Pronghorn knife photos

2knife

2knife

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Mar 13, 2002
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Some photos of Ed Fowler's knives i have owned or borrowed photos. I continue to find these personally the most interesting of all handmade knives. The forms are a thing of beauty to me- they say user-friendly, distinctive, and "pocket worn". A very uncomplicated, natural style. I love it!

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If others have similar knives please share..
Thanks,
David
 
I like his knives for the blade shape mostly. I can appreciate the handles, but its not my cup of tea. Certainly distictive.


-Xander
 
Not a criticism in any way, they are well made knives for sure. Why is the Ricasso so large? Thanks for sharing.
 
Ryan,
Thanks for the interest. The spine and lower portion of ricasso and top edges of guard are all rounded to allow more comfort in a variety of holds. The long ricasso is a finger rest. In such a grip it allows a larger knife to be used as a smaller; more leverage. (from "Knife Talk")
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This might look scary initially but i assure you it is very safe in detailed cutting tasks. I have used just the top 1" of this knife doing several small wood carvings.
 
I admire Ed Fowler for his passion and his knives are undoubtedly built for purpose. I picked up many of them a few years ago at Blade and they feel great in hand.

That being said, there is a VERY interesting "Reader response" in the March 2012 Blade magazine. Stacy Apelt a reader of Blade for over 20 years, a knifemaker since 1961, claims Mr. Fowler has "his own metallurgy science" that is NOT backed up by actual facts and is disappointed Blade continues to publish his opinions as such.

A partial quote "His self-proclaimed superiority and science is egotistical at best, and totally false in many cases".

Mr. Apelt has most impressive credentials in the field of metallurgy, and his response certainly caused me to take notice.

I know you consider Fowler knives to be the panacea, but I too have to wonder, when I have not gotten any response from you in past bladeforums posts, when I asked you to relate examples of actual experience when touting Fowler knives as superior to anything out there?

Peter
 
Peter, i have not done any testing to compare knives of any makers against each other. My interest in Ed's work is not this aspect primarily, though i do appreciate every aspect he incorporates in his ideals of knife design and function.

Regarding the comments made by Stacy Apelt, there is a separate thread in knifemakers forum dedicated to this specifically. I do not purport to speak for Ed, but Stacy made his thoughts known in a wreckless disrespecting rant, in my opinion. He is free to make any remarks he wishes about the science aspect, but should not judge the intents and efforts Ed has made over the many years. - Such a cavalier disregard.
 
I was happy the Aplet spoke up. His opinion is shared by many but none have had the chutzpa to say the emporer had no clothes, nor the "acceptable" credentials to back up the statements. When Fowler's ads started comparing him to Michelangelo, I realized that speaking up would not change Fowler, possibly by writing to Blade, Aplet hoped the magazine would do the right thing and remove his pulpit. The only true disrespect to Fowler was done by Blade for printing the letter.
 
Peter - go read the "science" thread over in shop talk. There are some makers why actively decry what they claim is the "over-hyping" of science. Have a read and draw your own conclusions.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/914338-My-pet-peeve-Science-is-everything

RyanW - I certainly don't speak for Ed and have no comment on his particular design choice here, but I have heard it suggested in general that a large ricasso on hunting knives allows you to "choke up" on the blade and get your hand closer to the cutting edge for better "control". I have seen that suggestion countered by pointing out that eliminating the large ricasso would accomplish the same goal - effectively bringing your hand closer to the cutting edge while keeping it safely behind the guard. Of course, all that begs the question of how difficult it is to "control" a 4" blade while dressing game. I haven't found it to be particularly difficult. But that's the nice thing about custom knives - lots of selection and many great makers who can supply a knife with design features that appeal to you. Those who value a huge ricasso get to have it their way just the same as those who don't.

Roger
 
Can we just let him show knives, there has been enough discussion about this elsewhere that you can go there and vent if you like. I don't have a Fowler for a few reasons, if you don't like them don't buy them!

Thanks for the explanation on the ricasso. I make some knives with a large half circle choil for the same reason, being able to choke up on a knife makes a huge difference in control.

Edit: Sorry Roger didn't see your post, I have found a guarded knife a bit difficult to get my fingers round the guard comfortably
 
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Thanks Ryan. Roger, you have a good point. As you say, let your experiences dictate ones preferences. One thing i would say, using a knife with the choked up grip the guard should be substantial- a Loveless type guard would be too small to provide the same adequate amount of support- my own personal opinion.
 
RogerP said:
Peter - go read the "science" thread over in shop talk. There are some makers why actively decry what they claim is the "over-hyping" of science. Have a read and draw your own conclusions.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/914338-My-pet-peeve-Science-is-everything

Roger
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Thanks for the link Roger. I was not aware of that thread as I don't regularly read "Shop Talk". I had just received the latest Blade and noticed the Reader Response and then saw 2knife's post.

I realize Fowler knives as any custom knife has those that like them and those that don't. If claims are made regarding superiority I am interested in "The Science" of why, or performance tests illustrating what is stated.

Peter
 
I don't own mine anymore, but I'm still a big fan of Eds work. I need to add some to the collection again when the right time comes. They melt into the hand and are super strong, in my opinion.
 
That "camp" knife is VERY nice.

I read that thread in "Shop Talk" and about the ONLY thing I learned is that Stacy Apelt is the moderator of that forum!

Peter
 
Just wondering, how many of you see Ed's handles as "basically the same on every knife"? I have always thought them to be highly individualistic in feel, one from another. Others see it differently. Let me know what you think.,
Thanks,
David

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While I don't consider every one of Ed's handles to be the same, I DO see them as all of the same STYLE. There is nothing wrong with that, as the old cliche goes "if it ain't broke....". Sheep horn being a natural material like stag, no two pieces are the same.

In handling several of Ed's knives, each one felt VERY different and placed the blade in a way to perform various functions, as Ed no doubt intended.

Peter
 
peterinct said:
Thanks for the link Roger. I was not aware of that thread as I don't regularly read "Shop Talk". I had just received the latest Blade and noticed the Reader Response and then saw 2knife's post.

I realize Fowler knives as any custom knife has those that like them and those that don't. If claims are made regarding superiority I am interested in "The Science" of why, or performance tests illustrating what is stated.

Peter
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Me too. I am less interested in tall tales and syrupy romanticism. While such can be entertaining - even quite humorous - I don't find it particularly informative. Others clearly take a different view. Which is fine.

Roger
 
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