Hi Joe. I've had several of Phil's and Phil's knives over the years. I had a Longer Katana years ago when I studied at Sensei Kiyoshi Yamazaki's studio at the Japanese Cultural center in Orange County. I bought the sword from Phil, and he said, "Well, now that you have it, wouldn't you like to really know how to use it?" I couldn't argue with that logic, so he introduced me to Sensei Y, and I studied there for a few years. I used to let people that needed to cut to advance to the next rank use it, because I knew what their experience would be (Holy $hiiznit!) and that there was no way they'd damage it.
I ran into some financial hard times and had to sell it, but Phil told me that he made the blade to help me, however it could, so I shouldn't feel bad about selling it. Made me feel a little better. Over the years the Two Phil(l)s made several knives for me, and I currently have a Special Aikuchi that young Phill thinks his dad made in the mid-70's, with a regular, repeating hamon, and a stitched sheath the Phill said he didn't know his dad had ever done before, a couple of kozukas, and a Mountain Man combat camp knife that I had Phill scale up for me. It's wicked.
I miss Phil dearly, as I'd meet the other Saturday morning regulars in his shop on most weeks, and we'd cut and swap stories. We used to hang a sheet of legal paper by a couple of pieces of tape, mark a specific line on it, and see who could make the closest, straightest cut.
It seems that Phill Jr. has possibly closed the shop as I can't reach him any more and he won't respond to emails.
Have you heard from him recently?
That El Salvadoran Tanto is fantastic. If I had the means, that's what I'd have Phill do for me next. Just beautiful.
James
