"Loveless" ??

[rprocter]

hopefully it is o.k. for a non-knifemaker to post here. i think this is the best place for my question: What exactly is a "Loveless" style of knife ?
i have seen many custom FBs described as "Loveless style", but cannot figure out what the unique features are, that were first popularized by Bob Loveless, and ever since have carried his name.
thanks, roland

 

[Patrickknives]

I think there are many knives that have evolved since the first 'Loveless" style but the refferal has been lost. To me the "Loveless" style is a drop point with about a 3.5" blade, slight curve to the spine, and destinctive handle shape. Some makers who have worked with loveless use a style very similar and pay tribut to loveless for this, others clearly used his design for inspiration and as such give credit where credit is due.

good question will like to see more discussion

 

[Samael]

My advice would be to spend some time looking at knives that were actually made by Bob (there are scads of photos on the Internet). After you've looked at a few hundred of them, you'll get a pretty good feel for his style.

And he didn't just make drop-point hunters, either, though they're what he's most famous for.

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

Roland, you're always welcome here.

The Chute knife is another classic. His knives are clearly a hollow ground stock removal style with a distinctive handle (frequently micarta and a red liner) with a distinctive guard and blade style and tapered tang. STefan over on the custom and handmade forum could probably give a lot more input than most of us. Collectors know more about Loveless than most makers.

Having handled a few, I can say they're surprisingly light in the hand.

 

[JBS TOOLMAKER]

The Loveless drop point hunter is the Finest knife ever designed and made by an American. And I will fight any man who says differant.

 

[Bruce Bump]

Here is one I just finished, A Chute Knife is classic Loveless style complete with micarta and red liner.

 

[Stag & Steel]

I too use the reference of "Loveless Style" in regards to chute knives I have made. I do it for a couple of reasons, to give credit to a great knifemaker who created the style, and to describe the style of knife. The word "Style" is to make sure someone does not get confused and think it is a Loveless and that it is not an attempt at an exact copy. It also gives a knifemaker some flexibility to add his own flair or style to it if desired. For me the chute knife is one of my favorite designs. Here is a picture of one I made and you can see some deviation from the original Loveless...yet it has a definite reflective Loveless "Style".