Larry Fuegen 'Tuxedo' Push Dagger

[SharpByCoop]

"Well, it's designed to be held with the handle completely concealed in your fist, that way it's almost impossible for your opponent to disarm you because he has nothing to grab onto but blade. Opponent? Well, by that I mean the guy you're trying to kill. Yes, it's a most effective design - particularly since the small size makes it concealable and the grab-it-in-your-fist handle means it's rapidly deployable - the idea is to get multiple shots in before the other guy even knows he's in a fight. And the best part? No special skill required. If you can throw a punch, you can use this knife.... Hey... where you going? I've got a lot more to tell you...."

Ohhhh man! This gave me a BIG chuckle. I wasn't feeling your love on this one, but this quote brought me around.

Thanks.

Coop

 

[Kevin Jones]

That is a statement that I would have to disagree with based on the experiences we have had at Twin Blades. Non knife people we've shown knives to seem to be fascinated, even with the knives that would seem to be "dedicated killing blades".

Harry, that's always been my experience as well, even though I have some very sinister and deadly looking fighters. I'm not speaking in just theory either as I display all my knives, had 35 non-knife guests view my collection on Thanksgiving day alone. I have displayed at a couple knife shows, and at a local art gallery and I have found non-knife people to be very positive and fascinated by the knives beauty and craftsmanship. I have never had anyone make reference to them being killing instruments or anything close to that.

 

[Jon Brand]

Well, if it makes anyone feel better, this ones staying on display and will not be "user".

Its the kind of knife that looks almost floral from the carving, and all the gold parts and the fluting make it just look like art from across the room. I think no matter WHAT it is, you can see beauty in it just by looking. Its no different to me then having a nice painting on the wall. This is a three dimensional piece of art which gleams elegance .. which of course COULD serve its deadly purpose. Mine wont.

Good discussion.

 

[RogerP]

The beauty and artisitc value are not in question Jon - it's a spectacular piece.

Ohhhh man! This gave me a BIG chuckle. I wasn't feeling your love on this one, but this quote brought me around.

I got nothin' but love for this knife!

Roger

 

[RogerP]

I have displayed at a couple knife shows...

Knife shows, in my experience, are mostly attended by knife people.

...and at a local art gallery

And how many push daggers did you have on display at the art gallery Kevin? That's the type of knife we're discussing here, not knives in general.

Roger

 

[Bastid]

Jon,

Stunning piece of work. Larry is one of the finest no matter what style and that looks to be the finest push dagger I have seen from him. Congratulations.

When it comes to a knife like that, the style (push dagger) even if it not my cup of tea does not detract me at all. Odd that I am into daggers a little though.
If I showed that knife to my mom, who is 100% a non weapon person, she would be absorbed in every detail. Still might make a comment, but she would think it is what it is. An amazing tour de force of the art.

I guess what I am trying to get across is that the style on a "utilitarian" version evokes one thing, but that knife should not evoke the same reaction from any reasonable person.

 

[RogerP]

I would agree though that if I was going to make a knife whose purpose was to convert non knife people's interest to the world of custom knives, it likely would not be a push dagger. Probably wouldn't be a Bowie knife either.

No argument there. FWIW, my Cohea warhawk scares the living crap out of non-knife poeple. In my experience, one of the best (i.e. least intimidating) types of knives to use as a means of introduction is a nice custom slipjoint. It is the friendliest of knives and one which has a positive resonance with the public at large. It IS the type of knife that dear old Uncle Bob may have had tucked into the pocket of his overalls.

Roger

 

[Kevin Jones]

Knife shows, in my experience, are mostly attended by knife people.
Roger

Actually Roger there's a lot more non-knife people at knife shows than folks may think especially if the promoter has done a good job with local advertising.
I have a pretty good measure of this as our CKCA booth is usually set-up very close to if not right beside the entry/exit doors so I speak with hundreds of show attendees. My first question is always "do you collect knives?".

It's interesting that in the CKCA attending the AG Russell show the last two years, I have found that most of the attendees (at least of the hundreds I spoke with) were non-knife people. This is not surprising since AG does an outstanding job with local promotion and advertising.

The ABS shows when in Reno had many non-knife people attendees and in San Antonio quite a few both years especially on Friday afternoon.

The Blade Show has a lot of non-knife people attendees as well, however certainly not a large % of the overall attendance.
I was a non-knife person when attending my first knife show.

Well, if it makes anyone feel better, this ones staying on display and will not be "user".

Well my freind, It certainly makes me feel better considering
In any event a beautiful knife by an outstanding maker.

 

[Lorien]

knives in general really embody the entirety of human experience. This is why they are always so fascinating to almost everyone, and I'll bet that the people most 'negatively' affected by the idea of knives as weapons are likely just as fascinated as the next person, perhaps even more so.

 

[SharpByCoop]

I just returned from showing about 20 of my knives to a friend. He'd seen my photos, but never handled the real deals.

Completely engaged and appreciative of the entire spectrum. Very liberal. I taught him how the subhilt was designed to extract from a plunge. Like a ribcage..... :grumpy:

Unfettered, he enjoyed the full presentation. He 'got' it. :thumbup:

I wish I had this push dagger to display.

Coop

 

[RogerP]

Actually Roger there's a lot more non-knife people at knife shows than folks may think.....

No doubt. But it's still mostly knife people, which was my point. And the non-knife people who are attending are doing so with more of an open mind than your average Joe-and-Jane-non-knife. After all, they are voluntarily spending their time and money to go to the show. So I wouldn't draw much of a conclusion from knife show attendees not having negative reactions to push daggers. Lots of people find strip clubs offensive and objectionable. But nobody actually INSIDE a strip club ever complains.

