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Nick Wheeler Damascus Fighter
- Thread starter Kevin Jones
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After seeing David's mock-up of Jere's engraving, especially if you visualize the pin engraved also, I'd have to think real hard, Kevin....that looks pretty neat.
John
John
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Gotta admit, that full engraving mock-up does look nice. I think it might look even better with a little gold mixed into the engraving to complement the brown handle.
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First of all, thanks everyone for your positive comments on the fighter and your advice on whether to engrave it. And a special thanks to David for the mock-up. You're incredible in that you didn't just add engraving but added typical Jere Davidson engraving. And it is about what I pictured in my mind's eye with possibly a little inlay.
My question wasn't so much aimed towards whether Jere could improve the look of the fighter but more if I wanted a more elegant look that engraving would supply or retain the super-clean Nick Wheeler sole authorship.
Even though I'm a fan of engraving and feel the embellishment will add I'm still leaning towards leaving this knife "pure" Nick.
Another substantial consideration for me when pondering engraving, is whether engraving a knife will increase the value of it over and above the cost of engraving. In this case I feel it definitely will considering the value received from both Nick and Jere's skill and pricing.
I'm going to take this thread a little off it's original course, to ask an interesting question, or at least a question I'm interested in.
As I stated in my original post, I asked Nick shortly after I purchased the fighter if he would mind if I had the piece engraved by Jere? He seemed OK with it. One thought would be why ask, as it's MY knife. Well a knife may have many owners over a 100 years, however will only have one maker and the mark will most always identify him/her.
So makers, how do you feel about embellishments or changes being made to your knives after it leaving you? Do you expect or at least like to be asked?
If someone screws the knife up, your name is tied to it forever.
My question wasn't so much aimed towards whether Jere could improve the look of the fighter but more if I wanted a more elegant look that engraving would supply or retain the super-clean Nick Wheeler sole authorship.
Even though I'm a fan of engraving and feel the embellishment will add I'm still leaning towards leaving this knife "pure" Nick.
Another substantial consideration for me when pondering engraving, is whether engraving a knife will increase the value of it over and above the cost of engraving. In this case I feel it definitely will considering the value received from both Nick and Jere's skill and pricing.
I'm going to take this thread a little off it's original course, to ask an interesting question, or at least a question I'm interested in.
As I stated in my original post, I asked Nick shortly after I purchased the fighter if he would mind if I had the piece engraved by Jere? He seemed OK with it. One thought would be why ask, as it's MY knife. Well a knife may have many owners over a 100 years, however will only have one maker and the mark will most always identify him/her.
So makers, how do you feel about embellishments or changes being made to your knives after it leaving you? Do you expect or at least like to be asked?
If someone screws the knife up, your name is tied to it forever.
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2001
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I find that 'empty space' to be a great separator of the busy wood and the busy steel. Engrave it fully as well, and then the knife is just... busy.
That said, engrave a thin strip border on the handle side and a touch of floral in this stripe, and then you have both: Clean empty space and touch of a flourish.
That's me.
Coop
That said, engrave a thin strip border on the handle side and a touch of floral in this stripe, and then you have both: Clean empty space and touch of a flourish.
That's me.
Coop
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BUSY? Have you opened my Bruce Bump Allen Pinkerton Bowie yet? :foot:
Busy can be good? Can't it
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I guess you're right. I'm working on THAT one right now. I thought I was busy, but then in comparison to the BB spectacle, I'm relaxing with a long cool drink....
It's all good.
Coop
It's all good.
Coop
- Joined
- Dec 3, 1999
- Messages
- 9,437
Thanks for all the posts folks
I thought Kevin's idea was a neat one, and one that could potentially step this knife up to another level. Even though I'm not normally real big into engraving... I've never had a knife engraved so it does intrigue me. Dr. Darom's photoshop really is amazing and makes me think it could look very nice on this piece.
Good question from Kevin. When he asked me about the engraving my immediate response was, "You paid your hard earned money for it, it's yours now and you can do whatever you want with it."
But I realize that that's probably an overly general statement. If you're reading this post, you're probably familiar with the term, "Garssonizing." As a maker, I can understand why it would be frustrating.
It sounds artsy and pretentious, but once you put your name on a knife you are signing it away as part of your autobiography. Whether the knife is butt ugly, or stunning.... you are marking it as your work. If someone comes along and changes it, it may totally change how people view your body of work (even if it's THE only piece of yours they ever see).
