Larry Bailey, A Knife Collecting Icon Passes.

Karl B. Andersen said:
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.
Click to expand...

Larry only knew one way to do things and that was the right way.
When he took on a project he didn't rest until it was completed to the highest degree. You guys really made a difficult club knife project a success.
It was his task to do the research insuring the CKCA chose the most worthy
recipient for our cancer research contribution each year. And he took is VERY seriously.

SharpByCoop said:
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
Click to expand...

Larry, just knew what to do in helping knife folks and promoting custom knives. We didn't have to ask for his help.

John White said:
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
Click to expand...

John, Larry's ABS Hunter collection is legendary and the little blackwood and damascus hunter he got from you at the Arkansas Show three years ago was among his very favorites. That's saying a lot, especially since he wasn't a great fan of damascus.
 
Last edited:
I wish I could see his collection now. I saw his set up but got more into this ABS stuff the last few years so I just wish I could observe more of it and see what he considered the best hunters.
 
Years ago he made me several knives that i still have today. He would tell me that he'd make me another one sometime. It is sad to hear that sometime is gone. He was my friend in knife collecting and i always looked forward to his show. Recently I bought several peices of his collection and one of his display cases. He told me he was down sizing his collection. We were friends and i will miss our talks together. I wish his family the best in the hard days ahead.
 
this is larry youngest son joe making this post. my dad loved knives and knife people. i know he treasured ever conversation with you guys. That "grumpy" exteriorer some people might have encountered was dads way of hideing that huge heart he had! because it would have been hard for him to exspress all those feeling for all to see. One of my most remembered moments was dad carring me my brother and sister through mud so we could get to school with clean shoes and pants and then him going to work muddy footed. probably cleaning his shoes in a stupid sink somewhere. just this these hearlt felt actions that showed his love rather than being a touchy feely kinda guy. if anyone happens to have picture of dad would you please send them to tattoojoe@mindspring.com just like he shyed away from the spotligh he hid from the camra too. i have recieved 5 pictures so far of my beloved dad. thank you all...i know he misses you, the knife talk, the shows everything knives! thank you his youngest son joe!
 
Thanks Murray for taking this photo at the 2008 Blade Show.

It shows Larry behind his renowned ABS Mastersmith Hunting Knife Collection displayed in
his custom made walnut cases. As I stated in another thread, Larry carried and set up this display at knife shows around the country at his own expense. He unselfishly paid the same fees that knifemakers and purveyors paid for their tables. His only agenda being to promote interest in custom knives.

LarryBailey6.jpg
 
Last edited:
Kevin Jones said:
Thanks Murray for taking this photo at the 2008 Blade Show.

It shows Larry behind his infamous ABS Mastersmith Hunting Knife Collection displayed in
his custom made walnut cases. As I stated in another thread, Larry carried and set up this display at knife shows around the country at his own expense. He unselfishly paid the same fees that knifemakers and purveyors paid for their tables. His only agenda being to promote interest in custom knives.

LarryBailey6.jpg
Click to expand...

I remember this photo vivedly, because in that year and at that table I met Larry for the first time.

Marcel
 
I started knife shows because Larry called me out of the blue and invited me to his Ohio Classic show. I still have no idea how he found out about me, but I was glad he did. He was a good guy and will be missed. I will be praying for his family.
 
well I attempted to send some photos to LB's son and one that I had forgotten to send to Kevin because he does not accept mail from unknown people. Kevin why not contact Larry jr and see if he can locate the email I sent and he can use the images as long as I get credit and the other one is for you which he can forward as I forgot to include it before. Not sure how anyone else is supposed to be able to reply to the email link that Larry jr posted in his message but I was unsuccessful.
 
it just dawned on me that i'm on my computer at my house but coming into this form under dads log in name. my computer must have saved his pass word when he was here at christmas. just so every one knows i'm up to around 12 pictures of my dad and i had never seen any of these photos. my sister will be visiting me with her kids for spring break. and i will be having all these pictures printed out and sent back to my mom. these photos you guys have been sending in might be some of the only recent photos my mom will have of dad. so i can not thank all of you enough. if any has any questions or any pictures please feel free to contact me. this is larrys youngest son joe my email is tattoojoe@mindspring.com. a special thanks to kevin jones..hope if i'm ever in your area we can meet.do lunch and talk about dad and knives...joe
 
Murray White said:
well I attempted to send some photos to LB's son and one that I had forgotten to send to Kevin because he does not accept mail from unknown people. Kevin why not contact Larry jr and see if he can locate the email I sent and he can use the images as long as I get credit and the other one is for you which he can forward as I forgot to include it before. Not sure how anyone else is supposed to be able to reply to the email link that Larry jr posted in his message but I was unsuccessful.
Click to expand...

Murray, I have sent Joe all your photos of Larry with your watermark in tact.
His earthlink e-mail account stops initial e-mail contact from new senders until a procedure is completed. Thanks for the photos Murray.

lb14306 said:
hope if i'm ever in your area we can meet.do lunch and talk about dad and knives...joe
Click to expand...

Would love to Joe.
 
Very sad day for sure, I was at the Guild site a few minutes ago & was looking at all the names of knife guy's who have passed , I have worked show's with many of them. This death thing is just part of the package we get when we are checked into this world. It's in the fine print at the bottom, but it's there. Tom Hudson
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top