New Don Fogg

CAB said:
I personally disagree with the concept you don't get your moneys worth if that is what is meant by "I often admire Don's work but his pricing for what is received is out of my league.".

What is the value of a knife by one of the best bladesmiths out there? Getting a well conceived, well executed (and original idea) knife for between $2000 and $3000 is what the market dictates at his level of skill, expertise and reputation.

You have to ask youself, what are other top notch makers who have consistently made good work for several decades asking for their works. One could also jump to Japan, where mid-level swordsmiths get that much for a ko-gatana blade at 6.5".

Price is relative and the real question is why aren't examplary craftsmen better rewarded for what they make in this country.

JM2Cents.........

CB
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I completely agree with you, good post. :thumbup:

Are you guys simply stating you can't afford this piece at that price or that you don't feel you'd be getting your money's worth?

Joss, would you sell your similar piece for what you paid or seek a price similar to what Don is asking nowadays?

It's a lovely piece by a popular maker whose work is all too rare. If it was overpriced it would not have sold within minutes of being offered.

Just my take on it, don't wish to ruffle any feathers.
 
Kohai999 said:
They can be, and are, quite well compensated, IMO. CB......Sweat Equity, amigo...have to have 1 very good month at work, post-tax, in order to be able to afford this bad boy.

That said, while Anthony clarified his position ...I think that Don's work IS very fairly priced...the more you know him, and about him, the more his work is a gift to the world...many artists and craftspersons harbor this thought, I don't know if Don does, but in his case, it is true.

I would have purchased this knife, had it been an option.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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Cross posted, I agree with you as well... :thumbup:
 
Joss said:
I assume that's meant to be ironic? :o:confused:

Personally, I would have liked this piece to be handled in some kind of ivory - walrus or mastodon most likely.

I actually love the handle design. I've always found facetted handles much more interesting that rounded ones. I have another bowie from Don that is very similar:

GrayFighter800.jpg


I have to say I like the idea of Argentium being used. Argentium is proprietary sterling silver alloy that is (apprently) less prone to staining - pretty cool idea...
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I feel the same way about the knife above as the previous. I often like Don's blades however feel his handles are often too shapely and/or too bulky. I feel he tries to make a very unique piece but often takes it too far.
Just my opinion, don't expect many to agree.
 
Kevin Jones said:
Just my opinion, don't expect many to agree.
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Man, am I glad we don't collect the same stuff, Kevin!!!

IMO, Don's current batch of handles are inspired and have an elegant aesthetic.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
Man, am I glad we don't collect the same stuff, Kevin!!!

IMO, Don's current batch of handles are inspired and have an elegant aesthetic.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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It works out good as we are not competing for the same pieces. ;)
 
I think Don's handles and fittings really separate his stuff from the infamous "standard ABS bowie", whatever that means. Sometimes, I find his designs are too much "out there", but on the other hand his pieces I like the best are those where he completely went crazy (like the bowie inspired by a Jpz whalling knives).

Price is a difficult concept at that level, and it's really based on the personnal attraction one's feel with the design. One can legitimately say that the prices are high without being unreasonable or insulting.
 
I agree whole-heartedly with Joss about Don's style. He has created a signature style that incorperates a more global aesthetic. If you see any one knife by Don from across the room, you know it is by him. IMO Don falls into a very small group of makers who's works are readily identifyable and certainly speak to me as a collector and craftsman.

Many of the ABS bowies, though they do have their individual details, fall into a broad and similiar aesthetic. I prefer the knife that breaks away from the pack and takes risks in style and line.

My preference is for the type of knife Don makes. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but they speak to me and I am able to have a prolonged and meaningful dialogue with his work. Those are the pieces I look for.

I can only wish I had more of his pieces.

Craig Bird
 
I have admired Don's work for a long time and really like most of his pieces but this one's not one of my favorites.....




Now, This Fogg is over the top, it does it for me!



YakuzaIll.jpg
 
i did not like the handle at all when i first saw the knife

then i saw joss' piece...and must say i like it much better

the new knife handle is too dark and the horizontal pattern of the wood leaves me flat... the vertical pattern of joss handle makes the whole piece much more vibrant
 
I'm on the same wave length as Craig.

I enjoy reading comments of people ho did not like this piece. There so much of a love fest going on when one mention some names (including that of Don), that it makes it actually more interesting to have a discussion when some people have different opinions.
 
Joss said:
......There so much of a love fest going on when one mention some names (including that of Don), that it makes it actually more interesting to have a discussion when some people have different opinions.
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Oh...I enjoy a good discussion/debate:D...but this piece speaks to me...much louder than the Yakuza Bowie.....single ground blades drive me frikkin bonkers, for one......man, oh, man....the shibumi(elegant simplicity) of the newest bowie is apparent to a blind man...so I don't understand the negative comments.

There is an ass for every seat.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
For me this knife just doesn't seem to flow quite right. I like all the individual pieces, but together they just don't work for me. Joss's similar knife I like a lot better - seems better proportioned to my eye.

Not my favorite Fogg, but still a gorgeous blade - I love the hamon on it.

Now that whaling knife that Don posted is definitely one of my favorites!
 
Joss said:
I'm on the same wave length as Craig.

I enjoy reading comments of people ho did not like this piece. There so much of a love fest going on when one mention some names (including that of Don), that it makes it actually more interesting to have a discussion when some people have different opinions.
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I agree.
Individual knives should be judged on their own merit, not loved by everyone just because it came from a particular maker.
 
Kevin Jones said:
I agree.
Individual knives should be judged on their own merit, not loved by everyone just because it came from a particular maker.
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STOP THE PRESSES!!!!

Does that sound like "Piece First", Kevin?....Why yes, yes it does.:D:D:D

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
STOP THE PRESSES!!!!

Does that sound like "Piece First", Kevin?....Why yes, yes it does.:D:D:D

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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NO:NO:NO :eek: :eek: :eek: :D ;)

The point to my previous statement is that IMO a collector should not LOVE (love fest) and praise EVERY knife by a particular maker solely because they are made by that maker.

For example, even thought by my "maker first" collecting philosophy I favors pieces by Fisk, Dean, Hancock, Hanson, Winkler etc. however, I by no means buy or even like EVERY knife made by these makers.
 
Kevin Jones said:
NO:NO:NO :eek: :eek: :eek: :D ;)

The point to my previous statement is that IMO a collector should not LOVE (love fest) and praise EVERY knife by a particular maker solely because they are made by that maker.

For example, even thought by my "maker first" collecting philosophy I favors pieces by Fisk, Dean, Hancock, Hanson, Winkler etc. however, I by no means buy or even like EVERY knife made by these makers.
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Regardless of what you are selling in this statement, I ain't buyin' it....:o
Sure sounds like piece first to me.

And....although many of you are astute buyers and makers of knives, I think that you are missing the GLARING Art Nouveau influenced shape to this handle...I believe that it is well thought out, and executed, as well as intentional.

I have criticized Don Fogg in the past on his handle execution, both publicly, and privately...and the private part was a comparative lambasting....it is not deserved, imo, in this case, but of course, as always, you are all free to carry on(no matter how wrong you might be):D

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
It is a bit difficult to argue with the simple fact that $2,000-$3,000 blades from Don Fogg, MS sell within minutes. He may not be on everyone's top ten list, simply because of his limited production and lack of promotion. He really should be, but I can understand why his understated designs may not appeal to everyone. C'est la vie.

Don's handles are amazingly functional. You really have to hold one, to understand completely.

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