So to answer Kevin's question, for me... it really depends on the nature of the changes. In this specific example, I think Kevin has very good taste and wouldn't opt to do something if he felt would hurt the overall aesthetics or the value of the knife. I am completely fine with whatever he chooses.
If it's something like STeven wanting to take 1/2" off the butt of a handle, I'd PREFER he gave me first chance at making it suit him better... but in the end realize it's the owner's call.
Thanks again to Kevin for adding this to his collection, and also for getting the beautiful photograph from Chuck!!!
I thought Kevin's idea was a neat one, and one that could potentially step this knife up to another level. Even though I'm not normally real big into engraving... I've never had a knife engraved so it does intrigue me. Dr. Darom's photoshop really is amazing and makes me think it could look very nice on this piece.
Good question from Kevin. When he asked me about the engraving my immediate response was, "You paid your hard earned money for it, it's yours now and you can do whatever you want with it."
But I realize that that's probably an overly general statement. If you're reading this post, you're probably familiar with the term, "Garssonizing." As a maker, I can understand why it would be frustrating.
It sounds artsy and pretentious, but once you put your name on a knife you are signing it away as part of your autobiography. Whether the knife is butt ugly, or stunning.... you are marking it as your work. If someone comes along and changes it, it may totally change how people view your body of work (even if it's THE only piece of yours they ever see).
So to answer Kevin's question, for me... it really depends on the nature of the changes. In this specific example, I think Kevin has very good taste and wouldn't opt to do something if he felt would hurt the overall aesthetics or the value of the knife. I am completely fine with whatever he chooses.
If it's something like STeven wanting to take 1/2" off the butt of a handle, I'd PREFER he gave me first chance at making it suit him better... but in the end realize it's the owner's call.
Thanks again to Kevin for adding this to his collection, and also for getting the beautiful photograph from Chuck!!!
Last edited:
Kohai999
Second Degree Cutter
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- Jul 15, 2003
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I personally feel that just some engraving on the pin would be the way to go, but it is Kevin's option.
As far as modifying a maker's work, Nick, MOST makers are too close to the work to see an issue, could be a proud pin or bolster, or just not taking the time to clean out buffing compound from the screw holes.....I was at The Gathering in Las Vegas this weekend and pointed out two rather glaring issues on a knife I was looking at to a very experienced and renowned maker...it happens.
If it is a "small" mod.....as above, I see no reason to involve the maker....if it is 1/2" off the handle, or something that is major, will USUALLY give the maker the option of making the modification.....if the maker has said no or given me crap about it previously, that option is null and void.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
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Whether too, what, or how much to embellish a knife is always an interesting dilemma to me. There's usually many opinions and reasons supporting both sides.
I posted "WIP" photos here a few years ago when Jerry was making my Fisk Gambler Set. Though we had already decided to engrave/inlay the knives some thought it best to leave them without further embellishment.
I guess in the end it just boils down to personnel preference.
I always prefer engraving to be done by the knifemaker as long as the knifemaker is a good engraver of course. Seems like more and more knifemakers are adding engraving to their bag of tricks these days.
I posted "WIP" photos here a few years ago when Jerry was making my Fisk Gambler Set. Though we had already decided to engrave/inlay the knives some thought it best to leave them without further embellishment.
I guess in the end it just boils down to personnel preference.
I always prefer engraving to be done by the knifemaker as long as the knifemaker is a good engraver of course. Seems like more and more knifemakers are adding engraving to their bag of tricks these days.
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- Dec 6, 2006
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Very nice score Kevin!!! I'm liking those Nick Wheeler lines on this one, clean and crisp.
To engrave or not...
In the past, I wasn't a big fan of engraving, but a few recent aquisitions from Bruce Bump and Tom Ferry have included engraving, and it really comes off when it's done right and, in my opinion, not too ostentatious...
In this case, while Nick's knife is fantastic in it's native state, I think the mock up David has provided would really add to this particular knife! :thumbup:
I'd say "Go for it!"
Great score Kevin!
In the past, I wasn't a big fan of engraving, but a few recent aquisitions from Bruce Bump and Tom Ferry have included engraving, and it really comes off when it's done right and, in my opinion, not too ostentatious...
In this case, while Nick's knife is fantastic in it's native state, I think the mock up David has provided would really add to this particular knife! :thumbup:
I'd say "Go for it!"
Great score Kevin!
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