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Copy from the Daily Freeman's web page
ELLENVILLE - He's a man with a mission, and he's "cutting edge" when it comes to all things related to knives.
Richard Langston, an author, lecturer, collector and all-around knife enthusiast, has brought examples from his huge collection of knives, along with a staggering amount of historical background of knife-making in the area, to the Ellenville Library's museum gallery.
His collection of knives and related historical memorabilia, which friends estimate to number in the thousands of pieces, is the result of more than 50 years of interest in local knife-making - not just the recently shutdown Imperial Schrade in Wawarsing, but earlier manufacturers in Napanoch, Walden and Connecticut.
"It's always been a passion of mine," said Langston, who lives in the Shawangunk hamlet of Wallkill.
His fascination with knives doesn't stop with glass topped, velvet lined glass cases of the many kinds he's collected. He's mesmerized by the long history of the business of knife-making - not just the knives they made, but what these factories meant to the communities in which they were located.
Along with collecting, writing a book on the subject of automatic knives (also known as "switch blades"), and becoming a sought-after expert in the field, Langston wants to establish a museum to the industry, preserving its work.
"People forget the tremendous contribution made by these companies," Langston said. "I find it very, very disheartening, what happened to Schrade. This is the history I would like to see preserved."
All serious collectors can relate to Langston's stories of the acquisition of some of his most treasured items.
"I used to go hunting with the guys," Langston said, but he quickly found out he preferred butchering and cooking to the hunt. "I never took one cent for the butchering," but after doing this for five generations of cutlers, men who worked in the trade, he said word got around, and he was often "paid" with a knife.
Collectors branch out into what are called "peripheral" collections, Langston said. His own now includes many kinds of knives (his favorite genre remains the automatic knife, the subject of his book) and the tools and dies used to make knives, as well as advertising and other memorabilia.
Buffalo Bill was one of the first celebrities to endorse a product, and just the paper that came with that knife is now worth $400, Langston said.
Langston's passion for knives has extended into the state Legislature. At his urging, state Sen. William Larkin, R-Cornwall, and Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, D-Forestburgh, have agreed to introduce a bill to end a 1958 prohibition on owning automatic knives.
"You can own an automatic knife if you have a hunting, fishing or trapping license, or are engaged in that procedure," Langston said. "The law is seldom enforced, but when it is, knives are confiscated and sometimes never returned."
Even so, Langston doesn't see much chance of the bill being passed.
"It was only done to appease me," he said. "It's going to die in committee."
The exhibit continues through the end of the month at the Ellenville Public Library and Museum, 40 Center St.
Check out the daily freeman's web page and see the picture of LT and his huge display case.
http://www.dailyfreeman.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16119876&BRD=1769&PAG=461&dept_id=74969&rfi=6
ELLENVILLE - He's a man with a mission, and he's "cutting edge" when it comes to all things related to knives.
Richard Langston, an author, lecturer, collector and all-around knife enthusiast, has brought examples from his huge collection of knives, along with a staggering amount of historical background of knife-making in the area, to the Ellenville Library's museum gallery.
His collection of knives and related historical memorabilia, which friends estimate to number in the thousands of pieces, is the result of more than 50 years of interest in local knife-making - not just the recently shutdown Imperial Schrade in Wawarsing, but earlier manufacturers in Napanoch, Walden and Connecticut.
"It's always been a passion of mine," said Langston, who lives in the Shawangunk hamlet of Wallkill.
His fascination with knives doesn't stop with glass topped, velvet lined glass cases of the many kinds he's collected. He's mesmerized by the long history of the business of knife-making - not just the knives they made, but what these factories meant to the communities in which they were located.
Along with collecting, writing a book on the subject of automatic knives (also known as "switch blades"), and becoming a sought-after expert in the field, Langston wants to establish a museum to the industry, preserving its work.
"People forget the tremendous contribution made by these companies," Langston said. "I find it very, very disheartening, what happened to Schrade. This is the history I would like to see preserved."
All serious collectors can relate to Langston's stories of the acquisition of some of his most treasured items.
"I used to go hunting with the guys," Langston said, but he quickly found out he preferred butchering and cooking to the hunt. "I never took one cent for the butchering," but after doing this for five generations of cutlers, men who worked in the trade, he said word got around, and he was often "paid" with a knife.
Collectors branch out into what are called "peripheral" collections, Langston said. His own now includes many kinds of knives (his favorite genre remains the automatic knife, the subject of his book) and the tools and dies used to make knives, as well as advertising and other memorabilia.
Buffalo Bill was one of the first celebrities to endorse a product, and just the paper that came with that knife is now worth $400, Langston said.
Langston's passion for knives has extended into the state Legislature. At his urging, state Sen. William Larkin, R-Cornwall, and Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, D-Forestburgh, have agreed to introduce a bill to end a 1958 prohibition on owning automatic knives.
"You can own an automatic knife if you have a hunting, fishing or trapping license, or are engaged in that procedure," Langston said. "The law is seldom enforced, but when it is, knives are confiscated and sometimes never returned."
Even so, Langston doesn't see much chance of the bill being passed.
"It was only done to appease me," he said. "It's going to die in committee."
The exhibit continues through the end of the month at the Ellenville Public Library and Museum, 40 Center St.
Check out the daily freeman's web page and see the picture of LT and his huge display case.
http://www.dailyfreeman.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16119876&BRD=1769&PAG=461&dept_id=74969&rfi=6
