New makers I want to know more about

Wulf

Wulf

Joined
May 10, 2000
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One maker's name is "Ruth," and his knives are marked as such.

The other one is Mike Johnson, and his knives are marked "Johnson."

Both are Apprentice Smiths in the ABS. Ruth was recently featured in Blade or Knives Illustrated but I seem to have misplaced the issue. Mike Johnson, I am told, will be testing for JS this year at Blade and recently won his first cutting competition.

Can anyone tell me more about either of these makers? They're on my radar screen because the pictures I've seen really appeal to me. Do they have websites? Where can I see more of their work? (There are two Mike Johnson knives currently available from Gary Z at Blackstocks, Inc.).

While we're at it, what other new names should I look out for at Blade?
 
Mike Ruth

I digested the Mike Ruth article and he obviously can make some serious steel and has a good eye for design flow. The thing that struck me about his knives however, was his selection of mediocre handle materials. When I see that, especially in photos for a magazine spread, my alarm bells starting ringing. I will reserve judgement until I actually handle a few of his knives.

Mike Johnson

I was able to examine his knives at the NYC Show in March. I thought his fit and finish was very good. Handsome well executed designs, and first rate handle materials. His prices seemed a bit steep for an "unknown" maker, but he is from NY and the NYC show is an expensive venue. The bottom line is that he either sold out on the first day, or was darn close to it.

IMHO, the ABS could mail him his JS stamp, right now.
 
Derrick, I've been interested in Ruth's work for a while now. I've been looking for a piece to pick up, but I haven't had any luck. I'll fill you in when find one :)
 
Thanks guys.

ptgdvc, the knives I've seen from Mike Ruth all have had nice wooden handles. I like wood, and I'm prefectly OK with its mediocrity - perceived or otherwise ;).

The Mike Johnson knives I saw on Blackstocks, Inc. also caught me as a little pricey for a relatively new, as yet unrated smith. This was part of the reason I asked about his work here. If he's a metallurgical genius who creates high performance knives with excellent fit and finish, I'll happily pay up for his work. I just have no way of knowing, yet, whether or not he is such a maker...
 
Mike Ruth is putting out some pretty nice knives. The fact that they're being snatched up off Amy Hinchman-Pianalto's site is a pretty good indication that somebody out there appreciates his work.

I think he made a pretty good choice on his wood selection in most cases. Curly Maple is a traditional old standby that tends to hold it's value well on the second market. Last time I checked I believe it was right behind Arizona Desert Ironwood, which is the number one wood for holding it's value.

I also like the Bowie with the African Blackwood handle. In my opinion African Blackwood is an underrated, under used wood. It's the second densest wood on the planet as far as I know -- right behind Lignum Vitae. It's not a highly figured wood, but it's good stuff. And used as it was in Mike's Bowie, I think it was a perfect choice. It just looks "right" for that knife.

Mike's pricing looks good too. That same Bowie I keep talking about is an 8" blade with a hammer textured oval guard, an intricately fileworked ferrule, and an inlaid escutcheon for $495. And it comes with both a Kenny Rowe sheath and a zippered pouch. Dang.

Mike is a good, honest, friendly fellow as well. That's always a plus. He works at a print shop and does a lot of work for the ABS. He also does business cards for a lot of us. Not that it has anything to do with his knifemaking abilities. It's just that a lot of us know him and like him.

I don't know Mike Johnson and I haven't seen his work, but I wouldn't put too much into whether or not a guy is a rated smith. Not being rated only means one thing for sure -- that being that the maker hasn't done the test. Ratings aren't handed out. The testing is applied for.

By the way, Mike Ruth is not an Apprentice. He has his ABS Journeyman's stamp.

How collectible these two will be is going up to you guys.
 
Great input Terry.

I really like the blades I've seen of Ruth's... nice designs and they look to be very clean.

I'm not familiar with Johnson, but it looks like me's making some real clean stuff.

