Most influential makers and why?

Joss

Joss

Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
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Allright, give us names. Here's a short list to get you started:

Bill Moran - forged blade, popularisation of damascus in the US, design.
Bob Loveless - Design, popularization of the "investment" knife
Daryl Meier - Damascus work
Steve Schwarzer - Damascus work
Don Fogg - Damascus work, overal design

Go ahead guys - I am on purpose limiting myself to some very few makers, because I want to see what comes up. Think about who were the driving factors between some popular trends in knife making (the interframe, the linerlock,...)

Cheers,

JD
 
I would have to say Jerry Fisk is one of the most influential of the modern forged blade men. His Sendero hunter is one of the most copied styles there is. A lot of guys make a hunter that looks like the Sendero.

He has helped raise the bar when it comes to fit and finish, and overall design.

I think Ken Onion has been very influential by virtue of his developing the speed-safe mechanism and selling it to Kershaw. He has inspired a lot of guys to try and develop opening mechanisms that are innovative and legal.
 
Randall- This is an easy one. He inspired hordes of knifemakers. He also brought together all different worlds, and classes of people. You ask anyone, whether they be from the gun world, knife world or a common citizen to name a custom maker, chances are Randall will come to their lips.

If there was no Randall, custom knives would not be where they are today.

Gil Hibben- Beautiful and innovative designs. He also served as a mentor to many of the big name makers today. Chances are that you spoke to any maker from Utah during 60s-70s, they knew of, or worked with Gil.

R.H. Ruana- One of the forefather's of the American hand-forged Knife. Provided thousands of people with a excellent knife for an honest dollar. In the end, that all you could ask for.
 
the beginning of the tactical knife phenomenon began with the reintroduction of the liner locking knife by Michael Walker, apporopriately named the "Walker Locker" as seen here with the titanium carving and coloring done by Patricia Walker.



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from there came the Emerson's et al and the many manufacturer/knifemaker collaborations over the past couple decades.
 
How about W.E Fairbairn and E.A Sykes? - Their fightings knives were carried and copied by all branches, and most allied nations during WWII.
John EK was quite influential in American fighting knives - Solely produced high quality fighting knives for American troopers.
 
Bob Lum : Tanto's (that's the obvious one)
Bob Lum : hand rubbed Satin finish (one of the best at it still)
 
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