Loveless 35th Anniversary Knife - My version.

Though this thread has gotten seriously "off topic" it's sure been an interesting one to follow.

Steven and I differ of this subject even though we feel about the same way regarding Loveless knives in general.

While I have handled and examined enough Loveless knives to fully appreciate the designs and ergonomics, thus I certainly appreciate the "purest" maker (Vestal, Buchanan, Lovett etc.) of Loveless style knives, I also feel there's a place for the maker who takes the Loveless design and tinkers with it, or creates his rendition. I've always appreciated experimentation on the part of makers as it often raises the bar for custom knives.

I say let the market sort it out. If the Loveless way is the only way then the market will kick the "non-purest" Loveless maker to the curb soon enough.
 
Kevin Jones said:
..... I also feel there's a place for the maker who takes the Loveless design and tinkers with it, or creates his rendition. I've always appreciated experimentation on the part of makers as it often raises the bar for custom knives.
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How many knives from the tinkerers of the Loveless style that you are encouraging to experiment do you have in your collection, Kevin?

If you are encouraging people to make something that you would/will not purchase, you are being as irresponsible with your advice as I am possibly being with my critique.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Not sure if this is the right place to post but for those of you going to the Chicago Show Sept.10-11 Thad Buchanan is giving a seminar on the making of a Loveless style New York Special.
 
Kohai999 said:
How many knives from the tinkerers of the Loveless style that you are encouraging to experiment do you have in your collection, Kevin?

If you are encouraging people to make something that you would/will not purchase, you are being as irresponsible with your advice as I am possibly being with my critique.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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I'm not encouraging it, just said I believe there's a place for it and that experimentation in general is a positive thing. If experimentation results in a better knife then perhaps I will buy it.

What's your saying?, something like "there's an seat for every ass" and I would add, "until the market says there's not" :)
 
martinr said:
Not sure if this is the right place to post but for those of you going to the Chicago Show Sept.10-11 Thad Buchanan is giving a seminar on the making of a Loveless style New York Special.
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I can't make it to the show, however that should be a very good and interesting seminar. By the way, Thad makes a very nice and close to the Loveless design NYS.
 
flatgrinder said:
I remembered Bob Loveless once asked me "Why did you do this?" I replied "My customer asked me to." He stared down at me in silence for what seemed like hours and then asked "Do you always do what others tell you to do? .... I make knives for me."
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Kevin Jones said:
I also feel there's a place for the maker who takes the Loveless design and tinkers with it, or creates his rendition. I've always appreciated experimentation on the part of makers as it often raises the bar for custom knives.
Click to expand...

Kohai999 said:
How many knives from the tinkerers of the Loveless style that you are encouraging to experiment do you have in your collection, Kevin?

If you are encouraging people to make something that you would/will not purchase, you are being as irresponsible with your advice as I am possibly being with my critique.
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There is something in this combination of posts.

There is a balance and tension between an avocation, and a vocation.

I am not an expert like Mr. Garsson or so many others here. I collect knives that I like becuase I like them, not because I think they will make a handsome profit someday. I own knifes by Loveless, Lile, Moran, and others for the same reasons I own knives by some lesser known makers - including some who post here.

Knives are an avocation for me.

Obviously, for many here, knives are a vocation. And in that case, the bottom line is . . . well, the bottom line. And I can appreciate that.

Still, I think it is beyond unfortunate - perhaps perverse - to suggest that Mr. Garsson should somehow refrain from any unflattering critique because his opinions are so highly valued by others.



And BTW . . . I detest brass guards - but not for any other reason than that they look ugly to me - I could care less about what Bob Loveless did or didn't do, or about anyone else's opinion. The only thing worse to me than a brass guard is no guard at all. I like the looks of the knife that was the original subject of this thread EXCEPT for the brass guard which makes it a non-starter **for me**. I guess being able to buy knives based on that opinion, and to publicly express that opinion without fear of blowback, are benefits of this being an avocation for me, and not a vocation.
 
The Virginian said:
.......Still, I think it is beyond unfortunate - perhaps perverse - to suggest that Mr. Garsson should somehow refrain from any unflattering critique because his opinions are so highly valued by others.
........ I guess being able to buy knives based on that opinion, and to publicly express that opinion without fear of blowback, are benefits of this being an avocation for me, and not a vocation.
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1. Thank you.....it was a well written post. I have decided that Forums are a double edged sword, and if that someone is willing to benefit financially from the "press" they get, either collector, or maker, they should be willing to deal with "negative" press which may cause a financial liability. I have done this for years, both gaining and losing, and have not even thought about it.

2. I don't like brass either.

Ian, I don't have a photo of the Loveless 35th Anniversary knife to reference, but I can say that the shape of the blade is not appealing to me(not enough belly/point) and I don't like the disproportionally long rear bolster.

Kevin Jones said:
By the way, Thad makes a very nice and close to the Loveless design NYS.
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Also makes a hell of a stag handled Dixon fighter:D


Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Feeling better today then Steven? ;)

Thanks for your comments about the knife, I can assure you that they are genuinely appreciated, as are all the others.:)

The whole brass thing is like water off a duck's back to me. I know full well that collectors don't like it, but over here in the UK it's still popular. I'm using a lot of 303 and 304 stainless for fittings now, but if a customer wants brass who am I to argue?

