Opinions About Two Knifemakers?

W

Walker

Joined
Feb 28, 1999
Messages
139
I went to the Shenandoah Knife Collectors Show in Harrisonburg, Virginia yesterday and have a couple of questions about two knifemakers I met there and one interesting knife. Maybe this group can help me resolve them.

The two knifemakers were "J. P. Elliott" (I think, his card uses very fancy script) of Charleston, West Virginia, and "Jim Siska," of Westfield, Massachussetts. Both displayed very high quality knives. Have any of you had any dealings with, or knowledge of, these two gentlemen?

My second issue regards a matter of knife construction of one of Mr. Siska's knives, a fixed blade, double-hilter fighter (damascus blade, though that isn't relevant). The knife felt and looked very nice, and I noticed that there was no silver solder line at the hilt/blade join. I commented on his tight tolerances there, and he told me the whole knife could be taken down, as there was no glue or solder anywhere in the handle. I then noticed the buttcap had an extension with a hole through it to allow torque to unscrew the butt.

The worksmanship was impressive. I've been away from the knife scene for a few years and don't know what is common, and what is "cutting edge," so to speak. Which is this? Also, is it a good idea?
 
Gee a user knife that you can take down to clean. Sounds like an extremely intelligent idea to me.
 
Jim Siska is from my neck of the woods.I have handled many of his knives and the workmanship is suberb. He uses Jerry Rado's Damascus.A lot of quality work for a reasonable price.
Bob
 
I am not familiar with J.P. Elliot.

I really like Jim Siskas work. I have only owned one of his fighters, but handled a few more. Good disigns, great craftsmanship, good value.

Mr. Siska is definitely a craftsman/artist.

 
A take down knife sounds like a great idea!
The tolerances required to do this well should be all the recommendation you need! If the knife you looked at felt solid to you, then he must be really good!
The problems with making a knife like this, is that if there's any room for movement at all, no amount of torqueing on a single screw or bolt will make the knife solid and lock the parts together.
SO like I said, it it felt solid, he must be pretty darn good! I'm going to keep my eyes open and looking for an example.
What kind of price range was this knife running in?

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I cut it, and I cut it, and it's STILL too short!

 
Jim Siska is a fantastic maker, quality wise, and his prices are VERY reasonable. I have known him for over 10 years-always has a kind word, and will help in any way possible a fellow knifemaker.

RJj Martin
 
Could someone post contact info on Mr. Siska? It'd be nice to know a maker in my neck of the woods.
Aaron

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Why did you stab that girl?
You won't believe this, but I had too much coffee!
-Edmond by David Mamet
aaronm@cs.brandeis.edu
 
I have only met Jim Siska once, but I think very highly of him and the quality of his work. I do not feel you could go wrong asking him to make you a knife.
Jim Siska
6 Highland Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Email me if you want his phone or fax number
 
Siska's work looked good, and I hadn't thought about the tolerances needing to be tight, and not just tightening a screw, to keep the solid feel. It's good work, whether or not the take-down knife itself is a good concept.

The one drawback in the take-down concept that I can imagine is that the tolerances, no matter how tight, will not be waterproof, and therefore _will_ require take-down and cleaning, which would not be required in a sealed knife. I look at the take-down as a demonstration of Siska's skill as a maker and a demonstration of what he can do, rather than as a utility to be sought. Others may want this capability.
 
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