Makers That Have Recently Inspired Me

Rick Marchand

Rick Marchand

Donkey on the Edge
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Jan 6, 2005
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Patrice Lemee - Your work gets better with every piece. I recently viewed your site and was caught off guard at the quality. You seem to lack confidence in your skill at times (get over it, buddy) but that, in some self abusive way, adds to your "diamond in the rough" persona. You teach me the importance of humility. Oh... and thanks for being Canadian.

Greg (Tryppyr) - You are fearless in your quest to try something new... which is only shadowed by your willingness to put post it for everyone to see! I have followed you on knifemaking adventures that had me saying "WTF" in the beginning and "great job" at the completion. You've demonstrated that growth comes from the determination to extend your comfort zone. You also get bonus points for inadvertently pointing out how supportive this community is to sincere craftsmen.

Yeah, I admit it's kinda cheesy. There are many more that I could list but I'll keep it short. I hope you guys don't leave me hanging... who have you taken notice of, recently?

Rick
 
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Rick,
Great post.
I am just in the learning and planning stage of knife making. I absolutely love all the info on this forum and it wouldn't be possible if the experienced makers weren't willing to share all their knowledge.
I second Patrice, His kindness, humor and humility are refreshing. Honestly, I smile every time I read one of his posts. Tracy(Bladsmith), Kevin Cashen both share all their technical knowledge in depth.
One of the great things about this site is that I feel as if I would be shortchanging the contribution of 50 guys if I wrote just the top twenty that have influenced me. But I'll try, I apologize for any I leave of the list. I'm entirely going by memory
To add to the list, Rick Marchand(gotta love a man in superman gear, ahem, cough.....), 0123456789(I say that so he doesn't post the standard reply to new knifemakers if I ever ask a question,yes, I read all the stickies and used the search... ;-) )..., James Terrio, Nick Wheeler(loved that wip thread), Johnnymac, Salem Straub(grinder links,wip, etc) Unky Gumby( for sharing his info in his GIB build, and his entire progression as a knifemeker overall) Daniel Fairly(for his questions) and on and on and on....
I have been on a few forums in the last few years, and this one by far is the most generous and welcoming with all the knowledge and support that could be asked for.
 
Rick, I find inspiration every day on these forums:thumbup:

I don't mean to simply kiss your ass in your own thread:D, but honestly, when you got your write up in the makers profile section of Blade magazine a few months ago, that was very inspiring for me because I thought "Wow! I know Rick, that could be me someday!!"

Also, Ryan W has been inspiring me in the last couple of months along with alb1k, Erik Albertson. These guys are new makers like myself and are both trying out stuff that is new to them and challenging. By doing so they inspire me to keep up with the pack and push my abilities. The last thing I want to be is stagnant, and with these two around, I can't let that happen!;)

Long time makers have been inspiring me lately as well. When a regular guy like myself can come onto BF and interact with guys like Ken Onion, Tom Krein, Brian Fellhoelter, Mike Snody, etc. it really pumps you up as a maker and makes you want to work harder to show your mettle. The interaction really is amazing around here.

Finally, fluidsteel.......I am shocked! Thank you for the mention buddy! There are so many great makers here that I've learned from I can't even begin to mention them all:thumbup:

Great thread idea, Rick......I'm feeling all sentimental now:D
 
Many on this forum have inspired me over the last coupla few years, but most recently.....

Patrice Lemee!
 
I find inspiration in lots of places and lots of people. There are some makers that have been particularly helpful in giving me some insights into what is possible with this craft.

Andre Andersson whose work is quite simply jaw-dropping, provided me with inspiration on using stacked materials for handles. You might remember one of the first blades I finished was his Dark Lady blade, so he obviously has some skill with etching images into steel that I would one day like to be able to attempt.

Michael (Micke) Andersson whose blade was the first one I finished (and the fourth, since I decided my first job sucked). Micke's web page gave me inspiration on styles for sheaths more than anything else, but his work (like his son's) is exemplary.

Stacy (bladsmth) whose work on miniatures inspired me to think beyond specific form factors.

Tai Goo whose innovative designs and discussions of design principles are at least in part responsible for showing me the way out of "the box"

Robert Mayo whose "bird knife" inspired me to attempt carving through a blade, resulting in the caduceus knife.

Each day brings new inspirations, and I love watching what each of you is doing. Thanks to you all for helping me along this journey. I'm having a great time.

- Greg
 
I'm not a knifemaker, having only completed two knives so far. However, there are a number of guys on here who have been notable inspirations to me, both from an aesthetic perspective and in causing me to lose sleep at night dreaming of making my own knives! :)

Andy Roy, for making visible what I always wanted in a knife, and making me wonder if I could make something as beautiful. His handles, blade shapes, materials, and craftsmanship never cease to amaze and inspire. He's also very patient and helpful to an enthusiast with limitless questions - like so many of the makers on here have been.

