Pioneers and Legends of Knifemaking

[Bobby Branton]

I have a soft spot in my heart for the pioneers and legends of the knifemaking world. When I attended my first Blade Show in 1985 in Knoxville, Tennessee, I had the privilege of meeting Joe Drouin, world renown knife collector. Joe invited me to hold all of these fantastic blades that I had only read about. I noticed on the corner of his table he had a small collection of blades made by deceased makers. I thought to myself, what a tribute to these men and women. Every year that I attended a show where Joe was displaying his collection, I noticed the little section starting to grow a little more each year. I then started a small collection of deceased makers, so that one day, I might be able to display my collection to a whole new audience of men and women who may not have known these men and women. I have approx 25 pieces.
Show us your knives by these great men and women. I'll try to shoot a few pics later this week. I am always looking for an interesting peice if the price is right. I am looking for a couple more pieces before I try to display them at a major show. I hope one day to carry on where Joe left off. This is our history.

Bobby

Pic on the left

left side, top to bottom

Harry Morseth
Pete Callan
Bob Ogg
Don Hastings
Jim Nolen

Right side, top to bottom

C.M. "Pete" Heath
Frank Richtig
W.C. Pass
Tom Hetmanski
Sonneville


Pic on the right

left side, top to bottom

Ron Little
Ron Little
Dave Murphy
Harvey McBurnette
Royal Hanson
Pete Callan

Bottom
Barry Wood

Right side, top to bottom

Red Watson
Lou Hegedus
Harold Rollins
William Bennett
Jimmy Lile

 

[Win Heger]

Great job, Bobby. Having a history is one of the great things about collecting knives. So many new people coming into the hobby that have no idea of the history. I really want to thank you for showing these knives.

I think I've only got two in my collection a Lile and a Dave Murphy. In fact I use a Murphy as my steak knife and it always reminds me of the past.

Thanks,
Win

 

[Fort Henry Custom Knives]

Beautiful collection Bobby and something that collectors today don't see much of at all on line. I think there are a large portion of users / collectors who only see work from those makers that "internet savvy" or have friends who are. Shame, as the present and future are built on the past.

If I remember you also have some fine Ruana knives. I love all of Rudy's work, I would love to see some of those added..... I could forward a couple of pics of some of mine to you, just let me know.

I also really like your Morseth and Nolen knives. :thumbup:

Thanks for sharing!!

 

[Stumpy]

That is a very cool tribute you have there Bobby.Fantastic knives with some very unique styles.It just reminds me how little I know about this hobby.

 

[Wulf]

Pioneers and legends indeed. Their work endures...

I hate putting this one in the same category...

an early Buster Warenski skinner

 

[Dawkind]

A bali by the late, great Ron Miller........a pioneer in the art of the two-handled knife.

 

[dniice87]

WOW! that balisong is beautiful! :thumbup:

 

[helmar4578]

Ron Miller will long be missed by those who knew him. Our homes were open to each other. We were friends. He, Charles Ochs, and Reese Wieland collaborated on "The Black One" ,a fabulous switchblade developed for the Seals. I believe that Charley continues to make them. ---Sandy---

 

[Mike Franklin]

The first custom knifemaker I ever met was Jimmy Lile. We talked on the phone. I sent him knives. He was encouraging and polite. He ended up jurying my knives at my first Guild Show in 1974. There were 40 of us, I believe. I have a Rambo First Blood, and a small button folder with elephant ivory. They are prized possessions I shared tables at shows with Ron Little and Red Watson. I knew Will Pass, Don Hastings, Jim Nolen, Harvey MacBurnette, and Buster Warenski. There are many, many more. I may not have been personal friends with every knifemaker in the Guild, but I knew their faces, and their knives.

Many of you probably don't know me(and it's hard tellin what you've heard), but now I am HAWG! Knives. I don't get on here often, but I just had to answer this thread. There are those of us who were there, and are still around, at the grinder. If you have questions, I'll answer. Hopefully, there won't be one of my knives on that end of the table, at least for a while. And you know what they say, "If you speak their names, they still live". So, keep speaking their names.

Mike Franklin