It's all well and good to put a positve spin on things and to persistently strive to present all things knives in the best light possible. But ignoring the fact that the general public at large has a good deal of antipathy towards most non-kitchen knives ultimately is not constructive. It leads to an unrealistic assessment of the challenges presented, and questionable undertakings - such as suggesting a push dagger and an appropriate introductory blade for the non-knife crowd.

Look at the situation in Britain. Look at the situation in New York. Sure, some people are willing to have an open mind on the subject of custom knives. But a VERY great many don't, and won't.

Roger

 

[RogerP]

Coop - I suspect more non-knife people have seen this push-dagger wielding maniac:

... than have ever seen, or WILL ever see a Fuegen work of art such as Jon has acquired. That's just part of the perception hurdle to be overcome.

It's great that your buddy was receptive to the knives you showed him, but ask yourself how many people you personally know - friends and extended family - who would not be totally cool with hearing about a knife designed to get unstuck from a human being so that it could effectively be re-stuck right back in them.

It's probably not going to be a conversation topic at the Christmas table, right?

And when legislators are considering laws restricting access to knives, is that the kind of thing knife enthusiasts should be highlighting?

Roger

 

[Lorien]

Lots of people find strip clubs offensive and objectionable. But nobody actually INSIDE a strip club ever complains.

Roger, you come up with the BEST analogies

 

[SharpByCoop]

I get it, Roger. Good solid points.

Like I mentioned in another thread somewhere, using exaggeration is a dandy way to make a point crystal clear, but it can go awry. Guilty as charged.

Nahh, around friends I steer the conversations away from knives and to my other hobbies: like my 575hp car I used daily.

I'm a bad influence. Just keep away.

Coop

 

[RogerP]

I thought your G was your new daily driver?

Roger

 

[SharpByCoop]

[sidetrack]

I used the word 'used'. That was only last Sept. in my Suby. By Jan I'll be right back at this level again with the G37. Twin turbo kit has arrived.

[/sidetrack]

Coop

 

[Lorien]

I'm willing to bet that cars have been involved in more killings than knives in North America.

 

[Kevin Jones]

Coop - I suspect more non-knife people have seen this push-dagger wielding maniac:

... than have ever seen, or WILL ever see a Fuegen work of art such as Jon has acquired. That's just part of the perception hurdle to be overcome.

It's great that your buddy was receptive to the knives you showed him, but ask yourself how many people you personally know - friends and extended family - who would not be totally cool with hearing about a knife designed to get unstuck from a human being so that it could effectively be re-stuck right back in them.

It's probably not going to be a conversation topic at the Christmas table, right?

And when legislators are considering laws restricting access to knives, is that the kind of thing knife enthusiasts should be highlighting?

Roger

Actually Roger I have probably seen that movie more than a dozen times over the years and don't remember seeing a push dagger it it. I will have to specifically look for it next time.
I don't see why you can't give people a little credit in that they will see Jon's Fuegen for the beautiful work of art it is rather than the murderous weapon you see.

Coop was specifically addressing Jon's beautiful Fuegen Push Dagger in his earlier post. I could kind of see your point if he were referring to push daggers in general converting non-knife people to our world.

That's a beautiful piece, Jon. No waffling from me on this choice. It's top-o-the-line cool and elegant.
You should be proud. That may do more to convert non-knife people into this world than anything else I've seen you own. Show it well. :thumbup:
Coop

Wow, this was just another share your beautiful new knife thread.

Man, lighten up.

 

[RogerP]

Actually Roger I have probably seen that movie more than a dozen times over the years and don't remember seeing a push dagger it it. I will have to specifically look for it next time.

Seen it a dozen times and you missed the scene where he threatens to put out Charlie Sheen's eye with the quickly-drawn push dagger, then nicks him just under the eye with it to make the point? And it is sitting there strapped to his left shoulder in both pictures I posted, so you don't have to make it a baker's dozen if you don't wish to.

Coop was specifically addressing Jon's beautiful Fuegen Push Dagger in his earlier post. I could kind of see your point if he were referring to push daggers in general converting non-knife people to our world.

Umm... no... Coop was in fact referring to Jon's dagger as being a means of converting non-knife people. I was addressing what I thought to be the impracticality of that suggestion. Or did you somehow manage to miss that?

Wow, this was just another share your beautiful new knife thread.
Man, lighten up.

The beauty of the knife has been unanimously and repeatedly acknowledged. No-one has said anything remotely negative about it or about Jon - why would they? Knife discussions develop as they will Kevin - when not subject to draconian oversight. This is generally a good thing in an open forum, free of the constraints of any agenda-driven overlord. Jon - who started this thread and whose knife has been widely admired - said it was a good discussion.

Yet again, I have to point out that if you don't find a particular discussion worthwhile, you don't have to feel obliged to participate. Though I would have thought from otherwise from your participation to this point. But in any event, you might wish to consider taking your own advice.

Roger

PS - Coop - you ARE a bad influence!

 

[Jon Brand]

I'm not taking sides but I appreciate everyones viewpoints. Some have mentioned that this is the nicest they have seen of its kind, but I have a photo of another of larrys which is pretty damn crazy! More embellished, and more work.

But again, when looking at this one as a whole and as a composition I think the knife is just gorgeous and even a more embelished one is not necessaraly, "nicer". I appreciate the compliments, folks!

Also, I want everyone to participate. Keep it cool but I don't want anyone discouraged. Wheres Garsson by the way??

Heres a weird shot of the knife I took. he colors are a bit over saturated and different, but it shows some nice details in a cool way.