Makers That Have Recently Inspired Me

I am no knife maker but I have been attempting to do what I can with limited tools and resources, so with that said, I'm really inspired by everyone on this forum. And not just by the skill, but also by the generosity.

There are a couple of makers whose work really speaks to me and makes me want to keep learning.

Rick Marchand: His knives have that primitive and natural appearance, but there is a lot of geometry and angle thought behind his design. I enjoy reading the process behind his designs. You can tell he gives a lot of thought. Whom I kidding? Rick's knives are just flat out beautiful.

Matt Bailey: Matt's knives are also flat out beautiful. They jump off the screen whenever I see his work. Everything is crisp and detailed.

Salem Straub: Salem became a big inspiration as I read his WIP thread. He is so detailed and precise in everything he does. It's hard not to be inspired by someone who can produce work as clean as his.

Jonny Mac: I think Jonny produces some of the most crisp, clean grinds I've seen. His work is so sano it looks like everything was molded as one piece of material. Jonny also was very generous and gracious to me during my first knife attempt. Having someone with his talent share his knowledge, well, he inspired me on a lot of levels.
 
I thought in retrospect that I really can add another: Josh Dabney, I admire that while he still had few knives under his belt, he was trying things like wire inlay and scrimshaw with good results. That's pretty balls-out and way to go, Josh. No guts, no glory.

To anyone that has mentioned me, I'm also humbled- we walk in the shadows of giants here and there are a bunch of makers here that I'd love to work with in person, maybe to soak up a little genius by proximity. Bruce Bump comes to mind.
 
Bruce bump and Raymond Richard get a lot of my Internet interest. Matt Baileys recognizable style has always been an influence on me. Rick Marchand, Ray Laconico, Dan Koster, And Scott Gossman have always inspired me. Dylan pushes me to improve constantly.
 
How could I forget about ^ that guy... Andy. Always pressing the Envelope and willing to try Handle combinations at every turn. There are just too many makers that have made me say "WOW that is insane, some day I want to be that good!" problem is they will be that much better.
 
Thanks for joining in guys. There are so many inspirations on this board and the knifemaking community in general. I only wanted to give kudos to a few recent inspirational members.

If I think of ALL the folks who have had a hand (knowingly or not) in cutting my path as a maker, a few rise to the top...

Wally Hayes - My friend, mentor and "brutha-from-anutha-mutha". I wouldn't be a "knifemaker" if it wasn't for him. Words cannot describe what Wally has done for me. I will spend a lifetime trying to express my gratitude by making him proud.

Eric Noeldechen(Normark) - Eric is a kydex wizard (On/Scene Tactical) and another close friend. He and I were friends before I was a knifemaker and he was the one who introduced me into this industry. Eric has the title of being the "Spark" that led to a flame, that lit the fire under my ass.

Tai Goo - There is no hiding the influence from Tai's Bush Knives in my work. Wally put me onto him from the start. Through the forums, I have come to gain an better understanding of his methods and philosophy. Tai's approach to bladesmithing is organic, intuative and unrestricted.

Kevin Cashen - Mr Cashen introduced me to the metallurgical aspect of knifemaking. He is a sick, evil, twisted, demon of a man... a story about a snake and apple come to mind. Kevin is trying to make my life as miserable as his and I truly thank him for it.

Andy Roy and Christof Harper - I feel like I have grown up with these two, though... I'm not even sure if they communicate between eachother... Ha! Bouncing ideas off one another coupled with open, honest criticism has helped me to grow as a craftsman. I know I can always count on them.

Daniel Winkler - Another maker that Wally put me onto. Daniel's work fabulous and is only second to Karen's sheaths... lol... sorry Daniel, I'm a sucker for ladies and leather! I have had the oportunity to meet him several times and we've communicated on the forum. He is a very generous man with a great attitude. I could look at the same Winkler knife a hundred times and still manage to see new details that inspire me.

Tim Lively - I am Tim's secret admirer. I couldn't tell you the hours I've spent ogling his work. To me, he and Tai represent the Neo-Tribal style that I love so much. I hope one day to meet Tim and let him know how much influence he has had on my style.

Nick Wheeler, Matthew Bailey, Ray Laconico, Stacy E. Apelt, John M. Cohea, Bruce Culberson... I could write paragraphs for all of you, too... but then that would just cause me to find even more influential makers.... it could go on and on.

Thanks to everyone and thanks to Spark for Bladeforums!


To all the members who have ME listed as an inspiration, all I can say is............................................ SUCKERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRS!!!!!!!!

