New Don Fogg

The handle looks very well designed and executed even better, but it doesn't make me drool and gurgle like the Yakuza II Bowie or other Fogg works. It's the second knife from the Jasper, AL Triumverate in a row where I was dumbstruck by everything but the handle.

And Kevin's comments do fit well into STeven's "piece first" statement. :p

edit to add

Is it okay to call name people after a town if two of them have moved?
 
thombrogan said:
edit to add

Is it okay to call name people after a town if two of them have moved?
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Well...I suppose...but it is not entirely accurate....Don lived in AL for a couple of reasons, and one of them was really not pleasant...he is back in New England where he belongs.

Have you experienced the New England honk, combined with a Southern drawl? It is not pleasant...Don had it slightly, but when I first met Steve Hill, it was HORRIBLE...Like Georgia peaches floating in New England clam chowder...:barf::barf::barf:

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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Funny - that's EXACTLY how I read it as well. :D

ptgdvc said:
It is a bit difficult to argue with the simple fact that $2,000-$3,000 blades from Don Fogg, MS sell within minutes.
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True - and not only is there a ready buyer, cash in hand - there is a line-up of ready buyers, cash in hand, formed within minutes.

I would have been among them, but as I didn't see the e-mail until a half-hour after it had been sent, I knew that there was no point. I figured I'd save Don having to type up another of his very polite "Sorry, this one has been sold..." e-mails.

Come to think of it - it's not a bad position to be in as a maker where for every knife you offer, you make one guy happy and a dozen guys sad.

Roger
 
My preference is this one over the Yazuka bowie, too. It's got beautiful lines. I like Joss' bowie style even better, although snakewood (?) is not on my favorites list. This knife looks larger. I like Joss' clip much more.

I DO think the blackwood handle shape is wonderful, but there is something lacking, and it may be that I simply want more facet pronunciation. I dunno. That's a lot of blank area.

Then again, as STeven allows, simplicity is the art in the piece.

Lastly: I am not on this 'list', nor do I aspire. But it wouldn't be a hard task to send out an automated 'I'll take it' email with a rule from a specific email address. Most email programs have this. I'm not dead certain, but that *may* be where they disappear. Now it would be a matter of server connections in milliseconds fighting for the ownership.... ;)

Coop
 
If Don really wanted to be fair, turning this into a lottery with the willing buyers accepting entry over the course of a day, and then choosing a number related to the order of acceptance notes. Now 10 people have a fair chance instead of my automaton, or the person who attends his email program all day, when others can't.

Coop
 
SharpByCoop said:
...It wouldn't be a hard task to send out an automated 'I'll take it' email with a rule from a specific email address. Most email programs have this. I'm not dead certain, but that *may* be where they disappear. Now it would be a matter of server connections in milliseconds fighting for the ownership.... ;)
Coop
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With the possible exceptions of Russ Andrews and Nick Wheeler, I usually like to look at a knife for 15-20 seconds before I will say "I'll take it". ;)
 
SharpByCoop said:
If Don really wanted to be fair, turning this into a lottery with the willing buyers accepting entry over the course of a day, and then choosing a number related to the order of acceptance notes. Now 10 people have a fair chance instead of my automaton, or the person who attends his email program all day, when others can't.

Coop
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I like Jerry's method of posting up an available piece on his website several weeks in advance of a drawing for right to purchase the piece. This is very fair for everyone. Many don't have access to e-mail during the day.

I usually don't buy on impulse as a result of these notification e-mails. I have found that an "impulse" purchase are very often an "unwise" purchase.
 
I never said I didn't like the piece. Its stunning in many regards. I just don't get the price. No one needs to justify it. It is what it is. I think the handle is amazing but yet doesn't quite match the blade because it oversahadows it. Does that make sense?
 