Oh yea, and speaking of new makers to look up at Blade? ME!@$^!&@! :p

Look'n forward to seeing you again Derrick! :D I miss your contribution to this forum. :(


-Nick-
http://www.wheelerknives.com
 
primos said:
I wouldn't put too much into whether or not a guy is a rated smith. Not being rated only means one thing for sure -- that being that the maker hasn't done the test.
Click to expand...

I'm with you there. I own a few knives from this guy named Primos who doesn't put any extra letters next to his name on the knives he makes, but he's got years of experience in the field and produces an extremely high quality knife. I already know he's an exceptionally talented maker and that's enough for me.

That said, I've never seen Mike Johnson's work in person, nor have I heard any testimonials from those who have. In such a case, a rating is at least a reassurance, particularly if the knives available for sale command prices consistent with that level of quality and experience.

Thanks also for the clarification on Mike Ruth and for sharing your thoughts.

Does anyone know if he'll be at Blade?

Edited to add:
Nick, you're no longer the new new thing. The word is out, pal. You're yesterday's news. :p Everyone already knows you make a great knife so it's not fun anymore. Sorry :D I'll still come over and say hello and maybe arm wrestle you or something.
 
Wulf,

I have no problem whatsoever with wood as a handle material.
It can be superb or uninspiring depending on the piece selected.

FYI: Mike Ruth Table 22R

Best,

Peter
 
I have Mike Ruth on the short list I think are up and comers.
 
To return to the (implied) question in the initial post: does anyone have contact info for Misters Ruth and Johnson?
 
Woodwork, they are both on there. I have 5 I keep an eye on right now.

I think Mike has a web site. Ruthknives.com
 
Both are good makers and if you want one you better get on the list now. I have had the oppertunity to work with and know both makers Ruth and Johnson and there work is great.
Reggie
 
In no particular order.
Mike Ruth
Dan Farr who is pretty much established so will go to the A list next year
Brett Gatlin
Sam Butler
John Martin
These are guys that offer good value, good work as well as good work and business ethics. All are honest and treats people right, you will be seeing more of them as time goes on.
 
I've seen and handled Mike Johnson's knives. First saw them at NYC's November show the NYCKS, then again in March at the ECCKS. If memory serves me correctly, his prices were much more reasonable in November 04. I almost bought a couple. Couldn't find any faults in the fit and finish on quick cursory inspection that you do at the table while talking to the guy. He had a bent blade there that I thought was his JS testing knife. He said no, it was just one that he was testing on his own and thought it would be a good conversation starter for people passing by his table. That same knife had dimples in it where he tested the Rockwell hardness.

In March 05, it seemed to me his knives in general reached a higher level than before. I dunno, something about the tapering of the blade that looked sleeker. The prices seemed to jump by 25-50% too, though I do recall that I was looking at the larger knives whereas in November I was looking at the hunters, so that could have skewed my memory of the pricing.

What really impressed me about Mike's work is that his handle designs are very comfy. I picked up a fighter at the March show and almost bought it, but thought it was a more than I was willing to pay for someone I hadn't really heard about that much. I was sore tempted though.

I think that had I not been to Blade last year and made myself promise to save money throughout the year for Blade '05, that I would have bought 2 or 3 of Mike Johnson's knives during those 2 NY shows.

Edited: I got my dates all screwed up in my first posting. Edited them to show the correct order, NYC shows in November 04 and March 05.
 
... is my Dad's name.

Getting one of the knifemaker's knives for my Dad would be kinda neat --- it would have his name stamped right on it --- talk about a personalized custom!
 
I have an order placed with John Parks from North Carolina. Seemed like a very congenial man on the phone and his forging work is reminiscent of a simpler Pearce. You can see why I'd favor him. :)

Coop
 
I wanted one of John Parks knives from his table at Blade last year, but they were already sold. I look forward to seeing what he has this year. I'll try to hit his table earlier.
 
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