Rick
 
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Wally Hayes

I recently purchased his video about making a Tactical Katana and it has changed my whole outlook on the craft. Thank You Wally!
 
I have always admired Master Smith Lin Rhea. Clean Looking Knives and a Nice Guy.
I met him at the ABS beginners course 3years ago.
I where a ball cap with his logo on with Pride.
 
This is a cool thread! I'd like to mention all who have inspired me as a maker. I have too many but I'll try to get some of them.

From the beginning, it was Bob Engnath, the first knifemaker I ever met and talked to. In the early 1990's, He had a shop a few blocks from where I lived in Glendale, CA. I always thought knives were only made in factories before meeting him.

My inspiration came early on by admiring works of the ABS greats like Bruce Bump, Don Hanson, Burt Foster and others. Might as well aim high!

I started selling knives after seeing Matt Cuchiarra and Brian Goode's progress. I thought, "If they're doing it, I can too".

I stay in business by trying to keep up with guys like Andy Roy, Dan Koster, Nick Allen, Rick Merchand and others who sell affordable user grade knives.

Lately, I've been working with Mike Vagnino who has been my knifemaking mentor. Until meeting him, I've been self taught. I've learned so much, so quickly from him. Usually just by talking to him and watching him work.

And last there are the EXTREMELY:eek: talented up and coming makers like Mike Quesenberry, Kyle Royer whose works tell me I really need to push on and get better. When I make the same full tang, slab handle, affordable user grade knives for years to stay in business, I don't really get better personally as a maker. Maybe as a business but not as a maker.
 
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Rodrigo Sfreddo is one of my greatest inspirations. He tested with me for J.S in 2006 and I have been a fan of his work ever since. Nick Wheeler is very generous with his techniques, but the best thing I got from him very early on is his passion for making a "perfect" knife with regards to fit-n-finish. David Lisch is a personal friend and is cracking the whip at my backside, so I have to mention him as a reverse sort of inspiration whereas, I'm running for my life :-) And I'm glad to hear Mike Vagnino mentioned above. I second that. He is a great guy, I made my first and last folder under his guidance. (Just kidding, I might make one more...)
-M
 
One more...

Andy Roy - beautiful handles, and on the business side from loosing his job and turning full time knife maker, great knives, then the machetes, ....waiting to see what is next.

edited to add: also the collaboration on the Recluse with Bark River.

I would have said Rick (whom I've PM'ed with several times about knives), but I thought it would just go to his head:p
 
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This is the most difficult thread to respond to.

I first thank everybody who freely shares their knowledge. I started making knives while finishing chemo. I had a lot of time on my hands so I spent a lot of time here on BF. All who contribute here inspired me to give it a try. :thumbup:

Those that put up with my emails many thanks:
Brian Goode
Marcus Lin
Ian Bailey
Nick Allen

And for letting me watch; Jim Merritt.
 
Bruce Culberson said:
I would have said Rick...but I thought it would just go to his head:p
Click to expand...
Rick getting a big head! Never!

rick_funny.jpg


Well now that you mention it.;)
 
What a great thread! I know it has been said, but i gather inspiration from everyone one here.seriously..so hard to pick favorites...i have 50 in each genre lol. Truly inspirational people are the people that have no issues putting everything out there and showing the world how they make "sharp magic". With that being said,
Stacy, Bruce Evans, Ray Laconico,Phillip Patton, Don Hanson, Salem Straub, Michael Rader, Patrice(Yankwebekkie) Lemee, Delbert Ealy, Kevin Cashen, Nick Wheeler.....The list goes on forever. With the levels of quality and experience here on the forums, and those always willing to help, share and criticize, Kudos to you. You are my inspiration.

Mike
 
Brian Goode, and Nick Allen. And didn't mention Nick Wheeler, who has really helped me along a lot, and inspires me regularly.

Christoph and I talk from time to time. PM's. I always watch his work too. I think of he and Rick as starting out same time as me. Both have tought me a lot too.
 
I think this topic should be re-named,... "Who do you think the craziest and wackiest knifemakers are?". :)
 
O.K. Rick you win!

... just don't get me started on my list of "CAWKs"! LOL

... "Craziest And Wackiest Knifemakers"
 
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I'm going to start a new thread... "Tai Goo Wants To See Your CAWKs"



Rick:p:thumbup:
 
Hey! ... I'm inspired by all of ya! :)

... but I don't really need to see your CAWKs!
 
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