Miniature knives

T

the possum

Joined
Jul 31, 2002
Messages
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Last night I did a search for this topic and was surprised at how little info I found. I was more surprised that few people seem to have ever even heard of the concept. Most posts were about a few factories that made a tiny version of their bestsellers on a special production run. I mean, you guys do realize there are plenty of custom makers out there that make amazing minis, right? earl witsamen

Here's one guy. I've met and gotten help from several wonderful people in this field, such as Mike Mercer.

Thought I'd share. Let's talk.
 
I have 3 by Mr. Witasman. 4 by Ralph Turnbull. 3 by Bob Lum. A couple of Terry Krannings. Some Paula Easlers. And some Ken Largins. They were fun to collect for a while. Seems the mini market isn't as big as it was.
 
Wow! His knives are gorgeous! Kind of remind me of the knife the Troll carried in the movie Cat's Eye.

Mike
 
My eyes were opened last year at the Buena Park show that I believe is sponsered by So Cal Blades. There's a ella who brought his collection to display. It was amazing. Especially his several Victorinox multi-blade SAK minis. Truly Amazing stuff.

They do seem hard to find, and from my talks with the guy at that show (he was also at Blade West), they're also more expensive than full sized generally.

I've been thinking of an Al Mar Osprey, do you think that would qualify as an actual miniature?

jmx
 
Originally posted by tonyccw
I have 3 by Mr. Witasman. 4 by Ralph Turnbull. 3 by Bob Lum. A couple of Terry Krannings. Some Paula Easlers. And some Ken Largins. They were fun to collect for a while. Seems the mini market isn't as big as it was.
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Do you mean you lost your interest in them? Or have you noticed fewer other people interested in them? Or do you mean you can't find other people who make minis?

Nice collection, by the way.
 
Yvon Vachon specialized in outstanding miniatures, including an award winning SAK and knife/gun combos. I was very saddened by his premature death. I also have a lovely miniature Scagel by Berringer.
 
Originally posted by the possum
Do you mean you lost your interest in them? Or have you noticed fewer other people interested in them? Or do you mean you can't find other people who make minis?
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Both. The offerrings started to diminish, as were the number of makers that did do miniatures. Would have liked a few from Al Eaton and some other makers, but my focus moved towards other knives.
Nice collection, by the way.
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Thanks. The collection now belongs to my daughter, except for the 3 Lum's....
 
Originally posted by jmxcpter
My eyes were opened last year at the Buena Park show that I believe is sponsered by So Cal Blades. There's a fella who brought his collection to display. It was amazing. Especially his several Victorinox multi-blade SAK minis. Truly Amazing stuff.
jmx
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Do you remember the guy's name? Mike Tamboli lives near Pheonix, Arizona, and I know he's brought his collection to several shows out west. He makes a few minis, and is one of my best customers. I'll let it drop that I make miniture knives, but I'm backordered for a few years, so I'm not soliciting business here. I guess I haven't felt the slowing of the market, since I only have a few customers, and they fight for first dibs on anything I make.

Mr. Vachon (sp?) did some awesome work, including working guns. I'm gonna make a mini caplock pistol when I get caught up. I guess I'll also have to make a tool for swaging tiny percussion caps for it. Short term projects include a few switchblades, and I'd really love to get back to Sheffield style Bowies. I've already got a spear point Bowie done, and when I finish a few more, I plan on sending them to Bladeart.com for photos.

Anyone else care to share what they're dreaming of making?
 
I can't remember the Gentleman's name, but the SAK minis he had were from the late Mr. Vachon. The man with the mini collection did have a couple gun/knife combos so it must be the same guy. One of them was a working replica of a boarding sword with a cap and ball pistol attached. It was really amazing.

jmx
 
Thanks for the link to Earl Witsaman's site! Just spent the last 20 minutes admiring his work. The minis are less than 3" & the detail is amazing; some even include filework & scrimshaw!:eek: I have just recently picked up a few miniatures from Ken Davis, a member of the Florida Knifemakers Assoc. & hope to continue collecting these 'gems'! I consider them 'little works of art' & not just a novelty.
 
Just took some pix's today of some of my miniatures. Expecting another from Ken Davis very soon - a carbon Damascus blade w/Mastodon Ivory handle; maybe some scrimshaw in the future?
 
mini's sure are tough work...the knives you guys posted are perfect examples of tedious work... this was my 1st attempt at a mini...try not to laugh to loud my fingers are still burning:eek: :)
 

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Bob Hergert sure does some fine scrimshaw! I'm going to make sure I save that site for future reference!
chisel - Great mini! Guessing it's about 2" long & has a lanyard no less! Cool those fingers; I, for one, am not laughing at your 1st mini!:eek:
 
This is some of my work,a mini balisong made of solid gold.

Gold balisong

Those were some intresting pictures of the knives.Very detailed work is involved when doing minis like those.Especially the bolsters and doing inserts.
 
AroKiem, nice work. Chisel- don't quit now! You're only in the early stages of infection. ;)
You can see some of Mike Tamboli's work on that Hergert site.
I don't have any pics of my stuff, but in a few months I could update you. Though, I might get in trouble for linking to them, since the knives will be for sale on another site...
 
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