Looking for info. on Heinrich Henry Frank (Pics too)

[Kevin Jones]

weird how he makes knives with gold blades. Not that anyone would ever buy one of these things because of how well they work, but still- golden blades? Guess they'd last pretty much forever from a corrosion stanpoint at any rate. Maybe the WWII experience is a motivator in that gold was such a commodity in those insane times.

Yes, I remember seeing a few of his folders with gold blades. I assumed they were gold washed as opposed to being gold throughout.

Whether you are into his pieces or not there's no denying his incredible talents.

 

[betzner]

When I see Frank's work, I am always reminded of Lance Kelly's pieces. Am I the only one to see the similarity?

Bob

 

[Marcel54]

When I see Frank's work, I am always reminded of Lance Kelly's pieces. Am I the only one to see the similarity?

Bob

No Bob, you're not the only one I see the resemblance too. I don't like the style that much but I really think that H.H. Frank is better at it.

Marcel

 

[betzner]

No Bob, you're not the only one I see the resemblance too. I don't like the style that much but I really think that H.H. Frank is better at it.

Marcel

Yes, Marcel, a reminder of another maker of the same style, but agree that Henry Frank's work is classier, better, etc. This particular "old-world" style, as someone has called it, isn't of interest to me, either - but I remember those old Kelly folders (didn't like 'em then or now), which still bring back memories of the "old days".

Bob

 

[Mary Kahil Young]

Heinrich Herman Frank currently resides in Oregon. Him and my Grandmother Rita moved there several years ago from Whitefish Montana. My Opa puts so much care into his knives he only produces several a year. Everything on the knife is taken from the brick of raw material and with a surgeons precision, refined into his legendary folding knives. In order to order a custom knife from him you have to contact someone who knows him directly or find the nearest invitational only and attend. He is 80 now so custom work might take a little longer than usual. Knife making has been my Opas passion for more than 40 years now. For serious inquiries only, I can be contacted through this forum and I will provide prospective buyers and collectors with my Opas information. ~Mary Kahil-Young Daughter of Linda Frank-Kahil Grandaughter of Heinrich Herman Frank

 

[Mary Kahil Young]

Why would anyone buy a double edged katana? You don't pay $6,000 plus to USA a knife with a gold blade. It is the equivilant of collecting a Monet or Salvador Dali painting. You are paying for a beautifully crafted knife by one of the only original knife makers guild members left. My Grandfather is a Master at his trade. He doesn't use machines for any part of his knifes. It is all completely and 110% hand made. Even his tools are handmade. How many knife makers out there can say they put that much effort into their knifes?

weird how he makes knives with gold blades. Not that anyone would ever buy one of these things because of how well they work, but still- golden blades? Guess they'd last pretty much forever from a corrosion stanpoint at any rate. Maybe the WWII experience is a motivator in that gold was such a commodity in those insane times.

 

[Lorien]

no offense intended, Mary!
Not to say his knives 'don't work', but that a person who is going to buy one would, for no other reason than to own one.

It's just not very common to see pocket knives with gold blades, or any other knives for that matter. Just trying to rationalize the material choice is all- not that it needs to be. Your Opa makes knives the way he wants to and make his choices based upon his experiences, and I personally feel that is a wonderful thing.

 

[failbot]

Thanks for posting, great knives! I recently bought a "ddd" book and read about this master. I am impressed with the skill.

Gold blades... it is not pure gold, as my jeweler friend explained to me, it is an alloy, it is more durable and approximately corresponds to the hardness of sterling silver blades of “fruit knives”. I guess they have a similar purpose.

Regarding the Nazi salute, this is typical teen behavior. In my yard there were many Germans, engineers who were captured after World War II and sent to my city to work at an aircraft factory. Good people. In the 90s, teens often teased them in a similar way, but as they grew older, this passed, and they got to know each other and were friends for a while, until the Germans died of old age.

 

[lhzeng]

Thanks for posting, great knives! I recently bought a "ddd" book and read about this master. I am impressed with the skill.

Gold blades... it is not pure gold, as my jeweler friend explained to me, it is an alloy, it is more durable and approximately corresponds to the hardness of sterling silver blades of “fruit knives”. I guess they have a similar purpose.

Regarding the Nazi salute, this is typical teen behavior. In my yard there were many Germans, engineers who were captured after World War II and sent to my city to work at an aircraft factory. Good people. In the 90s, teens often teased them in a similar way, but as they grew older, this passed, and they got to know each other and were friends for a while, until the Germans died of old age.

For those golden blades, the most elements in the blade should be gold. But there must be other elements added to make the blade hard. If I remember correctly, they can be harden to ~40 HRC. It is not hard to iron/steel. But for "solid" gold, it is very hard.