Passing of John White

Bummer, super nice guy. We had a good conversation about faceted peened pins at the last Little Rock show. Condolences to his family.
 
I never met John but spoke with him a few times, he was always willing to help and answer my sometime lame questions, I will miss his willingness to help.
Smoke sent

Mike
 
Sad news indeed! He was a true master and the ultimate gentleman. All my best to his family.

We'll miss you, John.

Gary
 
Quite a few new knifemakers come here to show their first pieces. They always get a friendly audience and some encouragements, with a few advice. In most cases, the quality is quite low, to be frank. When John showed his first few pieces here on BF, I was flabbergasted by the quality of his work. I quickly placed an order, but by then his wait time had grew long indeed and eventually I had to cancel the order after I left my job in 2008. He was a giant, and he is sorely missed.
 
I met John White at a past Blade. He was a real gentleman. His knives looked to be as perfectly crafted as any i had ever seen. Every detail was exactly done. His name will have an enduring presence through everything and everyone he touched. It is a shame to lose someone before they are finished their creative work. He was certainly not.
Condolences to his friends and family.
David
 
I am saddened by this news. I only talk to John a couple of times at the Arkansas show. I knew I wasn't able to afford his work and felt that I was interrupting his business. He didn't make me feel that way, he was so personable and kind even knowing that I wasn't in a position to buy from him. He was very open to answer my questions and even looked at a knife I had made and offered advise without making me feel as though I was intruding in any way. What a fine gentleman. I can only wish I could have known him better.

Condolences and prayers for Jill and those who morn.

Chris
 
So glad you were a friend of mine. Sail on brother, sail on...

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Another sad news in this world,a gentleman is gone, all my thoughts to his family.
Good speed Mister White
 
so sad and a huge loss for the whole knife-community!
best wishes to his family.

gerhard
 
Sorry to hear this. Prayers sent.
Met him once at blade, where he explained one of his fantastic knives too me. Showed me details, I'd never found.
Very friendly nice person - that's what knives are about - made me feel welcome.
Forever in my memories.
red mag
 
I'm so sorry to hear this, our community has suffered a great loss indeed. John was a tremendous and talented maker and an even better person. My sincerest condolences to Jill and all who called John friend.
 
John's passing is a tragic loss to our community.

That so many of us thought of him as a friend, is a testament to the caliber of personality that John possessed. He was the type of person who made you feel that you had just made a good friend with your first meeting. His infectious enthusiasm for the art of knifemaking made him a joy to be around. His generous sharing of his knowledge and humble attitude towards his own skills, set an example for all of us.

We were blessed to have him in our midst for a short time.

Prayers to Jill, John's family and all who hurt from the loss of our Dear Friend.
 
Per Dan Cassidy, ABS Webmaster, Journeyman Smith and fellow Coloradan:

One of my tasks as ABS Webmaster is to post profile information for our Master Smiths on their individual profile pages on the ABS Website. John had a section on knife awards in his profile that I continuously updated and I want to share it with you.

Awards

2014 Blade Show - Best Fixed Blade
2014 Arkansas Custom Knifemakers Show- Best Camp Knife

2013 Blade Show - Best of Show
2013 Blade Show - Best Damascus Knife
2013 Blade Show - Best Bowie
2013-Arkansas Custom Knifemakers Show
Best Damascus Knife

2011- Blade Show
Best Damascus Knife
2011- Blade Show
Best Bowie

2010- Blade Show
Best Damascus Knife
2010- Arkansas Custom Knifemakers Show
Best Bowie

2009-Arkansas Custom Knifemakers Show
Best Art Knife
Best Bowie
Best Hunter

2008-Bladehandmade Award
Best Damascus
2008-Blade Show
Best Damascus Knife
2008-Arkansas Custom Knifemakers Show
Best of Show
Best Bowie

2007-American Bladesmith Society
Bill Moran Award-Knife of the Year
2007-Arkansas Custom Knifemakers Show
Best Hunter
Best Fighter

2005-Arkansas Custom Knifemakers Show
Best Fighter

2004-American Bladesmith Society
George Peck Award- Best Journeyman Knife
2004-Blade Show
Best New Maker
 
Buddy, thank you so much for that. I also very much appreciated the photos of him and his work you shared above. I wonder if you and/or Jim Cooper might have time to pull whatever photos you have of his knives, especially photos with him in them, for a tribute thread we could all join in on and contribute to? I think John would have enjoyed the idea of that kind of testimonial, and I know all of us here on the forums would, too. Just a thought.

I hope this is an appropriate place to make this request--thanks for considering it.
Will
 
Will,

Here are some photos of John. One of the things that I will miss is the sparkle in his eyes and his grin.











 
jjtjr said:
One of the things that I will miss is the sparkle in his eyes and his grin.
Click to expand...

So true--thanks, Jim! Those photos are wonderful--I hope people are returning to this thread so they get to see those.

I think that big Persian of yours was one of the knives he was most proud of--for good reason!
 
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