Dylan Fletcher, for letting us watch as he went from 0-60 in...a year or so? Amazing transformation from enthusiast to full-fledged rock star knife maker! Inspired me to go ahead and get some tools and try it myself...not that I'm going to sell the stuff I make, but I am ECSTATIC to find that I can actually make something that pleases ME to own and use.

Rick Marchand, for the amazing textures, colors, and materials. Your etching tips (that I'm sure you've had to PM to every other guy on this forum, including me) enabled me to do a Noobie etch on my very first two knives. I'm extremely pleased with the result!

Ray Laconico, his seldom-seen Nessmuk design pretty much refined for me what I think that style should be, and became the catalyst for my first two blade shapes.

Jim Ferguson in San Angelo, Texas, from whom I bought my very first custom knife when I was a teenager. I have yet to find a flaw ANYWHERE in ANY of his knives. He's not a member here, and doesn't push his sales much, but I would put his work next to anyone's.

There are plenty of others that will come to mind, I'm sure, and this forum makes it possible for me to meet them! :)
 
Redrummd- His lapidary work on Buck 110's is what led me to this site and got me started. He doesn't post here very much but you can see his work in the Buck Knives for sale section from time to time.

Ray Laconico- His knives are so clean and well done, I have always followed his work from the start for inspiration. His knives made me want to make real knives instead of the "art" knives I envisioned making.

Mike Snody- His innovative designs combined with flawlessly executed grinds and absolute precision.

Jeremy Horton- I am always coming up with ideas for the "perfect" knife... when I go to Jeremy's site he has already made three of them that week! His grinds are the coolest too, I really like his style.

Jonny Mac- When I got serious about making knives I started following his work and saw him go from good to where he is at now, making knives like the best of them. He is a big inspiration to work hard and keep stepping it up.
 
Cool thread. I have a few-

Phillip Patton. I really like his sweeping grinds and re-curved blades. His mad skills have inspired me to try similar stuff.

Ray Laconico. I like his style. The way he's taking off and flying with folding knives is great. They look um, well alright I'll say it, clean. I'd like to own one someday.

Patrice, for sure. Although I believe he has earned the right to use this emoticon :o less, and this one :cool: more. Nice grinding on that Persian.

Don Hanson's work is always inspiring as well.

Rodrigo Sfreddo. I saw some pics of his integral damascus work over in customs, and WOW. Talk about thinking out of the box.

Also, everyone who is striving to learn and get better hamons, then posting. We need a "hamon support group" or something. Keep it up y'all.
 
Dave Larsen - Absolute attention to detail in beautiful work. What a great mentor!

name withheld - Saw his knives at a couple shows and hope to never again make something that flawed, much less offer to sell it. Sure the cable damascus is neat, but why is the blade warped? Really, railroad spike damascus?

Lloyd Harner - Kitchen knives, WOW!

JD Smith - Gorgeous knives and just a really cool guy!
 
Wow I just got back from the Badger knife show and was thinking of posting a thread of thanks. Looks like Rick beat me too it.
You all have been so helpful in advancing my blade making techniques, fit, and finish. I know I don’t post that much (I have been more of a lurker), but I plane on upgrading my account soon so that I can post photos of my knives, that you all have had a hand in weather you knew it or not.

Don Hanson
Ray Laconico
Rick Marchand
Jonnymac44
Salem Straub
Stacy
And so many more that I can’t remember all the names. This list could be much larger.

I would also like to thank Kevin Cashen for taking the time to impart some of his wisdom to me, face to face, today at the Badger knife show.

Thank you all

Zech
 
Great Idea Rick. There are far too many to name, the only reason I am making knives is due to inspiration from the makers on this site. Matt Bailey, Tom Krein, Phillip Patton, Rick Marchand, are some of my top makers that made me realize there is more to a knife than a cutting edge. Matt has offered help numerous times as I struggled. Rick makes me laugh almost on a daily basis.

then there are the new makers that I am trying to move forward with, it almost feels like there are Classes and steps to advancement. JohnnyMac44 is putting me to shame with his clean grinds and sheer volume, the friendly Unspoken "Competition" (My imagination and personality always turns it that way) is keeping me on my toes. Unky_Gumbi is also adding to the positive pressure.

A few that come to mind that are on the creative edge are , Patrice Lemee, Johnathan Mitchell, Diamond J., J-siah,

Then there are the Father Figures (not in any way referring to age) Stacy, Cashen, and many more I am forgetting that always tell it like it is and willing to share the friuts of their hard work and years of Exp. I can only imagine how it feels to take years to learn something, share what you learned to newbies (Like me) and have them take the easy road. I do appreciate the help!
 
