My JS Presentation knives

Z

ZackJonas

Joined
Feb 9, 2012
Messages
8
Hi All,

Zack Jonas here. I'm new to BladeForums, but I've been making knives for about four years. I was just awarded my ABS JS mark down in San Antonio last month, and I now have professional photos of my presentation set. I posted them yesterday in the Gallery forum, but word has it, this is the place to be. So, without further ado, here's my work, hope you enjoy:

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- Zack
 
CONGRATS Zack! I like the "Honey Badger" very much. On some of the others, the ricasso looks a bit long to my eye. They ALL look very clean however.

Peter
 
Congratulations Zack!

Beautiful work, I like them all! Looks like you have developed a style of your own already!

Steve
--------
Potomac Forge
ABS Apprentice
 
Welcome Zack, and congrats! Yep - this is the place to be to share such nice custom work. That's a line-up to be proud of. Not often do we see daggers in a JS submission set - that was brave!

Roger
 
Congrats and a great grouping of knives.....all are very nice and I look forward to seeing more. :cool:

Welcome to Blade Forums, too...... :)
 
Hi Zack,

Welcome aboard THIS forum. I am pleased you've joined us. We want to hear more and see more of your work. I know you have much to offer.

Guys: My first encounter with Zack was from him sending me a tanto for a photograph. A consistent course student of J.D. Smith MS, he blew me away with THIS piece:

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Come to find out, it was just after studying a course on swords from Michael Bell, out in the Northwest. (Renowned sword maker)

This is what I've learned: He is devouring tutorials and mentoring under as many better craftsmen as he can afford. He's willing to learn.

That he is a college grad with degrees in Economics (correct me here?) shows he's on top of things.

Zack, please fill us in on the who's-who of knifemaking you have studied with?

Right after his submission and testing/acceptance he excitedly called me to set up a date to bring his knives, and his savvy fiancee Karina (a professional photographer) along for a photo shoot and a tutorial. This couple wants to do it all.

Here's Zack and Karina:

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We had a great day shooting these knives and I spent a ton of time explaining how I do things. (According to Zack, they'd spent an evening tagging along with Eric Eggly shooting outside in Austin.)

The knives are classic JS submission pieces. Not too complex, and with just enough distinction to keep them too vanilla. First goal: make sure you build what will pass and not raise eyebrows.

That guard on the dagger has JD's inflence all over it, and I an DEAD certain Zack can't wait to start expanding his skills.

Anyway, what a fun visit from Zack and Karina. I expect a great future, and it involves BOTH of them. :D

His website: www.jonasblade.com

Coop
 
Hah, thanks all.

And thanks Jim! Correct on nearly all points--my degree is in Philosophy, not Economics.

I've worked extensively with JD Smith (MS) at MassArt
I have studied basic bladesmithing, tomahawk forging, and carving with Joe Szilaski (MS)
I have studied at the ABS School in Arkansas under Jim Walker (MS), John White (MS), and Dan Petersen (MS)
I have studied engraving at the GRS school in Kansas under Rick Eaton (whose knives and engraving are insanely good)
I have studied japanese bladesmithing under Michael Bell, in Oregon.

I think that about covers it.

Thanks for the warm welcome, everybody!

- Zack
 
Wonderful blades all, but that dagger is just astounding. Congratulations on passing the JS test!
 
Congrats Zack. That must have been a load off.Those are great looking knives . I am hopping to do the same in Atlanta this year.
 
It surely was a load off, Steve. Best of luck to you. I'm sure you have all the help you need, but if there's anything I can do to lend a hand, feel free to call on me.

-zack
 
Zack, congrats on your successful JS testing. Mass art with JD Smith eh? so I guess you are normally bouncing around here in New England? Nice to see a local guy in the mix unless you were only in Boston to study? Never hurts to find out more about local artists. I like the "pirate" and "honey Badger" best for my tastes :thumbup:

Regards Jeff
 
Thanks guys,

Peter, that's actually my first completed Japanese piece. I've got a matched 900 layer chisa katana and tanto in the works. Keep your eyes peeled for that one--although it might take awhile, since it's mostly a side project at the moment.

Michael, thanks. That's actually why I did a dagger. Much like the tanto, that was my first.

Jeff, I am indeed in the Boston area--Brookline to be precise, although I'm thinking about moving up to NH somewhere in order to be better situated to do my work.

Thanks all...really enjoying this feedback. I'm not going to lie, it feels great.

-zack
 
Zack - Living in the northeast, you may consider joining the NCCA (Northeast Cutlery Collectors Association). There is a show this Sunday in Marlboro, MA. It would give you an opportunity to meet some of the other knifemakers in the area.

http://www.ncca.info/calendar.htm

Peter
 
Thanks Peter. How is it possible I wasn't aware of this organization sooner? Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

I can't make it to the show this weekend because I've already got some things scheduled, but you can be sure I'll be joining and that I'll attend shows in the future.

Thanks again.

Zack
 
Zack - The NCCA is not a large organization and a lot of advertising is not done, more than likely due to cost considerations.

The largest show is the annual show. It is a 2-day event that for the last few years has been in Mystic CT. Usually it is in early May, but this year it is April 28/29.

Art Green is president, is a great guy, and has an extensive collection of antique, production and custom knives.

Some of the members you may have heard of are Lamont Coombs, Jim Siska, Paul Jarvis, and Howard Hitchmough.

Hope to meet you and see some of your knives,
Peter
 
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