He'll be sorely missed..(to put it mildly)...
 
I was very greatly moved and saddened this morning when speaking with Kevin.
In addition to knowing Larry now for about four years, I had the unique opportunity to spend MANY hours talking with Larry this past year during the creation of the CKCA's first Club Knife.
As well as talking about many other aspects of the knife making world, makers, collectors, shows, promotion, design, etc., etc., ad infinitum.
Our phone calls became as much as a bi-weekly affair, and my work would just halt when he called.
He call me in the mornings.
He call me in the evenings.
Just to see what I was up to.
I shared hotel rooms with him twice and treasure all of the times I spent with him.
Dinners, hammer-ins, etc.
When I first got acquainted with Larry, I just thought he was a grouch. But, I didn't know that it was all knife "attitude".
Larry just knew more about knife collecting, knife makers and knife shows than most people will ever have the chance to learn.
I will miss him dearly.
He was my friend.
 
Aaaarggh. Really tough to hear and absorb.

Yeah, last year at Blade, Larry went out of his way to bring me a display case, just so I could show off my Hill Pearce knives protected. Completely his idea and willingness that made it happen.

A testimony to his undying support of Custom Knives, and his love of the people.

My warmest thoughts to him and his family.

Thank you, Kevin.

Coop
 
Larry Bailey pretended to be a grouch, as Karl said, but he was one of the kindest , friendliest, most helpful fellows you'd ever want to meet. I never picked up the phone and heard, "John, Larry Bailey here," without smiling.

He made the world, and especially the knife community, a better place, and that's how I'll remember him. Another smile goes out to his memory, and a thought for his family and friends.

John
 
I'm very sorry to hear the sad news.

Larry was one of the nicest and most knowledgeable people that I had met in the custom knife community. I had many great conversations with him.

He contibuted much to the CKCA as well as promoting his Ohio show.

He will be missed.

My sympathies to his family and friends.

Jim Treacy
 
Strange, never thought of Larry being a grouch but just a big teddy bear who loved his custom hunting knife collection and loved even more the opportunities to show this fine collection in those great cases he had made.
Not only did he love to display and talk knives he was a major inspiration and doer for the CKCA and will be greatly missed in that regard. Anyone who has seen the CKCA display booth will appreciate his efforts.
Beyond that, his efforts in creating his own knife show for Ohio will also be missed and I along with others will miss the opportunity to talk with him this year at Blade.
 
Very sad news indeed. The custom knife community has lost a wonderful ambassador. Though I did not know him well I know he will be sorely missed.

My sincerest condolences to his family.

Jon
 
Very sad. I remember at a Blade show I came across his table with his display of mastersmith hunters. I didn't know who he was and hadn't been collecting for long. He was very gracious and spent time with me enthusiastically talking about the knives in the display. Wish I could have known him better.
 
Larry was truely a nice person. Communicated so well and was so approachable. I can only hope to know what he knew about the knife world. I will miss him.
 
My condolences to his family and friends.


When I first got acquainted with Larry, I just thought he was a grouch. But, I didn't know that it was all knife "attitude".
Click to expand...
I thought this was heart warming in a sad thread. Thanks for sharing it.


Mitch
 
Larry was a major part the fuel that made the CKCA engine run. He will be sorely missed by many.

He was my friend and I will miss him.

Paul
 
I had the opportunity to talk to Larry a few times this year about the CKCA mini show knife he wanted me to build. We threw ideas back and forth and finally came up with a solid design. He would tell me the things he liked and didn't like in my work. The impression I got from speaking with him was a no BS, straightforward kind of guy. I wish I would of had the chance to get to know him better. My condolences go out to the family.
 
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