Boy I hate to stroke the robot's ego, but hey... the truth is the truth.

Nick Wheeler's WIP has been and continues to be a BIG inspiration to improve my own process and not settle for anything second rate.

All the fellas who regularly hang out on Wed night chat... Pat, Butch, Sam and the rest of the gang all inspire me to keep at it whatever it may be.

-Josh
 
Interesting thread...I would have to say that my initial interest in knifemaking came from a man named Grant Fraser. He kind of got me going with the whole knifemaking thing. As far as inspiration, I guess it is different people for different aspects. Don Hanson for his hamons. I have wanted to create a hamon like his for years... Maybe someday.
Phillip Patton, because of his sweeping plunge lines. Ever since I started sweeping plunges, I have only made one or two knives with straight plunge lines.
Both Johnnymac and Ryan W. I remember when both of them transitioned from buying knives to making them. It was only a little while ago, it seems. Already I have seen knives from both of them that have made me say "I better step up my game, because these guys are good."
Rick Marchand, because I love his knives, but also because I really like how each sheath matches the knife, not only how it fits, but how it looks, the style and flow. His knives have that impossible combination of looking rough, and beautiful.
Then of course, the Burt Foster and the Kevin Cashen, Karl Andersen and a whole host of others, who make things with their hands that leave me scratching my head and saying "how?"
 
I am absolutely amazed that I would be on anyone's list, and don't think I belong there.

I can't single out any one maker as an inspiration, everyone that has posted here has inspired me in some way. Be it positive comments, sharing of their knowledge, simple and complex advise, and work that they have posted.
The most recent inspiration is Rick. The sheath for the last knife I finished I stole some ideas from his previous work:o the texture in the black spikes is from broken cinder blocks.

Any how if you have posted in this forum you have influenced my work in some way and I thank you, and for those of you that mentioned me, I will try harder to deserve the mention.
 
Guys, for the love of God! How the heck am I suppose to use the :o icon less if you do things like say such nice things about me in a thread about, of all things, inspiring knifemakers. :eek: So here goes :o:o:o:o:o
But I must admit that those are awfully nice compliments to receive. :thumbup:

Ok now to the matter at hand. Like Fluidsteel said, I hate posting in threads like this cause the combination of poor memory and such a long list of folks I want to mention means I'll surely forget many and I would not want even just one of my good friends here to feel left out.

That said, I have to admit that recently, I've felt inspired (along with closer kinship), by a few makers: Matthew Gregory, Rick Marchand, Josh Dabney, Nathan (Silver Pilate), Erin Burke, Paul (PJ234) and Salem Straub (which I am pretty sure is my long lost twin ;)) I feel like if we lived closer, I would get along great with all of them in a best friend kind of way. Cheesy enough for ya Rick. ;)

And I have to mention Phil Dwyer. He is inspiring to me as a model of goodness, politeness. Just simply an all around darn nice guy! ;)

To everyone I forgot, I am sorry and PLEASE send me a PM entitled: “You ungrateful sack of ****”! ;)
 
Fine with me Patrice, as long as I get to be the evil twin. I'm probably a bit more of an a-hole than you, anyway.

I agree about Phil, too.
 
Ones that stick out in my head are (of course) Patrice, Ian Bailey and Serge Pachencko. Although their work is very different from each others, it is all still amazing.
 
I'm humbled to have my name mentioned. If I can help in any way, it's only because I've learned so much from the unselfish contributions of the people here. Thank you!

I had the pleasure of meeting and talking at length with both Del Ealy and Kevin Cashen at the Badger Knife Show yesterday. That alone made the whole day worthwhile :thumbup:
 
"That said, I have to admit that recently, I've felt inspired (along with closer kinship), by a few makers: Matthew Gregory, Rick Marchand, Josh Dabney, Nathan (Silver Pilate), Erin Burke, Paul (PJ234) and Salem Straub (which I am pretty sure is my long lost twin ) I feel like if we lived closer, I would get along great with all of them in a best friend kind of way. Cheesy enough for ya Rick. "

This is so true Pat. We got us a real kick azz circle of friends going here don't we ! I really enjoy seeing how everyone progresses with their knives and take things in their own direction. Look how far we've all come in the last two years. For me personally next month with be the two year anniversary of KMG ownership... Time flies huh.

Josh
 
Check out some of Stuart Branson's (BF user name SBranson) knives and sheaths. He just started making recently and is making some great stuff. He posts in the Custom & Handmade knives forum here (its under the Specific title). He's also Canadian.

Ray Laconico - boiwes, fixed blades, slip joints, liner locks....the man seems to make whatever he wants and all have clean lines and very nicely done.
 
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