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A huge loss. My prayers for him and his family
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Passing of John White
- Thread starter tvandeventer
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here is the one John White Bowie that I still own having obtained it from Roger P.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 1999
- Messages
- 2,914
here is the one John White Bowie that I still own having obtained it from Roger P.
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Very sad news. I have met him several times at Blade and he always had nice words about my knives but also some things to pay attention to.
When I told him his knives are the only ones that look exactly as in the pics he answered with a grin.
Great man.
When I told him his knives are the only ones that look exactly as in the pics he answered with a grin.
Great man.
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One of the things that I loved about John was that he was not afraid to stretch his abilities and to try something new. Working with John was a true pleasure. He was very enthusiastic about each project. He would listen and share ideas. He would usually send progress photos as he made the knife. He always delivered when he said he would and the great quality of his knives kept improving. His fit and finish were second to none. He was a true Master.
He made his first Dogbone Bowie for me. It won "Best Damascus" at the 2010 Blade Show. It was the first of many great John White Dogbone knives:
He also made his first Persian knife for me.
The next knife John made for me was something completely different., a Dogbone Pushdagger. I wanted something to compliment my White Dogbone. John was not afraid to think outside the box and he delivered exactly what I wanted.
The last knife John White knife that I acquired was not new. It was his 2007 MS Test Dagger. A friend of mine was selling it and John had it on his table at this year's Blade Show. He told me that he wanted to take it home and refinish it. I bought it from my friend and John made a very nice knife even better. He was always striving to improve his great work.
Here is the original:
Here it is after John made a couple of subtle changes to the tip and guard:
He was one of a kind.
He made his first Dogbone Bowie for me. It won "Best Damascus" at the 2010 Blade Show. It was the first of many great John White Dogbone knives:
He also made his first Persian knife for me.
The next knife John made for me was something completely different., a Dogbone Pushdagger. I wanted something to compliment my White Dogbone. John was not afraid to think outside the box and he delivered exactly what I wanted.
The last knife John White knife that I acquired was not new. It was his 2007 MS Test Dagger. A friend of mine was selling it and John had it on his table at this year's Blade Show. He told me that he wanted to take it home and refinish it. I bought it from my friend and John made a very nice knife even better. He was always striving to improve his great work.
Here is the original:
Here it is after John made a couple of subtle changes to the tip and guard:
He was one of a kind.
Last edited:
The Amazing Virginian
Gold Member
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Buddy, thanks for posting all that. I was going to try to research it but you sure saved a lot of trouble. He sure left quite a legacy in the knife world in a short time - and not just the awards you posted but the friendship, assistance, and mentoring he provided to so many.
Here it is after John made a couple of subtle changes to the tip and guard:
He was one of a kind.
Sure was. The revised version of that knife just shouted "John White" to me the first time I saw it when you posted it here a few months ago. I realize that this will probably sound odd to anyone but me, but the handle reminded me of the tall hat he wore so often, the reworked guard his recognizable 'stache, and the Damascus that sparkle in his eye you mentioned earlier and which others have mentioned.
And that sparkle is what I will always remember. Every time I spoke with him, he had that. You just knew something cool was going on in his head. I am glad that I met him and got to enjoy his company on a few occasions.
I've never meet him, but i consider him one of the most inspiratory bladesmith i've ever known. One of those, with his exemple, who make me improve my skills and try to "raise the bar". With his works he indirectly helped me to find my way in knifemaking, and i'll always remember it. I'm sorrowful, my sincere condolences to his friends and family.
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What a great photo Jim. That was John, Chuck Kerwin, Larry Bailey and you with your back to us at the very first CKCA Banquet at Blade Show in 2008.
Larry (a pass vice-president) passed away in March 2011. He, like John, was an outstanding individual who gave so much to custom knives.
Here's a piece John made for me a couple years ago. We collectors always get excited about a new knife, but John seemed to get as exicited about making them. Anyone else ever notice that?
Larry (a pass vice-president) passed away in March 2011. He, like John, was an outstanding individual who gave so much to custom knives.
Here's a piece John made for me a couple years ago. We collectors always get excited about a new knife, but John seemed to get as exicited about making them. Anyone else ever notice that?
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The last thing we talked about at Blade this year was his next project, which was going to be long and drawn out, and he was ecstatic about it.
I just learned about John and am devastated. Cancer can be such a terrible thing. John had so much more life to live. I feel fortunate to have known him as a friend since he let my wife and I stop by his first shop (his boat building shop) on our way back from a Florida trip. All he knew about me at the time was I had read about him in Blade, and something told me I needed to meet this craftsman. He was so kind to us from day one and I will miss him dearly.
- Joe
black mamba
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John and Jill at BLADE 2010.
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John's passing has been on my mind since the start of this thread.
His knives were always something I would look forward to seeing.
I have to admit I had taken things for granted that I would see something new from him every so often.
But for him to pass so quickly made me rethink taking people for granted.
My condolences to family and friends.
Mr. White will be missed by more people than you can imagine.
His knives were always something I would look forward to seeing.
I have to admit I had taken things for granted that I would see something new from him every so often.
But for him to pass so quickly made me rethink taking people for granted.
My condolences to family and friends.
Mr. White will be missed by more people than you can imagine.
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I never met him, but it made me happy when John would comment on my knives. Coming from a smith of his caliber, any compliment or critique is worth its weight in steel.
I thought his work was amazing, and had imagined a day when I'd get to pick his brain about those stellar explosion wraps at a knife show. I am saddened by his passing, and my thoughts are with those that knew him better than I did.
I thought his work was amazing, and had imagined a day when I'd get to pick his brain about those stellar explosion wraps at a knife show. I am saddened by his passing, and my thoughts are with those that knew him better than I did.
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I first saw this thread just after Caleb Royer posted the first reply. Not being a maker or proper collector myself I didn't feel worthy of posting my thoughts. But I will honestly miss John's wit and of course his superb knives. Take care Jill and family.