As for my choice of 1095, well that's simple. All my blade material is from circular saw blades. Free saw blades.;) I have a regular supply of them and a good while ago I had them (three different blade thicknesses/types) tested to find out exactly what they were. I was surprised to find that one batch was 1095, one was 1075 and the other was 80CrV2. I like working with simple steels as I can do my own heat treating with no special equipment and it allows me to differentially harden blades. I've got no intention of buying or using expensive stainess for blades, for these reasons and for financial reasons.

Some of you may think I'm a bit weird, but hey, I'm happy doing what I do.:D

I'm well aware that I'm firmly at the very budget end of the knifemakers spectrum, hell, Wayne Goddards $50 knife shop is like my bible! Most of my materials are 'recycled', as shown by the pulley block butt cap on this one.;)

As I said earlier in this thread, not everyone has a lot of spare money. Me included! I'm a spare time maker and only produce about 20 knives per year. I've currently got a backlog of about 80 orders to get through, from the UK and places as far away as the US, South Africa, and Switzerland.:eek: Most of these are Loveless style knives, particulary dropped hunters, so it seems that there is (at the moment) a market for cheap, innacurate, agricultural looking Loveless style knives at a fairly low price.;):D

To be honest, if everyone on my list cancelled tomorrow I'd still make them and have the biggest collection of 'Bailey's' in the world. I do this because I enjoy it and I share what I do because it's interesting to see what people think of them, good or bad.

Thanks for all your thoughts, this has turned into a great thread.

Cheers,

Ian
 
I like the way you roll, Ian:thumbup::cool:
 
Cheers mate.:thumbup:

This thread has been brilliant. Some good (if a little heated at times!)discussion, an insight into what makes a few of you fine people tick knife wise and I've had the chance to let people know 'where I'm at' as a maker. :thumbup:

Even some talk of breasts.:thumbup::thumbup:

I've had my two daughters round to stay at mine as I'm not at work this week, so I've not had any shop time. This thread has kept me nicely entertained....lets hope the next couple I post have a similar effect.... mind you, only one of them is a Loveless style.;)

Cheers,

Ian
 
irbailey said:
, so it seems that there is (at the moment) a market for cheap, innacurate, agricultural looking Loveless style knives at a fairly low price.;):D
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Peeking in from behind the curtain, I want to say to you Ian, that your posts and writing are SO honest they make me laugh aloud.

My very best. :D

Coop
 
Thanks Coop.

I'll take that as a compliment.:D

One thing I always make sure of is that I don't take life too seriously... It's far too short for that....;)

Cheers,

Ian
 
Ian,
Regardless of its resemblence (or lack of) to a loveless, i think that is a very attractive knife. I do agree that the belly/tip ratio could use some extending, but thats just my uneducated opinion.

Haters gonna hate, so keep it up and have fun.

-- Adam
 
Kohai999 said:
Anthony Lombardo, Roger Pinnock and Les Robertson have published significantly more work on the subject of knives in magazines and books(as far as I know) than I have, and probably ever will....in addition, they post here, and don't seem to be held to the high standards that you think I should...they get to say what is on their mind....because they earned it, and if someone has business that suffers because of it.....it might be because it should be that way(and I am not saying that is currently the case).

Placed another order with Marcus....for no other reason because I want to see how his work has improved with my own eyes and hands, and have the means to do so....and encourage those with the means to do so to do the same.....I encourage ALL the makers working in the Loveless style, and purchase from them when something looks "right".

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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I also have a nice order with Marcus. Until Lovett gets back on the grid, I also want to see what Marcus can do!

Lorien, the beauty of the forums is the search button. I have hours of posts you can read for free. LOL.

Steven, you are too modest and give me too much gravitas.
 
It is your interpretation, and it looks just fine. It stands on it's own merit as your knife.
You make what pleases you. If you can make them and be pleased, and also sell them, it's a bonus.

I make Knives because I like to make knives. My Mentor, Bob Loveless would have kicked my butt if I told him I was making knives simply to please the masses or collectors.

Follow your own mind. It doesn't matter what others think.
but when you post here and ask what others think, you are going to get opinions.
It is what it is.

Mike Lovett
Maker
The Loveless Connection Knives
 
Ian you have a great attitude - and you make some nice knives - keep both going strong.

Roger
 
Michael Lovett said:
It is your interpretation, and it looks just fine. It stands on it's own merit as your knife.
You make what pleases you. If you can make them and be pleased, and also sell them, it's a bonus.

I make Knives because I like to make knives. My Mentor, Bob Loveless would have kicked my butt if I told him I was making knives simply to please the masses or collectors.

Follow your own mind. It doesn't matter what others think.
but when you post here and ask what others think, you are going to get opinions.
It is what it is.

Mike Lovett
Maker
The Loveless Connection Knives
Click to expand...

Mike, long time no hear. i hope you are well. Sorry for your loss.

How about an update on Lovett Knives in another thread? There is always much interest here. i purchased a city knife recently...nice work!
 
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