Mad Poet

[dancermak]

I read some discussions in 1999 about people complaining about MAD DOG's knives, and said they prefered the MAD POET'S. Does anyone know about the MAD POET and his reputation. He lived in Northern Minnesota and ise now dead. Thanks, dancermak

 

[bob bowie]

His name was Mel Sorg, he was a butcher by trade. He was interested in high cutting performance, and ground his knives very thin.

Search here and rec.knives(use dejanews.com) for more on him.

 

[shappa]

Search the archives for him. He made some nice knives with a destinctive look to them.

 

[shappa]

here's a tribute with some pics of his work...

http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html

 

[Keith Montgomery]

If I had the choice between a Mel Sorg or a Kevin McClung knife, I would choose a Sorg knife every time, and I like Mad Dog knives.

 

[Danbo]

Mel was a good dude, and I miss him. I regret that I never got the chance to meet him in person, but I did talk to him many times via phone and emails. I still have a couple of his blades out in the shop. Those blades won't be going anywhere. RIP, Mel.

 

[JW]

Mel Sorg Jr was one of the genuine good guys and I miss him. I met up with him at the Badger show and again in Park Rapids MN the summer of his passing. He was a college prof in addition to a past life as butcher/meat cutter. he was a hunter and an outdoorsman and made knives that feel good in the hand and work hard and long without tiring your hand out. Nice balance and excellent edge geometry. He took the time to ask questions about preferences, hand size, uses and styles, etc. and knew what to do to put them all together.
I own the Mad Poet Camp Set in cryoD2 and Dessert Ironwood pictured on page 2 of the tribute page. I ordered the 4.5 deep bellied Semi-skinner from Mel and as soon as I held it in my hot little hand, I called him up and begged him for a small companion knife. We discussed the Camp Set with a remote elk or deer hunt in mind. 2 knives that would handle any aspect of skinning/caping, quartering, and boning out the meat. He executed this concept perfectly.
I am glad to have known the Mad Poet.
Rest in peace Mel.