New Book - Art and Design in Modern Custom Folding Knives

[Gus Kalanzis]

A friend sent me this book by David Darom and I know these words will not do the book justice, but here goes.
Dr. Darom is a marine biologist in Israel and is also a well known nature photographer there. It is also obvious that he has a deep passion for custom folders to have taken on the job of putting this book together. The book was published in March ’03.

He has put together artists profiles, their personal feelings about their knife making with techniques and photography the likes of which I have never seen combined in one publication of 256 pages of some the finest folders produced in the first part of this century (for the most part).

Bud Lang is the editor and the photography was done by Eric Eggly (USA), Francesco Pachi (Italy), Tomo Hasegawa (Japan), Phillip E. Corbit, Hakan Gustavsson,
Dino Petrocelli, Bladegallery.com, Dr. Fred Carter, Henry H. Frank, Steve Lindsay, Glenn Waters, Kansie Matsuno, Brian Tighe, Hans Mosimann, Ilona Ripke, Martin Weinhold and Dr. David Darom.

I just got the book yesterday and have read a little of the artist/maker section and am having a hard time putting the book down so I can write my first impressions.

It starts off with a preface by Dr. Darom and it is easy to tell that he has a passion for artistry in knives. Following the preface are some great articles. The first is by Bud on collecting and knife shows. (Woah one of my knives is in that Tomway box. – I am taking a break to read the articles and just saw that.)

Dr. Pierluigi Peroni follows Mr. Lang’s article with some words on Collecting as a Way of Life. Seems like the bug has no international boundaries. Thought I was reading an article about a lot of folks I know, including myself.

Then we have an article by Steve Schwarzer on The Art of Mosaic Damascus. John Lewis Jensen writes one on Anodizing Titanium. Steve Lindsay and Linda Karst Stone have articles on The Art of Modern Engraving and The Art of Scrimshaw respectively.

The last article is by Ray Appleton on the appropriate subject of Opening and Locking Mechanisms in FoldersRay’s knives and the knives of Author Soppera and Ron Lake are discussed.

The articles and pictures are awesome and contain a lot of insights from the points of view of a collector as well as information on techniques from makers.

Then there are 22 8 page sections on the makers Dr. Darom Selected for the book. In his words they contain:
“The artist’s portraits, their biographies and personal statements with signatures, A Photographic sequence showing the artist creating one of the features of a folder make specially for the book, A full-page illustration of the "Featured Folder" created for the book and Five pages showing choice art folders made by the artist in recent years, through November 2002.”

The list of makers in this section are as follows:

Ray and Ron Appleton
Van Barnett
Dr. Fred Carter
Jerry Corbit
George E. Dailey
Dellana
Kaj Embretsen
Henry H. Frank
Johan Gustafsson
Tim Herman
Harumi Hirayama
Howard Hitchmough
Steve Hoel
John Lewis Jensen
Joe Kios
Steve Lindsay
Wolfgang Loerchner
Jim and Joyce Minnick
Steve Schwarzer
Jurgen Steinau
Buster Warenski
Glen Watters.

In another section of the book he choose 9 makers again in his words, “whose work and designs are characteristic of today’s modern handmade folders.
Looks like he chose equally well for this section to me.

Allen Elishewitz
Antonio Fogarizzu
Koji Hara
Peter Marker
Kansei Matsuno
Francesco Pachi
Scott Sawby
Brian Tighe
Michael Vagnino

The photography in this book is second to none that I have seen. Couple with the well thought out text, I already know I will enjoy this book for many years to come. Congratulations to all of the folks chosen for this tour de force of modern folders.

 

[Kit Carson]

I'll second all of what Gus said.
I've been collecting knife books for 30 years and this is by far, the best laid out, most informative, with the best photography of any I have.

 

[Blanblade]

I have to agree, this is one of the best books on custom knives I have ever picked up. The photography and information are top shelf all the way.
Rob Blanton

 

[Joss]

Where can it be bought online?

 

[TDE]

WOW, what great words for this book, need to find a copy. Paul

 

[SharpByCoop]

I bought two! Thanks Gus, for filling in ALL the great details.

One to keep and one to pass around to my friends. I paid $65 for $1,000,000 worth of knives. Just incredible.

Two sources online: Tim Herman's website, and Bud Lang's bladesinternational.com Do a search.

Coop

 

[ROBB]

I see it offered on Tim Hermans site but I can't find it on Blades International.Can you list where is it is?

 

[Win Heger]

I picked one up at ECCKS and it has been a constant rush to see those knives. Met Mr Darum and he is a real gentleman. I do think some people were excluded that are important in the world of folders but nothing is perfect!!

Win

 

[PhilL]

Really well done book, I picked one up at ECCKS. Since several of the makers in the book were at the show I decided to get some autographs. I may even take the book to Blade Show and get some autographs from people who weren't at the NY show.

 

[SharpByCoop]

ROBB: The book is now offered on the updated Bladesinternational website.

Coop

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Now, if someone would be kind enough to put together a book like this on fixed blades, I would be oh so happy.

 

[ROBB]

Just got the book.Its the best I've seen on custom folding knives.Great pictures,great writing.BTW Keith theres a good book mostly on straight knives called "Handcrafted Knives"Masterpeices by American Knifemakers by Roberto Allara and Silvano G.Mapelli.I'm not sure where you can get it now.I bought it a few yrs.ago at a N.Y.knife show.

 

[Bastid]

Keith,

Hamilton has a great deal on the book Robb mentions. It does have a few folders, but mostly fixed blades. 19.95 is a good deal on it.

Check it out here

 

[ROBB]

Thats more than a good deal.I think the original asking price was close to $100.If I did'nt hace a copy I'd jump on that.

 

[Joss]

Wow... Just got the folding knives book, and it's a winner. I wish it had been on fixed blades but...

 

[Joss]

Originally posted by Bastid
Keith,

Hamilton has a great deal on the book Robb mentions. It does have a few folders, but mostly fixed blades. 19.95 is a good deal on it.

Check it out here

All,

This is an outstanding book, worth many times this bargain price. I just received my copy, and I'm very impressed. It does focuses on just a handful of top makers, incl. Ron Lake, Loveless, SR Johnson, and some pretty rare pieces are featured. Great book at that price.

 

[Bastid]

The link changed, but if you put "Hand-Crafted" (with the dash) in the search box, the book will come up. I gave my copy to a good friend and ordered another which came last week. It is a good book at a great price, but the book on folders is head and shoulders above it.