Bladeandbarrel said:
I never said I didn't like the piece. Its stunning in many regards. I just don't get the price. No one needs to justify it. It is what it is. I think the handle is amazing but yet doesn't quite match the blade because it oversahadows it. Does that make sense?
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Your view is valid. I don't agree but being famous your opinion is probably more valuable than mine... :p

I think the silver does a good job in balancing the knife. The fittings create a clear boundary and I feel the visible grain in the wood and the active hamon visibly separate the parts of the knife. It's one of my favorite bowies from Don.

Joss' example is similar but the gold and exotic wood seem to demand a little more attention. I would agree with your comments more in that case. This piece is somewhat more subtle in an appealing way, to my tastes.
 
Bladeandbarrel said:
I never said I didn't like the piece. Its stunning in many regards. I just don't get the price. No one needs to justify it. It is what it is. I think the handle is amazing but yet doesn't quite match the blade because it oversahadows it. Does that make sense?
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Makes perfect sense. We agree Anthony :thumbup: ;) :D
 
SharpByCoop said:
If Don really wanted to be fair, turning this into a lottery with the willing buyers accepting entry over the course of a day, and then choosing a number related to the order of acceptance notes. Now 10 people have a fair chance instead of my automaton, or the person who attends his email program all day, when others can't.

Coop
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Who ever said that Don wanted to be fair? Screw fair, Coop, life hasn't exactly been fair to Don...as a matter of fact, in many ways, it has been abjectly UNFAIR.:mad:

Fair is that Don will occasionally deign to take an order...giving those that are not using an "automaton" a chance to own his work...what this requires on the part of the collector is making an effort to reach out to the man...something that many people seem unable to do lately.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
More to the point, I don't think Don finds the business aspects that much fun, the way maybe Jerry Fisk does. I think he's got as much of the artistic fiber but much less of the businessman's. Jerry Fisk is a fairly unique combination in his cumul of artistic and business skills. Don is more your usual introvert artist who would be perfectly happy not having to deal with anything besides making the knives, researching the metallurgy, experimenting with designs, etc.

Being an introvert myself, I understand that.

You'll note that *none* of the leading online knife shop use the lottery system. It's all first come first served.

I feel fortunate having somewhat of an ongoing dialog with him, but the best interaction I got with him was when I took the sword forging class he was teaching at some point at the John C. Campbell school. I wasn't ready from a skill standpoint, but I had a blast and I got to see him in his element. That was a lot of fun.
 
By the way, I think that the term "fair" is inappropriate in this context. Don isn't "unfair". He has no obligation, explicit, implicit, moral, whatever, to have a random selection method.

That is a philosophical question that can quickly degenerate in heated political debate
 
Joss said:
By the way, I think that the term "fair" is inappropriate in this context. Don isn't "unfair". He has no obligation, explicit, implicit, moral, whatever, to have a random selection method.

That is a philosophical question that can quickly degenerate in heated political debate
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I agree, Joss. :thumbup:
 
There has always been a special intangible “essence” and sincerity to all Don’s work that I‘ve always been drawn to.

Maybe it’s “ambivalence”,… which isn’t easy to achieve on a consistent basis,… AND, may be the ultimate goal of any artisan.

Regardless of design, balance, etc… the technical excellence, originality and “mastery” are indisputable…
 
Don Fogg's stuff is great. there are somethings I do not care for on this blade but I am sure if I could handle it all these things would disappear. Great knife congrats.
 
CAB said:
I am able to have a prolonged and meaningful dialogue with his work.
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Well said, Craig. IMHO, your comment highlights a major aspect of the collector experience. I think this is why collectors' tastes may change over time. The dialogue of which you speak is dynamic and subject to growth.

It may also explain why some collectors wake up one day and find that they're no longer compelled to pursue that which they formerly desired with such passion. The 'dialogue' may have reached its natural conclusion.
 
HTMD,
Thanks for getting the point. Very people understand my vernacular. Always nice to see someone atleast comment on my comments, good or bad.

CAB
 
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